book title

I wake up after a restless night of sleep, the spot next to me empty. Falcon is probably out doing… I don’t know. Whatever mountain men do, I guess?

After the storm died down, Falcon inflated a sleeping pad for me and gave me his sleeping bag. I wanted to stay awake and talk to him, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I guess running away from my wedding and hiking up a mountain all in one day was too much to bear.

Despite my exhaustion, I woke up numerous times. Falcon and I were lying so close together that I could feel the warmth of his body against my leg or arm, depending on how I positioned myself. It took every shred of willpower I had not to crawl closer to him. Or on top of him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, which is part of why I slept so badly.

The other reason was my mind constantly drifting back to yesterday’s whirlwind of emotions and realizations. I had to admit to myself that I never truly loved Joshua. I tried to so I could please my mother, who is never happy with anything I do. But then I met Falcon and was surprised by the instant connection with him.

Last night, I couldn’t stop mulling over the idea of carving my own path instead of doing what’s expected of me. I’m in my mid-twenties. Isn’t it time I stop seeking approval from my parents and make myself happy? Because I’m pretty miserable living the life they want me to live.

I sigh. I don’t know what I should do, but I do know one thing—I don’t want to lose Falcon. Not that he’s mine to lose. I want to be with him, though. I never felt happier when he wrapped me in his arms during the storm yesterday. He makes me feel whole. It’s like he’s the missing part I’ve been searching for my entire life.

I yawn and decide to get up instead of thinking the day away. I unzip the tent and am treated to the sight of Falcon stoking a fire. The smell of freshly baked eggs wafts in my direction, and I suddenly realize how hungry I am.

He turns and gives me a heart-stopping smile. Fuck. He stirs something inside me that I want to experience every day of my life. Do I have to return to my old life and sort things out? Why can’t we stay here forever?

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” he asks.

“So-so,” I answer, stretching out the stiffness in my limbs.

“Nothing a good breakfast can’t fix,” he says with a grin.

It’s insane how active he is at this hour. I don’t have a watch, but the sun is barely peeking through the trees, so it must still be early.

He grabs a mug, fills it with coffee, and scoops the sizzling-hot eggs onto a plate for me. “Here you go.”

“Wow. You made all this on a campfire?”

He laughs. “It’s easy. Trust me. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want it any other way. There’s something about cooking outdoors that makes everything taste better.”

“I bet part of it is the view.”

I cradle my cup of coffee and look around. Yesterday, in the storm, I didn’t get the chance to take in our surroundings. It’s gorgeous out here.

“What’s the plan for today?” I ask, hoping he’ll say we’ll keep hiking for the next month or so, even though I realize that’s not going to happen.

“We should get back down the mountain. I didn’t bring enough supplies to extend our trip, and I don’t want my brothers to worry about me.”

“You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”

I smile at him. “It’s okay. I have to face the music at some point. Let’s hope my father doesn’t throw a fit. He’s a politician with friends in high places. I wouldn’t want him to take his anger out on you if he finds out you helped me run away.”

Falcon’s eyebrows knit together. “What do you mean?”

I chew on my lower lip, weighing my words carefully. “My father has a lot of influence. If he’s upset with me, he might use his connections to cause trouble for RidgeRoam Adventure Tours.”

“Cause trouble, how?”

“I’m not sure. Revoking your permits, for instance.”

He doesn’t utter a word, and I’m afraid to say anything else that could upset him further. Still, I should if I want a chance at a future with him.

“Falcon, I’m sorry. I really am. I should’ve told you all this before heading up the mountain with you. If you had known, you wouldn’t have taken me. I know how much RidgeRoam Adventure Tours means to you.”

His expression darkens, and I can almost see the cogs in his head turning. “That’s true. But you mean more to me, Iris. If your father wants to take out his anger on me, I’ll figure something out to deal with that. What I can’t deal with is having to live without you.”

Falcon’s confession sets my whole body on fire, and my heart beats in my chest like a hamster on steroids.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I stammer.

He reaches out to gently cup my face, his gaze unwavering as he searches my eyes. “You don't have to say anything, Iris,” he murmurs softly. He traces my cheek with his thumb, turning my pussy into liquid heat. “I needed you to know how I feel.”

With a shaky breath, I put my arms around him. “Falcon, I don’t want to live without you either. And as for my father and his possible influence on your livelihood, we’ll fix it. We’ve already weathered one storm together. I’m sure we can weather another one.”

“We can. Together,” he says.

I nod. “Together.”

His lips brush mine, slow and teasing. He takes my bottom lip between his teeth, but I can’t wait any longer. I need to feel his lips against mine. I press my mouth to his and curl my toes as he kisses me passionately, his mouth hungry for more. Our tongues collide, and my hands shoot up to his strong chest. Around us, the world is silent except for the chirping birds and the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. The scent of the dying campfire tickles my nostrils as Falcon’s hand on my face heats my skin. This must be what people mean when they talk about being in heaven.

I move my hand to the hem of his shirt. My fingers disappear underneath, eager to feel his warm, naked skin against mine.

“Wait,” he says, breaking our magic moment.

Not having his lips on me feels wrong.

“Why?” I protest, trying to kiss him again.

He gives me a tortured look. “Iris, I want you,” he says, his voice almost breaking. “But we have to get going if we want to make it down the mountain before another storm hits. I checked today's weather reports, and it doesn’t bode well for us. I’m not risking your safety again.”

I can see in his eyes that he means it. He’ll protect me from whatever danger gets thrown our way. My heart aches when I release Falcon, but he’s right. We need to get to safety. No matter how hard I long to feel his body on top of mine, that will have to wait.

He busies himself with packing our stuff and the tent while I ensure we adhere to the Leave No Trace principle every self-respecting hiker swears by.

Once everything is packed, Falcon hoists his backpack over his shoulders and takes my hand. He gives me a small nod and an encouraging smile. No words are needed between us. We both know we’re headed back to town, ready to face whatever consequences my running away has caused.

I follow Falcon through the woods and over another river, bracing myself for what’s waiting for us down in the valley.