18. Opaline
Opaline
The cabin-esque building that greets us turns out to be a gift shop housing every known and unknown knick-knack under the sun.
Hoodies and shirts line the walls, postcards sit in racks that spin, and jewelry and shot glasses sit on display behind a glass case.
It's an overload to my senses, and I can practically feel myself getting dizzy from the variety of patterns, music, and chatter echoing in the space.
But when Adrian looks back at me, I plaster on a smile so I don't ruin our date that's really just starting.
"Let's go outside and then we can stop back here on our way out, yeah?"
"Perfect!" He has no idea how happy that one sentence just made me.
Stepping back out into the fresh air, I'm not sure what to expect. And even once I get a look around… I still don't really know what it is that we're doing or what this mystery destination actually is.
Directly to the left is a table that has polaroids spread out.
An exchange of money tells me they're obviously for purchase.
I have to assume they're pictures that were taken of the people who are in line.
Trying to lean over a little, I get a peek at a few near the edge of the table and it looks like people inside an egg.
Every new thing I learn or observe about this place just gets weirder and weirder.
To the right seems to be a couple of food shops connected to the back side of the gift shop.
A large board with white and pink chalk proudly lists a selection of ice creams and snacks.
The desire to put weight on my heels to stop Adrian's walking is strong.
Maybe on the way back, before we go to the gift shop.
Peeking around him, I grab his bicep and position myself at his side as a couple of teenagers run past.
Just as I'm about to open my mouth and flat out ask what it is we're doing, he points off to the left, towards a sidewalk. There's an open courtyard in the center of everything with several paths that seem hidden under the trees. "We're going over this way."
"Uh, and what exactly is this way?" I chuckle.
"It's better if you see for yourself. Almost there.
" The light in his eyes as he guides us and takes in our surroundings sits heavily in my stomach.
He's so light and…excited. The new version of Adrian is a total one-eighty from the grumpy, asshole-ish alpha I'd come to know.
Alphahole if you will. I kind of love it.
Hand in hand, Adrian guides us forward through a small, curved stone tunnel. Metal lights hanging on the sides guide us around a curve that opens at the opposite end. It looks to be a little darker than it was even when we arrived not long ago, the sun quickly setting.
Nearing the end, Adrian gently pulls me to walk in front of him, his cozy heat a tower at my back in the cool tunnel.
As the expansive beauty unfurls itself, stepping out of the short passage, my jaw physically drops.
"Oh my god," I whisper, hand pulling to cover my mouth.
Ahead of us is a range of mountains so far and wide that I can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of their actual size.
Snow even caps the tops of several of them, adding an entirely new layer of majesty to their strong presence.
I can hardly believe I'm seeing this with my own eyes.
Since arriving, I finally understand, now, what it means when people say photos don't do the mountains justice.
Nothing possibly could, other than standing here before them.
"It's beautiful. I mean, Adrian, this is stunning," I breathe.
"It is…" The weight of his words grabs my attention as they linger. He isn't looking at the incredible view. He's looking at me, eyes tracing my face with such intensity I lose my breath.
"Adrian." I reach for him, hands landing on his strong, wide chest. The words 'kiss me' are on the tip of my tongue.
But I can't seem to speak them out loud, no matter how desperately I want to.
No matter how much I'm dying to know if his kisses match his rough, intense nature.
Or if he would surprise me by being gentle and soft.
A low growl vibrates from his chest, shooting my eyes north to meet his own. I hadn't even realized I'd been staring at his lips. Based on the look he's giving me and the sound he's releasing, he knows exactly where my thoughts have wandered. "I have to do this right, Opaline," he says softly.
Confused, I narrow my eyes, but don't get a further explanation.
He simply places his hand on the center of my back and guides me, while half dazed, to a small counter.
"Two tickets for the West Track, please.
" The young teen working behind the sliding window of the small shed hands him two tickets as Adrian pays and signs the receipt.
Wait, West Track? Like a racetrack? What the hell is happening?