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Harrison’s head popped up at the first touch of the material. He looked at the warm flannel and then at Hale as he took a step away.
“It’s getting cold,” Hale simply said, feeling the awkward, crooked smile spreading across his lips that still tried to tingle with the memory of their kiss.
“Oh. Thank you,” Harrison replied. Hale couldn’t read the emotions flitting across his features, and it was probably for the best. The Keeper stared at him for a second longer and returned his gaze to the laptop.
Something warm that had nothing to do with the blazing fire in the center of camp spread through Hale’s chest. As he headed to the tree he’d been leaning against, he caught sight of Cort watching him, a little smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. He didn’t want to think about that look either.
“Then are we talking about changing up our route to Sedona? Wiley had mentioned something about that when we were in Oklahoma.” Dane asked. He’d kneeled next to Clay by the fire, checking the potatoes wrapped in foil on the hot coals. With a pair of tongs, he carefully squeezed each potato, testing doneness before pulling them out and placing them on a paper plate.
“You think we should get off the main highway?” Calder shifted next to Gio, cuddling close against a wind that sneaked through the trees. “We could take some back roads. Even if they can’t find us due to the cloaking spell, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to predict where we’re headed next and the most likely route.”
“Back roads will take longer.” Cort pulled out his cell phone and tapped on it for a few seconds. He turned the screen around to show a map of their route along the main highway. “Right now, we’re a straight shot to Sedona. Only about thirteen, fourteen hours away.”
Grey leaned in close to look at the screen as his mate turned his phone to face them. “But if we head north into Kansas and then cut through Colorado to Denver. From there, we can start southwest toward Sedona. That route would likely take us two to three days overall.”
“More time on the road means more risk,” Clay pointed out. “Also, dinner is ready. Grab some chicken, potato, and veggies from Baer’s veggie pack on the table.”
“But it’s not more risk if they can’t find us in the first place because of the cloaking spell,” Lucien countered.
Hale watched as everyone but Wiley and Harrison jumped to their feet, grabbing paper plates and utensils. There was some soft chatter about being starved and how it smelled so good. It was unlikely that Harrison had even heard Clay’s mention of food.
With a smirk, he loaded up two plates—one for himself and the other for the Keeper. The man had no sense of self-preservation when it came to magic and books. He carefully prepared the potato with some butter and salt, then cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Ignoring his companions, he claimed a seat next to Harrison and put his own plate aside. He tried nudging Harrison gently with his elbow, informing him that food was ready, but all he got was a soft grunt.
A little smile teased his lips as he placed a bite of chicken on the fork and held it out to Harrison. “Open.”
“What?”
“Open your mouth.”
Harrison finally blinked at him in confusion as he lifted his eyes from his screen. “What are you—”
Hale didn’t let him finish what he was going to say. He just pressed the chicken to his lips and Harrison automatically took it. “Eat it while it’s hot. You’ve got to keep your strength up.”
The sexy Guardian chewed, giving him what was probably supposed to be an evil look, but Hale smugly smiled at him when that expression was ruined by the moan of happiness. Yep, Harrison was hungry, and he hadn’t even noticed. Ridiculous man.
“I don’t need you to feed—” Harrison’s argument was cut off by another helping of chicken that he ate without being prompted this time.
“You clearly do need to be fed. You keep working and let me handle this part.” This time he scooped up a little potato and held it out, accompanied by the lift of an eyebrow. To his pleasure, Harrison didn’t argue this time. He just ate the bite and turned his attention back to his screen.
Hale happily worked his way around the plate, alternating between the different foods. Each time he lifted the fork, Harrison dutifully opened his mouth, occasionally making satisfied humming noises. Only once did his nose wrinkle up, and he pulled away from his work. He frowned at Hale, appearing as if he wanted to spit out what he’d just eaten. “No cauliflower, please.”
Every instinct demanded that Hale lean forward and press a kiss to the tip of Harrison’s wrinkled nose. The Keeper was not a fan of cauliflower. Got it. “No problem. Here’s some chicken to get rid of the taste.” He offered up a piece of chicken and Harrison took it, the happy hum returning.
