I tighten the straps of my backpack, and when my hands fall to my sides, one grazes against his. Just a brush, the barest swipe, but it lights me up in places I thought would be dark forever. I have no idea what it is about this man, but when I’m around him, it’s as if I’m not in control of myself anymore.

It sounds so silly because I’m a grown woman who’s had sex with multiple partners in my life, but in this moment, all I want to do is wind my fingers through his and hold his hand. I want to know what his touch would feel like. Would it be sweet and unassuming like he is or would it feel firm and possessive? I have a feeling I would love either, that my body would cry out for him in any form. Just the thought of it alone causes my stomach to perform flips that would blow all those Olympians nearby out of the water.

I tuck my hands in my pockets, not trusting myself as we walk in silence along the trail. I try to soak in the beauty of this moment, back in the great outdoors, exploring it with someone who might be even more fun to look at than the nature around us. We start across a bridge over the stream leading to the first of the seven waterfalls when Jasper comes to a stop, taking in the scenery in front of us.

“You were right.” He stops, but never lets his eyes move to mine. “This is the perfect setting for a romance book.”

I try to remind myself of the poor ticket girl stunned silent by Jasper’s beauty and how obtuse he seems to be about the charms he possesses. However, my heart wants to hear none of it. Standing beside Jasper, looking at a view I didn’t think I would allow myself to ever witness again, my camera in my backpack, the dangerous spark of hope begins to burn. In this perfect moment, why couldn’t I be the person Jasper wants to be with? What if, for just a moment, I were to turn to face him and feel his lips brush against mine?

“I hoped you would like it.” I pretend not to notice the breathiness in my voice that wasn’t there even during the steep climb up the stairs. “I’m not the best at romance, but this felt like a safe bet.”

“Well, as the creator of many romance couples, I have to say, I’m not sure anything I write will hold a candle to this. I don’t know if I’ll be able to create something that compares to this trip or a character as patient and kind as you’ve been today.”

Okay. Wow.

That was sweet.

Like really, really sweet.