She heard the water splash behind her, heard Drew pull herself out. She turned slowly, watching as Drew pulled her hair together, shaking out the water before slicking it back off her face. Her body was exquisite. Her face flawless. And those eyes... God, she could fall in and drown there.
And it was those eyes that held her now, warming her much more than the sun could. She didn't move as Drew came closer. She wasn't even aware if she was breathing or not. She couldn't move away, she couldn't even think.
And she couldn't stop herself as she took a tiny step toward Drew, her hands reaching for Drew the same instant Drew reached for her. Their mouths met in a wild and hungry kiss. Their first kiss. Jay heard the moans coming from her throat, but she couldn't stop them. Her mouth opened, letting Drew inside, her own tongue sliding wetly across Drew's.
God, they were out in public but she didn't care, didn't protest when Drew grabbed her hips and pulled their lower bodies together. All she could do was strain to get closer, her hands moving at will across Drew's hot body, her legs opening, gasping as Drew's strong thigh pressed against her.
The jolt that pierced her core brought her to her senses. Here they were, practically groping each other, their mouths still fused together, their moans mingling as they were within seconds of becoming very intimate in a very public place. And a part of her didn't care in the least. How could she? Not when Drew's hands were slipping up her waist, not when her nipples were so hard she didn't know if she could stand it when Drew finally touched them. And not when she felt like she was seconds away from an orgasm as Drew's thigh moved against her. But when Drew's hand closed around her breast, her fingers rubbing across her nipple, when she heard Drew's moan, she knew she had to stop.
She tore her mouth from Drew's, turned without looking and flung herself back into the cold spring water, surprised that it didn't boil as her heated body entered.
Oh, God, but did that feel good or what?
How long could they wait?
Not any longer.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jay floated lazily in the pool, her eyes closed against the bright sun, one hand moving through the water to put her in motion again. She tried to keep her mind clear, tried not to think... but damn, that kiss.
And really, could it be called just a kiss? Had their hands not roamed each other's body? Had their breasts not been pressed together? And God, had Drew's thigh not been between her legs, separated only by a very thin—and wet—piece of cloth?
And had she not wanted to rip that piece of cloth away?
She rolled off the float and into the water, submerging in the somewhat cool water. Cool, but not nearly cold enough to douse the flames.
They'd done so well, keeping everything light between them, keeping everything in perspective. But really, did they think they could see each other every day, all day, and continue? And did she really think she could wait until things were resolved with Katherine before exploring any type of relationship with Drew?
She swam to the end of the pool, climbing the concrete steps and moving to a lounge chair in the shade. She saw Eleu approaching and was thankful. She'd rather have idle conversation with the innkeeper than be alone with her own thoughts.
"You are enjoying the pool instead of the beach today?"
Jay smiled and motioned to the chair next to her. "Yes, just relaxing after our bike ride. Why don't you join me?"
Eleu sat down, looking around the pool. "Where is your friend Drew?"
"She had a message from her work, so she needed to call in."
"It's strange not seeing you two together." Eleu leaned back in her chair. "It's none of my business, of course, but I'm slightly confused by your lodging arrangements."
Jay laughed. "That makes two of us."
"I thought you and Katherine were together."
How did she answer that? "Technically, yes. We've been together a number of years. Eight, actually." She rubbed her damp hair with her towel, then brushed it back. "But it's over. We just haven't officially ended it."
"Because of Jenna?"
"No, Jenna's not the cause. We just weren't meant to be. There are a lot of reasons. Their affair is just a sign of the end, that's all."
Eleu nodded. "My mother always told me to watch people. You learn more from their actions than their words. Katherine and Jenna, their affair is physical only. It goes no deeper than that." She smiled at Jay. "You and Drew, your affair is spiritual and very deep, although I suspect not yet physical."
Jay felt a blush creep across her face. "So if I told you Drew and I are just friends, you wouldn't believe me?"
"No, I would. Friendship is a necessity. Physical love will only take you so far. True, long-lasting love is not between two people, it's between two souls."
Jay stared at Eleu, absorbing her words. "I think you may be right."
Eleu smiled and pointed to the giant cedar tree that towered next to the pool area. "Has anyone told you the legend of Okalani and her tree?"
"No."
Eleu nodded. "It started with a forbidden love. But as we know, we can't help who we fall in love with. Neither could Okalani. She was the daughter of the ruling king, you see. Her impending marriage was all arranged. She had no choice. But she had fallen in love, in love with the son of a common laborer. When the king found out, he forbid the laborer and his son to come near the palace. So, the son took to the seas, vowing to bring back the greatest treasure to his love. A year passed before he returned, and the princess had married. But the son, now a pirate, brought back riches of gold... and a lone sapling. The cedar tree. He presented it to his love. He said as long as the tree lives, so would their love. He said after a rain, I'll send you a sign so you'll know I am with you. And Okalani planted it here, in secret, so her father wouldn't find it. And it grew and grew. And after each rain, the rainbow would appear, circling the tree, reminding Okalani of their love. And each year, the pirate returned, asking for Okalani to join him, to leave the island, and each year she declined, bound by her duties here. Their affair lasted for years, long after Okalani had married, long after the pirate had grown gray. She bore three sons. Legend has it that all three were sons of the pirate.
"Then one year, the pirate didn't return. Okalani waited and waited. Finally, she sent her own ships out to find him, to look to the land of the cedars. Wherever he brought the cedar tree from, that's where she thought he would be. They came back time and again with other saplings, but no pirate. That's where the forest of cedars came from, from Okalani's search for her pirate. She never found him, and he never returned, yet the rainbows continued to show themselves after each rain.
"And still to this day, after a rain... the rainbows come."
Jay pulled her gaze from Eleu to look at the giant cedar—the rainbow cedar. "What a lovely story."
Eleu smiled. "Legend, not story. Everyone on the island learns the legend of Okalani and her tree."
"And does everyone believe it?"
Eleu laughed. "Where do you think all the trees came from?"
Jay stared at the tree. "Where's the palace?"
"Oh, the palace didn't survive. A hurricane wiped it out long, long ago. But the tree has survived many hurricanes. Some think the tree will never die."
"What do you think?"
"I think the tree brings love. As long as there is love, the tree will not die."
Jay looked past Eleu, watching as Drew walked over, her suit thankfully covered with shorts and a T-shirt. Eleu followed her gaze, her smile widening.