3
JENNA
”How on earth did you talk me into doing this?” My breathing is labored as I trek up the steep rocks behind Cole.
“Quit your complaining, Olsen, and get up here.” Cole turns back to look at me, and that smile he gives me makes my heart do a double skip.
Seriously? What iswrongwith me?
I shouldn’t be having that kind of reaction, or any reaction for that matter, around Cole. His sister is my best friend. Emma would disown me if she knew how my body was forsaking me in his presence. The skip of my heart? I can handle that with no problem. My stomach fluttering? Easy peasy. But the aching low in my abdomen and between my legs?Yeah.That’s a little harder to ignore.
I never realized how insanely hot Cole Sullivan was until now. Or how attracted I seem to be to him. When he stood up this morning in nothing but those tight shorts?Goodnessgracious. I got an eyeful that I most certainly hadn’t planned on but was more than grateful for. His chest, his abs, his arms—every inch of him was toned and firm. The man is incredibly built and it makes me wonder: How did I not notice this before?
“We’re almost there,” Cole tells me, and I graciously accept his outstretched hand so he can help me with the climb.
“Good, because I’m exhausted.” Ipantand let him guide me over rocks and through the small brush. “What trail did you pick? Expert level?”
Cole laughs as we make itto flatland and head down a path. “We’re not on a trail, Jen.”
Well,that explains a lot.
I’m miserable at this point, and the only thing keeping me going is the bet Cole and I made before we left the house. If I don’t enjoy myself today, he has to cook me dinner or vice versa. He’d better know his way around the kitchen because the odds are totally in my favor right now.
As I’m in my moment of misery, the sound of running water catches my attention and I’m instantly intrigued.
“We’re here,” Cole announces, and he turns to me with an expectant look. “What do you think? Worth it?”
My jaw falls slack as I take in my surroundings. “Cole, it’s …” I have no words. The view before me is absolutely breathtaking. Secluded in this little nook of nature is the most amazing waterfall I’ve ever seen—the only waterfall I’ve ever seen, actually.
“This is my favorite place in the world,” Cole says as he approaches me. “It’s my peaceful getaway.”
“I can see why.” My voice is soft as I glance up at Cole. He truly does seem at peace, and the look on his face tugs at my heart. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
His gaze meets mine then, and the corner of his mouth lifts into a sweet grin. “Do you want to stay for a while?”
“I’d love to,” I tell him, and we find a spot to rest. Bracing my hands against the rocky ground, I lean my face to the sun and let its warmth sink into my skin. When I open my eyes, Cole looks overatme and smiles. “Did you and Emma come here a lot as kids?” I ask.
“No,” Cole replies with a shake of his head as he reaches for a pebble sitting next to him. “No one knows about this place except me. Well, at least I think no one else knows.” He draws his arm back and sends the flat pebble skittering across the top of the water. “I use to come up here to think, or to just clear my head when I needed to get away from the rest of the world.”
“This would definitely be a good place to hide away,” I agree and chew on the corner of my mouth as I contemplate asking him what I’ve been dying to ask him since last night. I ultimately decide to not beat around the bush and just go for it. “Where’ve you been, Cole?”
He reaches for another pebble but pauses before sending it to follow the other. “A lot of places,” he answers me, his tone flat and dull, as he keeps his focus on the cascading water in front of us—and I realize he’s not going to elaborate.
“Traveling sounds nice,” I say, not wanting to push the issue right now, and reach for one of the pebbles, rolling it around in my palm. “I keep saying one of these days I’m going to get off the East Coast and see the world.”
“You should,” Cole says with a far off look. “Life’s too short to take for granted.”
“True,” I softly agree and toss my tiny rock toward the water where it immediately sinks. Darn, I didn’t get a single hop.
“That,” he says and turns to face me, “was horrible.” Cole laughs and stands up, reaching for my hands and pulls me up as well. “You’ve got to use the flat ones, like this.” Reaching down he takes one of the pebbles and places it in my hand. He then moves behind me, his fingers grazing over my arm to my hand causes my skin to break out in gooseflesh. “Pull back like this …” His other hand falls to my hip, and my breath catches. “And then you just …” With one smooth motion, my arm swings around and sends the pebble hopping across the top of the water.
“Did you see that?” I squeal as I jump from excitement and point at my accomplishment. “Seven skips! I beat you!”
“That doesn’t count. I helped you.” Cole laughs and shakes his head at my ridiculous celebratory dance.
“Oh whatever,” I tell him, gently shoving at his shoulder. “I beat you and you know it.”
“All right, I’ll let you have this one since I won our bet,” he says with a grin, and I shoot him a challenging look. “Don’t even try to act like you didn’t have fun today.”
I pinch my lips and attempt to fight my smirk, but it doesn’t work. “Fine, you got me,” I tell him. “But you’re going to have to carry me down this mountain if you plan on eating before midnight.”
