Page 20 of Alpha Geek

Tripp kept a smile on his face. He wouldn't let Amelia see him fazed by a little bit of body adjustment. Though this was difficult, he wouldn't stop. Not for anything. He would keep holding on to that spark inside him.

Underneath the ache, Tripp was thrilled. This was the first time he had pushed his body to this extreme. He was wanting to experience everything. All of his dreams. The big ones, the small ones. Each fit perfectly into his palm for a moment before he was on to chase the next one.

He wouldn’t die like his father. He was going to have a life worthy of living.

And that life was starting to include Amelia.

Four weeks later, they reached Camp Six, their final stop before tackling the summit. When they made it back to base, everyone was buzzing with the excitement of their latest climb. Tripp rolled his shoulders. They still felt surprisingly loose after their long climb today. His body felt warmer, too, despite the increased chill of the higher altitude.

Tripp followed Amelia through the small crowd of other expeditions and climbers. They dropped their hiking gear in a pile with the others. The lines of Amelia's graceful frame lingered beneath the puffed jacket she wore. Even in all that bulk, he could see the faint traces of her wild curves.

She brought a delicate hand to her pale fringe, brushing it aside. Her creamy skin was stained bright red on her cheeks and the tip of her nose … the only sign that the cold air affected her. Tripp wondered what else he could do to get a blush that rivaled the cold. Tripp intercepted her as she made her way to their usual spot by the first-aid tent.

"Let's just join the others today," he said.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” she asked, her jade eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine. I feel the best I've felt these past four weeks," he said, taking her hand. "I think my body is finally starting to acclimate."

As he spoke the words, he realized how true they were. Unlike the first three weeks after their hikes, he no longer needed the oxygen tank as often and his nausea was almost completely gone.

“In that case, sure. But you have to promise to let me know if you’re feeling even the slightest bit unwell,” she said.

“Only if you promise to be my nurse,” he said with a smile.

Tripp led Amelia to the main circle of tents with the others. The scent of her wrapped around him like an intoxicating spiced plume. His cock started to swell. He had been so wrapped up in his sickness that he had no time to enjoy Amelia as they had done that first night.

Each night after their explorations, everyone gathered and threw a party to celebrate their latest accomplishments. Tripp had sat by the first-aid tent with Amelia, and they would watch the others together. His heart would always skip a beat each night she chose to stay with him. Amelia's presence was steady and calming, fueled by a warmth that made him instantly feel at ease.

She had already done so much for him. But he didn't want her empathy or her help. He wanted her as open and willing for him as she was on their first night. He gritted his teeth, cursing himself for the weakness he had displayed during the first three weeks. It was an irrational anger. Yet as he looked at Amelia, he couldn’t help but think she deserved better.

She shouldn't be the one taking care of someone. She should be taken care of and worshiped like a goddess. Whisked away on adventures she dreamed about in her wildest fantasies.

And he wanted to be the man to do it.

Tripp found a couple chairs and pulled them near the bonfire. He offered Amelia a seat before grabbing drinks for them both.

"Thank you," she said, her voice so sweet, he could taste it.

“I should be the one thanking you,” he said. “You didn’t have to stay with me the way you did.”

“I like hanging out with you,” she said with a blush.

“I like everything about you,” he said.

Tripp reached over and touched her warming cheeks with his fingertips. Her lips parted, and he brushed his thumb over the soft pink skin. His cock flared to life. Instantly, the memory of him inside her flooded his skin.

"I want you," he said.

Amelia froze. Her ethereal face wore an indiscernible mask. She looked across his face, searching for something he didn’t know. He felt the tension beneath his fingers.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," she said. "It's too risky. You just acclimated. I don’t want to push you too hard.”

“I'm fine,” he said.

“If you survive the summit, then we'll talk about it," she said.

ELEVEN

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