For a finite number of days and no more.
“Enjoy the view,” she said instead of answering.
His chuckles caressed her skin. “All right. But you and I both know as incredible as the forest is, it’s not the sight I most want to see.”
She bit her lip. No. Nor was it the image that haunted her dreams.
Temptation is hard to resist for a reason.
This weekend was going to be one long test of her willpower.
Chapter Twelve
“This isn’t quite what I expected,” Avery said, taking in the old wooden cabin nestled in the national park. A string of them lined the cliff’s edge, surrounded by enough forest to provide privacy from their neighbors.
“The perpetual planner didn’t do her due diligence?” Hayden teased, jumping from the back of the truck.
She followed him down, walking up the small porch as he and Keon began unloading their supplies.
Typing her code into the keypad lock, she stepped inside her weekend home.
A basic kitchen with a sink and fridge greeted her. Two twin beds filled the living room space, both stripped of any bedding. Further inspection revealed another room with bunk beds and a bathroom with a simple shower she wasn’t sure she’d trust enough to use.
At least there are two rooms to sleep in. I’ll take a bunk bed and leave him the outer space.
That was the safest course.
Hearing the men in the kitchen, she left the secondary rooms and went to help them bring in the food and bedding equipment.
“I think that’s everything,” Keon said when they’d unloaded the last cooler from the truck. “Is there anything else you need?”
“We’re good,” Hayden said. “Where are you staying for the night?”
“I’ve got some family to visit nearby,” he replied. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Excellent.” Hayden handed over some money for a tip. “Enjoy your evening.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow to drive you to the hotel,” Keon promised. “You’ve got my number if you need anything.”
“We’ll be fine,” she assured him. “Thank you for the scenic drive.”
With a last nod, Keon got back into the truck and backed out of the small drive.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she watched him go.
“So,” she said, turning to her only companion. “What now?”
There was no ignoring the heat that flared in his eyes. “How about we push those twin beds together and I spent the next two days making you scream my name?”
Her mouth went dry. “Is there a second option?”
“You make me scream your name?”
“How about a third option?”
He released a dramatic sigh. “Well then, I suppose we could use what’s left of the sunlight to hike over to the cliffs and see the waves.”
“Great,” she said. “Let me change into running shoes.”
Hayden waited patiently as she changed into appropriate hiking gear and tied her hair back in a ponytail.
“Lead on,” she said, emerging from the cabin.
“The ocean is that way,” he said, pointing to a section of the forest. “Let’s go.”
He caught her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world and tugged her forward.
She followed, dried palm branches crunching under their feet. Jon had never been a fan of hand-holding. Or of any PDA, now that she thought about it. But having Hayden’s fingers wrapped around hers wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. Instead she traipsed along, enjoying the contact as they wandered toward the increasingly loud sound of crashing waves.
They broke free of the tree line to emerge on the top of a black lava cliff.
“Wow,” she said, breathing in the salty sea air.
Waves thundered against the cliff face as the rays of the setting sun stained the sky. Even Hayden was silenced by the sight. Without a word, he led her forward to the edge of the rocks to get a better view of the coastline.
Avery stared down at the white churning water, noting danger when she saw it. This would be a very bad place to lose her footing. Her hand tightened on his, and Hayden pulled her closer to his side, sliding an arm around her waist.
“I’ve only seen this once,” he said, staring out to sea.
“Last time?” she asked. There was magic in the air here. She couldn’t imagine not wanting to see it again.
“I came with Sophia to do a day trip. There was no way I’d have ever gotten her to stay in one of the cabins, but this park had been recommended so I wanted to check it out.” He glanced down the coast. “There’s a black sand beach that way,” he pointed. “She refused to go in the water, of course.”