Page 55 of Saddle and Bound

I smile at the nickname, now familiar. "At first, I was terrified about this camping trip."

Alex raises an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? I never would have guessed," he says with an ironic smile.

I give him a light push on the arm, laughing. "Okay, maybe I was a bit obvious. But it wasn't just about the missing comforts or the insects."

"What was it about then?" he asks gently.

I hesitate for a moment, then confess: "I was afraid of not being good enough. Of looking like the incompetent city girl. And... I was afraid of disappointing you."

Alex stops, turning completely toward me. His eyes are full of a tenderness that takes my breath away.

"Princess," he says softly, "you could never disappoint me. You've been incredible. You've faced every challenge with courage and good humor."

I feel my cheeks flush under his intense gaze. "Thank you," I murmur. "And thank you also for... well, for everything. For how you've encouraged me, for how you've made me feel comfortable. For showing me all this beauty."

Alex smiles, a smile that lights up his whole face. "It's been my pleasure, Rosie. Really. But stop thanking me."

Hearing my name roll off his lips does something to me. He doesn’t say it often, but when he does, it’s like a spark ignites inside me. There’s something about the way he says it—something intimate, magnetic—that makes my pulse quicken.

This entire trip has been undeniably sweet, but the pull I feel toward Alex, the sheer physical attraction, is always there, simmering just beneath the surface. Ignoring it isn’t just difficult—it’s impossible.

For a moment, we stay like this, looking into each other's eyes. There's something in the air, a palpable tension that makes my heart race.

Then Alex clears his throat, breaking the spell. "Well, better get moving if we want to arrive before sunset."

I nod, a bit disappointed but also excited about what awaits us. Why isn't he making a move? Does he feel the same magnetic pull toward me that I can't seem to escape? Sometimes it feels like he does… so why does he keep holding back? I'm on the verge of losing control, consumed by this desire, while he seems so calm, so in control—like none of this is even affecting him.

And if it's true that he seemed really upset when he thought Ethan was something more to me, I can't be certain what's going through his head.

"Everything okay, princess?" Alex's voice brings me back to reality.

"Yes, yes," I reply quickly, trying to seem casual. "Just a bit tired. How much further?"

"Not much," Alex answers with a smile. "You'll see, it'll be worth it."

I nod, trying to focus on the trail ahead of us instead of the whirlwind of emotions inside me. The woods are getting thicker, the air fresher. I hear the sound of water in the distance.

Suddenly, the trail opens up and I find myself facing a breathtaking sight.

A waterfall pours into a small crystal-clear lake, surrounded by mossy rocks and wildflowers. It's like a secret oasis, hidden in the heart of the forest.

"Oh, Alex," I whisper, breathless. "It's... it's wonderful."

He looks at me, his eyes shining with pride and something else I can't decipher. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? It's incredible!" I exclaim, forgetting all my worries for a moment.

I approach the water's edge, fascinated by how the light plays on the surface. I feel Alex approach behind me.

"This is my special place," he says quietly. "I come here when I need to think, to find myself again. But as I told you before... it's been a while since I've been here."

I turn toward him, struck by the vulnerability in his voice. "Thank you for showing it to me," I say sincerely.

For a moment, we stay like this, looking into each other's eyes. Part of me wants to step forward, close the distance between us. But the other part, the rational part, reminds me not to misinterpret. If he wanted to kiss me, he would have done it already, right?

Maybe he's simply respecting my space to give me room... maybe he doesn't want anything more to happen.

In the end, I'm the one who breaks the moment. "So, what do you say about a swim?"

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