“The hell we are,” I immediately protested. I had come this far without dying. I wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardise that now.
Grayson eyed me contemplatively. “Tell me, Ava. Have you ever done anything that could be deemed a little reckless or dangerous in your life?”
“No,” I answered quickly. The most dangerous thing I had ever done, was surfing. And that only happened after months of watching Rachel and the others, and secretly wishing I had the guts to do it. “Why would I be reckless on purpose?”
“Because it’s fun. It’s freeing.”
I shook my head. It was the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
Grayson stepped closer to me. “Live a little, Princess.”
I eyed the waterfall again. “That seems a lot more like dying to me.”
Grayson laughed. “You’re not really living if it’s not a little dangerous. Come now, Ava. Take off those clothes and let’s go.”
Of course, he would think like that. I shook my head again. There was no way.
He took another step closer and pulled the zip of my jacket downward then pushed it off my shoulders. “It’ll be fun. May I?” His hands were at my hips, holding the ends of my shirt, ready to lift it over my head.
“At least you’re asking this time.” Unlike that first night at the cabin.
He flinched at my comment and stepped back.
It wasn’t my intention to turn the moment uncomfortable. Me and my grumpy-ass needed to take a breath.
I quickly pulled my shirt over my head, kicked off my boots and stepped out of my pants. It was even more chilly in just the bathing suit. The thick mist in the air, clung coldly to my skin, eliciting goosebumps all over my body.
Grayson smiled at me, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He reached for my hand and tugged me lightly. His eyes never roamed lower than my face. He helped me up onto the cliff. The rocks were slippery, covered in slick moss. When we reached the top, my heart fluttered as I looked down.
I shook my head vehemently. “No, way.”
Grayson took hold of my hand again, squeezing it lightly. “Trust me.”
I looked into his eyes. I wanted so badly to trust this man. To believe that he would keep his word and let me go home. That he won’t hurt me anymore than he already has.
“We’ll go together.” He stepped towards the edge, pulling me with him.
“Together,” I echoed weakly, my heart hammering in my throat.
He chuckled, the sound drowned out by the thundering water and kissed my temple. He counted to three, each number uttered taking more of my breath. A scream ripped from my throat as we jumped off the edge.We were falling so fast, yet it seemed as if time slowed. Grayson was right. I barely felt the cold as the water enveloped my body. When I resurfaced, I was already laughing.
It was the most thrilling thing I had ever done. A feeling of lightness floated in my chest. Joy, that’s what it was. “Again!” I shouted to Grayson over the roaring of the waterfall.
He threw his head back laughing, also seeming to feel as elated as I was. “That’s my girl!”
We jumped two more times. Together. Then a few splashes turned into a full-on war between Grayson and me. I hadn’t played like that since childhood. I couldn’t stop laughing. Grayson showed me an alcove behind the waterfall. We explored it, or rather I explored while he followed me around, smiling happily at my awestruck face.
I picked up a sharp stone and started carving my name into the cave wall, so it would recognise me. Call me back to it, so I could experience it’s wonder again. Grayson followed suit, carving his name next to mine, while making fun of my crooked “A”.
We swam and played some more, until Grayson demanded we get out on the count of my lips turning blue. He wrapped me tightly in a large towel and took out some snacks from the backpack. We had worked up quite an appetite. I was shivering cold and hungry, but content. No. It was more than that. I was radiating happiness. The purest form of happiness I haven’t felt since childhood. Everything that saddened or hurt me, couldn’t reach me here, in this dreamlike place, underneath the rainbows.Surely the gods themselves visited this waterfall. I could almost feel the magic brushing against my skin.
When I’d won the fight over who got the chocolate bar, Grayson came to sit at my back, pulling me into his chest and rubbing my arms over the towel to warm me up.
“Did you have fun?” he asked around a mouthful of trail mix.
I swallowed and leaned back, resting my head on his chest. “The funnest,” I sighed happily, taking another bite of the chocolate, then held it up for Grayson to take a bite too, which he rewarded with a kiss on my temple. It warmed my insides. Paired with his strong body folded around me, I felt as giddy as a child snuggly wrapped in their favourite blanket.
I stared out at the waterfall. “I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this place. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
