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“Only to the important ones.” I said.
CHAPTER 3
LAURA
He nudged me inside the spa, swaying my attention to a cave illuminated with a bluish hue from the moonlight that streamed in through an opening above.
As a cloud of heat and steam slammed into my body, James lowered his hand to the small of my back, guiding me forward. He did that often, and I liked it.
The lush paradise thrived with exotic plants and flowers, rich in colors and scents. A mountain of jagged rocks towered over the foliage, its surface interwoven with ancient vines and trees. The air was thick with scents of damp moss, rich soil, and earthy plant life, all mixed with the sweet smell of flowers in bloom. Every few moments, the crispness of cool air that wafted from the outside brought back awareness to the magical surroundings. The sound of running water echoed from the cave walls like a waterfall, but I couldn’t see one.
“This is one hell of a flex.” I turned around to face him.
James was grinning from ear to ear.
“You bring all your dates to this paradise?”
“You’re the first.”
He spoke with conviction, making each word a promise, and I wanted to trust him. With quiet insistence, he whispered, “I’ve never brought anyone here.” If he kept saying things like that, maybe I’d be foolish enough to believe him.
“Come on, I want to show you something.” He took my hand.
I hadn't held a man's hand before. Not like this. His large, rough fingers intertwined with mine, engulfing my small hand in his warmth. His strength and gentleness held me like an everlasting hug. It felt unfamiliar: like handing over a fragment of my independence but simultaneously getting an immense sense of...belonging.
“It took seven years to complete this project. Everyone in the family had input.”
We walked around the corner and came upon the full view of a waterfall. It was a majestic sight to behold; the water was crystal clear and sparkled under the moonlight. The rocks at the bottom were dark and jagged, adding a sense of wildness.
“This is breathtaking,” I breathed out, leaning against a railing, completely awestruck, “and it’s definitely not on the blueprints.”
“I knew you’d appreciate it.” James squeezed my hand lightly. “A stream breaks off from the river north of the lodge, and we incorporated the flow into the design.”
“Only twenty-five percent of people survive the fall down Niagara.”
He laughed. “This is not Niagara, but better. Watch.” He walked around the pond’s perimeter to the other side of the waterfall. “Can you see me?” he called out over the water’s hum.
“No!”
“Okay, now switch places!”
I hurried to take his spot while he took mine. When I did, I couldn’t believe James showed through the falling water.
We joined back up in the middle, resting against the railing. Froth broke against the rocks at the bottom.
“It’s the optics. At least, that’s how the engineer explained it.”
A gust of wind rushed through the opening, and I shivered.
“You’re cold.” James shifted to stand behind me.
I turned in his arms to face him. He curled me into the safety of his embrace, and my heart ached to be closer, still. If only he would kiss me.
“Thank you for showing this to me.” I said, lowering my head to his chest. “It’s beautiful.”
My head rose and fell with his breaths. I felt a lock of hair fall across my forehead, and I absently brushed it back. I listened to the thump of his heart—a bass drum calling out rhythmically from his rib cage. What the heck was happening to me? How on earth did I end up here? The sky poured down moonlight through the large opening overhead, and I yawned.
“You’re tired,” he whispered, nudging his nose into my hair and inhaling. He did that a lot, and I liked it.
