Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
One article suggested Z was taking advantage of me. They sensationalized the forbidden aspect of our relationship, intentionally leaving out that his position in The Firm was withdrawn and that he isn’t in charge of my care … at least not legally. That particular article prompted this drive. I didn’t expect to love it so much. The peace and quiet. The normalcy of it all.
“What was your life like before me?”
Z glances at me for a moment, then looks back to the road. The trees whip by as we round the corner, making our way up the side of the mountain. “Hectic, always changing.” He clears his throat and readjusts his hands on the wheel. “We had jobs back-to-back. I was constantly on one side of the country and then the other. Nothing was ever settled.”
I cock a brow and joke, “So you feel like you’re settling?”
His first glance carries concern until he sees my smile. “I feel myself wanting to maybe settle down … for the first time,” he clarifies and glances my way. Gauging my expression.
“Shocked to hear that?” he questions with a smirk. My brow is raised, I know that much but I didn’t think I was giving so much away.
“Just … hearing you talk about settling down is new. That’s something we haven’t really talked about.”
“Do you want to?” he asks.
I want him to tell me how it will happen and then make it my reality. I want it to just be. I want us to just be. That’s not what I say, though.
“I’m not sure how that can happen with a tail,” I comment and gesture behind us.
He groans, relaxing into his seat. “I could gun it,” he jokes and at that very moment, I perk up instantly.
“What?” Z notices and I ease the worry in his tone.
“That spot. Go up and to the right,” I direct him, patting his arm and doing what I can to contain my excitement.
I recognize everything about this place. The row of trees, the way they disappear and the sharp drop-off that is just on the other side through the rocky climb.
Nostalgia wraps around me and, in a rarity these days, it makes me smile to remember these times.
“Back in my late teens we’d come up here. Park the car,” I tell him and the moment his hand is on the gearshift I unbuckle my seat belt and climb out. The brisk air of the mountains is colder than I expected. We’re at a higher elevation than back at the house.
“Where are you going?” Z calls out, his door closing with a thud and then he jogs around the front of his car, chasing after me.
I head toward a small bit of brush by the edge of the cliff and it’s almost exactly how I remember. My gait is measured but I can’t contain this excitement. As Z stops by my side, I’m vaguely aware that Silas parks behind our car.
“What are you up to?” Z questions with a knitted brow but a barely contained smile that must match mine. As I pull my jacket tighter, Z rests an arm around my shoulders and I lean into him.
“Can’t you hear it?” I ask him as the rushing water gets louder and louder. Even the fresh smell is memorable. Everything about this place is just the same as I remember.
“A waterfall?” he says, keeping pace with me as I lead him toward the summit of the cliff.
“They would never catch us here.” I slip out of his grip to get closer to the edge, the footpath becoming more rock than brush.
“Who are they?” he questions as the trees become sparse and more of the waterfall can be seen. At the top, looking over, it’s breathtaking. I remember the feeling of being here, but my memory could never do justice to the actual sight, which is stunning.
I turn to face him but keep walking and say, “Anyone and everyone. It’s our safe place.” Almost comically, I nearly trip on the last statement, and catch myself before tumbling forward.
With a firm grasp, Z pulls me closer to him. There’s still a good ten feet of nearly flat rock till the edge, but he acts like I could have fallen over.
“Ella,” he says, practically reprimanding me and I laugh in response.
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” I try to shake him off but he’s adamant.
“It’s dangerous,” Zander tells me in a low tone and I know not to push him much.
“Not with you here,” I say and take another step forward, but he holds my elbow just enough to keep me from going toward the edge of the waterfall.
The water is gorgeous. The rushing waves reflect the sunlight and everything about this place is peaceful. The white noise, the fresh atmosphere, and the clean yet woodsy smells in the cool air.