Page 95 of My Pleasure

Kiera took his hand and stood. “Why do we need bug protection?”

“You’ll see.”

“Don’t go too far,” Caiden advised.

“Yes, sir,” Hunter said and led his mate through the kitchen to the back door. As promised, Ryuu had stacked up the camping gear, totes, and picnic basket by the door. He lifted them easily. “It’s not far,” he said, leading her away from the estate and into the woods.

“It’s only about a mile away, close enough that we can walk back in the morning,” Hunter said.

“Morning?” Kiera asked, looking excited. “We’re camping?”

“Yes, is that okay?”

“More than okay! I’ve spent the past five years in corporate high rises, surrounded by concrete and egos. I’ve missed plants and the smell of the earth.”

“I always forget that after the fae, witches are closest to nature,” Hunter admitted.

“Do we have a tent?”

“I’m assuming we do, Ryuu mention a glamping version.”

She looped her arm through his and walked with him in the dark. Neither of them were novices when it came to the forest, so they avoided any roots or branches that could have caused a spill.

“You have a place in mind, don’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite spots. Should be coming up. You’ll know it when you see it.”

He watched her carefully as they crested a small hill and heard her intake of breath. In front of them a small meadow spilled out from the tree line, surrounded on all sides by the forest. The moon overheard provided plenty of light for them to find a flat spot for their tent.

She pointed to the ground. “There’s already a campfire spot here,” she said, pointing to the ring of stones and old charcoal.

“I told you it was a favorite spot of mine.”

He set everything down on the ground and pulled a confusing set of hard plastic tubes and plastic sheets from the travel case. He looked at her and she looked at him. “This is your rodeo cowboy. I’ve never set up a tent in my life,” she admitted freely.

He twisted the material this way and that until he saw a tag that read ‘Pull’. He pointed to it. “It says pull.”

“I can see that.”

“Should I?”

“If you want a tent tonight, I recommend it.”

Hunter had no idea what was about to happen. He pulled the tag, heard the whistling of air moving through tubes and the next thing he knew he was flat on his back surrounded by plastic.

Somewhere beyond his hell, he heard the unrestrained laughter of his mate. He smiled, wishing he could see her as she laughed.

“You alive under there?” she asked, while gasping.

“I am, but have no idea what direction to head. If I stand, I have a feeling I’ll flip this entire thing over.”

Moments later he felt her soft, warm hand find the top of his head. “Move this way.”

Hunter scooted until he was clear of the tent. Shaking his head, he looked up at his mate. “I didn’t know it’d do that.”

That set her off again. Between wiping her eyes of tears and holding her sides, she laughed until she could barely breathe. He threaded his hands behind his head and watched her.

When she finally caught her breath, she offered him a hand up. He took it and stood. “What’s the damage?” he asked.