16. Chapter 15
Chapter 15
SHYLOH
Torturing Becca wasn’t in my original plans, but it was way too much fun to watch her squirm. If I was going to be forced on this trip, I was going to enjoy every minute of it.
Did I know how to camp? Not really.
Did I still want to be close to Becca Dawson, even though she cauterized my heart? Yep. I sure did.
I kept replaying our drunken moment at the party, and I could still taste her. I wanted more of her.
Lenna told me that Becca swore to never fall in love again after her high school boyfriend passed away, which makes sense why she quickly and aggressively pushed me away .
From the stories I’d heard from both Lenna and Conrad, I knew that he would want her to be happy. At least, I’d hope he’d want that for her. I would if it were me.
After our stopover at the meadow site, the next morning we finished our drive to our final destination.
We pulled into the campground at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I’d done some research on the plane, so I at least knew what I was getting myself into. This was one of the more remote campgrounds, but it was filled with more secluded hiking opportunities which is why we were here. There was also a large resort at the top of the lookout that we were planning on going to at least one night for dinner.
I’d studied the information sheet and schedule because I wanted to be prepared for anything .
The spot we parked in was at the corner of the lot. Everyone climbed out of the van, heading to the rear to gather our bags and supplies. We each had our own tents, except for Joy and Mark because they wanted to have their empty nester-moon on this trip. I’d have to remember not to put my tent next to them later.
“Please make sure to get your tent, air mattress, and supply bag filled with everything you’ll need for your time here—except for hiking equipment. I will keep that in the van until it’s needed. Once you have everything, go ahead and pick one of the spots and start setting up. If you have any questions, let me know,” Becca announced to the group, and everyone immediately started grabbing their items .
I, however, did not. I wanted to see where she would set up her tent before I made a move on mine.
Becca narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you waiting for, Mr. Mendoza? Come get your shit.”
I stepped towards her with my hand over my heart, offended. “Wow. I’ll be sure to write in my review that our leader likes to use foul language with her guests.”
She rolled her eyes and threw my tent bag at me.
I stood there smiling at her, and her brows raised.
“What? Why are you just standing there?”
“I’m waiting for the rest of my… shit. As you said.”
She sighed heavily, reached around, and threw the rest of the stuff in front of me.
“There.” Becca gave me a tight-lipped smile. “Be sure to set up before nightfall.”
She started to walk away, but I just watched, standing there like a middle school boy seeing a girl for the first time. As Becca walked away, my gaze found its traitorous way to her ass. It was toned and it was large, and dammit did I want to bite the hell out of it.
“Are you all good over here, lover boy?” Ms. Donna said from behind me, causing me to startle slightly.
I laughed, shaking my head.
“I know that look when I see it. You long for her, don’t you?” she inquired gently.
“I sure as hell do.”
She slapped my arm. “So, what’s stopping you?”
“Her. ”
I turned to face Donna and said it again. “It’s her. She is stopping me.”
***
The spot that I chose was slightly further away from the group, but still only a few steps from Becca’s tent, as I intended it to be.
“Welp. I hope you plastic son-of-a-bitch can keep me safe from bears tonight,” I growled to my royal blue tent that was now my temporary home.
“It won’t stop the bears, you know,” Becca said, tossing wood onto the fire pit.
“Oh really? Then what’s the purpose of having a tent?”
She struck a match to the newspaper, starting a fire. “It’s for many reasons. Shielding you from the weather, bugs, but for what it’s worth…the bear won’t try to break into your tent. Just keep any snacks out of it and you’ll be fine.”
I nodded, walking closer to her. “What other pieces of wisdom would you like to bestow upon me?”
Her eyes flickered up to my face and down my body.
Holy shit. She was checking me out.
“Know that nature doesn’t stop for anyone. Things can change quickly, and you always need to be prepared.”
“That was deep. Know this from experience?”
I sat on the log next to her and studied the profile of her face. Becca’s lips were plump, and her eyes sparkled with the orange hues of the flames. She had no makeup on, and her hair pulled back into a single braid. She was perfect.
The outside of her was a steel wall. A tough exterior to protect the inside of her, which was soft and caring.
She was scared. Scared of loving. Scared of living. But I’d find a way to break through that stubborn ass woman’s shell, and I’d knock down every single wall that stood in my way. I needed her to be mine.
“I guess you could say that. I’ve done quite a few nature trips with photography and this job, and what I’ve found is that nature is relentless. It’s fated to do what it must do. But that’s what is so beautiful about it. It’s wild and carefree. When I’m sitting next to a creek, listening to the water racing down the stones… I—”
She stopped and I watched her. Her breathing was changing, and her eyes were starting to fill with a glossiness.
“It’s nothing—I didn’t mean to get all sentimental.” She turned her head to glance at me.
“I like it when you get sentimental,” I replied softly.
Within a minute, everyone in our group was sitting around the fire, laughing and eating the soup that Becca had cooked over the flames.
Maybe she was right. Being here was freeing. That’s what Lenna and Conrad wanted me to do. Be free and relax. Stop trying to change things that were no longer in my control.
I could say that out loud, that was easy, but doing it? Well, that was a completely different story .
“Now that everyone is settled, let’s play a little ice breaker game. Shall we?” Becca suggested and everyone hooted and hollered. All except for me. I hated introduction games…