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Falcon’s eyebrows knit together. “What do you mean?”
I chew on my lower lip, weighing my words carefully. “My father has a lot of influence. If he’s upset with me, he might use his connections to cause trouble for RidgeRoam Adventure Tours.”
“Cause trouble, how?”
“I’m not sure. Revoking your permits, for instance.”
He doesn’t utter a word, and I’m afraid to say anything else that could upset him further. Still, I should if I want a chance at a future with him.
“Falcon, I’m sorry. I really am. I should’ve told you all this before heading up the mountain with you. If you had known, you wouldn’t have taken me. I know how much RidgeRoam Adventure Tours means to you.”
His expression darkens, and I can almost see the cogs in his head turning. “That’s true. But you mean more to me, Iris. If your father wants to take out his anger on me, I’ll figure something out to deal with that. What I can’t deal with is having to live without you.”
Falcon’s confession sets my whole body on fire, and my heart beats in my chest like a hamster on steroids.
“I... I don’t know what to say,” I stammer.
He reaches out to gently cup my face, his gaze unwavering as he searches my eyes. “You don't have to say anything, Iris,” he murmurs softly. He traces my cheek with his thumb, turning my pussy into liquid heat. “I needed you to know how I feel.”
With a shaky breath, I put my arms around him. “Falcon, I don’t want to live without you either. And as for my father and his possible influence on your livelihood, we’ll fix it. We’ve already weathered one storm together. I’m sure we can weather another one.”
“We can. Together,” he says.
I nod. “Together.”
His lips brush mine, slow and teasing. He takes my bottom lip between his teeth, but I can’t wait any longer. I need to feel his lips against mine. I press my mouth to his and curl my toes as he kisses me passionately, his mouth hungry for more. Our tongues collide, and my hands shoot up to his strong chest. Around us, the world is silent except for the chirping birds and the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. The scent of the dying campfire tickles my nostrils as Falcon’s hand on my face heats my skin. This must be what people mean when they talk about being in heaven.
I move my hand to the hem of his shirt. My fingers disappear underneath, eager to feel his warm, naked skin against mine.
“Wait,” he says, breaking our magic moment.
Not having his lips on me feels wrong.
“Why?” I protest, trying to kiss him again.
He gives me a tortured look. “Iris, I want you,” he says, his voice almost breaking. “But we have to get going if we want to make it down the mountain before another storm hits. I checked today's weather reports, and it doesn’t bode well for us. I’m not risking your safety again.”
I can see in his eyes that he means it. He’ll protect me from whatever danger gets thrown our way. My heart aches when I release Falcon, but he’s right. We need to get to safety. No matter how hard I long to feel his body on top of mine, that will have to wait.
He busies himself with packing our stuff and the tent while I ensure we adhere to the Leave No Trace principle every self-respecting hiker swears by.
Once everything is packed, Falcon hoists his backpack over his shoulders and takes my hand. He gives me a small nod and an encouraging smile. No words are needed between us. We both know we’re headed back to town, ready to face whatever consequences my running away has caused.
I follow Falcon through the woods and over another river, bracing myself for what’s waiting for us down in the valley.
Chapter Six
Falcon
My walkie-talkie crackles to life about a mile before we arrive back at the car.
“Falcon, you there?”
My brother’s voice echoes through the forest.
“Yeah, I’m here, Titan,” I respond.
“You’re alive and well?”
