Page 206 of Secret Shifters Next Door

My mind jumped to the dirtiest thing his words alluded to. I pictured myself turning into a shivering post-orgasmic puddle. Naked on a bed. Miles, with sweat pouring from his body, thrusting into me, bringing me to yet another orgasm. My cheeks went red. Even my ears felt like they were on fire.

Miles must have seen the bright color on my face because he chuckled. “Hmmm, looks like you aren’t as innocent as I thought.”

I didn’t think my cheeks could get any hotter, but they did. I tried to stare out the window and enjoy the drive, but that mental image kept creeping back into my mind. I kept my hands clenched between my knees, doing my best to not let my imagination get even more intricate.

Excitement swelled inside me as I saw a state park sign. We were going to one of the parks in the area. I felt stupid for having moved all this way and just staying in my apartment and going to the store. There was so much beauty here, and I’d been missing out. There was a bit of snow up here. It was the first timeI’d ever actually seen it in real life. It was so beautiful it took my breath away.

Miles pulled up to a ranger shack and paid the parking fee. We drove up another road that opened into the most gorgeous view I’d ever seen in my life. I had to remind myself to breathe at one point. It was, quite literally, breathtaking. In the distance, a waterfall crashed down from between two ridges. Below, in a vast valley, a river roiled away from where the water crashed down onto the rocks. Miles pulled off into a parking area not too far from the guard shack.

“Like it?” he asked.

I blinked and shook my head, unable to find words. “It’s like some wintery paradise,” I finally managed.

The snow wasn’t deep or thick anywhere, more like a very fine white highlight that had been sprinkled on everything. It made the world seem deeper and more intense. I could only imagine how it would look in the summer. The trees that were bare now would be thick, verdant, and lush. I would have to come back to Lilly Valley next year to see it.

“I like to come here to relax. It’s the perfect spot to let go and unwind. I’ve come here for years to run…er…hike…when life gets rough. Some stuff happened recently, and I usually come here to take a breather. I wanted to share it with you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked. He looked a little blue.

“Yeah, I’m good. Ready for a workout?”

Without another word, he hopped out of the truck.

I opened my own door and joined him.

Miles took my hand and led me to a trailhead a dozen yards from the parking area. A carved wooden sign read:FallsTrail.

“It’s a bit of a hike, but I think you’re up for it,” Miles said as he turned and started up the trail.

The trail wasn’t very rustic. It was mostly made up of stairs that had been made by placing logs down and packingdirt between each one. The effect was much the same as actual wooden steps, but probably more nature-friendly and less obtrusive. Sweat started to trickle down my back, and my breathing became labored. We continued, higher and higher.

“How much further?” I panted, though I tried my hardest not to sound like I was dying. Though I felt like I really might have been.

“I’ve counted these steps. There’re four-hundred-and-six steps. We’re in the high two hundred right now. Over halfway there...”

“Oh…that’s so great.” I put a hand to my side, massaging at the stitch that had sprung up when he told me how many steps there were.

A little while later, we got to the top, and I realized the hike really had been worth it. It was extraordinary. A cool breeze blew up from the river below, and everything was quiet and peaceful. Miles led me off to the side where we could watch the waterfall better. Several people came up the same trail to get pictures of and with the scenery. I could have stayed there all day, but my legs were like Jell-O from the hike.

Miles kept me close, wrapping an arm around me. It was both the most comforting thing and sexiest thing I’d ever experienced. Until he touched me, I hadn’t realized how starved I was for human contact. It was the most relaxed and at ease I’d ever felt in my life.

When I looked up to thank Miles for bringing me along, I found he was already staring at me. The air between us crackled like live electricity. It seemed like if either of us touched the other, there might be a crack of sparks or an explosion of lightning. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach.

The electricity ramped up even higher when Miles whispered, “Can I kiss you?”

I nodded, unable to form words. He leaned forward, and I followed suit. The moment our lips touched, I lost all sense of time. It was sweet, gentle, and lingering. His tongue was only barely sliding against my lips. I moaned softly as he brushed a strand of hair from my face while we kissed. When he finally pulled away, I was just as breathless as I had been when I saw the mountains.

He pressed his forehead to mine and ran a hand down my back. “Are you hungry?”

I nodded. The mention of food caused my stomach to growl. Miles smiled as if he could hear it, took my hand and led me back down the four hundred steps. I’d hoped the way down would be easier than going up. I was wrong. Going down meant I had to slowly lower myself on each and every step to keep from falling. My thighs were on fire.

“I’m gonna kill you if I can’t walk tomorrow,” I said when we reached the halfway point.

Miles chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll massage your legs tonight, if you want.”

I glared at his back, but before I could come up with a funny retort, he surprised me. Miles turned and swept me into his arms, carrying me like a groom would carry his bride over the threshold.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him for dear life. “You’re gonna drop me.”

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