Chapter 41

Waiting just down the hall, Celeste leaned against the wall in her tailored suit, her phone in one hand, her sunglasses hooked in the other. The easy poise she carried made her look untouchable, but the smile that flickered when she caught sight of Rowan softened everything.

Rowan raised a brow, smirking as she approached. “You waiting on me?”

Celeste pushed off the wall, closing the distance between them. Her voice was low but sure, the kind of tone that always made Rowan listen. “Yeah. I want to show you something. You down to take a ride with me?”

Rowan blinked, caught off guard. “Now? As in, kick off-the-weekend kind of ride?”

Celeste nodded, slipping her shades on with a practiced cool that made Rowan’s stomach flip. “Now. Just you and me.”

A laugh escaped Rowan as she tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “You really don’t waste time, do you?”

Celeste smirked faintly, already walking toward the exit. “Not when it matters.”

Rowan watched her for a beat before shaking her head and following, the anticipation buzzing in her chest. “Alright then. Lead the way, Vega. Let’s see what you’ve got planned.”

Celeste’s car purred to life as Rowan slid into the passenger seat, the leather cool against her skin. The city lights blurred into streaks as they pulled away from the studio, trading the hum of traffic for quieter, winding roads that led farther and farther out of town. Rowan glanced sideways, curiosity etched into her features.

“You’re not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?” she asked, lips quirking into a smirk.

Celeste kept her eyes on the road, a ghost of a grin tugging at her mouth. “You’ll see. Some things are better as a surprise.”

The air in the car thickened when Celeste’s hand slid smoothly from the steering wheel and came to rest on Rowan’s thigh. The gesture was effortless, almost casual, but her fingers lingered, warm and grounding. Rowan stilled for a moment, her breath hitching before she shifted just slightly, leaning into the touch. Celeste gave her a slow sideways glance, her lips curving into a knowing smile that made Rowan’s pulse race.

“You’re dangerous, you know that?” Rowan murmured, her voice soft but tinged with heat.

“Only if you let me be,” Celeste replied smoothly, her thumb brushing a lazy circle against Rowan’s skin before turning her attention back to the road, though that smile never faded.

The car continued to dice through the winding roads, the rural landscape a stark contrast to the city lights they had left behind. The tension in the car was palpable, the air growing thicker with each passing moment. Rowan’s breath hitched again as she felt Celeste’s hand resting on her thigh, the touch both reassuring and electrifying.

The engine’s purr filled the night as the car caressed the serpentine road, each mile farther from the city’s restless heart. Rowan’s curiosity simmered, but it was soon overshadowed by a different kind of anticipation. Celeste’s hand, still cradling Rowan’s thigh, seemed to burn through the fabric of her dress, igniting a fire that threatened to engulf her entirely.

“Dangerous indeed,” Rowan whispered, her voice laced with a mix of mockery and longing. She inhaled deeply, her lungs expanding with a heady blend of jasmine and the unmistakable scent of Celeste’s perfume.

In a fluid, deliberate motion, Rowan captured Celeste’s hand, her fingers intertwining with hers. She guided Celeste’s touch higher, past the hemline of her dress, past the soft skin of her inner thigh, until the back of Celeste’s hand met the thin, damp barrier of Rowan’s underwear. Celeste’s fingers curled, a gentle pressure against Rowan’s heated center.

Rowan’s breath hitched as Celeste’s fingers deftly traced along the edge of her underwear, teasing and testing. Without hesitation, Celeste slid beneath the lace, her fingers gliding through the wetness, exploring with confident assurance. Rowan’s legs parted instinctively, inviting deeper exploration.

Celeste’s fingers moved with purpose, slipping inside Rowan, each thrust measured and deliberate. The rhythm was intoxicating, a dance of pleasure that drew Rowan under its spell. Rowan gripped Celeste’s arm, her nails digging into the toned muscle as waves of sensation threatened to pull her under.

For a better angle, Rowan lifted her leg, resting her heel on the center console, opening herself more fully to Celeste’s touch. Each movement, each thrust, sent fireworks of pleasure through her body. Celeste’s fingers were relentless, drawing out every ounce of sensation, building towards a finale that seemed to stretch into infinity.

When the peak finally broke, Rowan’s back arched off the seat, a gasp tearing from her throat. She rode the wave, her body trembling with the force of her climax. As the intensity ebbed, Celeste’s fingers withdrew, glistening with evidence of Rowan’s pleasure.

Celeste brought her fingers to her lips, tasting Rowan’s essence. Her eyes, locked onto Rowan’s face, gleamed with satisfaction. “Just another reason why I’m dangerous,” she murmured, her voice thick with unrestrained desire.

Rowan’s chest heaved as she fought to catch her breath, her eyes brimming with a mixture of defiance and surrender.

Celeste’s gaze met Rowan’s, dark and full of promise. “We’re almost there,” she murmured, her voice husky with desire. “But you know what they say… the journey is the destination.”

By the time the trees began to thicken and the sound of rushing water grew faint in the distance, Rowan’s anticipation was a tangible thing. Celeste parked in a small, hidden clearing and killed the engine. The night was alive with the hum of cicadas, and in the distance, the low, steady roar of a waterfall echoed like a heartbeat.

Rowan stepped out, looking around in awe. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

Celeste came around the car, slipping her sunglasses into her pocket. Her expression softened as she met Rowan’s eyes. “This place… it’s where I go when I need to breathe. Tonight, I wanted to share it with you.”

Rowan’s chest tightened, the sincerity in Celeste’s voice settling deep in her bones. “Then I’m honored, Celeste.”

The path down to the water was narrow, framed by tall grass that swayed with the night breeze. Rowan followed just behind Celeste, her heels crunching softly against the dirt and pebbles. When the trees finally opened up, the sight stole her breath.

The waterfall cascaded into a wide pool, the moonlight spilling across it like liquid silver. Mist hovered at the edges, cool against their skin, and the steady roar of rushing water drowned out the rest of the world.

Rowan let out a slow whistle. “This is… incredible. You weren’t kidding.”

Celeste turned to face her, hands tucked in her pockets, looking more relaxed than Rowan had ever seen her. “It’s the one place no one expects me to wear the mask. Out here, I just… exist.”

Rowan stepped closer, searching her face in the soft light. “And you wanted me to see this side of you?”

Celeste’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I wanted you to see all of me. Not just the actress. Not just the bodyguard character. Just… Celeste.”

The sincerity in her tone made Rowan’s chest ache. She reached out and brushed her fingers along Celeste’s arm, her voice soft. “Well, for what it’s worth, I like this version of you best.”

Celeste’s eyes locked onto hers, something unspoken passing between them. Slowly, she reached for Rowan’s hand, threading their fingers together. The warmth of her touch was grounding, steady.

For a while, they stood in silence, the sound of the waterfall surrounding them. Rowan leaned her head lightly against Celeste’s shoulder, and Celeste pressed a small kiss to the top of her hair, her chest rising in a deep, steadying breath.

“This was worth the drive,” Rowan whispered.

“Good,” Celeste murmured, her thumb brushing over Rowan’s knuckles. “Because I don’t think I could have kept this place from you for much longer.”

Celeste glanced sideways at Rowan as they stood near the water’s edge, her expression softer than usual. The mist from the waterfall clung to her hair, making it shimmer faintly in the moonlight.

“I know your car’s still back at my place,” Celeste said, her voice quiet but steady. “But… do you want to stay over tonight?”

Rowan smiled instantly, no hesitation in her eyes. “Of course. I love cuddling and sleeping next to you.”

The words landed like a warm blanket around Celeste’s heart. She gave Rowan’s hand a gentle squeeze, her lips curving into an almost shy smile — something Rowan had never seen on her before.

“Good,” Celeste murmured, her voice dropping low. “Because I wasn’t ready to let you go just yet.”

Rowan leaned into her, resting her head briefly on Celeste’s shoulder as the waterfall roared in the background. “Then don’t,” she whispered, her tone playful but sincere. “You don’t ever have to let me go if you don’t want to.”

Celeste pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, the gravity of Rowan’s words hanging between them. She brushed her thumb gently along Rowan’s jaw, studying her like she was memorizing every detail.

“Careful,” Celeste said softly, her smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You say things like that, and I might actually believe you.”

Rowan’s grin widened as she rose on her toes, pressing a tender kiss against Celeste’s lips. “Good. Because I meant every word.”

They lingered there a moment longer before Celeste laced their fingers together again. “Come on,” she said, guiding her back toward the car. “Let’s go home.”