“They want to know where you are and what you’ve been up to right? Otherwise, they are going to make stuff up.”
“Right?”
“Is social media enough? Or do you have to actually release a public statement through Taylor?” Now, I know where he’s going with this.
“Give them what they want but do it on my terms.” It’s a great idea.
“Exactly. Post a story or a picture. Show your face or don’t show your face.”
“It’s brilliant. I don’t even have to tag where I am or what exactly I’m doing.”
“Just enough to get them off your back. If you want to do more, do more. You’ve been documenting our adventures. Share them. Let them know who you are outside of Hollywood.”
“Doesn’t that invite them in even more?”
“Yes, but isn’t it better to be the one to control the narrative? To them, you’re Hollywood’s Sweetheart. Give them a glimpse of the woman I know.”
“And who is it that you know?”
“The real you. The one behind the camera. Uncensored. Unfiltered. Raw. Fun. Hilarious. Wickedly smart. Hugely compassionate. You, Ives.”
Take my heart now. It’s yours.
“Would you be okay with that? If I showed them our pictures?”
“I’d happily let you claim me to the outside world.” Preston cups my face in both hands. “I told you. I’m here. I’m ready. I’m waiting. Just give me the word and I’ll jump with you.”
Closing my eyes, I let his words sink in. I know he means it. I believe him. More importantly, I trust him. If he says he’s ready to walk this battlefield with me, he is. And he’s strong enough todo it too. I have to be willing to put it all out there. To lay my personal life on the line for the masses to dissect. I’ve done it before and it didn’t end well. That’s why I am so guarded and hesitant now.
Taking a minute to center myself, I shoot off a text to Tay who has been blowing up my phone since I stopped responding. I don’t even read her texts. I type out a new one.
IVORY
I’ll make a statement. But I’m doing it my own way. On my own terms.
Then I switch my phone to Do Not Disturb, and say, “Let’s go on an adventure.”
I’ve come to love our hikes and time in nature. It’s such a change from the studio and city life, but it feels right in my soul. Especially with Preston by my side.
We spend the short drive jamming out to music with the top off the Jeep. Preston holds my hand on his lap in one hand and the other slung over the wheel singing as loud as me. The hiking trail is off the beaten path but isn’t far from our rental so it’s not long before we arrive at the trailhead. Preston holds my hand as we navigate over large boulders the closer we get to the falls.
“Wow,” I breathe out at the view around us once we reach the bottom of the trail. The waterfall is massive; the rush of water loud as it crashes around us. The fall itself is sitting center stage, easily over one hundred feet tall. The forest crowds around us so it looks like we are in the bottom of a bowl. The mixture of green blanketing the perimeter. The waterfall takes up one entire side. Crisp white water descending from the rocks protruding from the earth.
“Want to go for a swim?” The angles of the water carve into the rock formation as it descends into a small pool at the base. Rocks jut up from the basin. The water reflects the greens of thejungle giving it an almost turquoise color. Preston moves towards some larger rocks at the edge of the pool to set his pack down.
When I bend to slide my shorts down my legs, Preston’s eyes lock on my full breast in the halter swimsuit top I am wearing. The girls sit high on my chest in this one, and I’m happy for it as his eyes darken with lust. I slowly slide the shorts over my hips. Reaching my thighs, I hinge forward wiggling my ass. His eyes quickly fall to the source of movement. I look over my shoulder to find him biting his lower lip as he stares at my ass. Finally kicking off the shorts and toeing off my sneakers, I turn to see him stripping off his shirt. He does the one handed pull thing from the back of his neck. That move is always so hot.
My eyes are immediately drawn to his toned and carved abdomen. The small smattering of hair trails down to his black gym shorts resting low on his hips. Continuing the downward path, my eyes snag on the bulge in his shorts. Preston’s toned thighs peek out from the bottom of his shorts above his knee leading down to cut calves. Reaching the black sneakers that adorn his feet, I retrace my eyes back up his body. Preston flexes his pecs when I reach his chest. My eyes jump to his and am met with a blazing blue fire. He’s got a cocky smirk on his lips as he leans on the tall rock behind him.
“Are you done checking me out now?” The backwards hat on his head seals the deal. I don’t think I’ll ever be done checking him out.
“Like you’re any better.” I lean in close sticking my tongue out at him, my hands meeting his thighs. He throws his head back with a deep laugh, bringing a smile to my face. Preston reaches out and frames my face with his hands. It was my new favorite hold.
“You’re my favorite view.” He brings my face close to his. The kiss is sweet and soft but butterflies still spark in my stomach. I relax into the kiss, letting Preston control the tempo and the angle. When he pulls away, he kisses my forehead. He alwayskisses my forehead. Even before we crossed the line, he would do it.
“Take a picture with me?” My voice sounds breathless to my ears. His face gives nothing away except the raised eyebrow close to his hairline likely thinking about our conversation this morning.
Grabbing the phone out of his hand, I turn and lean back into his chest. With him still in a half seated position against the rock, the angle makes us to the same height. Preston’s left hand grips my hip. His right arm loops around my chest bringing me flush against him. I hold the phone up, fitting both us and the waterfall in the frame. After taking a few quick pictures as we smile at the camera, he looks down at me with a tenderness in his eyes that speaks of how much he cares. I keep snapping pictures so I don’t miss this sweet moment.
