Page 70 of The Daredevil

“Ready for an adventure?”Royce held my hand as he led me down a rocky path.

The mid-October chilly air mimicked New England weather. I wore a sweater jacket and soft corduroy pants with long comfy boots. He wore a long sleeved shirt with a puffy vest and dark denim jeans with hiking boots, looking rugged and gorgeous as always. He carried a backpack with our water bottles, snacks, binoculars, and other hiking essentials.

“Always,” I said, stepping over a pretty patch of bright green moss. “How many girls have you brought here?”

“None.” He gazed down into my eyes. “You’re the first person.”

My chest warmed at the knowledge.

“Do you come here often?”

“Whenever I return to Iceland for business, it grounds me, reminds me of where I’ve been and where I’m going.”

The sex had changed us, whether or not he admitted it. It had shifted everything. This fake relationship wasn’t working for me anymore, and I wanted the real thing. But I wasn’t sure how to bring it up to him. He clarified that he only needed a fake girlfriend to keep Fiona away. It was obvious he wasn’t looking for an actual relationship, or he would’ve been with someone already. Just look at him.

Before I confronted him with my proposal, I had to ensure that my thoughts were clear and concise. I had to be sure it was what I wanted and not because of how much I enjoyed the physical intimacy. To be with someone just because they made you feel safe wasn’t a good excuse. I once thought Julian made me feel safe. He had in the beginning, but things changed quickly. I had a feeling Royce was different, but could I be sure? Wasn’t any relationship a gamble?

My heart couldn’t afford another gamble, so I had to think carefully. But for today, I could enjoy being with him.

As he took me to his secret place, it was like walking into his soul. Each step on the moss was a clue to discovering Royce. That was precious to me.

I understood why he liked earthy colors; they surrounded him, a part of him. From this moment onward, I would think of him whenever I enjoyed nature’s wonders. He was my volcanologist, my geologist, and my video game nerd. He was also a man who fired up so much desire in me.

We continued trekking along a dirt path filled with mossy rocks, heading to a waterfall. “So the waterfall is off-limits to the public?”

“To everyone. No one comes here. I own this land, and if they’re caught, they’d be trespassing.”

My body sighed as I breathed in the fresh air. Pebbles crunched under my boots, and a bird squawked nearby. I heard the sound of water and glanced up at him. “We’re close.”

Minutes later, we arrived at a beautiful waterfall. It wasn’t a massive waterfall, but a quaint wonder hidden between hills, rocks, and trees.

Royce stood beside me, taking in the captivating view.

“Nature never ceases to amaze me,” I said, inhaling a deep breath.

“That’s why I love studying geology and what lies beneath the earth. Symbolically, I believe humans are like that too. There’s so much to discover.”

“How did you find this place?”

“When I bought Excursions for You, I browsed the nearby area and stumbled on it. Then I offered the previous owner a price he couldn’t refuse.”

I turned to my right and gasped. “Oh my God, is that what I think it is?”

“You can see the volcano better from up there.” He pointed to a rock and led the way.

From higher up, I could see the gorgeous volcano in the distance. It stood tall, proud, and watchful. I imagined it was like a guardian watching over its land. A deity that sometimes got angry when people didn’t treat the planet with care and respect, therefore erupting with anger.

We were all alone on the massive rock that jutted out from the side of a mountain. Intensely green moss carpeted the surface. The witnesses to the beauty around Royce and me were the sun, the sky, and the earth.

I didn’t know why tears started rolling down my cheeks. “It’s breathtaking. This is the closest I’ve ever been to a volcano. It’s my first time seeing one in real life. The images you see on TV don’t do it justice. I can feel its power standing here.”

“That’s why I come here, to immerse myself in its power. But ever since I met you, I don’t need it.”

My heart constricted, and I met his gaze, filled with so much emotion.

Yanking me close, he kissed me, making me moan. I tugged at his hair, his jacket, needing him closer, wanting to touch him everywhere.

A wild thought sparked in me. “I want you right now. Righthere. In the open. Do you dare?”

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