by W. J. May
“Okay.”
I smiled. Fred was a nice guy, but he had the biggest imagination, and I decided I wasn’t going to let it rub off on me. There was no way Jesse and his family were witches and warlocks, and I wasn’t even sure if I believed in the Latin curse we’d found. It was all so farfetched, and I was sure I’d probably imagined the entire thing—or at least I hoped so.
Chapter 14
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 said.
“Hey.”
“Put the book down, girl, and 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. 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?” I asked.
“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 said. “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.”
“So some ghosts 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?” I asked.
“Yes. If I didn’t, I’d be telling you to put on a straightjacket instead of a bikini.”
“Wow. It’s nice to know my new BFF doesn’t think I’m a nut.”
“Just one thing.”
“What?”
“Do you see dead people?”
I laughed. “No. 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 said.
“Why?”
“Because Jesse’s already there, and 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 not talk about animal skulls or mysterious voices.”
“Got it. Your secret is safe with me.” She gave 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, then quickly brushed my teeth. I hurried downstairs and jumped into the SUV.
Julie introduced me to the other six girls. They shook my hand and smiled and seemed nice enough.
We drove to our destination and made 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 giant blue sky. I inhaled deeply to take in the fresh, woodsy scent of the piney air. Everything was so scenic and beautiful.
“I love it here,” Julie said.
I pointed at a tiny island straight ahead. “Is that China Island?”
One of the brunettes nodded; I hadn’t yet remembered all of their names. “Yep. Pretty small, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“See the cluster of boulders over to the left, about thirty feet away from the island?”
I squinted against the sunlight. “Yeah. 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 that felt great on such a hot day. I glided forward, using long, powerful strokes. As I got closer, instant recognition hit: The guy about to jump off one of the tallest boulders was Jesse. An instant later, he splashed in.
When I swam to the rocks, he helped me up. My breath froze as I watched the sun glint off his slicked-back black hair. Water beaded his eyelashes and dripped down his face in glistening rivers. His red swim trunks were adorable, 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?” he asked.
“Definitely.”
“Hey, Jesse,” Julie asked, “can I see the scar?” He arched a brow, and she explained, “From the bullet wound.” She inched forward, but he stopped her.
He laughed. “No.”
“I get it,” Julie said. “You’re shy.”
“Far from it,” he said.
“I thought guys loved showing off their scars,” one of the girls said.
“Which boulder do you wanna jump off of? Are you feelin’ like five feet or thirty?” Jesse asked me, changing the subject.
“The highest one,” I answered.
The guys wooted, and Jesse grinned. “Ah. A daredevil after my very own heart,” he said.
I climbed up to the highest point, where there was 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, and everything looked clear below.
Jesse walked over and held my hand. “We’ll jump together.”
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’m gonna dunk you!” I threatened and started to swim his way.
“Don’t think so!” he teased.
We screwed off for a while, then swam to shore to rest while the others continued jumping off the rocks. The moisture on my skin gave me a cooling sensation beneath the hot sun. I stood and saw Julie and the others still jumping off the rocks.
When I turned around, Jesse met my gaze. His blue eyes pierced mine, and shimmering remnants of the lake gave his skin a glittery shine. Softly, he 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, all those white, bright 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, and 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.” His eyes fixed on my lips, and he moved closer to lower his mouth on mine.
Our lips connected in a slow, gentle touch. In spite of the smoldering temperature, a shiver ran through me. I closed my eyes, savoring his sweet taste. Goosebumps rippled my skin as his strong hands wandered down my back to my middle. I lifted my arms and guided them around his neck. He drew me unbelievably closer; I was already standing so impossibly close. Tangling his fingers in my hair, he kissed me slowly and passionately on the lips. My heart was drumming so hard within me that 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.
Gripping my hand, he grinned. “Ready?”
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 the water with expert precision to catch up with him.
One of Jesse’s friends grabbed his shoulder. “You gotta see Frank dive backward, man.”
I smiled as his friend dragged him off.
“I saw you swim off with Prince Charming,” Julie teased. “What happened?”
I pulled her aside. “He kissed me!”
“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?”
I blushed and shook my head. “You guys called us back over here too soon.”
“It wasn’t me,” Julie said.
“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. Text me, and we’ll think of something.”
He kissed 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’? Did you see those muscles?” a strawberry-blonde girl said.
“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.
Chapter 15
I pulled into Jessie’s driveway in front of his beautiful, contemporary-style home with brick and glass windows, nestled among the towering trees. It was one of the biggest homes in Big Bear Lake, so I was sure his mother was quite wealthy.
After greeting me with a peck on the cheek that almost sent me reeling to the floor in a whoosh of heat, Jesse gave me the grand tour. This house had everything, from a gym to a recreation room to the most amazing home theater room with a mounted television that was the largest I’d ever seen in my life. There was a luxury swimming pool with a beautiful patio and terrace. Every single thing was perfectly arranged, and the décor and immaculate design elements gave the house character; the whole place was sleek and stylish to the core.
“Did your mom hire an interior designer for this? It’s amazing,” I complimented.
“No. She did it on her own.”
“Wow. She has fantastic taste.”
He smiled as he led me to the room with the giant TV. My mouth dropped as I darted my eyes down in every direction, taking it all in. I tried to pretend like the gorgeous estate didn’t faze me, but that was impossible.
Jesse went behind the bar. “What can I get you to drink?”
“A Sprite would be great—or anything lemon-lime.”
He pointed to the corner of the room. “I’ve got Sierra Mist, if that’s okay.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
“Why don’t you start looking through the DVDs? We have a lot to pick from.”
I smiled. “You’re letting me pick the movie?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm. What if I pick some gushy chick flick?”
“As long as I’m watching it with you, I don’t care,” he said with a grin, placing ice into a glass.
I grinned and shook my head, once again amazed by how different he was from Sean, who always used to fight with me over movies. “Thanks for that, Jesse,” I said.
We snuggled on the couch and watched a Julia Roberts classic, Pretty Woman, then wandered out to the terrace to sit and talk. I waited there while Jesse got us some lemonade. As I was staring off into the dark but beautiful forest, he set our glasses down on the deck railing.
“I’m having such a good time,” I said.
“Me too.”
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, lifted the hair off my neck, and softly kissed one of the most sensitive spots on my body. Goosebumps erupted, and I gasped deeply. He lightly stroked and caressed my neck with his fingertips, then slid down my spaghetti strap and kissed my shoulder, as if he knew it was a great turn-on for me, a sexy move that worked every time.
“Jesse,” I said, shivering with pleasure, “what are you doing?”
He moved up and down my neck, tickling me with open-mouthed kisses. “What do you think?” he asked, each word causing a hot breath to blow across my skin, literally driving me crazy.
“Well…it feels so good.”
“Good,” he whispered in my ear as his fingers glided down my bare arm. “I want you to feel good, Taylor—always.”
Shivers shot down my spine as he returned to the sweet spot on my neck. When he kissed me there again, I thought I might actually collapse because my legs turned to rubber. All I have to do is turn around and claim his mouth in a mind-blowing kiss, I thought. It’d be that easy, that simple. My heart pounded even harder when Jesse gave me slow, wet kisses all over my neck, then nibbled my ear with even lighter ones. When he blew hot air on my ear, I could hardly contain myself.
I spun around and turned to face him. He was wearing a sexy, naughty smile and staring hungrily at my lips. I’d never felt so desirable. I softly traced his lips, the mouth I could have spent an eternity kissing without ever tiring of it.
“I’m home!” a woman announced, jolting me from my fantastic thoughts.
I stepped away from Jesse and straightened my shirt.
The woman cleared her throat and looked at us suspiciously. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” she said.
She was beautiful, with her slim figure dressed in a blue pantsuit and her silky black hair twisted into an elaborate bun. In addition to having the same hair, she also had the almost translucent light blue eyes that her son did.
“No, not at all,” I responded.
“I’m Shelia, Jesse’s mom.”
I held out my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Taylor.”
&n
bsp; She smiled as she shook my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you too. Jesse has told me all about you, so I’ve been looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
“Well, here she is!” Jesse said.
Shelia sat down on the porch with us, and we all chitchatted for about an hour before I had to get back home. I was sure I’d made a good impression; she seemed to like me and was just as warm as Jesse, not at all the oddball Jeanie had made me think she was. I had hoped to meet his brother and sister, but they weren’t home. In any case, things were going well for me and Jesse, and I’d met his mom, which made me feel even closer to him.
* * *
On Friday night, my mom and dad had left me home alone while they went to an out-of-state book signing for the weekend. I felt a little safer this time, because my dad had installed a security system. When nighttime came, though, I did start to get the creeps, and I obsessively stared out the window to watch for ski-masked or furry would-be intruders.
Feeling lonely and a bit frightened, I texted Jesse, “I can’t stop thinking of you.”
A few minutes later, he texted back, “If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be walking through my beautiful garden forever.”
I gushed. Aw, I thought. He’s just the sweetest.
I texted back, “I love when you text me sweet nothings, so here’s one for you. If I had a star for every time you brightened my day, I’d have a galaxy in my hand.”
He replied, “Love it! If snowflakes were kisses, I’d send you a blizzard.”
A little while later, Max was sitting on the couch with me as I watched television. When I heard knocking coming from upstairs, my body froze, but I was ready to bolt out of the house again if I had to, and this time I was fully dressed. When the knocking finally subsided, I exhaled a long-held breath.
I stood shakily to my feet. “Max, let’s go upstairs and check it out, boy.”
I refused to go unarmed, so I grabbed a butcher knife and let my dog lead the way. Again, I had to wonder if I was losing my mind, considering it wasn’t the first time I’d been creeping around my house, brandishing a sharp kitchen utensil. Still, I needed to confront my fears. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I took a bold step up the stairs, the wood creaking with every step I took.
