Off the Deep End

by R. Jayne Revere

  As she made her way to the front counter, she looked around at the various patrons. Cozy seating arrangements and booths were occupied by a few locals she was acquainted with and also several unfamiliar faces. She exchanged a wave with a couple she knew and turned to the counter as the man behind it greeted her.

  “Hey, Alex!”

  She returned his greeting with a bright smile. “Hey, John.”

  “Can I get you something?”

  Alex leaned toward him, hands gripping the edge of the counter. “I think I’ll pass on the coffee today—already a little too wired.” She smiled again and paused as he nodded. “But can you tell me if someone is waiting for me?”

  He shrugged. “Not that I know of. No one’s said anything to me.” He frowned at the puzzled look on her face. “You s’posed to meet Lou or somethin’?”

  “No, not Lou. I was just told to come here, and I thought…” She glanced around the room again.

  “Well, just ’cause I don’t know don’t mean they’re not here. Or maybe just not yet. Runnin’ late, you know.” He smiled as he dried a mug. “You may wanna stick around, check out back on the pier. I saw a lotta new people out there earlier. And some of the usual locals. Fishin’s been good this mornin’.”

  “Yeah, okay,” she replied and pushed back off the counter. “And thanks.”

  “Yep. An’ if anybody comes in a-lookin’ for ya, I’ll send ’em your way.”

  “You rock, John.” Alex headed to the door to the pier.

  Salty ocean air, the squawking of hungry seagulls, and the lap of light waves met her as she pushed the door open. She wound her way through the restaurant’s outdoor dining tables.

  Fishermen with their long rods over the rails, buckets and tackle next to them, chatted here and there. Some stood, some sat, one grandfather instructed his young grandchildren, a boy and a girl, on the finer points of baiting their hooks. She smiled as she walked by, breathing in deeply the cool, briny sea breeze.

  The long pier stretched ahead. A gorgeous morning. She’d just wander all the way out to the end before turning back. God, I hope he’s here. Her sneakers made small thuds on thick boards as she moved along. Waves broke in miniature explosions against support pilings underneath.

  John was right—there really were quite a few people out on the pier, enjoying the late morning. Her phone vibrated in her pocket right before the ding. It was Lou. Uh-oh. She should have texted her a while ago. She responded, stuck her phone back in her pocket, ran a hand through her hair, and glanced around. The phone dinged again, and she pulled it back out, expecting Lou.

  It was the “not as much a mystery” number. “All the way.”

  She looked toward the end of the pier, the way she’d been heading, but it was still obscured by a group of sightseers. She grinned and began walking again. That was a loaded remark. Hmmm, should she play with that or be good? Unable to think up a snappy reply on the spot, she just kept moving.

  She approached the dozen or so tourists and picked her way through the group. The last of them shuffled past her. With another fifty-odd feet to go, only two fishermen stood to her left about halfway there. One lone figure leaned on the rail at the very end. Back to her, facing out over the water, jeans and black jacket now replaced more tactical dress. She recognized his form immediately. Someone she thought lost from this life.

  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry! Get a grip! She bit her lip and moved closer. Stuffing her phone back in her pocket, she walked the last few feet, turned, and leaned with her back against the railing next to him.

  Alex looked over at Aaron. Having assumed him dead most of this time, or at least on her holdout hope of maybe injured and holed up in some remote location to heal, her heart rejoiced that he appeared none the worse for wear. And although he had yet to acknowledge her presence, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Eyes concealed behind dark sunglasses, he stared out over the ocean.

  Alex was the one to break the silence. “You know, you’re lucky I even showed up.”

  “I knew you’d figure it out,” he replied, continuing to regard the waves. His grin deepened. He lifted his sunglasses, set them on top of his head, and turned to look at her.

  Ardent blue-greens the color of a misty forest morning beheld her. Riveted, she lost everything she wanted to convey to him, the whole of any conversation she had even imagined effectively leaving her brain. After all that had happened, the shock, the loss and mourning, now the miracle of his survival, of being in his presence again, took her breath away. Her resolve was to just say “thank you,” and before she altogether burst into tears, she took hold of his arm and buried her face against his shoulder. His arms were around her in an instant, the strength and tenderness of his touch a comforting assurance that the moment was real.

  “Do you…?” she began through tears. “I thought we were all dead. And then you saved us, but you…” She trailed off, at a loss for words. Nothing was coming out right. She bit her lip, trying so hard not to cry.

  He held her tighter. After a time, he released her and rested his forearms on her shoulders. She wiped her damp cheeks and took hold of the front of his jacket. They stared into each other’s eyes for a few moments before Alex spoke again.

  “How?”

  Aaron shook his head, glanced out at the waves, back to her. “It’s a long story.”

  Alex, now regaining composure after getting the tears out of the way, pulled hard on his jacket. She narrowed her eyes. “Well, are you gonna have time to tell me?”

  “Wow. Okay, well…” He gave her his half smile. “That’s up to you, isn’t it?”

  Alex opened her mouth to reply, shut it again. A rush of hope brought dimples to her cheeks. “Up to me, huh?” Okay, this is good. As her excitement grew, so did her confidence, and she made up her mind to see just where this would lead. She peered at him through her lashes, capturing her lower lip with her teeth for a few seconds. “You sure you really want me to answer that?”

  He laughed aloud at her coy pretense. “I think I can handle it.”

  “Well.” She let go of his jacket and folded her arms, surveying him. “Part of me wants to thank you. Part of me wants to punch you really hard. And part of me wants to kiss you.”

  “That’s… not really an answer.” He leaned his elbow on the rail. “Do I get a say in which of those options I get?”

  Her face flushed and she looked back out at the water. “I did already say thank you.”

  “Yes, you did.” The corners of his mouth edged upward again. He replaced his sunglasses over his eyes and gazed out at the ocean along with her. “I guess you might as well hit me then and get it over with.”

  She uncrossed her arms, her jaw falling open as she turned to stare at him. Seriously?

  He just stood there, still and silent.

  “You ass…” She took a swing, making a solid connection with his upper arm, a little harder than she’d intended.

  “Oww! Damn!” He took a step back and massaged his wounded limb.

  “You deserved that.”

  “Yeah, I guess I did. I really did.” Aaron eyed her. “You done?”

  She moved to the rail, leaned her arms on it, and closed her eyes, unable to hide a shy grin. “I covered the first two of my options. The last one is up to you, isn’t it?”

  “You sure you want me to answer that?” he asked, a clear play on her earlier question to him.

  Doing the same in regard to his previous answer, she replied, “I think I can handle it.”

  Aaron delayed. Was he trying to draw out the anticipation? He reached over, looped an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close, leaned in. He pressed his lips to hers for a couple of seconds and pulled back.

  The protective strength of his arm cradling her, that ethereal spicy woodland scent, and his firm yet soft lips left Alex’s heart racing. That can’t be… it? Just that little peck? Attempting to reconcile whether she was experiencing astonishment at the kiss its
elf, something she had hoped for, or at the severe brevity of said kiss, she recovered her presence of mind.

  What a comical expression. Does he even know how adorable that half smile is? Of course he does. He’s having fun with this!

  “Uh… really?” She backed up half a step. “That’s it? Are you kidding me?” She couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark metallic lenses, just that crooked smirk. Voice subdued, she rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. “Wow. Just wow. I mean, that was just so, so incredibly unimpressive.”

  He laughed at her and she played at pushing him away as she continued. “So, so bad. No. I just don’t even know what to say right now. Unbelievable! Really sad. I—”

  Aaron tightened his grip on her and with his free hand removed the sunglasses, placing them back on top of his head. Mirth and sparkle showed through her determined gaze. He liked that look—equal parts challenge, curiosity, and yearning. She was excited to see him. That’ll work. Green and gold flecks shimmered in her irises, and as he stared into their depths, he slid his hand up behind her neck and head and pulled her to him. He couldn’t help being a tease with that first kiss; with his blood rushing and heart pounding as though it would burst from his chest at her following his instructions and showing up to meet him, he had done that more to calm himself. But this one… He kissed her again.

  Tender at first, the kiss deepened as he tested her receptiveness to more. Her lips yielded to the press of his tongue. He advanced further, and she surrendered to his exploration, engaging him with her own. The nervous excitement of the unknown became, in a curious twist, all at once intimate and familiar, and the sudden longing that flowed between them threatened to take both by surprise.

  As she slid her hands inside his jacket and up behind his back, he pressed himself into her comforting hold. Their embrace long and deep, her body melted against his. When their lips parted, he stared into hazel eyes again, resting his forehead against hers.

  “Better?” he breathed.

  Her eyelids fluttered closed as she caught her breath. A slow smile and she raised her lids to return his gaze. “Much.”

  His lips brushed hers, and he hugged her close once more. “That maybe make up for any of the hell I put you through?”

  She snuggled him tight. “A little.”

  He released her and flipped his sunglasses back down. “A little?”

  “It’s a start.” She grinned before continuing. “But oh yeah, you’re gonna have to do a lot more than that.” She did an about-face and began walking back up the pier toward the restaurant.

  “What?” He stared after her. Bluff called.

  “You heard me,” she replied and kept walking.

  She’s good. With a light jog, he caught up to her and took hold of her hand, clutching it tight. She returned his squeeze, and they made their way back up the pier, past the restaurant, and out front to the parking lot.

  He led her over to the red-and-white motorcycle and stopped. “You never did answer me about that ride.”

  “You’re funny.”

  They rode to the edge of town, through the countryside for a time, and started up into the hills. Emerald trees, multicolored wildflowers, and the browns and grays of stone and weathered fences blurred as they passed.

  Alex reflected on their kiss. “Better,” he’d asked. That was possibly the most severe understatement of the century. His urgency and tenderness confirmed she hadn’t been the only one missing their togetherness. There really were no words. And to finally feel the warmth and security of his body in her arms again… this time in mutual desire and with no catastrophic danger looming?

  She savored the recent memory as she leaned forward against him to speak into his ear. “Where are we going?”

  Aaron angled his head back toward her. “I want to show you something.”

  In time, smooth highway blacktop transformed to back roads tar and chip. Elevation increased. Winding gravel roads. A secluded turnoff that ended in a long dusty trail up through tall trees. Alex clung tight, matching Aaron’s movements as they bounced and jostled over increasingly rougher terrain. Soon that path disappeared into a bed of pine needles and leaf litter.

  Farther into deep forest, Aaron brought the bike to a stop in a small clearing. The throaty whir of the performance engine ceased, revealing the serene quietude of nature.

  Alex stepped to cushioned earth. Towering evergreens, a few deciduous trees in the mix, surrounded them. Immense granite boulders protruded from the upslope, anchoring statuesque conifers. Opposite, massive trunks framed a view of majestic snow-capped mountains that melded into woodland valleys below. Forest air, fresh and cool, caressed her face with the scent of pine. She performed a slow rotation in place before lifting her gaze through soaring treetops to the few puffy clouds and blue sky beyond.

  Aaron dismounted the bike and leaned back against it. Had his assumption been right? What would she think of this place? Silent in her observation, she swept her long hair back from her face with elegant fingers. Graceful arms that had encircled his waist the whole ride here now hugged her own shoulders. Her impression of this rugged natural locale lit her features. Head tilted now as she looked to the sky, her hair cascaded farther down her back.

  He tugged at his jeans and made an adjustment to his stance before she could notice his excitement, then crossed one ankle over the other. Look casual. He grabbed his lower lip in his teeth and clamped down to keep his mouth from displaying the silly grin that his soul pushed forth. Excellent idea, Donovan. Just don’t get ahead of yourself…

  She returned her focus to him. “This is amazing! How did you find it?”

  “I guess that’s a long story too,” he replied. “Right now, let’s just say I needed to be a little more off the grid for a while.”

  Alex glanced around. “Okay.” Finding his eyes again, she remarked, “This is beautiful.”

  “Good. I’m glad you like it.” He walked over to a large rock overlooking the view on the downhill side and sat. “Bought it a few years back. Figured maybe someday…”

  Alex made her way over to sit next to him. “Nice,” she said, impressed. “How much land is here?”

  “Couple hundred acres.”

  She pulled her legs up in front of her, hugged them, and rested her chin on her knees, staring out through the trees at the view. They sat there in silence for a time, just taking it in.

  Light pressure on the outside of his left thigh shifted Aaron’s attention. He glanced down at her hand, up to meet the deep hazel gaze that rested on him.

  “How is it?”

  The gunshot wound from the ship. The warmth of her delicate touch soothed the place that would soon become another scar. He held her gaze locked with his own and laid his hand on hers to press it tighter against him. That electric rush surged into his palm and up his wrist. That… I gotta find out what that is! Or maybe I’m nuts. Probably am. “It’s okay. Healing.”

  “Good.” Comforted at that reassurance, her eyelids fluttered and she leaned her head on his shoulder and exhaled. “You know, you should never have brought me here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because now I don’t want to leave.”

  A giddiness washed through him. Wish we could stay right now too. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on top of her head. She snuggled into his hold. He rested his head against hers, and they remained like that a while longer before he spoke again.

  “Well, unfortunately it gets pretty cold up here at night. Better head back down before it gets too late. You hungry?”

  Alex nodded but made no move to get up. Aaron stood and stretched, turning to stand in front of her. Chill air rushed in to chase away the warmth where his body had been. She looked up into his inviting gaze. Wow. Sighing into acceptance, she grabbed his hands and he pulled her up off the rock.

  Lengthening shadows traversed their path as they rode back down toward town. That look in his eyes, the wonder of this gorgeous natural setting, the wh
ole scenario of the day so far was enchanting. Dreamlike. Too perfect. Rays from the lowering sun flashed between shaded tree trunks, strobing and flickering as they zipped past. Alex hadn’t paid attention to just how far their destination had been. Earlier excitement had masked hours of travel time. They ate at a small, out-of-the-way diner with good food before heading back toward her apartment. She leaned against his back, arms snug around his waist, his hand resting on hers on the straightaways. This day could just go on forever.

  Back in her neighborhood, he didn’t drive right up to her place but parked the bike a couple of blocks away in deep shadow. They walked the rest. She wanted to ask why but didn’t. Catching him scout around from time to time, she finally looked at him and raised a brow.

  He shook his head. “Just used to being on guard,” he said with a hint of smile, though still keeping a watchful eye.

  “You’re really gonna have to fill me in on all that at some point, you know.”

  “Give it some time.” He squeezed her hand.

  She smiled and squeezed back, gaining a spring in her step. If he was saying give it some time, that meant he would be staying around. And to have the time he would need, to be able to reach that point at which he might be able to open up and explain it to her? That could take a while. A good long while. “Time I’ve got,” she replied and hugged his arm.

  They reached her door. She unlocked it and pushed it open, took a step inside. He remained on the porch but had not let go of her hand. She put her free hand on her hip and eyed him. “There’s no way I’m gonna tell you to stay out there, so that one’s up to you.”

  He delayed a moment longer for effect, winked at her, and walked in.

  She dropped her keys on the stand and closed the door behind them. “Well, okay then,” she said under her breath, her stomach fluttering now in sudden anticipation of something thought lost.