by Alexa Riley
“Kinda,” I answer, dropping the clipboard down to my side. I cock my head to look at them. “You can’t go camping in that.” I don’t know if they’re here to see if I was done doing my check. They are both in flip-flops, swim trunks and lifeguard shirts. It’s a hike out to the site and flip-flops won't cut it.
“Lifeguard.” The boy points to his puffed-out chest. I have to fight not to laugh. Moose is easily two times bigger than him. I don’t want to hurt the poor boy’s ego, but he really should get lost before Moose comes back.
“Water’s over there.” I nod toward the lake. What is he doing over here then? Other than bothering me. I guess he isn't bothering me. I’m done with my check. I wonder if there is something else I can handle for Mrs. Cyprus while I wait for Moose to get back. I’m going to steal my husband away for a few hours while Tia watches our son. We’re in the middle of working on a second baby.
“You should come for a swim.” He takes another step toward me. Oh shit.
“No thanks. I don’t have a swimsuit with me.” I take a step back.
“You don't need one. In fact—” His words are cut off as Moose’s hand lands on his shoulder, stopping him from talking. We all know he was going to say I could skinny dip. I have done that a few times. Only with Moose, though. After he made sure there wasn't a soul around. The man could get jealous of fish. “Hey Moose.” The young man tries to jerk from Moose’s hold but he gets nowhere. If Moose wants you somewhere, that’s where you’ll be. Period.
“You talking to my wife?” he growls. I feel bad for the guy when his face goes white as a ghost.
“Leave the poor boy alone,” I tell my husband. I can tell from the glint in his eyes he doesn't want to.
“I-I…” The boy stumbles over his words. “Didn't know she was your wife,” he finally gets out. Of course the boy knows Moose is married. He tells anyone who will listen. That wedding ring never leaves his finger. It always warms me when I hear him talking about me. From how he talks you'd think he’d found an angel in the woods the day he found me.
“Come play with me.” I wink at Moose, knowing I’m the only thing that can save the guy. “Tia is watching our son,” I remind him. He lets go of the boy, who runs off with his friend as fast as possible, yelling sorry as he goes.
I fight a laugh because I know Moose doesn't find this as funny as I do. The man is all kinds of possessive. The only person he shares me with is our son, who is a mini-Moose himself. No wonder I got so big when I was knocked up. I’m sure our next will be as big. I’m also sure it will be a boy.
“Come make another baby with me,” I bait. He’s on me before I can finish what I’m saying, throwing me over his shoulder. I laugh as he stomps off into the woods with me. I’ll never get over how much my man loves and needs me. I eat up all of it.
Once again rescued by my ranger.
* * *
THE END
Summertime Sneakout
Tia
“Are you and Van doing the nasty and you just don’t wanna tell people?” Piper asks as she takes a bite of the breakfast burrito I made her.
I have no idea how she can eat so much food in one sitting. She’s harder to keep full than some of the teenage boys running around here. I’m beginning to suspect she and Van are in a silent competition of who can eat more.
“No,” I hiss at her, and she gives me a coy smile.
She’s only teasing me, but I don’t need that rumor floating around. My face heats thinking about having sex with Van, but I can blame my rosy cheeks on the hot oven. Not that it matters because Van probably thinks that’s what I always look like since I blush when he’s within ten feet of me. He’s too handsome for his own good, but I wish it ended there. He’s sweet and charming and basically the whole package. I don’t know why he keeps teasing me, though, because he doesn’t do it with anyone else. He doesn’t touch anyone else either, so I wonder if he’s trying to see how red he can make my cheeks.
“He’s telling people that.”
I jerk my eyes up from the sheet of cookies and over to Piper. She swings her legs back and forth as she goes for another bite of her burrito. Her other hand rests on the small baby bump she’s trying to hide. I don’t know why because she’s tiny and that small bump is only going to get bigger. Especially at the rate she’s eating.
We’re both in the staff kitchen alone right now, but Piper has a voice that can carry.
When I applied to be a cook at Camp Hardwood I thought I’d be in the main cafeteria. I had no idea there were two kitchens. The main one feeds everyone but the second one is in the main lodge where the staff and counselors hang around. I still help in the main cafeteria if they need extra hands but I was moved to the kitchen after my first day. I prepare the weekly menu, but Mrs. Cyprus likes me here. I’m not complaining. In the staff kitchen I get to make more intricate meals and take the time to bake extra sweets for everyone. I was actually surprised how much trust she put in me so quickly. It’s also why I need to nip this Van thing in the bud. He is, after all, her son.
“He’s saying that?” Even I can hear the high pitch of my voice as I drop the sheet of cookies down on the counter.
I know Van has been going around telling people we’re together but we’re not. It all started when one of the counselors, Jack, asked me out as I was walking back to my cabin. I stood there shocked for a moment before Van appeared out of thin air. He threw his arm over my shoulder and told Jack I was his. I nodded in agreement, thinking Van was only saving me because he knew I was shy and Van is a stand-up guy. He’s always doing the right thing.
I know I’m shy and so does everyone else. My face shows every emotion for the world to see, and after Jack saw what happened he looked pissed. I’m sure he walked away and found another counselor to mess around with because he’s always hooking up with someone. Van dropped his arm from around my shoulder and said I’ll give you some time to let that sink in before walking away. Let that sink in? I didn't understand it then and I still don’t understand it. But he’s still telling everyone we’re together and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.
“No, I just wanted to see your face,” Piper says around a mouth full of cookie.
“You’re a brat,” I tell her, even as I make my way over to one of the giant refrigerators to get her a glass of milk.
I know he wouldn’t tell people we were having sex. He might tell people we’re together but he’s not an asshole. He’s not the type of guy to go around bragging about who he’s banging, but Jack would. Plus, I’m pretty sure Van’s mom, Honey, would whip his ass if she found out he said that. She’s as sweet as her name, but Mrs. Cyprus has a bite to her when she needs it. She’s a mother bear not only when it comes to her son but to all the people around her too.
I hand Piper the glass and she winks at me. She and I have become fast friends since we were paired up to share a cabin. At first I was a little worried she was as introverted as I am, but once she started talking she hasn’t stopped. She can carry on and on, but I don’t mind. I like having her to fill the silence while I cook.
“He’s always watching you.” She smirks at me and I nod.
I know because I don't have to look up to know when he’s around. I can feel his eyes on me and I can't help but wonder what he thinks when he sees me. I’m not like the other girls around here. Most of them are fit and athletic and trained to be lifeguards or hiking guides. I’m short and curvy and can eat just as much as Piper when I don’t stop myself. I can’t even stay out in the sun too long or I’ll burn to a crisp.
“He’s being nice because of what happened with Jack,” I remind her, and myself. I’m not really his girl.
“No, he’s straight up telling people you’re his girl.”
My heart flutters at being anyone's anything.
“Jack was asking Van about you last night.” Piper dips her cookie into the glass of milk and shrugs. “I guess Jack heard you say you’re not with Van the other day and wanted
I scrunch my nose at that news but remember saying it. I shouted it to Van right in front of his mom, but it had only been Mr. and Mrs. Cyprus, me, Piper, and Van in the kitchen at the time.
Jack must have been close enough to hear me or something, but to be honest Jack could have been in the same room as Van and I wouldn’t have noticed. When Van is around he’s all I can think about.
“And he said I was his girl again?” I hedge.
Saying those words out loud does things to me—things I shouldn't be thinking about. I might be shy, but my mind is dirtier than anyone I’ve ever met. I think about sex all the time and what filthy things I want Van to do to me. There’s so much I could never say out loud, but my kinky books give me fantasies that have a life of their own. I can’t control them, and like I said, Van is sweet. I don’t think he’d be into doing all the dirty things I imagine he would be, but that’s okay. Being with a sweet guy who treats me nice is enough. Right?
* * *
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