Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
At the bottom of the falls, we look up at the water cascading through a cloak of ice and snow.
“It’s sixty meters tall,” I inform her, feeling a bit like a tour guide and not minding at all. I’d spend the rest of my life being Maddie’s tour guide. There are so many places I’d love to show her. “And the story goes that there is Viking treasure hidden behind the falls in the cave.”
“Well, I see a path that leads back there. Let’s go check it out.”
“We’ll have to come back in the summer for that,” I reply and tug her back to me when she starts setting off for the falls. “It’s closed in the winter because it’s too dangerous.”
“That sucks,” she mutters. “I may never get back here. You know how often I take vacations.”
If I had my way, I’d change that immediately. Maddie is missing out on some amazing things in the world, and I want to show her all of them. Explore new ones with her.
But I’d better not mention any of it because…this is just a holiday fling.
“It’s amazing that the water still falls, even through the ice and snow.”
I follow her gaze up and breathe in the cold air. “It’s fed by a glacier. Iceland is actually known for its amazing waterfalls.”
“For being so small,” she says in wonder, not taking her eyes off the cascade before us, “it’s a really gorgeous country.”
“I absolutely agree.” To my surprise, Maddie links her arms around my waist and just holds on, her cheek pressed to my chest as she watches the water.
It’s…sweet. She is sweet.
I kiss the top of her head and breathe her in. When I saw the beautiful woman on my flight, I had no idea that we’d end up like this mere days later. But, here we are.
And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
“This was totally worth the two-hour drive,” she announces, smiling up at me. Her expression sobers. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all.”
“You were frowning.”
I shake my head. “I think my face is just frozen. That’s the expression I’m stuck with for a while.”
She relaxes and then laughs. “It’s freaking cold out here. Let’s go warm up in the car.”
Going up is a lot easier than the trek down, and it doesn’t take us long to reach the vehicle.
With the engine running, we get the heaters blasting and then sigh in relief as three vehicles carrying tourists pull in next to us.
“Good timing,” Maddie says. “We had the whole place to ourselves. What next?”
“Are you too frozen, or do you want to check out some more waterfalls?”
“What’s the other alternative?”
“We could drive back to the city and do that shopping you mentioned before.”
“I think I like that option. I don’t want to forget the piece for my mom, and I think I’d like to swim. My cousins lent me a couple of bathing suits.”
“You didn’t bring any with you?”
“I thought I was coming here for only twenty-four hours,” she reminds me as I put the car in gear and head back in the direction of the city. “I had to borrow all kinds of things from my cousins. It’s a good thing I’m similar in size to some of them.”
“Did you borrow what you’re wearing now?” I eye the green top with its scoop neck that gives me a peek of her spectacular breasts.
“Yeah, this is Liv’s. Hey, speaking of swimming, since tomorrow is our last day here, all the cousins are having what we call cousins’ night at the lagoon. There will be drinks, food, and swimming. You’re welcome to join us. No pressure, of course. Really. It won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t want to go, it’s just usually a good time. We get together all the time for the cousins’ nights when we’re home in Seattle, and—”
“Maddie.”
“Yeah?”
I reach over and grab her hand, lifting it to my lips. “I’d love to go. Thanks for inviting me.”
“You don’t have to feel obligated.”
“I don’t.”
“Really?”
“Really. Listen, I don’t usually do much of anything that I don’t want to do, so if I didn’t want to spend time with your cousins, I’d tell you.”
“Good. Also, I should warn you that my cousin Liam has a tendency to go streaking if he’s been drinking too much.”
“Sounds like a fun crowd.”
“You have no idea.”
* * * *
“You did not have to buy me that necklace,” Maddie insists as I unlock the door of my room and usher her inside. “Or the scarf. I mean, you even bought me socks.”
“Your feet looked cold.”
“How do you know? They were in my shoes.”
I grin at her and toss the bags onto the chair by the window.
“I’m psychic.”
“Uh-huh. Right. Sure, you are.” She’s smiling when I nudge her against the wall and lean into her, dragging my nose across her cheek. “You spoiled me today.”