I COULDN’T QUIT SMILING AS I drove us closer to our destination. I’d really been hoping Garrett would say yes to my proposition, but a part of me had been prepared for him to laugh in my face. Even with everything that had happened between us the night before, I could tell that he wasn’t the kind of man that usually went home with someone he barely knew. So, the fact that he’d agreed to this at all had me wanting to do a victory dance.
I wasn’t even quite sure why it was so important to me that he say yes. I certainly hadn’t planned on spending time with anyone on this trip. I’d wanted the solitude, craved it in fact. But there was something about Garrett that put me at ease. He was nice, genuine, and didn’t expect a damn thing from me. I knew all too well how hard it was to come by a person with each of those qualities. The fact that he possessed them all made him extremely alluring.
I glanced over at him. I’d put the top down on the convertible and the wind was blowing through his hair. His sunglasses hid his eyes from me, but the beautiful smile gracing his lips told me that he was enjoying himself. I could practically feel the excitement rolling off him as he looked out over the vibrant landscape as we wound higher and higher up the mountain. I could feel Garrett’s questioning gaze on me as I continued driving, but he refrained from asking anything, and I appreciated that he was willing to put his trust in me. As we neared the top, I pulled into a small, paved parking area and turned off the engine.
We both climbed from the car, and Garrett stepped up next to me as I popped the trunk. Pulling out a box, I handed it to him. He opened the lid then looked back at me, eyebrows raised. “Hiking boots?”
“I hope I got the right ones. I kind of guessed that we were around the same size.” I shrugged my shoulders.
I watched as he sat down and began swapping out his gym shoes for the boots. When he was finished lacing them, he looked up at me and grinned. “They fit perfectly.”
I let out a relieved breath. If I’d screwed that up, we would’ve had to drive back to the store to get another pair. Otherwise, he would’ve been in a lot of pain later. “Good. Let me grab mine really quick and we can get going.”
Garrett waited patiently while I put my boots on and stood back up before speaking. “So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing here now?” he asked, tilting his head at me curiously.
“Are you afraid of heights?”
“Umm. Not usually. Why?” He drew the last word out as he eyed me cautiously.
“Good. Because you’re going to be soaring through the air soon,” I informed him, pointing in the direction of a large wooden platform, nestled in a thatch of trees. Thick cables stretched from the top of the trees, across a wide expanse of sky, disappearing at some point into another set of trees.
“We’re going zip-lining?” Garrett asked in a thin voice.
I turned my head toward him. All the blood had drained from his face and the pulse point at his throat beat rapidly. I wanted to lean down and kiss him right on that spot and see if I could make his heartbeat speed up for a different reason, but I reached for his hand instead.
“Look at me, Garrett.” I waited until he’d turned to face me. “It’s okay if you don’t want to do this. I want you to have fun, not pass out. We can find something else to do if you’d rather.”
He looked over at the platform for several seconds, his eyes squinting as he examined the other people currently being strapped in, then he turned back to me. “This isn’t something I would normally do, but neither was last night and that turned out great.”
I could feel the smile spreading across my cheeks. “So, is that a yes?”
Garrett nodded his head quickly, a look of determination on his face. “I came here because I was stuck in a rut and I needed something to shake me up a bit. This will definitely shake things up,” he said with a laugh. I laughed with him, pleased that he was so willing to try new things. I didn’t let go of him but kept my hold on his hand loose in case he wanted to pull away. A strange warmth spread through me when he suddenly adjusted our hands so that he could lace our fingers together.
My heart was thundering in my chest and my stomach churned at the thought of what I’d just agreed to do. The feel of Dean’s hand in mine was the only thing that kept me from changing my mind and high-tailing it back to the car, so I kept a steady hold on him, linking our fingers together. My mouth felt dry as we neared the base of the platform, but I swallowed my nerves, determined to see this through.
We climbed to the top of the platform and my legs felt wobbly as I got my first clear view of the ravine we were about to go over. “Mr. Wilder! It’s a pleasure to have you back here,” the man who worked there said. He looked a little older than me with dark hair and a wide, friendly smile.
“Thanks, Toby. It’s good to be back on the island,” Dean said, smiling at the man and shaking his hand. He turned toward me then, laying a hand on my shoulder. “This is my friend Garrett. It’s his first time zip-lining, so take really good care of him, okay?” My face flushed with heat, but I wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment from being the newbie or from the wink Dean had just given me. Perhaps a little bit of both.
Toby’s eyes darted back and forth between me and Dean. I had no idea what he was thinking, but his smile grew as he extended his hand toward me. “It’s a real pleasure to have you, Garrett.” His hand was rough and warm as he shook mine.
“Thank you,” I responded distractedly. My eyes traveled up to the thick cables, silently calculating their strength and durability. There were two of them, stretching from above my head, out over the ravine. I followed their path until they disappeared into the tree line. I swallowed thickly.
“Don’t worry. I chose this zip-line to start with because it’s a dual line. I’ll be right next to you the entire time.” I shivered at the feel of Dean’s warm breath against my ear as he whispered to me. It was ridiculous how just those few words from him were able to calm me.
Toby handed each of us a bright yellow helmet and we both put them on. My hands were shaking as I buckled the chin strap, sure that I looked positively ridiculous in it. I looked over at Dean, shaking my head when I found him looking like the cover model for some adventure magazine. None of this felt like my real life.
I’d never been the kind of guy to leap first and ask questions later. The only adventures I ever had were those which I lived vicariously through the characters in my books. I was the guy who always thought things through, who weighed every option before making a decision. But here I was, with a man I’d just met the night before, about to go hurtling through the air. Was I crazy? Dean looked up then and smiled at me, that easygoing grin that never failed to get my heart racing and I realized that I was exactly where I wanted to be. Why should my characters have all the fun? I smiled back at him. A tremor of excitement rippled through me…until Toby turned to me, holding several black nylon straps up in the air.
“You ready?”
I gulped nervously but nodded my head. I studied his every move carefully as he hooked the safety harnesses around my legs and waist, one at a time. I could tell by the confident way he moved that he was a pro at this, but I still tugged each one after he was finished, making sure it was locked in properly.
Toby looked over his shoulder at Dean, who was locking his last buckle in place then he turned to me. “I know you’re nervous, but don’t worry. You’re in very good hands.” The look in his eyes made it clear that he was talking about more than just the zip-lining.
“Thank you, Toby,” I said, not bothering to tell him that there was no reason for his reassurances. Dean and I were only having fun together. That’s all this was.
After Toby inspected Dean’s harnesses, making sure he was properly strapped in, he went over a few basic instructions with us. Then we were standing side by side, the toes of our shoes just crossing the edge of the platform.
“You ready for the ride of your life?” Dean asked. His face lit up with an excitement that was positively infectious, and I felt my nerves dissipate as I got caught up in his gaze.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” I answered, wiping my sweaty palms down the sides of my shorts.
I reached up and grabbed onto the small handlebar above my head. I closed my eyes for a second, just long enough to say a little prayer. When I opened my eyes, Dean was reaching for me. His hand wrapped around mine securely and he gave me a reassuring squeeze. I barely had time to think before I felt myself moving. My heart leapt to my throat, and I squeezed my eyes shut as my feet left the safety of the platform, and for a second, I had a moment where I wondered if this was how I was going to die.
“Open your eyes, Garrett. This is too good to miss,” Dean shouted from beside me.
Prying my eyes open, I looked over at him. With his eyes shining and the broad smile on his face, he was the picture of pure joy. Drawing strength from him, I forced myself to take a look around. The view was spectacular as we soared over the treetops, the wind whipping at my cheeks and the blue sky overhead. I was surprised by how smooth the ride was, and I found myself laughing along with Dean as we slid along the cables, hand in hand. All too soon, I was planting my feet on a platform at the other end of the line. The woman working there helped us out of our harnesses and took our helmets.
“Well? What did you think?” Dean asked when we were finally free. I looked at him, his cheeks pink and his hair windblown, eyes bright with exhilaration. He was absolutely breathtaking. Without warning, I launched myself at him. He caught me with a loud laugh, wrapping his arms around me.
“That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done,” I exclaimed. “Thank you so much for talking me into it.” With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I grabbed his face between my hands and kissed him.
I’d been relieved when I’d seen how happy Garrett was. A part of me was worried that I had forced him into doing something he didn’t want to do, but then I forgot everything as his lips slammed over mine. The feel of him in my arms, the exuberance in his kisses, and the taste of him on my tongue all made for one delicious concoction that made my head spin.
He pulled back and looked at me, his eyes practically sparkling. “When can we do that again?”
I laughed at the hopefulness in his voice. “Have I created an adrenaline junkie?” I teased.
“Hmm. I think you may have,” he responded, not looking sorry in the least. We were still laughing as we climbed down the ladder and made our way over to the bus that would take us back to my car.
“Thanks again for bringing me here. That was unbelievable,” he gushed as we climbed into the car.
“Well, I have more I’d like to show you, if you’re up for it.”
“I’d like to see anything you have to show me,” Garrett responded suggestively. I smiled at him, loving this relaxed, playful side of him.
“Oh, I’ll be showing you that for sure, but it’ll have to wait.” I laughed as his bottom lip jutted out in a pretend pout, and I leaned over the console, landing a quick kiss on that delectable lip.
Garrett asked what other types of adventurous things I’d done, so I entertained him with stories of my times parachuting from a plane, white-water rafting, and bungee jumping off a bridge as we drove back down the mountain.
“Wow. Listening to you, I realize how little I’ve really done in my life. I mean, I’ve traveled plenty, but this is the only thing I’ve ever done that could even be remotely considered dangerous. I never understood the draw to it before, why people would want to risk getting hurt, but after experiencing that rush today, I get it.” I reached over and grabbed his hand.
“I’m glad you liked it. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there. Sure, you might get hurt, but never trying at all seems like a bigger tragedy to me.”
A shadow crossed his features and he sighed, turning to look out the passenger window. I bit my lip, wondering if I’d said something wrong, but not wanting to pry. After several miles, I made a turn onto a narrow path rarely used and only known by the people who had either been born on the island or were friends with someone who had.
Garrett leaned up in his seat as I pulled off on the side of the road and parked. “Where are we?”
“I told you I had more to show you. You up for a little more fun?” I asked.
“Hell yeah.” Garrett’s expression changed then, and I could see the excitement returning to his eyes from behind those dark frames. “Are we zip-lining again?” he asked as we got out of the car.
I grinned at him as I made my way around to the back of the car, then reached into the trunk for the other supplies I’d gathered that morning. “No more zip-lining today, but I think you’ll like this just as much. Here, take this and I’ll show you,” I said, tossing a backpack to him. He caught it easily and put his arms through the straps. I did the same with my own pack, then shut the lid of the trunk and started leading him away from the car and through a set of trees that led to a small, dirt trail.
Garrett caught up and began walking beside me, silently. We set off at an easy pace, both of us winding our way through the dense foliage. He may not have been as muscular as me, but it was evident with how well he was able to keep up, that he obviously took care of himself. Of course, that had already been made clear the first time I saw his naked body. My blood began to heat as I recalled, with vivid detail, the smooth lines and ridges along his body. The way the sweat had glistened on his skin as he welcomed each of my thrusts.
“How did you ever find anything around here? I mean, we’re not exactly on a main highway anymore.” Garrett’s words pulled me from my thoughts. I shot him a quick look out of the corner of my eye, thankful that he wasn’t able to read my mind and even more grateful that he was looking around instead of paying attention to the way my cock had filled out, creating a noticeable bulge in the front of my shorts.
“I have a couple of friends who were born and raised here. This was one of their favorite places to go as kids and later when they started dating. They brought me here one time and I’ve come here ever since, whenever I visit Maui. It’s the perfect spot to go to when I want to escape from the rest of the world,” I explained.
I swiped at the sweat beading across my forehead as we continued walking. The canopy of trees above us provided a respite from the sun, but the heat and humidity hung in the air, thick and heavy. It made me even more anxious to get where we were going; but mostly, I couldn’t wait to see Garrett’s reaction.
“Here we are,” I said, a few minutes later.
I held a low-lying branch aside, so he could step through the trees and into the small clearing. His mouth hung open as his eyes scanned the area, taking in the beauty which lay hidden deep along the side of a mountain. It was my favorite spot on the entire island, and I found myself wanting to know his thoughts as he experienced the place for the first time.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Garrett kept his eyes on the sparkling waterfall that flowed down into a crystal-clear pool of water in front of him, speaking softly, almost reverently. “I can’t believe this place. It’s so beautiful here. I mean, I knew Maui was going to be beautiful, but every new thing I see reminds me that I’m actually standing in paradise on earth.” The awe was evident in his voice. “Sorry, you’re probably used to all this by now and here I am, carrying on.”
“Don’t apologize. This place is very special. It deserves to be appreciated for its beauty. I still get swept away by it each and every time I come,” I said with a smile.
I hadn’t been lying when I’d told him that this was where I would go when I wanted to be alone. There were very few places in the world I could just be myself. Even at my house on the island, I had to be cautious because there was always the possibility that a photographer or overzealous fan could be peeking through the windows. That’s why I had held this secret spot so close to my chest, not wanting to share it with anyone.
Even that morning, I hadn’t been sure I wanted to show it to him, but there was just something about Garrett, something sweet and pure, that made me want to take a leap of faith and trust him. Seeing the awe on his face, I knew I’d made the right decision.