“You’re brutal, Mare.”
“Just keeping your ego in check.”
“My ego has taken a beating since the day I let you pick my pocket. One of these days, you’ll appreciate—” He gestured from his shoulders to his hips, his eyes full of mischief. “all that this has to offer.”
I scoffed. “I appreciate all of that just fine. It’s your mind that’s gone soft if you think youletme pick your pocket.” With a teasing touch, I trailed my finger down the side of his arm and hooked my thumb into his belt. “That was skill, and I can do it again, anytime, anywhere.”
Gavin’s gaze darkened. His fingers circled my wrist, thumb brushing slow circles over my pulse. Heat shivered through me as his head dipped, his voice a low murmur in my ear.
“Stop flirting with me in front of the giant’s castle. It’s very unprofessional. The other hunters will talk.”
“There are no other hunters who are as reckless as us. And you’re insufferable.”
“Wrong.” His breath warmed my cheek. “Ever since you… all I do is suffer.”
My thoughts scattered. Gavin Blackwood needed to come with a warning label:Run for the hills, or he’ll decimate every last shred of your resolve.Mine needed more reinforcements than the hundred-foot stone wall, and it was crumbling fast.
I cleared my throat, forcing my feet to move as I stepped out of Gavin’s reach. “Are you sure we can’t attempt the maze today? There’s still daylight.”
His gaze lingered on me for a beat too long before shifting to the sky. “Not enough daylight, and those are storm clouds gathering. We can’t risk getting stuck inside the maze after dark or in the rain. The stone will be too slippery. The mapsays there's an abandoned outpost a little to the west. We should camp there for the night.”
I barely contained a shudder. “You use the term abandoned too loosely. It’s probably full of snakes.”
“Oh, definitely. But it’s snakes or sleeping in the rain. And that storm doesn’t look good. I vote fangs over soggy boots.”
A gust of wind whipped through the trees, rattling the branches. Gavin took advantage, draping his arm over my shoulder and effortlessly wheeling me away from the castle.
“Let’s make a deal,” he said. His voice was dangerously smooth. “I will use my overtly masculine abilities to clear out any living creatures, and all you have to do is compliment me on my valor. I can do it shirtless if that will help.”
And Gavin thinks he suffers.
I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Come on, snake killer. If I dig deep enough and really search my soul, I’m sure I can find something to praise.”
Gavin squeezed my shoulders. “Looking forward to it, Mare.”
The outpost was little more than a rundown shack with a tattered roof. But it would keep the rain and wind off us. Overgrown weeds climbed around a water well, the bucket hanging loosely from a thick rope. Branches and a few logs were scattered near the door, and I collected the kindling lying on the ground.
A smattering of raindrops fell from the sky, pelting me in the face. The clouds overhead were ominous, and a crack of thunder split the air. There wouldn’t be much time for snake detection before the skies opened up with rain.
The door rattled in the wind, swinging open with a gust. I peered into the shadowed room and frowned. It was actuallypretty decent. The floor was clean of debris. An empty hearth waited for a roaring fire. Crude furniture filled the rest of the space. Some cabinets were stocked with rustic cookware, and a narrow table lined the wall. A torn hammock hung in one corner, swaying from the wind blowing inside.
I collected water from the well while Gavin stacked the kindling in the hearth and started the fire. The sky unleashed, rain pouring and soaking the ground before I hurried back inside and secured the door.
The firelight bathed the sparse room in a warm glow, making it feel smaller than it had moments ago. Gavin shifted on the balls of his feet, stacking a dry log onto the fire. Sparks snapped. I watched him, leaning against the door.
What wasn’t there to praise?
Gavin’s shirt sleeves were pushed to his elbows, revealing the corded strength of his forearms. Steady hands coaxed the flames higher, filling the room with delicious warmth as the rain slid down the windows. His hair—always tousled, never tamed—brushed against the hard planes of his face. He looked solid. Capable. An anchor keeping me from crashing onto the rocks.
But it wasn’t just his focused determination I admired. It was the way he teased, turning danger into a game we could win, as long as he was there. The way his touch always affected me, whether it was calming, guiding, or slow and wicked. Every single touch made me crave another.
We'd known each other for a long time, but I used to take his presence for granted. I told myself it was nice but not necessary. That he was too reckless, too much of a wanderer. That anything between us would never work, and I’d be a fool to try.
And I was a fool.
Because Gavin was necessary.
The room was warm now, the fire strong enough to chase away the damp chill. Gavin dropped onto the floor in front of the hearth, stretching out his legs as he dug through his pack.
