Page 40 of Don’t Look Down

But as I wished, Beau sits quietly for the rest of the ride. My mind swirls with possibilities of where he might be taking me, but I find solace in the fact that he sent Gabriel to ensure we won’t be spotted.

Because whatever it is, we probably don’t need Lock finding out about it.

This is now two secrets I’m keeping from him, and we’ve barely begun our relationship. Real solid foundation I’m building.

The coast comes into view as we turn onto a winding road where a black SUV is stopped at an angle, blocking our way.

Faraday flashes his headlights, and the SUV flashes theirs back in return before inching forward enough for us to pass. I turn around once we’re past, and the car moves back into place.

“It’s one of Gabriel’s men,” Beau says. “He’s there to make sure no other cars get through while we’re here.”

Looking back out the windshield, here comes into view. The car jostles on the uneven terrain as the road turns to dirt at the small beachfront, tucked between two mountains. The landscapes are full of greenery on either side, sandwiching the sea in a lush frame as soft waves roll in with the sun reflecting its nearing descent on the surface.

As Faraday puts the car in park, Beau unclips his seatbelt and jumps out of the car. He rounds the front and swings my door open for me. “Ready?”

I accept his hand as he helps me step down. “I can’t answer that question until I know what we’re doing here.”

“I thought you needed to experience something outside of your comfort zone.” He shuts the door and signals something to Faraday.

“So you brought me hiking?” I guess. “I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion.” I gesture to my sundress. It’s more casual than the ones I usually wear to events, but since it was just a meeting with the team today, I figured I could dress down a bit.

“It’s a short hike, and it’s a dirt path the entire way.” He points to my ballet flats. “Those aren’t ideal, but they’ll be fine. At least they’re lightweight.”

“Lightweight for what purpose exactly?”

Beau’s smirk puts me on edge. He points toward the water. No, to the cliff that hangs over the water, probably about ten meters high. My stomach drops.

“Beau…”

“Those will be lightweight enough so when we land in the water, they won’t drag you down.”

I immediately start to retreat toward the car, but Beau grabs my hand. “No, no, no, no, no. I’m not doing that. We’re not doing that.”

“Oh yes we are. I’m assuming you’ve never cliff jumped, Princess?”

Idon’t stop protesting the entire short hike up the mountain. The path is smooth enough that I can do it in my flats, but I wish I had trainers. Beau’s dress shoes don’t look the best for this either, so I might not be the only one regretting them.

“You’ve done this before?” I ask.

“All the time.”

“How deep is the water?”

“Deep enough.”

I’m tempted to flip him off while his back is turned, but I am still a lady.

I’m breathless when we reach the top of the clearing. And while my legs burn from the effort, Beau looks like he just went for a light stroll.

His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, giving me a prime view of his tanned, veined forearms. With deft fingers, he flicks the buckle of his belt open and whips it off.

I avert my gaze. “What are you doing? Don’t you dare take your pants off!”

He chuckles, and I hear the belt fall to the dirt with a soft thud. “Simply shedding some extra weight,” he says. I tentatively look back his direction to find him toeing off his dress shoes.

“How are you going to get those back?”

He shrugs. “I’m not gonna make Gabriel or one of his men climb up here for them, so I guess some lucky hiker tomorrow will find a gift.”