a long night,” he growled, his hand sliding up to cradle her breast.
“From the state you’re in, you’ve hardly had enough yourself.”
“No, I haven’t. I don’t know if I ever will.”
He flipped her to face him and swiftly took her mouth in a hungry, plunging kiss. They’d gone from zero to sixty in two seconds flat. She frantically swept his body with her hands, wanting to touch him everywhere at once. When he responded in kind with a pained groan, she had no room for anything in her mind but Colin and the way he touched her.
Their pleasure grew and consumed them, and soon their shouts of pleasure filled the room. They lay limp and satisfied while trying to catch their breath. Her lazy gaze drifted to the clock on her nightstand and she sat upright.
“It’s eight o’clock! I thought you wanted to get an early start.”
“You’re right. Let’s take a shower together to save time and get out there.”
“You have to promise to behave in the shower otherwise we’re going to lose more time.”
“Scout’s honor.”
They hardly fooled around at all in the shower, and got ready in good time. After grabbing some coffee and muffins from the coffee shop in the lobby, they set out on the scouting adventure.
The proud peaks of the valley surrounded them as they drove from one point of interest to the next. South Korea was a beautiful country with four distinct seasons, each bearing its own fairy-tale charm. But she had never seen or experienced anything like the great vastness of Death Valley. One thing after another amazed her: standing in the Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, driving through the spectacular desert hills of Artist’s Drive and the aptly named Artist’s Palette, a geologic kaleidoscope of colors, and enjoying a handful of hiking trails. Each point of interest held its own unique charms, and she would never forget any of it. Especially since she got to experience it all with Colin by her side.
“I think we have the hiking trail we want.” He took his eyes off the road for a second to glance at her. “Do you want to see one more spot? It’s spectacular during sunset.”
“What is it?”
“Have you seen Star Wars?”
“I beg your pardon?” she said with an affronted stare. “How could you even ask that?”
“Sorry. Sorry. So you must know what Tatooine is.”
She rolled her eyes and didn’t grace him with a response.
“Well, they filmed the Tatooine scenes for A New Hope and Return of the Jedi here in Death Valley. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is probably the most recognizable of the locations.”
“Shut. Up.” She swiveled toward him and said in a near shout, “Are you bloody serious? Yes! I want to see Tatooine.”
The sand dunes rose and fell in endless waves against the backdrop of the jagged, rocky hills and the bright orange-and-yellow sky. It was freaking Tatooine.
“Let’s go, let’s go,” she said as she jumped out of his car. She took off in a run, not waiting to see if Colin was following her. Every person to themselves. They were on Tatooine, for God’s sake.
She was out of breath by the time she reached the top of the first hill. But she got to enjoy the view of Colin climbing the hill with his backpack filled with their supplies. Always prepared. When he reached the top, he handed her a water bottle.
“Drink, you nut. We’re literally in a desert. Don’t let the cool air fool you.”
“Yes, sir.” She winked at him and chugged at her water. She actually was very thirsty after the climb. “Let’s keep going.”
They were sandy and sweaty by the time they returned to the car, but Jihae didn’t mind it one bit. That had been glorious. They even got a nice couple to take a picture of them together. It was the only one she had and it made her heart clench because she’d cherish it when this was all over.
They drove back to the hotel in serene silence, taking in the surroundings and the changing colors of the sunset. When they reached their rooms, Colin turned to her and bowed formally.
“May I take you out to dinner tonight?”
She giggled coyly into her hand and replied in her poshest British accent. “That would be an absolute pleasure.”
“Excellent. I have reservations for seven. Is that enough time for you to rest and get ready?”
“Sure, as long as we take some alone time and take separate showers.”
Colin laughed, dropping his silly formality. “I