Page 65 of Roughing It

He lifts his face, and the worry I see there stabs me in the chest. “Yeah?”

“Were you naked, or did I imagine that?”

I smile at his pink ears. “Where was your underwear?”

“I was going commando. I don’t think I’ve ever undressed that fast in my life.”

Warmth that has nothing to do with the fire or blankets speeds through me. I crook a finger and say, “Shut up and get under this blanket with me right now.”

He stares at me like I’ve grown a third eye. Or like he had to tow me out of a lake deathtrap, carry my waterlogged body home, and find a way to keep me safe when I passed out. Oh, wait…

“Not asking, Bear. Get your ass over here and warm me up. We both know the fastest way to get me hot is for you to touch me.” I giggle at my double entendre. I’m funny. Or maybe I’m really out of it.

Crawling up the length of the bed, Hudson climbs under the covers and wraps his burly frame around mine. The brush of cotton against my bare back raises goosebumps over my flesh.

I bring his hand to my lips and press a soft kiss against it. “Hudson, you dove into Lake Doom, naked.”

“Blakely, I?—”

“Hush, this is the best part. As I was saying, you dove into Lake Doom naked and pulled me to the surface. You carried mehome and made me a pallet on the floor. You watched over me, making sure I was okay. You don’t need to apologize. You didn’t fuck up.”

“It’s my job to keep you safe. And so far, I’ve taken you on a hike that led to blisters and fishing that ended in disaster.”

Rolling over so we’re face to face, I give him a small smile. “Don’t forget about tormenting me with knot tying and navigation.”

He huffs. “Those are actual skills, not punishments.” His lips press to my forehead, and his voice drops. “Scared the shit out of me when you went over, Spitfire.”

The fire pops, and I shiver. “Me too.” Swallowing, I thread one of my legs between his, stealing as much of his precious warmth as I can.

Things could have gone very differently today.

Hudson draws symbols I don’t recognize on my skin, his fingers walking the expanse of my back. I shiver again, but this time it isn’t from the cold.

I need Hudson.

Is it rational to want him right now? No, probably not. But fuck it.

I kiss him. Kiss him like he saved my life. Like I’ve wanted to since I saw his cocky ass outside Peak Adventures. Like he set my nerves on fire with that first kiss days ago and has been denying me what I want since.

Like he’s what I’m searching for.

The kiss grows, morphing into something hungrier. When his tongue slides along the seam of my mouth, I open to him. His breath becomes mine, and for the first time since falling into the water, I can breathe.

I inhale him, every brush of his tongue, every nip, every scorching press of our lips. And then, like always, Hudson breaks the kiss.

He murmurs against my neck, “Blakely, easy. You had a big scare, and we need to get your temperature stabilized.”

“I want you to warm me, Bear.”

Hudson’s fingers skim my neck, tilting my face. “Take a shower. It’ll help. Rinse off the lake water. I’ll make some tea.”

Tears spring to my eyes at his rejection.Fucking post-terrible-experience emotions.

“No, don’t cry. That’s not… I’m not turning you away.”

“Feels like it.”

“Shit.” Gently gripping my trembling chin, Hudson kisses his way from my jaw to my ear and whispers. “Shower first. Then we’ll see what else we can do to keep you warm.”

---