‘Did you really like the game or were you just being nice?’ Jason asks as we walk along the trail that leads to the falls. It’s a short walk, and when we get there we can’t stay. We don’t have time. We’ll see the falls, then go to an early dinner before I have to leave.
‘I liked the game,’ I say, ‘but I liked seeing you coach it even more. You’re really good with the kids.’
He shrugs. ‘I try, but I’m not always sure I’m getting through to them.’
‘I wasn’t either back when I was teaching. But I think we make a difference in their lives even if we don’t always know it.Just think about your science teacher, the one you said made you like science. Did you ever tell him how much he meant to you?’
‘No, but I would now if he was still around. He moved away when I was a senior in high school.’
‘That’s what I mean. We don’t always know the effect we have on our students.’
‘Yeah, I guess.’ He stops and looks up. ‘What do you think?’
My eyes follow his gaze to a large waterfall, the water crashing down on big boulders underneath.
‘I was thinking it’d be smaller. This is impressive. I can’t believe we’re the only ones here.’
‘It gets busy during the summer and fall when the tourists come through town. This time of year it’s just locals and they’ve seen it enough times to not feel the need to come back.’
‘I would. If I lived here, I’d come here all the time.’ I close my eyes and listen to the water crashing down. ‘I love that sound. It’s so powerful but also calming.’
‘Mia.’
I open my eyes and see Jason in front of me, looking at me like he did the night of the wedding. I gaze back at him, feeling the heat between us bubbling up, trying to ignore it, wishing I could.
Jason wraps his hands around my face. ‘I know I shouldn’t do this, but fuck .?.?. I want to. It’s been torture being around you the past day and not being able to kiss you.’
‘Then do it,’ I say, my heart thundering in my chest. ‘Kiss me.’
He leans down and gently presses his lips to mine. He’sbeing cautious, unsure if we should be doing this. Maybe we shouldn’t, but it feels too good to stop. My lips part and his tongue slips past them as his arms lower to around my waist, pulling me closer.
We kiss for several minutes, maybe longer, the sound of the rushing waterfall surrounding us. It’s romantic, and getting me all tingly inside.
I slowly pull away. ‘We should go.’
‘Yeah.’ Jason takes a step back, then motions me to go ahead of him on the trail that leads back to the parking lot.
I didn’t want to leave, but being in that romantic spot, kissing Jason, was bringing back all the feelings I have for him that I’m trying to ignore.
We’re both quiet as Jason drives back to his apartment. Neither one of us wants to say goodbye, but we have to. I need to get home, and away from Jason before I fall for him even more.
‘Did you get everything?’ Jason asks, coming into the bedroom where I’m zipping up my overnight bag.
‘I think so.’
He walks up to me. ‘About what happened at the falls.’
‘We don’t need to talk about it.’ I smile a little. ‘I think it’s fair to say we’re both still attracted to each other. Honestly, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.’
His hand cups the side of my face as he looks into my eyes. ‘What I feel for you is more than just attraction.’
‘Jason, we shouldn’t—’
His lips press to mine before I can finish my thought. I was going to tell him we shouldn’t be talking about what we feel foreach other, or acting on it. And that we shouldn’t kiss because it might lead to us doing more.
So why am I still kissing him? And why am I willingly going with him as he leads me to the bed? Why am I letting him take off my shirt, my bra, my jeans, my panties? Why am I desperately trying to get his belt off?
‘Oh God,’ I moan as he sinks into me.
