Today, it’s all about hiking, something I haven’t done in ages. Rhys and I got up and out of the house early, and after a quick breakfast at Molly Ds, we headed to Humility Trail. It’s an easy path, a relaxed one, that cuts through the dense woods just outside Harley Cove. Leisurely. I’ve walked it a thousand times over the years, always alone. It’s nice to have company this time.
No, it’s nice to make the hour-long trek with Rhys,specifically.
He’s in a better mood this morning, leaving yesterday’s frustration behind. The best part? The trail ends at one of the prettiest waterfalls in Pennsylvania. We began the trek quietly, walking with a bit of distance between us, but with each yard traveled, we moved inward toward each other. Talked a little more until we bump into each other now and then, and we’re having a lively chat about why villains are better than heroes.
Obviously, we agree.
Rhys is simply curious why I like the monsters over the good guys.
“I can’t help it if movies and books usually give the villains a better backstory,” I tell him. “They make them…juicer. People you want to bite into.” When I give him the old side-eye, I see he’s givingmethat infernal single lifted brow. “Come on, you know what I mean. The bad guys are fun. They’re always the more interesting characters. They’re tragic and beautiful and…” I let my sentence trail off as I leap over a big fallen branch. Then I shrug. “A villain will never let mortality get in the way of love. He’ll do anything for his women, even if it means burning the entire world to the ground. Now, a hero, he’ll do the ‘right’ thing, the so-called moral thing, every time, even if it means sacrificing his lady love. And therein lies the hero’s fatal design flaw. That’s why most women will choose the villain over the hero every time, all the time.”
“And that’s why you wanted me.”
Again, I shrug. “I don’t expect you to choose me over everything or anything at all.” When I glance at Rhys, I’m glad he’s focused on the stunning scenery, not on me, because I’m sure my cheeks are flushed red. And it has nothing to do with the wet heat of the humid morning and everything to do with how he touchesme and kisses me. “I never expected you to be real, remember? I thought the app was just a silly build-a-book-boyfriend thing. Something to pass the time because I was bored. I never expected you to show up knocking on my front door.”
His voice is soft and warmer than the sun filtering through the thick canopy of trees when he asks, “Do you regret that I’m here?”
Rhys Ravenstone suddenly sounds like a man hankering for reassurance. How wild since he confidently struts around butt-ass naked with his big ol’ pierced dick flapping in the breeze.
“No, Rhys, I don’t regret you’re here.” With a sheepish grin, I give him a little hip check. “In fact, I’m glad I didn’t choose anyone but you.”
He’s not grinning back. In fact, he looks deadly serious. “If I…” He pauses as if measuring his next words carefully. “If we had forever, I would never be your fucking hero.”
Threading my fingers with his, I give his hand a squeeze. “I know.”
“And not because you made me this way.”
“I know that, too,” I whisper, my voice so soft it nearly carries away on the breeze.
Rhys keeps a firm grip on my hand as we stroll along the path, passing trickling streams and stepping around dead branches. He helps me over more than a few big rocks that I definitely don’t need help climbing, but I love it when he puts those powerful hands on me, so nope, there’s no way I’m protesting his assistance. Whenever I see an animal, I point it out to him and quickly learn that the smaller the creature, the more he likes them.
Seems my giant man has a tender spot for tiny things.
No wonder why he likes me. The top of my head barely reaches his chin.
Eventually, the heat and humidity get to me, and I slow to a practical crawl. “Thirsty?”
“I could use a drink.”
We’re nearly at the waterfall, but dehydration is deadly. Resting under a tree, I cop a squat and pat the ground. “Sit.”
Rhys, looking damn fine in gray swim shorts and a white tank (I forbade him to wear black today), shrugs off the backpack. He drops in front of me, steepling his legs and resting his arms on his knees. I dig out two water bottles and hand him one. I swear to God, water never tasted so good or felt so refreshing going down.
“Have you ever lived anywhere other than Harley Cove?”
I shake my head and gaze at the towering maples, oaks, beeches, and hickories. “Nope, never, and I’ve only been on one vacation, my honeymoon, right after Jason and I got married.” Releasing a dreamy sigh, I collect a handful of leaves and let them drop back to the ground. “I honestly never could imagine living anywhere else. These mountains are home. I love the slow way of life, the people, and the beauty of the changing seasons. Everything. Maybe not the brutal winters so much, but I guess I got used to that little bit of bad that goes with all this splendor.” I stretch my arms and gesture around us.
Rhys slowly drags his gaze from me to the forest, taking in the magnificence of the rich greens and browns surrounding us. He listens to the tranquil quiet, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant cry of a bird. “It is beautiful here, Charlotte.”
I slap his hand. “Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet. You just wait.” I pop to my feet. “Come on. I’m going to show you Heaven.”
Rhys mumbles something as he slides the backpack on, and although I’m not exactly sure what he said, it sounds suspiciously like, “You already have.”
*
I don’t know what’s more glorious, Doyle Drop Waterfall or Rhys, shirtless, standing in the waist-high plunge pool. The shadowy rays of the filtered sunlight cast diamond-like sparkles across the calm, crystalline water, with the crashing water thunderous music that’s grown as familiar to me as my favorite songs. I always came here when I was a teenager to get away from…everything. I’d sneak off and sit here and watch the falls for hours, mesmerized, the roar drowning out my turbulent thoughts. The beauty reminded me that the world isn’t so ugly after all. But life (Jason) got in the way, and this is the first time I’ve been here in a decade.
And I get to enjoy my most private—and sacred—spot in all the world with Rhys.
