Page 57 of Ready or Knot

“Alright, let’s get that before picture!” Doug says, moving to be in front of us, leaning against the back door of the Jeep. Logan and Carter wrap an arm around my waist, and Jude stands behind me. The feel of them so near to me has me smiling before Doug even asks, and he chuckles as he looks at his phone.

“This is going to be perfect for all the social media things Willa has me doing.” He glances up and then frowns. “Are you alright with that, Faedra?”

“Totally fine,” I say, adjusting my own camera so it lays across my body now that both of the guys have stepped away from me.

Logan laces his fingers with mine and waves to Doug even as Carter chuckles and says, “See you in 40 miles, Doug.”

“Don’t crash the car,” Logan instructs, suddenly serious.

Doug looks affronted. “What do you take me for? Irresponsible?”

Jude’s response is dry. “Yes, Doug.”

The man laughs, throwing his head back, the sun catching on a thin silver chain around his neck. Dog tags. My curiosity peaks, but Logan has me turning from the man, squeezing my hand as I take a deep breath.

“See you in a few days,” Doug says, and I smile over my shoulder.

And then we’re starting on the trailhead, heading into the forest, crossing the mountain on our way to Estes Park.

* * *

Everything fucking burns.

My legs burn. My lungs burn. My eyes burn. I’m pretty sure I will fall down if I stop. I don’t pay any attention to the forest around us, and I put my camera away at our last break. My hands are shaking too much to get a steady photo. My footing stumbles for a heartbeat, and my breath catches. Logan comes up beside me and laces his fingers with mine.

“Just a bit farther today, Red,” he says.

Jealousy rushes through me at his easy grin and boundless energy. I offer what I hope is a reassuring smile. If I say anything right now, it’ll be a complaint, and I really don’t want to do that, especially on the first day. I’m not unfit, but this is a whole different level. And Logan said this was the easier trail.

Fuck. Me.

I’d honestly thought I’d be up to convincing Carter to knot tonight, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay awake for it.

“How’s your water, Faedra?” Jude asks, looking over his shoulder.

I don’t manage to smother the groan. If I have to drink any more, I might just vomit. Carter chuckles.

Jude ignores him. “You get through the second one?”

I pull the bottle from the side pocket, showing him that it’s empty. His lips twitch, and I mentally do a happy dance. No way am I managing to do one physically.

“Good. We’ll go about another half mile and then see about camp options,” he says, turning back around, his feet never faltering.

Carter drops back, walking opposite Logan, his hand grasping mine, and kisses my temple. “You good?”

The question is a whisper, so soft I can barely hear him. If Logan can, he doesn’t let on.

I shrug, and Carter squeezes my hand, brushing his lips against my temple. Despite my exhaustion, I scent strongly enough that Carter’s breath catches.

“Jude, let’s see what’s nearby,” he says, louder.

Logan leans forward, looking at Carter with an eyebrow cocked, and I blush. Jude doesn’t argue, pulling out his phone and double checking the map he’d downloaded before we lost phone signal.

“Looks like there’s something promising just past this turn. It’s about nine miles in total, so someone might have already gotten there, but it’s worth checking.”

The men agree, and Logan speeds up, walking next to Jude.

Carter leans into me, his breath caressing my neck, making a shiver run down my spine. My scent grows stronger. “Once we get there, you can rest. Just a bit farther, alright?”

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