Page 21 of Stick Games
I hand her my water bottle. “I think you’re okay. I got it in my mouth too. Take a drink and spit it out.” She does as I suggest and my heart thumps as I watch her. I can’t believe she was game for this. The women I’ve been with wouldn’t come within a hockey stick’s length of a four-wheeler, much less get themselves covered in mud. No, they’re always dressed in designer clothes with perfectly applied makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen Millie all dressed up and she’s spectacular, but this true, unadulterated version of her is so fucking adorable I could fucking sob with happiness…and love.
She gargles the water and a measure of guilt eats at me when she spits it out and looks for something to wipe her face with. I tear off my T-shirt, find a dry spot, and gently wipe her cheeks. “Close your eyes, babe.” Her eyes fall shut, and I lightly run the fabric over her lids and lashes. “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes spring open. “I don’t think you are at all,” she shoots back and splashes some of the bottled water at me. I laugh and jump back as she recaps the bottle, shaking her head, but she’s smiling and having a great time, and that’s all that matters. She looks down at her muddy T-shirt. “We’re a mess.”
I lean in and kiss her sweet soft lips. “I kind of like you messy.”
She laughs. “Oh, I know you do.” Her gaze moves to the path and she crinkles up her nose, showcasing a few new sun-kissed freckles. “Do you think we’re close to the cenote?”
“We’ve gone a couple of miles, so I don’t think we’re too far. We can wash up there.”
She hands the bottle back and I rinse my mouth as her face lights up. “I’m excited to see it.”
A noise behind her pulls my attention, and I lower my voice, to say, “You’ll be excited to see this too.”
She cocks her head playfully. “Are you forgetting I’ve seen it?” she jokes, glancing at my wet pants as she rolls her eyes. “It wasn’t all that impressive.”
I shake my head, loving her playfulness, and put my finger to my lips to shush her. She gives me an odd look, and I point to the tree behind her. She turns in her seat, and a small gasp catches in her throat. I lean into her, put my mouth near her ear.
“Impressed now?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Spider monkey. There are two of them.” She scans the trees and nods when she spots the second one. We both go quiet, not wanting to scare the wild monkeys as they swing from branch to branch. Somewhere in the distance, a loud bird chirps, and Millie slowly pulls her phone from her pocket to snap a couple of pictures. When the monkeys move on, she turns back and the warm, appreciative smile she gives me nearly stops my fucking heart.
“That was amazing.” Her voice is still quiet, when she adds, “I can cross that off my bucket list.”
“I didn’t realize you had a bucket list.” I gesture with a nod as beads of sweat gather on my forehead. “Come on, let’s keep going and see what else we cross off your list.”
She nods, and starts up her four-wheeler again. I hurry to mine, and this time I drive slowly and dodge the puddles. Although it’s not like we can get any wetter. We continue on the path for a little bit longer, and this time I pay more attention to the jungle, hoping to see more wildlife.
I glance over my shoulder to catch Millie taking pictures of birds, and as I continue, the thicket suddenly parts and the world opens up before us. I take in a breath as the lush greenery gives way to a breathtaking view of the ocean, waves crashing against the shore and shimmering under the golden sun.
Millie pulls up beside me, a look of wonderment on her face as she kills the ignition. “Gabe,” she whispers, a rush of exhilaration washing over her as she turns to me. As my gaze meets her, the world slows before us, and as we both breathe in the salty air, something deep, something real sparks between us as we share in the breathtaking scenery.
“The cenote,” I whisper, not wanting to break the beauty, and quietness of the moment. “Is that on your bucket list too?” She nods, and I point. “I think we’re going to find it in those rocks right there.”
Her lashes fall slowly as she says, “Let’s go explore, Gabe.”
We hop off our four-wheelers, grabbing the water shoes and life jackets that our tour provider gave us and follow the path that leads to nature’s sinkhole. I duck my head and peek through the opening in the cave, my heart racing with anticipation. The darkness inside contrasts sharply with the vibrant light outside. As my eyes adjust, I catch glimpses of the cenote’s beauty—stunning turquoise water surrounded by rugged limestone walls, dripping with lush greenery.
“You’re going to love this.” I glance back and take in the eagerness dancing in her eyes, and my heart pounds, so fucking happy I’m the guy who gets to share this moment with her.
I move to the side to grant her entrance, and when she steps through the portal, it’s like we’re transported to a different time and place. Her gasp echoes off the limestone walls draped in vines, their leaves sparking with droplets of moisture.
“Gabe…it’s…it’s breathtaking.”
I put my arms around her and pull her against me, holding her as beams of light stream in through the crevices above and illuminate the crystalline water below, creating a magical play of shadows and reflections on the rocky surfaces.
I put my mouth close to her ear, the cool air of the cave wrapping around us as we escape the world outside. “It’s magical.” As the beauty hugs around us, I whisper, “Ready to explore?” She nods and the smile that breaks across her face ignites a warmth inside me.
Together, we step into the cave, the soft sounds of dripping water puncturing the tranquil silence. As we venture further in, I search for purchase on the slick rocks. I move cautiously and as we enter what feels like a secret realm, I can’t help but feel that this journey is the beginning of something important between us.
“We can leave our stuff here.” I find a flat rock and we strip to our bathing suits and bundle up our belongings. “I can’t believe we have this whole place to ourselves.” After getting into our water shoes and lifejackets, I start walking down the rocks, and hold my hand out to Millie. She takes it and when I reach the water, I turn to take in the pure excitement on her face.
Wiping the moisture from her forehead, she dips her feet in the cool, inviting water and briefly closes her eyes. “It’s so spectacular and refreshing.”
“Yeah,” I say and she must hear something in my voice. She turns back to me and as I admire her, she goes up on her toes, and presses her lips to mine. I slide my arm around her body and pull her to me, deepening the kiss.
