“Heavy,” I admit as he stacks all my granola bars in a pile.
“It’s going to feel heavier. After about twenty minutes of hiking, ten pounds will start to feel like a hundred.” His eyes meet mine. “Do you need everything here?” He motions to the piles he’s made.
“Probably not.” I eye my granola bars, not sure I can bear to leave them.
“We got your meal request and know you’re a vegetarian. We have food and snacks for you, so you won’t go hungry. If I were you, I would leave the granola bars behind, along with the extra clothes and the camera.”
“I can’t leave my camera.”
“Okay, bring the camera; leave everything else.” He hands me my bag so I can start to repack it, and I leave out all the extra clothes I packed, and I keep one of the three books and a couple of my granola bars. “Don’t judge me,” I tell him as I shove them in one of the side pockets. “They’re my favorite.”
“In that case, I’ll carry a couple of them in my pack for you, and the rest, I’ll put in the kitchen inside the lodge. You don’t want to come back to find your car’s been broken into by a bear.”
“Yeah, that would suck.” I zip up my bag and then flip it around to my back. Once it’s settled, I realize how much more comfortable it feels without the extra weight. Startling me, he grabs the clips hanging at my sides and pulls them around in front of me, hooking them together around my waist.
“How does that feel now?” He tightens the straps, and my breath lodges in my throat while my stomach dances.
“Good.” I tip my head back, the energy between us seeming to take on a life of its own when our eyes meet.
“Good.” His eyes drop to my mouth, and I lick my lips, watching his pupils dilate, then jump when a horn sounds. Clearing his throat, he steps back and grabs the rest of my granola bars before slamming my trunk. “You can go ahead and get on the bus.”
“Thanks.” I duck my head and rush away. As the bus drives us to our drop-off location, I try to figure out what the hell is going on with me and why Tanner is able to make me feel things I’ve never felt before.
Chapter 4
TANNER
Hearing Cybil laugh, I look to where she’s standing with Jacob and Parker and curse under my breath. When I met her at the bar yesterday, I was stunned stupid by her beauty and wit and caught off guard by the instant attraction that bounced between us—or I hoped it was mutual. I didn’t know I had just gone over her profile for the trip, which is something I do with every client because it gives me a chance to get to know them before I take them out on a retreat. I had no idea I would be spending the next week with her.
“Fuck, I’m so fucked,” I grumble under my breath when I watch her bend over to retie her boots. I didn’t think she could look more gorgeous than she did yesterday. But today, when she got out of her SUV dressed in hiking boots, slouchy socks, leggings, a white tee with a flannel tied around her waist, making her curves even more pronounced, I knew I was in trouble. She even had a handkerchief that matched her flannel tied around her head, her blonde hair in a messy bun.
Blake saw my reaction, too, judging by his constant cursing and the talk he gave me about fraternizing with clients when she went inside the lodge. A reminder I didn’t need. I would never jeopardize my relationship with Blake or Maverick, the only family I’ve ever really had, and I sure as fuck wouldn’t put our business at risk. That said, there has never been a woman to snag my attention the way Cybil has, so when this week is over, if this intense heat between us is still there, all bets are off. I just hope I can use this time to get to know her and keep my hands and my mouth to myself for the next six days and twelve hours.
“Everyone has their lunch, and Blake will be at the campsite around five with dinner,” Maverick says as I sling my pack onto my back. “Are you good?”
“Yep.”
“You’re full of shit.” He smirks, glancing over at Cybil.
“Don’t you start with me too,” I mutter and he laughs. Blake and Mav couldn’t be more different. Ever since I met Blake on our first tour overseas, he’s been a high-strung stickler for following the rules, while Mav has always just kinda gone with the flow and let the cards fall where they might. That’s why the three of us have always worked so well together. I’m a little bit of both, depending on the circumstances.
“Just gonna say good luck with that.” He pulls the satellite phone out of his back pocket, placing it in my open palm. “Call if you run into trouble.”
“Will do.” I lift my chin, then head over to the group.
“It’s not common to see bears on the trail,” Blake says as he hands a can of bear spray to each person. “But they are around, and so are cougars. Like we went over this morning, it’s important for you to be aware of your surroundings and to watch out for your partner. Now, please do not use the bear spray unless there’s a bear.” He gives Lauren a look, and she quickly closes the safety latch. “Enjoy your hike, and I’ll see you all tonight at the campsite for dinner.” He walks past me, palming my shoulder. “They’re all yours.”
I walk to the front of the group and look to each person. “Jacob, Parker, you two are going to lead us up the trail, and Cybil and I will follow at the back of the group. Like Blake said, everyone needs to stay alert and aware, and if anyone needs a break, say something, and we’ll all stop.” I glance to everyone once more. “Make sure you’re utilizing your hydration pack. You don’t want to get dehydrated out here. Any questions?”
When no one speaks up, I motion for Jacob and Parker to take the lead, and as they head toward the trail cut into the side of the mountain, I hear the bus behind us start up.
“Have you ever run into a bear when you’ve been out here hiking?” Lauren asks me over her shoulder as Cybil falls into place at my side.
“A few times, but they typically take off when they hear us coming, so sightings are rare.”
“At my house in Oregon, I ran into a black bear early one morning when I was going from my house to my shop, which is just across the driveway,” Cybil says, then laughs. “I almost had a heart attack. Up until that point, I had only seen them from a distance, so I didn’t know how big they really are up close.”
“What happened?” Avery asks, glancing back at her.
“We stared at each other for what felt like forever; then he ran off, and I went back into my house to grab a pot and spoon so I could make some noise when I went back out.” She laughs, and I chuckle. “I haven’t seen him since that morning, but I know he’s around, because every once in a while, my Ring camera will pick him up.”
“How do you know it was a boy?” Lauren asks.
“I don’t for sure, but when I googled how to tell the difference in case it was a mama with cubs, it said that male bears typically have larger, rounder faces, which makes it look like they have smaller ears.”