Page 38 of How You See Me (You and Me Duology #2)

Josie

W e spend the night wrapped in each other’s arms beneath a sky of stars, the desert’s quiet lullaby carrying away our troubles.

When the first golden light of dawn spills over the mountains, I awake alone—as usual. Hayes and his early morning routine always stealing him from my side. But this morning, something is different. I’m different.

For nearly a decade, I’ve been coasting, existing inside a fog I didn’t even realize had settled over me.

I’ve been letting my fears push me along without resistance.

Now that I can see clearly, my life extends ahead, open and full of possibility.

The fears that held me back aren’t as consuming, and I want to take control.

I want to steer my own course and live fully—not watch from the sidelines.

I breathe in the crisp air, excitement buzzing under my skin. And I know exactly who to thank for this awakening. Well, two people. Hayes and his quiet strength. Sweet Ava and her tragic battle. All left a mark in different ways, changing me forever.

Sitting up, I take in the view from my perch atop the van and let that realization burrow in. I want this new, brave me to stay. Fear might try to creep back in, whispering doubts in my ear, but for now, I’m choosing to embrace this newfound freedom and how weightless it makes me feel.

Below, the RV park hums with life as thin ribbons of smoke curl from several nearby campfires. It’s serene, but my gazedrifts until I find Hayes.

He hangs shirtless from a tree branch nearby, knocking out pull-ups like it’s easy. Muscles shift beneath his sun-kissed skin, a sheen of sweat glistening on his chest and forehead.

Behind him, Albuquerque shines in the new light with buildings rising from the desert like scattered wildflowers. A few hot air balloons float in the distance, their loud colors hushed by the morning haze.

The old me would have reached for my camera, witnessing the majesty of the world through a narrow lens. But this new me soaks in the breathtaking vastness and lets it consume her.

He drops down to stretch, and something on the horizon catches my attention. A flash of sunlight glinting off metal.

A slide .

Tall and gleaming, its dual lanes curve down, challenging me to follow through on my new promise to myself. My heart kicks into gear.

Is it fast? There’s only one way to find out.

I climb down the ladder, excited to find Hayes, but as my feet hit the dusty ground, he’s already on his way back to me.

He moves with an effortless confidence, his breath steady, body relaxed. There’s always an undercurrent of intensity in the way he carries himself—like he’s ready for whatever might happen next. My goodness, I love that about him.

My pulse stumbles when his lips curve into a slow, knowing grin. He drags a hand through his damp hair, muscles flexing with the motion. If I didn’t know him, I’d think he was showing off. But that’s not Hayes.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he greets when he reaches me.

Before I can respond, he dips down to press a kiss to my cheek.

His gaze lingers, hearing everything I’m not saying. And just like that, the space between us magnetizes, pulling me to him.

“Morning,” I manage, my voice rougher than I intend.

“You’re up early.”

“I think you’re rubbing off on me.” I trail a finger down the center of his chest, shifting the tuft of light brown hair there. “Do you have plans right now? ”

His brows lift. “A few ideas are coming to mind.” His fingers push into my hair, brushing against the nape of my neck.

I tilt my head, letting him in and savoring the feel of his touch. It’s becoming the one thing I need more than painting. My new escape.

“I saw something,” I whisper.

Instantly alert and ready to protect me, fight for me. He straightens. “What was it?”

I press a hand to his chest again, his unsteady heart hammering against my palm. “I love how you worry about me. But this is something fun. Want to go?”

His frame relaxes. “Sure. Let me dry off and grab a shirt.”

“I should probably change, too.”

As I go to follow him, he stops me.

“One at a time. I won’t be able to control myself if we’re naked in the same space.”

A hum rattles in my throat as I pretend to consider that option. “How about a compromise? Because, honestly, I like that problem. We’ll dress separately now—then undress together after our adventure.”

“Deal.”

His quick answer makes me chuckle. “You don’t want to think about it first?”

“Nope.”

With a quick peck on my cheek, he disappears inside, emerging seconds later with a towel and T-shirt in hand. Pure seduction is written all over his face, promising another unforgettable day.

◆◆◆

While I changed, Hayes managed to start a fire and cook breakfast. I swear I was only gone a few minutes, but time tends to disappear when he’s around. But since he made pancakes, I’m not the least bit sorry.

I steal one off the top of the stack and join him by the fire. “I’m going to gain ten pounds on this trip with the way you spoil me.”

He smirks, eyes covering me in a deliberate way that always sets my skin humming. “It’s okay. We’ll work off the calories later.”

“Yeah, we will.”

He shifts in his seat, tossing back the rest of his protein shake, like he needs it to cool himself down. There's nothing better than making him fidget and getting a glimpse behind his armor of control.

“I realized something a minute ago,” I say to give him a little distance from his thoughts. We’ll get back to those later.

“What’s that?”

“I haven’t painted since we stopped at the first B&B. It’s the longest I’ve gone without it. Normally, I’d be upset about that.”

“You’re not? ”

“I’m too wrapped up in this—in us—to care. Living in the moment with you feels good. You and painting are neck and neck as my two favorite things.”

Pride brightens his dark irises. “I’m okay with that.”

Rising, I snatch another delicious pancake and wink. “Ready for that fun I promised?”

“If it’s the kind of fun we can have in the van, hell yeah.” Helunges at me, and I jump out of reach.

Actually, it’s down the path a little ways. Come on.”

We travel the short distance, his brow furrowing when I stop outside the old playground fence.

“What are we doing here?”

“Living. I’ve never been on one that tall, and a week ago, I would have been terrified. Now, thanks to you, I want to try it.” I grab his hand. “Ride with me?”

He gestures to the faded sign zip-tied to the chain-link fence. “It’s closed.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

He gears up to argue, but I’m already halfway up the fence. Straddling the top, I smile down at him still planted on the ground, arms crossed, scowling in that adorable, exasperated way that makes my stomach flurry.

“Come on, big, brave Marine. Don’t let me break this one little rule alone.” Heart pounding, I swing my leg over and take off toward the stairs.

By the time I reach the top, he’s already there, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He fits there like he was built for me .

“I should be stopping this.” he whispers, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“And you’re not because . . .”

“I’m so damn proud of you.”

That? That right there is everything.

Reaching up, I cup the back of his neck and drag him into a kiss, rewarding him for that answer. I expected a lecture. Something about the rules and our duty to follow. He’s such a stickler for those.

Instead, he gave me a reason to fall even harder.

“Let’s have some fun before they kick us out,” I whisper, near breathless from his touch.

“So naughty,” he growls against my neck, teeth grazing enough to make me moan for more.

I hold him there, fingers pressing against the back of his head to enjoy the feel of him a little while longer. “And I’m just getting started.”

“Oh yeah? When do I get more?”

I pivot to face him, stepping back. “Next time I’m in your arms.”

He lunges at me, but I duck away, laughing on my way to the first slide. “See you at the bottom, slow poke.”

The moment I launch down, a squeal rips out of me. The air rushes past, cool and wild, tugging at my hair. It’s ridiculous how much joy this gives me. The freedom in the fall feels unlike anything else I’ve experienced as an adult, except when Hayes touches me .

He’s right behind me, his heavier weight carrying him down faster, and the thrill of the chase pumps adrenaline through me with the force of a firehose.

I run back to the top, but he’s stronger and in far better shape. He takes the stairs two at a time and catches me around my middle, carrying me to the launch platform in the crook of his arm like a weightless football.

“I’m ready to collect my prize.”

Happy to be on the so-called losing end of this race, his low, greedy tone sparks a new level of desire in me.

He shifts my body so we’re chest to chest, and my legs lock around his waist—right where I want to be. He lowers to sit at the top of the slide.

“What are you doing?” I manage, still dazed by the heat in his gaze.

“We’ll ride together this time.” His hands cup my rear, keeping me pressed against him.

As he sets us in motion, the world narrows to only us in this moment.

My lips crash against his, and he’s ready for me, freeing all self-doubt and igniting a whirlwind of passion I don’t dare try to contain.

A moan rumbles deep in my throat when his hand moves up and inside my tank, right where I need it to be. Somehow, he always knows.

I cling to him, drunk on the feel of his strong frame beneath me. His touch. His kiss. Great goddess, the things he does to me and makes me want to do to him. I could stay like this for hours and never get enough.

Hitting the bottom gives him the steady base he needs to take control. And he doesn’t hesitate. Those rough, calloused hands grip my hips, helping me writhe against him, giving as much as he takes. But I need to touch him in the same way. To have his mouth on my skin and taste his.

I go to remove his shirt, freezing mid-yank when someone yells from the fence.