Chapter 12
Jessamine
What does one wear camping? It may not be my thing but the way that man kisses makes me want to follow him anywhere.
Even after my solo session in the shower, my body is still buzzing to be touched by him again.
I place my toiletry bag in my backpack and two pairs of underwear, a regular bra, a sports bra, jeans, shorts, biker shorts, a sleep shirt, and socks.
I’m not sure how far we’re going but he did say we’ll still be on the property.
I toss a few snack bars from my welcome basket and fill up my water bottle.
I slip on my tennis shoes, grab my backpack, and leave to find Cole.
I opted to wear yoga pants, a sports bra, and T-shirt since I didn’t know what he considered a hike.
It’s not much of an incline around so I’m assuming it’ll be more distance than elevation.
Cole is walking through the lobby with his own backpack and an insulated food bag when I find him. He surveys my attire and smiles at my answer. He doesn’t break eye contact as he nears.
“I’m glad you decided to join me.”
Damn, he looks good in athletic wear. “I’m trying to be more open to new experiences.”
“Well, I have a lot to show you,” the insinuation makes me want to run to the campground if it means he’ll make good on that promise.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
He leans in a little and whispers. “Please do.” He tilts his head, motioning for me to follow him. He continues to talk once I fall into step. “I have food for dinner and breakfast. Have you had lunch?”
“Yes, I ordered room service. I was in a wrap mood.”
“Which one? How was it?”
“Chicken bacon ranch. It was good. Fresh. The bacon was crispy in all the right ways. Just note that the ranch should go on the side for room service orders. I didn’t eat it immediately and it was starting to get soggy.
I don’t care about such a thing but others have texture issues.
I only point this out since my order came directly to me because I’m the only person here. ”
“And when we have more people, the deliveries will take longer. We should do it for all sauces then. Thank you for honest feedback.”
“Of course. I want your baby to succeed.”
Cole stops walking and looks down at me. “I really appreciate that.”
He’s touched and I wasn’t trying. It warms my heart to know I said something meaningful to him.
I follow him up a path that cuts between trees. “For safety, I’ve had a path created so someone could never get lost, " he explains as we navigate through the foliage.
“It’s a good idea.”
We chat about random things as we make our way to the clearing about forty-five minutes later. It’s a big clearing where I’m sure several people can camp out.
“Here we are,” he announces. “The plan here is to have space where several people can camp out but still have some sort of privacy. I didn’t want to mess with nature too much though.
” He puts down the food and takes off his massive backpack.
“A campsite is marked by the firepits we’ve set up.
The aim is to have as much control over the fire as possible. ”
“That’s understandable.”
“And for the land on the opposite side, I want to create a glamping environment.”
“That’s cute.”
Cole nods. “Yeah, I gotta attract the brunch girlies.”
I don’t know if it’s his word usage of the dry way he said it but I burst out laughing.
“You’re hilarious.”
He winks at me and starts taking stuff out of his big backpack. I move over to help him, follow instructions as he gives them to me. It takes us about an hour to set up camp because neither one of us are pros but we have fun doing it.
I used to roll my eyes when people would say it but Cole just showed me that it truly isn’t about what you do and has everything to do with who you’re with. Without going into deep comparison mode, I know for a fact that Adam and I would have argued if we had to complete the same task.
Even with some of the residual hurt, I can truly say I’m happy that chapter is closed. Cole uses his shirt to wipe his forehead and brings me right back to my current mission. I want to jump his bones.
“We get to watch the sunset,” he gushes, completely unaware that my thoughts went south.
His upbeat personality is damn near contagious.
Going with the feeling, I walk up to him and hug him.
Cole releases a content hum as he wraps his arms around me.
His hug makes me feel cared for and safe.
I don’t know why but it does. This level of peace can’t be taught.
I breathe in the mix of his scent and the outdoors as his big hand rubs my back.
I love that he’s not rushing me or disengaging from the hug.
He plants a sweet kiss on my forehead then rests his chin atop of my head.
“This is nice,” I admit.
“It is,” he agrees. “It’s just the two of us in nature. Thank you for trusting me.”
His stomach growls the moment the words leave his mouth. I pull away with a chuckle.
“Let’s get you fed.”
“Yeah, let’s,” he agrees as he moves towards the food bag.
He reaches in an outside pocket and gets what looks like liquid soap and starts to lather up over a container.
I follow suit once he’s done and he starts to unpack the bag.
“Since I didn’t want to carry a cooler, I made sure to get food items that don’t feed the refrigerator. I have fresh eggs for the morning.”
“Fresh eggs?” I ask, since I need further explanation.
“When eggs are laid, they are covered by something called the bloom. It protects them from bacteria. The eggs in the grocery stores have that layer washed away and need to be refrigerated.”
“Huh, I never knew that. We really do learn something new every day.”
“I’m glad to be of service. We have a lot of water. I had them cook the meat last night so all we have to do is warm it up.” He pulls another bag out with what looks like discs of dough. “I know how Texans feel about tacos.”
I laugh again at the unexpected seriousness of his statement. “I appreciate you knowing that the worst thing you can do for a taco is fuck up the tortilla. Corn or Flour?”
Cole smiles at me like he knows everything. “I have both.”
“Ooh, that’s sexy,” I tease.
Cole chuckles as he sets aside the food and works on the firepit. “I try my best.”
We work together to warm up the beef fajita meat and the tortillas. He has a little container of cilantro and onions plus little baggies of salsa.
I moan after my first bite. “Who made the salsa?”
“Clementine,” he supplies.
“I could just kiss her.”
“Me. I made the salsa,” he lies with a smirk.
I lean over and drop a peck on his nose and go back to eating. I hope he stays this adorable forever.
“I’ll take it.”
It’s the last thing he says before he kills four tacos.
“All better,” I ask once he releases a content sigh.
“Much better.” He starts to reseal everything and puts it all back in the bag. “Oh and I have stuff for us to make smores later.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. Are we telling campfire stories?”
“Only if they’re erotic.”
“THE Cole Heywood talks dirty?”
He looks through a different bag and pulls out two tumbler cups and a bottle of wine.
“I can but you know, variables.”
He stands after moving the items to a small bag.
“Variables?” I prompt.
He holds out a hand for me. “Come on, let's watch the sunset.”
I accept his hand and fall into step with him. I feel almost giddy when he laces his fingers with mine. My brain becomes so fixated with romantic notions that I forgot I asked him a question.
“The variables depend on the moment and the person. Even if I’m willing to talk dirty, it doesn’t mean that my partner would like it. Or maybe the moment doesn’t call for it.”
“So play talking dirty by ear?”
“Much better than planning it.”
“I would hope no one plans dirty talk.”
He guides me up a slightly rocky elevation until we get to a flat spot. Cole wipes away some specks of dirt from the rock like we’re not outside. It’s another cute gesture that makes him endearing.
It’s a perfect spot, just nature and no buildings. The sun is starting to dip just below the water, giving everything a golden hue. Cole pours us some wine and hands me a cup.
“I just realized that I didn’t check if you are a red or white wine drinker.”
“There is something I like in both. Red makes me sleepy.”
He looks down at his cup. “Oops.”
I clink my glass to his. “Cheers.”
After a sip, I lean my head on his shoulder and just enjoy the view and quiet. I was hoping to find some relaxation but I didn’t truly believe I’d find it like this.
“This is beautiful, thank you.”
“Anytime, Jess. I know better than anyone the importance of a clear mind.”
He drops another kiss on my forehead as we watch the sunset in silence. Our cups are empty but the time it’s officially night but neither one of us feel inclined to have a refill.
“I don’t think I’ve ever just sat and watched the sunset.”
“I’m happy to be your first,” he quips but quickly sobers. “The first time I did it, I felt transformed and instantly at peace.”
I tilt my head back a little so I can look up at him in the dim light. “You’re right. I feel a lot like that.”
He closes the space, giving me a sweet kiss. Our hunger soon turns that sweet into spicy. My hand finds his hair as I turn further into the kiss. He moans when our tongues touch and his big hand grabs my hip. I want so much more of him.
One of the cups falls, clinking every rock possible on the way down.
Cole sighs as we pull away. “I guess that’s our cue to go back.” He pulls out a flashlight since it has become much darker.
After helping me down, he retrieves the cup before re-linking our hands to lead us back to the tent. A slight breeze catches me, reminding it that it is in fact fall. Sometimes this is the only way to tell the difference.
In the summer the days and the nights are hot. In the fall, the days are warm but the early mornings and the nights are cool.
“I’ll get the fire started.”
He’s already started more than a fire. All of the kisses that end too soon have killed my ability to focus on anything but getting past first base. Yes, I got a feel of what he is packing and it was a glorious feel but I want him all over, under, and inside of me.
“I’ll change into pajamas,” I inform him and am awarded with a distracted okay.
I kick off my tennis shoes and slowly start removing each item of clothing. If I time it correctly, he’ll turn around while I’m almost or completely naked. The more I remove, the more aroused I become.
“That should do it,” he says proudly as he turns around just as I’m unhooking my bra. “Shit, I’m sorry.” He apologizes as he turns back around.
Oh, Cole. So cute.
“Don’t be. It’s okay to look, Cole.”