She’s about to jump into the sparkling water when she gasps, pointing toward a rock on our left. “The third duck, Milo!”
I look over to see the final duck sitting on the edge of a rock. It’s wearing a bathing suit and vibrant orange sunglasses. Sienna carefully maneuvers over there to grab it before peeling the note from its beak and reading it out theatrically.
“Congratulations on finding the final duck! It’s been aswimmingtime playing with you. Good luck on your next squares—if you have any more to complete. Have aquackingtime!”
She’s next to me within seconds, and after taking the required photo, she doesn’t hesitate in running toward the edge of the pool with open arms.
“Come on!” she shouts, jumping in with a huge splash. She surfaces a second later, hair plastered to her face, grinning so wide it makes something in my chest tighten. “The water is perfect!”
I stand at the edge for a moment, just watching her.
Sienna’s laughing as she stands under the small waterfall, her head tilted back, letting the water cascade over her. Droplets catch the sunlight on her skin like scattered diamonds, and her smile—bright, reckless, completely unguarded—hits me square in the chest. Something tightens there, sharp and sweet at once.
This woman.
Six days.
That’s all it’s been.
Six days and she’s already torn through every careful rule I thought I had. I should be focused on the fact that we’re stranded. That we have no signal. That we could still be here when the sun sets.
Instead, all I can think about is how I’ve never seen anyone more alive than she is right now… and how badly I don’t want this day to end.
She turns toward me, pushing wet curls off her face, her eyes sparkling with pure mischief. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you coming in?”
I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. “Just enjoying the view. It’s beautiful.”
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look away. “Are you flirting with me, Milo Reyes?”
I tilt my head to the side, holding her gaze. “And so what if I am, Sienna Harlow?”
She smirks, biting her lip like she’s tryingandfailing to hide how much she likes it. “Then I say come in here and flirt with me properly.”
God fucking help me.
I’m in so much trouble.
I spot a hidden alcove behind the main fall—a small, dry ledge shielded by the curtain of water. I carry our things there, spread out the fluffy red throw from the picnic basket, then strip off my shirt and jump in after her.
The cold is a shock after the jungle heat. I surface right in front of her. She’s laughing so hard her dimples show. Before she can say anything, I scoop up a handful of water and splash her square in the face.
She shrieks, then retaliates with both hands, sending a massive wave at me. We’re laughing like idiots, splashing each other in the middle of a hidden jungle waterfall, the roar of the water drowning out everything else.
For a moment, being stranded doesn’t feel like a problem.
It feels like the best thing that’s happened all week.
And as Sienna swims closer, her eyes bright and smile unguarded, I realize I don’t want to be rescued anytime soon.
Chapter Twenty
Sienna
I’m floatingon my back in the middle of the turquoise pool, eyes half-closed, letting the cool water cradle me as the waterfall’s roar fills my head.
For the first time today, my constant restless energy has quieted to a gentle hum. I feel weightless. Free. Like this hidden spot carved out its own little world just for us.
Then a huge splash hits me square in the face.
