Camping with a Billionaire

Cliff

Steven's POV

I could sense Heather's eagerness to be out there searching for her loved ones. After talking with her all night, I want to spend more time with her. She's so caring, sweet, funny, and a badass all wrapped up in one. Seeing her jealous was a satisfying feeling. It shows me that she likes me a lot from just this short amount of time of knowing each other. It's going to hurt like hell when I return to the city though. I found out that her and Regina have been friends since first grade and they work together as teachers in the same school. I told her I am the boss of a company in the city, but didn't tell her I'm the CEO or the fact that I'm a billionaire. 

As time ticked by, I was losing hope of Regina being alive each time a member of the search team returned with nobody. The same officer who had talked with us last night, began to approach us. "Good morning. With the fire completely out, you may return to gather any of your belongings that may have survived. After that, I do ask you to leave the area until further notice. We will continue the search later this afternoon." s**t. I know damn well that Heather is going to hate that we have to leave.

However, I'm taken back when she smiles at the officer and thanks him. We continue to sit and watch everyone pack up and leave. "Okay, let's continue!" Heather jumps up eagerly. "Continue?" I question her. "Yes. I don't want to waste any daylight. Let's go!" I should have known she wasn't going to listen to the cop. I'm always one to follow the law and rules, but I find it so hot that she's a rule breaker. 

I smile back at her as I stand to my feet. "Lead the way." She grabs my hand and we run to where we last saw the blood trail. Even a fire can't destroy that. With many trees gone, we have an open view of our surroundings. It's so strange seeing this place like this. It still smells heavily of smoke and I can feel the heat, but it doesn't bother me. 

What I can only assume as hours, pass by us, and still no luck. If the search and rescue team couldn't find anyone, I doubt we will either. I don't want to express that thought though to Heather. I promised to help look for her sister and friend, and I don't break promises. 

I also wonder if Dawn is really somewhere out here as well, and why? All my years of coming here, I have never had such an adventure like this. It's refreshing from my dull routine work at home. 

"Steven!" I was so lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized that Heather ended up much further ahead of me. I rush to where her voice is coming from. She sticks her arm out and pushes me roughly, stopping me in my steps. What the? I look around us and realize she just saved my ass. Standing in front of us is what looks like a cliff with water and sharp boulders sticking out here and there. How have I never noticed this before? I guess the trees hid it pretty well. It wasn't that huge of an opening, but it is deep enough to kill someone if they were to fall down. 

"Do you think-" Heather began to ask, but paused. Stifling a sob. "No. We can't think like that." I comfort her as I wrap my arms securely around her in a tight hug. Luckily, I had my backpack on still and didn't lose that in the fire. 

I can't believe I'm even about to suggest this. 

I take a deep breath. "Hey, do you want to go down and check?" She shots her head up so quick, I was afraid it would snap off. "How?" 

I step away from her and place my backpack on the ground, taking out hooks and ropes. Looking up at her, she is smiling widely. Damn, she is so beautiful. 

"Have you done this before?" She asks as I begin to tie the rope around a hook. "No. I'm glad to get to experience this for the first time though with you." I give her a wink and she blushes.

I find a stump nearby that wasn't severely dead or damaged and sunk the hook deep into it. Taking another rope, I wrap it around the trunk and other rope that's attached to the hook. I don't think I've ever been more nervous about anything before in my life. This is literally a life or death situation I have suggested. Maybe I shouldn't let Heather go, but I doubt she would stay back. 

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask, just to make sure. She stares at me in disbelief. "Are you really asking me that?" I chuckle. I throw my hands up in surrender motion. "Hey, just asking. This is your safety we're talking about here." 

"And it's the safety of Regina and Stefanie that I'm more worried about. So, are you staying or going?" She asks as she grabs on to the rope and begins to shimmy down. My heart races as I watch her slide down the rope. This woman is f*****g fearless. 

I don't take my eyes off of her until I see her figure in the distance reach the bottom. "YOU COMING?" She hollers up. I feel relief wash over me, seeing that she made it safely down. My hands are clammy and I begin to worry for my own safety. 

Well, here goes nothing. 

I grab the rope and hold on tightly. How did she make it look so easy? There's no way I'm just going to slide down it like Heather did. So, I place both feet on the dirt wall of the cliff and slowly push off and on again while inching my way down the rope. 

I finally reach the bottom and feel like I'm about to pass out.

"Took you long enough." Heather giggles.