“Hey. Kidding.” He touched her cheek, featherlight. “Bet you didn’t camp out as a kid.”

“No, I’m pretty much a city girl.”

“Mako had us in the woods from the day we arrived.” He leaned down, lowered his voice. “We were scared spitless.”

Her embarrassment lifted, even as she protested, “You were little boys.”

“Hardened street kids. New is scary, till you know the dangers and what to do.”

“Oh.” He was right. “Thanks.”

“And yeah, you can sleep here. There’s room.” He ducked into his tent to move his bag and pad to one side.

In a tent with him. All alone.

Yet the thought wasn’t frightening any longer. Well, not much.

She deflated her pad, then set everything back up beside his sleeping bag in his tent. Unzipping her sleeping bag partway, she scooted into it. Even through her clothing, the chill made her squeak.

Already in his own bag, he chuckled, and the sound relaxed her even more. There was no superiority or meanness in his amusement.

And he was letting her stay in his tent.

The need to show gratitude grew uncomfortable, and she raised up on an elbow and leaned over to kiss him. Her mouth had just brushed his when he gripped her shoulder with one hand.

“Not a good idea.” His low voice filled the tent.

“But—” How could she thank him?

He ran a finger down her cheek. “You need sleep, and so do I.”

Her shoulders hunched with shame. With humiliation. He didn’t want her. Didn’t want—

“If you jump me in the middle of the night, okay. Only I don’t have condoms.” His rumbled laugh stroked over her skin and eased the ugly feelings inside.

“Oh.” He was giving her a chance to settle. To think before she acted.

And he’d spoken of condoms. It felt as if her face was bright red. This talking about stuff was hard, wasn’t it? “Um. I have an implant, actually, so I can’t get…um, pregnant.”

She had it before marrying Obadiah, and avoiding an argument about not having a child right away, she’d never told him. Her wariness about discussing important matters should have been a red flag telling her not to get involved with him. Later, she learned he’d searched her medicine cabinet to make sure she wasn’t taking birth control pills. The jerk.

“I was tested for everything at the hospital.” At least the PZs hadn’t given her any STDs.

Lying on his side, looking at her, Hawk was immobile. After a second, he said in a gravelly voice, “I get checked; all good. No one since the last test.”

Oh. Were they really going to do this? She held her breath.

He shook his head. “It’s a small tent. Let’s see how you do.”