The question pinged inside him, along with the sudden rush of his heartbeat. “Fine. But we leave first thing in the morning.”

“You’ll stay here,” Jethro said. “I have another guest room downstairs, and, Colt, you can have the sofa.”

“I won’t be sleeping.”

Jethro gave him a nod as he rose from his chair. Then he put his arm around Raven. “It’s time for some shut-eye.”

“I’ll never sleep again,” she said, directing a look at Colt as she let Jethro lead her inside.

“Well, I’m exhausted,” Zoey said. She got up. “I do feel safer with the bear killer around.” She winked as she passed by Colt.

Colt reached for another log. Stood and dropped it on the fire.

Tae stared at him. “You’re not seriously going to stay out here all night.”

“You should go to bed. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. In Delta we had a rule—sleep when you can.”

“I’m not leaving you out here.” Her blue eyes glittered against the flames.

Oh, Tae. He was right back in the hotel room this morning, wanting to pull her to himself.

He backed away, the campfire between them. “Yes, you are. Go to bed.”

She pulled the blanket around her. “I like it better out here with you.”

He drew in a breath. Looked away.

“Colt?”

“I’m off my game around you, Tae.” He shook his head, but the truth was out.

“Off your—”

“I can’t protect when I . . .” He ground his jaw and looked at her. “When I want to kiss you.”

She blinked, her mouth opening. “Oh.”

“Don’t look at me like that. You started it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The kiss? On your boat?” He roughed a hand over his mouth.

“I . . . that wasn’t . . . I mean, I was trying to make Pip—” She grimaced. “Sorry. That was for show.”

Oh, what an idiot— “Yes, I know. Of course. I just . . . it’s the adrenaline, maybe. You’re right.” Oh boy.

“But—”

“I think you need to go to bed, Tae. Please.”

She was silent beside him. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt, Tae.” He frowned. “I don’t get hurt.” He chased his words with a laugh. “I never— You’re just hot is all, and we sorta hit it off, so . . .” He lifted a shoulder. “I clearly was headed in the wrong direction. We’re all good here.” Oh, he just wanted to run. But he smiled. “Really.”

She just stared at him, those eyes big, so he walked over to his chair, picked up the shotgun, then sat down, the gun over his knees. “I told you that I was in this with you. But I didn’t . . . well, I didn’t mean in your bed. I meant . . . I’ve got your back. Big difference.”

And now he had the sense that he was making it all worse.