Page 12 of Camping with the Boss (Pride Camp 2025 #9)

Chapter Seven

Canyon

I jerk awake, shielding my eyes from the light pouring into the room. An arm around my waist pulls me closer. Wade’s scent hits me before the panic has a chance to kick in.

I’m at camp. In Wade’s bed. The memories of last night tumble through my mind.

My panic attack. Admitting to Wade—and Jared and Ander—that I’ve never done anything.

Did they catch that? But then, Wade being so tender.

So careful. Telling me he was interested.

Letting me sleep with him to feel safe. And it worked.

My emotions are all over the place, not sure where to land.

Embarrassment? Humiliation? But also happiness and excitement.

But it’s my first day of leading activities, and being late on my first day wouldn’t be good.

Making the boss late because he’s snuggling against me and—I gasp as Wade rocks against me.

His erection poking my bottom. Now I’m hard. And I’m not even sure he’s awake.

“Wade?”

“Hmm?” His sleepy voice isn’t helping my condition.

“Wade,” I hiss and turn, making it so much worse as he pulls me into his arms and—oh God.

Delicious sparks spread through me as our dicks slide against each other.

I want to strip him down and feel his skin against mine.

And that’s enough to wake me up. This can never happen.

I’d have to show Wade my body. My scars…

Wade bucks against me, giving me more of those sparks, and it’s too much. No matter what happens with Wade, my first time won’t be a quicky on the first day of my new but temporary job.

“Wade!” I shake his shoulder, ignoring the tantalizing skin. The curve of his bicep. He moans, and holy cow, this is torture. “Stop humping me and wake up.”

He jerks awake and rubs his eyes. “Can?” A look of horror passes over his face, and he scoots back. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine. Really.” I grab his arm and check his watch. “But we need to get ready. You’re first up on the agenda, boss.”

It’s easier after that to put some distance between us. I need this to go well. My brother worked hard to put this together. I’m seriously impressed.

And the enormity of what he’s been doing hits me. Planning this retreat and knowing he’d be spending five days at camp. Reliving every good memory and bad.

Is that the reason he bailed?

I can’t focus on River’s mental health. Not when I need to focus on my own. I need to exude confidence. Not be a blubbering mess who needs Wade to take care of me.

I don’t need anyone.

I’m not ashamed. I felt safe in Wade’s arms. Cared for. But I can’t depend on it either. After this retreat, I’ll be returning to my boring life. So, for now, I need to focus on doing the best job I can.

I follow Wade with his long legs and brisk stride to the main building.

The dining room is already full, and the delicious scent of coffee and bacon has me grabbing a cup and a plate.

Wade stands off to the side, talking to Jared, so I look for a place to sit.

The round tables encourage small group discussion, but right now, I just want to figure out where to sit without alienating anyone.

“Hey, Canyon,” Ander says with a warm smile. “I saved you a seat.”

Yesterday, I wanted to hurt this guy, but now I’m relieved to see him.

I slip into the chair next to him and focus on the food in front of me.

My normal diet consists of the basics: ramen, oatmeal, peanut butter, and rice.

Bacon is a luxury. I’m not supposed to eat fatty foods, but that hasn’t even been an option for a while.

And I don’t plan to waste this opportunity.

“Hungry?” Ander asks, his voice teasing. But what is he teasing me about? My appetite? Or why I might be so hungry. Does he think…? I’m not sure what he’s implying, so I answer honestly.

“I’m starving.”

After my first cup of coffee, two pancakes, and three strips of bacon, I feel almost normal. Better than normal. I take a breath. “Um, thank you, Ander. For helping me last night.”

His smile is warm. Genuine. “It’s no problem. Really. I’ve been there.”

I talk to people all day for work. But here, there’s no script. Still, I can do this. Make small talk. “Did you sleep well?”

“Eh.” His gaze shifts to Wade and Jared. Right. They’d been arguing last night. “It was fine. You?”

I blush, gosh darn it. “Yeah. It was…good.” I fight through the heat in my face, purposefully not thinking about sleeping in Wade’s arms.

He nods, and I excuse myself to get another cup of coffee.

The overall mood of the group seems to be upbeat as excited chatter and laughter fill the dining hall. Although there are a few, scowling in their coffee, who don’t seem to be enjoying their time away from the office.

I pour my coffee, breathing in the rich, calming scent.

“I have so much work I could be doing right now.”

The room is loud with chattering and laughing, but I easily pick out the person talking at the pastry table behind me.

Al.

“But it is nice to get away,” a woman says. Without turning around, I can’t be sure, but I think it’s Carol. “I love being outside.”

“Yeah. It’s a real treat. I find it interesting that River didn’t even bother showing up.”

“I heard he was sick.”

“Not what I heard,” he says with a snort of laughter. “I heard…” He lowers his voice, and I lean back a little to hear as I stir nothing into my coffee. “I heard he got caught—you know.”

“Ow,” I hiss as coffee splashes on my hand.

I place the spoon carefully on the counter and grab a napkin to blot my hand and the table.

There’s no sound from the pastry table, and when I sneak a look, they’re gone.

What was Al talking about? River getting caught…

doing what? Once my breathing is back under control, I turn and lose my breath all over again. Wade is right there.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure.” I shrug. “Why wouldn’t I be?” His frown tells me he doesn’t believe me.

How much did he hear? He doesn’t call me on my obvious lie.

Instead, he squeezes my arm right above my elbow and lets go.

I expect him to move away. He’ll be starting the meeting soon.

But his gray eyes remain on my face. Intense.

Not angry or accusative. Concerned. The tightness in my chest eases and I can breathe. “I’m fine.”

A slight smile touches his lips. He doesn’t say anything, and I catalog his features even while actively trying not to.

A strong jaw, clean shaven. The stubble I remember from last night is gone.

My eyes dart to his lips and back up, and his breath catches.

I blink and turn away. What am I doing? His employees are all here. In this room. Keep it together, Canyon.

“It’s time to get started.” But his fingers brush the back of my arm like a promise, igniting sparks that make me feel alive.

I return to my seat with Ander and Jared. Both of them speak to me but not to each other. I can’t focus on the tension at our table because Al’s words are replaying over and over in my head. I realize I missed part of Wade’s introductory speech when I hear my name.

“Canyon is going to tell us how this week will go.”

I’m as prepared as I can be, considering I didn’t plan any of this.

I explain the schedule to them. “After breakfast, Wade—” I cough.

“Mr. Darian will start the morning activities, breaking you into groups based on current projects you’re working on so you can brainstorm ideas to work through issues.

Then, I will have morning team-building activities.

Then lunch and afternoon activities. These will focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Late afternoon will be free time, and then dinner.

In the evenings, we have some fun activities planned.

For those interested, you can get up early and fish before breakfast. The camp has all the equipment you’ll need and we have bait available. ”

“Are you going to teach us how to fish?” Al asks.

I really am not a fan of this guy. “I’ll be available. I’ll even bait your hook if you want.”

“Uh…no thanks. I think I can handle it.”

I’m definitely going to remember that when he can’t get a worm to stay on. Sure, he might have fished before, but he doesn’t look like someone who wants to put effort into anything.

“What about canoeing?”

My mouth goes dry and I struggle to draw in a breath. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I give Wade a helpless look. He’s by my side in an instant.

“You can canoe if you’d like and life jackets are available to use. You can also swim, but be aware that we don’t have a lifeguard. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Are we going to roast marshmallows?” Jet asks.

“Oh, s’mores!” Dillian and Jet fist bump.

“We’ll see,” Wade says.

“Come on, Dad.” Everyone laughs at Owen’s joke.

“This retreat will be a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. So let’s all be respectful and do our best.”

I don’t laugh at his cheesy closing remarks, but breathing is easier. As everyone mills around, grabbing one last cup of coffee or a cheese Danish, Jet hands out bags for everyone who doesn’t already have one. I thought Jet was in IT, but now I’m not sure. Is he one of Wade’s assistants?

“Did you get a bag?” Wade asks, shuffling his feet in a very unWade-like way.

“You gave one to me yesterday.” I hold the bright-yellow bag up.

“Right.” He shakes his head. “Are you ready for all this?”

“Are you?”

“Not like we have much of a choice.”

Tuesday, June 10 th , 10:30 a.m.