Jackie nodded.
“That guy will climb back up that path there.” She watched Jackie’s eyes follow the path. “At the top he’ll jump from that rock. People do it all the time.”
Jackie’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
Kayla smiled. “Just watch.”
The young man did just as Kayla had predicted. But when he got to the top of the boulder he didn’t just jump, he spread his arms out over his head and with a step and a slight push of his foot he sprang off the edge in a dive. He seemed to hang suspended in the air as if falling in slow motion, his arms outstretched in flight. An instant later the momentum and gravity took over and in a flash he pierced the water and disappeared.
Jackie gasped. She could hear the rush of her heartbeat in her ears echoing the roar of the water below. Her eyes were glued to the surface of the water, searching, waiting for the young man to resurface.
She was getting a little nervous when his head broke free of the surface of the water. His arms moved in half circles, keeping him afloat, as he shook the water from his face and hair and let out a whoop of glee.
Jackie’s body vibrated with excitement and she tightened her grip on Kayla’s hand. “That’s insane,” she said. A thrill ran through her, pulling her to the danger. “I’ve got to do it.”
Kayla’s brow furrowed in concern. “Are you serious?”
Jackie smiled and began pulling her cell phone and wallet from her pockets. “That was the craziest thing I think I have ever seen anyone do,” Jackie said, her eyes wide with wonder. “I have to try it.”
Kayla frowned. “But he could have hit anything in that water—just look at the size of those rocks,” Kayla said, gesturing to the boulders below. “You know they don’t just end at the pool.”
“I know, but the water is obviously very deep here, and like you said, people do it all the time.”
“I don’t care, it’s still crazy.”
“I’ll be fine. Just watch.”
Jackie ran up the path to the top of the cliff.
Kayla held her breath as she watched Jackie step to the edge and peer over at the water below. She turned toward Kayla and waved. She almost glowed with excitement. All Kayla felt was fear.
Jackie squared her shoulders, then took two quick steps, propelling herself over the edge.
Kayla gasped as Jackie tucked her arms and legs, rolling in midair, twisting and turning her body until finally unfolding her long elegant limbs into a perfect straight line a second before piercing the water. Kayla’s heart was in her throat. She should have known better than to bring Jackie here. It was just the sort of stupid thing she would do.
Jackie broke the surface and whooped with excitement. “Hell, yes.”
Kayla took a long deep breath of relief and watched Jackie swim back to the bank.
Jackie plopped down beside Kayla with a flourish. “That was amazing. You should try it.”
“Oh no. There’s no way I’m doing that. People get hurt all the time doing stupid things like this. You’re out of your mind.”
Jackie frowned. Kayla was upset. She hadn’t considered how Kayla would feel about the jump. She stroked Kayla’s forearm. “I’m sorry if I upset you. That wasn’t my intention.”
Kayla sighed. “I know that people cliff dive all the time, but this pool is so small. It just blows my mind. I can’t help but think of all the injuries that could result from a situation like this. You could have been killed.”
“I know. But people get hurt everyday falling out of the shower. How do you know you’re alive if you never take any chances?”
Kayla didn’t answer.
“I really am sorry. We can go if you want.”
Kayla shook her head trying to get a grip on her emotions. “No. I’m okay. It was just a surprise. But could we not do anything dangerous for the rest of the day? Besides, there’s no way I’m letting you in my car all wet.”
Jackie pushed playfully at Kayla’s arm, trying to restore the jovial mood to the day. “Come on, let’s go down and test the water.”
Kayla smiled and pushed back against Jackie’s arm.
They watched the jumpers from one of the rock ledges for a while before wading out into one of the shallow pools.
Kayla shuddered. “Oh my God, this is the coldest water I have ever felt in my life.”
Jackie couldn’t help herself. She scooped a handful of water and tossed it toward Kayla, showering her with drops of cold water.
“Hey.” Kayla yelped.
Jackie laughed.
“You are so going to pay for that.” Kayla tried to splash Jackie back but lost her balance and toppled forward into Jackie.
Jackie laughed as she wrapped her arms around Kayla a little tighter than necessary. “Hmm, I like this game.”
Kayla placed her hands on Jackie’s chest and gave a little push as she stepped away. Jackie slipped on the rocks and went down. She sat up, submerged in water up to her breasts, as Kayla scrambled to stand.
After a quick assessment, Kayla laughed. “Are you okay?”
Jackie looked up indignantly, before a smile spread from the corners of her mouth. She laughed.
Kayla reached out a hand to help her up. “Truce?”
Jackie took Kayla’s hand and gave a sharp tug, pulling Kayla off balance and into the water beside her. The battle was on.
Chapter Nine
Kayla stirred. The sun was warm on her skin as she lay across the blanket watching Jackie sleep. They had stretched out to dry and had been lulled into sleep by the warm rays of the sun. She studied the still sleeping woman lying next to her and imagined her hands exploring the soft contours of Jackie’s body. She had to admit that she liked Jackie. They were easy and playful together, but she still didn’t know where she wanted things to go. The way Jackie touched her and looked at her made her hope there was something special growing between them, but the cliff-diving stunt reminded her just how different they were. Kayla cringed at the thought of risking her heart again. She was in serious danger of falling in love with Jackie and she didn’t think there was anything she could do about it.
Kayla reached out and brushed her fingers lightly down Jackie’s arm, watching Jackie’s fingers twitch in response. She raised her hand again and brushed featherlight touches across Jackie’s cheek.
Jackie’s eyes fluttered open. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Kayla smiled at the greeting.
“Sorry I fell asleep.”
“Don’t worry, I did too. I didn’t want to wake you, but I couldn’t resist.”
Jackie took Kayla’s fingers into her hand and kissed each tip, allowing the softness of her lips to linger on the smooth skin. Kayla shivered at her touch.
“So this is what it’s like to wake up with you,” Jackie said, taking Kayla’s finger into her mouth and sucking lightly, playing her tongue sensuously across the tip of the digit.
Kayla gasped and closed her eyes against the rush of desire that pulsed between her legs as Jackie slid a hand through her hair and caressed her face. Kayla moaned again as Jackie let go of her finger and claimed her lips with her mouth. She melted into Jackie’s arms, her body molding to Jackie as if she belonged to her. Kayla swooned as she took in the sweet taste of Jackie’s mouth.
Oh yeah, she was in trouble. Jackie made her want to throw caution to the wind and take chances with her heart.
Jackie slid her arm around Kayla’s waist, brushed her fingers just above the soft swell of Kayla’s hips into the curve of her back, and played with the sensitive skin along her side, trailing tender touches around to the taut skin of her abdomen.
Kayla whimpered. The flood of desire threatened to brush all reason from her thoughts. All that mattered was the feel of Jackie’s mouth and searching hands. With the slightest shift of her hips she slid her thigh between Jackie’s legs and pressed into her.
Jackie squeezed her thighs together, trapping Kayla against her. She tightened her embrace and gently rocked their bodi
es together as she continued to explore Kayla’s mouth with her tongue.
Kayla wanted Jackie to touch her. She wanted her more than she had ever wanted a woman. She was on fire with the sweet painful need of her.
It was Jackie who broke the kiss. Her breath came in ragged bursts as she tried to catch her breath. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.”
Kayla couldn’t stop the subtle thrust of her hips in response to the sultry rasp of Jackie’s voice. She dug her fingers into the skin of Jackie’s shoulders, bit down on her lip, and opened her eyes. Another jolt of want hit her when she saw her desire mirrored in Jackie’s eyes. Beyond the hunger, beyond the physical desire, Kayla saw a flash of vulnerability.
It was more than she could resist. Kayla abandoned her resistance. “I’m so afraid of how you make me feel, but I think I’ll die if you don’t touch me soon.”
There in the sun surrounded by trees and the sound of flowing water, Jackie pulled Kayla into her arms and explored her body with her hands as she kissed Kayla’s neck.
Kayla felt Jackie’s nipple harden under her touch as she brushed her fingers across the small mound of breast.
“We were supposed to be drying out, not getting all wet again,” Kayla whispered playfully.
“Are you wet?” Jackie rasped.
“Oh yes. I think I’m melting.”
Kayla had her fingers looped around the waistband of Jackie’s shorts when the piercing sound of a car alarm startled them both. Kayla sat up looking around, frantically trying to regain her bearings.
Jackie laughed and fell back onto the blanket. “Seriously?”
Kayla frowned. “Maybe we should go see about the car. This probably isn’t the most private place to—”
“Have mind-blowing sex?” Jackie broke in.
Kayla grinned. “Is that what you had in mind?”
“Oh yeah. The way you feel in my arms, I have no doubt.”
Kayla’s face burned as heat flooded her cheeks.
Jackie smiled and kissed the scorched flesh. “Maybe we’ll have to test my theory later.”
Kayla kept her voice steady but her body was screaming for more. “You’re dangerous,” she said, taking Jackie’s hand.
She couldn’t believe she’d been so close to having sex out in the open where anyone could have stumbled upon them. It wasn’t like her to take such a risk. But she wasn’t sure she would have stopped if they hadn’t been interrupted. She had to slow things down but she wasn’t sure how much longer she could say no to what she knew they both wanted.
*
Jackie watched the flickering sunlight dance across Kayla’s face as they drove. She barely noticed that Kayla drove a little faster than necessary, hugging the tiny sports car into the curves as she raced down the mountain. Jackie’s only thought was the feel of Kayla’s thigh beneath her fingers as she imagined more intimate touches.
“What are you thinking?” Kayla asked.
Jackie smiled. “I was thinking about the way you feel.”
A muscle at the side of Kayla’s jaw twitched but she kept her focus on the road ahead.
Jackie was curious about something. “Earlier, you said you were afraid of how I make you feel. What are you afraid of?”
Kayla chewed at her lip. “The same thing everyone always fears. I don’t want to get hurt.”
“And?” Jackie persisted.
Kayla glanced at Jackie. “And it would be easy to get carried away. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m very attracted to you.”
Jackie frowned. “I don’t want to hurt you. You were right about me before. I’ve never had a serious relationship. I’ve had a series of women in my life who shared my bed, but there was never anyone who made me want more. I don’t think I’m that person.”
Jackie wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but she was always honest about her feelings and her intentions, as much as she could be anyway. In this case she wasn’t really sure what she wanted or felt.
Kayla slowed the car. “Jackie, you don’t have to tell me—”
“Don’t I? It’s the only way you’re going to trust me. I enjoy being with you. I want to get to know you, and in order to do that, I have to be honest. I want things to be clear between us. I don’t want to hurt you.” Jackie pulled Kayla’s hand into her lap. “I don’t have any promises.”
Kayla forced a smile, but her insides felt like a tornado had just blown through. Jackie was very clear about where things stood between them. She wasn’t interested in a relationship. “I know.”
“Good.” Jackie smiled. “I have an idea.”
Kayla raised one eyebrow, suspicious of the sudden change of topic. “What?”
“Let’s order pizza and sit on my deck and talk. I’m starving and I don’t want to go out.”
Kayla liked the idea. She could still feel the traces of Jackie’s hands on her body and she wasn’t ready to let her go. But she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea to go back to Jackie’s apartment in such an aroused state, especially since Jackie was clearly setting some boundaries between them.
Jackie pushed a little harder. “I promise nothing will happen that you don’t want. I’ll behave.”
It wasn’t Jackie Kayla was worried about. It was her ability to control her own desires. She didn’t trust herself. But what message would she send if she said yes? She had wanted to believe more was going on between them, but Jackie had been clear about her feelings. What did she do now? Could she walk away? Could she give in to her desire and worry about picking up the pieces later?
“Okay,” Kayla answered. She had to make her decision soon, for both their sakes.
As soon as they were back in the city, Jackie pulled out her phone and dialed in the number for Stefano’s Pizza. “Mind if we do a pickup?”
Kayla shrugged. “Sure.”
“Great. I know just the place. Anything you don’t want?”
“Anchovies, and I’m not a fan of meat on my pizza. Sorry.”
“Not a problem. How do you feel about broccoli and fresh sliced tomatoes?”
Kayla’s stomach growled. “Fantastic.”
They picked up the pizza and were at Jackie’s apartment within the hour. The sky was taking on a pink hue signaling the first moments of the setting sun, and the air was beginning to chill just as Kayla parked the car outside Jackie’s apartment.
Kayla’s stomach rumbled with both hunger and anxiety. How can I be so nervous? Only a couple of hours ago I was ready to rip Jackie’s clothes off in broad daylight in a very public park. She was overthinking things again and tried to calm the rush of nerves while Jackie prepared their plates.
Jackie handed Kayla the drinks. “You can go outside and get comfortable. I’ll bring the food out.”
“Okay.”
Kayla stared out over the city, letting the setting sun and crisp air seduce her. She wasn’t sure how her predictable structured life had gotten so off course, but at that moment she didn’t care. She was already too far gone to turn back.
*
Jackie was on her best behavior, as promised. She found Kayla easy to talk to and was surprised by how much she enjoyed getting to know her without the goal of sex. It was as if a light was being shined on the empty space in her soul.
Kayla looked relaxed sitting in the deck chair with her drink resting on her thigh. Her hair was windblown and her skin glowed from the kiss of the sun. Jackie watched Kayla, listening to the rise and fall of her voice as she spoke. She liked the way Kayla gestured with her hands when she talked and the curve of her lips when she smiled. The best was when Kayla laughed. It was like listening to a songbird after a long cold winter.
“What were you like growing up?” Kayla asked.
Jackie frowned. She hadn’t expected the change in topic. “There’s not really much to tell. I was a bit of a jock and a closet bookworm.”
Kayla smiled. “Hmm, not much has changed then.”
Jackie wanted to change the subject. She didn’t like to tal
k about her family or her childhood. “What about you?”
Kayla laughed. “I was a pleaser. My parents died when I was a baby. I don’t remember them. But I resented their absence and didn’t want to be anything like them. My grandmother was my world and I tried my best to make her happy. She died last year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jackie said. She heard the pain in Kayla’s voice but there was reverence there too. “Your grandmother sounds very special.”
Kayla smiled. “She was.”
“Why didn’t you want to be like your parents?”
Kayla took a sip of her beer. “They were big on adventure, always seeking the next thrill, until eventually they made a deadly mistake.”
“What happened?”
Kayla peeled the label off her beer bottle as she talked. “They were hang gliding. I don’t know exactly how it happened, but they crashed into the side of a mountain.”
“That sucks. I’m sorry.” Jackie could relate to the distance between Kayla and her parents, but she’d never had anyone step up for her the way Kayla’s grandmother had. She didn’t even know her grandparents.
“I think it would be worse if I could remember them. I grew up with stories about people I didn’t know. My grandmother didn’t approve of their lifestyle, so anytime I got out of line she would say things like, You don’t want to end up like your parents, do you? She was everything to me and I never wanted to disappoint her. I miss her every day.”
Jackie was quiet. Her thoughts turned to her mother and her own dysfunctional family.
“I’m sorry,” Kayla said. “I didn’t mean to ramble on about all that.”
Jackie shook her head. “It’s okay.”
Kayla brushed her fingers along Jackie’s arm. “What about you? I know you said there were problems between you and your dad, but what about your mother?”
Jackie looked out over the river. “We were close, but she disappeared when I was twelve. I have no idea where she is or what happened to her.”
“Oh, Jackie, I’m so sorry.”
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