Page 7 of Strength of the Mountain
Hayden tugs my hand, guiding me once again toward his truck.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he opens the door for me.
“First, dinner.”
“I’m really not that hungry, but I’d like to spend more time with you.”
Hayden’s eyes light up as a shy smile pulls at the corner of his lips. Do I really make him that happy?
“Then can I take you to one of my favorite secret spots in town? Well, technically it’s just outside of the town, but it’s worth the drive.”
I give him a playfully skeptical look. “Driving me to a remote location, huh?” I tap my chin and narrow my eyes at him. “If it were anyone else, I’d have to decline. But with you… I trust you.”
“Good girl,” he praises, buckling my seatbelt and kissing my forehead. I love every sweet touch, and I love even more that they’re coming from Hayden.
He clears his throat as if he didn’t mean to say that out loud. I secretly love it. “I’ll be your good girl,” I murmur.Is that my voice? Did I really just say that?
Hayden’s eyes grow dark with desire. Lordy, that look has me squeezing my thighs together to ease the throbbing ache there.
“You’re going to be trouble of the best kind,” he replies. “I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you.”
Without waiting for my response, Hayden shuts the door and races around to the other side of the truck. I don’t know what tonight will hold, but I’m so ready for whatever Hayden has in store.
5
HAYDEN
Ican’t believe Cami is here, in my truck, holding my hand. When I first saw her across the restaurant, I thought I was hallucinating. I’ve dreamed about her every single night since we first met. It makes sense that I’d conjure up her image in my waking hours as well..
But then her mother started picking her apart, insulting my precious girl, and filling her head with lies. I saw Cami curl in on herself, her face flushed red with embarrassment. She should never be made to feel less than, and certainly not for the way she looks. It pisses me the hell off that anyone would say those things, and I can’t imagine hearing it from my own goddamn parents. My girl is resilient, but she doesn’t have to face them alone. Never again.
“Hey, I’m okay,” Cami says, once again speaking directly to my thoughts without having to ask. I don’t know how she does it, but Cami always manages to calm me down. “Maybe you can loosen your grip a tiny bit?” She lifts our hands, and I realize I’m squeezing a little too tightly.
“Sorry,” I immediately apologize. Without a second thought, I lift her hand up to my lips to kiss it better.
Cami giggles, the airy sound like a balm to my soul after the events of the evening. “It’s okay. No one has ever been upset on my behalf, at least in regards to my mom and dad.”
“It’s a new feeling for me, too, but I don’t regret a single thing I said. I meant every word.”
“I believe you. You’re a good man, Hayden.” It’s not the first time she’s told me that, but I’m still having a hard time accepting it. “You don’t believe me yet, but you will.” I peer over at her, not sure how she keeps reading my mind. “You might think you’re all moody and mysterious, but I see you.”
She’s teasing me, but there’s truth in her statement. Cami has always seen right through my defenses from the first time we locked eyes.
I’m not sure how to respond, but luckily, we’ve reached the destination. I pull into a secluded spot next to a stream that runs along the southern border of the town. The water is calm here, but just a few miles south, it turns into a waterfall.
Cami looks excited but a little confused. From inside the truck, I’m sure this place doesn’t look like much, especially now that the sun has mostly set. I appreciate her giving me the benefit of the doubt.
I hop out and open Cami’s door, helping her down with my hands on her hips. Is it a flimsy excuse to hold her close again? Absolutely. One look in her sparkling hazel eyes lets me know she doesn’t mind.
“So… Why is this your favorite place?” Cami asks.
I lead her to the bed of my truck, open the tailgate, and spread out a blanket I had in the backseat. She gives me the cutest look, her head tilted to the side as I hold out my hand to help her up. She climbs in, and I follow after her, sitting on the blanket and urging her to do the same. Cami snuggles against me, and I wrap an arm around her, tucking her into my side.
“Look up,” I whisper into the shell of her ear.
When she does, her eyes shine with wonder and her lips part ever so slightly. “Oh my God, Hayden, it’s… It’s so beyond beautiful, I don’t even have words.”
I join her, turning my attention to the expanse of stars and constellations spread out across the Milky Way. This is the best spot for stargazing, and I wanted to share it with the most important person in my life. The genuine fascination in her hazel eyes tells me I did the right thing.
