Professional Restraint

13 Adventure

Liam

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I struggle to focus on the newspaper I'm reading while I wait for the coffee to kick in. Steps on the stairs draw my attention up to Ella. She's not only up but showered and dressed in shorts, a tank top, and an open zipper-down hoodie, ready to take on the world.

"You're up and at it early?" I enquire. She flashes me a small smile and joins me at the table in our hotel room, grabbing a muffin from the basket.

"Yeah, I figured if we can't get started till Monday, I should make the most of the weekend, right?" She replies with a grin.

"Big plans?" I ask, sipping my coffee. Her excitement is contagious, but there's a small part of me annoyed that I know nothing of these plans...

"Not really, I'm just gonna wing it," she says with a shrug. "There's this cool national forest just outside the city with so much to do. There's rafting, hiking trails, caves, rock climbing—"

My gaze widens, wondering who this stranger is in front of me. "You rock climb?"

She's full of surprises. Most people would have gone for shopping, museums or cafés, yet Ella is out to conquer nature.

"I mean, I've never been, but they have instructors and when else am I gonna have the chance?" she replies, unphased as she picks at her muffin.

"Give me five. I'll be ready to go. Just need to change," I say, not giving her room to say no.

Her eyes widen, clearly not expecting me to come along.

Caught off guard, I arch a brow. "Did you not want company?" I ask in a disapproving tone. Not that I'll take no for an answer. I just want to see what she'll say.

"No! I mean yes! I mean, of course you can come," she blurts out as her cheeks glow crimson. "I just didn't think you'd want to..." Ella palms her face, futilely trying to brush the redness away.

"I've actually been rock climbing and found it quite enjoyable," I counter, only making her blush harder. "And I happen to be pretty good with ropes and harnesses."

Instantly my mind jumps the rails and races away from rock climbing to more provocative territory. Before it can wander too far off track, I force myself to focus on the here and now.

Ella bites her lips as she considers my words. Thank God she can't read my mind or she might run for the hills. I'm not lying, but my expertise with ropes and suspension are from a different form of recreation...

"Besides, this is a big city and you're here at my request," I state firmly. "That makes you my responsibility, and I want to make sure nothing happens to you on my watch."

"Oh sorry," she mumbles, dropping her gaze. "I never thought about it like that. I don't have to go, it was just a silly—"

"El," I call, derailing her train of thought. "It sounds like fun. I would just prefer to accompany you. Five minutes and we can head over." Her eyes light up and a giant smile creeps over her face. Suddenly it hits me that I want to see more of that.

I leave her in the living room and quickly head to my room to change. Thankfully, I brought some jeans and t-shirts just in case. I change and head back out and El is practically bouncing in anticipation at the door, shoes on and ready to leave.

Laughing, I slip on the pair of running shoes in my hand and open the door, motioning her to go first. Our timing is impeccable and the hotel shuttle for the park is just about to leave.

Space is crowded, leaving us sitting hip to hip on a small bench. Every turn and shift of the shuttle leaves El flustered and blushing, both of which only feed my ego.