by C.K. Bryant
Chapter Seventeen
It only took a few moments to reach the end of the dark path and step into the bright sunlight. The waterfall was only a few feet wide, but stretched up over a hundred feet, where it disappeared into an opening in the rocks. The sun shone at just the right angle, creating a celestial glow that radiated out over the small blue pond at its base. Small rock outcroppings and lush green bushes surrounded the pond and flowers of rich and varied hues—a virtual rainbow of colors—dotted the landscape.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“That it is,” he said. “This place is very special to us.”
“I can see why. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale.”
“That . . . and it reminds us of our home.” He offered her his hand. “Would you like to get closer? It gets a little slippery, but if we are slow—”
“I’d love to,” she answered before he finished. She weaved her fingers between his and let him lead her through the small maze of rocks and bushes. When they reached the water’s edge, Octavion sat on a rock a few feet away, while Kira slipped off her shoes and socks. The water looked too inviting to resist.
“I think I’ll get my feet wet,” she said.
Octavion folded his arms and lazily leaned back. “I’m sure the leeches won’t mind.”
“Leeches!” She’d already sat down on the rocky ledge and dipped her feet into the water. She yanked them out just in time to hear him laugh. She wasn’t sure which shocked her more, that he’d loosened up enough to tease her or that he somehow seemed to enjoy her reaction. She glared at him. “You’re lying.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders and smiled.
Determined not to let him win at this little game, Kira pulled the elastic out of her ponytail and let her hair flow over her shoulders and back. Without hesitation, she stood, her toes curling over the ledge and dove in. The water had felt cold on her feet, but hadn’t prepared her for the sudden shock to her whole body as she plunged into its depths. She kicked for the surface, gasping for air. “Ahh!” she yelled as she breached the water. “It’s c—cold!” She wrapped her arms around her torso and tried to control her shivering. She looked at the bank to find his boots and vest, but Octavion was nowhere in sight.
“Octavion?” she called.
An instant later he appeared on the cliff near the falls and she couldn’t help but admire the way the light splashed across his bronzed skin. He stretched his arms above his head, making the thick muscles across his chest bulge and flex. He stepped to the edge and leapt from the cliff in a perfect arc, hitting the water with barely a splash.
As the ripples reached the outer edge of the pond, he slowly surfaced a few feet in front of her. She gasped as he came out of the water. It took her breath away to see him half naked and dripping wet. She swore her heart stopped for just an instant when he brushed his hands through his hair, flexing his chest muscles. He, on the other hand, flashed his dimples.
She huffed the air out of her lungs and turned to wade toward the bank, her body shivering to the core. She got as far as the rocky ledge, but before she could pull herself up out of the water, she felt the pressure of his strong hand on her shoulder. He spun her around to face him, then pulled her close. His eyes seemed as deep as the pool, the sun’s reflection making them glisten like the rest of his wet body. Fondness . . . and a hint of hesitation—that’s what she saw in his eyes. She swallowed hard. “I’m cold,” she said. “I want to get out.”
He ran his hand up the small of her back and pulled her even closer. Slowly, he brought his other hand up and brushed a strand of wet hair from her face.
“What are you . . . doing?” Is he going to kiss me? The thought no sooner entered her mind when he brought his face closer, a lock of wet hair releasing one large drop of cold pond water that landed just below her collar bone. It tickled her skin as it made a slow path down her cleavage.
I should pull away, shouldn’t I? She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, anticipating the feel of his lips on hers. When it didn’t come and she felt him remove his hand from her back, she looked up. Squirming between his thumb and index finger was a leech.