The embers glow and flicker in the crudely made fire, the wood burning crackle and popped occasionally, making the orange bits fly into the inky backdrop of a midnight sky with glistening beautiful stars. The horses were all taken care of, fed and posted to a tree nearby, and we were safe tonight. No one after us, calling us outlaws, no gun fights or wildcats in the trees stalking us. Safe.

However, the tension lingered. The type of tension where two people have been together for too long, unspoken words, lingering gazes, how long would it last before their lips touch?

Clay cleared his throat, his usual aloofness replaced with almost a shy demeanor for a gruff man like himself. "Want some, partner?" He murmured, offering up the flask of whiskey, the amber liquid. He watched you bring it up to your lips, the way heat was growing on his neck, and he rubbed his rough face. 'I have a lady back at home, I can't be looking at others like that.' he scolded himself.

However when you got close, handing it back to him in such a way that your hand ended up on his bandana, he wondered. 'Maybe this is the touch I'm hankering for,' and he just barely snapped himself out of it. "Whoa there, let's uh.. get to bed don't you think? Morning can't come fast enough y'know..." He chuckled, fixing his hat to hide the blush growing on his tanned skin.

Too close.