Page 47 of Roughing It

“He is. He looked out for us growing up. Kept us out of trouble.”

Gray snorts. “He still does, even though we’re grown.”

My throat tightens at their words. Do they think I don’t trust them? I’m supposed to teach them, lead them, not make them think I don’t have confidence in their abilities or place in the business. Is my overprotectiveness holding them back?

Clearing my throat, I turn to Blakely. “Hop back in the hot spring. I need a minute with these two.”

“Sure, Bear. No problem. I could use more time to soak.” She gives Bo and Gray a friendly wave. “Nice to meet you two.”

I wait until she’s in the water before focusing on my brothers.

“The least you could do is let us see her in her swimsuit.”

If a snarl could throttle a person, Bo would be blue in the face right now.

“Woah, woah. Just teasing, Bear. Damn.”

“Fucking hell, Bo. Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, so the pretty woman can, but your own brother can’t?”

“Yes.”

“Shit, you really like her, huh?” my youngest brother asks, the teasing tone melting from his voice.

I glance over at Blakely, and when I see her staring out over the valleys and cliffs, I nod.

Gray’s words are careful. “Hudson, she’s here for a month, and you aren’t built for casual. Don’t get me wrong, I think she’d be good for you, but what happens when it’s time for her to go?”

My chest aches, and I rub a clenched fist over my heart. Gray’s right. It’s all too easy to imagine Blakely coming home to me every day, putting on one of my t-shirts to sleep in, curling up at my side. For the next three weeks, I could have the fantasy future I thought I lost when Paige left.

But the ending is already written.

Bo shoves his way back onto the screen. “Don’t listen to Gray. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You like her. And she’s a captive audience. I’d say turn on the charm, but we both know you don’t have any.”

I roll my eyes as he continues. “She’s the first person you’ve had an inkling of interest in since Paige. You’d be stupid to pass this up. She could fall in love with Trail Creek. And you. If Hallmark movies have taught me anything, it’s that the city slicker is never actually happy with their busy, lonely life.”

“Hallmark, huh?”

“Hey, don’t knock it.”

“So, look,” I swallow, “I’m sorry if I made you two feel like I don’t trust you. You’ve proven yourselves time and time again. I’m, um, proud of you both.”

Gray groans. “Oh shit, Hudson, don’t go getting all sappy on us. We know we’re awesome. We learned from the best.” He winks. “Now get the fuck off the phone and get back to the beautiful woman wearing a swimsuit and sitting in a hot spring.”

Bo gives me a salacious grin. “Yeah, time to finish unfucking things.”

The call disconnects, and I stand there for a moment, gathering my thoughts. That conversation was like being the ball in a fucking pinball machine, but a small weight lifts from my shoulders. I told my brothers I’m proud of them. It’s something I should say more often.

Sure, Bo and Gray are jokesters, and they drive me up the wall, but they’re good men. And they want what’s best for Peak Adventures as much as I do. It’s time I show them I believe that.

Blakely’s voice draws my attention to her. “Did you have a good talk with them?”

I shrug, but then I see the top of Blakely’s turquoise bikini sitting next to the hot spring and choke on my tongue. Her back is to me, but knowing she’s topless has all the blood in my body rushing to my cock, leaving none for my brain.

“What are you doing?”

She peeks at me over her shoulder, a suggestive look on her face. “Enjoying the view and the water.”

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