Chapter Eleven
Audrey
I’m halfway through a buttery croissant, fully basking in the post-sunrise glow of Maui, when Wolf slides a pair of aviator sunglasses onto my face and grins like the wolfish menace he is. It doesn’t matter, though. I’m totally falling for the rogue. Day one in Hawaii was amazing, day two was heavenly as we lazed in bed for most of the day, only coming up for air long enough to refuel our bodies, and now it’s day three. I have no idea what’s in store.
“No questions,” he says as he pulls me from my seat, barely giving me a chance to grab my sleek fanny pack. Don’t mock me, they’ve made a comeback, and there are a few items a woman needs even in paradise.
“I have many questions,” I argue.
“Nope. You have to trust me,” he says as he pulls me to the waiting SUV.
“You do realize that’s the line every cult leader uses before asking his followers to drink the Kool-Aid,” I mutter, making him laugh. He doesn’t respond. Just stuffs me into the vehicle.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re walking across a private landing pad to a sleek black helicopter gleaming in the morning sun. A pilot in mirrored shades shakes our hands before talking to us about safety, opening the door, and helping us climb inside.
I’m grinning after I’m buckled in and my headphones are firmly in place. I look at Wolf, amazed that he has planned all of this on such short notice. I wonder what he could do with more time.
“Are you trying to get me to fall for you?” I ask. His eyes are sparkling.
“Is it working?”
“Maybe,” I admit. My attempts at keeping him at arm’s length are shot. He certainly likes this answer.
The rotors begin spinning, and the helicopter smoothly lifts from the ground. Within a matter of seconds, the resort is a speck behind us, the deep green jungle of Maui unfurling beneath the glass bubble of the helicopter.
“This is the best view in the house,” I tell Wolf.
“Better than falling from the sky?” he asks.
“Well, half of that flight my heart was thundering so loudly it affected my vision. This time I’m relaxed and able to look in all directions,” I tell him.
“Just wait, because you haven’t seen anything yet,” he assures me, his voice coming through perfectly in my headset. “Look over to your right.” I look and gasp at the sight.
Below us, the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast rise like emerald cathedrals, impossibly steep, and lined with waterfalls that shimmer like silk ribbons in the wind. The ocean below crashes against the wall, waves curling against rock with white-foamed intensity. The pilot banks left and flies low over Ke’e Beach, the water so clear I can easily see turtles gliding in lazy circles.
“It’s so beautiful it doesn’t seem real,” I breathe.
“It’s certainly real,” Wolf says. “It’s also rare. Most people don’t get to see this from the sky which is sad.”
“I love travel, and I’ve always been fascinated at how much beauty is in the US. We can be in different climates with different sites all over the place. Sure, there’s beauty all over the world, but most US citizens never see even five percent of what our own nation has to offer. It’s one of the reasons I began my blog to find hidden gems around the country. I want to see so much more.”
We fly past Hanalei Bay, where paddleboarders are carving lazy trails through still waters. Further on, we cross dense rainforests, broken by glowing green taro fields and an occasional thatched-roof hut. Birds burst from trees in flashes of red and yellow.
“Look down there.” Wolf points as we pass over a small canyon framed by jungle. “That’s where they filmed Jurassic Park . And yes, I’ve definitely acted out scenes there. Shirtless, of course, in the name of science.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m sure you made many tourists incredibly happy when doing so.”
“I adore my fans,” he dramatically says.
The pilot slightly turns inland, flying us over Haleakala’s crater — an enormous volcanic bowl the color of rust and dark shadows. It’s like gazing at a whole other planet. The sheer power of a volcano is otherworldly.
“The thing about Hawaii that fascinates me the most is how one place can look like the Caribbean, then you turn a corner and the land looks like Mars. The beauty of our country isn’t appreciated enough.”
“Many places around the world are the same. I love flying because I get to see so much landscape. Hawaii has many treasures. It’s beautiful, untamable, and full of surprises.” His smile grows. “Just like you.”
I shake my head. “Now, that’s a line,” I tell him. “If you keep complimenting me, I might think you have a crush.” I’m trying to keep this light and flirty, but it’s evident he’s getting to me. I don’t want to get too serious because I’m afraid the fall will be far more terrifying than jumping from a plane.
“Oh, it’s more than a crush,” he assures me, seriousness in his eyes. The moment feels so intimate. I lose my breath again and turn to look out the window, that option much safer than gazing into his incredible eyes.
Before I know it, the pilot announces we’re minutes away from landing. I look around, wondering where in the heck we’re landing. We’re far from the resort and normal tourist places. The helicopter dips, gliding between ridgelines, until we come to a soft landing near a hidden trailhead surrounded by thick foliage. What’s happening now?
“We’re going on a hike,” Wolf says.
“Wow. You’re going all out,” I say with admiration.
“I want this trip to be unforgettable.”
“You’ve already achieved that.”
He jumps from the helicopter then helps me out as the pilot leans back and closes his eyes. Wolf takes my hand, and just like that, we’re on land again and moving through the incredible wilds of Hawaii in a place not too many people tread.
The hike is like walking in a dream, but better because I can feel, touch, and even taste the sweetness in the air. The trail winds through the dense rainforest, where sunlight filters in scattered beams and the ground is soft beneath our boots. Bright red hibiscus flowers pop from the greenery. Tiny frogs chirp unseen. The air smells like damp leaves, mango, and rain.
Wolf walks ahead of me, looking far too confident with a backpack slung over one shoulder and that damn swagger of his making me drool. He reaches back and helps me cross harder areas, and when we reach a rocky stream, instead of assisting me, he scoops me up and spins me around before bringing me to the other side. He lifts me as if it’s no effort on his part.
“You’re a showoff,” I tell him, laughing while clinging to his wide shoulders.
“I like taking care of my woman,” he says with a wink. Then he kisses me, and I forget all about our hike for a few moments. It’s wonderful.
Eventually, he sets me down, and we hike for another half hour before the trees open up and we step into the most breathtaking clearing I’ve ever seen. A narrow waterfall spills down a high rock face into a crystal-clear pool. The sun breaks through the canopy above, casting gold across the water like liquid light. It’s peaceful, with the water gently splashing on the pool, the birds chirping, and zero noise from traffic or voices. I could build a house right here and be content for the rest of my life.
“There are no words,” I quietly breathe as I gaze at the beauty before me.
“We don’t need them,” he replies, his own voice equally reverent.
Wolf strips off his clothes... all of his clothes.. . then runs to the pool and dives in with barely a splash. He emerges moments later, his hair slicked back, looking like a damn movie poster that would have women fantasizing about him long into the night.
“Come on, city slicker. The water’s perfect,” he taunts.
“What if someone shows up?” I ask as I look around. We’re here, so someone else could have the same idea.
He laughs. “If we hear another helicopter land, we’ll quickly climb out and put on some clothes,” he says. I hesitate a moment longer, then decide this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I strip away my clothes, feeling beautiful as he gazes at my body, his pupils dilating, and his mouth dropping open in appreciation. I walk slowly to the water, then dive in near him, sending a splash of water in his face to cool him off.
I come up for air with a smile on my lips. The water’s perfect, cool, and soft as silk. Wolf makes a splash toward me, but I kick away, sending another splash of water straight into his face. The chase is on, and for the next hour we play like children... and touch unlike kids.
He grabs me, kisses me, and the foreplay is glorious in our own little paradise that seems to have been made for only the two of us.
When our skin starts wrinkling, we climb up on a flat rock, sitting side-by-side as water cascades off of us. The cool water and warm sun couldn’t feel any better.
“I can’t imagine the adventures you’ve had in your life. I thought I was well-traveled, but I’ve never done anything like this before.”
He grins. “The experience is so much better with you here with me.”
“Am I another checkmark on your lists of adventures?” I ask with a laugh.
He stills, and his expression goes serious. “No, you’re the only adventure that makes me want to stop and stand still.” I’m captured by his gaze, a feat since I’ve been salivating over his body all afternoon.
I don’t know what to say, but luckily, I don’t have to figure it out because he pulls me onto his lap and kisses me, slow and soft, our wet bodies sliding against each other, the waterfall whispering behind us.
The kiss goes on and on as his hands glide over my back, and my body heats to molten levels. The volcanoes here have nothing on what Wolf does to my blood. I’m surprised I don’t suddenly combust.
He leans back, and I straddle his hips, lifting up before sitting on his beautiful, thick, hard arousal. We both sigh when we’re fully connected. I move up and down on him, my head thrown back, my hands braced on his hard chest. He holds my hips and groans, our sounds drowned out by the splashing water.
We’re both hot and ready and come together in an explosion of pleasure so intense it’s nearly painful. When we can each take a deep breath again, we slide back into the water to cool off, then move over to a grassy area to dry out and have a picnic.
We laugh as we tell each other stories, eat, and drink some wine he thought to bring. It couldn’t be better. He tells me about his flying experiences, and the time he and his brother crashed a boat party pretending to be Swedish DJ’s. I tell him about writing terrible poetry in high school and learning how to sneak out after being grounded. It wasn’t easy with the security measures my parents still have to this day. We talk until the sun lowers. Sadly, we have to eventually leave our little paradise that feels like it was created just for us.
After we’re dressed again, I look back one last time before breaking through the trees. I pray we come back here again, maybe in a year... if we’re still... This thought stops me. What do I hope we’ll be in a year? Friends? Lovers? Partners? I don’t know. I’m afraid to go there.
We make it back to the helicopter in time to ride back to the resort while watching the sunset from up in the sky. Neither of us speaks as we take it all in, lost in each other and the incredible day we’ve had.
But it’s still not over. We shower, change, and head to a private beachside restaurant with wide-open views of the ocean, lit by lanterns and candles. We’re led to a table at the edge of the beach, where the sand meets a wooden deck. Soft ukulele music plays in the background, and performers dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire begin dancing in slow, graceful motions as we’re served.
I sip on a pineapple mojito. “You do realize you’ve ruined me for all future dates,” I tell him.
“I guess I’ll have to try harder then for our future dates,” he quickly says. A flutter runs through me. Without saying the words, he’s clearly telling me he doesn’t want me to date anyone but him. I hate labels, but everything within me wants to define what we are to each other. This is a first for me.
“I see,” I finally say, not finding any other words.
“There are untold adventures all over. Don’t worry,” he assures me with a smile.
I nudge his foot beneath the table. “I’m sure you can find them all.”
“If I’m motivated I can... and with you, I’m highly motivated.”
“What do you want out of life besides adventure?” I ask.
He doesn’t hesitate. “You,” he says. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, but an underlayment of seriousness as well. I think he means it. At least, for now, he does. Do I want the same? Right now I do, but will I feel this way when we’re no longer in paradise? That’s the real question.
It’s so odd because men like Wolf aren’t usually open. They’re supposedly emotionally unavailable, and might say all of the right things to get lucky, but don’t keep it up in the morning. This isn’t true with him so far. He’s become more romantic the longer we’re together. I don’t know what to do with it.
“I was right in my first assessment of you, Wolf. You’re a truly dangerous man,” I tell him.
His wolfish smile is firmly in place. “Only to those who need to be afraid.”
The performance continues as we finish our meal of grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and the best coconut rice I’ve ever tasted. Dessert is shaved ice and chocolate mousse, which we share with a bit too much enthusiasm.
We’re not far from our villa, so when we finish our meal, we walk hand-in-hand along the beach back to our place with our bare toes curling into the silky sand while the stars gleam above us as a guide.
“I’ve always looked at relationships like cages meant to trap a person, that settling down meant the end to great adventures,” he says.
“I’ve felt the same,” I admit. I’m not feeling it now, but I don’t add this because I’m not really sure what we are to each other.
He pauses for a moment as we continue walking. I wait. Then he makes my heart skip a few more beats with his next words. He’s very good at this.
“I think the right person doesn’t keep you from flying, but instead, they jump with you.”
I’m smiling as I walk by this incredible man’s side. “You know all of the right words to say,” I tell him.
“They aren’t lines,” he assures me.
“I don’t think they are.”
He stops and pulls me to him as he brushes hair from my face. “You’re amazing, Audrey. I love your laugh, how you challenge me, how brave, wild, and curious you are. I didn’t see you coming, but now I don’t want to see you go.”
I reach up and run a fingertip over his jaw. “Don’t let me go,” I say, shocked at my words.
He smiles before leaning down and kissing me beneath the stars. I melt against him. He lifts me into his arms and rushes forward, done with the walk. We’re ready to fall into bed together again. He owns me in this moment. I wonder how long it might last.