Chapter 14
I had no intention of getting out of bed. As much as it pained me to admit, Hunter got to me. Why did his hatred of me get under my skin? I seemed to have forgotten that these people were my captors. I wasn’t supposed to care if they liked me or not.
At about nine, there was a knock on the door.
I ignored it, pulling the covers over my head.
I couldn’t face them today. I just wanted to wallow in my self-pity.
The aching hole in my chest for my people was extra big today.
I wanted to go home and never see these blasted people again.
A tinge of guilt went through me for feeling that way about Gemma too.
The door opened and I instinctively knew it was Grayson. I groaned loudly and scooted a little further down under the covers.
“Good morning to you too, Princess.”
I peeked out to find him settling onto his usual spot in the windowsill.
He scanned the beautiful view of the forest before turning his attention to me.
He caught me peeping at him from underneath the blanket and turned his head, so it was the same position as mine. An amused smile played on his lips.
“Are you coming out from there yourself or am I coming in after you?”
I threw the covers off my head, my hair flying everywhere. “Don’t you dare.”
He chuckled, but his eyes were scanning my face. “What’s the matter, Princess?”
I pulled the covers back under my chin. “Nothing.” I didn’t even believe myself.
“Hmm,” was all he said, looking out the window again. “You know what I think?” he asked after a while, glancing back at me. “I think you need to have a little fun.”
I scowled at him. Fun was the last thing I wanted.
He ignored me and sprang to his feet. Grayson was out the door and back within two minutes. He pulled the duvet off me. “C’mon, get up.”
I clung to the blanket in protest, but he was stronger. He ripped it from my fingers. I sat up, getting ready to fling all kinds of curse words at him, but he threw something in my face, chuckling.
“You’ll need that. We leave in ten minutes.” He shut the door behind him.
The material he threw at me was a simple black bathing suit.
I startled as the door swung open again. “And don’t make me come get you,” Grayson warned and ducked out again.
I bristled. Of course. I had no free will in this place. I remembered what happened the last time Grayson gave me an order, and I didn’t comply. Still shuddering, I got off the bed. Would he do that again?
When I was done, making sure it took me eleven minutes, I made my way downstairs. Grayson was waiting by the door, backpack in hand.
“Where are we going?” I asked, not at all in the mood for any of it.
“You’ll see,” was all Grayson said while holding the door open for me.
“You kids have fun!” Gemma sang from the couch, holding a little pink mouse. I hadn’t seen her there. I avoided looking at Hunter, who was sitting next to her, staring daggers at me. With a mocking wave at Gemma, I walked out the door.
So much for helping me hide from Grayson.
We walked in uncomfortable silence through the forest. Well, it was uncomfortable for me. I couldn’t tell if Grayson felt the same way. He had that stupid expressionless mask back in place. I stomped miserably through the underbrush behind him.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” he glanced over his shoulder at me. I had to look away quickly before I fixated on the perfect curve of his jaw from this angle.
“You mean other than being kidnapped and kept against my will?” I was feeling snarky.
It was a while before Grayson stopped, shifting from foot to foot. “You will go home, Ava. I promise.” He didn’t meet my gaze but pushed around a pebble with his boot, his hands deep in his pockets. “Just give me a little more time, please? To come up with a plan.”
“You laughed at Mr. Greene for trusting you,” I reminded him.
He peered up at me, a smirk on his face, like the memory amused him. “I told him I could make him a hero. Never said I would. The devil’s in the details, darling. Besides, this is a promise I’m making, Ava. I never break a promise.”
I nodded, not able to find my voice. It made me feel a little better.
We walked on in silence. I continued following behind Grayson, until the sound of rushing water filled the air. It became louder and louder. I knew we were headed for a waterfall, but nothing could prepare me for the beauty of it as it appeared through the trees.
“Rainbow Falls,” Grayson announced, smiling at my awe-struck face.
It was one of the most beautiful sceneries I had ever seen.
The mist created by the falling water reflected rainbow upon rainbow.
I counted eleven of them arching over the clear, sparkling blue pool at the bottom of the falls.
The most beautiful yellow and purple flowers grew on the cliffs of the waterfall between the dark green moss and foliage that covered the stones.
It seemed like the cold of winter hadn’t dared to touch this piece of magnificent earth yet.
“I knew you’d like it.” Grayson was watching my reaction, delighted.
He walked ahead to a patch of grass near the pool and laid out a blanket and two towels.
It was a battle to keep my eyes off him as he removed his shirt and cargo pants, standing in only his swim trunks.
He had a few scars and one on his chiselled abdomen that looked suspiciously like a bullet wound. He was so breathtakingly perfect.
“Isn’t it too cold to swim?” My voice was a bit too raspy for my liking. There was no need to let him know just how much the sight of him turned me on.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared of a little cold water, Princess.”
“Yes. Yes, I am,” I declared as I walked over to the blanket. I wasn’t really. I was a surfer. Cold water was a daily given. I just wasn’t in the mood for swimming. For doing anything, really.
“Don’t worry, the adrenaline would have kicked in by then. You won’t even feel it.” He had that wicked grin that either scared me or excited me. This time it scared me.
“What does adrenaline have to do with it?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? We’re jumping from there.” He pointed towards the top of the waterfall. It was a three-story drop.
“The hell we are,” I immediately protested. I had come this far without dying. I wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardise that now.
Grayson eyed me contemplatively. “Tell me, Ava. Have you ever done anything that could be deemed a little reckless or dangerous in your life?”
“No,” I answered quickly. The most dangerous thing I had ever done, was surfing. And that only happened after months of watching Rachel and the others, and secretly wishing I had the guts to do it. “Why would I be reckless on purpose?”
“Because it’s fun. It’s freeing.”
I shook my head. It was the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
Grayson stepped closer to me. “Live a little, Princess.”
I eyed the waterfall again. “That seems a lot more like dying to me.”
Grayson laughed. “You’re not really living if it’s not a little dangerous. Come now, Ava. Take off those clothes and let’s go.”
Of course, he would think like that. I shook my head again. There was no way.
He took another step closer and pulled the zip of my jacket downward then pushed it off my shoulders. “It’ll be fun. May I?” His hands were at my hips, holding the ends of my shirt, ready to lift it over my head.
“At least you’re asking this time.” Unlike that first night at the cabin.
He flinched at my comment and stepped back.
It wasn’t my intention to turn the moment uncomfortable. Me and my grumpy-ass needed to take a breath.
I quickly pulled my shirt over my head, kicked off my boots and stepped out of my pants. It was even more chilly in just the bathing suit. The thick mist in the air, clung coldly to my skin, eliciting goosebumps all over my body.
Grayson smiled at me, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He reached for my hand and tugged me lightly. His eyes never roamed lower than my face. He helped me up onto the cliff. The rocks were slippery, covered in slick moss. When we reached the top, my heart fluttered as I looked down.
I shook my head vehemently. “No, way.”
Grayson took hold of my hand again, squeezing it lightly. “Trust me.”
I looked into his eyes. I wanted so badly to trust this man. To believe that he would keep his word and let me go home. That he won’t hurt me anymore than he already has.
“We’ll go together.” He stepped towards the edge, pulling me with him.
“Together,” I echoed weakly, my heart hammering in my throat.
He chuckled, the sound drowned out by the thundering water and kissed my temple.
He counted to three, each number uttered taking more of my breath.
A scream ripped from my throat as we jumped off the edge.
We were falling so fast, yet it seemed as if time slowed.
Grayson was right. I barely felt the cold as the water enveloped my body.
When I resurfaced, I was already laughing.
It was the most thrilling thing I had ever done. A feeling of lightness floated in my chest. Joy, that’s what it was. “Again!” I shouted to Grayson over the roaring of the waterfall.
He threw his head back laughing, also seeming to feel as elated as I was. “That’s my girl!”
We jumped two more times. Together. Then a few splashes turned into a full-on war between Grayson and me.
I hadn’t played like that since childhood.
I couldn’t stop laughing. Grayson showed me an alcove behind the waterfall.
We explored it, or rather I explored while he followed me around, smiling happily at my awestruck face.
I picked up a sharp stone and started carving my name into the cave wall, so it would recognise me. Call me back to it, so I could experience it’s wonder again. Grayson followed suit, carving his name next to mine, while making fun of my crooked “A”.