“Sorry—”
“Don’t apologize. He’s the fuckin’ dumbass not you. Come on.” Tanner pulls me toward my cabin and stops on the front door steps. He releases my hand, and I feel the chill start to take over me again.
“Thank you for walking me back. And thank you for checking on me.” How fucking lame. I bite my lip and stare at the ground. I would be in denial if I didn’t admit I wanted him to kiss me. Hug me. Something. I need something. I crave it. I know it’s crazy but he’s so…tempting.
He stares at me for a few short seconds. “No problem. I’m here if you need me. You know where my cabin is.”
I clutch my hands into fists at my side. “Thanks.” Why do I want him so fucking bad? This is ridiculous. You just met him, Aubrey.
“We have hiking together tomorrow. You want to walk with me to breakfast and go from there?”
Flutters of butterflies hit against the inside of my stomach. “Yes.”
He smiles that breathtaking smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Aubrey. Sleep well.” There is a seductive look on his face. He knows I want him to kiss me. I can see it on his smug expression. Biting my lip, I try to keep my temper at bay.
Then he walks away, leaving me breathless with just one fucking look.
I’m in trouble.
Chapter Six
Tanner
Aubrey opens the door and my fucking breath hitches like a woman. She has a blue tank top on today. It fits her tits just right, showing a line of cleavage I want to bury my head into.
“Good mornin’,” I get out.
She smiles at me and shuts the door behind her. “Good morning. Ready for this hike?” She twists around to lock the door and holy fuck I get a good look at her ass. Two half-moons hide under those hideous khaki shorts. They’re starting to look better and better by the day.
She turns back and looks at me. Shit, she asked me a question. “Yeah, I’m ready for it.”
She falls into step with me, her arms swinging at her sides. She’s seems more comfortable with me now. At first I was scared she hated me. Now, I can see her letting me in, letting me around her. Not to mention, last night. Jesus, when she leaned against me, I wanted to wrap my arms around her and pull her closer. She smelled so good. Her body fit against mine. Christ, I sound like a fuckin’ woman.
We’re halfway to the cafeteria when we see Jake. He’s waiting by the door, arms crossed across his chest. I notice the second he sees us coming. A look of rage marks his face. A deep seed of satisfaction buries itself in me. She’s mine—not yet—but she will be.
Aubrey lets out a soft sigh. “Shit.”
I lift a brow. “You want me to let you two talk?”
“There isn’t anything to talk about.”
I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Jake steps out in front of Aubrey as we get closer. “What?” she barks.
His eyes avert from her to me. “Do you mind, partner?”
I clench my fists.
“He doesn’t have to leave, because we’re going in to eat. Leave me alone.”
He pulls at his hair. “Please, just talk to me. One second.”
“No,” she says, pushing past him and through the double doors.
Gritting his teeth, he turns back to me. “You think you’re going to come in here with your southern accent and charm the pants off of her? I’ll whoop your ass right now.”
“I’d like to see you try, partner.” Before he has a chance to say anything, I walk through the double doors. I scan the seats until I find Aubrey sitting with Cassie. A frown is tugging at her lips, but her face softens when she sees me.
I grab my plate and walk toward their table. Cassie waves. “Hi, Tanner. Where’s Eric?”
I shrug. “He was moaning and groaning this mornin’. I think he had a late night.”
Cassie’s cheeks flush, and she picks up a piece of bacon. “I’m sure he’ll recover.”
Aubrey snorts, and she covers her mouth to stop the food. “I never thought I’d say this to a girl before, but you’re such a horndog.”
She makes a slight howling noise and starts to choke on her food. I try not to laugh but I do, loudly. When I stop, Aubrey is staring at me. Her hazel eyes are wide, her lips parted. I can’t pinpoint her expression, but she’s shakes her head and goes back to eating before I can ask.
She glances over my shoulder at the clipboard. “Are all the kids here?” she asks.
“Yeah, everyone but my stupid ass brother.”
She laughs. “He’s coming.” She points toward a hill closest to us.
Austin is taking his time, whistling and checking out every girl in the group. “Get your ass over here,” I say, my voice trembling. He is the most arrogant asshole I’ve even come in contact with.
He rolls his hand through his blond hair and smiles. “You’re my tour guide today? This day couldn’t get any better.” He slaps his hand down on my shoulder.
I push him away. “Be on time next time, Austin. Don’t be stupid. Please. Let’s just get through this shit.”
He rolls his eyes and walks over to a group of girls.
Aubrey is staring at me when I turn back around, but she averts her gaze. “Okay, guys!” she yells. “Put your packs on, make sure your water is filled and we’ll be ready to go.”
The kids gather their things and line up behind us. The hike is only a few miles. It shouldn’t take but a couple of hours to get up there back. Aubrey follows alongside of me, keeping her eyes forward. “You’re not really close to Austin are you?”
“Why do you ask that?”
She shrugs. “I mean you two didn’t grow up together. You’re not close like buddy brothers.”
I shake my head. “No, not at all. Momma’s ex-husband, Austin’s dad, moved and got custody of Austin when he was five. He did it out of spite, because obviously he didn’t raise him worth a shit.”
“So, where’s your dad?”
“Arkansas. Momma and him got back together about six years ago.”
She nods and turns back to check on the kids. “You think you’re going to stay here or move back to Arkansas? I mean, do you think you’ll ever move back?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what the fuck I’m doin’ anymore.”
She bites her lip. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Aubrey and I keep quiet most of the way. I steal glances at her a lot. She gets aggravated when the sweat building on her top lip starts to run into her mouth. She wipes it away with the back of her hand. Her shorts have ridden up her legs, showing each muscle in her thighs. Christ, I want to run my fingers against those legs. Spread them wide apart.
“Yay,” she exhales out, “we’re freaking here. I feel like my legs are going to fall off.”
Biting back a smile, I tug my backpack and toss it to the ground. “We sure as hell wouldn’t want that to happen.”
Aubrey sets her things by mine. It’s another campfire with logs around it. It’s our stopping point. “Y’all get your lunches out and eat. Remember what we said about moderating your water. Y’all don’t want to run out.”
Aubrey pulls out her sack lunch and we start to eat. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now. A few seconds into my sandwich, I see Austin walking toward me, his canteen in hand. I lift a brow but wait for him to say something.