Page 95 of How You See Me
“Absolutely nothing,” I concede, and he flashes me a look that promises trouble later.
Worth it.
We hunt down the marshmallows and chocolate bars, and stock up on waters and random essentials before heading toward the RV park.
After quick showers to scrub off the fossil dig dust and sweat from our skin, Hayes does his magic with the fire. It's all I can do to not combust along with the logs. Teddy bear Hayes warms my heart, but manly, outdoorsman Hayes flares a flame inside me stronger than the one heating the cool night air.
The shredded muscle flexing with every movement, the rough scrape of his stubble, the way the firelight catches the black and gray tattoo on his massive bicep, the flames flickering in his irises. It’s a lethal combination.
He catches me watching him and flexes a pec before dropping the last log onto the fire.
I roll my eyes, laughing, but inside, I’m trembling with the need to touch him. To climb into his lap and finish what’s been simmering between us all day. To claim him with more than just words.
When the embers spark into a steady blaze, we roast marshmallows on long tree limbs, trading jokes and loaded glances. We’re one spark away from losing control, and we both know it.
Before I can take a bite of my perfectly assembled s’more, Hayes stops me. He holds his next to mine, his pinky brushing against my skin, and snaps a photo with his phone. That tiny touch zips straight to my core. It doesn’t take much from him to send me over the edge. I’m hyperaware of his every subtle movement now.
“You don’t strike me as someone who takes pictures of their food before they eat.” I try to sound casual, hopingour usual banter will bring back some of my control. “Do you have a secret foodie blog I’m not aware of?”
Burden shadows his grin. “Ava likes to know what I’m doing at all times.”
“Is that why you took a photo of me driving the go-kart?”
“No. That was for me.” He sets down the phone to pick up his s’more and winks at me. “I also sent it to Jordan.”
“Oh.” I nearly choke on my bite. “That should generate some questions.”
“He must be busy. I haven’t heard from him yet.”
“Weird.” Something shifts in the air at the mention of my brother and the secret we’re keeping from him. “I’m ready to tell him if you are.”
He studies me while he chews. “I don’t think I will ever be ready for that. But it’s wrong to keep hiding this from him.”
“Agreed.” I abandon my half-eaten treat and grab my phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling him.”
He shakes his head. “The conversation needs to come from me.”
“Why? We’re equally involved.”
“I need to ask him. Man to man.” His jaw flexes, telling me I can’t negotiate this.
I try anyway. “I’m a grown woman, Hayes. He doesn’t tell me what I can and cannot do.”
He leans in, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his skin, mingling with the crackling fire. “He’s my friend and bro code designates the protocol.”
“You guys and your codes. Fine. But if he so much as hesitates, I’m telling him. Not asking.”
“I love the conviction, but you’re not losing your only remaining family over me.” He surges forward, stealing a kiss before I can stop him. It’s the punctuation mark to his own demand.
He pulls away just as fast, knowing that if he lingers, there will be no stopping us. Not tonight. And Jordan needs to know first.
Leaning back in his chair, confidence and contentment relaxes his usually stiff frame. Both look good on him.
“He’d get over it . . . eventually.”
