Page 131 of Those That Are Lost

As we near the top I see Ty has laid out a blanket and there’s tons of little vases with colourful flowers dotted around. As well as cushions and little lanterns. The light from them isn’t strong as the sun is still shining on this side of the mountain we’re surrounded by but the effect still takes my breath away. It’s so romantic, I love it.

“Ty, this is amazing.” I squeeze his hand that’s linked to mine and plant a kiss on his shoulder.

“We’ve got a few hours to ourselves so I plan to make the most of it,” he says, reaching across to caress one of my curls between the fingers on his free hand.

“A few hours?” I question.

“Yeah, Bree and Claire said they need at least two to set up.” He looks at me like I know what he’s talking about.

“But they’re not here.” I move to stand in front of him.

“Aren’t they?” He hooks an eyebrow at me. My brain whirrs as I try to piece together all the things I could see in their background on the video call a little while ago. Now that I think about it, both were very carefully positioned against blank walls.

“They’re here?” I squeak.

“Yep, in the outhouse. They couldn’t miss your birthday!” The grin he gives me lights up his entire face and makes my chest threaten to ache, the joy I feel nearly overwhelming. “Now, do you need to cool off?” Ty’s eyes gleam with a mischievous look once more. His playful side has really come out in the last year, I’ve learnt to love it as much as it fills me with slight trepidation.

“No...” I say, taking a small step back.

“Come on, one little dip.” Ty removes his shorts to reveal swimming trunks underneath.

I become aware that we’re about two of his long strides from the cliff he uses to jump off. “Ty, don’t you dare—” My words are cut off as I’m once more lifted in my mate's arms.

I’m screaming as he runs the steps to the edge before launching us over the edge. We plummet through the air for what feels like minutes before the cold water hits us and swallows us into its depths.

The current throws us apart as we surface, I’m gasping for air. Even in summer, the water remains near freezing as it’s fed from meltwater high up in the mountains. My entire body lights up to counter the chill against my skin.

My mate is in stitches as I manage to get my hair out of my eyes enough to find him treading water like some ancient god. Seriously, those curls when wet are my kryptonite.

I’m still furious that he finally managed to get me to jump off the ledge, even if it was against my will. I swim a little closer before sending a wave of water straight at his chest.

He, of course, doesn’t let it phase him and is quickly splashing me back.

‘I can’t believe you threw me off,’I yell down the bond.

‘I didn’t throw you.’

‘You picked me up and threw me! I don’t remember getting a choice.’

‘Pretty sure I held you the whole way.’He laughs.

I get closer still and try to force his head under the surface. He goes under too easily and before I can retreat, he wraps his strong arms around the tops of my thighs and lifts me out of the water as he surfaces once more.

I make another undignified noise as he spins, forcing me to grab onto his shoulders so I don’t topple backwards.

My squeals turn into laughter as we play in the water for a little while longer. Once the cold does really start to set in, we climb out of the pool and walk around the edge, back up to the blanket set up at the top.

I remove the wet dress, which was plastered to my skin, and lay down in just my soaked underwear. I hadn’t been wearing a bra as the bodice was supportive enough.

Ty joins me, after shucking his trunks, and props himself up on an elbow as he stretches out on his side. We warm up in the last of the sun’s rays. His fingers automatically start stroking my stomach and then running along the band of my panties.

I shiver from the delicate touch and feel his growing erection against my hip. Our attraction to each other only grows with each passing year that we’re together.

“Do you ever think about kids?” his question takes me off guard completely.

“Having them?” I seek clarification.

“Yeah,” he confirms. His eyes look up at me through his dark lashes. I see a vulnerability in his gaze that I haven’t seen in ages. We’re so open with each other, there’s not a topic we feel uncomfortable broaching, at least I thought not.