Page 49 of Two Sides of Sin

“Fine,” I sighed, dropping my shoulders. “But you pick. Since you’re the one kidnapping me… you deal with the logistics.”

We’d been driving for what felt like forever. The familiar outskirts of town had long since vanished, replaced by winding backroads and dense tunnels of trees.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” I asked.

“Be patient,” Julian replied.

I let out a sharp, irritated breath, pressing my forehead against the glass. I needed to put up a wall. I needed to project a cold indifference, because beneath the surface, my pulse was thrashing with a frantic anticipation.

Like he was reading my thoughts, he shifted in his seat and the sudden, suffocating heat of his hand clamped down on my thigh. His palm was territorial, and unyielding. Even through the denim of my shorts, the searing brand of his touch sank straight into my skin underneath.

“Trust me,” he reassured. “It’ll be worth it. I promise.”

I didn't pull away. I couldn't have moved if I tried. I’m screwed and my plan was already up in flames, that took all of thirty seconds. It seems my self control has hit an all time low.

Finally the tires crunched over gravel as the car came to a halt on a road that looked like it led to nowhere.

“We’re here,” Julian announced.

“I don’t remember putting ‘getting lost in the bush and being eaten by leeches’ on my list, Julian,” I said, crossing my arms.

He just chuckled, rounding the car and pulling my door open. He reached in, snagging my hand and dragging me in the direction of a wall of branches. I stumbled after him until a narrow hiking trail revealed itself.

The heat was oppressive. The humidity clung to my skin like a second layer of clothes. I tripped over a protruding root, but Julian’s hand was there instantly, fingers clamping around my upper arm to steady me.

“It’s so hot out here,” I complained.

He stopped. Without a word, he grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it over his head. I watched as the fabric came away to reveal the hard, sculpted lines of his chest and abs. His skin was slicked with sweat and his perfectly tanned skin, was glistened in the sunlight. My eyes lingered longer than they should have on the way the muscles in his arms flexed.

My plan wasn’t just up in flames it was in hell.

“We can cool down when we get there,” he said, his voice dropping an octave as he caught me staring.

We walked for another ten minutes before the sound reached me—a distant, low roar that grew louder with every step. Suddenly, Julian stepped behind me, his large hands covering my eyes.

“Shh. Just walk. I’ve got you.”

He guided me forwards, his chest pressed against my back. I stepped carefully, trusting his feet to lead mine, until he finally came to a halt.

“Open them,” he whispered.

He pulled his hands away, and I gasped. We were standing on a ledge overlooking a hidden piece of paradise. Massive waterfalls cascaded off the cliffs, crashing into a pool so clear I could see the smooth stones at the bottom.

“Julian… this is stunning.”

“Want to go for a swim?”

I looked down at my clothes. “I don’t have any swimmers!”

He leaned in close, lips brushing the sensitive skin of my neck. “You don’t need them to get in the water, June. I’ve seen every part of you.”

Before I could process the invitation, he hoisted me into the air.

“Julian! No!”

I hit the water with a massive splash, the cold shock stealing my breath. I surfaced, gasping. “Julian! You asshole!”

I looked up just in time to see him catch a rope swing. He launched himself out, a wild silhouette against the sky, before hitting the water right next to me. He lunged through the water, grabbing my waist and pulling me flush against his chest. I wrapped my legs around his hips to stay afloat, hands landing on his wet, bare shoulders.