Chapter 14
B uck knew before he’d opened his eyes that this was not going to be a good day.
For one thing, he did not get so much as a single second of blissful disorientation before his memory helpfully shoved all his current problems to the front of his brain.
For another, his body felt like someone had spent the night pulling all his joints apart and putting them back the wrong way round.
And, most importantly, he was on the motherloving roof again.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he snarled, bare-assed and spread-eagled. “I was already at the damn camp! What more do you want?”
His scar throbbed in answer. The pain in his bones ebbed, fading away. He had an unnerving impression of something submerging back under his subconscious, leaving only a lingering sense of smugness.
“So much for Zeph’s theory,” he muttered. “Damn thing’s not trying to tell me anything after all. It’s just a giant furry dick.”
Still, at least he’d woken up earlier this time. The sky was tinged with the rosy colors of dawn. Soft morning light fell on still, silent cabins. The whole camp lay in peaceful slumber.
With a bit of luck, he could make it back to his cabin before anyone woke up. As quietly as he could, Buck slid down the roof, wincing as the gritty shingles sandpapered his ass. He peered over the edge. It wasn’t that far down.
Clinging to the guttering, he swung over the edge. His already abused shoulders did not approve of this. He dangled for a heartbeat, then—bracing himself—dropped.
The ground turned out to be closer than he’d expected. He grunted at the impact, pain jangling through his body once more.
“Did you hear that?”
Buck froze.
“No talking,” mumbled a different girl. The voices came from inside the cabin, carrying clearly to his freakishly enhanced ears even through the wall. “S’not morning yet.”
“But I thought I heard something outside.” The squeak of mattress springs came from inside the cabin; the sound of someone sitting up in bed. “Maybe it was the morning bell.”
“It wasn’t.” More squeaking noises, as of someone turning over and burying their head under the covers. From the voice, Buck was fairly certain it was Beth. “For the last time, go back to sleep, Flora.”
Flora seemed to have obeyed, since silence fell once more. Buck let out his breath, his heart starting to beat again. Flattening himself against the wall, he edged around the cabin.
He relaxed a little once he got to the far side. By his reckoning, at least he was now at the end of the building that contained the counselors’ rooms rather than a dozen young girls.
He could see the staff cabins now, beyond the kids’ dorms. He hesitated, debating whether to stick to the shadows or just make a straight-up dash for it.
A sprint across the open campground seemed less risky than trying to ninja around in his birthday suit. Buck tensed, preparing to run faster than he’d ever run in his life.
CL-CLANG CL-CLANG CL-CLANG!
“THAT’S THE BELL!” Flora yelled from inside the cabin, as Buck’s whole skeleton attempted to teleport two feet sideways, straight through his skin. “WAKE UP EVERYONE! IT’S MOOOOOORNING!”
Similar whoops of excitement reverberated from other cabins. Buck looked around wildly, searching for cover—and his gaze fell on an open window.
Survival instinct kicked in. He was moving before he could have first thoughts, let alone second. With the speed of sheer panic, he launched himself through the window, hit the ground hard, and rolled into cover.
Springs creaked above him.
Buck stared up at dusty slats. With the slow, sinking sensation of settling into quicksand, he realized he was under a bed.
And not just any bed.
Honey’s bed.
The mattress squeaked again as she shifted position. He heard her murmur something, low and indistinct, before falling silent again. Her scent wrapped round him like a blanket.
Oh no.
Buck held his breath, trying to not to inhale any more of that warm, sweet fragrance. It was no good. Even the slightest whiff of Honey was enough to grab his full attention.
Wonderful. Now he was naked, under her bed, with a raging boner.
Someone banged on the bedroom door. “Honey! Honey! We gotta get to breakfast! Are you awake?”
“I am now, ” Buck heard Honey say under her breath, with distinct aggravation. She raised her voice, sliding into her usual cheerful, upbeat register. “You girls go ahead and get dressed! I’ll be out in a minute!”
The edge of a blanket flopped over the edge of the bed. Two bare, graceful feet followed. Buck tried very hard not to stare at them, and failed miserably. For fuck’s sake, how could feet be that damn sexy?
Honey stretched, lifting up onto her toes. She let out a soft, breathy moan.
This did not help his situation.
Buck clenched his teeth, trying to dissociate from his body through sheer force of will. He prayed Honey would head to the bathroom. The instant she left, he’d grab her blanket and run like hell—
Cloth rustled. With a soft whisper, a pair of bright pink panties hit the floor, inches from his nose.
Oh fuck .
She was getting undressed. She was taking off her clothes. Honey was going to be naked, and he was already naked, and she didn’t know that he was right there.
He had to stop her.
In retrospect, he probably shouldn’t have done this by grabbing her ankle.