Page 55 of Wolf Heart

"About half an hour to the lake," he answers.

"I'm okay to walk." I push against his chest and he sets me on my feet. My legs wobble, but he keeps his arm around my waist, keeping me from falling on my face.

"How's your legs?" His voice is amused.

"I'll be fine," I grumble. Then I think better of my behavior and add. "Thank you both," I whisper. "For carrying me when I fell asleep."

"Don't mention it." Aspen chuckles. "Can't have you falling and breaking your neck now, can we?"

I glare at him, but it's half-hearted. I'm just so damn tired.

"You three go ahead," Raven stops next to us. "I'll check for the hunters and your pack."

Aspen, Dex, and I move out of Raven's way and he disappears off into the woods.

"How much longer?" I ask, biting my lip.

"We're almost there."

And right before the sun crests the horizon, Aspen, Dex, and I duck into the thick trees and sit on the soft grass bank overlooking a small lake. The forest stretches out around the water, broken up by small pockets of tall grass. No one stands down by the water’s edge, no canoe or boat is on the glassy surface. No smoke from a campfire, no one on the opposite side and the knot in my chest relaxes.

Dex moves ahead of us to a curved willow near the shore. "How about you catch some more Z's while Raven's scouting."

"That sounds like heaven." I shuffle forward, my legs screaming at me with each step.

No sooner than I duck under the heavy leaves and lay on the soft grass, do Aspen and Dex crawl in with me.

But I fall asleep before they even lay down on either side of me.

* * *

Iawake alone and a longing for Aspen and Dex fills me. Glancing around, I spot them on the bank of the lake, but Raven is nowhere to be seen, and my stomach clenches.

Both Aspen and Dex have stripped out of their clothes and are at the edge of the water. Their bodies are carved muscles with firm asses that have my heart hammering. For a moment, I stay hidden in the low-hanging branches of the willow.

The cool water must shock them because they both yelp and Aspen waves his hand in the air, trying to shake the water from his fingers.

"What the fuck was that?" Dex asks, laughing and takes a flying leap into the water.

Moments later he comes out of the water, spurting. "Damn that's freezing."

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth because the water, even though it must be cold, looks so inviting. And I haven't had a shower since yesterday.

I climb out of the hiding spot at the willow tree and hike the short distance to the lake.

"Make room for me,” I say and kick off my shoes.

Aspen grins and wades out into the lake backward, his heated gaze on me. "Gotta keep your clothes dry."

Even though they're both watching me, I don't feel ashamed or bashful. I feel desired, sexy.

Slowly, I peel out of my jeans, but keep my panties on. Next, I take off my shirt and then cross the bank to the water. I dip a toe in and shiver from the temperature that reminds me of the icicles that froze on the trees last winter.

"It's better if you jump in," Dex calls out to me in a teasing voice.

"Let her do this at her pace." Aspen holds his hand out to me. Water laps at his knees.

"Maybe it's better if I just take a puddle bath here." I step back from the lake.

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