Page 33 of Tainted Tempos

Mav holds my phone above us, angling it to capture our faces in the selfie. Before he takes the photo, he presses a wet, sloppy kiss to my cheek, and I burst out laughing. Mav takes the picture.

When he shows it to me, I look like my old self. The me from university. The girl before I crossed paths with Branson.

I look happy and healthy and utterly present in the moment.

I look like a woman in love.

The thought doesn’t terrify me the way it once would have. After the past few days, it energizes me. It makes me feel normal and whole. A survivor instead of a victim.

Turning toward him, I catch him off guard as I grasp his hips, lean up onto my tippy toes, and kiss him hard on the mouth.

Mav doesn’t waste any time. His hand cradles the back of my head as his other arm bands around my waist, pulling me closer.

I part my lips, his tongue slips inside my mouth, and I melt into the kiss.

My thoughts stop spiraling and instead, I let myself feel everything about this moment.

The breeze whipping around us. The heat of Mav’s body and the growing desire between us. The feel of his hands on my skin.

I pull away, almost shyly, and roll my lips together.

Mav smirks. “What was that for?”

“Just because I felt like it.”

Mav laughs. “Well, please kiss me any and all times you feel like it.”

I grin. “Noted. I will.”

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and turn to resume our hike.

Mav smacks my ass. “Pick up the pace, Byrne.”

I continue up the trail and hear him follow me. I roll my lips together to keep from laughing. How does he make mundane things fun? How does his presence heal my past hurts?

“These views are gorgeous,” Mav says, his tone cheeky. I glance at him over my shoulder and find his gaze zeroed in on my ass again.

I give my hips a little shake. “Take it all in, Tate.”

“Trust me, I am.”

I laugh as I follow the sounds of rushing water.

A few minutes later, the most beautiful scene, like turning a page in a travel photography book, opens before us.

The waterfall runs over the moss-covered rocks. They are jagged and majestic, cutting against the blue sky. The pool below calms as it spreads out before us. A little cave behind the waterfall beckons like a secret. The place is secluded. Peaceful. Ours.

“How is no one else here?” I whisper, not wanting to disturb the perfect place we stumbled upon.

Mav shrugs, but a knowing glint sparks in his eye.

“Did you arrange this?” I press, in awe of his thoughtfulness. Of the lengths he goes to make me feel better.

Mav takes my hand. “I just want to spend time with you, Mckenna. I want to see you smile. I want us to have fun today.”

Nodding, I turn into his frame and press a simple kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Mav. This means a lot to me.”

He palms my ass. “Good. Because we’re just getting started, babe.”

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