“I need you to be safe.”
His words stopped her complaint, and for a beat the only sound in the kitchen was the hum of the fridge.
“And then there’s the third guy,” Faith said slowly. “Do you know the one I’m talking about?”
He was helpless to look away from her. “Tell me.”
“Well, one time he had sex with me in a closet.” She flushed as if she couldn’t believe she’d just said that out loud.
“Oh. That guy.” He had to shift his weight as his dick twitched to life. “The one who tried to protect you from his sisters?”
“That’s the one.” She took a tiny step closer to him. “He also laughs at my jokes sometimes.”
“And occasionally forgets that it isn’t his job to take care of you.” He leaned closer, inhaling her sweet shampoo and bitter coffee smell.
But her expression clouded. “He also might suggest I get some hiking poles, and I might get offended for reasons that are entirely my own deal and not at all about him.”
“I’m sorry,” he said immediately, although he still wasn’t quite sure what happened there. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know. I’m sorry too.”
They were standing face-to-face now, so close he could slip a finger into her belt loop and pull her against him. He resisted the urge, but it was hard.
“So which guy do you want on the trip this weekend?” he murmured.
“I don’t know.” She rested her hand on the island between them. “Sometimes when that third guy looks at me, it feels like…”
“Like nothing’s changed?” He was almost scared to say the words out loud, but she nodded, so he did maybe the bravest thing he’d ever done and rested his hand on top of hers. “Faith—”
And then his motherfucking roommate ruined everything.
“Good morning!”
She jerked her hand away as William shuffled into the kitchen, blinking sleepily. Leo had never wanted to kick his friend in the balls more than he did at that moment.
“Morning!” Faith spun away and busied herself checking the zippers on her pack. “Leo and I were just getting ready to head off.”
“Oh, about that.” William pushed a hand through his sleep-wild hair as he headed for the coffee. “I’ve got her carrying the stove and the fuel, so—”
“Yeah, she said.” Leo narrowed his eyes on William as he selected a mug. “So nice of you to help her pack.”
“I’m a very nice guy.” He poured and leaned against the sink, crossing one ankle over the other. “How’s the forecast?”
“Small chance of rain toward midnight,” he said. “I’m willing to risk it.”
“Yep.” William glanced at the clock on the microwave. “If you’re meeting the ranger at the lodge at nine and you leave now, you’ll have plenty of buffer.”
“Thanks,” Leo said. For years, William had helped him work out travel times and when to leave for appointments, so it was nice to have their system carry on in Beaucoeur.
“Cool.” His friend yawned into a stretch, and that’s when he realized that William was only wearing boxers, and Faith wasright there.
He was suddenly motivated to get on the road regardless of buffer time.
“Ready?” He sidled over to stand between Faith and William.
She nodded and picked up her bag, slinging it over first one shoulder, then the other, securing it around her waist and grabbing onto the straps.
“Well? Will I do?”
