“Ah,” he said, and finished his beer before getting to his feet. He held out a hand to me. “This requires two people.”
There was a twinkle in his eye that spelled trouble, but the good kind. I gave him my hand and let him help me to my feet. We walked toward the bunk in the back, the one he’d gotten the blanket from.
He tugged me forward, but as we neared, I slowed, giving our forward progress some playful resistance. “I know where you’re going with this, Mr. Bowmen.”
The man made smirking an art form. “I need to know if the framing can handle vigorous strain. I wouldn’t want to be sued.”
“We’re talking kids who shouldn’t be vigorous in any way at a camp like this.”
He got me to the completed bunk. Light wood paneling covered the sides and back, keeping the space bright and airy. As he’d mentioned, at the head and foot, there was a cutout where books and other things could be stored. A thick mattress covered with a sheet held pillows and folded blankets at the foot.
“There’s an opportunity outside of summer to run cowboy experiences for the corporate types. More money that can be funneled into charity for kids.”
“I see,” I teased.
“Yes, I need to know how warm this bunk will keep my clients, small or large.” He peeled off my jacket. It wasn’t freezing inside, but it was chilly. I guessed there wasn’t central heating, or it wasn’t working.
“And I’m your test subject?”
He slowly nodded as my clothes hit the floor one by one. I shivered when I stood there naked before him. “And you?”
“I’m glad you asked.”
He didn’t take long, and we fell in the bunk. He quickly covered us with the blankets as our bodies fit, like puzzle pieces snapping in place. I was lost after that as he found new ways to pleasure me.
We lay lazily tangled in limbs, my back to his chest as he held me tight.
“Don’t go,” he said. “I want to wake with you in my arms.”
“Yeah?” I said, desperately hoping he was as serious as he sounded. I believed him, but there was that tiny spark of doubt coming from years of watching my parents’ unhealthy relationship and forming my own. I’d dated a few guys who’d acted nice in the beginning, but they’d all ended up being jerks at the end.
“Yeah,” he said, squeezing me a little.
If I’d thought he was going to sleep, I was wrong. He began to harden against my back and his fingers ran circles around my nipples until they were peaks.
I lost count of how many times or ways he made love to me. And that was what it felt like. Like I could totally and completely fall in love with this man if I allowed myself to.
When I woke the next morning, it was hard to say goodbye. He made it even harder.
TWENTY-THREE
Nate
She woke me with a kiss. It was probably the first time in my life I awoke with a grin on my face.
“Don’t go,” I said, tugging her close.
Her giggle brought my dick to full alert. “I have to work the morning shift.”
“Call out sick,” I suggested.
“Easier for you to say. I have bills that need to get paid.”
I groaned as she wiggled her way free. I caught my cock as it strained to reach her. “Let me take you out tonight.”
That might have been testing fate. My name wasn’t currently in the minds of those who wanted me cancelled. I didn’t care.
Her next words deflated me. “Let’s not complicate things.”
Was this how women had felt when I’d said something similar? Like being splashed with cold water.
“Yeah, okay,” I muttered, watching her put the containers that had held our meal back in the box once she was fully dressed.
How stupid had I been? I’d assumed she’d be as into me as I was into her. Was it my fault for not giving us a label when she’d asked?
I moved to say something, but she was at the door. “I’ll call you later,” she said before disappearing out the door.
Was I crowding her? It wasn’t like we saw each other every day. Then again, I’d basically begged her to stay the night.
I rolled on my back and ran a rough hand over my head. I had no idea how to deal with this situation. There was only one person I knew who would. I reached for my pants and got my phone.
“You’re up early,” Aiden said.
“Not on purpose.”
“Someone’s grumpy.”
“Thanks. I am. Which is why I need your advice.”
“Oh. This is a first. What happened?” Aiden asked.
“What do you think I’m calling about?” I complained, wondering if I was this easy to read.
“Starts with A—Avery.”
“Yeah. You got me. I don’t know. I like this girl, and she doesn’t want to be seen with me in public. I’m not complaining because being seen with me comes with a lot of shit. Someone was stalking her a few weeks ago. What bothers me is her response to me asking her out again wasn’t that. It was, ‘Let’s not complicate things.’ What the hell does that mean?”