by Adele Huxley
“I’m way too hot. I think I’m gonna cool off over here,” he said swinging a leg over the side into the pool water.
“That’s a great idea, I’ll join you.” Lauren couldn’t scramble out the tub quickly enough.
The water felt amazing against her skin, silky and refreshing. She ducked her head under and relished the sensation of the cold water on her scalp. The conversation and hot tub had left her a little overheated as well. She swam to Landon who was already on the far side of the pool looking at the view.
“This really is an incredibly place.” She spotted a bonfire in the valley below and hoped someone was roasting marshmallows.
“It is. It sounds cheesy but it’s where I come to center myself. Things get so hectic in the city and everything moves so fast. It’s just good to come here and remember what’s important and what’s not.”
Lauren nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. A comfortable silence fell between them. After a few moments Landon chuckled to himself and turned to her.
“So what did happen with you-know-who that landed you in the ER?”
“Oh god, really? You’re really gonna make me tell that story?” She grasped the edge of the pool and planted her feet on the wall, curling into a swimmer’s start position as if ready to spring away.
“Yes, you really have to.”
“Fine,” she laughed. She released the tension in her arms and dropped back to her feet. The game had definitely loosened up her inhibitions. “I had a long-term boyfriend in high school. He’s actually the guy I lost my virginity to and we’d gotten really comfortable with each other. So, like most hormone-crazed teenagers, we wanted to experiment with everything. I had a great idea to try this position I’d seen in a magazine where I was on top but facing away from him, right? So, we’re going along, it’s kind of uncomfortable but we’re trying to make it work. I still don’t know what he was thinking but he did this weird hip thrust move I wasn’t expecting.”
Landon grimaced.
“Yeah, right, you know where this is going. He went up, I came down, it went snap. He screamed so loudly his mom actually came running in and we all went to the emergency room together. Single most embarrassing moment of my life.”
“That’s terrible! Man, I thought when you said that earlier you were the one that got hurt somehow.”
“Oh no, that’s the kicker. I did get hurt. When it broke, he threw me to the floor so quickly I didn’t have a chance to brace myself and I ended up breaking my wrist. With the shock of everything and being mind-numbingly embarrassed, I didn’t feel any pain until we were in the hospital.”
“That’s so adorable.”
Lauren turned in the water and leaned back against the wall, noticing for the first time that the hot tub was now empty. Ali and Dane had apparently slipped away without a word. Her stomach tensed as she realized she was alone and half naked with Landon. He stepped in front of her, standing close, and reached for her hands. He interlaced his fingers with hers and rotated her wrists slowly under the water. The lights from the pool glittered in his eyes as he looked at her.
“Everything healed okay?” He stepped closer.
Lauren’s breath caught in her throat. “Yep, it’s all good now.”
“Good.” He guided her hands to his waist and held them there. “Any other injuries I should know about?”
“Not that I can think of.”
“Good.” His hand cupped the side of her face as he kissed her, water tinkling like raindrops off his arm. Lauren’s heart fluttered the moment their lips met. Her hands dropped from his waist in shock and a moment later he pulled away. He searched her face for a reaction, as if fearful he may have completely misread the situation. As Lauren slowly recovered from the surprise of it all, a small smile spread across her face. His expression changed from concern to confidence. A heartbeat later, they dove for each other. Her lips parted to allow his tongue, her hands feeling his stomach and back. In one swift movement, he pinned her against the side of the pool throwing a slosh of water over the side.
Lauren suppressed a groan as his body pressed against her, his excitement evident. Holy shit, this is the best kiss I’ve ever had in my entire life, she thought to herself. She held the back of his head, her hand trailing down his neck, thumb caressing the line of his jaw. She pulled away panting, their foreheads pressed together, stupidly grinning.
Landon scooped her up by the ass and she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him tightly. Crouching down in the water, the water lapping at their shoulders, he carried her around the pool. It was like a pressure valve had released and two day’s worth of lustful tension rushed forth. Despite his obvious desire, Landon moved slowly. Kissing her neck, nibbling her ear, running his fingers along the valley of her back. They often looked at each other with wonder and shy smiles, happy and a little self-conscious at the same time.
Before long, the passion built to a fevered pitch. With one yank, he untied her bikini at the back, freeing her breasts. She untied the neck and kissed him deeply, his hands roaming freely across her body. He pulled her close, his hard cock pressing against her intimately. Two thin pieces of fabric and a fast crumbling will power was all that separated them. His mouth traveled down her collarbone to her breast, tongue circling around her hard nipple. She arched to his mouth throwing her head back, hair dipping into the water. A dull throbbing ache pulsed through her, begging for a release. Reeling, Lauren wanted nothing more than to tear the rest of their clothes off and slide him inside yet she hesitated. Everything was happening so fast and a part of her knew if they slept together tonight she’d end up head-over-heels for him.
“Wait, wait,” she said unlocking her legs and pulling away. With closed eyes she said, “I’m so sorry, I can’t. I just, I can’t.”
“It’s okay, stop, it’s fine,” he soothed her.
“God, this is so embarrassing,” she covered her face with wet hands.
“Stop! You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” He kissed her sweetly on the cheek. “I completely understand. We just got a little carried away, huh?” How easily a charming smile can ease worry.
“A little, yeah.” She bit her lip as she thought about reaching out for him again, her fingers almost moving on their own accord. “I want you to know I really want to keep going—”
“Really, you don’t have to explain. Not another word about it, okay?” She nodded and hugged him briefly. “I don’t know about you but I think I’ve been in the water too long,” he said holding up his wrinkled fingers. “Do you want to get out?”
“Yeah, okay,” Lauren said as she snatched up her floating top.
As they toweled off, making small talk, Lauren was surprised there was little awkwardness between them. In fact, it seemed that whatever nerves she’d felt around him had come mostly from the sexual tension she’d been trying to ignore. Now that their feelings were out in the open it felt more natural. A day of water, sun, and alcohol left her drowsy. After one long kiss that threatened to reignite the flames, she said goodnight and returned to her room. Ali’s room was thankfully quiet.
She hung up her suit to dry and climbed naked into bed, the cotton sheets inviting her to a deep sleep. As she reached across to the bedside table to switch off the light she noticed her phone. It was rare she went all day without it and gave in to the temptation to check her email before going to bed.
Nick had called twice close to 3 p.m. leaving no voice message but rather a text.
Hope you’re having a good 4th
Lauren’s chest tightened. What a way to end a wonderful day? She might have texted him back if it not for the early hour.
I hate drama. I never look for it yet here it is, stuck to me. I was fine when it was just work but now work and personal life? I can’t escape it.
She checked her email and one name immediately popped out at her, D. Kael. The email had no subject and the body was only one sentence.
Remember Law 18.
Lauren went st
raight for the book packed in her carry on and thumbed through to the part he’d referenced.
“Do not build fortresses to protect yourself—isolation is dangerous,” she read quietly to herself. Why does he have to be so enigmatic?
She switched the light off with a sigh and wondered how her life had become so complicated in such a short amount of time. She had to admit, for those fleeting moments with Landon in the pool, she’d felt truly happy and excited for the first time in a while. Pulling the silky sheets over her shoulders she decided she could ignore the outside drama and just enjoy, if only for this weekend. Her last thoughts before drifting off to a deep sleep detailed exactly how she intended on relieving that stress. Maybe what I really need is a fling.
8.
It was a cool, clear morning and Lauren woke early feeling odd. After checking the time on her phone she reread Nick’s text from the night before, hoping to glean some meaning hidden between the words. The problems with Nick and the stress of New York tugged at her mind, threatening to overpower the peaceful state of mind she’d reached yesterday. Wanting to shake it off and eager to see Landon, she threw on tiny pair of shorts and a touristy hoodie she’d bought in Sonoma. Her light footsteps padding down the quiet hall, she realized she was the first awake in the house and set about making coffee.
With a full mug, Lauren opened the sliding glass door to the patio. A heavy dew coated the grass and lawn furniture, so she flipped the cushions before sitting down. The steam coming off the pool mimicked the steam from her coffee, curling and twisting in the air. For a few wonderful minutes she sat quietly, attempting to reach that meditative state of presence. Ali’s raucous laughter bounced from her open bedroom window. I guess she and Dane had a good night, she smirked. I suppose I could’ve as well, if I hadn’t stopped him. It felt good to be surrounded by happy people, their emotions buoying her own. Maybe Ali and I should move in together...
“Morning.” Landon leaned out the glass door. He was shirtless and the thick gray sweatpants hung low on his hips, revealing his Adonis belt.
“Hey, good morning. I made coffee,” Lauren said lifting her mug.
“I see that. I’m feeling a little rough around the edges this morning, so I’m just gonna make toast. Do you want any?”
“Sure, I’ll come in and help.” With a flutter of excitement, she realized her nerves had completely disappeared. Now she was simply excited in that new-relationship kind of way.
They chatted while Landon cut thick slices from a crusty loaf of bread and popped them in the toaster oven. Lauren set out several jars of preserves and poured a couple glasses of orange juice. She was almost finished with her second piece of toast when Ali and Dane emerged looking hungover yet happy.
“Coffee,” Ali groaned as she theatrically stumbled to the counter, hitting it in a slump. Lauren poured her a cup and set it in front of her elbow, patting her head.
“Here you go. Eat some toast, you’ll feel better.”
“Thank you, mother,” Ali said bringing the mug to her lips with both hands.
“So I was telling Ali about Sonoma State Park and I was thinking...maybe we could go camping tonight? My folks have all this great equipment we could use,” Dane said to Landon.
“You’ve had worse ideas,” Landon said.
“It’s great,” he said turning to Lauren. “You can camp right on the beach, like, a hundred yards away from the shoreline. We’ll cook out, drink beer. I love it there, it’s one of my favorite places.”
Lauren and Landon shared a look of expectation and knowing, both smiling shyly as they realized what the other was thinking.
“What do you think?” Lauren asked Ali.
“I’m up for it...after breakfast. As long as there are real toilets like you promised, I’m game.”
Lauren couldn’t think of any better way to get as far away from New York and Nick than camping on the shores of the Pacific.
“Sounds perfect!” said Lauren. “Let’s do it.”
Dane grinned. “Awesome. My parents live in Napa so I’ll just pop over to grab the stuff and I’ll meet you there.”
“We’re gonna have so much fun!” Ali squealed, hugging Dane around the neck.
“Well that coffee certainly perked you up!”
They packed Landon’s convertible shortly after Dane left, stuffing the trunk with coolers of beer and leftovers. Ali strolled into Lauren’s bedroom as she was packing her overnight bag.
“Have I said how happy I am we decided to come here this weekend? I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it yet.”
“Once or twice I think. Did you two have fun last night?”
“I feel like I’m walking funny. Can you tell?” She sauntered to the window like a cowboy who’d just spent a hard day on his horse.
“No, you look perfectly normal to me. Nothing odd at all.”
Ali stuck her tongue out and scrunched her nose. “What about you? Anything happen?”
Lauren closed the door half way and spoke softly, aware of how voices could carry across tiled floors. “Nothing really happened but it could’ve.”
“Ooooh, tell me, tell me!”
“Not now,” she said glancing towards the hall. “I will tell you he’s an incredible kisser though. Holy shit. I thought my head was gonna explode. Just...whoa, but I was a good girl and went to bed.” Lauren almost didn’t continue with the next part but Ali looked so smug she wanted to shock her a little. “Nick texted yesterday.”
“You didn’t write back, did you?”
“No. I almost did, though. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say nothing! He made his choice when he walked away from you. You don’t owe him anything.”
“No, I know. I just didn’t expect it but don’t worry. I’m not sure what I’ll say to him but I’ll wait until we get back.”
“That’s my girl.” Ali pulled her into a bear hug, burying Lauren’s face in her breasts.
“I can’t breathe,” she mumbled into her chest.
“Shhh, you know you love it,” Ali said smoothing her hair.
There was a gentle knock on the bedroom door. Landon slowly swung it open and found the girls still wrapped in their embrace. Ali squeezed her tighter as Lauren struggled.
“I uh, we’re just about ready to go.” He tried to keep a straight face.
“Oh, okay! We’ll be right there,” said Ali calmly.
Lauren managed to push her head free and grunted, “I could use a little help here.” Ali smooshed her face back to her breast and shushed.
“Don’t mind her, she’s such a kidder. We’ll be right there!”
Landon turned away, his laughter echoing in the hallway when Ali finally released her.
“He doesn’t need to know how weird we are yet!” Lauren panted. “Just a few days where we act like normal people?”
“Aww sweetie, if he doesn’t like your quirks he isn’t worth it. Come on, let’s get outta here.”
The convertible hummed down the highway. Ali, with her long legs, nabbed the front seat but Lauren was happy to sit in the back. The top was down, the sun was shining, and they were singing along to the radio. Tendrils of Lauren’s dark hair snapped in the wind and she felt a swell of emotions deep inside. Happy, at peace, she knew they were making memories she’d hold dear for the rest of her life. She watched the beautiful landscape race by. At one point Landon reached behind the front seat and touched her leg, smiling at her through the rear view mirror.
In no time they pulled up to the campsite, rocks and sand crunching under the tires. They lucked out and grabbed one of the last sites at the end next to a small grass covered dune. The campground was filled with mammoth air conditioned camper vans complete with mounted satellite dishes. Ali and Lauren climbed out of the car and scanned their surroundings.
“It’s so wild still,” Ali remarked. “Every beach I’ve ever been to has a boardwalk, shitty souvenir shops, and stale popcorn.”
“You know, I just realized I’ve ne
ver stepped foot in the Pacific Ocean,” said Lauren.
Ali looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
“Yeah?” said Lauren, making a sudden move towards the shore.
Ali nodded and in a flash they kicked off their flip flops and ran screaming down the beach toward the water. Ali maintained an impressive lead with her long legs, tufts of sand flying behind her strides. She reached the water first and shouted in surprise as it splashed up, soaking her jean shorts. Lauren slowed laughing breathlessly.
“A little cold?”
“You tell me!” she said kicking the surf. Lauren squealed and dodged out of the way, tip-toeing into the tide further down the coast and out of range.
The water licking at her calves, she paused in wonder at the vast horizon. Recalling the world map, she was overwhelmed at the thought of how far away another land mass was straight ahead. Whereas most people hated thinking about their insignificance, Lauren relished it. Whatever mistakes she made, whatever victories she had in life, it ultimately meant nothing in the scheme of things. But that’s not true anymore, is it? she thought. You do want to do big things now. You do want to change the world, even if you won’t admit it to yourself.
Ali had wandered twenty or thirty yards down the shore, kicking the sand and looking for shells. “Hey, I think Dane’s back! You coming?” she called out before jogging back to the campsite. With another longing look toward the horizon, Lauren followed.
Dane returned with enough camping equipment to cover a two week long expedition, most of which stayed packed in his Jeep. The sleeping arrangements loomed unspoken over the group. They’d assembled the two small tents, each large enough to comfortably fit a couple but it was definitive pairings that lingered in the back of Lauren’s mind. Nothing was said but all it took was a few innuendo laced comments from Ali and Lauren once again felt those flutters of anxiety. They were good flutters, borne from the anticipation and near certainty she’d be sharing that tent with Landon.
It was a fun afternoon of acting like children. Sand castles, frisbee, swimming, volleyball. Lauren couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so wholly carefree. It wasn’t until the sun started to dip close to the skyline and their stomachs were growling that they even thought about the responsibilities of preparing food. They feasted on chicken kabobs, leftover potato salad, ice cream.