It’s my turn to smirk at her, and she does a little happy dance as we fall behind the group. “I knew it!” she cheers quietly, giving me a playful shove.
“Relax, nothing happened except some spooning,” I tell her, laughing. “It was really fucking cold last night, so we were conserving body heat. It was the responsible thing to do.” I smile demurely and she giggles.
“I cannot wait for the moment you two wake up and figure out you’re obsessed with each other.” Bree shakes her head. “You were taking too long. You needed a little push, so I gave you a push. RIP to your tent. Sorry about that.”
We laugh, linking arms, and I feel lighter than I have in months. Since Thanksgiving, honestly. I’ve been so worried dating Bree had caused irreversible damage toour friendship, and I lost not one buttwopeople I love because of decisions I made. But for the first time since our breakup and my return home, things feel like they’re finally back to normal between us.
I hug her arm tighter to my side, shooting her a grin she returns immediately. We jog to catch up to the others ahead of us.
Ronin shoots me a wink as we fall in behind him and Evan, and I duck my head, suddenly feeling shy. My emotions are seriously all over the place today. One minute I’m laying in bed, turned on, and the next minute I’m an awkward, shy kid again.
The loud, crashing sound of water flowing greets our ears as we near the bottom of the falls.
“Oh, wow,” I whisper, coming to a stop at the railing. I feel someone at my side and glance over to see Ronin, his face tilted up toward the waterfall.
“I haven’t been here in years,” I say, eyes drinking in the magnificent sight before us. “But it still manages to take my breath away anytime we visit.”
Sapphire Falls is not the largest waterfall nearby, not by a long stretch, but it’s still an incredible sight to behold. Dappled sunlight drips through the thick cluster of branches overhead, the bare limbs reaching for the sky. Rushing water cuts through the rock, depositing into the small stream. A fine mist hangs in the air, dampening my cheeks. At this altitude, not much has grown since winter, but I’ve always found there is something beautiful about bare vegetation. There’s room for growth, for life to spring forth with a fresh start.
“I’ve never been here before,” Ronin says, his hands tightening on the railing. “This is actually the first waterfall I’ve seen in person.”
I take in the sight of his awed expression, his face glistening with tiny, shining droplets from the spray of the waterfall. His hair is loose today, the beads of water seeming to make the strands sparkle in the early morning sun. He closes his eyes, lifting his face and relishing in the moment before opening them again to behold the falls.
“I didn’t know that,” I reply, watching the childlike wonder play across his features. My heart tugs, and suddenly, I want nothing more than to show Ronin every waterfall in the country. I want to bottle his expression and pour it over me anytime I’m feeling sad.
Ronin glances at me. “Yeah, well, with my mom working two jobs for most of my childhood, things like this fell mostly to my grandparents. They have never been particularly outdoorsy folks, so hiking and camping wasn’t something we did often.” He shoots me a grin. “Not like you Bakers, hopping around every state park you could find.”
“Mom and Dad did keep us busy,” I laugh, bumping his shoulder with mine. “Good thing Evan planned this, then. I’m glad I got to see your first waterfall with you.” I observe the falls once more, smiling. “It truly never gets old.”
“Neither does this,” Ronin replies softly, and I turn my head back to him. He reaches out and cups my cheek, his thumb resting lightly against my soft skin. “I could never tire of seeing you smile.”
His deep blue eyes search mine, questioning. I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. He sweeps his thumb across my cheek, taking a small step closer, and I cannot help the visceral shiver that shoots through my body.
There are surely others around us, but I don’t see them. We are the only two people here—Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy dancing alone at the ball. The sound of rushing water quiets behind me as he closes the distance between us, gently pushing me against the railing. I don’t feel the water spraying my back or the cold metal of the rail.
Ronin is all my senses can take in: the hard planes of his body, warm against mine; the smell of his soap lingering on his skin even after a night of camping, fresh and clean with a hint of something wholly masculine; his glasses, lightly sprayed with tiny water spots.
Ronin’s gaze is full of heat and desire, and something else that my heart and mind aren’t quite ready toaccept. He glances down at my mouth, his hand still cupping my face while the other grabs onto the railing behind me. Mine reach around him of their own accord, my fingers gripping the sides of his soft sweatshirt. My cheeks flush under the intensity of his stare, my lips parting slightly.
“You’re so beautiful, Mel,” Ronin whispers, his breath gentle on my heated skin, pupils flaring as they rake over my pink cheeks.
His words hit their mark, and my breath hitches. My heart thumps hard and fast, and I’m sure he can feel it where our chests press together.
“Ronin.” It comes out a breathy whisper.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for months. Years, really.” His head tilts toward mine slowly, giving me time to stop him. “Something that I’ve been desperate for…forweeks.”
“What’s that?” I can barely get out the question. My mind is spinning, and all I can think is,it’s happening, it’s happening.
“Mel,” he says quietly, his mouth only inches from my own. “Do you remember what I said, that I wouldn’t ask anything of you until you asked me to?”
I nod, his proclamation from years ago dancing at the back of my mind. The question rushes from my lips, “Ronin, will you kiss me?”
Before I can even finish speaking, Ronin’s mouth crashes into mine.
His lips are warm and soft against my own. My mouth opens and his tongue sweeps in, tasting me, devouring me. He tastes like maple syrup and a lingering, minty flavor. I grip his back tightly, and he responds by pulling me harder against him. I can feel his heartbeat, racing in time with my own.
Our mouths move together, and Ronin tilts his head to get a better angle. His tongue explores deep, twining with mine as we relearn how the other moves and tastes.
