Page 62 of Ready or Knot

Logan grins, grabbing a single packet of it from the back pocket of his jeans. My laugh is breathless as I collapse into his arms, kissing him before he can recalibrate. His arms tighten around me after a moment, his hand burying into the base of my braid, his thumb tracing the nape of my neck.

“Cashew butter and no bananas. I am truly blessed,” I say, giggling against his lips, and he shakes his head, laughing.

“Forgive us for thinking you’d take it easy on Faedra since she hasn’t ever done this,” Gina says, her voice much closer than before. “You’ve been running her ragged, no doubt.”

I pull away from Logan, ripping open the packet of cashew butter and spreading it over one of the dried apple slices. I’m on my third by the time the women reach us. Jude’s gotten the tent completely packed away, and Logan walks over to help him with the other one, rolling our sleeping bags and rearranging everything in the packs.

“No rest for the wicked and all that, of course,” the other woman says, laughing.

“You make it sound like we’re monsters, Ashlynn,” Carter muses, his hands not stopping where he pulls down the chairs and gets them worked into the packs as well. In fact, I’m the only one not working on getting the camp put away. I start to walk towards Carter, but he shakes his head. “You eat, little Omega. We’ve got this.”

Jude glances up. “You have enough, Fae? I can grab a packet of something else if you need more.”

I shake my head, holding up the rest of the apple pieces. I tuck the empty packet of cashew butter into the pocket of my hoodie and then rip into the peanut butter. It’s not my favorite, but I’ve learned the last few days that enough protein is more important than if I really enjoy the taste or texture.

“Damn, they don’t even have you packing out. I need to figure out how to get me a pack, Ashlynn,” Gina muses, stopping beside me. I glance at her, my cheeks flushed, and she winks. The woman next to her rolls her eyes. Gina offers a quick introduction. “Ashlynn, this is Faedra. Faedra, this is my wife, Ashlynn.”

I wave, and the woman smiles before taking a drink from the water bottle strapped to the side of her pack.

“How many miles have you been averaging then?” Ashlynn asks once she’s put it back away. “We thought we were doing decent with ten.”

Jude shrugs. “Right about twelve. We did nine the first day to ease her into it.”

I never thought nine miles would be considered easing into anything, but here we are.

“Shit, when did you pass us then? Did you go the higher route?” Gina asks. Logan nods. “Good grief, you really did run her ragged.”

By the time I’ve finished the small breakfast, the guys have the camp torn down and the packs rearranged. Carter helps me into mine, adjusting the load lifters until my shoulders don’t ache quite as much, his hands lingering on my waist. I don’t try to hold back my scent, and he steps closer into me, twisting us so that his body blocks the others.

“Seven miles and a shower, and then I’m knotting you, little Omega,” he murmurs, his voice low and rich, dragging across my skin. I grin, grabbing his belt loops and pulling him closer into me. “I’ve done nothing but drown in jasmine the last four days.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” I say, trying to keep my face serious.

His grin is resplendent, and I bask in it.

“Good,” he says, and I clench my thighs.

These seven miles can’t happen fast enough.

* * *

Ashlynn flips her long black hair, shaking it out before pulling it back into a high ponytail. She smiles as she grabs the baseball cap from my hand and situates it on her head again.

“Thanks,” she says, grabbing her water and taking a long drink. “Sweat on my neck is one of those things I can’t stand.”

“Mine is when it makes my thighs chafe,” I say, shoving the reusable bag that’s been designated for trash into my pack before closing it. “It’s probably my own fault since I prefer skirts, but it was windy enough on the coast to not be a deal breaker. Denver is very different, though.”

Ashlynn nods. “Best solution for it is baby powder. Get the stuff that’s talc free so it doesn’t irritate your lungs. Or switch to wearing dance shorts. The super short inseams function almost like boxer briefs.”

“Why didn’t I think of dance shorts?” I ask. “That’s brilliant.”

She helps me reposition my pack, letting me adjust everything until it feels decent.

“You guys coming?” Gina asks from up ahead where the others are already hiking. Ashlynn gives her a thumbs up and then we start following them.

“Carter mentioned you have two kids?” I phrase it as a question since he only mentioned them in passing.

Ashlynn nods, smiling. “Darius just turned three. Hallie is four months.” She looks over at me, pursing her lips. “Naturally, since I’m the one who did all the work, they look just like Gina.”

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