The afternoon changed dramatically from the morning. Instead of awkward silences and tension, Zak had done a complete U-turn and suggested spending the day together. Excited at the prospect, I agreed. Instantly.

"So what's first?" I queried after he recommended I changed into more suitable clothing.

"Ever been hiking in red rock?" He asked looking at me as he dropped his jeans, my eyes flew from his eyes to the narrow hips and tight black boxers. "Are you drooling?"

My hand slapped up to my mouth making him laugh loudly, a sound which vibrated my soul and made me flush. A girl had to check...

I shook my head to his question and tried to focus on putting on my trainers. Don't look at his package, don't look at-

His presence came closer until I was eye-level with the one part of him I was trying to avoid. I was still sore from last nights sessions. It if he so much as breathed in my direction in a lusty sigh, I'd throw him down...

"You've been in Vegas for so long but never checked it out? Wow."

"It was on my to do list, that's never got done." I replied fiddling with my laces. It was one of those places that I was going to check out with Co- stop.

"Well it's going to get done today." He smiled.

I quietly sighed with relief when he pulled up his cargo pants and zipped himself away.

"You need to put on some lotion too, there's no shade up there."

I accepted the bottle that landed on the bed beside me and instantly began lapping it on, because the last thing I wanted was sore skin and skin tone called Mr Krabs Red.

Once I was done, I looked up to see Zak shirtless and before I could ask him, he pulled me up off the bed. "Be a doll and put it on my back."

"Sure. Spin."

I stood back as he turned and gave me a full unlimited view of his back and the faint marks I had left last night. I should have been surprised at the scratch marks in his skin, but with how light headed he made me as well as how exhausted and sore I was, they were expected. Nonetheless, I was careful when rubbing in the lotion, and took my sweet ass time feeling the thick muscles as they hardened and relaxed under my hand.

I don't know how long I was therefore or how intense it had became, just that when I touched his back again he shivered.

"Sorry."

"No, I like it. Just wondering if I can get away with asking you to do the front?"

I smirked and pressed a kiss on his shoulder "Turn."

There was immense pleasure on both sides as I applied it, running my hand over his chest, around his biceps, across his stomach and down his sides making him laugh.

"I'm a little ticklish." He admitted.

"Come down a little."

He lowered his face letting me apply it to his face.

"You need a cap." I informed him going right up to his hair line and around his ears.

"I'll get one for us both."

I dabbed a bit on his nose before giving him a kiss on the lips, smearing some of my lip balm onto his lips.

"Cocoa." He tasted wetting his lips with his tongue.

I giggled "You're not suppose to lick it off."

"If I wasn't suppose to lick it, why does it taste so nice?" He questioned. I paused trying to answer his question as he grinned "I win."

I rolled my eyes playfully, maybe he did win. This round at least...

....

I tried to keep up with the long legs in front of me and the white Collie that seemed to be running rings around both myself and Zak as we hiked up and around Red Rock.

Zak stopped occasionally to reach back and take my hand before pulling me ahead, something I was grateful of. Sometimes he would hold my hand simply because he could and that little bit of intimacy didn't go unnoticed.

When we had to climb higher onto some rocks, he'd pick up Gracie and hoist her up before doing the same with me and then pull himself up.

"Please go careful." I stress trying to help him up as he puffed.

"I'm fine." He huffed and got to his feet with a grin of achievement.

"You're damn fine alright.." I replied as he bent over to pick up his drink. That ass...

"Hey, keep your eyes on Gracie."

I instantly tore my eyes around and found her sat patiently waiting for us. "You're a good girl!" I cooed rushing over and ruffling her fur.

"Okay attention back to me." He complained joining us as I kissed her face and forehead.

I watched greedily as he removed his shirt and stuck one end of it through the loop hole of his pants before walking ahead. His back shifted as he sauntered ahead, leaving me behind to bring up the rear. Whilst I enjoy his rear!

The rocks were hot beneath our feet and I did wonder about Gracie, but before I could say a word, I found Zak knelt in front of her whilst he placed dog shoes on her paws.

"Good thinking." I commented coming to stop beside him.

"She's not to fond of them, but she loves coming up here. Plus I don't like leaving her at home all the time. They look weird but once she's gotten used to the idea on her paws, she'll run around." He replied doing up the last of the Velcro.

Sure enough Gracie left us both for dust after that point and occasionally ran back to bark at myself and Zak to pick up speed.

"Oh Gray, you're a real drill sergeant, you know that?"  I laughed as Zak pulled me ahead of him.

"Almost there." He murmured making me salute.

It was about 15 minutes later before we stopped again, having reached the area Zak wanted. Sweat beads rolled off my face making me cringe and wipe my face into my top to remove the stickiness.

"What do you think?" He questioned as we both sat on the rocks for a break.

"It's..." I was lost for words looking at the rocks, the view, the sky, the odd sprout of green bushes that I was suspended had even lasted out here, the cleanliness and most of all, the quietness. "It's beautiful."

He smiled "It is certainly special. I usually come up here after back lockdowns, trying to regulate and cleanse my energy. It's energising."

I listened to him thoughtfully, wondering if that cleansing could pass onto me whilst I was here and make my problems smaller and easier to deal with.

"I really like spending time with you."

"But? I hear a but coming.." He trailed off.

I shook my head "No buts. Just grateful."

I felt Zak move in closer and sure enough his arm went around my shoulders pulling me against him. "Well, back at you." He pressed a kiss against my forehead before laying one on my lips which I hummed in enjoyment.

My heart did a gentle whirl in my chest as he released me, his smile revealing a kind, caring and honest man who dragged me out here to show a place important to him.

But it was also the same man that decided to have a water fight and throw his bottle of water all over me whilst I screamed and cackled.

His actions after, when he removed my wet top for his, smoothed my hair back and wiped the water droplets from my cheeks whilst I stared up at him in awe, admiring the colours in his eyes. He also gave me little kisses, that weren't commanding, forceful or leading, just sweet pecks that made me all warm and fluffy inside.

I didn't know where I stood with him, not really, but then I didn't know if we were fully past the stage of having to declare anything to each other. Although this was simply an arrangement between two people for a month of happiness, fun and sex, I couldn't help allow myself to think that this could be a life. A life with him, with Gracie. Us together. As our own little family.