Today, I officially summited a mountain. For the first time. How have I lived my entire life in Colorado and never done so before?

Probably because I spend most of my time bent over a computer rather than planning adventures.

“Watch your step. You might not think it, but going up is easier than coming down,” Warner calls over his shoulder, navigating the rocky trail as easily as if he were strolling down a sidewalk on Main Street.

I keep my eyes on the ground, avoiding any obvious loose rocks. It’s not long before the heavy steps start up an ache in the soles of my feet, and despite Grandma Minnie’s boots being my size, they still rub blisters on my soles. The Band-Aids I put on a little while ago only help so much.

Still, I smile.

By the time we reach the trailhead, the sun is just sinking below the trees. The sweat on my skin makes me shiver, and I hurry to unlock my truck.

“You cold? I brought this.” Warner sets his backpack on the bed of the truck and rummages in it until he pulls out a large black sweatshirt. It matches his outfit for the day—black baseball hat, black T-shirt, black athletic shorts, black socks. The only bits of him not noir are his brown hiking boots.

I wonder if the gothic color palette is his attempt to maintain his biker persona, even as he dresses for hiking.

What would it take to get him in a pink shirt?

He’d still probably look badass.

The sweatshirt is large on me, and I enjoy the soft warmth of it while ignoring the fact that I’m stinking it up with my sweaty body.

A shower is going to feel so good.

“Thank you.”

I grin up at Warner, and he leans over to press a kiss at the corner of my jaw, his hot breath against my ear making me shiver for an entirely different reason. He’s even kind enough to not wrinkle his nose at what I’m sure is a cloud of reek hovering around me.

Once we’re on the road, me behind the wheel, Warner hands me a granola bar after hearing the grumbling complaint from my stomach.

“You had fun, right?” he asks between bites of his own snack.

I nod. “Are there more hikes like that around here?”

Around is a relative term, seeing as how we drove a good hour to reach the trailhead. But the views were worth it. Every time we broke through the trees, we could gaze for miles at the gorgeous, jagged tops of the Rocky Mountains. Living in Colorado my whole life, I had taken for granted the beautiful views from my apartment and car window. I never considered how much better they’d be if I got off my butt and climbed a little higher.