15. Avery

CHAPTER 15

AVERY

Warmth spread through my chest as I opened my eyes to see Creed's face hovering over me as he shook my shoulders gently.

"Hey," I mumbled sleepily. I rubbed my eyes to clear them. "You're up early. Did something happen?"

"Nope. Get dressed. I've got something to show you." His voice was smooth and laced with a mischievous undertone.

The early morning light creeping through the window illuminated his features, emphasizing the playful curve of his lips and the depth of his gaze.

"Hang on, is this a surprise or some sort of emergency?" I asked. "Creed, it's practically dawn. How about you come back to bed? We can always deal with whatever it is later." I smiled, a smile that was laced with sweet persuasion hoping to lure him back under the covers.

Creed threw open the curtains and let the weak sunlight into the room. "I planned the whole day for us." His eyes shone brightly. "We're getting out of this stuffy house for a breath of fresh air. We need a break from all the drama that's been suffocating us."

Summoning every ounce of energy, I hoisted myself out of the bed, each muscle straining against the crisp and inviting sheets. "Honestly, Creed, is this for real? Where on earth are we going?"

He tipped his head to the side. "Technically, it is no longer a surprise if I give you the details."

"C'mon, tell me where we're going," I whined playfully. "How sure are you that I'm going to like it to start with? I'm supposed to be your buddy."

A smile tugged at Creed's lips as he playfully teased, "Your buddy? I'm supposed to be your boy—" His eyes widened.

I instantly caught on to what Creed was about to blurt out. Panic surged through me, making my heart race uncontrollably in my chest. The mere idea of him being my boyfriend left me exhilarated and terrified all at once. I couldn't risk letting him know just how much it would mean to me.

As I watched him, I couldn't help but wonder if he had any idea the impact the word he almost said would have on me. Did he feel the same way? Or was I simply projecting my own desires onto him? The uncertainty made me feel vulnerable and exposed, like a raw nerve waiting to be touched.

My mind raced as I tried to come up with a way to steer the conversation away from that awkward moment. But Creed recovered faster than I did.

"Your fake boyfriend, I meant. We're going hiking. You'll find out the location when we get there. Dress appropriately while I grab a few things."

My face scrunched up. "Hiking is not my thing. In fact, I'm not much of an outdoor per?—"

Creed cut in, not letting me finish. "You trust me, don't you?" At my nod, he continued. "I'm here with you. I've got you, okay? Everything's gonna be fine."

In that fleeting moment, a realization struck me like a lightning bolt. Creed, whom I'd only known briefly, had been my protector. But with this realization came a terrifying understanding—he also held the power to lift me up to the heavens or bring me crashing down to my knees in ruins. My heart... I had to guard it carefully against this man who could easily shatter it into a million pieces.

He didn't wait to find out if I would heed his instructions. He headed out in the direction of the kitchen, and with a shrug, I put on some clothes and then went downstairs. I watched him pack the backpacks.

Creed stood there, a determined look on his face. He reached for a couple of water bottles and packed them. His gaze fell upon a stack of granola bars neatly arranged on the countertop, grabbed a handful and tossed them into each backpack. The satisfying crunch and hint of sweetness would be just what I needed to keep my spirits high and keep my mind off of the fact that hiking wasn't my thing. After packing a few other essentials, Creed zipped up the backpacks.

We arrived at the trailhead forty minutes later and walked along the footpath. Creed pointed out the directions on the sign to me.

Dale Lakefront Trail. One mile ahead.

It was farther than I'd normally go, but I glanced at Creed to see if he was bothered about the distance, and the ex-Marine just chugged water from a bottle and started making his way along the well-used hiking trail.

The morning air was cool and crisp and the sun glistened through tall, swaying conifers. The scenery was spectacular. After the initial climb, the hike seemed pretty easy-going, unlike what I had expected. Further down the road, Creed bumped into a naked Barbie doll hanging from a tree branch.

"Looks like someone's been dabbling in voodoo around here. Fascinating." He pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos of the scene. "Do you want a picture as well?"

I struck a pose, crossing my arms over my chest. "How much longer until we get there?"

"We're close. Want a granola bar?"

I held out my hand. "You're enjoying this way too much," I complained as I unwrapped my snack.

"And your whining isn't going to get us there any faster. Suck it up, Avery. Believe me, you'll enjoy this even more once we get to our destination." Seemingly not thinking twice about it, Creed jogged forward, laughing without a single care in the world.

Several minutes later, we got to a clearing. "Here we are."

A hot spring sat in the middle, rocks carved around it. It wasn't extraordinarily large, but the sparkling stream of water set in the middle of nowhere was pretty amazing to witness. We stared in awe for some minutes until Creed began inching forward.

"What are you doing?" I called out.

Creed shrugged and eased off his shirt. "Watch and see."

Creed shucked his pants off with ease, tossing them carelessly onto the rocks. I couldn't help but notice his confidence as he stood there in nothing but his briefs, his eyes locked on mine. Was he teasing me? The thought made my heart flutter. But as he hooked his fingers into the waistband of his briefs, slowly dragging them down, I found myself lost in thought. I couldn't help but wonder what led him to be so comfortable in his own skin. Was it his upbringing? A past lover's admiration? Or was it simply his own unwavering self-assurance?

From my vantage point, Creed was a living embodiment of raw, primal desire. His broad shoulders were like slabs of granite, carved to perfection. His well-defined pecs echoed strength and virility, tapering down to his waist in a mesmerizing V shape that drew my eyes lower. His dick was long and thick, resting against heavy balls that seemed to pulse with life. His muscular legs were the pillars on which this temple of masculinity stood. My gaze traveled back up from his feet, taking in every inch of him—the curve of his calves, the flex of his thighs, the bulge at his groin. I swallowed hard as I noticed his dick twitching slightly—an unspoken invitation that sent shivers down my spine. Lifting my eyes higher still, I met Creed's intense gaze. There was something about those eyes that promised both pleasure and pain—a promise I found myself more than willing to accept.

Abruptly he turned, breaking our connection.

As he strutted towards the water with all his assets on full display, I couldn't help but be both intrigued by and envious of his unapologetic confidence.

Goddamn!

He leaped into the water.

"Come on, Avery. Don't let the voices in your head stop you. Be free! Live for once."

I peeled off my clothes, each layer falling to the rocky ground beneath me, feeling the weight of Creed's gaze on my skin. I kept my eyes shut tight as I undressed, a futile attempt to shield myself from the raw intensity of his stare. My mind was split in two—one part daring to hope that he might find my leaner, shorter frame appealing, while the other half clung desperately to his earlier words. Creed had said he was straight; there was no way he could feel about me the way I did about him. With that thought echoing in my mind, I launched myself into the water. The hot spring enveloped me instantly, its warmth seeping into every pore and invigorating my senses. As I swam towards Creed, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. This was just a friendly swim between friends... or so I kept telling myself as I waded through the charged atmosphere between us.

"This feels so good. Go ahead and yell ‘I told you so.'"

A sly grin spread across his face. "It wouldn't have the right effect." His tone was teasing and confident.

Silence stretched for a moment. The air between us crackled with playful tension.

"How come you've never been here before?" Creed's brow rose. "You've had this treasure sitting right underneath your nose all this time."

I laughed. "I guess adventures are really not my thing. But you're right; I'm enjoying this."

We kept on talking about anything and everything, and I tried my best to ignore my attraction to him. Creed inched forward, scooping a handful of water that he splashed at me.

"That's how it is now, huh? Attacking without warning? You little saboteur!" I splashed him back, laughing as we engaged in our little water fight.

"What are you? Three?" Creed snickered. "That's even less than a cup of water, Avery. Try harder."

We were like two kids, letting loose and enjoying the freedom of the hot spring. For a moment, I forgot all about my worries and insecurities, completely caught up in the moment with Creed.

I couldn't help but admire his toned body. He was effortlessly athletic and every move he made seemed to be perfectly calculated and graceful. It was mesmerizing to watch.

"Okay, okay," I finally surrendered, panting from all the splashing. "I give up."

"You put up a good fight, Ave." Creed teased with a smirk.

My pulse quickened when I heard the pet name he used. "I guess," I admitted with a sheepish grin.

We sank down into the water, letting it envelop us once again. It felt like a comforting embrace and I found myself leaning closer to Creed without even realizing it. He didn't seem to mind, though, and we sat there in comfortable silence for a while.

Creed and I paused, taking in the wilderness around us. My eyes scanned the vibrant greens of the evergreen trees standing tall against the bright winter sky. The air was crisp, but the sound of nature was still alive; I could hear the faint calls of cardinals and chickadees, their chirping piercing through the coolness. The rustle of leaves stirred by the breeze mixed with the distant murmur of a waterfall hidden somewhere in the forest.

The soothing warmth of the water was a perfect counter to the chill in the air. Every pore on my body sighed in relief as I welcomed the comforting heat, enjoying the contrast between the warmth of the water and the brisk winter air around us.

"Ave... can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I replied, a knot tightening in my stomach. I sensed this conversation might take a serious turn.

"Why did you need a fake boyfriend?" Creed's gaze bore into mine, his curiosity genuine.

I hesitated, running my tongue over my lips as I gathered my thoughts. "I've never really been someone's boyfriend before."

"What?" Creed's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why not?"

I shrugged, avoiding his intense gaze. "Being the only gay kid in my family has its challenges. I didn't want to stir the pot by openly dating guys, so I've stuck to casual flings instead. And then, after the conversion camp... even after coming out, I guess a part of me believed I didn't deserve a real relationship. Like it was too risky to let myself hope for more."

Creed's expression shifted, softening as he reached for my hand. "But you deserve a real relationship... you deserve to be loved." His words washed over me like a gentle wave. As he brushed his thumb gently over my skin, my breath caught in my throat, the weight of his sincerity washing over me.

"But things changed when my father passed away," I continued, trying to tamp down the way my body was responding to Creed's touch. "Mother became more adamant than ever about wanting to see me settled down. The issue is, no one has ever caught my interest enough to consider a real relationship."

In the quiet corners of my mind, where thoughts were free to roam unchecked, I found myself considering Creed. If he didn't think he was as straight as a ruler, he would have been someone worth pursuing a deeper connection with.

"Ever think about settling down yourself?" I asked him, determined to divert his attention away from me. "You know, the whole shebang—marriage, 2.5 kids and a white picket fence?"

Creed chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if lost in thought. "Settling down, huh?" Despite his lighthearted tone, a hint of wistfulness lingered in his expression for a fleeting moment. "I never stayed in one place long enough to have any serious relationships."

I nodded, understanding his sentiment. Creed was a lone wolf, untamed and free-spirited. It was one of the things that drew me to him in the first place.

Time seemed to stretch on and before I knew it, we were only inches apart with water flowing between us. I couldn't help but wonder if Creed was aware he was still holding my hand. I cleared my throat. It was all I could do to hide the fact that I was hyper-aware of our proximity to each other.

A heavy quiet settled in the space that separated us. Creed watched me, his eyes soft and affectionate, making him feel all gooey inside. Tension built up to a steady crescendo inside of me, till I felt like I would explode if I didn't do something about it.

I inhaled a long breath, struggling to turn off my brain. Anything to stop thinking about the rules I was about to break. It wasn't like I cared anymore about those stupid boundaries.

The need to taste, kiss and nibble on the hollow of Creed's powerful neck drove me crazy. Without saying a word, I steeled myself against the possibility of a rejection. I wrapped my arms loosely around his waist, smiling as Creed's throat bobbed when he swallowed.

He gazed at me, clearly not as startled as I had imagined he would be.

Convinced that he was on board with the whole thing, I let myself relax and enjoy our closeness as our bodies glided against each other. Creed shut his eyes for a split second, leaning into the sensual motions. It felt better than any scenario my head had come up with.

"I want to— It's been on my mi—" He huffed out a breath. "It's okay if you're not on board..."

I nodded. "Go ahead. Stop talking already. Just do it."

His fingers traced a path along my back, and I tingled with anticipation as they reached the nape of my neck. I ran my hands through his thick hair, feeling the strands between my fingers as he pulled me closer to him. Our bodies pressed together, our breaths mingled, and our lips collided in a fiery embrace.