“And this is how you fill yours?”
“Yes.”
We hiked along a partially cleared trail, and at every fallen tree, Gus stepped over, turned back, and held out a hand to help me over. By the time we’d crossed a small brook, I was beginning to lose faith in him. But that concern died quickly when we reached a small clearing flanked by a thick copse of trees on one side.
In the middle was a stone circle, and next to that was a rudimentary picnic table built from logs. Beside a boulder nearby sat a large plastic storage container with a padlock on it.
Gus set his backpack on the table. “This is our spot.”
I eyed the random plastic shed-like container, thinking its presence was a bit strange. “I take it you’ve been here before?”
He nodded. “Dozens of times, though I don’t usually make Finn fly me out here like an airborne Uber. Jude and I hike out here from the road. It’s about five miles and pretty dense, but I’ve been coming out here to camp for most of my life.”
He opened his pack and began unloading, taking out a tent and a huge pole with a massive light on top of it. Then he got to work setting up our camp, unearthing more helpful gear from his bag.
“Sam and I built this table with his son about five years ago. We brought four wheelers and tools. Came out pretty good.”
I put my backpack on the table and surveyed the towering trees. It smelled piney and fresh, and it was far less humid out here than in town.
“You should have a sleeping bag in your pack,” he said, setting up the poles for the tent. “And I’ve got a top-of-the-line sleeping pad for you. Can’t have my baby mama sleeping on the ground.”
That was oddly sweet, and yet I was deeply annoyed. I wasn’t against camping, but I did not appreciate being blindsided, and although I was already feeling more relaxed, it was hard not to feel resentful of the man for thinking he knew what I needed.
I unzipped the pack, ready to sort through the random shit Karl had no doubt packed for me. I removed a jug of water, the sleeping bag which had been packed into a compression sack, a headlamp, and a pair of thick wool socks.
Okay, so far, so good.
Next, I found a Ziplock bag full of my skincare products. Not really necessary, but thoughtful.
And—what the hell was this?
I hooked my pinkie in the black lace and pulled, unearthing a very lacy, very sheer nightie. Heart lurching, I stuffed it back in quickly. Fucking Karl.
Gus popped his head up. “Everything okay? Karl said he could handle the supplies for a night in the woods.”
I forced a smile, still shoving the offending item down. Once I was certain it was hidden, I pulled out the hairbrush I’d found. I would kill Karl. I’d fire him and then kill him. Dead. Where he stood. Did he think this was some kind of sex outing?
Is that what Gus thought? If so, he had another thing coming. Sure, he could build fires and carry supplies and even climb fucking trees, but I’d already made that mistake, and now the consequence was currently residing in my uterus.
With a shake of my head, I continued cataloging what Karl had packed. There were clothes, a sweatshirt, protein bars, a flashlight, and a battery bank for my phone. There was no way I’d get a signal out here, but it was thoughtful, nevertheless.
I zipped my pack back up, filled our water bottles, and helped Gus get the tent staked down. It really was beautiful, and as we worked, I made peace with being out here. This was my land, after all.
We worked in silence, and my mind began to slow. Removing all the noises and stressors made me feel more in tune with my body.
Which had probably been his whole plan.
Get me out here and go all mountain man until I was horny and feral.
Well, two could play at this game.
“I’ll grab some firewood,” I said, enjoying the heat of his gaze every time I bent over to pick up sticks.
He’d said to dress casually, so I’d worn bike shorts, knowing it would torture him.
With a small load of firewood in my arms, I turned, finding him watching me with his lip caught between his teeth and his brows pulled low, radiating nervousness. Shit, I wanted to pounce on him, feel his strong hands on my body, and let him have his way with me.
We were virgins when we got together. Sweet and tentative. He’d made me feel so safe and loved my first time. I’d always cherished that memory, even if everything else had gone to shit.
Our wild night together a few weeks back had been far from tentative. He had been ferocious and demanding as he worshiped every inch of me.
The memory made me shiver. I needed to remember to keep my legs closed. I was a mom now, and Gus was a handsome, unreliable complication.
Though it was stupid, I was sure, I did enjoy that he didn’t hide his desire for me. At my birthday party, as well as the next morning, then on the boat, and even here, gathering kindling, he made no effort to hide his attraction.
It felt a bit wicked and gave me a dangerous ego rush.
For so long, I’d played the dating dance. Dealt with the constant worry that came along with wondering whether someone was attracted to me, the feelings of inadequacy. Covering my body and feeling undesirable as I aged.
Not now. Gus made no secret of his desire. And under his intense gaze, I didn’t feel self-conscious. I felt empowered and sexy.
After the tent and sleeping bags were set up, he opened up the storage shed and produced a small propane grill and two folding chairs. There were emergency blankets, water, and a first-aid kit in there as well. Smart.
“Let me get a snack put together, and then we’ll hike up to my special spot.”
Oh, thank God. I was already starving. Pregnancy hunger was no joke. When my blood sugar got low, I turned into a cavewoman. We’d only hiked for thirty minutes, and I was hungry enough to consider the best way to trap squirrels so I could roast one over the campfire.
Gus grilled hotdogs—refusing to let me help, of course—while I sat back, taking in the scenery. I hadn’t felt this at peace in a long, long time.
