Page 68 of Second Chance Saloon

“We’re here,” she announced, freeing her hand from his.

Mitch cleared his throat, flexing the hand that was just holding hers.

The ghost of his touch coated her fingers like a most treasured made-to-measure glove she’d lost and found again.

As much as Jackie loved cenotes, she had no wish to get out of the Jeep. Ever since Mitch had arrived at Mexican Jewel, there had been strange moments between them in which time froze, and all the reason and logic was put on hold to allow her aching heart and heartbroken mind to put non-existent meaning behind gestures and words.

It was almost like they had spent the last ten years living on the fault lines formed in the earthquake of her leaving him.

Maybe fate decided ten years was long enough to heal the fractured surface.

She drew in a sharp breath, eyeing the steep wooden steps leading to one of the cavernous Bocas. Wrapping her arms over her chest, she exhaled. She brought him here. Told him this cenote was her favorite. She couldn’t back out now.

“Jackie? Are you coming? The water’s amazing,” Mitch shouted.

Jackie spotted the flash of his skin down below. “Coming.” She put a shaky foot on the first step.

Water didn’t frighten her, not anymore. But being in an underground cave with Mitch after the drive they’ve shared here? That was way scarier than water and the bats they were probably going to see down there.

She descended the steps, holding on to the railing to steady her nerves. Even though she’d told Mitch she chose the morning because it was quieter, she didn’t expect it to be this quiet. They found only three other cars in the parking lot, one belonging to the steward who grunted and smiled as Mitch passed him cash for their admission.

And it seemed that everyone else chose to explore the third Boca first, which was the biggest and open-air one. Mitch of course had to say he wanted to start with the first one, because why wouldn’t he?

She reached the bottom of the steps and sat on the small platform, her legs dipping into the clear blue water. Stray droplets from the stalactites hit the wood.

“I was hoping I’d see you in a two-piece today.” His voice took up the space.

Jackie bit back a smile, moving her toes in the water. She was wearing the same black one-piece he’d seen her in at the pool. “I grew bored with them.”

“Even the red one you liked?”

She locked her elbows, leaning back. “Maybe.”

He swam right up to the wooden platform, his gaze not leaving hers. His hands found their way to her calves. “That’s a shame.”

His deft fingers traveled up, past her knees, and stopped on top of her thighs.

Heat radiated from her cheeks. “Mitch.”

She wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a plea or a warning. She wasn’t sure anymore if there was any difference between the two. There was still enough reason at the back of her mind to meekly remind her that acting on these feelings would be a bad idea. But … for the past ten years, her life had been a string of bad ideas. What was another one to add to the mix?

“Jackie, please.”

The way he said her name broke the wax seal she’d melted over her heart.

She closed her eyes, her heart beating wildly out of sync with her breathing. “Please what?” she whispered, her question echoing off the ragged cavernous walls.

“Please stop thinking so hard. Thinking is overrated.”

“I told you that, once.”

He chuckled, his palms now firmly on her waist. “More than once, or even twice. Now I’m telling you this. Don’t think. Just feel.”

Guided by his strong arms, she pushed herself off the platform. Cool water washed over her skin, goosebumps rising tiny hairs at the back of her neck. She kicked, swimming away from Mitch.

She couldn’t think straight when his hands were on her.

But it didn’t take him long to swim up to her, his lips turned up in a smile. He didn’t say anything; he simply watched her, the shadows and water reflecting on his face. He’d dunked his head underwater earlier and the wet strands of hair now stuck to his forehead.