Page 65 of Final Temptation
“Let’s get fucked up, Myles.”
“Come to this house party.”
The people I chose to keep in my life consisted of my parents, Declan and Paige, Chase, and Sophie. My circle was small and for now, I needed to keep it that way.
Talking to Sophie was a big relief. She had no idea how much she comforted me, how easy she made life feel on the hardest days.
Her sweet smell was intoxicating. I didn’t crave the burn of alcohol flowing down my throat when I was surrounded by the smell of her floral perfume.
Her taste was even sweeter. A taste so addicting, I could drink it in with every meal. Her lips no longer tasted of alcohol. She gave it up for me, and that should have been my first sign that she’d do anything for me when it came to my recovery.
Her touch lit up every nerve ending in my body. Sophie had the ability to ease my mind, and make it race with thoughts of her, all at the same time.
She was a drug, and I was hooked.
I was falling for her.
I had no idea what it meant or felt like to fall for someone. This was brand new territory for me, but if I had to guess what falling for someone felt like, this was it. Being so goddamn scared to tell them you messed up, because the thought of losing them was worse than harboring a secret.
Sophie was taking up real estate in my mind that used to belong to every evil life had tempted me with. She so easily pushed those thoughts out of my head, replacing them with love.
I’m terrified to know what life would be like without her.
Hand in hand, we walked up the trailhead, the rustic wooden sign ahead reading,Emerald Lake.
“What are we doing atEmerald Lake?” We continued down the small gravel path. It wasn’t as strenuous a hike as it was a leisurely walk.
“I wanted to escape with you. I know it doesn’t compareto the bright lights of Las Vegas, but we can be alone here, just a short drive away from home, outside of town.” I’d done this walk a million times over. It was a quiet place for fresh air that helped me escape.
“It doesn’t matter where we go, I’ll escape with you anytime, anywhere.” She winked teasingly, but I took every one of her words to heart.
“Good. Because there’s a reason I brought you here, specifically.” My hand slipped out of hers, playfully pinching her ass through her cut-off jean shorts.
“Hey!” Her laughter was contagious. “Why did you bring me to this gorgeous nook in the mountains? I’m dying to know already.”
“You’ll see. About a quarter of a mile down the way, your question will be answered.”
“You’re so mysterious, Myles Cooper, now you have me even more intrigued.” Her pace started to increase, creating space where we walked side by side. “Last one there has to do whatever the winner wants!” She took off in a sprint, her short blonde hair whipping around her in the breeziness of the cool mountain air.
“You forget that I go to the gym every day. I could run laps around you, Princess!” I called ahead. I was torn between letting her win, just to see her face light up, or leaving her in the dust so I could be the one to challenge her to a dare of my choice.
I chose the latter. Odds were that I could make her smile regardless.
My speed kicked up, and as I gained on her, my hand reached out, giving her ass a light slap as I passed.
“Oh, you’re so dead!” she called, her voice a whisper in the wind.
The real reason I ran ahead of her? To see her reaction when she arrived.
Of course, it was everything I hoped it would be.
Her laughter dissipated, trading her smile for a wide-open mouth. Her jaw popped open—her eyes just as wide.
“Myles…” she said in awe.
“The flowers… They’re beautiful. It’s like our apartment, but on steroids.” I didn’t miss the way she said,ourapartment. Let’s be real. I was just a visitor crashing in her guest room to help her pay the bills and get on my own feet. It has always beenherplace, but assuming it wasn’t a slip-up, I loved that she saw it asours.
It was exactly what I wanted to work toward, one day.
