Chapter 24 #2
I can’t believe I spaced the entire ride.
Hopping off the bike, I remove my helmet and set it on the seat. Moving away from the bike, I close my eyes and smile. The air smells fresher, crisper and cleaner up here, and I can only put it down to the lack of pollution this far out.
Damon’s arms wrap around me, and he rests his chin on my head. My eyes flutter open, and I take in the breathtaking expanse of land and waterfall.
“It’s as beautiful as I remember.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“That was so cheesy.” I say, chuckling.
“Yeah, but it made you laugh, and that’s one of my favourite sounds.”
My cheeks flush and my belly dips from the compliment.
“Come on. I have something to show you,” he says, unwinding his arms from around me and clasping my hand in his.
It feels so natural, and I only wish we could do it in public and not just in secret.
The further we walk into the woods, the more nervous I notice Damon become.
Confusion creeps in, but I don’t say anything.
I just enjoy the nature, the whistling birds around us, and the sound of the bubbling brook I can hear nearby.
I’m so lost in my surroundings and thoughts that I don’t notice Damon stop and I run right into him.
“Ow?!”
“Now, now, miss feisty. If you were watching where you were going…” he trails off, and I look up to see him smirking down at me, standing in front of what looks like an opening through some branches.
I try and look over, but he fucking tuts me.
“You ready, Blossom?”
“Born ready.”
He chuckles, shaking his head, and then turns me around to face the opening and places his hands over my eyes as a makeshift blindfold.
“Oi!”
“Come on, baby, I have something to show you,” he says quietly, and I hear the hitch in his tone which makes me nervous.
Slapping my ass, he urges me to step forward, but all I can feel his hot, hard body behind me. The birds, the brook, and the serenity I was experiencing before fades away around me and all there is us.
Trees rustle around us before snapping back in place and bringing me back to my senses. We stand still for a moment, Damon’s hot breath fanning the shell of my ear, the birds singing, and the running water sploshing around us.
Suddenly everything is heightened, exasperated, and I don’t know if I can take much more when he readjusts his hand on my eyes, and brings one hand down to grip my hip.
“Step forward, Blossom, we are almost there.”
His deep, rumbly voice sends a shiver down my spine. There is so much unsaid, yet so much promise in those words. I take a step and another, noticing his hand is shaking over my eyes, and the way his other holds on tightly to my hip.
I want to ask him what has him so nervous ─ why he’s acting strange, but then he stops us again, leans his head down to rest on my shoulder before gently blowing in my ear.
Goosebumps scatter over my body, and I let out a staggered breath.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, Dorothy.”
I laugh nervously.
“Put me out of my misery, old man.”
Damon chuckles and slaps my ass.
“Easy, baby, you don’t know what I have planned yet.”
Then his hand falls away from my eyes, and he plants it on my other hip.
Blinking my eyes into focus, I gasp with what I’m met with.
Slipping out of his hold, I spin around the space, my heart doing a double kick when I take it in, my eyes landing on what’s set up in the centre of this spectacular place .
The running brook bubbles around us, the trees sway in the slight breeze, and the grass beneath my feet is luscious and thick, as I walk amongst the wildflowers.
It’s breathtaking.
“Do you like it?” Damon asks behind me, sounding anxious.
“How?”
“How what?”
“How did you set this all up when you were with me last night? How did you even know this place existed?” I rush, feeling giddy as tears of happiness prickle the back of my eyes.
“Woah, tiger, hold up,” he jests, stepping up behind me and circling my waist. “Answer my question first, Blossom.”
“Of course, I love it!” I exclaim, turning in his arms to face him.
He smiles down at me, slides a strand of my hair from my face before kissing my nose and pulling back. I smile back at him and wait eagerly for him to answer my questions.
“Don’t get your knickers in a knot, baby. I had Johnny come and set it up for me.”
My eyes blow wide.
“He knows?”
“I trust him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t put our relationship in jeopardy, or you at any cost. You have my word.”
I nod my head, the anxiety pilfering away at his declaration.
“And to answer your other question… I found this place when I was hiking years ago, and it’s been my safe space when I just need to think. I used to bring my swag out here after I left Kerry, hell, even when I was with her.”
I can see he’s uncomfortable bringing her up, so I deflect the conversation in another direction.
“It’s stunning.”
“Not as stunning as you.”
I raise a brow.
“That’s cheesy.”
“Yeah, but you smiled.”
“I did. Now show me what’s in this picnic basket. I’m starving.”