AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The second overlook was outfitted with a bench. Giving a sigh of relief, Olivia plopped down on it and drained half her water bottle. Rick went to the edge, brought out his phone, and took photos of the valley below.
This is it. If she didn’t speak now, she’d be too winded to sayanything by the time they got to the top of the mountain.
When she stood, her legs wobbled. She inched closer to Rick, but he didn’t turn toward her, which was just as well. She’d have an easier time confessing her feelings if she wasn’t looking him in the eye.
“Rick?” Her voice hitched, but she willed herself not to cry. “I’m sorry about the other day. I had no right to question you for helping Marisol. And I shouldn’t have gotten so upset about Turkey. I was just hurt you hadn’t told me about it earlier. I’m also sorry that I implied you’re wasting your life. You’re not—you’re following a path that’s right for you. I should have respected that.”
When he didn’t speak, she swallowed, her throat too dry to continue. Taking another swig from her water bottle, she found the strength to keep going.
“I also should have been honest with you. The real reason I was so mad about Turkey was because I wanted you to come back to California, but it was for selfish reasons.” She forced herself to push the words out. “I wanted you to come back because of me. I told you I’d be happy with three weeks together, but I started wanting more. I was too scared to admit it.”
“So you broke up with me instead?” His ragged voice hinted at the depth of his pain. “What kind of messed-up logic is that?”
She was screwing this up again. Be honest, you coward.
“I knew the longer we were together, the more it would hurt when you left,” she said. “Because this ended up being more than just a fling. I’m in love with you. But it was too hard to stay with you, knowing you didn’t feel the same way.”
She crept forward, one step at a time, until she was standing right behind him. She placed her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulders, finding comfort in the warmth of his body. “I’ve probably ruined any chance of us being together, but if you ever wanted more, I’d be willing to wait for you.”
His body shuddered as he drew in a breath. “Olivia…”
“I was hoping we could still enjoy our last week in Cyprus together. One final trip to Aphrodite’s temple? I promise not to ask for any more than that.”
“What if I want more?”
Her breath caught. The sting of tears prickled her eyes. “Do you?’
He turned to face her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Turkey sooner, but I was still trying to figure things out. I wanted to discuss it together, but when you got upset, I…pushed you away and acted like a jerk. It didn’t help that you treated me like I wasn’t good enough. That hurt like hell.”
Anguish cut into her, burning a painful trail to her heart. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any of it.”
“I get it. We both said things we didn’t mean. But that doesn’t resolve the bigger issue. I’m not planning to go to grad school, which means I might not belong in your world.”
Her voice trembled. “You belong more than anyone I’ve ever met. I love that you’re so passionate about what you do and that you’re so good at sharing your passion with students. That’s what counts, not some degree. You’re an incredible guy, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Not Grant, not your father, and certainly not me. You’re more than enough.”
“So are you.” With a gentle touch, he brushed his hand across her cheek. “I love you, Olivia.”
Her heart swelled with affection. “I love you, too. Even if you did force me to climb a giant mountain.”
He gave a wry chuckle. “That’s why I wanted you to come on this trail—so I could get you alone and tell you how I felt. TJ told me to go for a grand gesture, but I wasn’t sure if I could do it. I was trying to work up the courage, but you beat me to it. You’re braver than I am.”
“Maybe a little more desperate. But I love that you considered making a grand gesture.” She put her arms around his neck and pressed up against him, but the movement sent him stumbling backward. As his feet scrabbled against the edge, she pulled him back with a rush of panic. “Sorry. I don’t want to send you tumbling over a cliff.”
“Let’s take this somewhere safer.” He led her to the bench and drew her onto his lap so she was facing him.
She brushed a strand of tawny brown hair from his forehead. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I wanted to go back and undo all the hurtful things I said.”
His hazel eyes fixed on hers. “Same here. I shouldn’t have hidden so much from you.”
“We can do better. I want to make this work.”
“It will.” His lips traced a path down her throat, lingering on her collarbone. When he slid his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast, she whimpered with desire. She leaned closer, nuzzling his neck with her lips. As his thumb found its way under her bra and rubbed at her nipple, she gasped in pleasure. She squirmed against him, delighting in the feel of his hard length pressing into her. She claimed his lips, going for a soul-searing kiss, oblivious to everything but the taste and feel of him.
Until a clipped British voice broke the stillness. “Excuse me.”
Olivia startled. Standing beside them were two elderly British women dressed in athletic gear. The taller of the two carried a walking stick. She nailed them with a withering glare. “That sort of display is highly inappropriate for a public walking trail. Please take it elsewhere.”
She sounded so formal that Olivia stifled the urge to giggle. She rolled off Rick’s lap, then immediately regretted it when she saw the bulge in his shorts. “Sorry, ma’am,” she said.
