"Alright, so this pole goes through here," Declan explains, his voice calm and steady as he guides my hands through the motions. I fumble a bit, the fabric slipping from my grasp, but Declan just chuckles softly, his hand coming up to cover mine, helping me thread the pole through the loop.

"See? Easy," he says with a grin, those blue eyes of his twinkling with amusement.

"Easy for you to say," I mutter, trying to focus on what I'm doing rather than the warmth of his hand on mine. "I've never set up a tent before. Isn't this what cabins are for?"

Declan laughs, a deep, rich sound that makes me smile despite my frustration. "You'll get the hang of it. Plus, this way, we get to be closer to nature."

I glance over at Elias, who's finishing up with the rest of the campsite. He's got the fire pit arranged, a couple of folding chairs set up around it, and now he's working on blowing up the air mattresses. I watch as he leans over, his strong arms making quick work of the task. He's wearing a black tank top that clings to his muscular frame, his red hair catching the light as he moves.

I love everything about camping—the fresh air, the crackling of the campfire, the quiet of the woods—but there's no way I'm sleeping on the ground. I can already feel the back problems that would cause, and I'm not about to test it. That's why I insisted on air mattresses; a little comfort goes a long way out here.

"Everything good over there?" Elias calls out, pausing to look over at us.

"Yep, just teaching Valarie the art of tent setup," Declan replies, shooting a wink my way.

I roll my eyes playfully. "More like teaching me how not to stab someone with a tent pole."

Elias chuckles, a low rumble that I feel all the way to my toes. "You're doing great, babe. Just don't stab me, alright?"

I stick my tongue out at him, and he grins back, shaking his head as he finishes up with the air mattresses. I can't help but smile to myself as I watch them interact. They're so at ease with each other, their banter flowing naturally. It makes me think about how much our dynamic has shifted, how we've all grown more comfortable with one another.

As I help Declan secure the last corner of the tent, I can't help but think about Adrian. I wonder if he'd ever be into something like this. He doesn't seem like the type who'd enjoy camping—he's always so put together, so polished. I picture him here with us, trying to navigate the woods in his expensive shoes and perfectly tailored clothes, and I have to stifle a laugh. Somehow, I don't think roughing it is his style.

But then I think about how he hasn't had time to meet with us and talk about everything, and a small knot of worry tightens in my chest. What if it's too much for him? What if he's backing out? I shake my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. I don't want to assume the worst, but it's hard not to when I haven't heard from him in a few days.

"Earth to Valarie," Declan's voice cuts through my thoughts, and I blink up at him.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you're ready to go for a swim," he says, giving me a curious look. "You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, just... thinking," I say with a small smile. "But yes, I'm ready."

"Good, because Elias is already stripping," Declan nods toward the lake, where Elias is down to his swim shorts, tossing his clothes onto a nearby rock.

"Last one in the lake cooks dinner!" Elias shouts, and before I can even process what's happening, he bolts for the water.

Declan lets out a laugh, quickly pulling his shirt over his head. "You heard him, let's go!"

I'm not far behind, kicking off my shoes and pulling off my shirt as I race toward the lake. The cool air hits my skin, making me shiver, but I'm too focused on not being the last one in the water to care. By the time I reach the shoreline, Declan's already splashing into the water, and Elias is diving in headfirst.

I hesitate for just a moment, but then I take a deep breath and plunge into the lake, the cold water shocking my system. I let out a squeal as I resurface, the chill seeping into my bones. "Okay, that's freezing!"

Elias laughs, swimming over to me with ease. "It's refreshing, that's what it is."

"Yeah, that's one word for it," I mutter, but I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips. There's something exhilarating about it, the sharp contrast of the cold water against the warm afternoon air.

Declan swims up beside me, his wet hair plastered to his forehead. "Looks like you're cooking dinner tonight," he teases, poking me in the side.

"Oh, no way. You're cooking," I protest, splashing him playfully.

"Maybe we'll both cook," Declan concedes with a grin, splashing me back.

We swim around for a bit, the playful energy between us making the cold water feel less harsh. The sun is starting to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything. It's one of those perfect moments that you want to bottle up and keep forever. The three of us, laughing and playing in the water, no worries, no stress—just us.

As we finally make our way back to shore, dripping wet and grinning from ear to ear, I realize how much I love this. Being out here, away from everything, just the three of us. It feels so easy, so natural. Like this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

We grab our towels from the rocks and start drying off, the cool air making me shiver as I wrap the towel around myself. "So, what's for dinner?" I ask, glancing between Declan and Elias.

"I'm thinking burgers," Declan says, tossing his towel over his shoulder as he heads toward the campsite. "Easy, quick, and we can cook them over the fire."

"Sounds good to me," I agree, following him. "But I'm not chopping any onions."

Elias laughs, shaking his head. "Don't worry, I've got the onions covered."

As we start getting things ready for dinner, I can't help but think about how different this is from the way things were when we first started seeing each other. It's not just about the physical connection anymore—it's something deeper. Something that's growing between us with each passing day.

Once dinner is done, we head to the communal showers at the campground. I'm so grateful they have showers here because the idea of going to bed with lake water still clinging to my skin is not appealing. The shower area is small, but clean, with individual stalls and a row of sinks with mirrors. The warm water feels like heaven on my skin, washing away the chill from the lake.

As I rinse the shampoo from my hair, I can't help but steal glances at Declan and Elias. They're both standing under the water, their bodies relaxed and at ease. Declan's broad shoulders are covered in water droplets, his muscles shifting as he soaps up. Elias's red hair is slicked back, and his freckles stand out more against his damp skin.

It's strange, this feeling of comfort and familiarity mixed with the butterflies in my belly. I love that they're this comfortable with each other, that they're truly friends. It reminds me of Emersyn and her partners, how natural their dynamic is. And I can't help but hope that maybe that's where we're headed too.

Once we are done, we settle in by the fire. I can feel the heat from the flames warming my skin, but there's a different kind of warmth inside me as I sit between Declan and Elias, the weight of the day easing off my shoulders. There's something about being out here, away from everything, that makes me feel so alive, so in tune with the world and with them.

Declan leans back, a lazy smile on his face as he pokes at the fire with a stick. "What do you say, Valarie? Up for a game?"

I raise an eyebrow, eyeing him suspiciously. "What kind of game?"

He grins, that mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about a little hide and seek?"

I glance around at the dark woods surrounding us, the trees looming tall and shadowy under the moonlight. "In the woods? At night? That sounds...dangerous."

Elias chuckles, nudging me playfully. "Come on, we'll use the buddy system. One of us will be the seeker, and the other two will stay together and hide. Totally safe."

I hesitate, my mind racing with the possibilities. There's something thrilling about the idea, a rush of adrenaline already starting to build in my chest. But the logical side of me is still cautious, still wary of the unknown lurking in the dark.

Declan leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low, tempting whisper. "What's life without a little adventure, babe?"

His words send a shiver down my spine, and I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "Alright, fine. I'll play."

Elias grins, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "I'll be the seeker. You two better run fast."

Declan grabs my hand, pulling me up from the log we're sitting on, and we take off into the woods, our laughter echoing through the trees. The darkness wraps around us, the only light coming from the slivers of moonlight filtering through the branches above.

My heart pounds in my chest, excitement and nervousness fueling my every step. The ground beneath my feet is uneven, the leaves crunching softly as we dart between the trees. I can hear Declan breathing beside me, his hand warm and firm around mine as he leads the way.

We find a spot behind two large trees, close enough that we can still see the faint glow of the campfire in the distance, but far enough that it feels like we're completely alone in the wilderness. Declan pulls me against him, his breath hot against my ear.

"Think he'll find us?" he whispers, his voice sending a thrill through me.

"Probably," I whisper back, my heart racing not just from the run, but from the proximity of him, the way his body presses against mine, warm and solid in the cool night air.

We stand there, pressed against the rough bark of the trees, our breathing the only sound around us. The anticipation is electric, every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig making my pulse quicken. I'm acutely aware of Declan beside me, his presence a comforting anchor in the dark.

And then, I hear it—footsteps, soft but purposeful, moving closer. My breath catches in my throat as I turn my head toward the sound, my body tensing in anticipation.

Before I can fully process what's happening, Elias is suddenly in front of me, his silhouette looming in the darkness. His eyes are dark and intense as they lock onto mine, and before I can utter a word, his hands are on me, pressing me back against the tree.

He kisses me, hard and hungry, his mouth claiming mine with a fervor that takes my breath away. I gasp against his lips, my body responding instantly to the heat and urgency of his touch. His hands slide down my arms, pinning them to the tree trunk as he deepens the kiss.

And then I feel it—something cold and metal snapping around my wrists. I pull back, startled, and realize that I've been handcuffed me to the tree. My heart skips a beat as Declan steps out from behind the tree, a smirk on his face.

Elias leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, "What do you say, Valarie? Up for playing a much different game?"