And she couldn’t bear to lose even a minute of it early.
“I’m fine,” she said, injecting just enough brightness into her voice to make it believable. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
His gaze lingered on her face, searching, like he could see the thoughts she was carefully tucking away. For a moment, she thought he might press again. Instead, he reached out and tugged gently on the edge of the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, drawing her a step closer. “Then we should probably go to bed.”
Her heart stumbled. “Probably.”
He brushed his thumb along her cheek, the touch soft enough that it almost undid her. “I like having you in my bed, Evie,” he added, voice lighter now, teasing but warm. “Even though you steal the blankets.”
She rolled her eyes, grateful for the shift back to something safe. “Excuse you. I do not steal the covers.”
“Bean,” he said solemnly, “you are a blanket thief of legendary proportions.”
A laugh bubbled out of her before she could stop it, easing some of the tightness in her chest. “You’re so dramatic.”
“And yet accurate.”
He took her hand then and led her across the tiny living room toward the bedroom. The small lamp on the nightstand cast a warm glow across the rumpled sheets, making the space feel even more intimate than the rest of the cabin.
Evie hesitated in the doorway for half a second, her gaze catching on the bed. On the quiet promise of another night beside him. Another memory she’d have to tuck away and carry home with her.
Just one more week, she told herself. Don’t ruin this by thinking too far ahead.
She slipped off her shoes and set them by the wall, buying herself a few extra seconds to breathe. Behind her, Slater moved around the room with easy familiarity, straightening the messy covers on the unmade bed, and dimming the lamp.
Slowly, he kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his dark boxer briefs. Just the sight of him made her sigh. His body was all lean, muscled perfection. And when he lay down on the bed and patted the space beside him—beckoning her to join him—she quickly shimmied out of her own clothes before slipping on one of her nighties.
When she finally climbed into bed, the blanket rustled as he pulled it up over them both, instinctively tucking it around her shoulders first before settling in close beside her.
The small, automatic kindness of it made her chest ache again.
She rolled onto her side, facing him. In the soft lamplight, his features were relaxed, his eyes steady on hers. No pressure. No expectations. Just Slater.
Her fingers found his chest, smoothing lightly over his warm skin, because she needed the physical proof that he was real and not some fleeting, perfect dream.
He covered her hand with his, squeezing gently. “Hey.”
For some reason, that one word made her throat tighten. “Hey.”
He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for a second longer than usual. The tenderness of it stole her breath, but she didn’t say anything. Didn’t ask what it meant. Didn’t risk turning the moment into something heavier than it was allowed to be.
Instead, she closed her eyes and let herself drift closer, fitting against him like she had so many times before. But for tonight, at least, she could pretend this wasn’t temporary. That next week wasn’t looming just over the horizon. That this—warmth, quiet, Slater’s steady breathing beneath her ear—was enough.
And for now, it was.
Slater’s arms came around her, tightening their hold on her just slightly as he gently rolled her beneath him. She held his gaze, memorizing the feel of his arms around her, the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Just one more week.
He kissed her then—slowly and sweetly seductive. It was everything she wanted and needed. Then she let herself sink into the kiss with him, knowing neither of them was going to sleep anytime soon. And that was more than okay with her.
Evie knew she needed Slater to claim her—body, mind, and soul—because soon, these memories were all she was going to have.
Chapter Eleven
The next day, Slater was leading a group of guests down from an intermediate hike. They had all been great and there were no issues, and it left him in a great mood. When they were on the path that led to his shed office, he turned and stopped them.
“You guys have been awesome, and I appreciate you taking the time to hike with me today. If you head up to the lodge, Lexi will meet you and take you for refreshments. Enjoy the rest of your stay here at the Lakeview Harbor Resort!” And with a smile and a wave, he watched them all continue up the path.
