9
AUSTIN
I’ve got a secret to share, she said. I didn’t expect this.
I’m in awe.
When I first learned to fly and had a birds eye view of the sky from the cockpit of a small plane, I fell in love with its beauty. Even during a storm, it’s still magnificent, with its blues, grays, and subtle greens. Flashes of lightning. Then after a storm, when a rainbow is visible from high above. Incredible.
Nature is awe inspiring.
I’ve never felt quite the same way about anything on the ground. Oh, I love the coasts and the mountains as much as anyone, but seeing it all from above… there’s nothing quite like it.
Until now.
Carly stops the car at a random spot on the side of a dirt road and then we walk about a quarter mile to a small clearing.
Now I’m gaping. Fucking gaping at the majesty before me.
“Holy shit.”
I see out of the corner of my eye that Carly grins.
A small waterfall splashes down gray rock and into a pool. The overflow trickles down into the lush grass in a wandering, slow path. Tiny evergreen trees sprout up from the dirt between the stones, and a large cottonwood offers some shade. Yet this water source isn’t part of the creek. It’s separate, as if it magically comes from the ground. A spring.
It’s pure splendor…yet it pales in comparison to Carly. How, here at her secret place, she looks happy. Content. Like her troubles and brokenness melt away.
She’s wearing her sable hair up in a high ponytail, which accents her perfect cheekbones and ears graced only with the tiniest gold studs. Her green T-shirt is tight, showing her curves—God, those amazing tits—and her ass is as delectable as ever in bootcut denim.
And then…her eyes. Emerald green with flecks of gold.
What is it about her that’s so intriguing? That has me thinking of her all the time? That has me wanting her body, but also her heart? I want to protect her from everything I learned from Miles but know I can’t. Fuck. She was taken. Stolen. Held against her will by some sick fuck for several years.
Carly may not know it, but she has a spine of steel to have survived something like that and still be sweet enough to show me this perfect spot. She’s at peace here, and fuck if I don’t want to always see her smile like she is right now.
She gave this spot to me as a gift. I want to give her gifts like this in return, but I don’t know how. I’m barely a cowboy. I’m a fly boy who’s grounded.
Still, she brought me here. Me. Not Miles. Not Chance.
Me.
“Where does this come from?” I crouch down to look closely.
She shrugs and looks off into the distance. “Beats me. My best guess is that it’s an offshoot from Big Salmon Creek. I tried to follow it once, but the terrain gets too rocky in places.” She leans down and pools some of the clear water in her hands. “It’s fresh and cool. I’ve always wanted to taste it, but I haven’t.”
“Man, I could sure use a dowsing after the morning I’ve had.” I stand and pull my T-shirt over my head without thought.
Carly’s eyes widen at my chest.
“Oh.” I shove the T-shirt back on. “I’m sorry.” Shit. I fucked it up.
“For what?” Her eyes are wide and she licks her lips. “You look amazing. Take it off, Austin. Get in. I agree, you’re a mess. Rinse off.”
I’m unsure, because what if I somehow push her too far without even touching her? I had my hands on her the other night and she was fine. But what Miles said…
She seems fine. Gave me consent to continue.
I decide to wing it. She’s not a nun who hasn’t seen a bare chest before. “I’ve got to tell you,” I admit, “a shower under that waterfall sounds like heaven.” I sit down on a small boulder and peel off my boots and socks. I’m ready to strip off the jeans and skivvies, when I turn to Carly. “You okay?”