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She licks her lips. “I don’t mind at all.”
She shuffles closer, and I wrap her in my arms.
“This feels so right,” she says with a content sigh.
Her head leans against my chest, and I can’t help but smile like a goof. I knew I was right all along. Right here in my arms is exactly where Iris belongs. Finding her behind my kayaks wasn’t a coincidence. It was fate bringing us together.
And now that I’ve found her, I’m never letting her go.
Chapter Five
Iris
I wake up after a restless night of sleep, the spot next to me empty. Falcon is probably out doing… I don’t know. Whatever mountain men do, I guess?
After the storm died down, Falcon inflated a sleeping pad for me and gave me his sleeping bag. I wanted to stay awake and talk to him, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I guess running away from my wedding and hiking up a mountain all in one day was too much to bear.
Despite my exhaustion, I woke up numerous times. Falcon and I were lying so close together that I could feel the warmth of his body against my leg or arm, depending on how I positioned myself. It took every shred of willpower I had not to crawl closer to him. Or on top of him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, which is part of why I slept so badly.
The other reason was my mind constantly drifting back to yesterday’s whirlwind of emotions and realizations. I had to admit to myself that I never truly loved Joshua. I tried to so I could please my mother, who is never happy with anything I do. But then I met Falcon and was surprised by the instant connection with him.
Last night, I couldn’t stop mulling over the idea of carving my own path instead of doing what’s expected of me. I’m in my mid-twenties. Isn’t it time I stop seeking approval from my parents and make myself happy? Because I’m pretty miserable living the life they want me to live.
I sigh. I don’t know what I should do, but I do know one thing—I don’t want to lose Falcon. Not that he’s mine to lose. I want to be with him, though. I never felt happier when he wrapped me in his arms during the storm yesterday. He makes me feel whole. It’s like he’s the missing part I’ve been searching for my entire life.
I yawn and decide to get up instead of thinking the day away. I unzip the tent and am treated to the sight of Falcon stoking a fire. The smell of freshly baked eggs wafts in my direction, and I suddenly realize how hungry I am.
He turns and gives me a heart-stopping smile. Fuck. He stirs something inside me that I want to experience every day of my life. Do I have to return to my old life and sort things out? Why can’t we stay here forever?
“Good morning. How did you sleep?” he asks.
“So-so,” I answer, stretching out the stiffness in my limbs.
“Nothing a good breakfast can’t fix,” he says with a grin.
It’s insane how active he is at this hour. I don’t have a watch, but the sun is barely peeking through the trees, so it must still be early.
He grabs a mug, fills it with coffee, and scoops the sizzling-hot eggs onto a plate for me. “Here you go.”
“Wow. You made all this on a campfire?”
He laughs. “It’s easy. Trust me. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want it any other way. There’s something about cooking outdoors that makes everything taste better.”
“I bet part of it is the view.”
I cradle my cup of coffee and look around. Yesterday, in the storm, I didn’t get the chance to take in our surroundings. It’s gorgeous out here.
“It sure is.”
“What’s the plan for today?” I ask, hoping he’ll say we’ll keep hiking for the next month or so, even though I realize that’s not going to happen.
“We should get back down the mountain. I didn’t bring enough supplies to extend our trip, and I don’t want my brothers to worry about me.”
“Oh, okay.”
“You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”
I smile at him. “It’s okay. I have to face the music at some point. Let’s hope my father doesn’t throw a fit. He’s a politician with friends in high places. I wouldn’t want him to take his anger out on you if he finds out you helped me run away.”
