by S. E. Babin
At least in my year, most of us wore shirts to cover our rear end when we wore leggings.
Not so much in 2019.
“Yowza,” I muttered under my breath. I inhaled deeply, trying to get my nerves under control. Today was the very last day I could die. What better way to spend it than hurtling through the air at 17,000 feet? A maniacal grin spread across my face as I stepped onto the plane’s staircase. I took one quick look back at the training grounds I just left and said a quick prayer that I’d been listening well enough, but before I turned around I noticed a lone figure leaning against one of the support poles of the tent where we’d gathered for our last briefing.
Watson.
My heart stopped and then stuttered to a sickening start. My face set in thunderous mutiny, I stared at him, daring him to make me stop what I was doing.
The left side of Watson’s mouth quirked up. He raised his hand, gave me a thumbs up, and winked at me before blinking out of sight. I snorted with laughter. He seemed to like pissing off Daddy Dearest as much as I did. I turned back around, ignoring the glares of the people behind me, and continued up the steps. Once I entered, I sat next to a young man and his terrified girlfriend. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she leaned over and hissed something in his ear.
The poor guy’s eyes widened and he blinked just once before he sat back heavily against the bench seat we shared.
I’d bet twenty bucks he’d be single before their feet landed on the ground.
Several instructors sat directly across from us, a mix of younger men and women—all ridiculously good looking. I caught the gaze of one particularly handsome one. He winked at me with an emerald green eye, threw a jumpsuit at me, and motioned for me to buckle my seat belt. I slipped into the suit, trying to avoid the handsome instructor’s gaze. A blush crept up my neck and once dressed, I bowed my head, pretending to concentrate on fastening the belt. A few moments more and the door to the plane shut, locking us in. I’d been nervous before, but now I was terrified. Why in the world did I think skydiving was a good idea?
I sat at the café table long after Watson had left me, thinking about Time Wardens and my impending immortality. I’d never been brave or heroic. I’d just…existed. That was a good way to describe my life. When I was little, I played with my friends. When I was a teenager, I experimented with makeup, hair, and occasionally boys, all often with disastrous results. Then, when I became an adult, I went off to college, made excellent grades while still heeding my mother’s advice, and took a job right out of school so I could start living on my own. Throughout that time, nothing spectacular happened to me. Boys came and went; none ever broke my heart. I’d never said those three special little words to anyone. I had a few friends, but never one I’d call my “bestie”. I paid my bills when they were due, was always on time for work, and had never had a near death experience.
In short…my life wasn’t all that special or amazing.
So, here I was, not quite twenty-five, not quite immortal, about to fulfill some crazy bucket list items to make me feel better about my impending new life.
Way to jump into life screaming, Penelope. I clasped my trembling hands together and focused on not hyperventilating. The pressure in the cabin equalized and I drew in a shuddering breath. Now or never, I told myself. I couldn’t get out even if I wanted to because the plane started rolling. I listened with half an ear while the instructors went over safety items. This was a tandem jump, so I’d be strapped to an instructor. At least headset radios were more common in 2019 than they were in my year. At home, we’d have to communicate via hand signal and that was something I wasn’t quite ready for. If someone needed me to do something to save my life while thousands of feet in the air, I wanted it screamed in my ear, not via frantic, confusing hand gestures.
I reached for the earpiece one of the instructors handed me and my fingertips brushed against warm, calloused knuckles. My eyes flew up only to see the green-eyed instructor. He grinned at me and allowed me to take the communicator from him. My heart sped up a little bit, but I was able to smile and make it look halfway normal despite my raging nerves. I hoped I didn’t get strapped to him. It would be a shame for someone that pretty to get stuck with a newbie like me—especially if we died.
Heh. Way to look at the bright side, Penelope. Several minutes later, we were at jumping altitude. I was so nervous, I was sweating. I watched in horror as student after student strapped onto their instructor and jumped out of the plane screaming all kinds of motivational things. All I wanted to scream was, “Someone land this freaking plane!”
Thanks to the alphabet and, depending upon who you asked, good luck, I was the last person to jump. I watched with wide-eyed fear as every single person on the plane, aside from the pilot, the green-eyed instructor, and me, hurtled into the atmosphere. The instructor sat down next to me and gazed at me with concern in his eyes.
“You all right, Miss?”
I offered him a wobbly smile. “Ask me in ten minutes.”
He chuckled, and a shiver slid down my spine. I liked the way he laughed. I stared at him openly, noting the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed. He was older than me, maybe in his mid-thirties, but he looked like he had a life well-lived. Short, blondish hair was cut close to his head, reminding me of a soldier or someone in law enforcement. His jaw was chiseled, but his lips were full—kissable. My eyes flickered up to his nose. He was a fighter. Or just unlucky, maybe. It had been broken at least once—two or more times, by the look of it—but the slanted tilt softened what could have otherwise been a breathtakingly handsome face. It made him more approachable.
“You’ll be fine, Miss…?”
“Penelope,” I mumbled. Based on his lingering smile, I’d been studying him for longer than what was appropriate.
“I like that name. It smacks of candlelight dinners and romantic walks along the beach.”
I swallowed. I suspected this handsome man was flirting with me. Possibly right before we landed with a splat onto the concrete thousands of feet below us. I squared my shoulders and thought, what the hell? You won’t get this opportunity tomorrow.
“I like my name, too. It seems to be drawn toward handsome, green-eyed men named…?”
A wide grin showcasing strong, white teeth split his face. “Aaron.”
“That’s a nice name.” I leaned his way and whispered in his ear, “It reminds me of men who know how to tune an engine by day and stroke their lady’s hair at night.”
He blew out a breath. “Wow,” he murmured. Aaron looked away. If I didn’t know any better, it looked like he was counting to ten.
Aaron shook his head and smiled before he stood up. “Let’s continue this conversation on the ground, shall we?” He held his hand out and I placed mine in his warm grip. I knew my hands were clammy and I grimaced in apology. He sat down on the bench opposite me and motioned for me to come toward him. I knew what was about to happen and although I knew it was common and he’d done it a hundred times, I’d just made a point of shamelessly flirting with him. Sitting on his lap was going to be both awkward and titillating. Noticing my expression, Aaron waggled his eyebrows. “No going back now. Come into my parlor.”
I shook my head, but couldn’t help but laugh. I turned away from him and perched primly on his lap. Aaron pulled me against his chest with one rock solid arm, until you couldn’t tell where I ended and he began. So far, this was my favorite position of the day.
Aaron made quick work of the harness and, soon, I was strapped snugly against him. I could feel his heartbeat and hoped the thundering beat of it was partially caused by me and partially caused by what was about to happen in the next minute and a half.
Aaron switched on the earpiece. “Penelope, can you hear me?” His arms were still around me.
I liked the way my name sounded when he said it. Like a blessing. “I can.”
“Good. Listen up.” Aaron went through the safety items one more time, telling me when to expect the chute to deplo
y and what to do when we were on the ground. I listened with half an ear. I’d heard it several times already, and honestly, I was the kind of person who had to perform a task a few times before I fully understood it.
The earpiece went silent. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, but then realized Aaron couldn’t hear me. “Yes,” I whimpered.
He let go of my waist to grasp one of my hands and squeezed firmly. “Trust me.”
“I’m strapped to you like a newborn baby, so I guess I have to.”
He patted my hand, released it, and slid off the bench with me to open the doors to the plane. The noise immediately became overwhelming. I wheezed with horror as the wind came flying in, whipping my long braid into a frenzy. Aaron reached for it and tucked my hair into the back of my jumpsuit. With no other fanfare, we slid out of the plane and into the waiting maw of Mother Nature.
I screamed like a girl, much to Aaron’s delight. There was a descent and then a sharp jerk up. It felt like we were floating. Even though I knew that wasn’t the case, and the ground was hurtling toward us, a sense of serenity stole over me. A smile broke out over my face as I looked around. Blue sky with little cloud cover met us everywhere. I tried not to look at the ground, but couldn’t help myself. The roads were clearly marked and could be seen perfectly thanks to our distinctive birds-eye view.
“Enjoying the view?” Aaron’s voice came through my earpiece. For a moment, I’d surprisingly forgotten about him.
“I am.” I was breathless and still terrified, but becoming less so as I began to realize just how competent Aaron was.
I was flying at 10,000 feet above the surface. Literally…well sort-of, flying. All thoughts of what tomorrow might bring were flung out of my head as I thought about the fact that I’d done something I’d always wanted to do but was too scared. Here I was, strapped to a handsome man, doing something most people would never do. I was able to lay my fear to the side for just a little while and I was proud of it.
Too soon, there was a sharp jerk and the parachute deployed. We lurched up again, and my stomach heaved and settled as we floated toward the ground. I performed the motions Aaron told me to until we hit the ground at a run. Just a few moments later, we were able to stop. I collapsed to the ground, laughing, taking Aaron with me.
I lay there, with my cheek to the grass and Aaron on top of me. “That was amazing.”
“The first time always is.” There was innuendo to his words. I twisted my face to look up at him. His expression was serious, yet contemplative.
“How about the second time?” My heartbeat picked up.
His lips quirked into a smile. “Even better.”
I nodded. “I’d like to find out.” I was astonished to realize I was serious.
We awkwardly extricated ourselves from each other. Aaron released the harness and I stepped away from him.
People were already heading our way. Aaron leaned over. “I’d like to take you out for coffee.”
I glanced at my watch and nodded. “I’d like that.”
He whispered a meeting place I was unfamiliar with, but I told him I’d meet him there in an hour. He still had some time left on his shift, but I was as free as a bird—for the next few hours, anyway.
I left Aaron standing there and walked back into the locker room to change into regular clothing. Once I made it to the bench inside, I slid down to sit, my legs feeling like jelly. What was I doing? I was three years ahead of my time. It wasn’t right to lead Aaron on, but looking at my life in the past, I’d never taken any chances. Here, I was on my own. No one to lead me by the nose; no one to lead me away from temptation.
Seeing Aaron’s green gaze in my mind, I couldn’t help but think he could be the best kind of temptation. And while my heart may not like it, my body was screaming to get to know him.
Chapter 6
I slipped into a pair of skinny jeans, black sandals, and a button down silk shirt. My dark hair was brushed until it glowed like satin and I’d applied a swipe of deep berry lip-gloss. It was the best I could do considering my home was oh…three years ago.
The spot Aaron had chosen fit with what little I knew of his personality. It was laid back, yet filled with people of all calibers. Men in business suits sat around tables in deep discussion over God knows what. College students mingled around the bulletin boards and tired moms lounged around large tables drinking coffee and rocking fussy children while trying to catch up on the latest PTA gossip. I was jealous of their mundane life. Even though my new life hadn’t started yet, I knew I would miss it.
Preferring to wait for Aaron to show up before ordering, I waited in contentment and studied my surroundings. The raspy voice of Ray LaMontagne poured out through the speakers. I was pleased to know he was still around and, considering I hadn’t heard this tune yet, that he was still making music. I’d chosen a table in the corner, away from the door, but with a clear view of it. I wasn’t yet sure Watson was content to leave me to my own devices. I could only imagine his disapproval if he saw me with Aaron.
The chair I sat in was comfortable, and I studiously ignored the coveting glances of the woman walking in, searching for a table to sit at. I had a moment of guilt for not ordering right away and taking up one of their tables, but Aaron would be here in just a couple of minutes. I pulled out my cell phone to distract myself, only to realize the darn thing didn’t have service. The screen went a wobbly green and a black and white error message flashed. That was new. Guess it was better than exploding.
I sighed. In 2015, I couldn’t buy a cell phone fast enough to avoid a new version. God only knew what fancy gadgets were out five years later. A quick glance at my watch told me Aaron was late. I frowned. It was only by a couple of minutes, but it didn’t bode well for him. I was the punctual sort, almost to the point of being annoying.
I wouldn’t judge him too harshly, though. He was still at work when I left him, so it was possible he had gotten caught up. I’d give him another twenty minutes or so before I called it. Out of the corner of my eye, a well-dressed woman approached my table. I turned to study her more closely. Long, red, perfectly coiffed hair swung around her shoulders. Brown eyes studied me shrewdly. She looked like a government official—black business suit, white collared shirt, black high heels, and something that looked like a cell phone clipped to her waist. Her high heels clicked with precision on her way over to me. She leaned down, and I caught a whiff of something floral—lilacs, maybe. I didn’t like it.
“Excuse me. Will you be sitting here long?”
Vultures, I thought. I smiled politely, although I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “I’m waiting on someone.”
Her red lips twisted into a frown. “You’re holding a table up during one of the busiest stretches of the day.”
I tilted my head. “I got here first. I just told you I’m waiting on someone. Is there a problem?”
“You. You’re the problem.”
I blinked and recoiled. “Excuse me?” As witty comebacks go, it wasn’t much.
She leaned closer to me, her read hair swinging around her head. Her gaze flicked over her shoulder. So far, we hadn’t attracted much attention.
“I said, you are my problem.” She smiled then and pulled her cell away from her waist. “Time Warden.”
She reached my way, as if to touch me with her phone, and I realized with horror that whatever she was holding, it was definitely no phone. I jumped out of my seat without any thought to the public spectacle and shoved her as hard as I could away from me. She barely stumbled and reached out for me. Her nails scored a long track down my arm, but I broke away, falling all over people as I tried desperately to get to the door.
I flung it open, knowing how big of a scene I was causing, but realizing deep within my marrow, if I were to survive, I’d need to get away from that woman. I raced into the street blind to where I was going and took a sharp left. I cursed the sandals I was wearing as my feet hit the concrete without mercy. My long hair flew be
hind me and I knew I was making a spectacle out of myself, but I had to get away.
I turned to look behind me, only to see the redhead flying after me, her hair streaming out behind her like arterial spray.
“Shit,” I muttered and picked up the pace, only to slam into a hard body I hadn’t seen. Strong arms closed around me as we stumbled together. The familiar scent of him wafted up.
Aaron. “Oh, thank God,” I said in a frantic voice. I pulled myself away from him and tugged on his arm. “We have to go.”
Confusion settled over his face. “Go? Why do we have to go? And why are you in such a hurry?” He pulled my hand off his arm and curled my fingers into his.
“There’s a woman following me.” I stared at her as she quickly caught up. I tried to extricate my fingers, but Aaron held tighter.
“Who? Her?” He was staring at the redheaded woman.
A sick feeling began in my stomach. How could I have been so stupid? “Yes,” I said slowly. “Her.” I shook my hand, but his fingers only gripped me tighter.
The woman was only a few feet away now. I tugged against Aaron, my heartbeat like a frightened rabbit. “Let go, Aaron.”
He smiled at me, those green eyes not nearly as friendly now. “I should think not.”
The redhead stopped in front of us, and much to my chagrin, she was barely out of breath. I, on the other hand, was breathing like an old locomotive. “Good catch, Aaron. I didn’t realize you were already acquainted with the Warden here.”
“Lila.” He nodded and turned to smile at me. We were in the middle of a busy street and even though the chase had attracted some attention, now that we were standing here looking normal, everyone went back to their own business. Exactly what I didn’t want them to do.
“She was in my skydiving class today and I invited her for coffee.” He twisted my arm, exposing my watch to Lila. “These babies are hard to miss.”