Page 34 of It Starts With Summer

ThetemperaturearoundEagleRidge was usually mild, but the day we set out with our campers on a backpacking trip was the hottest in a long while.The high-altitude sun blazed down on us as we hiked up the pretty mountain valley to the backpacking site.Its heat was so oppressive and unforgiving that I struggled to enjoy the varied plant life this time around.

I wiped my brow with the back of my hand, feeling the sweat trickle down my spine.This was definitely not the kind of hot I had been hoping for.

“Hey, everyone, let’s take a break here,” I called out to the campers, stopping by a small cluster of plants.I wanted to catch my breath, but also show them something interesting from my biology background.“Check out these plants.They’re called Indian paintbrushes.Aren’t they beautiful?”

The campers gathered around, admiring the vibrant red and orange flowers.Despite the sweltering heat, their curiosity was piqued, and I felt a spark of pride in sharing my knowledge with them.Still, as we continued our hike, the sweat only seemed to accumulate more and more, drenching my clothes and sticking to my body.

“Ugh, I can’t believe how hot it is today,” one camper complained, fanning himself dramatically.

“Tell me about it,” I muttered, wiping my glasses clean for what felt like the hundredth time.

When we finally reached the campsite, the campers eagerly made their way to the nearby creek, splashing and laughing in the cool water as they attempted to cool off from the hike.Parker and I weren’t so lucky — we still had a whole list of tasks to get through, and I chugged down some water before we started setting up camp, unrolling tents, and organizing supplies while trying to ignore the beads of sweat trickling down our backs.

“Hey,” Parker murmured, leaning in close to me as we worked side-by-side.His eyes twinkled mischievously as he glanced around, ensuring that none of the campers were paying us any mind.

“Don’t get too close, I’m gross,” I said.

He laughed.“You know, I don’t mind how you smell when you’re all sweaty like this.You’re so fucking masculine and sexy.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his comment, still finding it difficult to believe that anyone could find my current state attractive.The heat had left me feeling sticky, uncomfortable, and anything but sexy, but there was something about the way Parker looked at me — with that familiar hunger in his eyes — that made me feel as though I was the most desirable man on earth.

“Really?”I asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.“Because I think I smell like a gym locker room right now.”

Parker chuckled, then leaned in to steal a quick kiss, one that I wanted to cling to, despite the illicit nature of our affair.Eventually, he pulled away with a grin.“Trust me, Ravi.You have no idea how irresistible you are, even when you’re drenched in sweat.”

As we continued to work, I itched to touch him more, craving the intimacy that we’d been building over the past few days.Every time I brushed against him, my skin tingled with anticipation, and I desperately wished that we could be alone together, free to explore each other without prying eyes.

“Alright, everyone!”Parker called out cheerfully once we’d finished setting up camp.“Dinner time!Let’s get cooking!”

We worked together to prepare a simple meal for the campers, laughing and flirting as we cooked over the open fire.Despite my lingering nerves about what might come next in our relationship, I couldn’t deny how natural it felt to be by Parker’s side, sharing this experience with him.

“I can’t wait to be alone with you tonight.”Parker squatted close to me as we washed up in the creek afterward, his fingers brushing against mine beneath the water’s surface.I reached for his hand under the water and held it for a moment, and he smiled.

“Me either.”My heart raced at the thought of being so close to him again, forced to share such a tight space.But my uncertainty about taking the next step tempered any anticipation I was feeling.The prospect of penetrative sex was both thrilling and terrifying.

As we returned to camp, we helped the campers settle into their tents for the night, stealing touches and longing glances whenever we could.The knowledge that soon we’d be alone together, free to express our desires without inhibition, filled me with a heady mixture of excitement and apprehension.

And as the sun set and the stars began to appear in the sky above us, I knew that tonight would change everything between us—and I could only hope that we’d be strong enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The last of the campers’ laughter and chatter faded as the night closed in around us.The sky was a blanket of stars, and the air held the crisp promise of a cool night ahead.As we entered our shared tent, my heart pounded with anticipation.

“Finally,” I breathed, pulling Parker into a passionate kiss the moment the tent flap closed behind us.Our bodies pressed tightly against each other, and I reveled in the heat and solidity of him.My hands roamed his back, his shoulders, anywhere I could reach, as if I could somehow draw him even closer.I shoved his shirt over his head, and he laughed, ripping off mine and pressing in close.

As we kissed, a thought nagged at me — what if this didn’t work out?The idea that he might move on without me, leaving me with nothing but memories of his lips on mine, sent a wave of panic through me.

“Ravi, hey,” Parker pulled back, concern etched on his handsome face.“What’s wrong?”

I hesitated, unsure how to voice my fears.But they tumbled out anyway.“I really like kissing you.”

“Yes, that sounds terrible,” he said, laughing, so I knew he was teasing.

“I’m worried that you’ll tire of me, that you’ll move on, and I’ll be stuck thinking about kissing you forever.”

Parker sighed, his green eyes softening.“I can’t imagine getting tired of you, Ravi.And I can’t predict the future, but if we ever part ways, it’ll be mutual, alright?”

“Not likely.Why would I ever break up with you?You’re sexy and fun and so good at kissing.”

“Why would I ever break up with you?You’re fucking gorgeous, kind, brilliant, and funny.”

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