Chapter 32 I Don't Want You to Suffer
I woke with a start as the car came to a stop. Through the tinted windows, I could see towering trees stretching toward the sky, sunlight filtering through their ancient branches.
"We're here," Ethan said, unbuckling his seatbelt.
I glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings. "This isn't Mori Point."
"Mori Point would've been too crowded. I wanted to take you somewhere more special."
As I stepped out of the car, the scent of earth and pine enveloped me. A wooden sign carved with "Muir Woods National Monument" stood at the entrance path. What struck me immediately was the emptiness of the parking lot—just our car and what appeared to be a park ranger's vehicle.
A man in a forest service uniform approached us with a deferential smile. "Mr. Bennett, we've secured Cathedral Grove as requested. The area will remain cleared until after sunset."
My mouth fell open. "You cleared an entire section of a national park?"
"The entire park, actually," Ethan replied casually, placing his hand on the small of my back to guide me forward. "Just for the afternoon."
The ranger nodded. "We've redirected all visitors to other trails for today. You'll have complete privacy."
I stared at Ethan in disbelief. "How much did this cost? Just to avoid other tourists?"
He took my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "The price of ensuring we won't be disturbed." His eyes held mine. "Worth every penny."
We followed a path lined with fallen redwood needles, their soft reddish-brown carpet cushioning our steps. The towering redwoods created a natural cathedral, sunlight filtering through in scattered beams that danced across the forest floor.
"Have you been here before?" I asked, still overwhelmed by the ancient presence towering above us.
He shook his head. "Most of my vacations were spent on overseas deployments or emergency evacuations."
"These trees are two thousand years old," I said softly. "Makes you realize how small your problems really are."
Ethan watched me with an intensity that made my skin warm.
A breeze rustled the canopy far above us, sending a shower of needles spiraling down. I caught one in my palm, examining its delicate structure.
"Do you ever wonder what these trees have witnessed?" I asked. "The rise and fall of empires, wars, technological revolutions... all while just standing here, growing slowly."
"They've seen it all and remained unchanged," Ethan mused. "There's something to admire in that constancy."
I glanced at him, surprised by the philosophical turn. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a nature enthusiast."
"There's a lot you don't know about me yet." His gaze was steady, a challenge and a promise.
We continued walking, the path gradually becoming steeper as we approached what the marker identified as Bohemian Grove. The incline wasn't difficult, but I found myself breathing harder.
Ethan noticed immediately. He stopped in front of me and lowered himself slightly. "Climb on. I'll carry you."
I stood frozen, caught off guard by the offer. "What?"
"I don't want you to suffer, Olivia," he said simply.
Something about those words struck a chord deep within me. No one had ever said that to me before. My whole life I'd been told to be strong, to endure, to push through pain.
"No one's ever said that to me," I admitted quietly. "That they didn't want me to suffer."
Ethan's expression softened, the hard lines of his face relaxing into something gentler. "You don't need to be strong with me, Olivia. Not all the time."
After a moment's hesitation, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling the solid warmth of his back against my chest as he lifted me effortlessly. His hands secured my thighs, and I felt a rush of vulnerability mixed with strange comfort.
He navigated the path with sure steps, seemingly unburdened by my weight. The forest around us grew more open as we climbed, until finally we reached a clearing that offered a breathtaking view—the entire redwood forest spread below us, with the Pacific Ocean glimmering on the horizon.
Ethan set me down gently, but kept his arm around my waist. The sun was beginning its descent toward the ocean, painting the sky in shades of gold and amber.
"Thank you for bringing me here," I said, gazing at the spectacular view. "Whatever your motives might be."
He turned me to face him, his hands warm on my shoulders. "My motives are simple. I want to see you happy."
"How many relationships have you had, Ethan?" I asked suddenly, curiosity getting the better of me.
His eyes never left mine. "Just you."
I reached up and lightly traced the edge of his earlobe with my finger. "You don't seem like someone who's only been with me."
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "What makes you say that?"
"Because..." I leaned closer, my lips brushing against his ear as I whispered, "you're too good at everything." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a flush of embarrassment.
Ethan's hands tightened on my waist, his expression darkening with desire.
My heart began to race as I realized his intention. "Ethan, we have an early flight tomorrow. We shouldn't stay out too late."
"It won't interfere with your sleep," he replied, guiding me toward a secluded bench nestled among the trees.
I swallowed nervously, suddenly aware of how isolated we were. "But we don't have any protection—"
He took my hand and guided it to the pocket of his slacks. "I came prepared."