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She nods. “I am.”
“Good. I’m afraid we don’t have time to rest. We have to find shelter before it’s too late. There’s a clearing not far from here. I’ll pitch the tent, and we’ll wait out the storm.”
Iris follows me with her head held high and her sneakers completely soaked. I admire her determination. Not many women would be as courageous as her, weathering a storm with a guy they only just met.
It only takes us fifteen minutes to reach the clearing where I can put the tent up relatively safely. By now, the rain is pelting down on us. I throw my pack on the ground and pull out the tent. It’s a small, lightweight trekking tent, big enough for two people. I always take this one with me because it sleeps both me and my gear. I’m sure Iris and I will find a way to squeeze ourselves and everything I’m carrying inside.
I pitch the tent as fast as I can. With practiced movements, I secure the stakes and tie down the rainfly, doing my best to shield us from the worst of the storm.
As the wind howls and the rain lashes against the fabric of the tent, I glance over at Iris, who is shivering and watching my every movement.
“Can I help?” she asks, fear lacing her voice.
I shake my head. “I’m almost done.”
With one final adjustment, the tent stands firmly on the ground. I quickly unzip the entrance and tell Iris to come inside. I throw my backpack inside, hoping not everything is soaked. The thought of facing the night without dry blankets sends a shiver down my spine. Hypothermia is no joke.
I zip the tent closed, relieved we have a roof over our heads to shield us from the downpour outside. The space is cramped, but I couldn’t care less. Being this close to Iris feels inexplicably right, as if there’s nowhere I belong but next to her.
“Thank you for keeping me safe,” she says with a warm smile.
“Are you kidding me? I’m the one who got you into this situation in the first place.”
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
“I should have never taken you up the mountain. We should’ve stayed in Bearclaw Ridge. With a storm like this, the valley is much safer.”
“No way. This is not your fault, Falcon. I was the one who wanted to run further away, remember?” She’s silent for a few seconds. “You know, all that hiking gave me a lot of time to think. I’ve realized that I never truly loved Joshua. I think I loved the idea of him, and even that wasn’t real, as it turns out. He’s a cheater and a liar. I’m glad we never…”
“You never what?”
“Well, never had sex. When he suggested that we wait, I thought it was romantic. Now I know he probably didn’t love me either. Whatever the case, I’m relieved I didn’t give my virginity to him.”
Fucking hell. She’s a virgin? It’s like music to my ears.
She misinterprets my surprised look. “I know, pathetic, right?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s pathetic. Unless you think I’m pathetic, too.”
“Stop joking, Falcon. I get that you’re trying to make me feel better, but it’s unnecessary.”
“I’m dead serious. I’ve never had sex with anyone. I don’t believe in one-night stands either.”
“So you’re telling me that a hot, considerate, adventurous, sexy guy like yourself has never had sex?” she asks with a frown. “How is that even possible?”
I laugh. “You think I’m sexy, huh?”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “That’s all you heard me say?”
“I can’t hear so well with all this rain pelting down on us,” I reply with a grin.
“Do you think it’ll be over soon? And what if lightning strikes?” she asks, the worry creeping in again.
“We’ll be safe. We’re not the tallest objects around.”
She shivers and wraps her arms around her body.
“Come here. I’ll keep you warm,” I tell her. “If you don’t mind me touching you.”
