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I WAS READING ON THE porch when a black SUV pulled up. I thought it might be Jesse, but Julie got out of the passenger’s side.
“Taylor!” she called.
I smiled. “Hey!”
“Put the book down girl! Let’s go have some real fun.”
I cocked a brow. “What?”
Her eyes lit up, and her face was beaming.
“Go put on your bikini,” she said with a grin. “We’re going swimming in Big Bear Lake.”
My gaze shot to the SUV full of girls. All the windows were down, and the music was blaring. “Who are you with?”
“Just some girls I met in town. You’ll love them. Now go grab a towel and suntan lotion. Hurry!”
“Nah, you go on. I’m not really in the mood.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still freaked out by that voice you heard.”
“I can’t help it. I’m trying to decide if I’m crazy enough for a padded cell or doomed enough to be scared about it.”
She shrugged. “So some ghost talked to you. So what? They were probably screwing with you anyway. After all, we’re all alive and breathing.”
“True. Do you believe in ghosts?”
“Yes. If I didn’t, I’d be telling you to put on a straight-jacket instead of a bikini.”
“Wow,” I said, “It’s nice to know my new BFF doesn’t think I’m a nut.”
“There’s just one thing I want to ask though.”
“What?”
She shot me a mischievous grin. “Do you see dead people?”
“No,” I answered with a laugh. “I’m afraid my sixth sense isn’t that well-tuned.”
She grinned, glad I’d gotten her movie reference.
“You really need to come with us,” she pleaded.
“Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because Jesse’s already there. I promised him we’d swing by and pick you up.”
Suddenly, my interest in the beach was piqued, and my heart jumped with joy. “I’m in! As long as there’s no talk about animal skulls or mysterious voices.”
“Got it. Your secret is safe with me,” she promised, giving me a nudge. “So hurry and get ready. You’ve got five minutes.”
I hurried inside, threw my curly hair into a tight ponytail, put on my bathing suit, and quickly brushed my teeth. I hurried downstairs and jumped into the crowded SUV.
Julie introduced me to the other six girls. They all shook my hand and smiled, they seemed nice enough.
We drove to our destination and found a nice spot on the shore. I was surrounded by large granite boulders and tall pine trees with a glittering lake before me. Big, fluffy clouds floated lazily by in the vast blue sky. I inhaled deeply taking in the fresh, woodsy scent of the pine filled air. Everything was so scenic and beautiful.
“I love it here,” Julie said.
“Is that China Island?” I asked pointing at a tiny island straight ahead of us in the lake.
One of the brunettes nodded, I didn’t yet remember all of their names.
“Yep,” she said. “Pretty small, huh?”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
“See the cluster of boulders over to the left, about thirty feet away from the island?” asked the brunette.
“Yeah,” I said squinting against the sunlight. “Where all those guys are jumping off the rocks?”
“That’s where we’re gonna swim. It’s the best spot in Big Bear Lake.”
“Let’s go!” shouted a blonde girl with a pink streak in her hair.
I slipped my shirt and pants off and adjusted my red and purple bikini. I walked over the stony pebbles and jumped into the cold water, which felt great on such a hot day. I glided forward, using long, powerful strokes. As I got closer to the island, I instantly realized that the next guy preparing to jump off one of the tallest boulders was Jesse. A heartbeat later, he hurtled of the rock, splashing into the water below.
When I reached him near the rocks, he helped me up. My breath froze as I watched the sun glint off his slicked-back black hair. Water beaded on his eyelashes, dripping down his face in glistening rivers. He was adorable in his red swim trunks, but I was almost disappointed that he’d opted to wear a shirt.
“Hey, you,” he said, smiling at me.
I couldn’t stop the smile from curling up on my lips. “Hey.”
“Are you ready for a fun afternoon?”
“Definitely.”
“Hey Jesse, can I see the scar?” asked Julie.
His only response was an arched brow.
“From the bullet wound,” she explained as she inched forward.
He stopped her before she reached him.
“No,” he said with a laugh.
“I get it,” Julie said. “You’re shy.”
“Far from it actually.”
“I thought guys loved showing off their scars?” asked one of the other girls.
“Which boulder do you wanna jump off of?” asked Jesse, changing the subject. “Are you feelin’ like five feet or thirty?”
“The highest one,” I answered.
“Ah,” said Jesse with a grin, as the guys all wooted. “A daredevil after my very own heart.”
I climbed up to the highest point, which offered a perfect view of China Island. Sucking in a deep breath, I braced myself. I made sure there wasn’t another jumper jumping from a lower level, everything looked clear below.
“We’ll jump together,” Jesse said grabbing my hand.
I smirked. “Let’s do it.”
“Cool. On the count of three. One...two...three!”
We jumped together, holding hands, and landed with a huge splash.
“Woo-hoo!” I screamed. “That was awesome!” I glanced at Jesse, blinking the water out of my eyelashes. There was no way I could avoid drooling over those rippling muscles and glittering eyes. I was mesmerized as I stared at his dazzling, breathtaking male beauty, from his beautiful skin and full lips, to the sculptured lines and angles of his forehead, to his amazing cheekbones and chiseled jaw line, to the droplets of water that clung to his face. I could have easily lost myself with that handsome hunk. Maybe Fred’s right, I mused to myself. Maybe he is dangerous.
All of the sudden, he grabbed me around the waist and threw me in the air.
I landed with a splash, laughing as streams of water poured down my face. “Oh, I’ll get you for that!” I threatened as I started to swim his way. “I’m gonna dunk you!”
“Don’t think so!” he teased.
We screwed off for a bit, then swam to shore to rest while the others continued jumping off the rocks. The moisture on my skin created a cooling sensation beneath the hot sun. It was nice to have this time alone with Jesse.
When I turned around, he met my gaze. His eyes piercing mine, the shimmering remnants of the lake giving his skin a glittery shine. He reached up and softly cupped my cheek. The heat from his touch surged through my body, and I could have sworn that the whole crazy world had stopped all around me. If someone had asked me my own name in that moment, I wouldn’t have remembered it.
My pulse skipped a beat when he shot me that beautiful grin, with all those bright white teeth, like a gorgeous movie star. Those beautiful baby blues entranced me all over again, staring right into my soul. I cleared my throat and forced my brain into motion. I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind. The light caught in the blue speckles of his eyes and took my breath away. I drew in air, but more blood rushed to my face like a tidal wave. He, on the other hand, was entirely composed and unaffected, and I knew I was making a complete fool out of myself.
His hot breath rippled across my skin in that unforgettable moment, and his strong arms slid around me and wrapped me close. A shudder ran through me, from head to toe. I leaned against him until I could feel the warmth of his skin against my racing heart. I lifted my arm to touch his flushed cheek. He didn’t flinch or even react, he just smiled and kissed my fingers where they touched his lips.
“I’m crazy about you, Taylor,” he said. “You’re all I think about.”
“I felt the connection the second I met you.”
“Me too,” he whispered back as he stroked my cheek.
His eyes fixed on my lips, and he moved closer to lower his mouth toward mine. Our lips connected in a slow, gentle kiss. In spite of the smoldering temperature, a shiver ran through me. I closed my eyes, savoring his sweet essence. Goosebumps rippled my skin as his strong hands wandered down my back to my waist. I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck. He drew me indescribably closer, as I was already standing so impossibly close. His hand moved upward, his fingers tangling in my hair, gently guiding my lips to his. He kissed me passionately, his lips lingering on mine. My heart was drumming so hard I wondered if Jesse could hear it. I wanted him to deepen the kiss. I wanted it to go on forever. When his hot breath touched my skin, I shuddered in excitement. Hot, searing kisses from his open mouth trailed down my neck.
“Taylor! Jesse!” the others called from the boulders.
Suddenly, he broke our embrace and turned in the direction of our friends.
“We’re being paged,” he said.
I stared into his eyes, unable to move or even breathe. I was completely mesmerized.
“Ready?” he asked with a grin, as he took my hand.
I nodded mindlessly, and he led me back into the water. My head was still spinning, my skin still tingling where his lips had left a trail of moisture. Even though the kiss was over, my heart continued to race. I sighed like one of those girly girls and tried to switch on my brain again, but all I felt was a mushy, hazy feeling that reminded me of staying up late to watch those sappy Saturday night romances.
Jesse submerged and then resurfaced a few feet past me. I cut through the water with expert precision to catch up with him.
“You gotta see Frank dive backward, man,” said one of Jesse’s friends, grabbing his shoulder and leading him toward where the group was gathered.
I smiled as his friend dragged him off.
“I saw you swim off with Prince Charming,” Julie teased. “What happened?”
“He kissed me!” I gasped pulling her aside.
“I knew it!” she squealed.
“He’s so amazing, Julie.”
“Is he a good kisser?”
“It was wonderful, but there was no, uh...”
“Tongue action?” she offered.
I blushed and shook my head. “You guys called us back over here too soon,” I explained.
“It wasn’t me. There’s always next time, or maybe even later today.”
I laughed.
“Taylor!” Jesse’s voice called. “I’ve gotta drive Frank and the others back. Wanna meet up later?”
I walked over to him and smiled. “I had a great time, and yes, I’d love to meet you later,” I told him. “Text me, and we’ll think of something.”
“Sounds great,” he said kissing my cheek. “See ya then.”
“Bye.”
He shot me a big smile, then turned to leave. I watched him dive off the boulder and swim off into the distance.
“Why wouldn’t he take off his shirt?” one of the girls asked.
“He’s just shy,” another answered.
“Why on Earth would a guy like that want to hide that perfect bod’?” asked another of the girls, a strawberry blonde. “Did you see those muscles?”
“Taylor,” the brunette said, “you should have just ripped it off of him.”
I smiled. “Maybe I will next time.”
We all laughed, then swam back to shore and sunbathed for a few more hours. As I lay on my blanket, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, recalling how great his lips felt against mine, like soft rose petals. His every touch was special, and he totally captivated me.