Chapter 27 #2
Sapphire Falls is not the largest waterfall nearby, not by a long stretch, but it’s still an incredible sight to behold.
Dappled sunlight drips through the thick cluster of branches overhead, the bare limbs reaching for the sky.
Rushing water cuts through the rock, depositing into the small stream.
A fine mist hangs in the air, dampening my cheeks.
At this altitude, not much has grown since winter, but I’ve always found there is something beautiful about bare vegetation.
There’s room for growth, for life to spring forth with a fresh start.
“I’ve never been here before,” Ronin says, his hands tightening on the railing. “This is actually the first waterfall I’ve seen in person.”
I take in the sight of his awed expression, his face glistening with tiny, shining droplets from the spray of the waterfall.
His hair is loose today, the beads of water seeming to make the strands sparkle in the early morning sun.
He closes his eyes, lifting his face and relishing in the moment before opening them again to behold the falls.
“I didn’t know that,” I reply, watching the childlike wonder play across his features. My heart tugs, and suddenly, I want nothing more than to show Ronin every waterfall in the country. I want to bottle his expression and pour it over me anytime I’m feeling sad.
Ronin glances at me. “Yeah, well, with my mom working two jobs for most of my childhood, things like this fell mostly to my grandparents. They have never been particularly outdoorsy folks, so hiking and camping wasn’t something we did often.
” He shoots me a grin. “Not like you Bakers, hopping around every state park you could find.”
“Mom and Dad did keep us busy,” I laugh, bumping his shoulder with mine. “Good thing Evan planned this, then. I’m glad I got to see your first waterfall with you.” I observe the falls once more, smiling. “It truly never gets old.”
“Neither does this,” Ronin replies softly, and I turn my head back to him. He reaches out and cups my cheek, his thumb resting lightly against my soft skin. “I could never tire of seeing you smile.”
His deep blue eyes search mine, questioning. I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. He sweeps his thumb across my cheek, taking a small step closer, and I cannot help the visceral shiver that shoots through my body.
There are surely others around us, but I don’t see them.
We are the only two people here—Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy dancing alone at the ball.
The sound of rushing water quiets behind me as he closes the distance between us, gently pushing me against the railing.
I don’t feel the water spraying my back or the cold metal of the rail.
Ronin is all my senses can take in: the hard planes of his body, warm against mine; the smell of his soap lingering on his skin even after a night of camping, fresh and clean with a hint of something wholly masculine; his glasses, lightly sprayed with tiny water spots.
Ronin’s gaze is full of heat and desire, and something else that my heart and mind aren’t quite ready to accept.
He glances down at my mouth, his hand still cupping my face while the other grabs onto the railing behind me.
Mine reach around him of their own accord, my fingers gripping the sides of his soft sweatshirt.
My cheeks flush under the intensity of his stare, my lips parting slightly.
“You’re so beautiful, Mel,” Ronin whispers, his breath gentle on my heated skin, pupils flaring as they rake over my pink cheeks.
His words hit their mark, and my breath hitches. My heart thumps hard and fast, and I’m sure he can feel it where our chests press together.
“Ronin.” It comes out a breathy whisper.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for months. Years, really.” His head tilts toward mine slowly, giving me time to stop him. “Something that I’ve been desperate for…for weeks.”
“What’s that?” I can barely get out the question. My mind is spinning, and all I can think is, it’s happening, it’s happening.
“Mel,” he says quietly, his mouth only inches from my own. “Do you remember what I said, that I wouldn’t ask anything of you until you asked me to?”
I nod, his proclamation from years ago dancing at the back of my mind. The question rushes from my lips, “Ronin, will you kiss me?”
Before I can even finish speaking, Ronin’s mouth crashes into mine.
His lips are warm and soft against my own. My mouth opens and his tongue sweeps in, tasting me, devouring me. He tastes like maple syrup and a lingering, minty flavor. I grip his back tightly, and he responds by pulling me harder against him. I can feel his heartbeat, racing in time with my own.
Our mouths move together, and Ronin tilts his head to get a better angle. His tongue explores deep, twining with mine as we relearn how the other moves and tastes.
It’s a dance, this kiss.
Ronin pulls his hand from the railing to grip the back of my head, his fingers snaking under the soft beanie to wind themselves into my hair. They tighten in the strands, holding my face in place as he deepens our kiss, his mouth slanted against mine.
I’ve never been kissed like this in my entire life. All of my previous kisses are swept away, erased, absolutely nothing in comparison to a kiss from Ronin Kane. Even our night together years ago pales in comparison to the man currently ravaging my mouth. My heart.
I never want this moment to end.
Kissing Ronin feels like coming home. Like I’ve kissed him this way a hundred times already, and I’ll do it a thousand times more.
Off in the distance, my mind registers the sound of people cheering, a loud whoop that can only come from Bree breaking through the haze of desire fogging my brain. I feel Ronin smile against my lips as we slow to a stop.
After placing a soft kiss on my lips—once, twice more—he pulls me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tightly.
We both turn our heads toward the sounds of our friends, and I can’t stop the wide smile that stretches across my face as I see Bree and Brooklyn, Evan and Cat, and a few random strangers standing about thirty feet away.
All of them wear the same happy expressions as they catcall and yell, cheering loud enough to cause other hikers to stop and see what’s going on.
Mortified at the scene my beloved brother and best friend are causing, I turn back to Ronin, hiding my face in his sweatshirt. He chuckles, his breath warm on the top of my head. I look up at him, cheeks flaming.
“I’m sorry that we had an audience, but I’ve been waiting almost twelve years to do that again, and I really don’t give a fuck who saw,” Ronin says, quiet enough that only I can hear.
He smiles down at me, and my heart swells.
It’s the smile that melts me, the smile that he saves just for me, just for these moments between us when our walls are truly down.
I grin back, soaking in the adoration in his gaze. “Twelve years, huh?” I tease. “One might think you’ve been pining for me.”
“You know I have, Mel,” he answers roughly. “I’ve only told you a million times. There’s never been anyone else for me.”
I lean up on my toes and kiss him once more, the thrill of being able to do so enveloping me as I place my lips on his.
We’re interrupted as our group finally circles around us, Bree tugging me into a hug that’s more like a body slam from her petite frame. Evan slaps Ronin on the back, the two of them grinning at each other.
“About fucking time, dude,” Evan says, playfully pushing Ronin.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ronin replies, swatting my brother away from him before pulling me close once again, arms wrapped around me like he never intends to let me go.