Sail With Me

by Heights, Chelsea

  Delaney interrupted, “How did you know she was pregnant?”

  Susan cleared her throat and then asked, “Do you have children?”

  “No, not yet.” Delaney surprised herself with her answer and quickly shut up.

  “Well, Caroline may be my only child but I know the telltale signs of pregnancy. At first I thought her excessive sleeping was a sign of being depressed, but I heard her every morning in the bathroom having dry heaves. When she would finally come out I would offer her some dry toast and seltzer water. She would take one look at it and directly return to the bathroom. I suspected she was pregnant but provided her with the opportunity to come to me first. It was only a week later when she told me about the baby.”

  “When she finally told you how did you respond?” Jake asked.

  “I’m sure most mothers would be initially devastated having their young unwed daughter dropping out of graduate school because she’s pregnant. But I was ecstatic. After going through the loss of my husband, I welcomed the idea of a brand new life. I loved Andrew before I even saw him and I know Caroline did too.”

  “What do you mean before you ever saw him? I didn’t think any family members saw him, only your daughter?” Jake asked with a heightened curiosity in his voice.

  “Oh no, Agent Thrasher. I was in the room when Andrew was born. I almost missed it because I had to park so far away and then I got lost. University Hospital has eight floors in the main tower alone. I had no idea where to go. When I finally found the room, Caroline had just began pushing.”

  Delaney spoke up, “Did you notice anything unusual in the room or any person who seemed out of place?”

  “I was so focused on seeing the birth of my grandson that I didn’t notice. Plus I was fidgeting around with the new camera. That’s actually why I called you.”

  “You have pictures of who was in the room?” Jake asked.

  “I’m not sure what I have. You see, Caroline and I went out and bought a fancy camera just for this occasion. Problem was we could never figure out how to use it. I swear the thing had a mind of its own.”

  Delaney looked at the box on the coffee table and opened it. On the side was written Nikon D90 SLR digital camera with VR 55-125 lens. Delaney had taken a photography class at the community college just as a hobby. She immediately knew it was a high-end camera and could understand why a novice would have difficulty learning how to use it. It’s nothing like a point and shoot. “Mrs. O’Sullivan, did you take any pictures?”

  “Did I ever. Every time I touched the button it fired off. I had no idea how to control it. Like I said, it has a mind of its own.”

  Delaney reached for the box and asked, “Do you mind if I take a look at it? I know a little about photography and SLR cameras.”

  Eagerly, Susan said, “Yes, go ahead. Do you think you’ll see anything on it that will help find out what happened?”

  “I’m not sure. If it’s okay with you I’d like to take it with me. Do you know if the SD card is still inside?” Delaney turned the camera on its side and opened the slot. The card was right where it was supposed to be. Next she powered it on and saw on the display screen Susan had snapped over five hundred pictures. Thinking to herself, she recalled that this model was capable of taking up to four frames per second, a lot of pictures in rapid succession if it’s programmed on the continuous shoot mode. She checked the control dial and there it was, the arrow indicator pointing directly at the continuous fast mode. Now it made sense. Delaney could imagine the woman in the delivery room, a high emotion situation and a camera that she didn’t understand.

  “Did you use the camera anywhere else?” Delaney asked.

  “From what I recall I did take some pictures in the hall when Andrew was being transferred to the NICU. But I’m certain nothing after that, I never saw him again,” and her eyes shifted downward now as she searched for a tissue in her pocket.

  Jake leaned forward and placed his hand on Susan’s shoulder. “Mrs. O’Sullivan, have you ever looked at those pictures?”

  Looking up now and shaking her head no, Susan choked up. “No. I’ve thought about it but I just haven’t felt up to it yet. I know eventually I will but that time hasn’t come. I’m not sure if Caroline even knows about the pictures. She was in so much pain and so focused that she never realized I was even in the room until after the birth. After everything that has happened, I’ve never even told her about the pictures. She spends so much time at the cemetery. I miss my daughter.”

  Jake stood, “Mrs. O’Sullivan, you’ve been a great help. I can’t thank you enough for calling Detective Davenport with this information. I hope we can offer you and your daughter closure and you can find some peace.” Then he turned and picked up the box with the camera and Delaney followed him to the foyer.

  Turning, she asked, “Susan, who was Andrew’s father?”

  Susan’s shoulders slumped forward and her mouth tightened. Silence filled the room before she finally answered, “I have no idea. Caroline refused to tell me.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  At the end of the day Jake followed Delaney to the boat ramp with sailboat in tow. He backed the trailer down the ramp and into the water. The tide was coming in and there was a strong breeze, perfect for an evening of sailing. He pulled the emergency brake and started the power wench, watching the boat slowly entering the cool bay water. Delaney went home to quickly change and grab Fetch. Heading toward the bay, she pulled into the liquor store, purchasing an inexpensive bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers. Getting back into the car, she plugged her iPod into the adapter and listened to Bono sing “It’s a beautiful day.” Driving toward the water and seeing the sun on the horizon, she had to agree it was indeed a beautiful day.

  Jake was already on board and had hoisted the sail when he spotted Delaney walking toward the floating dock. She was stunning. It was the first time he had seen her with her hair down. He hadn’t realized how long it was as the dark curls gently draped her shoulders and bounced with her every step. The tight white tank top and short white cotton skirt accentuated her tanned figure and firm body. Her legs went on forever, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He waved and called her over. Fetch was right behind, happily wagging her tail. Jake took the wine and food and then reached for her hand. As he helped her climb aboard he noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra. He could just make out the firm buds pointing through her shirt. He was instantly hard.

  This was the first time she had been on a sailboat. She had been on regular motor boats before but never a boat like this. She was accustomed to the sound of an engine and now she was being moved by nature. The sound of the vessel slicing through the water was new to her and she was amazed at how relaxed she started to feel. She laid on the bow of the boat letting the wind blow her hair wildly around as Jake steered them out to the ocean. Fetch stood at the helm, as if leading the way. Occasionally she would turn and look at Jake, admiring his strong arms at the controls.

  Almost an hour passed as they glided from the bay into the ocean, passing boaters and occasional jet skiers along the way. The salt in the air was palpable and made her feel so alive. Looking into the horizon it felt as if they were sailing to the edge of the earth. The water appeared to go on forever and she felt like she could reach up and touch the sky. The sun would be setting soon and the vibrant colors painted across the horizon looked like the work of an artist. It had been at least thirty minutes since passing the last boater and Jake slowed down to lower the anchor.

  “Did you enjoy the ride? It’s a great day for sailing, there’s a steady breeze and the water is smooth as ice. I’m happy it’s not choppy out here. I don’t know what it is but I think I could just live out here on my boat. I love the peacefulness of just floating around at sea.”

  Delaney stood up, holding her arms slightly outward to help keep her balance as she walked towards Jake. She looked into his face and admired his high cheek bones and strong jaw line. He was beginning to show a bit of a five
o’clock shadow and she thought it made him look rugged and sexy. She wrapped her arms around his waist and enjoyed the sensation of him playing with her hair. She felt the dampness that was already forming between her legs and instinctively squeezed her thighs together. Jake pulled back and stared into her eyes, before checking her out from head to toe. He took in every detail of her, dreaming of what he wanted to do to her body. Delaney stood still and enjoyed every second of his eyes burning into her. She was shocked to see the size of his excitement pressing against his shorts. To know that someone as hot as Jake Thrasher wanted her so badly was incredibly exhilarating. Jake reached down and lifted the lid of a bench seat, bringing out the wine with cheese and crackers and a thick white quilt. He spread it out on the bow and she sat down. After opening the wine they both realized there weren’t any glasses to pour it in. Jake shook his head and said, “I guess I’m not very prepared. You’re the first woman I’ve ever had on my boat.” This was the truth. He used it for weekends with buddies for fishing. Delaney found this hard to believe but didn’t care. Right now she was the center of his attention and she wanted him so badly. She tilted the bottle back and took a drink, then handed it to him. She watched his hand cover the label as he took a sip and slipped the cork back in.

  He leaned in towards her and pushed her hair away from her face and started with light kisses which led to a deep hot kiss. Jake tasted so good, a mixture of wine and salt. It felt so good to be with a man, a real man. Delaney felt herself lying down and Jake’s hands over her small breasts. She remembered she wasn’t wearing a bra and Jake quickly found her hard nipples and teased them with his fingers. Letting out a moan of pleasure she ran her hands down his back and pulled his shirt over his head. When he briefly lifted up his chest, Delaney looked at his tan muscular arms. She had never wanted another man like she wanted Jake, not even her ex-husband. Delaney amazed herself when she pulled off her tank top, proudly exposing her less than voluptuous breasts in the remaining daylight. Jake looked at them and then at her and said, “They’re perfectly beautiful,” and filled his mouth with her. He sucked and teased, enjoying the feeling of her under him. His wet mouth then went down her body and she felt her heart racing. His big hands pulled her skirt and panties down over her thighs and past her ankles. He laid back down, kissing her calves and knees and gently moving up. Her legs spread as easy as icing as she felt his light stubble brushing against the skin of her inner thighs. Every nerve cell in her body was firing off and her back was arching for more. Suddenly she felt his thick hot tongue entering her and she began trembling uncontrollably. She had never experienced pleasure like this before and it was electrifying. With every plunge of his tongue he took more of her and for the first time she was experiencing what it was like to be a sexually alive woman. Jake was relentless. He sensed when he brought her to the edge of ecstasy and would drive his tongue further into her. He feasted on the deepest part of her love tunnel for what felt like an eternity. With her body shaking she could feel her abdomen becoming tighter and tighter until a sudden release gushed from her body. Delaney had relinquished all control over herself and allowed it to take what it wanted. She had lost complete control and could hear moans coming from her throat that she had never heard before. He didn’t stop until she was finished and her breathing slowed down. Slipping off his shorts, he climbed on top of her and planted kisses all over breasts.

  He looked down at her, staring at her petite body and wanting to ram himself into her. She reached down with both hands to guide him in and Jake saw the hesitation on her face. He was huge, and even using both of her hands she still couldn’t cover his full length. Her hands moved to his hips, and he used his weight to steer himself in. He felt the tip of himself spread her pink moist lips as she let out a gasp and dug her nails into him. “Babe, I don’t want this to hurt you. We can stop now if you want.” He couldn’t believe what he heard himself saying, and didn’t know where the sudden amount of self-control was coming from. He could feel her wet hungry lips pulling him in, contracting tightly around the first few inches of his manhood. He thought he’d go insane. Never in all his sexual adventures had he ever had someone so wet, hot, and ready.

  “No Jake, I want all of you, every single inch. Now give it to me.” He felt like the luckiest man in the world. He felt her legs relax allowing her thighs to open wider. Slowly he entered her, taking in all the heat she had to offer. He could feel her tight insides clamping down on him and pulling him in further. Burying his face in her hair, he let out a soft moan as he felt her expanding for him and taking in the width of his final several inches. He held himself motionless as he watched her eyes flutter and felt her tight muscles contracting around his manhood in rapid succession. Jake knew if he made the slightest move he would explode inside her and he still wanted to bring her over the edge several more times before releasing his own tidal wave. As her ascent to complete ecstasy climbed, he covered her mouth with his and swallowed her screams.

  Delaney’s insides were reeling in pleasure. She never knew love making could be so good, so intense and shocking. Every part of her screamed for more and she believed she could do this all day, every day, for the rest of her life. His hot tongue was down her throat as he feverishly frenched her. She could feel her body climbing again, this time faster and harder than before. Jake pulled her legs over his shoulders, forcing her body to open wider and deeper than ever. He was now tapping the depths of her soul and she was certain he would burst out of her chest any second. Looking down at her he said, “Babe, open your eyes. Look at me now! Let it go, let it go. Let your body take what it wants.” She instantly peaked on his command, staring directly into him and shocked by the woman being reflected back at her. Every thrust made her greedier as she took more and hollered his name over and over begging for it harder and faster. Jake usually fantasized about other women during his trysts, but not with Delaney. He completely focused on her, and hearing her shout his name only made him grow harder. Thoughts of any other women were gone, as if they were erased forever. Jake was falling in love.

  He could hear her panting slowing down and placed her legs back down to his sides. Then he turned her over and before she knew it Jake was on his back and she was straddling him, completely nude with the moonlight shining on her. “You’re so amazingly gorgeous. I’ve wanted you since the day we met,” he said as he firmly placed both hands on her hips. She reached down to use her hand to help guide him in, instantly feeling her wetness running down her inner thighs. He saw the corners of her mouth curve up and let out a small chuckle before saying, “Enjoy it. It’s all for you,” and then closed his eyes. Delaney excelled at following his orders. Sliding up and down faster and harder, she felt herself releasing all over him again. Jake opened his eyes and took in her firm breasts bouncing up and down in the moonlight. She hid nothing, took all she could, and gave it all back.

  Jake couldn’t believe the enthusiasm of the woman riding him. She was so uninhibited. He had been with plenty of women but never one so comfortable and at ease with her body. Not once did she try to cover up her perky round breasts. He loved watching her get off on him, her thin toned body going up and down with the rocking of the boat. Her muscles were continuously grasping and releasing around him, and he couldn’t believe how easily and frequently he brought her to the edge and watched her finish, only to have her start right back up again.

  When she felt like she couldn’t possibly go on any more, she lowered her sweaty body on top of his. Before she could catch her breath, Jake held onto her tightly and rolled over, staying inside of her. It took every ounce of will power and self-control he had to keep from exploding. He wasn’t finished with her and wanted to hear her moan one more time as he brought her to her peak. He paced himself with a steady rocking motion and it was only a matter of minutes before he could feel her muscles tightening around him once again, and he couldn’t take it any longer. Together they gave into each other as he released a thunderous moan and his tidal wave filled her.


  Several hours later Jake awoke and found himself in disbelief as he looked at Delaney’s nude body curled up against his side. Never had a woman exhausted him like this. With light from the full moon glowing on her, she seemed more beautiful than ever, sleeping so soundly and peacefully. He leaned up onto his arm and watched her chest rise with each slow breath and gently ran his fingers through her long thick hair before getting up. Gathering his clothes he quickly dressed and lifted the portion of the quilt he was laying on to cover her body so she wouldn’t get a chill. As he raised the anchor he noticed Fetch was also asleep and sprawled out on the back of the boat with a chewed up box of crackers. He enjoyed the quiet of the night on the open water as he steered them back to land. For the first time in his life he caught himself wondering what it would be like to spend an eternity with someone and he was smiling at the possibility.

  Chapter Sixteen