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The trail winds downward through tall pines and thick underbrush. She rubs her thumb gently across mine, causing my pulse to quicken, but I keep my expression calm. I’ve become an expert at hiding how her simple touch affects me.
“We’re almost there,” I say.
Her eyes flicker up to mine, curiosity dancing in their depths. “Almost where?”
“Patience, Harp.” I offer a wink, but reveal nothing.
She huffs, pretending to be irritated, but her grin gives her away. “Fine. Keep your secrets.”
I lead her onward, weaving through the trees until the soft rumble of water echoes in the distance. I feel her awareness sharpen, her curiosity intensifying as the sound grows clearer. Finally, the trees part, revealing a secluded waterfall tumbling down a cliffside.
The water glistens silver in the sunlight as it cascades into a deep, clear pool below. It’s beautiful, completely untouched and hidden away on the mountain. It’s a place I discovered the weekend I escaped here, the weekend Eden died. I’ve not been back. Until now.
Beside me, Harper draws in a soft, awed breath, her lips parting. She turns to me, her expression softening into something breathtaking.
“Brody,” she whispers, stepping closer, eyes never leaving mine. “This place is like a dream.”
“That’s a good way to put it. Especially with you standing here in front of me,” I admit, my throat tightening at the raw emotion on her face. “You’re the first person I’ve shared this with.”
“I feel special.” She moves even closer, eyes searching mine intently, filled with unspoken meaning.
Her gentle words almost undo me. I reach up, brushing my thumb along her cheekbone, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my touch. Harper leans subtly into my palm, eyes fluttering shut momentarily to savor the contact.
“You are special, Harp,” I whisper. “I’m glad it’s you.”
Her eyes drift open slowly, locked on to mine. Neither of us moves or speaks. We stand in a charged moment, the unspoken words between us nearly too loud to bear.
Finally, I let my hand fall away, stepping back to break the intensity. I gesture toward the water, offering her a small, playful smile. “Come on. Let’s get closer.”
Her eyes linger with emotion. She steps beside me, our shoulders brushing again, and this time, I don’t pull away. We walk toward the waterfall together, silence settling around us, filled with possibility and an understanding that something powerful between us has shifted.
Sunlight shimmers through the cascading water, sending prisms of color dancing across the smooth stone walls of the hidden cave. Harper pauses just inside, her breath hitches as she takes in the magic of the secluded space. Tiny droplets sparkle on her skin and hair, capturing the filtered rays of sunlight, and my pulse quickens as I watch her take it all in.
“Wow,” she whispers, eyes wide with amazement. “This is breathtaking.”
I nod slowly, unable to look away from how the shifting light plays across her face, illuminating every delicate feature. I can’t help but agree with her assessment, but I’m not referring to this place, but rather her.
I step closer, removing some of the space between us. “It felt right, bringing you here.”
Her eyes meet mine, warmth flooding her expression. “Thank you. It’s perfect. Magical.”
The sound of rushing water is muted, and nothing but a gentle curtain separates us from the outside world. Harper steps forward slowly, mesmerized, and I instinctively move with her, guiding her across the slick stone floor of the cave. The footing is slippery beneath us, and she stumbles forward.
“Careful,” I say, catching her around the waist, pulling her close to my chest.
“My hero.”
Harper’s sharp intake of breath echoes around us, her hands gripping my shoulders as she steadies herself. She looks up at me, sparkling blue eyes, chest rising and falling rapidly as she realizes how close we are. My heartbeat crashes against my ribs, the sensation of her pressed against me igniting something inside me that I’ve been trying to suppress for weeks, years even.
“You okay?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
“Better now,” she breathes, her voice trembling, her gaze locked on to mine.
The world narrows to the soft rise and fall of her chest, the warmth of her body, molded against mine. My gaze dips to her lips, soft and slightly parted, inviting me closer in a way that shatters any remaining resistance I have left. Slowly, my hand rises to cup her cheek, and my thumb brushes her jaw. Harper’s eyes drift closed, a soft sigh escaping her as she leans into my touch.
My pulse thunders in my ears, and an unfamiliar ache spreads through my chest.
Suddenly, the fragile thread of my control snaps.