Page 7 of Their Rustic Retreat

We reach the top of the plateau, the final destination of our journey. I look out over Evergreen Valley, taking in all of its compact majesty.

Tristian is right behind me and joins me in the viewing. “Wow. So this is why this trip suddenly turned into a mountain climb.”

He heaves out a breath. He’s definitely in shape, but I guess he’s not used to this kind of physical exertion. Holding it against him would be akin to him teasing me that I couldn’t rank the bench press as hard in the gym like he does.

Tristian drapes his hand across my shoulder and pulls me close. I don’t even know if it’s intentional, but I welcome his touch as I lean into him as well. He smells damn good and feels so wonderful against me. My mind flashes to wishing there were a lot less clothes involved, during this hike.

Reuben wanders off to his own little patch of grass, takes a few circles around before lying down for his nap. He’s as used to this spot as I am, and that patch of grass is essentially his second bed.

“This place is so damn beautiful,” Tristian says as he massages my shoulder. “I’m so used to seeing concrete for miles, and being deprived of the natural world.”

“Don’t cities have parks?” I say, running my hand over his chest as I lean into him.

“Yes, they do, but it’s nowhere near the same. You still hear all the cars whizzing by. Not this... weird... almost... silence.” He pauses as he stares blankly out into the distance. “I don’t think I’ve ever been someplace this quiet before. It’s kinda eerie.”

“I imagine so, if it's not what you’re used to.”

“I could get used to this, though. This view. This solitude.” He turns to me with a playful smirk. “This wonderful woman who stands next to me.”

I giggle gleefully. “I have to say you’re definitely improving the experience I’m having up here too.”

He holds me close, looking into my eyes. God, they’re beautiful. He’s everything I want in a man. Handsome, strong, kind, good with dogs. I always thought love at first sight was a load of nonsense until I met him.

The tension is strong. The way he’s looking at me, he has to be thinking the exact same thing.

About how he wants this to be more. So much more than just a hike, than just a date, both wanting it to be the start of something absolutely beautiful.

He confirms his intentions by leaning forward, and bringing his lips to mine.

They meet. My first kiss, and it’s everything I’ve always anticipated. His hands wrap around my waist as he brings me even closer, our kiss increasing with great intensity.

His hands run down my body, to my thighs. I always dress coolly, in shorts, during this time of year, and now more than ever, I’m so thankful for it. Goose bumps form up and down my form, making me shudder with anticipation about what is to come.

I want him. Bad. There’s a heat inside of me that can’t possibly be tamed right now except by a man, and not just any man.

I shudder with excitement and anxiety from his touch. I’ve never been one to put a whole lot of value on a girl’s virginity. It always felt it a little silly to celebrate not having done something, especially when that something is so natural and central to the human experience.

These beliefs don’t make me any less of a wreck when it comes to suggesting that maybe I wanted to sleep with a guy whom I’d only met a few hours ago.

Tristian, though, seems to be knowledgeable when it comes to reading body language. We broke our kiss, leaving both of us slightly breathless. “You’re an enthusiastic one, aren’t you?”

“Mm hmm,” I say with a nod. “I’ve always been one to go get something when I want it. Just that the thing I want now is, uh... a bit more mature than a milkshake from Cookie’s.”

“Yeah. The thing I want is way more mature than that too.”

“Well, then. I want it. You want it. What’s holding the two of us back from getting it?”

“The idea that classy, respectable women wait until, at least, I don’t know, the fourth date, and I don’t even know if this hike counts as a first?”

My eyebrow raises. “I’d have to wait until the fourth date to do this, right? Fuck that.”

“I don’t even know if that’s true; it’s just something I heard. I don’t think anyone knows when the proper time is. People just do it when they feel like it, and when they feel like it, it’s the right time to do so.”

I caress his face, enjoying the roughness of his stubble. “Then I think the right time is now.”

He smirks. “Right here? Looking at your hometown below?”

“What? Do you think any of them can actually make us out from this far up?”

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