Sarah
We reach the small, rocky cove where the boat can safely dock. Matthew helps me out, holding my hand as I step onto the shore.
I look up at him, surprised by his small gesture of care. He seems to be in a good mood this morning.
"Come on," he urges me, starting toward the path that leads up to the cliffs.
The climb is steeper than I had anticipated, but I don't mind. Because when we reach the top, the view is breathtaking.
"This is beautiful!" I gasp.
Matthew stands next to me. "Yeah, it is," he says absentmindedly.
For a moment, I forget everything—the tension, the walls between us. All I can focus on is the raw beauty of this place.
I turn to him, watching the sunlight highlight the sharp lines on his face. He looks peaceful now, not the angry, bitter man I've seen these past few weeks.
I close my eyes for a second, letting the serenity of this place settle into my bones. When I glance at Matthew again, I find him watching me.
His gaze meets mine, but he doesn't look away. My stomach tightens at the intensity in his eyes, and I quickly shift my focus back to the view.
"There's a trail down there," I say, pointing toward a narrow path that winds along the edge of the cliff. "It looks like it leads to a cave."
Matthew follows my gaze and then nods. "Let's go check it out."
Going down seems trickier than climbing up, with the ground uneven under our feet. Matthew stays close, his hand hovering near my lower back as if he's ready to catch me if I stumble.
The gesture is small, but I still feel a flutter in my stomach. This is the Matthew I used to know. Someone who is kind and thoughtful.
When we finally reach the cave entrance, the air turns cooler. The opening is wide and dark, the faint sound of dripping water echoing from inside.
I take a cautious step forward, peering into the shadows. "It's bigger than I thought," I murmur.
Matthew moves beside me, his presence steady and solid. "Stay close," he says.
I nod, following him as we step inside. The cave is damp, and the stone walls slick with moisture. "This is so cool!" I chirp. I try to walk faster, but he grabs my arm.
"Be careful," he warns, his tone low and serious. "The rocks can be slippery."
I nod and step further into the cave, my hand trailing along the damp stone. The air grows colder the deeper we go, and I can't suppress a shiver.
Matthew notices. He shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders without a word.
I glance up at him, surprised. "Thank you," I murmur, pulling the jacket tighter around me. It smells like him—soap and something distinctly masculine.
Suddenly, my foot slips on a patch of moss. I let out a yelp, my heart leaping into my throat as I start to fall. But before I can hit the ground, strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back against a solid chest.
I gasp, my hands instinctively gripping Matthew's arms, where they're locked around my waist. For a moment, we stand there, my back pressed against his front, his breath hot against my ear.
"I told you to be careful," he growls, sounding more worried than angry.
I swallow hard, my heart pounding against my ribs. "I'm sorry," I whisper, but I make no move to pull away.
Neither does he. His hold on me tightens, and I feel the brush of his lips against my temple. "Sarah," he murmurs.
I close my eyes, a wave of longing crashing over me. I want to turn in his arms, to face him, to…
A loud crack echoes through the cave, and we spring apart. A few loose stones clatter to the ground, the sound deafening in the tense silence.
Matthew clears his throat, running a hand through his hair. "We should head back. It may not be safe to stand here," he says, his voice gruff.
I nod, feeling a bit disappointed.
Matthew keeps a firm grip on my wrist as we walk on the uneven ground. "There's a waterfall nearby," he says.
I cheer up again. "Really! I love waterfalls!"
His lips twitch slightly, almost like he's fighting a smile. "You love everything."
He leads the way through a narrow, forested path. The sound of the waterfall grows louder with each step, making me more excited than ever. When we finally reach it, my breath catches.
The waterfall spills down from a jagged cliff into a crystal-clear pool below, mist rising in a soft, ethereal haze. Sunlight filters through the trees, making the droplets shimmer like tiny diamonds. The whole place feels untouched, almost magical.
"WOW!" I cry in amazement.
Matthew's deep, booming laughter echoes through the air, causing my heart to lurch in my chest. It's a sound I haven't heard in what feels like ages, ever since that fateful day when I destroyed everything between us. I missed it so freaking much.
"You should go in," he says.
I blink at him. "What?"
He nods toward the water. "Get in the water."
"But my clothes will get wet!" I protest even though I half decided to go for it already.
Matthew raises an eyebrow. "That's usually what happens when you get in the water, genius. Take your clothes off before going in."
"What if someone comes and sees me naked?" I remind him.
"No one is here now. Where is your sense of adventure, Sarah? Are you too much of a chickenshit to take the risk?" he grinned.
I gasp. "I am not chickenshit!"
"Then prove it," he says.
I narrow my eyes at him, then kick off my shoes. "Fine," I huff. "But if it's freezing, I'm dragging you in with me."
He smirks, crossing his arms. "I'd like to see you try."
Challenge accepted.
I take off my shorts and shirt, leaving my underwear on. Then, I take a deep breath and step into the pool. The water is shockingly cold, sending a jolt up my spine, but after a few moments, it becomes refreshing. The smooth stones beneath my feet shift as I go in deeper, the water rising past my knees.
I turn back to Matthew, who watches me with amusement. "Well?" he calls.
"It's perfect!" I grin, splashing water in his direction.
He takes a step back, but a few drops still hit his jeans. His expression darkens in mock annoyance. "You're going to regret that."
Before I can react, he pulls his shirt over his head and steps into the water. My breath catches at the sight of him. Despite everything, I still swoon like a love-sick puppy when I see him without a shirt on.
Guh…I am hopeless.
A moment later, I hear a splash, and suddenly, strong arms wrap around my waist. I let out a startled yelp as Matthew lifted me and tossed me into the deeper part of the pool.
I resurface, gasping, my wet hair plastered to my face. "Matthew!" I shriek.
His laughter rings out again, warm and carefree, as he treads water a few feet away. "I warned you, Sarah."
I splash at him furiously, but he just dodges with ease, still grinning. "Is that all you got?" he taunts.
I dive towards him, determined to get my revenge. He tries to swim away, but I'm faster, latching onto his back and wrapping my arms around his neck. "Got you!" I crow triumphantly.
Matthew twists in my grip, his hands finding my waist under the water. In one smooth motion, he flips our positions so I'm the one with my back against his chest, his arms caging me in. "You were saying?" he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
I shiver, and it has nothing to do with the cool water. Suddenly, I'm hyper-aware of everywhere our bodies are touching. My back to his firm chest, his muscular thighs bracketing mine, his large hands splayed possessively across my stomach. Heat spreads low in my belly.
"I surrender…" I murmur.
Matthew chuckles softly, his breath warm against my ear. "That's what I thought."
For a moment, we just stand there in the water, the sound of the waterfall filling the air. I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my back, his chest rising and falling with each breath. The closeness is both comforting and electric, making it hard to think clearly.
My breath hitches when I feel his hands tighten slightly on my waist, pulling me even closer. "You make me lose my senses," he whispers, his lips touching my collarbone.
I hold my breath, not wanting to break the spell.
His lips trail along my shoulder, feather-light kisses that leave my skin tingling. I tilt my head to the side, granting him better access, a soft sigh escaping me. His hands start to roam, skimming up my sides, his touch leaving trails of fire even through the cool water.
I turn in his arms, needing to see his face. His eyes are dark, pupils blown wide with desire, but there's a tenderness there too, a vulnerability that makes my heart clench.
Slowly, giving him time to pull away, I wind my arms around his neck, my fingers playing with the wet strands of hair at his nape.
"Matthew…" I whisper.
He swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Sarah, I…"
But before he can finish, a loud splash followed by raucous laughter shatters the moment. We spring apart, the spell broken, as a group of tourists comes wading into the water, chattering excitedly.
"Wow, this place is unreal!" a guy with a camera exclaims, snapping photos of the waterfall.
"Jess, you've got to get in here, the water feels amazing!" a girl in a bright pink bikini calls to her friend still on the shore.
I feel my cheeks heat, suddenly feeling exposed in just my underwear. I cross my arms over my chest, sinking lower into the water. Matthew moves in front of me, shielding me from view, his jaw tight with annoyance.
"Let's get out of here," he mutters, taking my hand and pulling me towards the shore.
I follow without protest, my heart still racing. We quickly gather our clothes, tugging them on over our wet undergarments.
Matthew is quiet as we walk, his expression blank. Is he regretting our moment in the pool? Angry that we were interrupted? I bite my lip, wanting to ask but afraid of the answer.