Lennon
All I need is right here, in front of me.
I STEP BACK before wiping my damp brow, pride filling my chest at our teamwork. My lungs expel a long exhale as I stretch the strain in my lower back. Setting up a tent is no joke but the effort was well worth it.
After securing the final stake, Ryker stands to join me and we take a moment to admire our rustic setup. The section of shaded grass we’re renting is completely surrounded by natural beauty. Dense trees line most of the space except for the section of sandy shore. The rocky cliffs rise up in the distance and edge the far side of the lake. I can hear the crashing rush of the waterfall just around the bend but it’s hidden from view. The sun reflects through the leaves and casts shimmering light around the small space. This slice of wilderness is our home for the next several days and the tranquil scenery is practically humming with peace.
The campsites at Clifftop Outpost are secluded and widely spread apart for privacy. Their promise of a quiet escape from city living caught my attention when I was planning this surprise for us. I’d say they definitely held up their end of the bargain.
My lids blink quickly as I twist to peer at the calm lake. The surface glistens as slow waves ripple with the breeze, beckoning us near. This oppressive June humidity has me craving a swim in the cool water. I tip my face up to Ryker and catch him staring at me.
“Whatcha looking at?” I question with a smirk.
“You,” he says without pause.
“Why?”
He shrugs and reaches for my hand. “Because that’s kinda my thing. It’s what I do. What I’ve done for years. Do you want me to stop?” Ryker’s eyes spear into me and my knees threaten to buckle.
“No. I um, like it. A lot.” I stress the last word and bite my lip.
“Good,” he hums while tucking me into his side, “because I wasn’t going to quit.”
I hop on tiptoes and tip my face toward his.
“I love you, Ry.”
Even with the sweltering heat blasting against us, Ryker shivers.
“I love hearing that from your lips. Almost as much as I love you, Sunshine.” His prickly jaw nuzzles along my sticky cheek and even with the balmy weather, I welcome the embrace.
“This place is all right, huh? Not too shabby?”
Ryker guffaws. “You’re joking, right? Because you did real good. This spot is dynamite and has everything we need.” He gestures around us and I follow the sweep of his arm. “It’ll be fun to have a fire later. We can snuggle close for warmth.”
When he wags his brows, I giggle into his shoulder.
“Oh, I like the sound of that.” My lashes bat shamelessly up at him.
Ryker chuckles again and the sound brings flutters to my belly.
“I love you but there’s no way we’re gettin’ busy in that tent right now. It’s too fucking hot, but I’ll show you later.”
I gawk unabashedly at his open expression.
Oh, my. Playful and flirty Ryker is hazardous to my lady bits.
“What?” He questions after I keep silently staring.
“You’re so . . . sexy,” I blurt and my cheeks flame. My finger circles his dimples before pointing at his t-shirt. “This look is really working for you. Damn, you’re fine as hell.”
A brilliant smile lights up his face and my brain short-circuits.
“That’s my favorite,” I whisper in awe.
Ryker’s forehead creases as he nods to tent. “Roasting in our little sauna?”
“Oh my God. No!” I snort. “Your laugh and smile are the best.” My voice breaks at the emotion glittering in his soulful gaze. “That’s my number one,” I add softly.
His mouth drops to mine before he murmurs, “It’s all because of you. Only for you.”
I sag against him, pouring all my overflowing bliss into our brief kiss.
“You’re wonderful and perfect and all for me,” I say on a happy sigh.
“Damn straight, Sunshine. Before we get carried away, what should we do first?”
“I read about a designated area of the cliffs that’s safe to jump from. That could be exciting.”
Ryker nods and leads us to our pile of supplies. “Let’s hike up the trail and check it out.”
“And we can have dinner up there. Picnic style,” I suggest while bouncing on my toes.
“Sounds delicious.”
We set off up the path with matching grins lifting our lips, our clasped hands swinging between us. I’m carrying the basket with food and he’s got the backpack with other essentials. We’re totally winning at this camping stuff.
“Will your companies be all right while we’re here? Or will you need to check in?”
Ryker chuckles and squeezes my fingers. “They’re hardly mine. The big bosses hire me and hardly know who I am. They’ll survive without the data dumps for a few days.”
“I’m still not entirely sure what you do for them, other than keeping the bad hackers out.”
“That’s the gist. The rest is just boring details that would put you to sleep.”
“Never. I wanna learn about your job. It’s this entirely different world I have no clue about. I’m sure putting it all together is interesting.”
“I dunno about that. Security software isn’t glamorous but it’s vital. If you’re serious, I can show you more when we get back to a computer.”
“If it’s a part of you, I wanna know all about it.”
“It’s settled. I’ll tell you everything.” Ryker pulls me closer to wrap his arm around me. “What about Len’s Looks? Let’s talk about what you’re planning for Denten.”
I blow out a lungful of air. “It’s intimidating, you know? I’m going to have the freedom to create whatever my heart desires. I’m not sure where to start and that’s kind of overwhelming. There’s too many wild ideas swirling around up here,” I explain while tapping my temple.
“You’re so talented, Sunshine. Once you get going, nothing will stop you.”
Too bad I don’t have your confidence. I’m terrified of failing, like my parents have always predicted.” My stomach sinks at the thought of proving them right. That’s not an option I’ll consider.
Ryker pulls me to a stop. “Don’t say stuff like that. You’re going to be a huge success. I’ll help with anything you need. Even just cheering you on in the workroom.”
My eyes lock on his and something profound passes between us. I brush a soft kiss on his jaw. “You’re truly something special. How did I get so lucky?”
“We were brought together for a reason,” he explains before dusting my lips with his.
I lean into him and the basket bumps his leg, reminding us of our plans. Without another word, we climb the rest of the way before reaching the diving cliff.
After setting everything down, I stretch my arms out wide and spin in a slow circle. The entire lake is visible from up here and the glistening sight is breathtaking. The rocky trail continues around but is blocked by huge boulders. The waterfall must be close because the pounding echo practically vibrates through me. My eyes continue bouncing around the stunning space while Ryker spreads a blanket on the flat surface. I go to him and wrap my arms around his waist, holding tight as his heartbeat drums into my ear.
“This is incredible,” I murmur softly.
Ryker hums, “It really is.”
“You make me so happy.”
He rests his chin on my head before saying, “You’re the definition of that word.”
“I’ll love you forever, Ry.”
I tilt my face up, seeking his warm embrace. Ryker swoops down immediately, not making me wait before pressing his lips to mine.
“I’ll love you forever plus one, Sunshine,” he hums into my mouth.
My tongue glides smoothly along his as we get lost in the kiss for a few beats, taking and giving from one another. My limbs turn to jelly when he pulls me closer while angling for a deeper connection. When we break away, our foreheads touch softly and the binds tying us together strengthen further. Current zaps between us as we get swept into oblivion, saying so much without uttering a syllable.
His nose brushes down mine and I shiver from the gentle caress.
“I can’t believe this is real. My insecurities are still on a constant loop,” he sighs against me. “What I feel for you is so powerful and all consuming. It’s really difficult for me to comprehend you feeling the same way. I’m trying but it doesn’t always add up,” Ryker admits quietly.
“Well, I do feel the same. So much. And I’ll keep telling you until you believe me. This is forever,” I murmur quietly before placing a soft peck against his cheek.
His arms band tighter around my middle.
“Too bad I don’t have a ring because this would be perfect timing,” Ryker whispers into my neck. My breath falters as my heartbeat takes off at a full gallop. He pulls back while scanning my watery eyes. “Too soon? I know we’ve only been dating a very short while. I’m sure people would think we’re rushing it but—”
“What they think or say doesn’t matter,” I blurt, picturing him down on one knee. The idea stirs up a hoard of the giddiest butterflies in my belly. “If we’re happy and know it’s right, that’s what counts. We do what’s right for us, always.” I’m smiling so wide my cheeks hurt but when Ryker mirrors the expression, my mouth somehow stretches further.
“So, you’d say yes?” His pitch rises as if he can’t believe my response.
I nod quickly before jumping up, my legs automatically finding a home around his waist. In the next moment Ryker’s palms cradle my ass, as if that movement is instinctual too. “Wanna take the plunge with me?” I question against his jaw.
“Of course, but I don’t have—”
My head gestures to the drop off in front of us. “Let’s jump together. Seems fitting, right?”
Understanding dawns across his features and Ryker grins.
“Very,” he murmurs along my lips and sets me down.
I kick off my sandals and shimmy out of my shorts before whipping off my tank. Ryker steps out of his shoes and his eyes widen while he scans my bikini-clad figure.
With a little swivel of my hips, I ask, “Do you like it?”
“You’re too fucking hot,” he groans. “Good thing we’re about to cool off.”
When Ryker ditches his shirt, my mouth goes dry at his muscular chest. I gulp loudly before fanning my face.
He reaches forward and laces our fingers together. His lips latch onto mine as he drags me closer. I let his mouth distract me and don’t realize we’re about to go over until the last second. My eyes dart down into the sparkling water and my feet shuffle nervously.
“Wait a minute. We’re really high up. What if it’s not deep enough? I might have miscalculated this part of the adventure,” I reason weakly.
“Too late, you already suggested it.” He chuckles before clutching my hand tighter. “This spot is meant for diving. Hold on, Sunshine. Ready?” Ryker asks while tugging me closer to the edge.
My muscles ache with tension as I stare into his blue depths, syphoning courage from him. In the next beat, my eyes squeeze shut as my nails dig into his skin. Everything within me clenches as I blindly nod. Then we’re falling, soaring together, before crashing into the cold water. My system is shocked momentarily from the drop but quickly kickstarts triple time. We’re completely submerged but Ryker’s grip never falters as he kicks to the surface. I gasp after breaking through, sucking in air hungrily before blinking to clear my vision. When my gaze locks with his, we both start laughing.
“That was really fun,” I pant while moving into him.
Ryker draws me closer with one arm before paddling us toward a shallow alcove.
“Your heart is pounding,” he says while propping me against the cool stone wall but the chill doesn’t faze me.
My concentration is securely fastened elsewhere.
I have a personal peepshow to his fantastic upper body, my sight overwhelmed by washboard abs and concrete pecs. It's like a switch is flipped and suddenly hot desire pumps through me. Ryker’s ropey veins trail down his forearms and my fingers trace the curving tracks. My ankles cross against his ass before cinching the hold, which securely wedges him between my thighs. I’m deliciously pinned between his solid hardness and the unforgiving rock behind me.
“I’m excited,” I purr while arching against him.
Ryker licks up my neck before asking, “For which part, Sunshine?”
Before surrendering to his worship, I manage to respond with a breathy murmur.
“Our entire future.”