20
SLADE
“You are a certified maniac!”Jude squeals as she peers over the edge of the rock.
“This is the smallest we’re going to do.”
“You’re joking, right?” She whirls to face me, and I grab her on instinct, guiding her away from the edge so she doesn’t go over by accident before she’s prepared.
“You’ll be fine as long as you follow my instructions.”
She turns inside my arms to peer over the edge of the cliff and down at the sparkling ocean below. I keep my hands on her waist, holding her close as she inspects the drop.
“It’s only seven meters. Just looks higher from the top,” I tell her.
She inclines her face over her shoulder toward me. “Uh-huh. Says the man who thinks stuff like this is fun.”
“Itisfun.”
She rolls her eyes and lets out a cute snort. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
“Pretty sure you asked me to show you what I like to do, but—” I let out a small puff of air as she jabs me lightly in the gut with an elbow.
“Not exactly what I had in mind.” She looks out at the sunlight hitting the top of the ocean, making it glitter. “It’s so beautiful up here, though. I get why you like it. Hey, look. Boats.” She points along the coast.
My chest tightens as I follow her gaze. “Yeah, it’s a marina. There are bigger ones nearby. That one’s only used by locals taking fishing boats out.”
“Oh. Mel and I have always walked the other way along the beach. I didn’t even know it was there.”
Hidden in plain sight.
“What do I need to know, then? So I remain in one piece doing this?”
She bounces a little inside my grip and my fingers flex on her waist.
“First, never jump anywhere there are breaks in the waves. It means there are rocks below. In fact, you should swim in the area below first to check and use a probe to measure the depth. But I know this place. We’re fine.”
“Check for rocks. Got it. What else?”
“Weather. Rough water is obvious, but you also have to think about the wind. Once you jump higher, it can affect your path down and alter where you’ll land.”
“Oh God, it sounds like parachuting.” She shivers, and I squeeze her hips in reassurance, lowering my mouth to her ear.
“I won’t let anything happen to you. Now, let’s move closer.”
Her breath catches as I maneuver us so we’re only a few inches from the edge of the rock. The scent of warm saltwater blows past us on the breeze, and I inhale deeply, holding it in my lungs and savoring it for a moment. Being up here with Jude, it would be easy to forget what’s waiting for us back in the real world.
“You need to enter the water correctly. Never headfirst unless you want to increase your chance of a spinal injury,” I say, shifting my focus back onto preparing her.
She leans away from the edge warily, and her bikini clad ass presses against my groin. I bite down on my lower lip, forcing myself to concentrate.
“Arms close to your body, feet together. And breathe out as you enter the water, okay?”
“I can’t believe you find this fun. My heart’s about to explode out of my chest.” She laughs nervously, then inches forward, out of my grasp. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
She glances back at me, nervousness in her gaze. “See you down there.”
