I can feel Vanessa’s eyes on my ass the entire hike up the trail.

My thighs burn, my backpack digs into my shoulders, and all I can think about is how her gaze keeps sliding over me like she already owns what she’s looking at. I’m engaged. Straight. Three months away from walking down the aisle with Ryan. But the way she watches me makes my stomach twist in ways I don’t want to name.

We reach the clearing just as the sun drops. Tents go up fast. The guys—Alex and Marcus—handle the heavy work while Vanessa directs everything with that low, velvet voice that makes my skin prickle. She...