Page 55 of Off the Trail

“Hey,” Blaze says. The sheets rustle, and he sits up. He’s smiling, his hair smooshed flat on one side, sleep sand crusting one eye partially shut. He rubs at his eye, revealing the dark hair in his pit. He’s shirtless, his powerful hairy chest on display, and I get an unexpected jolt of arousal. I don’t know what it is about him, but I just can’t get enough of him, his body. Morning breath be damned, I launch myself at him and steal a messy, sour kiss. The sourness fades away as Blaze kisses back. He smiles against my mouth.

“Good morning,” he says when I pull back because it’s either stop kissing him or not stop until we’re both panting through our orgasms, and I don’t know what’s on his morning schedule.

“Morning. Is it early? It feels early.”

“Yeah, it’s early. I should get going, though,” he says, sounding regretful. “Work and Misty and stuff.”

“Can’t Brooke take care of Misty?” I scoot closer, wanting to put my head on his chest, but I don’t.

“Yeah, but I have to change. I’m leading a hike this morning. And later there’s a staff meeting.” He winces at the mention of the meeting.

“Are we going to be an item on the agenda?”

He shakes his head. “Hopefully not. You worried?”

“Are you worried? I hope they don’t give you any shit.”

“We’ll see. I’ll be discreet.”

“I know you will, but if you have to, you can throw me under the bus. Your job is more important than anything I have going on.”

Blaze looks offended. “I’m not going to throw you under the bus,” he says hotly.

“No.” I smile at him, feeling a ridiculous little flutter under my sternum. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would never,” he says seriously. “And my job is fine. We’re both consenting adults, aren’t we?”

“Last time I checked.” I don’t lay my head on his chest, but I give in to the urge to kiss him on the edge of his beard, right under his ear.

He makes a happy noise, so I kiss him again and don’t hear what he says next. “Hmmm?”

“What are your plans for the day?”

“I—oh shit.” No more kissing. “What time is it again?”

He reaches for his watch. “Almost seven.”

Not too late then. “I’m going to join the crew again today, but I don’t have to be at the site until eight.”

His eyebrows become one. “You don’t have to, you know.”

“I want to. Leo’s going to teach me to lay subflooring. And it’s going to be a beautiful day. Maybe a little chilly.”

“Wear layers,” Blaze says, because he can’t help it.

“Okay,” I answer, not teasing him because I kind of like the fuss. “What are you doing for dinner?” There’s a pause that goes on for too long. “What? Got a hot date?” I joke stupidly, feeling oddly nervous.

“No, I was thinking I should probably hash some stuff out with Brooke. But I want to see you, too.”

“No, you’re right, you should do that.” His relationship with his sister is important, though I’m bummed I might not get to see him until tomorrow.

“If I have time, I’ll stop by the construction site later.”

“Okay.”

Even though we both have to get our days started, neither of us moves. Finally, I crack a smile. “I guess we better go. I need a shower.”

“Yeah, me too,” he says.