Page 58 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

“No one?” I ask, not quite believing him.

“It’s kind of my secret adventure, my alone time. There wasn’t anyone I wanted to share it with before.”

My heart warms, realizing I’m the first person he wanted to bring here. What does that mean, though?

An hour into the hike, my thighs are burning, and my lungs are begging for a break.

Benedikt pushes me, though, telling me it’s really close and we’ll definitely make it for sunrise.

I can already see the tips of the sun’s rays pulling over the horizon ahead of us, so we must be close to wherever we’re headed.

As we round a corner, I hear water. Not a gentle stream, but a thundering flow.

“You ready?” he asks, his eyes bright.

“I’m ready,” I grin, taking in his excitement.

He pulls me past a wall of rocks, and I stare in disbelief at the waterfall in front of us.

It’s magnificent.

It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life.

I’m stuck by the magnificence of it, and Benedikt has to pull me forward, out of my daze.

“I know the perfect spot to sit.”

With his hand pressed under my ass, he pushes me up on a massive boulder, then scrambles up next to me.

We sit staring at the waterfall, sitting close to the soft rising mist caused from the water hitting the pool below, with bright, yellow and orange glowing streaks of light shooting through the mist as the sun begins to rise in front of us.

I can’t tear my eyes off it.

Every second that passes, the scene becomes more beautiful.

Benedikt slips his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side, and we sit there together in awe.

Neither of us says anything for almost half an hour, both mesmerized by the beauty of it and happy to sit here together in comfortable silence.

Once the sun is awake and it starts to warm the rocks around us, Benedikt reaches into the backpack and pulls out an assortment of snacks and fresh juice.

Breakfast.

Set out on top of the boulder, in the most gorgeous place.

“Thank you,” I say, finally breaking the silence. “This was pure magic.”

“I knew you’d love it.” I can see the pride in his eyes and realize just how much it means to him to share this with me.

An impulse shoots through me and I reach out and touch his face. He looks up at me, his gaze filled with curiosity and I lean forward, kissing him softly, before sitting back down again.

My cheeks are glowing red. I feel like a little girl, stealing her first kiss.

Benedikt’s grin is massive as he carries on setting up our breakfast, not saying a word.

It’s midday when we hike back down and return to the hotel. My spirits are souring, and my soul is rejuvenated.

We rest a little while at the hotel, having a hot shower and enjoying the view from the penthouse suite, then Benedikt tells me to get ready for our evening adventure at Pike Place Market.