Read Online Burnt by Bella Love-Wins - Free Book Online Page B

counted. It was breathtaking and he felt alive, and for a few moments he relaxed enough to look back and take in the view. It was a spectacular horizon. Kevin was almost sad it would soon be over. When he finally hit the ground, he felt a sense of achievement welling up inside of him. He sighed with relief and looked up at Tara, who was just a few feet above. The worker at the bottom helped to remove his harness and then he turned to where Tara was about to hit solid ground.
    He could hear Tara’s shaky breath as she turned to him. Her hands were shaking and Kevin guessed it was from fear, and grasping so tightly to the rope. The harness was taken off and he couldn’t get to her fast enough. He put his arms around her and held her tightly. After several moments, he felt her begin to relax. Her arms opened up to him, wrapping around his body.
    “I’m so glad it’s over,” she replied, shivering against him.
    “I shouldn’t have made you do it,” he said, feeling apologetic.
    She released him and shook her head.
    “You didn’t hold a gun to my head. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into.” She looked up to where they had come from. “I’m glad it’s over, but I’m happy we did it together.”
    “You are?” he asked, not knowing if he should believe her.
    She smiled. “I am, but don’t get me wrong...I’m still relieved it’s over.”
    He laughed. He was relieved too. “Well, while we’re this close to the hiking trails, what do you say we go for a little jaunt?”
    She groaned. “After that experience on the mountain, I was thinking we could just go back to camp and start a fire.”
    “Are you wimping out on me, Tara Matthews?” he teased.
    She nodded. “I’m trying desperately to wimp out on you. Is it working?”
    He wrapped his arm around her as they walked to the trails.
    “Not really. You’ll need to try harder.” They headed onto one of the less traveled trails and disappeared into a forested area.
    ***
    H e could barely keep up. Having to climb down a mountain to follow them made it worse. He was sweating the entire way down, unable to appreciate the adventure or the breathtaking view. All that mattered was keeping track of where they went, and finally making it to the bottom. When he touched down, he quickly got the harness off and looked around the area. He didn’t know where they were, but he did know they couldn’t have gotten far. He was sure of it.
    He walked around for a few minutes and then noticed the opening to the woods. He stepped onto the trail and quickly made his way. He understood their habits well enough to know where they would go. As he walked along the guided path, he spotted them up ahead. He slowed his pace and got behind a tree. He wanted to remain hidden. They stopped to look at some wildflowers growing around the area.
    He waited patiently, wishing he was closer and could hear what they had to say. He moved up a bit to be in earshot of the two, while still hanging back in the shadows so they wouldn’t discover his presence.
    “Look at this, Kevin,” Tara said as she kneeled down in front of a thick growth of flowers and caressed the petals between her hands.
    Her shirt hung low and he could see the curves of her breasts in the V-neck she wore.
    He groaned, staring at her from a distance.
    “I wonder what kind of plant that is,” Kevin said, kneeling down next to her. His hand went to the petals, brushing up against her arm.
    From his hidden perch, he noticed the couple’s interaction. He could have screamed at them for being so carefree.
    They stood up and headed back down the walkway. “Oh...look,” Tara said, pointing.
    His eyes strained to see went to where she was pointing. It was a large tent behind a growth of trees. They moved further down the path and as he started walking, he felt himself being thrown forward. He was tripping over a tree root in the ground. “Ouch!” he cried, falling to the ground. He looked up to see Tara wrapped in