Page 104 of The Illicit Play

I think I managed a couple hours just before dawn, but I woke up groggy, the sound of rustling brush alerting me to the fact that Blake was up and relieving herself behind a tree nearby.

Waiting until I knew she was decent, I got myself up and did the same, trekking a good minute or so away so she didn’t have to hear me pee.

By the time I got back, she was up and dressed, stuffing the sleeping bag into the pouch and obviously getting ready to move on. I’d shared the itinerary with her, and she was clearly set on sticking to that plan.

Good.

Walking is just what we both need.

While she repacked, I got the packs down from their perch and unearthed the overnight oats, sprinkling a few raisins on the top plus a drizzle of honey. I always keep those mini ones you get in hotels, and my dad and Emma collect them for me too. Licking the last of the honey out of the plastic wrapper, I stow my trash in the side pouch of my bag before holding out a plastic bowl and spoon to Blake.

“Here you go.” I clear the morning croak out of my throat and smile at her. “Breakfast of champions.”

She gives the food a dubious frown, stirring in the fruit and honey before giving it a tentative taste.

“Hm. Not bad,” she murmurs, scooping in a bigger mouthful.

“Slow-release carbs. They’ll keep us going, especially since the first part of today’s trail has an incline.”

She looks over her shoulder at the direction I’m pointing, then turns to face the water. “We can’t just stay here?”

“Well, we can.” I nod, disappointed. “I mean, I planned a loop for us to take over the five days, but if you want, we can just do some day hikes here and back again.”

I won’t get to show you some of my favorite spots, but maybe that’s a good thing. It’s not like you’re my girlfriend and I’m trying to share a massive part of my life with you.

I remind myself, yet again, that I’m doing this for her. So if she wants to set up camp here, then?—

“No, it’s okay. You’re right. Sticking to the loop will be fun. I don’t want to mess up your planning.”

“I can be flexible.” I watch her carefully, making sure she’s not just saying this to appease me. But her blue gaze brushes over mine and she gives me an honest-looking smile.

“I’m gonna miss this beautiful spot, but I’m also excited about seeing what else you wanna show me.”

“There’s plenty more beauty to come,” I promise her.

Her smile grows, and I take a mental snapshot before dipping my chin and begging my libido to calm the fuck down.

The sound of her erotic moans dance in my brain, her undulating ass as she rose and sank on my cock yesterday. Fuck, that was hot.

My dick twitches just thinking about it, and I shovel down the last of my oats, willing my brain to behave its damn self.

“Let’s get packed up and go,” I end up snapping as I rise from my spot and stalk around the fire.

I made sure it was fully out last night and didn’t bother reviving it this morning. Yes, it’s cold, but we’re gonna be moving soon, and that will get our blood flowing. This spot is kind of sheltered, the sun hidden behind a bank of trees. But as soon as we reach the top of the ridge, we’ll be hiking under clear blue skies and heating up fast.

Without a word, I take our bowls to the lake and clean them off. Blake follows me, her delicious scent pure torture. Clenching my jaw, I keep fighting my battle and hand her the dishes for drying. She does it, and then I’m teaching her how to pack away the tent, talking her through it while I roll up my hammock. I have to help her with the final folding, but as usual, she’s picked things up faster than I thought she would.

Her instincts are spot-on, and I love that about her.

You love a lot about her.

Don’t remind me!

“You good?” I adjust the belt around my waist and check that hers is sitting right before daring a look at her face.

She nods, her expression closed. Blank.

It makes my insides jittery, and I’m really missing the playful, mischievous girl that lurks beneath the surface, waiting to bounce out and surprise me without warning.