But Katherine didn't appear in the mood to be appeased with a smile. "Yes, I know you're limited that way. You wouldn't know culture if it slapped you in the face." She, too, flashed a smile. "It seems you and Drew have that in common, luckily."
Oh, my... she's in the mood to fight. But Jay was not. She flicked her glance to Jenna instead. "I should thank you for inviting Drew along. She's been a joy to be around."
Jenna nodded. "Yes, she's really nice. I'm glad you enjoy some of the same things. Because you couldn't pay me to go parasailing."
Jay laughed. "Well, I haven't committed to it myself. I may end up watching." She reached across the table and took another cabbage roll. "I love these things. What are they stuffed with?"
"Pork and fish, I believe." Jenna took one as well. "I think I'll have another one too. Katherine?"
"No, I'm fine. But it's still early. Maybe we should drive into town and check out the nightlife. Anyone game?"
Jay didn't hesitate. "Not me. I have to be up before dawn. You two go ahead if you want."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course." Jay bit into her cabbage roll, watching them. Did they really think she didn't notice the look and quick smile that passed between them? She wanted to tell them that there was really no need to scheme and plot ways to get alone, no need to try to be conniving. Because she no longer cared.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
"Look at that. Have you ever seen a more beautiful sunrise?"
Drew turned, her glance moving to the red ball of fire just breaking the horizon, then back to Jay. The early morning shadows still danced across her face, but the pink rays of light reflected off her blond hair, causing an amber glow. Within seconds, Jay was totally engulfed by the sun as it rose—seemingly right out of the water—a pillar of red and orange light streaking across the ocean, finding Jay in its sights. Jay turned, pulling her gaze from the sunrise, looking at Drew expectantly. There was no guarded look on her face, nothing she was trying to hide. And in that moment, that glance, Drew knew she had fallen in love.
She saw the recognition in Jay's eyes, saw the surprised expression cross Jay's face. Yes, Jay knew it too.
"No, I've never seen anything more beautiful," Drew whispered. She wanted to close the distance between them. She wanted to touch her... kiss her. But then their surroundings came alive, the boat rocked gently on the water, the crew and other passengers moved about, all admiring the sunrise with them. The spell was broken.
So she was surprised when Jay came closer, surprised at the warm hand that moved across her skin, resting on her arm. Surprised at the look in Jay's eyes.
"I will forever remember that sunrise, forever remember the way you just looked at me."
"I want to make love to you," Drew said, saying the words that were aching to come out.
Jay closed her eyes, her fingers tightening on Drew's arm. When she opened them, Drew saw her desire mirrored there. Then Jay smiled, letting her hand slip away. "Maybe we should start with something smaller. Like a kiss." Jay took a deep breath and moved away. "Because I really want to kiss you."
"This was a great idea," Jay said as they rested in the shallow waters of the reef, the island crater of Molokini protecting it from the ocean waves. She blew air into her snorkel, getting out the last of the water. "I can't believe how clear the water is."
"Yeah. I wish I'd thought to get a camera. The fish are incredible."
"I really want to see an eagle ray. Actually, I'd want to see a manta ray, but I heard one of the crew telling someone that their wingspan can get up to thirty feet." Jay laughed. "You could very well see me walk on water if I encounter one of those."
"From what I remember, manta rays are very docile. And unless we're diving, I doubt we'll see an eagle ray." Drew dipped her mask in the water, then shook it out. "Do you dive?"
"I would need a refresher course. I took lessons several years ago. One of the guys I worked with at Wilkes and Bonner loved scuba diving. He talked me into lessons, but we only went out to the lakes around Austin." Jay slipped her mask on her head. "Did you dive when you were here before?"
"Yeah." Drew grinned. "I had a personal teacher. She taught me to surf, snorkel and dive. Among other things."
Jay watched her disappear under the water, her tiny red bikini easy to follow in the crystal clear waters. She adjusted her mask and snorkel and followed, getting lost in the underwater paradise.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Drew asked as she strapped on her scuba gear.
"Of course. I'll hang out on the boat. I'll be fine."
And actually, she was too stuffed to attempt more water activities after they'd been served a barbequed lunch on board. They had another hour before the boat would take them to Turtle Town, an area with a colony of sea turtles. For that, she might get back into the water. The crew had told them the turtles were used to humans and swimming among them should not be missed.
Drew and three others crawled into the small inflatable raft that had been towed behind the boat. One of the crew sped them away, bouncing over the waves as they headed to the back side of the crater to do some diving. Jay watched them for a moment, then headed down. She thought she'd at least take advantage of the glass bottom. There were only four others mingling, walking along the railing and pointing out the colorful fish.
She took a seat, leaning back and stretching her legs out. She closed her eyes, wondering how long she was going to go on pretending this vacation was perfectly normal. Not that she'd rather be spending time with Katherine instead of Drew. That wasn't the case. But the whole situation was surreal. She and Katherine not speaking, Jenna and Drew barely seeing each other, their strained conversation at dinner. She wondered if perhaps
Katherine was doing it intentionally, hoping Jay would be the one to bring it up, the one to question their relationship, the one to end things. Is that what she wanted? For Jay to be the bad guy?
No. That wasn't Katherine's style. She was always the aggressor. If she wanted to end things, she'd just do it, regardless of how it affected Jay. Which brought up the question, why was she sneaking off with Jenna? After their conversation at dinner last night, after Katherine and Jenna went off to enjoy the nightlife—alone—and after Katherine had slipped into their bed in the wee hours of the morning, doing her best to avoid even touching Jay, why would she go to the trouble of hiding this?
Does she think I'm totally clueless?
Or most likely Katherine... like Jay... just didn't want to have this great big dramatic scene here in paradise, didn't want to spoil everyone's vacation.
Didn't want all this for a backdrop when ending their relationship.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
They sat on the sand, legs outstretched, watching the approaching sunset in silence. It had been a full day, a good day. There was no mention of Katherine or Jenna, no mention of where they were or what they were doing, and no mention of the affair.
Which was fine with Drew.
Because the day had been too perfect. From the sunrise, the snorkeling and playing, the lunch they'd shared in a quiet corner of the boat, the swim with sea turtles—which Jay absolutely loved—and now, a few quiet moments alone as they sat side by side, waiting for the day to end.
"Good day?" she finally asked, watching as Jay continued to stare out over the water..
Jay turned, gently bumping Drew's shoulder with her own. "Yeah, great day. You?"
"I loved it. I'm tired, but I loved it."
"So when are you going to tell me about this personal teacher you had?"
Drew grinned. "She was something else. Rhea. My trip here was a gift from my grandfather when I finished college. I'd always loved the water, but my exposure to all this," she said, waving her hand to the ocean, "was a handful of trips to Galveston Island. And it couldn't even begin to compare. When I stood on North Shore and watched the giant waves come in, I was terrified. But then I saw her. Long raven hair, her body bronzed, head to toe." She laughed. "I found out later that it was indeed head to toe."