Chapter 13: Let Me Make It Special

THEO

“The local museums were fun but weird,” I stated.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect that one to be about a guy and his five wives.”

“I knew Iowa was weird, but that topped the cake.”

Things between Nadia and me felt natural. I was afraid things would get weird after we added intimacy to this, but so far everything had been smooth.

Iowa was weird. We checked out the local corn museum.

Apparently, there were several types of corn.

“Do you want to check out the Ferris wheel?” I asked.

Nadia shook her head.

“I think we should wait until this evening. The sunset is probably really pretty from there.”

We continued to walk through the small town, making small talk until we came across a small crafts store.

“Can we stop here?” Nadia asked.

I told her we could. It wasn’t like we had anything else planned.

“Do you like this stuff?” she asked.

“Yes. I love all things creative. It’s why I enjoy writing. It helps me sort my thoughts and process the day.”

“What do you like doing when you’re not writing or traveling?”

I watched as Nadia picked items up to look at and set them back down. “I stay busy most of the time. I usually take an assignment as soon as I’m done with one,” I said.

“Really? What about that game you talk to Nathan about?”

“I don’t play it often. I like the idea, but I can’t sit still long enough. I enjoy reading, though.”

Without warning, Nadia erupted in laughter.

“What are you, sixteen? ‘I like to read.’”

“What? It’s the truth. I do like to sit outside and read a good book.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing.”

I watched her as she tried to get her laughter under control.

“Did you ever play a sport?” she asked.

“No, I was actually the geeky theater kid in high school,” I replied.

“That’s even better. I totally understand the whole reading thing now.”

“You’re being a mean girl.”

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t think the great Theo Hart would be a nerd. You lectured me about being adventurous and, apparently, all you do is travel.”

“Fine, you want something adventurous? I dare you to go bungee jumping with me.”

Nadia scoffed.

“I will, and in return, I get to select a hobby for you.”

“Deal.”

Nadia stuck out her hand.

“This deal has to be sealed with a kiss.”

***

The first thing I did when we got back to the bed-and-breakfast yesterday was look up bungee jumping near me and find a place just forty-five minutes away, so I booked a tandem jump for Nadia and me, and right now I kind of regretted it.

We were currently standing in line waiting for our turn, and I was getting more nervous the longer we waited.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I was secretly hoping she would say no.

“Yes. It’ll be a good story to tell. You’re not getting scared, are you?” she asked.

“No, I was making sure you were okay.”

Nadia smiled at me before taking my hand in hers.

We waited another twenty minutes before it was our turn to be strapped up. We were strapped to the cord by our ankles, and we were strapped together at the waist.

Nadia laced her arms under mine and wrapped them around me.

“I guess now is the time to tell you I’m scared,” Nadia confessed.

“I’m nervous too.” I gave her a kiss and wrapped my arms around her.

“On the count of three, we want you both to lean over like you’re falling off the platform,” the guide instructed.

The guide counted to three, and we both leaned over.

Nadia’s hold on me tightened.

I opened my eyes and watched as the water got closer to us, and then I unexpectedly let out a yell when the rope snapped us back up.

The rush of the jump was a thrill I’d never experienced before and something I would love to experience again.

Once we stopped moving, I realized Nadia was still stiff as a board.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

She shook her head yes and lifted her head to look at me.

As she brought her face up, I tilted my head down to capture her lips with mine.

“All right, lovebirds, we need you to unlock your lips so we can get you out of this harness,” the guide called.

We didn’t even realize they had pulled us back up. We were so lost in each other that nothing else existed.

“That was amazing, Theo,” Nadia said.

It was fun. The adrenaline from the fall along with kissing Nadia was worth the fear.

I wasn’t sure we were going to top that experience.

***

Forty-five minutes later and Nadia was still smiling. “I feel so alive today,” she stated as she threw herself on the bed.

“It was a rush.” I lay next to her and started tracing a pattern up and down her arm.

She turned her head to look at me.

“I want to have sex with you right now.”

All of my movement stopped. Did she say she wanted to have sex with me?

“Are you sure? Maybe it’s the adrenaline talking.”

“My virginity is special. I don’t want to give it up to some dickhead who would leave if something happened, and I know you’re not that type of person.”

“It can’t be now.”

“Oh, okay.” The disappointment in her voice squeezed my heart.

I gently grabbed her chin and made her look at me.

“I want to, I really fucking want to, but we don’t have condoms, and I want to be safe with you. I want you to trust me.”

“I do trust you, Theo. I feel safe around you.”

“Good.” I gave her lips a peck. “Let me make it special for you and let me take you on a proper date.”

“Okay,” she whispered. Her voice had a hint of sadness, but I wanted this to be special for her.