Page 26 of Maneater

Darien and I both laugh it off with Jimbo. I’m also glad that Darien accepts Jimbo’s offer instead of using the interruption as an excuse to make a hasty exit.

Once Jimbo heads back to the kitchen, I find myself overcome by the same awkwardness I felt when I first sat down. Darien doesn’t seem to be faring much better. After a few moments of sipping coffee in silence, I make a determination.

“What’s your schedule like at the market? Seeing as I’m the boss, I can take time off whenever I want.” I chuckle. “For the most part.”

“My days off are Wednesdays and Thursdays, so whatever works for you.”

We discuss the details of our planned excursion, and by the time we share goodbyes, I’m teetering on the edge of giddy.

I need someone to talk me down before I get in too deep. I need Boone.

Chapter Nine

Darien

My hands shake, literally shake as I fill my backpack with what I’ll need for my outing with Rex. I’ve never been this nervous on a first date before.

I drop my water bottle.

This isn’t a date. Can’t be.

Do I want it to be?

Nope. Definitely not.

Liar.

I plop onto the cot with the thin mattress that passes as my bed and let the half-filled backpack slip from my grasp. I need to get my shit together before I meet up with Rex. My thoughts have been so muddled the past few days, and I still can’t decide whether I should allow myself to explore my attraction to him or take a hardcore stance and reject all thoughts of being intimate with a guy.

I’ve jerked off to pictures of the hunky Rex in my mind ever since the coffeeshop. But that doesn’t mean I have to follow through on my feelings.

Okay, if I’m being honest, I’ve been jacking it while pining over him since being half naked in his cave. Oof. How hot was that? Being rescued by a big, strong mountain man and carried off to his cave like a damsel in distress. I snort. That’s a fantasy I never imagined would make it onto my bingo card.

Shoving aside my pervy fantasies, I grab my backpack and go back to getting it ready. I’m sure I’m working myself up over nothing. I seriously doubt the man is interested in me. I don’t even know if he’s gay or bi. But I can’t quite interpret the girlfriend remark. Because it really seemed as though he was testing the waters.

Once, when I was at a college party with Kade, this guy hit on me. Being the big dork that I am, I didn’t pick up on what was happening until Kade teased me about it later.

I’ve always wondered about that exchange. The guy was funny and attractive. If I’d realized what was going on, would I have flirted back? Or would I have been too worried about what Kade or my other friends would think if I got together with a man?

The frustration my musings are causing is doing nothing to calm my nerves. One thing’s for sure, though. I absolutely refuse to ponder over how fast and strong my attraction to Rex is. Otherwise, I might jump him on the trail, which would be hella awkward.

I toss my backpack onto the bed, then reach for my hoodie. I don’t have to think about the answer to any of this right now. Being on my own for the past few weeks with only my thoughts to keep me company most of the time has made my brain go into overdrive. I simply need to go out and enjoy the day with someone by my side.

The nights in my new home are lonely. But they’re also devoid of civilization’s soundtrack. The distractions that prevented me from facing myself. I assumed that planning my future and deciding to lean into being a naturopath was delving into my true self. But I’m not simply what I do for a career. I’m much more.

And now there’s Rex, making me come to terms with a part of my true self I’ve been pushing away for far too long.

My heart thunders the closer I get to the spot where I’m meeting Rex. I’ve been singing at the top of my lungs and reciting the Latin names of various plants in my head to try and distract me, but it’s been a big fail. Rex, Rex, Rex. This growing obsession is getting out of control.

Right as I drive around the bend, I spot Rex’s truck. But what I’m really fixed on is him. Tall, muscular, and fuck me, those full kissable lips tugging into a smile as I park next to him.

Quit drooling, you maniac.

Now, if I can only behave like a coherent human being, I might stand a chance of surviving the day. What I should’ve been doing while driving was come up with safe, and hopefully interesting, subjects of conversation. I doubt the history of local plants and their medicinal properties will thrill him.

“Good morning,” Rex calls out as I climb out of my Jeep. “We’ve got ourselves a perfect day for a hike.”

“Yeah.” I attempt my least unhinged smile. “It’s awesome.”