The Wayward Sister (The Wayward Sons 5)

“Hey,” she says, suddenly, “do you want to go on a hike with me?”

“A hike?”

“Yeah, you know, hopefully without the bears.”

“That would be awesome. I’d love to go on a hike with you.” I frown. “The Park isn’t allowing visitors yet.”

“Actually, there’s one not in the park that I think you’d like.” Her lips twist into a smile. “Wear something you can swim in.”

We clean up and change, meeting outside at the car. I drive and head toward the little local gas station with a surprisingly good deli. Sierra leans against the window, the tension I’d noticed in her earlier slowly easing away. Her hair is twisted up in a knot on top of her head, and she’s still wearing that tank, but the strappy bra has been replaced by the strings of a bikini. I notice she’s wearing the boots from when I found her lost in the park.

“Want to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, cranking the engine.

“Have you ever been to Star Falls?”

“No.”

“There’s this trail up near Lee Vines that leads to a waterfall.” She runs her hands over her thighs. “I haven’t been up there really since I left town, and I don’t exactly want to run into the guys, or anyone else I know.” She wrinkles her nose. “That’s why I asked you to drive.”

“I think it sounds great.” I’m surprised she’s taking me somewhere personal. Maybe she’s finally letting down some of those walls.

We don’t go quite into Lee Vines, turning off before we hit the one-light town. I sense her agitation as we get closer, her hands continuing to run up and down her legs. I reach over and take one, threading my fingers with hers. I expect her to pull away or flinch, but she doesn’t. Instead she tightens her grip, anchoring herself to me.

“You can park up here,” she says, after directing me through a few turns. I ease the truck on the edge of the dirt road. There’s nothing much up here. Just some burned-out forest and an old, dilapidated cabin. I eye it cautiously, the doors are off the hinges, and there’s trash littered all over the floor. Mostly beer cans.

“The teenagers come up and drink in there,” she says, walking past it. “Most of them have no idea about what’s just ahead.”

The sun burns overhead, but it’s above the lingering haze from the fire. At first, the hike is nothing special, just a creek and some low-lying brush, but slowly, as we get away from the burn line, the area turns increasingly lush and green. Ferns line the creek, and the trees that surround the path are strong and tall. I follow Sierra, absorbing how her shoulders relax with each step forward and her gait picks up. I study the long column of her neck and the way the hair curls at the nape. My eyes skim down her body, eyeing her slim waist and curved hips, down to her long, strong legs. I feel like a douche, checking her out like this, but I’m only human—and male—she’s hot. I’m ridiculously attracted to her.

The sound of rushing falls grows louder as we make the climb and there’s a break in the foliage as we reach an outcropping. I step next to her and take in the wide, flat stones. The flowing waterfall. The pools are deep and clear with round stones that line the bottom and the shore. It’s an oasis.

“Legend has it, the founder of Lee Vines asked his wife to marry him here.” She removes her backpack, dropping it on one of the flat rocks. She kicks off her boots. “I know for certain my brother and the guys brought Starlee up here for their first kiss.”

It’s a lot of information and I’m not sure why she’s sharing it, but it doesn’t matter much anyway. Sierra pulls her tank over her head, revealing a red bikini top that is more str

ings than fabric, and my brain stops functioning. Her body is perfect, her breasts round and firm. My fingers twitch, and I busy myself taking off my backpack and removing my shoes. When I look up again, she’s eased down her shorts. My heart stutters at the sight of her flat belly and curved ass. Jesus.

“How cold is the water?” I ask, watching her dip her toes in.

“Cold.”

I’ve built up a sweat, but most of all, I need to just cool off.

I pull off my shirt, and without the slightest hesitation, get in the cold, crystal-clear water. I duck my head, letting the cold water adjust my body temperature. When I look up again, I see Sierra watching me with those calculating, gray eyes.

I move over to a flat rock that’s hanging over one of the pools and hop up on it, letting my legs dangle over the edge. The rock is hot, warming my cold ass, and it’s my turn to watch as she eases into the water, inch by inch. Her skin pebbles, shocked by the cold, and her belly caves in reaction.

I’m going to have to get back in the water.

The rush of water from the falls creates a noise barrier, but all I hear is the beat of my pulse. “Thank you for showing me this place. It’s special.”

“You’re welcome. I thought you may like it—plus I owed you a successful hike after the last one.”

She shivers and her nipples raise, peaked through the fabric of her top. I look away, but then look back. I can’t help myself.

“Here,” I say, offering her my hand. Maybe if she warms up, it’ll stop, and I can behave. She climbs out of the water and sits next to me, leaning back on her hands. Once again, we’re wet and in close proximity. This time there’s no one around to interrupt.

Her shoulder brushes mine and other than my building desire, I can’t help but think about how nice it is to just be here with her. Sitting side by side, enjoying the quiet of nature. It’s something I usually just share with the guys, but being with Sierra, it feels special. Like snapping a missing piece of puzzle into place.