I rock back on my heels. I don’t trust myself not to lean in closer and see exactly how romantic this day can become.

“Nice of you to say I’m patient after you witnessed my car rage firsthand, but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless.”

My mom always told me I had an unnatural obsession with receiving compliments and she wasn’t wrong. Words of affirmation is my love language, and Jasper Williams, Author, a skilled wordsmith, is unknowingly turning me on with every sweet word leaving his luscious lips.

“Everyone gets a free pass in the car,” he says. “Nobody can help an expletive or two when the person in front of you slams on their brakes for no reason.”

“Thank you!” I shout, and my voice bounces off the rocks. “Nobody was in front of them. I swear they saw me in their rearview mirror and decided to choose violence.”

Jasper turns to me, his deep, throaty laugh washing over me like the light breeze. The sun shines down on him as if he’s God’s chosen one, each ray highlighting the gold flecks in his skin. The blue of his eyes shimmers like sapphires and my fingers itch to grab my camera. I’m positive if I were to take his picture in this moment, it would be hung on museum walls until the end of time. I don’t know if it’s my imagination or not, but I swear his eyes drop to my mouth, and for one glorious second, I let myself believe he’s having the same thoughts about me.

I should’ve said no to this agreement.

I thought the worst that could happen was I’d have to read a few books I hated. I didn’t realize I’d turn into this pathetic sack, waxing poetic and lusting after a man who only sees me as a glorified tour guide.

“Drew?” Jasper pulls me out of my sad thoughts. “Where’d you go?”

“Oh, sorry.” I wave off his concern. I attempt to replace whatever forlorn expression I was wearing with one that I hope reads easy, breezy woman who absolutely does not want to kiss him. “I just remembered what comes next and I’m hoping you don’t hate me for it.”

Although part of this is a lie to cover for my sad, lusty thoughts, it’s also very, very true.

His eyebrows furrow together and his back straightens. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see.” I start walking in the direction we initially came from and don’t stop until we’re standing atop the very steep set of stairs leading us back to the base of the waterfall.

“All right.” I point to the first of 224 steps. “Sit.”

His head snaps back and he looks at me, an incredulous stare marring his gorgeous face. “Sit? What?”