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Everything with Gregory had changed over the last few months. He’d become more distant, secretive. He’d refrained from our usual date nights, although they’d been nothing but a quick dinner and a chaste kiss for more than a year. What the hell had been wrong with me?
I brushed hair from my eyes as he accelerated, rolling around the curves with enough force I could swear two wheels of the Jeep had lifted off the pavement by several inches. At least we were no longer on the very edge of dropping straight into hell. Still, if he was trying to scare me in order to see if I held conviction behind my admittance, then fuck him. We were finally going down, my ears popping from the change in altitude.
He downshifted a few minutes later, slowing to the point I could tell he was searching for a turnoff. When he made the turn, he took a few seconds to turn his head, a wry smile crossing his face. At that moment, I hated the dark shades covering his unforgiving eyes.
“Where are we going?” I asked, although it was already the second time I’d done so.
“You’ve already agreed to trust me. Are you changing your mind?”
“No. I’m not that kind of woman.”
My answer brought another look of amusement crossing his face. I shook my head, concentrating on the two-day stubble that covered his jaw. Damn it. The man was far too sexy.
He’d made a single stop, refusing to allow me to accompany him inside the small store. When he’d returned with a bottle of wine, other items in a small satchel, his entire mood had changed. He’d been whistling as he jumped inside, refusing to open the door to do so. I couldn’t hand the constant swing in his emotions or his actions. It was exhausting.
Even if everything about him brought a rush of excitement.
As he made the turn, the foliage grew dense, trees overhanging the mostly dirt road. Within seconds, the underbrush was so thick the Jeep rumbled as he drove over fallen sticks and other debris.
“Are you sure this is the right way?” I asked, the ride jarring.
“I’m certain. I even asked directions.” He laughed as he shifted gears, slowing down. When I noticed a slight clearing, at last I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
He stopped the Jeep in the middle of the primitive road, cutting the engine then hopping out without hesitation. When I remained inside, he leaned in, folding his long arms across the steel bars of the open-aired Jeep.
“Come.”
There was such authority in his voice, but I was curious where he’d taken me. Wherever it was, the location certainly wasn’t on any tourist map. Only when I reached for the door did he grab the wine, waiting as I moved around the front of the vehicle.
“Just watch your step.”
“I’ll ask you one more time. Where are we going?”
“Paradise.”
He guided me through the clearing to another path of forest, finally grabbing my hand when I hesitated. While the denseness of the trees blocked out a good portion of the sun, within a couple of minutes, I could see light ahead. When he stopped, placing the bag on the ground and turning to face me, I automatically took a step backward.
“If I’d wanted to hurt you, Stephanie, I would have done so before leaving New York. It’s all about trust.”
The man must think I was naïve. Maybe by just being here with him I’d allowed that to happen. I walked closer until he moved around me. When he put his hands over my eyes, I immediately stiffened until he pressed kisses against the side of my neck. He walked us forward by several inches. Suddenly, I could hear water. Wait a minute. It sounded like a…
He removed his hands, folding his arms around me. “Welcome to paradise.”
There were no adequate words to describe the sight in front of me. We were standing feet away from an incredible lagoon tinged in the brightest hue of Caribbean blue. A waterfall pummeled over rocks from at least a hundred feet above, crashing down against the water’s surface creating rings of ripples. Tropical foliage lined the mostly rocky shoreline, incredible vivid flowers dangling from low-hanging branches.
While a light fog surfaced around the location of the fall, the remaining lagoon was crystal clear, allowing a perfect view of a sandy bottom, various fish and other sea life.
“This is… incredible,” I managed, barely able to catch my breath.
“I thought you might like it. Let me get the wine.”
“Should I grab my swimsuit?”
His laugh sent a shower of tremors skating down my skin. “Not necessary.”
I took a deep breath, the air fresh and clean. I’d never seen anything quite so beautiful in my life. When he returned, he took my hand, the gesture another surprise. When he led me to a soft spot on the small beach, he immediately ripped off his shirt, allowing me another view of his spectacular body. Sunlight glistened off his muscular torso, the light managing to reflect on the dragon’s eyes.
The creature was watching me.
