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No, he’s a good guy who opens the door of his truck for me and gives me a hand up, who drives just under the speed limit and stops to let a group of preschoolers pass the road, and even honks at the kiddos who cheer loudly, waving at us.

We drive out of the town and up a forest road winding high into the mountains. The aspens are just starting to change color, their leaves fluttering in the breeze. I stare out the window and exclaim as we cross a beautiful stream with a mossy bed, still bright green despite the changing seasons.

“That’s the road to my cabin,” Bowen tells me when a narrow forest road veers off to the right. “I’d like to show it to you someday.”

If today goes well.

The unspoken words rest between us, but I don’t feel any more pressure than before to make this hike mean something more. We’re just getting to know each other, and that’s okay. We might still change our minds.

Bowen stops the car in a small gravel parking lot with a large board on one end, showcasing the map of the area.

“A few trails start here.” He puts the car in park and points at the other side of the lot. “We’ll start there, but there’s a longer trail going up the mountain that takes a little more experience and different gear.”

I jump out of the truck before he can come around to get my door. “Maybe we can build up to that with time.”

“I’d like that.” He smiles as he rounds the back and opens the trunk to sort our gear. “No pressure, though. I’d never want to push you into something you’re not comfortable with. That’s how accidents happen.”

He’s talking about hiking, but I can’t help but feel that it applies to other things as well, and it settles the last of my nerves.

Bowen turns to the truck and spreads out the things he brought for us. He puts on sunscreen and bug spray and hands both bottles to me, then tucks them back in a pouch.

He clips a can of bear spray to his waist. Seeing my raised eyebrows, he says, “Better safe than sorry. We haven’t had many issues with bears around here lately. There’s a food locker at the campsite, and we’ll make some noise on the trail to let the critters know we’re here.”

When he produces a second, smaller can to clip on the front of my backpack, I read the instructions to make sure I’d know how to use it.

“We have two options for our tents.” Bowen pushes two lighter bundles to the right side, and one larger wrap to the left. “I have two single tents or one double. Ladies’ choice, and like I said⁠—”

“Yeah, no pressure, I know.” I study both choices, keeping my eyes on the gear. “Let’s take the double. I’ve never been camping before, and I know I’d be uncomfortable sleeping alone.”

The thought of bears sniffing around the campsite at night is scary, though I’m not sure how a tent would stop them.

He hums. “You wouldn’t be alone. I’d still hear everything. The tent canvas is really thin, so you’d be just as safe in your own tent.”

I don’t doubt that. Supernaturals’ senses are better than human, and orcs are no exception to that. He’d hear any danger long before it materialized in our camp, and he’d protect me.

I straighten my shoulders and finally face him. “Okay. I still vote for the double.”

“Good.” He grins. “Just wanted to make sure.”

I want to spend the night in his tent, but I didn’t want to say it outright. He clearly won’t allow me to hide from the truth.

Cheeks flaming, I heft the larger bundle. “Oh, it’s so light!”

“Yeah, I bought this two years ago. Only used it once, when I took my youngest brother hiking last summer, but it’s a great little tent.”

I don’t miss the implication that he usually uses the single tent. Does that mean that he doesn’t hook up with any of the tourists on their summer hikes?

I catch the errant thought and push it away. Bowen told me clearly there’s no one else in his life, and I need to trust him with that if I want us to have a fighting chance. Jealousy has no place here, not when we’re starting on this new adventure together.

Bowen takes two backpacks and starts dividing the gear between them, including the contents of my duffel. I squeak as he takes out my spare underwear and quickly tuck it in a side pocket. He smirks but doesn’t comment and finishes up the packing, then helps me hoist up my backpack and adjusts the straps for me until they’re just right.

He leans close, and I inhale his clean scent, unable to stop myself.

He gazes down at me, his eyes dark. “I’m really glad those people canceled their trip.”

“Me, too,” I breathe.

Bowen dips down, and I lift my face so our lips meet in a soft kiss. His tusks are a cool pressure on my skin, strange but not uncomfortable. His hand comes to my waist, and his fingers flex as if he wants to tug me closer, but he keeps the kiss light and leaves me wanting more when he moves away.