Night of Destiny Novel by Vanessa K

She let out a shriek just as Richard reached out to catch her, keeping her from hitting the earth. He pulled her against him and held her there while her arms snaked around his waist instinctively.

She was pressed up to his chest, still dazed from the fall as her heart beat frantically under her rib cage. Tired from the hike, she nuzzled into his broad and firm chest, then closed her eyes as she relished the break in the exercise.

He did not push her away but merely watched as she closed her eyes and lay there. Her cheeks were flushed, and there were beads of sweat on her forehead that sparkled under the sun. He softened at that moment and let her lean into him, holding her.

Upon sensing his relaxed stance, she smiled.

Around them, the mountain breeze whistled through the trees, and the sun was beaming down on the mountain, coating everything in its gentle, golden rays. For a moment, everything came to an idyllic standstill.

Angela could hear Richard’s strong and steady heartbeat. Inexplicably, her own heartbeat quickened as well, as if trying to match up to his.

to protect? I guess what I’m trying to say is, if I

his gaze smoldering and

looking into his eyes as she asked, “Would you let her use your

hurt? Leap to protect her and shield her from every harm at any given moment? If she were the one holding onto you

but her eyes grew misty as she spoke. Flustered, she

floundered by all the questions she

waited for his response, but when he didn’t give her one, a bitter smile curled on her lips as she asked challengingly,

said monotonously as he let

would have shown the same level of dedication even if she were any other

that case, she did not have to torture: herself and delude herself

the trail got easier as they neared the foot of the mountain. When she took the final step to dismount from the hike, Angela