The route he takes sends us on a rambling course around the island.There are no beaches or sandy shores, only steep riverbanks that plunge down into the water.
Landslide in summer is as gorgeous as the online reviews said it would be.Sun-dappled ripples lap at the coastal brink, promising refreshing water temperatures and maybe even the occasional shoal of small fish.
Kingfishers dart in and out of the reeds.Herons stalk among the bulrushes.And on the slopes of the hill, well out of the way of forest shadows, wildflowers blow in the breeze.
But it is into the forest shadows where we are heading.Veering off the circle road, I feel Theron increase the revs as we climb the hill.My skin prickles as we move into the shade.That’s the problem with playing in the sun; everything feels chilly afterwards.
He must have felt me shiver.And yet he takes me deeper into the forest.It’s dark and damp; all traces of sunshine are gone.Ugh.
We’ve traveled about as far down the narrow trail as we can go.Realizing this, Theron cuts the engine and lifts the bike onto the stand with one push of his powerful legs.
I’m waiting for him to remove his helmet and show me some sign of the allure that brought me this far, but no.
Lifting me off the seat as if I were a featherweight, Theron puts me down gently.
“Are you coming?”
I stay right where I am.“If there isn’t a sunny spot at the end of this trail, Theron, then no, I’m not coming.”
“You won’t need the sun to be warm, Aila.”For one moment, I think he’s making a romantic statement, but then I realize he’s referring to the fact that I can put on his jacket if I start to feel a chill.
Grrr!His dominance is fucking off the charts!I have been able to pull back my urge for physical intimacy for so long, but my strength is waning.
Again, he seems to order me to follow him without even saying anything.“I promise that you will love it in the end.”
“Such a mystery...Okay, spaceman, lead the way.”
The path is so narrow, Theron has to walk in front of me.The sound of his boots thumping on the mossy track has a mesmerizing quality to it—as does my magnificent view of his ass.Mother Nature was in a good mood when she made this man.I am lulled into a false sense of security.
He stops and seems to look around.Changing direction slightly, the black helmet swivels from side to side “See?Do you like it?”
He stands sideways, letting me push past him, but I’m already on edge after all this suspense.
“This better be goo?—”
It is good.Better than good.In front of me is a grotto.A shallow cave carved into the rock.The moss is thick on the ground and dotted over with the tiny white umbrellas of fungi.Overhead, an impenetrable canopy of tree branches filters the sunlight, turning everything a subtle shade of yellow-green.
Falling to my knees, I crawl into the hollow.Everything is so soft and fragrant.
“I love it.”
Kicking off my sneakers, I pat the space beside me.Since our first conversation at Harry’s Saloon that night, we have been heading towards this moment.Why deny it?
He stands in the shadows, making sure of my invitation.Only when he is positive that I am not about to change my mind does Theron remove his helmet.
I’m glad I came.I’m happier than I have been for a long time.A restless energy begins to build up inside me, bursting for release.
Even though I have never seen his hair under the sunlight, the tawny leonine colors bring me life.The way he sweeps the tangled mess back before unzipping his jacket while never taking his eyes off me makes the heat rise in my blood.He’s brooding and feral.And I am all alone in the forest with him.I doubt if anyone even knows I’m here.
The danger gives my sexual appetite a twist.Crazy as it sounds to be turned on by the risk, it is true all the same.
“I think you were born for danger, Aila.”His teeth glow white in the shade.Hooking the back of his t-shirt in one hand, Theron pulls it over his head.
I must hold my breath to stop myself from reaching for him.The desperate longing that surges through me at the sight of his hard flesh is intense.Hopping from one foot to the other as he removes his boots and socks, Theron teases me.
“Am I the only one giving a striptease here?Come on, darlin’.Throw a dog a bone.”
Kneeling, I unbutton my cut-off jeans and pull them down.It’s just me, my panties, and a tank top.“Now you again.”
