Chapter 14 Continued

As we eat in silence, I watch how the firelight Breaker's strong features cast shadows that only serve to accentuate the mysterious depths of his eyes. I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus on the peanut butter sandwich in my hands instead of the way Breaker's jaw tenses as he chews. The air between us is so thick with unspoken desires that it feels like a tangible force pushing and pulling at me.

"Maybe we should try to get some sleep," Breaker suggests softly, breaking the silence. He never takes his eyes off the fire, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, betraying his unease. 

"Yeah," I agree, my voice cracking slightly. "If tomorrow is going to be anything like today."

“It won’t,” Breaker assures me. 

“I’ll hold you to that,” I reply. 

“You should change into something more comfortable,” Breaker says, averting his eyes as he reads between his own lines. He coughs, always a giveaway. “To help you sleep.”

“Sounds good, but afraid I’m a little light of luggage,” I remark. 

Breaker jumps up, “There’ll be something here. Let me check.”

I keep my eyes on him as he rustles in some draws in the corner of the room. He pulls out a large T-shirt and an oversized pair of shorts and presents them to me with a smile. 

“If they belong to Ellis, don’t tell me,” I giggle. 

“If there’s anyone that could pull off that look, it’s you,” Breaker says.

He’s flirting. He’s out and out flirting now. He’s upped his gear. I feel a bit dizzy. Maybe it’s time I upped mine. 

"Turn around," I tell him as the butterflies spread from my stomach to practically every part of my body. And he does as I slip off my clothes, and the realization of me standing naked so close to me sends my mind into a spin. 

I feel so at ease like this, like this is the way it is supposed to be. My skin tingles as I linger, naked, close to Breaker, my senses rushing into overdrive. 

Could it be that I’ve been here before? Could my ease be that Breaker has seen me naked all those times before?

Perhaps. 

I wonder, does he long to see me naked again?

“Breaker,” I whisper.