Soft indie music crooned in the small blue car Josie drove. Her scent enveloped August and he welcomed it like a warm hug.

Josie was hoping he would make some conversation, but the car was silent and she fidgeted in her seat. She could feel his eyes on her and it was unnerving.

"How intense of a hike were you thinking of doing?" Josie stuttered. Intense was the word at the forefront of her mind. Everything about August was intense, heated. He made her feel like she was under a lamp, scrutiny and warmth wise.

August gave a hum, the sound vibrating Josie to her core. "Take me on your favorite hike."

Everything with him felt like a command, and for some reason, Josie wanted to do whatever he asked. It was strange. Was it wrong that she liked it?

August was surpressing a smirk at the girl who was struggling to conceal how effected he made her. It stroked his ego, and comforted him at the same time. He knew he was a dominant figure, but he would never want to make anyone uncomfortable.

The car fell quiet once more and Josie desperately wanted to fill in the awkward, yet she wasn't sure where to start.

"What do you do for a living?" she asked, certain her voice wouldn't be more than a breathy whisper. She just wanted to make sure he wouldn't say something like serial killer.

"I am the owner and CEO of an advertising company in the city." The response was immediate and robotic after having been spoken a million times before.

"That's cool," Josie's voice faded into silence. She was hoping he would encourage the conversation along. Maybe this was a bad idea after all, because even though he was staring and calculating her every move, he didn't seem very interested in getting to know her. He was probably expecting a hook-up. Maybe he liked to fuck in the woods and that was his intention.

August watched her struggle with her thoughts and frowned, realizing she was an overthinker and would need constant reassurance. He was confident that was something he could do.

"So you like flowers?" August asked, knowing it was a easy topic for her.

Josie couldn't help but smile, some tension fading from her body, "I guess you could say I have a green thumb."

"Do you own the flower shop you work at?" August was enjoying learning about her.

"No, and I don't intend to. It's a temporary job." Josie pulled off into a gravel lot where the hike entrance was.

It was a perfect day for a hike. A little cold, but it would be nice when they got moving.

The ground was damp and soft from previous snow that melted, but the pair was prepared with boots that would stay dry.

Josie pulled a beanie over her ears, zipping up her vest. August thought she looked adorable with the little pom-pom on her head.

"Tell me why this is your favorite hike," August inquired once they began their journey.

"I love the big rocks at the end. The view is gorgeous and climbing is fun," she stated.

Indeed, the view was amazing once they reached the end. The rock pile was massive and August was worried when Josie immediately climbed to the highest point. He didn't want her to slip and fall. She was so energetic, so free. He felt like his world had finally become full color.

Once Josie crew tired of climbing, she took a seat on a rock, and August sat next to her.

She handed him a bag of trail mix and it endeared him that she thought of him when she packed for herself.

"Thank you. This was a perfect hike," he said honestly, shifting close. He desperately wanted to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

Josie shivered from the cool wind as her body calmed from the walk up. She was thankful for the body heat when August moved close. She liked his company a lot.

"I'm cooking dinner for my best friends in the city this weekend. You should come," August said. He wasn't playing on having Max and Levi come down, but it was the perfect opportunity to see Josie again.

"I'd love to. I'll give you my number and you can text me the address," Josie said. She was not a social person and meeting new people was stressful, but she didn't want to be away from August. It was odd since they hadn't known each other long.

He took in her red cheeks and nose as she shivered once more. He didn't want to push too hard by hugging her, and he didn't have a jacket to give to her. Instead, he grabbed her hand.

"Let's get out of here before we lose daylight."