The next morning, Kirsten opened the door to find Jordan was wearing a faded yellow tank top and blue-and-white Hawaiian print board shorts. A bikini strap poked out of the collar of Jordan’s top, and she was barefoot. Her shoulder-length blond hair was tucked under a ball cap.
Kirsten smiled at the discovery of another facet of Jordan. Extraordinary basketball player, compassionate physical therapist, sexy dancer, and now…smoking hot surfer chick. Kirsten was suddenly very warm.
“Hi. Ready to go?”
“Yep. Let me grab my keys and bag.”
“Here, let me get that for you.” Jordan took her bag and walked to her Chevy Traverse. She held open the passenger door for Kirsten, and once she got seated, Jordan asked, “Do you have a surfboard?”
“No, I don’t surf. I’m just going to hang out with you today.”
“Oh, okay. I hope you brought a good book to read, so you’re not too bored while I’m in the water.”
“I brought all the trashy magazines I haven’t had time for lately.”
Jordan laughed and shut Kirsten’s door. As she headed around to the driver’s side, she paused briefly to fiddle with the surfboard strapped to the roof then hopped into the driver’s seat.
Once they arrived at the beach and parked, Jordan pulled the ice chest and her duffel bag out of the back. Kirsten grabbed her own bag and a couple of beach chairs while Jordan unstrapped her surfboard. They had to make several trips but quickly got everything set up. The sky was gray, and a cool breeze floated off the shore. Seagulls flew overhead as they foraged for food.
Jordan spread the blanket out over the soft sand and started to remove her board shorts and shirt. Kirsten snuck some peeks at Jordan as she was undressing and was grateful for her sunglasses, even though the sky was still overcast.
Jordan was all bronze skin and bulging muscles, particularly in her quadriceps and calves. She had legs that went on for days—which wasn’t surprising, given her six-foot frame—and those long legs ran into the most perfect ass that Kirsten had ever seen. She filled out her green bathing suit bottoms quite nicely.
Kirsten had never noticed how gorgeous Jordan’s body was before. When she played basketball, Jordan wore baggy shorts that came down to her knees and did nothing to complement her sculpted legs. Kirsten was sure she had never seen a woman that had as much muscular definition as Jordan did yet still managed to look so feminine.
As Jordan pulled her shirt over her head, her abdominal muscles strained. Jordan’s breasts were a little on the small side but were perfect for her body. Kirsten inhaled sharply and had to consciously close her mouth. Her body started to warm even though the ocean air was cool and damp.
Since when do you check out women? Sure, Jordan is beautiful, but why am I so warm all of a sudden? And why the hell is my stomach fluttering as if there are a million butterflies trying to escape? She looked back over just as Jordan was pulling the zipper up on her wet suit. She didn’t know how it was possible, but Jordan was even more tantalizing standing before her in a wet suit than she’d been in a bikini.
Jordan positioned her surfboard under her right arm and glanced toward the ocean before turning back to her. “There’s plenty of food and drinks in the ice chest. I’ll be back in a bit. Have fun reading your trashy magazines.” Jordan smiled and winked.
“Don’t worry. I have plenty to keep me occupied. Be careful out there.”
With a quick wave, Jordan started jogging toward the ocean’s edge. Kirsten watched her take long strides through the sand into the water and dive onto her surfboard to paddle out. Once she got to her destination, she straddled her board and waited for the next set to arrive.
There were about five other surfers in the area, all waiting for a wave to ride. A set started to build, and Jordan started paddling. Kirsten watched her pop up on her board and get her footing as the wave started to curl. Jordan rode it until it petered out, then she flopped back on her board to paddle back out and wait for the next one.
Kirsten observed intently from the beach, delighted at seeing Jordan do something she really enjoyed. Every time Jordan caught a wave, a huge smile was plastered on her face, making her look like a kid discovering a thrill for the first time. The pure joy in Jordan’s expression made her smile, too.
She still wasn’t sure what this connection to Jordan was, but she knew better than to question it. What she did question was her growing attraction to her. It had been years since she’d been drawn to another woman, and she wasn’t sure why these feelings were coming to light, like the sun breaking out of the clouds. These new emotions sparked a measure of guilt within her since she was still married, but she couldn’t help what her heart was beginning to tell her.
Kirsten decided to lie face down on the blanket they had spread out and continue to watch Jordan surf. After a while, Jordan emerged from the water and walked back to the blanket with her board tucked under her arm. Jordan placed her board down as Kirsten stood to join her. She stepped behind Jordan, placed her hands on Jordan’s back, and reached for the zipper on the wet suit.
“Here, let me get this for you.” Kirsten was surprised at the sultriness in her voice. She slowly lowered the zipper and let her hand trail down the rest of Jordan’s back. Goose bumps erupted over Jordan’s exposed skin.
Jordan turned around and stared deep into her eyes, reaching into her soul. Jordan cupped her face with both hands and gave her the most gentle, tender kiss she had ever experienced. When Jordan pulled slightly away, Kirsten brought her hand behind Jordan’s neck and pulled her back into her waiting lips. This kiss was more insistent, and when Jordan’s tongue started to trace her lips, she opened her mouth and greedily accepted it.
The fire in Kirsten’s body was raging out of control. She wrapped her other arm behind Jordan’s back and pulled her closer until their bodies melded together. She let out a moan, and Jordan broke the kiss, leaving her panting.
“Kirsten.” At first, it was a whisper, but when Jordan said her name again, it sounded a little louder. Kirsten startled then opened her eyes. She looked up at Jordan, who was kneeling beside her with one hand on her shoulder.
“Wha—what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. I came in after my last ride, and you were lying on your tummy, sleeping. You started to moan, and I was afraid you were having a bad dream, so I woke you.”
Kirsten felt herself start to blush when she realized she really had moaned. That kiss, that marvelous kiss, had been just a dream. She sat up and scrubbed her face with her hands as though the action would erase her disappointment. “I guess I did fall asleep.”
“Were you having a bad dream?”
Her face got even warmer. “No, it wasn’t a bad dream. Um, do you mind if I don’t talk about it?”
Jordan looked at her with concern in her eyes. “Of course not. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Kirsten placed her hand on Jordan’s arm, touched that she had been so concerned. “Thank you. Did you have fun out there?”
Jordan grinned and settled into her beach chair. “Oh, yeah. The waves were pretty good, and I had some nice rides.”
“You looked like you were enjoying yourself. Every time you caught a wave, you got this huge smile on your face.”
“Yep. This is one of my favorite things to do. It helps me unwind after a long week at work. It makes me feel like a small fish in that very big pond. Keeps things in perspective, you know what I mean?”
Kirsten contemplated what Jordan had said and nodded her understanding. Jordan must have removed her wet suit before she’d woken Kirsten because she was now dressed in her board shorts and bikini top. When Kirsten realized she had been staring at Jordan’s breasts, she quickly turned away and started busying herself in the ice chest.
“Do you want to eat now?”
As if in response to the question, Jordan’s stomach growled loudly, and they both started laughing. “I think that would be yes. I worked up quite the appetite, I guess, because all of a sudden, I’m starving.”
Kirsten handed her a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich and a bottle of water while Jordan located a couple of small bags of chips and handed one to her. They ate their lunch hurriedly, trying to ward off the seagulls that were attempting to dive-bomb their sandwiches. When Jordan finished her last bite, she chugged the rest of her water and placed her trash in the beach bag. Jordan stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back in her chair, letting out a massive sigh.
“I’m so full you may have to carry me back to the car.” Jordan smirked as she patted her tanned, flat abdomen.
Kirsten laughed. “Yeah, that would be quite the scene, wouldn’t it?” She pictured herself carrying Jordan piggyback to the car, those long legs wrapped around her waist, Jordan’s hot center pressed against the small of her back. The heat rose in her face again, as well as a couple of feet south. “Are you ready to go?”
“No, not unless you need to get back home. I was hoping we could lie out a little longer and relax.”
“Sure.” It was going to take a valiant effort to rein in her newfound lust—she seriously considered running into the ocean to cool off her overheated body—but she was happy that she would get to spend more time with Jordan.
They shook the sand off the blanket, then spread it back out. She’d almost finished reapplying her sunscreen when Jordan handed her a bottle and turned her back to her. Looking back over her shoulder, she asked, “Would you mind getting my back?”
“Um, sure.” Kirsten squeezed some lotion into her shaking hand and started applying it to Jordan’s back, her breath catching in her throat when Jordan shivered. Kirsten took her time, making sure she didn’t leave an inch of skin exposed, and at the same time, luxuriating in the way Jordan’s muscles felt under her fingertips. Down, girl. You’re enjoying this way too much. Maybe a dip in the ocean wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
Her face flushed for what seemed like the millionth time that day, and she stepped back from Jordan and cleared her throat. “Okay, all done.”
“Thanks. Do you need me to put lotion on your back?” Jordan turned to face her. “Your face looks a little red. Make sure you get some sunscreen on.”
Kirsten was rightly embarrassed that Jordan had noticed her blush, but there was no possible way Jordan could know what had put that there. “I got it already, but thanks. And, no, I don’t need any on my back, since I’ll be lying on it.”
They took their places on the blanket, Kirsten on her back and Jordan on her stomach. Jordan turned to the left and looked at her. “How are you doing with the separation?”
Kirsten was pleased that Jordan seemed to care how she was feeling. “I’m doing okay. I mean, when I married John, I never expected that we would be at this point. He came by the house yesterday, and I had thought he’d wanted to talk about separating our belongings, but he said he misses me and wants to give things another try. He wants to move back home.”
It still made her sad to think of her marriage breaking up. The more she thought of her conversation with John the previous day and the new attraction she was feeling toward Jordan, the more twisted she felt inside. It was almost as if her guts were caught in the vortex of a tornado.
“Wow. So, how did you leave it?”
“I told him I had to think about it.”
Jordan nodded. “I get it. Are you considering it?”
Kirsten gave the question the time it deserved and considered her answer. “I don’t think so. I had been feeling for quite some time that something was missing in our marriage. I mean, I miss him, and I love him, but I’m not sure I’m still in love with him. Does that sound terrible?”
Jordan placed a hand on her arm and shook her head. “No, of course it doesn’t. It’s good that you recognize this and that you’re not jumping back into anything without giving it considerable thought.”
Kirsten placed her other hand on top of Jordan’s and squeezed. “Thank you for listening. I’m just so confused right now.”
“Okay, new topic. Where did you grow up?”
Kirsten smiled, appreciating the not-so-subtle change in subjects. “Sacramento. My family moved there when I was six years old because my dad got a job at the university. He’s a professor in the English department. He’ll be ready to retire in another year or two. My mom stayed home when my brother and I were younger, but once we were both in school, she got a job as a school secretary. She’ll retire when my dad does because they want to start traveling a bit. They’ll probably spend some time in Lake Tahoe, too. Our family has a cabin, and we used to spend our holidays up there.”
“That sounds nice. I love Tahoe, but I’ve only been a few times, and it was always in the summer. I’m not sure I’d do well in the snow.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never been in the snow. I’m a warm climate kind of girl,” Jordan said with a grin.
That grin set off a swarm of butterflies in Kirsten’s stomach. “Well, we may have to remedy that sometime.”
Jordan chuckled. “You said you have a brother. Younger or older?”
“Steven is three years younger. He’s engaged to a great woman, and they live in the Bay Area. He followed our dad into academia. He and his fiancée are both professors at UC San Francisco, which is where they met. How about your family?” Kirsten realized that she knew nothing about Jordan other than she was a physical therapist and used to play college basketball.
“Well, my parents and older sister still live in Phoenix, where I grew up. My dad is a physical therapist and owned his own clinic, but he sold it a few years ago, and now he just works per diem. He likes it better that way because he can work a couple of days a week to earn enough money to support his golf habit.”
“Golf habit? Oh, my. Does he play often?”
“Oh, yeah. He plays a couple of times a week with his friends and once a week with my mom. Mom figured if she was going to get any quality time with him, she’d better learn how to play. She took lessons about ten years ago, and they enjoy playing together.”
“Your mom learned golf to spend time with your dad? That’s priceless. Do as the Romans do, huh?”
Jordan chuckled, which made Kirsten laugh, too, and she was struck by the notion that spending time with Jordan was so easy. Jordan was quickly making her way into her life and her heart. But there was still so much more she wanted to learn.
“So, do you excel at golf like you do at basketball?” Kirsten asked.
“Hardly. I dabble a little, but the only time I really play is when I’m home visiting my family. I like being outdoors, but I need something a little faster paced.”
She smiled. “Like surfing?”
Jordan smiled back. “Yeah, like surfing. So, tell me about your job. What made you want to get into human resources?”
“I guess I wanted to be in a career that wouldn’t have me sitting at a desk doing the same thing day after day. I mean, I do sit at a desk, but each day brings new problems to solve.”
“So, there’s no typical day?”
“Nope. Not even close. One day, I might conduct interviews. The next day might have me establishing new procedures and techniques to improve human resources management. I get to create and develop training programs for new employees. I manage budgets. You name it, I probably do it.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
Kirsten was proud of the work she did. She worked hard, and she was good at dealing with different personalities. “Thanks.”
“What kind of degree did you have to get?”
“I majored in human resources and minored in business. I started working at my company shortly after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and I took night courses for my master’s while I worked during the day. I’ve been with the company for twelve years and recently became vice president about four months ago.”
“You’ve had a lot of changes in the past four months, huh?”
Kirsten looked away, determined not to let the tears welling in her eyes escape. The sympathetic look Jordan gave her was nearly her undoing. When she had been promoted to vice president, she’d been so happy. She’d rushed home in hopes of going out to a fancy dinner with John to celebrate. Instead, she’d come home to an empty house. John hadn’t gotten home until late that night, and Kirsten hadn’t even told him about her promotion until the next day. Even when she’d told him, all she’d gotten was a kiss on her cheek and an “atta girl.” They never did have that celebratory dinner. In just this short time, Jordan had shown more pride in her than her husband had recently.
She pushed those feelings aside. “Yeah, a lot of changes. Some good, some bad. But I believe there are lessons to be learned with everything that happens in life. I guess I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
Jordan covered her hand and gave a little squeeze. Silence fell between them, and Jordan looked at her watch. “Wow. I can’t believe how late it’s become. Do you want to head home?”
Kirsten felt the acute loss of Jordan’s hand leaving hers. “Sure, let’s get packed up. Do you want to stay for dinner? We could grill some steaks.”
Jordan began to fidget and avoided looking at her. “Um, I can’t. I have other plans.”
Kirsten was surprised by the disappointment that had risen within her. “Oh, well then, maybe some other time.”
“Yeah, some other time.”