Love of Truth

by C. T. Oliver

  “Tell me,” she asks, her voice a bit lighter and happier. “How does a Texas boy learn to surf?”

  “Well, my mom is from Seattle, but she was born in San Diego. It seems her heart never left. So, whenever we didn’t have school, we were in Cali, and a few other places around the world, ‘testing out the waters’ as she would call it.”

  “Well, I prefer a long board because I learned how to surf in Hookipa, but I think I can make do with the one we have in storage.”

  I’m struck dumb for a bit by her statement. “You SURF? Like surfing, surfing. Not bunny surfers surfing?” I’m so excited, especially since she just named one of my favorite places to surf.

  “Calm down, it’s been a while, but I think I can still catch a few swells. And no, those girls don’t know the trick. If you want to pick up a surfer, you go into the water where he is, not stand on the shores where he’s not,” she rolls her eyes as if she has all the knowledge in the world about picking up men. I wonder where she obtained this knowledge and how many times she’s picked up a surfer. Am I jealous? Is this that feeling? Strange.

  “So surfing and chemistry. What other things define Miss Adler?”

  “Well, she’s busy all the time, but when she does have a break, she fancies herself a pastry chef. Oh, it’s been a long time, but she also knits and has dabbled a little in photography,” she answers as we round our block.

  “You bake? Please don’t tell Cory or Ben. They’ll want to move into your house,” I say, already picturing her in a 70’s style apron baking cookies and treats.

  “It’s fun. Edible chemistry.”

  As we reach her house I walk her up the porch. “Well, thank you for the walk and please let Cory know I’ve made it home alright,” she smirks.

  “Sure,” I step closer to her, and notice we’re still holding hands. “Amelia?”

  “Yes?” she whispers while looking up at me.

  “Did you bake something today?” I inch closer.

  “Yes,” she whispers back.

  “Cinnamon?”

  “Coffee ca—” I lean in and touch my lips to hers. For a second, I think she’s going to push me away, but she wraps her free arm around my neck to pull herself closer to me. I let go of her hand, but only so I can reach down and pull her hips up against mine. I felt her surprises gasp, as her hot center touches my erection. The one I’ve been sporting ever since she snuggled under my arm at the restaurant.

  The light kiss turns powerfully passionate, as her tongue reaches out and licks my bottom lip. She opens her mouth and I take the opportunity to taste her. God, she’s sweet and warm. She runs a hand through my hair, holding my head in place as her tongue shyly plays with mine. A soft moan comes from her throat and it takes all my self-control to keep from ripping off all her clothes to feel her soft skin. Her body melts itself to my body as I pull her closer to me; as if I’m afraid she’s going to slip away from my very hands.

  When I can’t take it any longer, I lean back from the kiss that is now forever etched on my brain as the most passionate kiss I’ve ever had. “Coffee cake?”

  Breathing equally hard, she nods. “Yes, would you like to come in for some?” she breathes.

  “Yes,” I pull her tighter to me and realize her feet are inches off the ground.

  She pulls away from my face, and runs her a hand over my shoulder and chest. “Just coffee cake,” she states. Her eyes widen and a small innocent smile crosses her well-kissed lips.

  “No coffee or milk to go with the cake,” I ask in mock shock. “It is called ‘coffee cake’ after all.”

  She gives me a quick lip peck. “Maybe, if you’re good.”

  “Does good mean I have to keep my hands to myself?” I ask with an eyebrow raise.

  “What do you think?” She tries to hide her smile by biting down on her lip, making me feel the situation in my shorts tighten.

  “That I’ll be good and make sure to touch you all over,” I chuckle as she gasps and let’s out the cutest giggle without meaning to before sliding down my body and opening the door.

  Chapter 9

  Walking into the house, I’m amazed my legs are still in working order. That had to be the best kiss of my life. He was sweet and careful not to over step, but I sure couldn’t hold myself back. The kiss made me feel warm and protected. Of course, he is at least a foot taller than me and a solid wall of hard muscle so of course I felt protected. Damn it, I can’t get this smile off my face as we walk into the living room. There is just something about having a powerful man wrapped around me that has always made me feel giddy.

  Larry is still tucked in and snuggling with his hippo exactly where I left him hours ago. Petting him lightly, he barks softly and half way opens his eyes to stare at Craig. “Hey little man, did you enjoy your night?” Craig asks as he slides in next to Larry. I’m kind of shocked how a big guy like him can like small dogs like Larry. Most guys who know of my dog think he’s a toy.

  Larry takes a few sniffs of Craig and looks back at me as if to say ‘he smells like you’, then he stretches his little body and rests his hind legs in Craig’s hand. That must mean he approves, I think. I laugh at Larry’s antics and watch as Craig carefully pets him.

  Craig gently picks Larry up to put on his lap. “I miss Ciara sometimes, but I know my mom takes better care of her than I can right now.”

  “I know how you feel. When I first got him, I was kind of hesitant, but now it’s nice to have someone waiting for me when I get home. Sometimes during the day, I wonder what he’s doing while I’m gone.”

  I head to the kitchen to the awaiting coffee cake muffins. Craig follows still holding Larry. A warm feeling creeps around my heart seeing how gentle he is with Larry. “Can you take him out for the night?” I ask, while plating some muffins.

  “Sure,” he gives me a wink and a sexy grin. “But when I get back I’m going back to being good with you.” With that he steps out back and I have trouble filling the kettle for tea.

  After dealing with the ache between my thighs with a few Kegels, I bring a tray with the muffins, tea, and milk out to the living room just as Craig steps back in. “I thought we should have tea instead of coffee. We have to get some sleep for our hike tomorrow.”

  “That’s great, but milk is fine, you didn’t have to go to any trouble.” He settles into the couch after tucking Larry into a seat of his own, and pulls me into him as I pass him a muffin. After a bite, he moans and I feel the ache between my thighs again. “You have to hide these or Cory will just inhale them all.”

  “He’s welcome to. I made two dozen, and didn’t have any idea who was going to eat them. You guys are actually welcome over for dessert anytime this week. I’m planning a dessert party for my friend’s birthday shindig next Tuesday and I’m practicing.” I am relieved my baked goods won’t go to waste.

  “Done! I’ll be your pastry critic,” he says around a mouthful.

  While Craig demolishes three muffins of his own and half of mine, I talk about Blu and Pen coming out at the end of the week. Afterwards, he pulls me closer into him. I can tell he’s done listening, and I’m more than okay with it. I sigh contentedly, feeling his hands rubbing my lower back. I nestle my face under his chin and rest an arm on his stomach, make that abs. “Craig, tell me about your childhood.”

  Hours drift by as he tells me stories about growing up with a mom who is on top of everything that involves the three men in the family. How her love of the ocean was the center of all the family vacations. The smartass way she would answer the house phone when girls started to call asking to talk to Cory. Then how supportive and proud she was when he decided to join the Army. Drifting off to sleep, I wish I had been a part of his family and received a tenth of that support.

  I feel as if someone is looking at me and examining me intently. Like I’m under a microscope, being probed and there is a source of heat from under me. The heat is wrapping itself around me, holding me close. I jerk awake with two pairs of piercing ocean
blues staring down at me.

  “Told you she wasn’t a drooler,” Ben smirks at Cory. “Pay up.” He holds out his hand as Cory slaps a twenty dollar bill into it.

  Cory starts to sniff the air around us. “Is that coffee cake I smell?” He rounds the corner into the kitchen with Ben following right behind.

  “Told you,” Craig chuckles and I feel my whole body shake. During the night he must have shifted us. Now I’m lying on top of his lean body with my cheek pressed into his chest. God, he smells sexy in the morning. I struggle to open my eyes, but they’re burning from the dried out contacts I didn’t remove last night.

  I wiggle to sit up as Craig lets out a groan and holds me to his chest. “Amelia, you’re killing me,” he whispers loudly. It didn’t take long for me to feel his rather impressive erection pressing next to my hipbone. Very, very impressive…

  “Tol ya tey didn’ do it, pfay uf sucka,” I hear Ben mumble with his mouthful to Cory from the kitchen.

  I rub his chest, trying to comfort him, but it seems to have the opposite affect and he is having a hard time controlling his breathing. Turning to face him, I squint my eyes to look at him and I’m lost in his beauty. Full firm lips, straight nose, and a slight chin dimple that is covered in sexy stubble. When I look into his teal-grays, they don’t look very happy, but concerned.

  “Do your eyes hurt badly?” he asks, moving to sit us up.

  “No, they’re just dry. It will be fine once I take the contacts out and soak them for a bit.”

  All sexual thoughts are gone and Craig is up on his feet in nanoseconds. “Where are your solutions? Let me get them for you,” he asks already half way up the stairs.

  “Master bathroom on the counter. Really, I can go up and take them out upstairs,” I say, getting up.

  “Ah, forget it Amelia. He probably found them already,” Ben says, coming back out of the kitchen with coffee cake in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. “You got any coffee?”

  I sigh and sit back on the couch. “Second cabinet from the left, next to the press. If you wait a sec I’ll make you guys some and breakfast, too. Assuming you still have room.” I gesture to his hand with the muffin, trying to bring him to focus through my squint.

  Ben chuckles and winks at me. “Of course we will, but I’ll help you get started with the coffee. Oh, and I think Cory is making plans to steal your dog. He’s currently sharing his muffin and Cory never shares.” Ben laughs and heads back into the kitchen.

  I smile at their antics as Craig rushes down with my contact lens case, solution, and glasses in hand. “Really, you didn’t have to do that,” I admonish him as he sit down next to me.

  “Of course I did, you were uncomfortable and I feel responsible. It’s my fault you fell asleep down here.” He pushes my bangs behind my ear and plants a kiss on my forehead.

  There’s that warm feeling wrapping its way around my heart again and I can feel holes being poked into my jaded heart. “Well, thank you. If you want to head in there for coffee, I’ll be right in to make you some breakfast sandwiches.”

  “I’m right where I want to be,” he sits back with a hand rubbing my lower back.

  I take out my contacts and add drops to soothe my eyes. Sitting back with my head resting on the couch, I close my eyes to rest them a bit.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.

  I’m too afraid to open my eyes to look at him. “Thank you?” I reply softly.

  He chuckles as he pulls me into his arms. “You’re uncomfortable with compliments?”

  I don’t know what to say, so I go with the truth. “No, it’s just that it’s been said to me before by someone who didn’t really mean it, so it’s hard to believe, even from someone else who is completely different.”

  He pulls me closer as if protecting me from past pain. “Trust me, Amelia, you are truly beautiful, and smart, and strong, and independent and that’s from someone who just met you a couple of days ago.” He smiles at me when I finally have the courage to open my eyes. If I weren’t so worried about my breath smelling like rotten vegetables, I would totally kiss him.

  “If you two are done having eye sex, there are hungry people in here,” Cory yells from the kitchen.

  “And some of us would like to make it out to the Cave before it closes for the season,” Ben adds.

  Still looking into my eyes, he says “We are so going to make out in the Cave later.” With that I go about making breakfast as fast as I can so we can get to the Cave ASAP.

  I made eighteen-herb eggs and forest ham with pepper jack cheese English muffin sandwiches before I rush off to the shower. I throw on a pair of running tights and a light blue racerback tank over my sports bra. Downstairs, the guys have left me one sandwich and it seems they also made good use of the kitchen and invaded my food for our lunch. They load everything in the SUV while I play with Larry before leaving him to nap all day. We pile into the SUV and head north towards Cape Cherry Field, a fifty minute drive.

  Five minutes into the drive, Cory bursts out laughing. “See, not even ten minutes in,” Craig says, turning around from the passenger seat and holding out his hand to Ben.

  “Damn you, Cory!” Ben grunts and slaps a twenty dollar bill in Craig’s hand.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask, looking over at Craig’s triumphant smile.

  “Ben bet Craig that it would take me half way through the drive before I started laughing. I tried, but I couldn’t hold it in. I can’t even see your head over the head rest!” Cory struggles to breathe while laughing and trying to talk.

  I look over and snap the bill out of Craig’s hand. “You bet on me, I collect,” I smirk. “And for the record, I’m not short! I’m space-efficient.” The bad joke seems to only make Cory laugh harder. Off and on all the way to the Cave.

  The Cave is a mountain that was once under water. It rose due to its close proximity to the nearby volcanic field. It is dubbed the Cave because there is an actual cave that formed during one of the first volcanic eruptions. To get to it, there is about a thirty five-meter rock wall to climb. Though the park on the outside is gorgeous with its evergreens, red clay soil, and sun streaming trail paths, inside the Cave is a wonderland of its own. Different mineral deposits from numerous eruptions left crystalline deposits in an array of colors from the walls of the cave up to the ceiling. A man made entrance at the base of the Cave allows tourists to view from the bottom. Entering the Cave from the climb leads to the ceiling. This allows for a more personal view of the crystals, in addition to a secondary smaller cave. The site is breathtaking due to the beautiful crystals, but it can be overwhelming with the abundance of colors.

  Driving up to the park entrance, I flash my badge to George, a park ranger I know well from my frequent park visits over the years. “Amelia, are you taking more students in today?” George asks while eyeing the guys suspiciously.

  I laugh. “Oh yeah, this guy is a Ph.D. candidate right here,” I point my thumb over to Cory as Craig chuckles.

  After checking in, I maneuver the SUV to my favorite spot at the base. We all grab our bags, and walk over to the bottom of the wall. Each taking time to map out our own path for the climb. It didn’t take me long to find the path I’ve taken for more than five years.

  Plugging in my earphones, I chalk up my hands and walk up to the wall. I start to feel for the grips on the rocks that will allow me to rest my hands while I push myself up the wall. Allowing the sweet melodies of Bachianas Briasileiras no. 5 Aria to set the pace and give me grace, I start my climb. Like a dance between me and the wall. I am five meters off the ground and alone. I take a moment to look down and see the guys looking at me dumbfounded.

  “You boys going to stand there the whole time?” Feeling their eyes on my bottom, I smile to myself. Thank you squats!

  “You, umm, sure you…ahh, know what you’re doing there, Shorty?” Cory asks, trying to look anywhere but at my bottom and failing miserably. Craig hits him in the head and starts up the wall,
climbing to my right.

  About three quarters of the way up I start to feel the burn in my shoulders. It’s always at this point in the climb that I chide myself for my lack of upper body strength. Focusing on the finish, I push myself up the edge with one last powerful thrust of my right leg. Standing up, I lift my face to the sun and feel the cool breeze blowing over my heated skin. I feel my blood coursing vigorously through my body, and my arms pulsating. If I make this climb a thousand more times in this lifetime, I will never take this feeling of freedom for granted.

  Standing back I take a few sips of water and before pulling out my Canon. I snap a few shots while I wait for the guys. Craig, not far behind me pulls himself up and over the edge minutes later. Seeing the excitement on his face I can feel the pulse on my neck beat against my tingling skin.

  He walks up to me and pulls me into a powerful hug. “God, you are amazing and I don’t care what you think, I think you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” he whispers in my ear before placing kisses from my cheek to my forehead. I feel so content in his arms. It’s hard to believe I’ve known him less than two days.

  Seconds later we hear grunting and swearing as Cory and Ben make it over the edge. Craig lets go of me slowly, only to take my hand into his, linking our fingers. “What did I say? All those cigars with dad are catching up to you, bro,” Craig smirks as we start walking up the trail to the Cave’s entrance.

  I trail a step behind Craig just for a view of his backside as we hike up the trail. In black cargo pants with a gray North Face fleece pulled over a white tee, he has me tingly in all the right places. For sure, he’s definitely look good wearing nothing judging by the way his muscles mold his fleece. Wow girl, calm your face.