Page 120 of One Big Little Secret

We travel in near silence, and whenever I’m not consumed with his hand being so close to my thigh, I gaze out at the stunning scenery.

There’s a wild allure to the high desert. The hills, the canyons, the way the sunlight and shadows dance across the landscape.

It’s nice to roll down the windows and enjoy the fresh air. Sixty-four degrees, according to the car’s screen. In the sun, it’s warm enough to pull off my cardigan.

Soon, we’re parking in a large lot and striding across the gravel to the ticket booth where Patton buys us both tickets.Then we join the guided tour, heading into the canyon. As soon as we’re touring the wind-scoured rocks, I forget about the weather and basically everything else.

Antelope Canyon is flipping stunning.

Just not the way you’d call the sky or the sea or imposing mountains beautiful. This place is shock and awe in a serene, passive way.

This beauty feels like sunbathing as you take it in.

“Wow,” I whisper almost breathlessly.

“Yeah.” He presses a hand to my back, inviting me to lean into him. “A few thousand years of floods and erosion will do that. Give it enough time and even stone melts like butter. Pretty heavy stuff to think about.”

“You’ve come here before?” I look at him.

“Three times. I always get out here whenever this conference comes up at Zion Peak. I like to think of it as Mother Nature showing off, reminding us how easy it is to leave a mark on the world if you throw enough raw power at it.”

“A very Patton thought.” I laugh. “Do you ever stop brooding? Just enough to stand back and admire the view?”

He nods slowly, turning his eyes to the gorgeously tinted walls. I never knew red could have a thousand shades.

I’m not sure if I believe in higher powers, but this place makes me feel small.

It’s like peeking in on the universe itself, so vast and unyielding it steals my breath away.

The way he touches me isn’t half-bad either.

Before I know it, I’m letting him run his hand down my back, leaving goosebumps on my skin.

Disaster imminent.

Yeah, this is definitely more intimate than sleeping in the same bed.

We’re sharing a moment.

A lovely experience I wouldn’t be having without him, and I wonder if he’d say the same.

With his money, he could come here anytime. But would he be looking at these rocks the same way?

Would he look at another woman the way he glances at me now with that sapphire glow in his eyes?

I wonder, and it scares me.

We take in the sights slowly, lingering behind the tour guide. I reach out and run my fingers along the stone.

Here, almost underground, the sun can’t reach us and it feels cool. I stretch my arms out like I can borrow a few more precious seconds from this magical place.

The guide’s voice drifts away into the distance, but that’s okay.

For now, I’m taking this slice of reality and storing it away just for me.

“Salem?”

I open my eyes. I hadn’t even realized I’d closed them.

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