By the time they got all of their gear down to an acceptable spot, Ryan was ready for a nap. She smoothed the sand carefully, then created a small depression for her butt and built up a little sand pillow for her head. Her deep concentration was interrupted by Mia's chuckle. "What?" Ryan asked as she looked up to see three pairs of eyes staring at her. "I like to be comfortable."
"It's not brain surgery, Hon," Jamie reminded her. "Just toss your towel down and scoot around."
"Nope. Too much invasive sand. I've studied this, you know," she said firmly.
"I just bet you have, Tiger," Jamie said fondly as she patted her cheek.
Ryan was just about to lower herself into her custom made depression when Jordan said, "You aren't really just going to sit in the sun are you?"
"Ahh, yeah, that's exactly what I was planning on doing."
"But you can do that anywhere. You don't need the ocean to get a tan. That's a waste of a precious resource."
A deep sigh preceded the question, "What do you have in mind?"
"Wind-surfing," Jordan said with a glimmer in her light blue eyes.
"I don't know how," Ryan informed her.
"Even better!"
Jamie and Mia decided that watching wind-surfing sounded a lot more interesting than actually wind-surfing, but Ryan reluctantly agreed after Jordan reminded her that they did not have a game until Friday and that Jamie would be gone for two nights, so she could catch up on her sleep. They were able to rent the equipment right on the beach, but they would have to go without wetsuits, which Ryan was not at all happy about.
"Come on, Ryan, don't be such a wimp! It's 69 degrees, for God's sake!"
"Hey, everybody has quirks. One of mine is that I don't like cold water."
"I guarantee you won't notice it once you start working. This is really pretty tough to do right, and you work up a sweat pretty fast. Come on, trust me!"
Ryan rolled her eyes and let Jordan have her way. They decided to rent just one board at first so that Jordan could train her properly. Jamie and Mia came down by the edge of the water and watched the lesson, but neither woman would go for a turn on her own.
As expected, Ryan was a very quick study. Her balance, strength and fearlessness allowed her to grasp the mechanics quickly, and within 15 minutes she was skimming along atop the gentle waves. Jordan ran back to rent another board, and Mia and Jamie sat on the wet sand by the water's edge to watch them play.
"She's pretty hot, isn't she?" Mia asked as she tilted her head to get a better look.
"They both are," Jamie agreed, feeling the stirrings of desire. Watching the women sail along side by side, it was easy to compare their radically dissimilar bodies and styles. Ryan looked powerful and strong as she clung to the sail, A wild look on her face evidenced her desire to tame the ocean to suit her purposes. Jordan looked light and graceful, almost like she was resting on the board. She looked absolutely serene as she skimmed along and, rather than fighting with the sea, she appeared to be a part of it.
Their personality styles carried through to their body styles also. Even though Ryan outweighed Jordan by only 20 pounds now, that entire 20 pounds was muscle, most of it in her rock-hard thighs, round butt, and cut arms. Jordan's body was muscular, but in a softer, smoother form. There were small dips and indentations here and there, but mostly her muscle was invisible, even though it was obviously present. She looked like a more compact woman who had been stretched to her full 6'3" with all of her muscles elongated at the same time. Ryan, however, looked like every robust muscle belonged right where it lay. Actually, when viewed from a distance or in a photograph, one might have guessed that she was 5'8" or so, she was so perfectly proportioned.
Jamie decided that no matter what look a person preferred, it was undeniable that these two women were strikingly beautiful. In Jamie's assessment, Ryan was like a wild mountain stream, while Jordan reminded her of a deep blue pool nestled in a fjord. Both beautiful, both alluring, but only one called to her.
"Yo, Jamie, where'd you go?" Mia asked as she nudged her side with an elbow.
"Oh, sorry, I was just looking at their bodies and my mind wandered."
"Yeah, mine is about to wander down there too."
Jamie aimed a half-hearted slap of rebuke at Mia's midriff, but the topic had been broached. "So…how is it sleeping with her? Did she get any more adventurous?"
"Well-yes and no. She let me touch her breasts a little bit, but we really didn't get that involved. I was worried about making noise with you guys there, and I knew it would freak her out if you heard us messing around." She smiled serenely as she admitted, "I didn't mind a bit, though. It was so nice to cuddle up behind her and hold her all night." Giving Jamie a proud grin, she related, "She slept like a baby, and so did I."
"I'm married to the world's biggest cuddle-bunny," Jamie laughed. "She's quickly made me an addict."
"I think Jordan likes it, but she's wide awake awfully early. I think this is really weighing on her mind."
"She does seem pretty confused," Jamie agreed, unwilling to tell Mia about the conversation she'd had with Jordan the previous day.
"It seems clear to me that she's gay, but she has a really tough time facing it, Jamie. I think I believe her when she says it's not sex that frightens her. I think it's the label, and having other people know. Even on the night we met she was very evasive about being gay."
"Well, what about you, Mia? Where do you fall in the equation?"
"Me? I'm just an open-minded straight girl," she said innocently.
"I don't know, Mia. I think there might be some cutoff point at which you're at least bisexual."
"Like what?" she asked, her curls tossing in the breeze.
"I don't know. Maybe there should be some objective standard. Like if you've touched a dozen breasts…"
"Pairs or individual breasts?" Mia asked, just to clarify the parameters.
"Pairs," Jamie allowed.
"I'm still straight," she decreed happily.
"Well, I've only touched one pair, and it's enough to convince me that I'm gay," Jamie declared.
"Not me," Mia insisted. "I can actually feel the withdrawal pangs when I think of never touching a penis again."
Jamie patted her cheek and said, "I guess maybe you are just an open-minded straight girl."
"Well, whatever you call me, I've got to admit that Jordan makes me throb," Mia sighed. "She's so soft and smooth; her skin just feels like satin. I loved lying in bed and just talking last night. Her breasts felt so soft when they were rubbing against mine. Whew! I had to force myself not to pop one of those little beauties into my mouth."
"Departing straight girl land," Jamie announced dramatically. "You are now entering bisexuality country."
"Get off the label fixation, James! If you must have a title for me, you may say that I'm Mia-sexual. That's the only one that fits!"
They were allowed to drop the rental off at LAX, which made matters much easier, at least from a logistics standpoint. Emotionally, it was still very difficult for Jamie to leave. As much pleasure as she got from being on the golf team, she dreaded the time away from home. It wasn't so bad once she was actually playing in the tournament; then, she could give her complete concentration to the match. But leaving Ryan was horrible for her-and even though Ryan tried to put on a good face, Jamie knew it was nearly as hard for her.
Tonight was tougher than usual. They had shared so much emotion during the day that they both felt particularly close, and the thought of parting felt like a physical blow. Jordan and Mia were waiting in the Southwest terminal, giving their friends a little time alone. Ryan had insisted on taking Jamie to her Alaska Air gate, even though it was quite a long jog back to meet the others. To avoid making a scene, they found an empty restroom and spent a few long, tender minutes. Their goodbye kisses were always sweet and filled with emotion, and Ryan felt her composure start to slip as Jamie held her face and reverently kissed every inch.
"That makes
me feel so treasured," Ryan murmured as she leaned in to the touch.
"You are treasured," Jamie sighed. "The more I know you, the more I love you, Ryan. Thank you for sharing your heart with me today. I'll always remember your face when you sang that song."
"I'll always remember yours when we locked eyes after I was finished. The love you were sending my way felt like the warmest embrace I've ever experienced."
"This weekend was special, Ryan. Thanks for sharing it with me."
"Thanks for going out of your way to come. I'm really glad that you got to meet Bryant."
"So am I," Jamie smiled. "I'll be home as soon as I can, Love."
"It won't be soon enough. I'll count the minutes."
One final kiss and Jamie was off, striding confidently across the waiting area and into the line to board. As usual, she did not turn around, and Ryan thought it best that she protected her composure that way. Sighing heavily, she made her way back to their friends, already feeling Jamie's absence pervade her senses.
Jordan decided to go home and catch up on some sleep, and as Ryan lay in bed she studied the room, feeling like something was missing. It took her a long while, but she finally realized what it was. The stuffed tiger she had given Jamie was not on her usual space on the loveseat. She looked all around the room, finally deciding that Jamie must have taken it with her. That's my girl, she sighed. Only Jamie would have the nerve to sleep with a stuffed tiger that says "I love Jamie" on its little shirt. Her roommate's gonna think she's a whacko!
Part Seven
Ryan was nearly asleep when the phone rang. "H'llo?" she said, trying to clear her throat at the same time.
"Do you have school tomorrow?" Conor asked without preamble.
"No, as a matter of fact, I don't. Don't have practice either. Why?"
"There's snow at Heavenly," he said, naming one of their favorite ski haunts.
"And…?"
"Come on, Sis. We always go as soon as there's any snow. Don't be so whipped!"
"I'm not whipped," she said archly. At his silence she admitted, "Okay, I am whipped, but in this instance, Jamie's not even home. She's in Oregon until Wednesday night. Besides, she loves to ski."
"Uh-huh," he said. "And I bet she'd love to go with us, wouldn't she?" he asked archly.
"Point taken," Ryan admitted. "Okay. I should stay home and rest, but I'll go if you drive."
"Done. I'll be there to pick you up at four."
"Great," she muttered. "Bring my board, and my Sorels, and my overalls, and my ski jacket, and my gloves, okay?"
"Anything else? Jeez, I'll be packing all night."
"It wouldn't be that much fun to sit in the truck in my jammies, Conor. The equipment is kinda required."
"Okay, okay. You buy breakfast for my trouble, though."
"Deal. See you in…" she checked her watch, "six hours." I should have my head examined, she thought to herself as she tried to go to sleep quickly.
Conor was polite enough to call his sister when he pulled up, not wanting to wake Mia by ringing the bell. "Let's go," he demanded when she picked up.
"Be right there."
She ran down the stairs, making sure the note she left for Mia was easy to find. She planned on calling Jamie later, when she knew she'd be up, but she wanted Mia to know where she was in case Jamie called first.
Opening the rear door of the truck, Ryan checked to make sure all of her gear was packed away, then she pulled her clothing from the oversized nylon bag and made a reasonable pillow with it. She curled up as best she could, got the door closed and ordered, "Go."
"Aw, come on," her brother complained. "That's all I'm gonna get? How am I gonna stay awake if you don't talk to me?"
"Stop at 7-11 for a Big Gulp of coffee," she mumbled, but her wily brother knew one topic that would perk her up.
"Da was up when I left," he said.
"Mmm?"
"He's taking someone special to the airport today…"
"Shit! I forgot Aunt Maeve was leaving today!" She grabbed her cell phone from her waistband and dialed home. "Da, it's me."
"Hello, Sweetheart. You be careful up on that mountain today, Love."
"I will. When are you leaving, Da?"
"In about an hour. The flight is at seven, but she should be there an hour early."
"I'm gonna call her, okay? I just didn't want to wake her up."
"I think it's safe to assume she's been up for a few minutes, Love. I'd be surprised if she slept a wink last night."
"Okay. Give Aunt Maeve a kiss for me, will you, Da?"
"I think I can manage a spare," he chuckled. "Call me when you get home, Darlin'. I want to make sure you're lucid."
"Will do," she agreed.
After a quick call to her aunt, wishing her a good trip, Ryan hung up and glared at her brother. "You did that just to wake me up. They're not leaving for an hour."
"Who, me? I was just making casual conversation, Ryan. Just trying to keep you informed."
"Well, it didn't work, big guy. I'm going to sleep. Wake me when it's time to strap my board on. And not a minute sooner."
Since it was Columbus Day and the first holiday of the season, the slopes were more crowded than usual. Conor and Ryan were engaged in a spirited argument as the first light broke over the mountain, neither sibling willing to give in.
"I'm not going to do it, Conor. I don't do stuff like that anymore." She was shaking her head firmly, arms crossed against her chest.
"It doesn't hurt anything, Ryan. We've always done this."
"I wasn't in a relationship then, Conor. Things have changed."
"You don't have to do anything, Ryan. Don't tell me that you can't even flirt when you're in a relationship."
She rapped her fingers against his head, expecting to hear a hollow echo. "Yes, Conor, you most certainly are prohibited from flirting if you want your partner to trust you. Are you that clueless?"
"Aw, Jamie wouldn't mind. She's not a tightass, Ryan. This is important."
"Conor, I'm not going to do it. You take a whack at her if it means so much."
He shook his head and started to walk towards the chair lift operator. "I'm telling you that she's gay," he insisted. "She'll be completely immune to my charms."
"Oh yeah, like that would be the only possible reason for that," she called out.
He was only there for a few minutes, with Ryan watching his apparent lack of progress. When he returned he started to pout, making Ryan wish that she could have driven so that he had taken a nap. "You owe me," she grumbled, striding over to the woman.
"Hi," Ryan said when she approached, her normal friendliness shining through. "Do you have any siblings?"
"Pardon me?" the woman asked.
"Do you have any siblings?" Ryan asked again.
"Uh…yeah. I have two older brothers. Why?"
"Well, my brother was just over here flirting with you…"
"Oh…yeah. You do look alike. Funny," she said, eyeing Ryan up and down, "he's not my type. He should have sent his sister," she leered.
"Yeah…well," Ryan said, trying to get out of this one with a minimum of damage. "We have a little um…thing we do when we go boarding. We uh…try to make friends with the chair-lift operator so we don't have to wait in the long lines." She was blushing a little, making her even more attractive to the operator.
"Is that what you're doing? Trying to make friends? I could always use another friend…"
"Ryan."
"I could always use another friend, Ryan," she decided.
"Well, to tell you the truth…"
"Sandy."
"To tell you the truth, Sandy, I'm in a relationship and I can't really have any more…friends at this point in my life. I was actually going to try to appeal to your sense of sibling rivalry, or if that didn't work, I was prepared to offer you a shameless bribe." She was bestowing one of her most charming grins on the woman, and she knew she was flirting…but just a little…almost too little to c
ount.
"Make you a deal, Ryan. Meet me for lunch-your treat, of course-and you have a deal."
"Happy to buy you lunch, Sandy, but that's all that I can offer. I'm quite attached."
"So am I," she said rather airily, "but I'm not too firmly attached."
"No problem," Ryan beamed at her. "I'm attached enough for both of us."
On the way home, Ryan offered to drive the truck since Conor had been up since three that morning. She had the stereo on low, singing to herself to stay awake when she heard a soft voice from the back seat say, "You didn't really hit on the lift operator, did you."
"Of course not," Ryan laughed. "I told her the whole deal, and she played along for a free lunch. She was a pretty nice woman."
"You would have done her in the locker room a year ago," he chuckled.
"A year ago?" she said reflectively. "Yeah, I guess I probably would have. It feels better to just offer a bribe," she said, deciding that she didn't miss her old ways one bit.
Jamie's tee time was scheduled for ten o'clock, and as she was introduced, she turned at the exuberant applause to see her father, who had obviously just arrived, clapping for all he was worth. She gave him a little wink, waited for her playing partner to tee off, then strode to the tee box to begin the tournament. She was pleased with her drive, and after she hit she walked back to the gallery to give him a kiss. "Glad you made it," she said, a big smile on her face.
"It was nip and tuck," he admitted. "Great drive, by the way. Those muscles have really paid off."
"Gotta go," she said, as she saw her foursome getting ahead of her.
"Go get 'em, Jamie," he said, giving her a fond hug.
He was waiting outside the clubhouse when she emerged a little after two, having won her match, three and two. "Congratulations, Honey," he said excitedly. "You really toughed it out over the last two holes. Great sand recovery on fifteen."
Intentions - SF9 Page 20
