Lime Tree Hill (A Reluctant Kiss #1)

26. Waterfall in Moon Shadow

26

WATERFALL IN MOON SHADOW

After picking up Tayla’s suitcase and dropping off a crate of limes at a local café, they headed out of town along the Eastern Pacific Highway just after nine. In contrast to their dinner conversation, when Mitch had questioned Tayla about her father and her stay in Auckland, they drove in silence until they reached the billboard.

“I see you’re still up in lights.”

“Yeah, I wish they’d take the darn thing down. I can’t believe the flak I’m getting because of it.”

“Well, it does catch your eye.”

He chuckled, sending her a sideways glance. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought you’d dare look.”

“Not at you, obviously, but the other three are worth a quick peek.”

“That’s not very nice. Make you blush, do I?”

“In your dreams. Tim did a great job of photoshopping in those abs though.”

He huffed. “Listen to you. You’re getting your spark back.”

“I have no idea what you mean. But while I’m in this supposed ‘ spark zone,’ why did you move my clothes? Couldn’t you just tell CeCe I use the spare room as my dressing room?”

“My loft’s too small for you to have your own dressing room, Princess. And I’ve had several overnight visitors while you’ve been away. Also, I didn’t move them, Valentina did. I thought rummaging around in your panty drawer might be a bit weird.”

Princess? Flicking a glance his way, Tayla caught his smile. It seemed he found her embarrassment amusing. She looked out the side window, the thought of a pair of her lacy panties dangling from his index finger making her cheeks impossibly hot.

“Have you ever seen the falls under a full moon?” he asked.

“No, never.” Tayla frowned as Mitch passed the Lime Tree Hill sign.

“Let’s do it. It’s only a fifteen-minute drive.”

“Won’t CeCe be worried?”

“We’re not kids, Tayla. We could stay out all night and sleep under the stars, and she wouldn’t bat an eye.”

“Of course, it’s just…”

“Besides, Luka said he might try to catch up with her tonight. I want to give them some space.”

“Luka? I got the impression she disliked him.”

“Yeah. There’s gallons of water flowing under that shaky bridge.” He chuckled. “But it’s not my tale to tell. I’m sure she’ll fill you in at some point.”

As they drove farther inland, Tayla tracked the moon, wondering if Luka was the guy from CeCe’s meet-cute story. Because Luka—with his warm smile, streaked blond hair, and olive skin—was definitely cute.

They pulled into an off-road parking spot near the track leading to the swing bridge. Mitch took two small headlamps from the glove compartment and handed one to her. While she’d visited the falls many times as a teenager, she’d never been there at night. She opened the door and stepped out onto the gravel, the full moon lighting up the sky .

Mitch headed down the narrow track, and she followed, stopping when they reached the swing bridge. With its short drop onto the rocks below, she was nervous enough crossing it in the daylight, never mind at night. But as Mitch reached for her hand, she took that first step onto the deck.

“You okay?”

He let go, and she grabbed the cables on either side. “I’ve never felt safe on this bridge, even when I was a kid.”

He turned and walked backward, shining his headlamp at her feet. “You’ll be fine. It’s thirty steps at the most. And we’re only a few feet off the ground.”

She stepped forward. “I’m okay. You can turn around.”

He hesitated, and when she flipped her headlamp to his face, he flashed his amused smile. “But I’m enjoying the view.”

What? He turned anyway.

Safely on the other side of the bridge, Tayla followed him up the half-dozen well-worn steps to a lookout point. And, there before them, flowing like a bridal veil, the Clifton Falls hit the pool below with an unusually quiet rumble, while the moon watched from the midnight-blue sky above.

“We haven’t had much rain here lately.” Mitch leaned on the railing in front of them. “That’s why she’s a little shy.”

“She?”

“Well, she wears a veil, is mysterious and beautiful, so the feminine fits, don’t you think?”

Tayla smiled at his reply. Mitch was in tune with his feminine side. Who would have thought? She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the dampness of the surrounding native bush. And as she turned off her headlamp and looked skyward, a sense of freedom hit her with a jolt. “It’s so peaceful.”

“Yeah. One of my favorite places on the planet. This is what life’s about, don’t you think? These moments?”

“You’re right. We’re so lucky to live where we do.”

“So you’re okay with being back? ”

Tayla looked at him, unable to read his expression in the darkness. “For now.”

He grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go to the bottom and feel the water.”

“But it will be freezing.”

“Yeah. Too cold for a skinny dip, that’s for sure. You’ll have to keep your clothes on for a change.”

She stopped still. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Mitch chuckled. “Not a thing.”

The air had cooled dramatically by the time they returned to his truck, and as Tayla climbed into the cab, Mitch grabbed a blanket from the back seat and passed it to her.

She lay it over her legs and looked at him. “Thanks. I’d like to say something before we go back,” she said, her hands busy in her lap. “About Norman’s will.”

Mitch shifted in his seat and leaned his back against the door. “Sure.”

“I always thought it was you who held back the money Norman left for my education. I’ve only just found out the truth.”

He glanced away, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. “Who told you?”

“Ruby. We’d had a couple of wines and conversation flowed, as is often the case after the second glass. She assumed I knew.”

Shifting his gaze back to her, he nodded but remained silent.

“I just want you to know it meant everything to me. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be paying off my student loan. But there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“What’s that?”

“Why did you do it?”

“It was what the old man wanted. You made his life more tolerable, and he loved you for it. ”

Tayla smiled at the memory of her elderly friend. “I loved him too. I’m sorry I misjudged you. Turns out, I blamed the wrong man.”

Mitch shrugged. “Unfortunately, Ken can be just as pedantic as Norman was, maybe even more so. That’s why he didn’t want you to have the money. It wasn’t personal. And apology accepted.”

“I never expected anything. From his estate, I mean…” Tayla searched for the right words. “Now I know the truth, I want to pay you back.”

“What? No way. It was your money.”

“It’s just, while I appreciate what you did, I don’t want you to be at a financial disadvantage because of me.”

She waited for him to address her concerns, but instead, he went to start the engine, then stopped with a second thought. “Why didn’t you want to come back?” He turned to face her again.

“When?”

“Today. You left your stuff at your parents’ place without even telling me you were home.”

She leaned back on the headrest and sighed. “Everything got on top of me… I wanted a few days alone to get my act together. Mum’s running on auto pilot, Dad’s struggling with depression, Lisa thinks I was selfish for eloping, and Ruby keeps singing my praises because we did. On top of that, you said you found living with me frustrating. I got the impression I’d passed my use-by date.”

Silence stretched before them. “I didn’t say I found living with you frustrating.”

“Um, I think you did.”

“I said, I’m frustrated when I’m around you.”

A frown creased her brow. “Semantics.”

“Is it?” Mitch slipped his arm along the back of her seat, leaned toward her and whispered, “Did you hear what I said? Or only what you wanted to hear?”

“You said…” Realization dawned on her. She tensed .

“Look me in the eye and tell me you’ve never thought about us.” He moved closer, his fingers twisting a lock of her hair. “Us, married with benefits. Maybe that was your final condition. The one you couldn’t voice because you were afraid I’d say no.”

Fierce heat crept up her neck and face. He was right. Back then, she’d feared his rejection. She still did. “And would you have? Said no?”

“At the time. Mixing business with pleasure is never a good idea.” They shared a look. “Besides, you didn’t like me much at that stage.”

“So why consider it now?” Unsure of what his response would be, Tayla braced herself.

“Because I think you like me more than you let on. But something’s holding you back, am I correct?”

My virginity.

“Look,” Mitch continued, “if I’ve crossed a line, I apologize. If not, take your time. I’m happy to wait.”

She sat up straight and fastened her seatbelt with unsteady hands. “We should get going.”