“I should probably check my emails and make sure I haven’t missed anything. The guys have been handling the outreach and fundraising efforts but I don’t feel like I am carrying my weight.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been distracting you.”
“You’re the best distraction there is. It’s worth it.”
“Watch your step.” I call over my shoulder, making my way to the trailhead at Big Rock Falls. The trail is narrow and almost straight down. We’ve gone on several hikes during our time in Belize. Ivory has gotten better over time and her stamina has drastically improved since that first hike where she accused me of trying to kill her.
We’ve been working out every day together too. Between the actual exercise and the exercise tangled in the sheets, on the counter, or in the shower, we have cardio covered. Ivory follows behind me on the trail as we navigate the incline, tree branches, roots, and rocks.
“Here you go again carting me off into the woods to have your wicked way with me.” The teasing brings a smile to my lips.
“Only if you’re lucky.” A thought takes root in my mind. We can’t trespass into some caves today but maybe we can do something else.
Eventually we reach a rickety staircase leaning down a particularly steep incline. I reach for Ivory’s hand as I start down the stairs, holding the railing with the other. Ivory doesn’t hesitate to place her palm into mine. The familiar spark tingles when our skin meets. I wonder if this feeling will ever change or go away. I hope not. The falls come into view when we reach the platformat the bottom of the flight of stairs where they turn at an angle and continue down.
“Holy shit,” Ivory breathes out from beside me.
“That’s one way to put it.” From this height, we can see the entirety of the falls. The massive waterfall flows down the wall in one corner. Tall rock walls surround it on all but one side. Huge boulders litter the area and peek out of the large pool carved into the earth at the base of the waterfall. The water is clear and tinted a bluish green color. Cliffs jut out from the surrounding rock walls making me wonder if it is safe to cliff jump here. I’ll have to test out the depth of the pool when we get down there.
“It looks like we’re about halfway. Let’s go.” Ivory bounces on her toes pulling on my hand as she begins down the remaining stairs. Excitement is brimming out of her.
“Hold up, Hollywood. Don’t hurt yourself.” Repositioning us so I am in the lead again, I keep hold of her hand as we move off the stairs and back to the dirt path. Finally reaching the end of the trail, we stop and take it all in. The rocks are even bigger up close and continue down the creek.
Coming to a large rock overlooking the pool below, I set our pack down. Ivory pauses beside me drinking her water so I pull mine out and rehydrate from the exertion.
“This was definitely worth it.” The waterfall is easily a hundred and fifty feet tall. With the way the creek bed is formed, the water hits the rocks creating mini rapids before it collects in the pool.
“How should we get in?” Ivory surveys the area while lowering her shorts. I’m distracted as she bends over giving me the perfect view of her peachy ass. The bottoms don’t cover all over her globes so I can see a good chunk of her cheeks peeking out. When she bends further to take her shoes off, I get a small glimpse of her covered pussy. She’s teasing me and she doesn’t even know it. Or maybe she does if that glance over her shoulder says anything. “Maybe I should push you in to cool you off,” she taunts.
Two can play that game. Reaching over my head with one arm, I grip the back of my shirt in my hand and pull it over my head in that way I know drives her insane. The action knocks my hat off my head so after dropping my shirt onto the bag, I reposition the hat on my head, turning it backwards. Looking back at Ivory, I know the move worked. Her green eyes are molten as she takes in my body. Peering over the edge, the water looks pretty deep from this height. Jumping might not be a bad idea.
“Have you ever been cliff jumping, Hollywood?” Ivory shakes her head like she’s coming out of a daze. My lips pull up into a smirk at the knowledge that she is as wild for me as I am for her. She whips her top off and I almost swallow my tongue. Her full tits are pressed together in the halter top creating the most impressive cleavage I have ever seen. Her bare abdomen is starting to show cuts from all her effort during our workouts. She’s sexy as sin. I’m hoping there is an alcove somewhere I can fuck her brains out before we leave. I’m not going to last all day with her looking like that and her eyes lighting a fire with each sweep.
“Jump off a perfectly good cliff? Nope, sure haven’t.”
“You’re the one that mentioned pushing me in to cool off. I’m thinking you need to cool off too.” I lunge for her then pull her up against me by the waist.
“Preston, don’t you dare throw me off this cliff.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Feigning innocence, I secure my arms around her and walk us to a safe jumping point. “We are going to jump together.” Ivory looks at me like I’m crazy. “Relax, it's perfectly safe. We are close enough to the water that we won’t go too deep and even if we did, it is deep enough.” She looks over the edge like she might throw up.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I wouldn’t put you at risk. It’s clear here,” I say gesturing to the spot in the water I plan for us to jump. It’s free of rocks so we have a clear path into the water. Looking back ather, I’m overcome by how beautiful she is—inside and out. Her physical beauty doesn’t hold a candle to the beauty in her soul. Her heart is pure. Her mind is curious. Ivory’s self-discovery and willingness to jump head first into our adventures.
Stepping up to the edge I face the water and reach my hand out to Ivory, “Take the leap with me?” And I mean more than just off the cliff.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Ivory
I stare at Preston’s hand where he holds it out to me waiting for me to take it. His calloused palm faces the sky. His wrists leading to strong corded forearms. Preston’s biceps have a slight bulge to them. He’s not bulky in his muscles but he is strong and fit. I imagine him using those muscles to swing a bat with such force that it drives the ball out of the park.
It strikes me then that I want to see him play. In person. Cheering him on. As his girlfriend or partner or his person. Whatever label we decide to put on this when we go home. Something about his tone tells me he isn’t just asking me to jump with him off this rock and into this pool.
Meeting his eyes, I see it all there. The vulnerability. The affection. The love. The plea. He’s asking me to take the leap of faith with him. To jump fully into this relationship with him. I’m helpless to resist him. More importantly, I don’t want to. I’m ready. I’ve held back for too long. Our time is running out and I refuse to let this pass me by because I’m too scared to commit. Too afraid to admit my feelings not only to him but to myself.
My steps are small but they are sure. The closer I get, Preston's smile grows. My palm meets his and the spark goesstraight to my heart. It feels like my heart has been revived. Like I've been walking around with my heart half beating in my chest.
