“That I’m going hiking,” I mumble, refusing to look at his stupid perfect face.
He snorts and reverses out of the spot.
“Yeah, well, I panicked,” I mutter, slouching into the seat like it’ll hide the stupid grin on my face. I don’t know why I keep talking but here I am. “You ambushed me with a kiss in full view of the neighborhood.”
Griffin shrugs, eyes on the road. “Don’t hear you complaining.”
I don’t respond. I’m still buzzing from it. My lips feel warm. My chest tight in that annoying, good way.
The drive is quiet, but not awkward. He taps his fingers on the steering wheel in rhythm with the music. I catch him glancing at me once or twice and not bothering to look away when I catch him.
“So,” he says eventually, like he’s been waiting for the right moment. “What’s your hike skill level, exactly? Should I be ready to carry you back down?”
I scoff. “I’m not some delicate little flower. I’ve hiked before.”
“Yeah? Urban dictionary definition of hiking, or actual trails?”
I grin. “Actual trails. With rocks and trees and shit. You’ll see, I’ll leave you in the dust.”
Griffin laughs, shaking his head. “If you trip and fall, I’m gonna say ‘I told you so’ before I help you up.”
Ten minutes later, he pulls into a small dirt parking lot surrounded by trees.
“This isn’t the trail I thought we were going to,” I say, peering out the windshield. He has mentioned a few different places when we were texting but we hadn’t settled on one. He had wanted to surprise me.
“It’s better,” he says, cutting the engine. “Less people and more privacy.”
Something about the way he says that makes my throat dry out a little, but I don’t let it show. The idea of him taking me against a tree or in the dirt, rolling around and getting filthy, while he ruts into me has my cock thickening obscenely.
I shake off my thoughts and we climb out. He grabs a small backpack from the back seat, slings it over his shoulder, and walks over to me like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I fall in beside him as we head toward the trailhead.
It’s peaceful and quiet here. The trees start to close in as we walk, tall and close-knit. The trail winds up ahead, a little steep but manageable.
Griffin walks close, arms brushing every so often, and it’s... nice. Too nice. I don’t do this kind of shit. I mean, I always liked the idea of going on a real date with someone I have feelings for. I haven’t done it though. I never really wanted to spend much time with someone. I like being home with Hugh or just alone in my room studying. I never craved the presence of another person but…being with Griffin feels so fucking right.
It feels domestic. Like we’re not just messing around or flirting. Like we’ve done this a dozen times before. Like he’s mine, and I’m his, and we’re out for some normal Sunday hike.
And that fucks me up a little.
I try not to stare. I fail. Miserably.
Every now and then, he glances at me like he knows I’m watching then he smirks and continues on his way.
“This is definitely not beginner-level,” I mutter after a bit, hopping over a thick root that’s trying to murder my ankles.
He laughs. “You said you could handle rocks and trees. I’m giving you the full experience.”
“Oh yeah. Thanks for the authentic wilderness vibe. Very ‘National Geographic,’” I say, wiping sweat off my brow even though we’ve barely been walking fifteen minutes.
“You’ll thank me when we get to the top.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is there a prize? Snacks? A blowjob?”
He doesn’t even blink. “I packed granola bars. The other thing’s negotiable.”
I snort, shaking my head. “God, you’re ridiculous.”
He just grins, and it’s so damn bright I almost trip over my own feet.
