As I approach, he looks up, and a grin pulls at his lips. “A spoonful of sugar…”
“Helps the nasty shit go down,” I finish his sentence, and he chuckles, slowly taking it from my hands. “Thanks, gorgeous.”
I freeze a moment, but quickly force a tight smile as I turn away. “Yep.”
With slow-paced steps, I find my cup and retake my seat, not looking up from the fire again after that, so as soon as Cameron announces the food is ready, I pop up, eager to help get paper products set up for everyone. Standing at the backside of the table, I adjust the trays as people shuffle down the length of it, loading their plates. I figure I’ll wait until everyone else is settled before I snag my own, but then Noah’s arms are coming around me from behind, and a plate is held out in front of me, the stack of mini pancakes steaming and fresh off the grill.
I peer up at him and he nods toward the plate, pressing into me slightly to grab a fork from beside me. He stabs it into the top one and leaves the fork there for me to grab.
“Taste.”
I do as he says, not taking my eyes off his as I bring it to my lips for a bite. The buttermilk flavor hits my tastebuds, and they come alive when a hint of something sweet follows.
My expression must give away my mouthgasm, because he grins.
“If you add a little shake of brown sugar into the batter, you don’t have to drown it with syrup.”
“Maybe I like to drown it with syrup.”
“Says the girl who likes her pot pies nice and flaky, her chicken breaded, and her cornbread with a crisp.”
I laugh, my hand coming up to cover the large bite I’ve yet to swallow. “Okay, fine. You’re right, I hate soggy food.”
“I know.”
“Just like you know you’ve hit the spot yet again. So good.”
“Good. Maybe we’ll have to add a breakfast into our menu somewhere.”
I spin, whispering, “Would this be a breakfast for dinner kind of thing or…”
His smirk is slow. “Or…”
I swat him in the chest. “Don’t make me say it.”
He chuckles and turns to help Cam when she calls him over to the stove.
After eating, everyone hangs around and chats until some people head back in their tents for a nap while the rest of us play a couple games of cards, as another handful of guys begin tossing the football around.
We spend a few hours out on a hike, showing everyone the rock pathways and the small bridge that leads to the opposite side of the mountain.
The rest of the day plays out the same, and only when the sun begins to set, Mason now on the grill, do I bend down behind Noah, who sits sipping on a beer and chatting to a group of guys.
I bring my lips to his ear, so only he can hear. “There’s a path I purposely avoided today.”
Noah tips his head a little, so he can see me, and I drape one arm over him, my fingers tapping along his chest.
“Oh, yeah?” he drawls quietly, his hand coming up to grab mine.
“Mm-hm.” I nod, pressing my forehead to his temple. “What do you say, you up for a little walk in the dark?”
Noah answers by setting his water bottle down and pushing to his feet. He slips his hand in mine, and I smile, leading our way.
We curl around the campsite, dropping lower into the trees, and weave around a small trail of rocks. Large bushes block the view, but as we get a little farther, pushing past the thin branches, there it is.
The waterfall, leading into a small pool of water, rock walls curling from left to right, closing it off from everything around it.
“Man,” Noah says, and I nod, moving closer.
This being the only area around not overlaid with treetops, the stars are visible, creating a glow around us, allowing us to trust our eyes among the darkness.
I slip my shoes and socks off, dipping my toes in the water. It’s cold, but not nearly as cold as the ocean, since we’ve only just come off of summer. A moment later, Noah’s at my side.
He steps in a little farther. “I was expecting it to be freezing.”
“Not so bad, huh?” I grin, and when he faces away, I shove him a bit, but he’s a quarterback and quick on his feet.
No more than his ankle dips in before he’s circled me completely, now positioned at my back with his arms locked tightly around my abdomen.
“What was that Ms. Johnson?” He smiles against my ear. “Your way of telling me you want to go for a swim?”
I tense, squirming in his hold as he inches me forward. “No, no, no!” I laugh. “Hell no.”