Chapter Five
Reese
I’m not sure what I expected, but inside this small tent, Hank is so much bigger. Technically, I think this was made for two people, but I think maybe the manufacturer was talking about tiny people, not one six-foot four giant and a curvy girl with a big ass.
“You’re sure this is what you want?” He’s asked me at least three times since he stuffed himself into the space.
“Yes, but you need to strip those wet clothes off. You’re soaking everything. Besides, keeping you naked and vulnerable sounds more entertaining on my part.”
“And what will I wear? All I brought was my emergency bag. So unless you’re keen on bikini briefs made out of Band-Aids and gauze, I don’t have much.”
I’m about ninety percent sure nothing I have will fit him. “I’ll look through my bag. Just toss the wet stuff under the overhang and maybe it will dry by morning.”
Turning away so he can strip, I dig through the contents of the small bag I’ve brought with me. I have nothing but a hoodie and a pair of leggings, though I do have a towel I suppose he could wrap around him.
I toss the towel back. “Sorry, this is all I have.”
He doesn’t say anything as he takes it in his grip, but I imagine he’s not happy. I wouldn’t be, but I’m not sure what choice he has. I’m not letting him sleep out on his own tonight and I’m not going to sleep in a sopping wet tent. So he’s going to have to wrap up and call it good.
“Are you covered?” I ask, before rolling back over.
“As covered as I’m going to be.” He laughs when he speaks as though he’s finding this entire situation hilarious, which I don’t. Then again, looking back at him with no shirt, perfectly chiseled abs, and strong, flexing shoulders isn’t doing me any favors either.
I switch off the lantern and unzip my sleeping bag, sliding a corner of it toward him.
“What are you doing?” His voice is deep and raspy. “I’m fine. You don’t need to share your blanket. You’ll freeze.”
“You’re the one that’s going to freeze. You’re soaking wet. Just cover up. Besides, I want to feel you move in the night. I don’t want you sneaking off to steal Brianna.” I roll to my side toward him and cover his hard, chilled body with the sleeping bag. He’s dried, but his skin is still cool to the touch. I’m not sure how cold it is outside, but at this elevation it drops into the thirties well into July, and we’re only in June. And judging by the sight of my breath as I exhale, it’s not much warmer than that.
“Really,” he says, pushing the blanket back toward me, “I’ll be fine.”
I sit up and look toward him more sternly this time, covering him again. “I said, you’re getting covered.”
He laughs. “Does it make you feel safer if you can boss me around?”
I roll my eyes and lean back onto the ground, so close to him that our arms are pushing together. “Are you an amateur psychiatrist now too?”
“Maybe. Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
My heart races and my teeth chatter despite the fact that I’m trying to stop them. “Nothing is wrong! I’m just playing with the cards I was dealt.”
“Is this another quote from your parents, or—”
“Do you ever quit?”
“Quit what?”
“Being a smart ass? You’ve had something to say about everything since I met you earlier.”
“I guess I thought I was flirting.”
Did he just say flirting? Now I know I’m not imagining things. He’s actually crazy. Maybe I should zip him up in the sleeping bag and tie him to a tree overnight instead of sleeping with him. Come to think of it, I’m not sure what I was trying to prove with that, anyway. He’s a criminal.
“Maybe flirting is a strong choice of words,” he says, clearing his throat. “Maybe you’d prefer being friendly.”
“Well, last I checked, friends didn’t put friends in danger.”
A heavy sigh leaves his throat. I’m looking toward him, but it’s dark and I can’t see much but the outline of his perfect body next to mine.