Page 125 of More For Me

“Hiking is overrated,” I say immediately, reaching for her waist.

But she bats my hands away. “Nope. You want to do the whole camping thing, we’re doing the whole camping thing. Now show me this stupid trail.”

* * *

I keep our hike short,since it will be getting dark soon. Also, I don’t want Everly to completely hate her first camping experience. She actually seems to enjoy herself—which probably has a lot to do with how beautiful the surroundings look with the sun going down.

Back at our site, I pull out a bottle of water and a hand towel. “Come here,” I say, wetting the towel. She stands in front of me and I gather her hair so I can lift it from her neck. Then I rub the cool towel over her sweaty skin. She shivers, goosebumps jumping up all over her flesh. “Too cold?”

“No,” she murmurs.

I repeat the action and she sways a little, so I take her hip in my other hand and steady her. “The last time we were in this position you were making me insane with that blue dress.”

She gasps. “You were making me insane that night! You smelled so freaking good and you were standing so close.”

I take a step closer, so my front is flush with her back. “Do you have any idea how much I wanted to do this?” I murmur, leaning down to brush my lips over her nape.

“Bodhi,” she whimpers, shivering again.

I force myself to step back then pour more water over the towel. I bring it to her bare arms and rub gentle circles. “Shh,” I whisper when she starts to complain. “Let me take care of you, love.”

Her breath leaves her in a whoosh and I can feel her body relax. I want to turn her around and kiss her breathless. I want to drag her to the tent and show her exactly how I plan to take care of her.

I want to tell her that I love her so much my chest aches.

But I force the words down, the same way I’ve been doing for ages. I told her that once before, and she hadn’t said it back. Which is fine—I’m more than happy to be patient. Especially if I get to touch her like this in the meantime.

But I’m not going to tell her I love her again until I’m sure she’s ready to hear it.

“Bodhi,” she whispers, and I realize the towel has slipped from my hands and I’m now just caressing her skin with my fingers. “Can we please go in the tent now?”

“Fuck yes.” I sweep her up into my arms, grinning at the way she yelps. “Close your eyes a minute, okay? I want to get things set up in there.”

She groans. “Can’t you set it up later? I want you.”

It takes all my strength not to lay her down on the forest floor when she says that. But I know this will make her smile—and the only thing as good as making love to Everly is making her smile.

“Close your eyes,” I demand. She sighs, but does as I say, and I carry her over to the tent. Somehow, I manage to get the zipper undone with one hand. Once we’re inside, I zip it back up immediately, knowing her feelings about bugs. Then I find the battery pack I left by the entrance and press the on button.

“Okay, you can open them now.”

I know the exact moment she sees what I’ve done in here, because the air rushes out of her chest. “Bodhi.”

“You like it?”

“It’s gorgeous.”

I’ve hung battery powered string lights around the tent and they glow in the gathering dusk. Instead of my usual sleeping mats, I brought a queen-sized blow-up mattress. It takes up most of the tent and I’ve piled it high with fluffy blankets and pillows.

“You did all this for me?” she asks, turning in my arms to face me.

I shrug. “I told you I wanted you to enjoy this.”

She shakes her head and I realize her eyes are wet. “All I needed to enjoy this is you.”

Then she brings her mouth to mine and we spend the next hour enjoying the hell out of each other.

* * *