Chapter 27.
Right after it stops snowing, Emmett and Vicky come into the main lodge for breakfast.
"Morning, babes…" Emmett says as he sets his plates on the table; one with several slices of toast and a spread of breakfast meats, and the other made up exclusively of hard boiled eggs. "How's the bed?" He snickers, taking off his backpack before sitting. "Still standing?"
"Shut up…" Bella chuckles next to me as I simultaneously kick Emmett under the table, much to Emmett's amusement. He starts laughing louder while Vicky takes the spot next to him, her eyes on Bella, a silent conversation going on between the two of them.
"Did you pack the flashlights?" I ask Emmett, gesturing to his backpack, hoping to switch the topic of conversation over to our upcoming hike. Emmett nods, forking an egg. "Water? Towels? Snacks?"
"Yesss…" He rolls his eyes while I quickly double check that Bella and I also have everything we need in my backpack.
"If we get going around ten, we should be able to reach the springs around noon," I say, turning to Bella. "That gives us plenty of time to explore, soak, and be back before sunset."
"Or…" Emmett interjects, with his mouth half-full before he swallows. "I bet the sunset up there is amazing."
"We shouldn't stay too long." I quickly contest the thought; the four of us up there in the dark is not an idea I am comfortable with.
"The guy said the path is clear," he dismisses me. "And we have flashlights."
"It snowed so it will be slippery," I insist.
"C'mon, babe, live a little." Emmett's words have me breathe out in exasperation, but before I can snap back, Bella wraps her fingers over mine under the table. When I turn to her, she gives my hand a little squeeze, a matching calming smile on her face.
"How about we decide once we get there?" she suggests, her eyes on mine, and whatever annoyance I had with Emmett quickly dissipates.
"Fine," I agree in resignation, turning to find Emmett smiling broadly at me.
"Atta boy."
After Emmett quickly inhales the rest of his food, we finally head over to our planned hike.
The trail actually is clear and easy to follow as we walk along Forks Creek. The snow isn't deep, so we make good time, and about two hours into the hike, the water starts turning glacier-blue, which the tour guide said yesterday is an indication that we are getting closer.
Pretty soon, we arrive at a set of rock-enclosed, natural pools of milky blue waters, a cloud of steam over them. About a dozen pools stretch up, just underneath a waterfall.
"Wow…" Bella says next to me, letting go of my hand and walking closer to the rocks. "This is amazing!"
"Nice!" Emmett walks past me, setting a hand on my shoulder. "Should we explore a little before getting in?"
"Sure," I agree, taking off my backpack.
"I call dibs on the one over there." Emmett points at the last pool, highest up, just under the waterfall.
"Of course…" I chuckle a little, scratching the back of my neck. The pools look so tempting. Secluded. Bella and I could actually manage some privacy if Emmett and Vicky head over to the one at the top, and we stay over at the one at the bottom.
"Shall we?" Emmett leads the way, just past the waterfall to the summit of Mount Forks. The view is spectacular, the sky bright blue and clear.
Bella hugs herself to me, looking out onto the cliff. The wind blows her hair as she looks up at me, her cheeks flushed from the hike, or the wind, or the cold, I don't know.
"How's the Floridian liking mountain life?" I ask, running my fingers in the strands of hair that spill out of her knit beanie.
"Love it." Her smile is pure, just honest and so fucking blissful. "I love you."
"I love you." I get lost in her eyes and those three words that we say now. I love everything about her. Her passion. Her determination. Her positive attitude. How humble she is. How she calms me and drives me mad all at the same time.
Bella's hand on my cheek brings me back to the moment, and she smiles again when my eyes focus on her.
"Where did you go?" she asks through a chuckle, but before I can answer, Emmett stands between us, placing a hand on each of our shoulders.
"Stunt sesh?"
We stunt for a while on the rocks, the view behind us truly breathtaking. The girl's cameras are set up on tripods, getting footage of our stunts. We switch partners on purpose, at Bella's suggestion, to document that this was in fact a "group" trip. I don't mind too much and we end up having a good time, stunting just for fun.
Once the group activity is over, we head back to the hot springs.
Cold air hits my skin as soon as I drop my shirt, but it feels good. I was sweating through every layer after the hike and the impromptu stunt session. The sun is shining too, so if it weren't for the breeze, it wouldn't be as cold. I step out of my snow pants, in my gym shorts, and get in the water and let out a little hiss; the contrast from the frigid air and the steamy water feels amazing.
When I look back at Bella, she's stepping out of her snow pants as well, pulling her leggings down afterward. When she straightens herself back up, the only things covering her are that red bikini of hers and her knit hat.
I swallow loudly.
"Oh my God." She takes my hand as she carefully gets in, and I guide her to the rock I'm sitting on, the water up to my chest. She shudders a little as I bring her closer, and I rub my hands on her back, trying to warm her up.
"Is it not scalding enough for you?"
She laughs at my joke but doesn't say anything as she hugs herself to me. I hold her for a few minutes until her shaking finally starts to subside.
"A few degrees more would be better," she finally speaks, a teasing hint to her voice. "But I can compromise."
"There are other ways to warm up." I run a hand over her thigh, and she surprises me by hitching her leg over mine to straddle me. I peek over her shoulder, at the spot a few pools above us, where Emmett and Vicky are. I can't see them. I can't even hear them.
"You okay?" My attention is back to Bella, whose eyes are intently on me…or rather my lips.
She nods, inching closer, and then my lips are on hers. I kiss her slowly, taking my time. Her hands close around my neck while mine roam around her back.
"I can't stop thinking about last night," she says in a gasp as I kiss her neck.
"Which part?"
"Everything," she whispers in my ear as I let out a growl, glad that Emmett and Vicky are nowhere near us.
"Having your mouth on me..." Her teeth trap my earlobe between them.
"I can't wait to do that again," I tell her honestly. I've only been thinking about it all day.
"I want to do that to you, too." Her words go straight to my dick. I knew I should have gone with the swim trunks instead of the gym shorts.
"We can't do that here, Swan." I groan, closing my eyes, which doesn't help at all. All I can see is the image my brain comes up with of her doing just that.
"I know. I know." She rubs herself on me, her hands trailing down from my chest as we both moan in unison. "But later, maybe?"
"Swan, you're killing me." I pull her lips to mine, my hands roaming over her, doing whatever they can do while in this tiny natural pool.
I don't know how long we've been in, but I clearly lose track of time, and before I know it, I can hear Emmett and Vicky coming back.
"You said no more than thirty minutes," Emmett reproaches as he comes closer to our pool, Vicky trailing behind him.
"Should we get out?" Bella inches away from me, her lips swollen, her eyes hooded.
"Yeah, we have to, but you go first." I lift her from my lap and try to take a deep breath. "I need a minute or two."
She runs her fingers on my shoulder, as if she sympathizes, and moves farther away from me with a little giggle that does not help my situation at all.
The water sloshes as Bella gets out, and I stand up, still in the water, and hold on to the edge of the pool, getting my torso out and hoping the cold temperature helps me out.
"What, you have a chubby?" Emmett stands in front of me, towel over his shoulders, looking down.
The girls laugh while I white-knuckle the rocks, hoping one would become loose so I could throw it at him. I look down and focus on my breathing, but the embarrassing tent in my shorts quickly becomes the least of my worries.
"Whoa, Swan!" Emmett's voice cuts through the air.
I look up in time to see him catching Bella by the shoulders as she collapses next to him, still wrapped in her towel.
"Swan?" I'm out of the water in one swift move, kneeling next to her. Emmett sets her down on the flattened edge of the rock, holding her limp head. "Swan?!" I give her shoulders a little shake while I check her. Her eyes are closed, color drained from her face, but she is breathing. I reach for my backpack and place it under her feet, to raise her legs a little, then grab my towel and wrap it over her legs. "Bella, please…"
Within seconds that feel like hours, she starts waking up, and opens her eyes. I sit back on my feet, breathing out in relief.
"What happened?" she asks softly, but I can't manage to find any words.
"You fainted and scared the shit out of us," Emmett says, helping her sit up slowly.
"I just got a little dizzy." She looks at me, cringing a little, looking embarrassed with the color still drained from her face.
"It happens, right?" Emmett turns to me.
I only manage a nod as I wrap my fingers over Bella's hand, trying and failing to get enough air into my lungs.
Vicky comes closer to help, with Bella's clothes in her hands, so I push up on my feet and take a few steps back, my head spinning.
If something had happened to Bella, I would have never forgiven myself. I feel like an idiot. I should have been more careful. I lost track of time and we stayed in the hot spring too long. With her small frame, the change in temperature as she came out would have affected her more.
What if she needed medical attention and we were all the way up here. I'm trying to picture whether a helicopter could have made it up here to fly her out when two hands clasp over my shoulders.
"Hey," Emmett says as my eyes focus on his. "Are you spiraling?" When he wraps a towel over my shoulders, I notice I am shivering. "She's okay," Emmett says, rubbing his palms up and down my arms over the towel. "It's all good."
I look behind him at Bella, who's almost completely dressed now, with Vicky still helping her.
"C'mon, babe, it's freezing." Emmett hands me clothes, some of his and some mine. "Your stuff is all wet, so put these on instead."
"Thanks," I croak out, my eyes on Bella.
"Are you proud of me? I packed extra clothes." He looks at me like he's expecting a laugh, but I just breathe out in relief, more worse case scenarios clouding my mind.
"You good?" Emmett smacks my shoulder, bringing my attention back to him. "Or do you need a hug?"
I finally crack, taking a deep breath, fighting the smile that threatens to spread on my face when he opens his arms wide, reaching for me. "Shut up," I say and push him back.
I relax a little, take another breath, look back at Bella.
She seems okay.
She's okay.
I wrap a towel around my waist and drop my shorts, quickly getting dry clothes on so I can warm up. Once I'm dressed, Emmett and I walk back to the girls, who are still sitting on the flat rock, fully bundled up.
Bella smiles up at me as she sees me coming, her cheeks flushed, looking so much better.
"Hey…" I drop next to her, blowing into my freezing hands. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm better." She reaches for my arm, looping hers with mine. "You?"
"I'm fine." I try to sound as convincing as I can.
"You're shaking."
"It's fucking cold."
"Colorado boys get cold?" she asks through a laugh.
"Very funny." I wrap an arm over her, bringing her closer and kissing her temple. "That was so fucking scary."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm a wimp."
"You sure you're okay?" I whisper in her ear.
"Yeah…maybe I just need a little snack."
She's hungry.
Of course.
She barely ate anything at breakfast.
I want to kick myself for not having thought about it.
I reach for my backpack and start getting out the snacks I brought. Juice boxes. Mini cereal boxes. Apples. Protein bars. All stolen from the dining hall. The display between us reminds me of our first date, and the snacks I "borrowed" then. When I look up at her, her smile tells me she remembers as well.
"You're incorrigible." She reaches for a protein bar and a juice box, quickly inspecting the back before tearing the package.
"What can I say?" I chuckle, taking a bite of an apple and placing my arm over her shoulder again. "I'm an outlaw."
~.~.~
The hike back to the lodge is uneventful. Bella insists she's okay and declines my offer to carry her down.
Once in the room, we shower and dress quickly to make it for dinner. I do my best not to get distracted, wanting her to get some warm food in her.
My worries settle as she eats a little.
She seems okay.
She is playful, and touchy-feely, and so, so happy.
After dinner, there is live music in the main lodge, a local band, and Emmett and Vicky immediately join the dance floor. I pull Bella to the couch instead. It's been a long day—physically, emotionally—I am beat.
Bella doesn't sit with me. Instead she starts her own little dance to the music, between my legs.
"How are you not tired?" My shoulders slouch as I sink on the couch while she intertwines her fingers with mine. moving my arms to join her dance.
"I'm high on you," she says, laughing, placing my hands on her hips. "On how happy you make me feel."
My cheeks puff as I exhale, her words make my heart speed up in my chest.
Making her happy is all I want to do in this life.
"You're like my own personal brand of heroin." She chuckles playfully and wraps her hands around my neck, her hips continuing to swing between my legs.
"You're a weirdo. Who says that?" I laugh softly then bring her closer while I sit up straight, my hands on her hips. While the sweater she's wearing is baggy, her jeans are tight, so tight, hugging her curves. "You're driving me crazy," I whisper, looking at her, while my fingers dig into her hips for emphasis.
"Let's go to our room then," she whispers back, her nose nuzzling under my ear.
I swallow loudly and don't say another word. Instead, I grab her hand in mine, getting up from the couch and grabbing our coats. Bella giggles excitedly, holding onto my arm, while Emmett yells something of the inappropriate variety behind us.
We make the quick trail, hand in hand, from the main lodge to our room.
As soon as we're inside, my lips are on hers, while we both desperately peel layers off each other. Coats, hats, her scarf, all get discarded along the way, until we land on the bed with me on top of her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask against her lips.
"I feel great," she says, pulling my shirt off.
"I've been waiting all day to do this." My hands reach for her jeans, carefully working on the button and zipper, before pushing them down along with her underwear. Then my lips finally find the skin I've been desperate to kiss.
She squirms under me, but her hands push on my shoulders, lifting me off of her so I stop at once.
"My turn, remember?" She presses two fingers under my chin, lifting my head.
The air comes out of me as she sits up, pushing me back so we're both sitting in front of each other. Then it's her hands on my pants instead, opening the fly and pushing down my boxers, releasing me into her hands. She brings her lips to mine, and I moan into her mouth as she circles me with one hand while the other pushes on my chest until my back is on the mattress.
She has me in her mouth and hands, I swear I can see stars.
I try to focus on my breathing, on anything other than how good it feels. I count the spots on the ceiling. The flickers of the bathroom light. I miscount then start again, until I can't count anymore.
"Swan, I'm close…" I warn with a hand on her face, trying to stop her, since I am not sure this is something she wants. I almost cry out when her mouth leaves me, but her hands keep going so I reach for the first thing I find, my shirt, I think, covering myself as I empty into it.
"Shit…" I exhale roughly as Bella lies on top of me, her head on my chest, staying there, in silence, for a while.
"Your heart," she finally says, her fingers running a pattern on my chest while I try to catch my breath.
"I know…" My heart feels like it will punch a hole through my ribcage.
"Did you like that?" She asks shyly, making me laugh. "I mean, did I do it right?"
"I lasted like a minute. What do you think?"
She lifts her head and loops an arm under her chin, still over my chest, looking at me.
"I've never done that to anyone. I wasn't sure I'll be good at it."
"Yes, you were very good." My fingers trail in her hair, tucking some of it behind her ear. "And for the record, there'll never be a wrong way to have your lips on me, okay?"
She laughs softly, fingers tapping on my chest.
"Did you like when I had my mouth on you last night?" I ask in return.
She nods quickly, bottom lip trapped under her teeth, flush spreading on her cheeks.
With a hand around her waist, I flip us over so she's under me, and I worship her body with my lips—with my hands, with my tongue—until she's dripping wet and begging for more, until I'm hard and achy for her again, until I give her my all.