4
Gabriel
Fifth day. I’d climbed four mountains so far this week. I, Gabriel Front, had climbed four mountains - and today I would climb my fifth. I felt so proud of myself I could burst. I was doing this!
I mean, I was sore as fuck, dirty in really weird places, and probably going to be permanently hunched over from carrying that backpack everywhere, but I was thrilled. For the first time on the trip, I was looking forward to setting out for the day. For the first time I felt sure I could finish the hike.
I glanced up toward the front of the bus where our guides were hunched over a map, talking with their heads nearly touching. If I was honest, there was maybe one other reason why I was looking forward to the day’s hike.
Jake raised his head, glancing back at the group, his eyes sliding over everyone until they met mine. He looked at me and grinned, his white teeth flashing bright against his tanned skin. Winking, he turned back to Matt and the map.
I felt a blush rise in my cheeks and I quickly turned to look out the bus window, just in case he looked back. I couldn’t deny it. Jake made me feel things I didn’t think I’d be feeling for a long time to come - especially not for some cock-sure alpha. I’d been so set on being angry and bitter but, over the last few days, he’d wormed his way under my defences. Yesterday he’d stayed at the back of the group again and we’d chatted off and on, whenever I’d been able to catch my breath. I honestly didn’t know if he was doing it just to make me happy as his client or if he genuinely liked me. Either way, it was working. He’d won me over. And I liked to think it was because of the latter.
I didn’t know if we’d get the chance to talk today, but I hoped so. I was like a schoolgirl with a crush, my stomach filling with butterflies every time I thought about him. But it was a welcome feeling after all the pain and anguish Saul had left in his wake.
As it turned out, I didn’t need to worry. He took up his position at the end of the group and grinned at me, making my stomach flip-flop. I gave him a hesitant smile in return. While his attention might give me butterflies, I still felt shy – my scars were still fresh, after all. But I was growing more open every day.
“Today’s gonna be the hardest day yet,” Jake told me, coming up next to me as soon as we began to walk. The rest of the group had already fallen into single file on the path ahead. Jim, the last person before me, was already well in front of me. Next to me, Jake carried a backpack twice the size of mine, but easily kept pace with my slow gait.
“Sure, tell me that just as we get started. Really good for building morale,” I replied. But instead of feeling the throat-closing, stomach-twisting anxiety I’d felt on the first few days, I only felt mildly worried. You can do this, you can do this, I repeated over and over to myself.
Jake giggled his adorable giggle and I smiled despite myself. “You can do it,” he said, as if he could read my thoughts. “You’re already making better time than your first day.”
“I am?” I asked, perking up. “Really?”
“Sure. Don’t you notice?”
I looked forward to the rest of the group. “Not really. Everyone else is still way ahead of me.”
“Trust me, they were even more way ahead of you on the first day. At least you can still see them today,” Jake pointed out.
I winced in embarrassment but nodded. “That’s true.”
“And you can talk and walk at the same time,” he added, his smile growing. “The first day your eyes were glued to the path.”
He was right. I did feel more confident looking at the scenery as we walked and not worrying about whether I would trip – which made the hikes way more enjoyable. “You’re really trying to prop up my ego, aren’t you?” I asked. “Do I really seem so pitiful?”
He cocked his head and looked at me for a second. “Yes,” he replied. But, before I could respond, he laughed and shook his head. “Honestly, Gabriel, you just seem like you could do with having someone in your corner. That first day, you looked like there was nothing you’d rather being doing less than hiking up a mountain.”
“That’s exactly how I felt,” I replied.
“Then why did you come?” Jake asked. Right after he’d said it, he bit his lip and I could see that he regretted asking. “Sorry,” he said quickly. “You don’t need to—”
“No, it’s a fair question,” I cut him off. “I stick out like a sore thumb, I know. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering.”
He didn’t deny it.
I took a deep breath and got ready to come clean – just as we came to a steep, rocky patch of path that I had to scrabble up and over the loose rocks with all of my attention.
Once we were passed that though, I glanced back at Jake. I might as well tell him, I thought. If he wasn’t put off by my desperation so far, surely this won’t chase him away either.
“My ex bought the trip. It was all his idea,” I blurted out. “He was one of those big, rugged lumberjack-type alphas. Loved being out of doors.”
Jake nodded. “But you clearly don’t. Why would he book a trip like this for the two of you, then?”
I laughed cynically. “That was Saul’s idea of a power move. He worked all the time and was never home, but when I said I wanted to see him more, he did things like that. I dunno. Like, to punish me or something for being too needy.”
“Isn’t wanting to see your boyfriend normal, not needy?” Jake asked softly.
I shrugged. “I thought so. But Saul coveted his independence. And he liked to make sure I knew my place. He loved activities that made me feel inferior.” I made a face. “He hated that I made more money than him and things like this were a way of asserting his dominance. It wasn’t…it wasn’t a healthy relationship.”
Jake nodded. “Yeah. Man, that sounds totally fucking shitty. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s…good to talk about it actually. I haven’t really, since the break up.”
“What happened?” he asked, his curiosity clearly getting the better of his professionalism.
“I caught him cheating on me,” I replied.
“No, what?” Jake cried, looking indignant. “After all that?”
“Yeah,” I laughed bitterly. “That was one of the reasons he didn’t have time to spend with me. Too busy spending it with his bit on the side. Or bits on the side. There was probably more than one, to be honest. But I only saw the one.”
“You walked in on them? Oh man, salt in the wound.”
“No, it was better that way,” I said, shaking my head. “That way he couldn’t deny it. Hard to deny the fact that you’re cheating when you’re balls deep in some guy you’ve got splayed out over the kitchen table.”
“Oof,” said Jake.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t…you don’t need to know the gory details.” I felt my blush return. It had felt so good to get this off my chest that of course I’d gone and shared too much. “I’m really sorry. You hardly even know me.”
“Nah, don’t apologize, Gabe,” he said, putting a hand on my arm. “If you need to vent, then vent. I’m just sorry that happened to you.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Really…this isn’t exactly in your job description.”
He laughed. “Being a decent human being doesn’t need to be in the job description,” he replied. After a moment of contemplative silence, he asked. “But that doesn’t really answer my question. Why did you decide to come on the trip after all that?”
“Well, first of all because Saul had used my credit card, so I’d actually paid for it. And second because…because it just fucking infuriated me that he’d cheated on me and bullied me into doing this trip even though he thought I wouldn’t be able to. I wanted to show him…no, fuck him, I wanted to show myself that I could do this. That I could do something I’d never done before. That I was strong and, you know, like…a worthwhile human being.”
“Good,” said Jake emphatically. “Good for you. And you should be proud of yourself. You’re doing great,” said Jake and he gave me a big, heart-melting grin – right as I stepped on a loose rock and slid. “Oops!” he said, grabbing my arm to keep me from losing my balance.
“Well…sort of great,” I said, smiling sheepishly. I could feel my cheeks burning. His hand was strong and warm on my arm. I didn’t want him to let go.
“No way, Gabe. You are doing great,” he said, and his voice grew soft and low. “Though, I don’t think you need to be able to hike up a mountain to be worthwhile human being.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, swallowing. He was so close to me. My head was full of his scent that it made me dizzy. He leaned in – or maybe I did.
His lips on mine were warm and urgent. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted him but, the minute our mouths met, I was trembling with desire. Jake groaned softly, digging his fingers into my hair and drawing my head back as his tongue slid between my lips. I felt my knees go weak. Tightening his grip on my arm, he drew me in tight against his hard chest. I didn’t resist.
My hands grabbed at the rough material of his jacket. I wanted to get myself as close to his heat as possible. The hand on my arm dropped to my ass, bringing me up hard against his growing erection. A moan escaped my lips. I could feel myself growing slick. God, I’d let him take me then and there without a second thought.
But then a call echoed through the air to bring us crashing back to reality. The rest of the group was around a bend, out of sight, and Matt’s voice trailed back towards us, bouncing off the rocky slopes. We jumped apart like guilty children.
“Jake – ake –ake –ake!” His name echoed around us.
Jake groaned. “COMING!” he shouted back.
I bit my lip. I wish you were, I thought to myself.
Jack glanced at me, his green eyes dark with the same lust I felt. “I…” he began.
“I’m in room 302 tonight,” I blurted out.
“Fuck yes,” he replied.
Laughing, I turned my attention back to the path and tried to walk quickly.
After a moment of silence, Jake spoke up. “So…would you consider me one of those big, rugged lumberjack-type alphas?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.
I grinned at him. “Are you kidding? Of course. I mean, after all, from what I’ve heard, you’re the best-looking guide in all of Boulder.”
His hilarious giggle echoed off the mountain side, repeating and repeating until I was giggling too.
That night, showered, shaved, and as squeaky clean as I could be after a day spent trekking up a mountain, I sat on the edge of my hotel bed and waited. I tried focussing on the minutiae of the room to take my mind off things – it was really lovely, after all: the white sheets of the king-sized bed were crisp and perfect; the blonde wood floors reflected the fading sunlight as it came through the window; and, the view of the mountains was to die for. But none of it could hold my attention. My thoughts kept returning to Jake. And every time they did, my heart thundered in my chest, thumping so hard I thought it would beat its way right through my ribs.
I couldn’t believe I had invited him to my room. I couldn’t believe I had made out with him on the side of a mountain! This was not my usual M.O. I was shy and reticent and terrified of putting myself forward. I always had been. There was a reason I worked in accounting. All numbers, no people. Who was this giddy, spontaneous person I had become?
I had to admit though, just thinking back to our brief encounter that morning made me break out in goosebumps. I wanted Jake. I wanted him badly.
The clock on the wall ticked the last three seconds to 11 and dinged softly. I glanced at it, then at the door. But does Jake want me? I wondered. Maybe he’s changed his mind. Maybe he’s decided that I’m actually not tha—
There was a knock at the door.