Page 69 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

“Shampoo, too.”

“This party’s gonna be lit,” I say, squeezing his hand.

“Damn right, it is.”

The morning sun casts a golden glow on the tall trunks of the evergreens that surround us.Bright-green leaves are popping out on the springtime birch and aspen.The breeze hits the towering pine branches, and they sway gently, creating a dance of light and shadow on the forest floor.

I take a deep breath of the crisp air.I inhale the scent of pine and wildflowers.And enjoy the rest of the hike.

Until the uphill climb comes to an end and we crest the top of the ridge.I thought that the cabin sat at the pinnacle of the mountain.Looks like I was wrong.

When we stop, I look down at the world stretched out before us.The colossal, craggy Sierra Nevadas rising to the west are covered in deep snow.They contrast with the neon green of the spring grazing land below.

As I learned from Special K’s handy-dandy map, most of what I’m looking at belongs to the MacLaines.It’s shocking that one family can own a good chunk of an entire state.

“Right down there,” he says, pointing.

The sound of rushing water grows louder as we approach a bend in the trail, and soon I can see what he’s pointing at.It’s a bubbling creek, the water flashing in the sun as it tumbles over smooth, time-worn rocks.

The stream ends in a beautiful waterfall, something I didn’t expect.“Hey!You said you didn’t have waterfalls on Yosemite Ranch!”

“I said we didn’t havehugewaterfalls.Come on.Lean on my shoulders on the trip down, okay?It’s really steep.”

It takes about ten more minutes to make our way down through the brambles and rocks.MacLaine is right—it’s basically a straight drop-off.I lean into the sturdiness of his shoulders, knowing without a doubt that Pussy and I are safe with him.

We arrive at a hidden pool at the base of the waterfall.Steam rises from the crystal-clear surface of the water, and we’re surrounded by vibrant ferns and moss-covered boulders.The mountain views are spectacular.

“Holy shit,” I say.

“Exactly,” he says with a grin.“I figured you might like it.

“So, the waterfall is cold, but the pool is hot?”

“Yep.Geothermal heating.”He carefully removes the pack from his back and sets it on a flat rock.Pussy’s eyes dart nervously to me during the brief transition.

“The water’s for us, not you,” I tell her.“You’re just here so that we can keep an eye on your crazy ass.”I lift her out and make sure her harness is snug, then I tie her leash to a thick branch of a nearby bush.She’ll have some room to roam but not enough freedom to make a hors d’oeuvre out of herself again.

I finish securing Pussy and straighten.Special K’s right here, not an inch away from me.He brings his fingertips to the side of my cheek and slides them along the ledge of my jaw.His hand rests against the curve of my neck.

“You should get naked, Boots.”

“Seems I often end up naked with you.”

“I know.I like it that way.”

“Fine.I’ll get naked if you get naked.”

“Deal.”

“Then let’s see who can get naked first, cowboy.Three, two, one…”

Clothes and boots go flying as the sound of our laughter echoes through the trees.I splash into the water about two seconds before Special K does.He jumps in and swims right up to me, grabbing me around my waist and pulling me tight against him.

“You beat me, Boots.”

“I did.”

His smile softens.Drops of water fall from his curls and race down the masculine planes of his cheeks.The dark blond hairs of his unshaven chin sparkle in the light as his grip on me loosens.