Page 29

Wyatt

I wake early and have a great idea. Finn needs to learn how to camp and fish. God forbid something were to happen to me, he would need to be able to take the guests on their excursions. Plus, what’s a better way to get to spend time alone with someone?

I take a nice, long, hot shower. If my plan works, we won’t be back to enjoy the modern facilities in a few days. Better to get clean now so I don’t smell too bad when we share some alone time.

Alone time? Am I trying to plan a romantic getaway between us or a teaching opportunity?

I smile at myself in the bathroom mirror, suddenly feeling naughty as fuck.

Without any encouragement on my part, my cock stands straight up as if to say hello.

Taking a few extra minutes to look myself over in the mirror, I realize I hadn’t done any grooming in a couple of days.

I am looking quite rugged. I wonder if Finn likes the rugged look?

Hairy chest, scruffy beard, more than a few days of bush down below.

I’ve started caring a lot more about my looks and how I act, talk, and even walk ever since Finn showed up on the doorstep.

Maybe Finn is rubbing off on me… and in a good way.

He’s making me care about myself and have a healthy appreciation for how other people see me.

I’ll never be one of those people who self-obsess and make things toxic for everyone around them.

And I surely have never been a people-pleaser.

Looking down, I have to make a decision. Rub one out real quick or save it for later? The prospect of spending time alone with Finn is making me horny as all hell, but I want to keep this feeling going. I am full of angst and desire. It feels nice—very much alive.

I quickly get dressed, shove my needy, hard cock into my pants the best I can, and hurry out to the dining area.

My stomach flutters with nerves as I think about asking him to come with me to camp out for a few days.

I round the corner and there he sits, eating breakfast and drinking coffee.

He looks so well rested and handsome, my mind goes wild with the possibilities that lie ahead for us.

“Hey, Finn,” I say as I reach the table. “How’d you sleep?”

He nods and smiles. “Decent.”

“Well, you look great.” I return his smile. “I was thinking and hoping that you would want to go camping with me.”

“Sure,” he says. “When?”

“Today.”

“Today?” he says with a laugh. “Wow, spur of the moment.” He looks off in the distance and then says, “You know what? Hell yes. Let’s go camping. Do we need to pack a lunch?”

“Oh, yes. We will pack food for the next few days. Along with some equipment for fishing. Just in case the weather takes a turn, we should probably pack our heavy winter gear as well.”

“Are we expecting bad weather?” A look of concern crosses his face.

“I’ll double check the weather forecast, but there wasn’t anything showing up on the news last night. In fact, we’re supposed to be unseasonably warm for the next three or four days.”

“Warm? I’ve not heard that word since autumn set in.” He laughs. “I’ll go let Miranda and Doris know our plans. Did you say we’ll need food and drinks for two or three days?”

“Best to plan for four and only stay out there three. This way I can show you the ropes in case we have guests that either require two of us to go out on an excursion… or in case I can’t do it myself for whatever reason.”

Finn cocks his head to the side. “I don’t like where this conversation is going. You can’t be planning for your own demise, Wyatt. You’re young, healthy,” he says, looking me up and down. Was he undressing me with his eyes? God, I hope so. “And in really good shape.”

I feel my face flush hot under his gaze and those words of flattery and appreciation. “I’ll take charge of getting the equipment ready if you handle the food and drinks?”

“Sounds great.” He nods.

“Meet me up front by the side garage in an hour. I’ll have the quads ready for us there.” I smile and we bump fists. “This’ll be so much fun.”

Our eyes momentarily lock, and I feel his energy.

He’s interested in me like I am interested in him.

I turn to walk away, but glance over my shoulder for one last look and see him watching me.

His expression makes my belly flutter and my cock twitch.

He wants me. I fight the urge to giggle as I hurry away to get everything together before we leave.

I make quick work of everything we need; tent, extra fuel, fishing equipment, sleeping bags, coolers, and whatever else I can smash into the carrier for the quads.

Once I have them fueled and warmed up, I look toward the lodge and see Finn coming toward me with his arms full of food and beverages for us to enjoy.

Behind him, Miranda and Doris are waving from the porch like they are saying goodbye to us for a month.

It even looks like Doris is wiping tears away with a napkin.

These women are ridiculously cute and always have our best interests at heart.

More than workers or friends, but truly part of our family.

I wave back and get the provisions secure and hand Finn a helmet. “Are you ready?”

He nods and straddles the quad.

Before long, we are full throttle down the trails behind the lodge, trees whipping past our heads, ruts sending us airborne from time to time.

I can’t hold back my laughter. I am feeling like an adventurous kid again.

Finn and I are on our latest adventure through the woods, no adults to keep track of us, and only ourselves to survive. This is awesome.

Once we reach our camping site, I turn off the ignition and start making camp.

Finn rushes to help and by the time we get the tent in place, it is already dark.

While I continue to work on securing the tent and getting our sleeping area together, Finn makes a fire along the stream we plan to spend the next couple of days fishing from.

“The night sky is beautiful,” Finn says.

“Oh, Wyatt. Look.” He points into the air.

I crawl out of the tent and look up. The green hues of the aurora are flickering and dancing across the night sky. Finn comes to sit next to me and we spend the next few minutes watching the age old dance of light and darkness of the night. “It’s breathtaking,” Finn says.

I put my arm around his shoulders, while he leans his head against my chest. “Everything about tonight is beautiful.”

We sit in silence for what feels like minutes, but had to be hours, when my stomach growls and reminds me we still have to eat dinner. Finn pulls himself away from me, his eyes heavy with sleep.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I was just so comfortable.” He smiles and stretches his arms above his head. “The fire feels quite nice, but it is getting rather cold out here.”

I nod and grab a blanket from inside the tent. “Here, wrap yourself up while I cook us dinner.”

Finn takes the blanket and comes to sit next to me near the fire.

I crack open the cooler and pull out the patties of buffalo meat Doris prepared and slap them onto a skillet.

It isn’t long before the smell of the delicious meat, fat sizzling on the hot metal, and the sound of the crackling flames fill all our senses.

“I think they’re all the way ready now,” I say and hand Finn a plate with all the fixings. “Do you want cheese?”

“Hell, yes.” His eyes grow wide with anticipation. “Wyatt?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

I cock my head to the side. “For what?”

“I’ve been having a rough few days. Lots of stuff causing me worry, and I really needed this.”

What has him so concerned? I better not pry too much or he’ll clam up. I hope we get to the point where he feels comfortable opening himself up and being honest with me, but right now this all seems right—good. “There’s no one I would rather spend my time out here alone with than you.”

The sparkle in his eyes seems even more intense against the firelight and flickering green aurora.

My body flushes hot under his gaze. I lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips.

He returns my affection by sliding his tongue inside my mouth for a brief second and then touches my cheek with his hand.

Softly, he traces my jawline with his fingertip, his eyes darting back and forth between mine like he’s reading my soul.

I drop the plate with a thud, pulling us out of our intense moment. I try to laugh it off, completely embarrassed.

“No worries, Wyatt,” he says and puts the burger back on the plate. “I’m so hungry.”

“Good idea.” I quickly make myself a plate. “We’ll need calories if we have any plans for physical activity… you know… while we’re here.”

Stop, Wyatt . I think to myself. You’re embarrassing and so uncool .

Finn smiles and chows down on his food, making cute little moaning noises with each bite.

Once we finish our meal, we sit in silence for a while.

The constant bubble of the brook and whistle of wind in the branches of the trees, is lulling me toward sleep.

Yawning, I say, “We’ve had a long day. Should we hit the hay? ”

He nods, clearly as tired as I am and heads into the tent. Once inside, I pull off my pants and coat, and slip into the subzero rated sleeping bag. As I am reaching for the light to turn it off, so we can catch some shuteye, Finn lets out a heavy sigh, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” I say, rolling to my side to face him. “What’s up? Is everything alright?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, for sure. I just wanted to talk about… relationships.”

“Oh, geez,” I say. “I haven’t been in one of those for a long time. Have you?”

He shakes his head. “No, that’s why I wanted to talk to you about it.”