26. Blake
BLAKE
It takes me a minute to find my bikini. Thankfully, Grady made me pack all of my clothes into a separate bag that he pulled out of my pack before rigging it up so the bears can’t get to it.
Bears. Holy shit! Bears!
That’s thrilling enough, but now Grady’s challenging me to jump off some rock face?
Who the fuck needs shoplifting, right?
I giggle to myself as I wrestle out of my yoga pants and slip my bikini on. A one-piece bathing suit would probably be far more practical for this kind of thing, but when I saw this one in the store, it was too cute to resist. So, a bikini it is.
I probably should have packed a rash guard or something too. Grady put it on the list as well, but I forgot to buy one when I was out shopping and didn’t want to admit to him yet another thing he’d have to supply for me. I didn’t think it’d matter anyway.
Adjusting the skinny straps of my bikini top, I then make sure my boobs are properly tucked into the two flimsy triangles covering them before grabbing the world’s smallest towel and flinging it over my shoulder.
It’s a quick-dry one and feels like it’s made of fabric that will absorb nothing, but Grady loaned it to me, and apparently that’s all that would fit in my pack.
He’s right. My pack is stuffed to the gills, although it’s like half the size of his, so no big surprises there.
Zipping my tent closed behind me, I then spin to find Grady gaping at me. His eyes are transfixed on my body like he’s slipping into some state of catatonic shock.
It’s hard to keep my smile in check.
Yep, that boy wants me so bad.
A sizzle races through me, but the second our eyes connect, he blinks and shakes his head, gruffly asking, “Where’s your rash guard?”
“Uh…” I wince. “I forgot to buy one.”
“But it was on your list.” His gaze flicks down my body, his forehead wrinkling in irritation before his eyebrows start to rise again and he darts his eyes back to the dirt.
My lips won’t stop twitching as I watch him awkwardly stroke the back of his head and try not to look at me.
Damn, he is loving this view. Talk about an ego boost.
I bite my lip, failing to hide my smile.
“The water’s cold.” He skims a hand down his own rash guard. It’s sticking to his body like it was specially made for him, highlighting all of his delicious ridges and perfectly shaped torso.
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him, slightly distracted by the sexy sight in front of me .
“Suit yourself. Leave your towel on that rock over there.” He points to a boulder near the edge of the lake, still doing everything in his power to avoid looking at me.
I do as I’m told, my heel catching on a stone as I walk over the dirt. “Ouch.”
“Where are you sandals?”
“By the tent.”
“You’ll want to put them on.” His voice is soft and gruff.
“But they’re so ugly,” I complain.
He lets out a dry laugh, then tells me off like a schoolteacher. “You’ve got to look after your feet. This trip will be over if you cut yourself up.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” I force a smile and tiptoe back to the tent, avoiding sharp stones and spiky pinecones as best I can.
He waits patiently, staring out across the lake, his jaw clenching and unclenching, while I slip these monstrosities on. He made me buy them when I was picking out my hiking boots. I told him it was a waste of money because I would not be putting those things on my feet ever again.
“Screw fashion,” he’d argued with me. “We’re talking about practicality here.”
And of course, he was right.
Smooshing down the Velcro, I get back to my feet. I probably look ridiculous in my sexy string bikini and a pair of freaking hiking sandals.
“Okay, I’m good. Let’s go jump into the lake.”
Clearing his throat, Grady spins and starts walking away. I watch his water shoes disappear down the path and wish I had a pair of those instead. They look way cooler. Why didn’t he suggest I get those?
The hike only takes about two minutes and is a total breeze without the pack weighing me down. The only hard part is the steep incline at the end, where we have to literally scale a rock face before getting to the top of the small cliff.
I inch my way to the edge, my stomach pitching when I peer over the side.
“How far is that?” I whisper, clutching his arm so I don’t lose my balance and tumble off.
His steady arm is so strong and sure; there’s nothing weak or untrustworthy about this man. I can sense it. Wily always talks about how reliable Grady is. He’s the one who keeps the house organized, together, running smoothly. And I get it. He’s switched on, intelligent, sure of himself.
Even the rock-hard muscles in his forearm are assuring. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true. Everything about him is solid. As stable as the rock I’m currently standing on.
“It’s about fifteen feet.”
I swallow, fear skittering through me. I’ve never been the best with heights, but I don’t want to let that stop me right now.
I won’t humiliate myself in front of Grady and chicken out.
“I’ll go first, so you can see it’s safe.” His voice is a soft rumble, deep and reassuring.
Gently prying my hand off his arm, he steadies me by the elbow, then slowly lets go.
“Do I take off my shoes?” I glance down at my sandals.
“No.” He laughs. “Otherwise, you’ll be hiking back up barefoot to get ’em. You can swim in those. You’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I nod. “I’m not the strongest swimmer.”
“I’ll be there.” He smiles down at me, and I believe him without a doubt.
There’s really nothing to fear here. As long as Grady’s in that water below, waiting for me, I’ll be fine.
I logically know this.
Trying to feel it is another story, but?—
“Let’s go!” Grady yells, releasing a loud whoop before launching himself off the cliff.
His arms are stretched out wide for a second, rotating in circles before he pulls them into his chest just before he hits the water. His body slices through the surface, straight as an arrow. He lands feet first and I hold my breath, my heart racing as I wait for him to surface.
His head soon pops out of the water, and he lets out another cry of victory before wiping his face and grinning up at me.
“Come on, girl. Show me what you’ve got!” He waves his arm at me to come on down, and shit, shit, shit! I don’t know if I can do this.
Like hell you’re climbing back down.
With a little huff, I shake my head.
“Wil-son!” he singsongs up to me. “You wanted a thrill, remember? This is your chance. It’s a rush, I promise. And way healthier than taking something that doesn’t belong to you.”
I poke out my tongue at him. “Don’t be an ass.”
He laughs at me.
“I don’t like heights! ”
“Then this is perfect. You can overcome your fears.” His expression softens, and even from this distance, I can tell if I really don’t want to, he’s not going to make me.
But I’ll be so annoyed with myself. If I don’t get my ass off this cliff, I’m gonna have to climb back down and shuffle my shamed self back to camp.
That can’t happen.
It won’t.
“It’s okay, Blake. Just take a deep breath and trust that I’m right here. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, okay? You’re gonna be fine, and you’re gonna love yourself for doing this.”
“Okay, okay.” I rub my forehead. “Just shut up for a second.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gives me a little salute while I shake out my trembling fingers and pace along the edge for a second.
Do it, Blake. Just jump already.
“Okay,” I call down to him. “I’m gonna do it.”
“Yeah, you are.”
His broad smile is so encouraging, I know I absolutely have to now. Dammit!
Sucking in a few deep breaths, I make fists with my hands and…
“Five,” I whisper. “Four… Three…” I suck in another breath. “Two…” I squeak. “One!” I scream and run off the edge.
Another terrified scream punches out of me as I drop like a stone and plunge into the water. The freezing liquid assaults my senses, firing up my nose and needling my skin .
Kicking frantically, I propel myself to the surface, and as my head pops free, this feeling hits me like a blast.
I did it! I fucking did it!
This heady exhilaration fires through me as I spin in the water, seeking out Grady.
He’s just behind me, grinning at me while I swim toward him and shout, “It’s freezing in here!”
And I’m freaking right.
It is so cold. I feel like I’ve just jumped into the Arctic Circle.
Forcing my limbs to keep moving, I swim right up to Grady’s side, warring between physically turning into an ice cube and the rush of adrenaline still pumping through me.
“Do you want to—” Grady’s question turns to vapor, his eyes rounding as he swallows and stares down at me in the water.
I have no idea what his problem is until I glance down and notice that my string bikini has had a major malfunction.
Those two little triangles of fabric that are supposed to be covering my boobs?
Yeah, they’re not covering anything important right now.
I may as well be topless.