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Because two, neither had my armpits.

Because three, it had been way, way longer since the more intimate parts of my body had seen any type of trimming or landscaping. Fuck, I might need to hunt down a hedge trimmer to tackle that job.

Head tipped back, I groaned at the ceiling. “Fuck my life. Fuck body hair. Fuck me hesitating on that damn laser hair removal Groupon.”

Returning to the door, thankful I hadn’t even taken off my coat yet, I flicked the lock and pulled the door open. Back outside, without Aiden’s comforting and protective presence, the stillness in the air, along with the shadows passing through the trees, had an ominous feeling sweeping over me. I paused, one foot hanging over the single step, as a chill crept down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Swallowing hard for courage, I shrugged off the strange feeling making me all kinds of paranoid and continued down the steps to the path that led toward the main area of The Nest. Surely the front desk—or sometimes, in small places like this, the bar area—had backup supplies offered for little things their guests might have forgotten.

Fingers crossed, because if they didn’t, then I’d have to ride the bike into town with a bit of hope and a prayer that a general-type store was open.

The thin layer of gravel that made up the trail ground beneath my boots with every step, the sound somewhat cathartic, easing the worry from Aiden’s odd warning. Tucked off the path were the other cabins. Sounds of laughter and voices carried through the trees. Every few steps, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over my shoulder, the feeling of being followed nagging at me. For the billionth time, I slowed to scan the area but didn’t see anyone. Breathing through the rising fear, I picked up the pace to a fast walk. It wasn’t long before my breaths sawed in and out in heavy pants from the nerves and quick gait.

The rustle of leaves and a sharp gust of chilled wind sent my hair flying into my face, blinding me for a few seconds and pushing me into a slow jog. Heart pounding, whole body trembling, which made me stumble on the uneven surface, I dared another look behind me. A hysterical laugh bubbled up, escaping in a loud hacking from being out of breath at finding two wild ferrets rolling and running just off the path, chittering back and forth to each other.

Slowing my pace and clasping both hands behind my head to calm my heaving breaths, I cursed at myself and rolled my eyes to the darkening sky. I was being paranoid and working myself into a damn heart attack. Nostrils flaring, I continued toward the main building, relief flowing through me when I rounded a sharp curve on the path and bright lights came into view.

The curve had the way I’d just come from appearing in my peripheral. Movement, almost nothing more than shadows shifting, had me pausing and turning fully, squinting into the trees to see what caught my eye. My stomach dropped. A dark figure that didn’t belong to a woodland creature, big or small, made me freeze.

A booming voice coming from the direction of the main building had me whipping around toward the noise. Two people walked out the glass front doors, arm in arm.

Shaking my head, I turned back, only to find nothing unusual there.

Squinting both eyes, I scanned back along the path but couldn’t find the person I swore I saw hiding in the trees.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

Or maybe…

It wasn’t.

14

AIDEN

The last pack slammed into the bed of Miles’s truck. I leaned against the faded blue paint, wiping the dribble of sweat that slid down the side of my jaw as I watched Miles and Jubie lumbering my way. Jubie trotted beside Miles, trying to keep up with his long strides and occasionally jumping to snag the stick my best friend taunted his dog with, just high enough to where she couldn’t get it.

A small smile pulled at his lips, and I knew I wore a similar one. We were both excited for the next twenty-four hours. Yes, there was that potential of taking things further with Aspen, but it was also about the time we would get to spend with her in the great outdoors, where all three of us loved to be. It was special when we could take true outdoor lovers out on hikes, knowing they would appreciate all that Alaska offered. Seeing the awe on someone’s face, some even shedding grateful tears, was fucking special as hell.

What were the odds that Aspen would be open to hiking naked?

“What are you smirking at?” Miles muttered as he leaned against the truck beside me. “Whatever it is, that look always spells trouble for both of us.”

I shook my head and ran a few fingers through my hair. “Just excited, I guess. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this.” I tapped at my chest where the excitement felt almost physical, bubbling inside me. “This buzzing anticipation of a hike I’ve done hundreds of times.”

Miles nodded while throwing the slobber-coated stick as far as he could. We both watched Jubie prance off. “I know what you mean. We’ve done this trail so many times it’s lost its shine, but this time with Aspen…” He trailed off, allowing me to fill in the words he clearly couldn’t voice.

“It feels fucking sparkly?”

Miles barked a laugh and shoved at my shoulder. That sound rumbled in my ears and went straight to my heart, making it feel even fuller. Fuck, I loved seeing this side of him again. If this was what Aspen did for him, eased that burden he carried around, then I’d do anything to make her stay.

“What are your thoughts about kidnapping?” I mused as I rubbed at my clean-shaven jaw, a basic, sketchy-as-hell plan forming.

“That it’s a felony? What the fuck kind of question is that?”

Both shoulders rose and lowered in an exaggerated shrug. “Just thinking out loud here. Don’t get all high-and-mighty over something like legalities on me. Come on, let’s go.” As I reached for the door handle, I paused. “Oh, I might have let the creepy shit going on around here slip last night to Aspen, and I also might have promised her we’d explain everything.” I shot him my best puppy dog eyes, hoping it would keep him from punching me. “For her safety, you know.”

“Fucking hell, Aiden. You know what Hudson and Oliver?—”