Page 21 of Protecting Vidalia
Chapter 6
As Vidalia watchedin delight, the sun was slowly being eaten by a porous cloud and everywhere the beams shown between the holes and hit the lake, the light flitted off the flowers and lilies making it appear to dance. It only lasted about a minute, just long enough for the cloud to fully pass the sun. She filmed it all, down to the last dancing beam jumping off the water and into the woods on the other side.
“That was incredible,” she said slowly. “Why have I never heard of this place before now?”
“Because those who are lucky enough to get to see it, don’t want to spoil it,” Jake replied. “Tons of people coming up here all the time would ruin the whole place with their trashy disrespect. It’s also not very assessable to the average person,” he added. “It did have a write up once in one of those travel magazines. Mostly I think it’s just that most people go for the easier hikes.”
She stared curiously at him, feeling like this was important to him somehow. “Have you ever filmed it?”
He gazed into the horizon and slowly nodded. “I did get the most awesome video once by accident,” he confessed. His jaw tensed. “It was raining when I came up here that morning. As I sat here under the tree cover, cold and miserable I might add, the rain stopped and a rainbow end sat on the lake. I’ve never been to the end of the rainbow before,” he joked feebly, clearing his throat. “I can guarantee you there’s no pot of gold, or if there was, it was in the middle of the lake and I wasn’t going diving for it.”
Warmth and understanding raced through Vidalia and she knew instantly that memories of Hamal had driven him to this spot. His attempt at humor was masking the deep emotion he’d felt that morning, and was feeling even now. Impulsively, she covered his large fist with her hand. “The rainbow is the sign of a fresh beginning," she said gently. “A sign of hope for a better future.”
His large thumbed slipped out and rubbed the top of her hand. “Yeah...something like that,” he replied hoarsely.
“Have you ever seen it again?”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve tried many times, but it’s never come back again.” He put his arm around her and tucked her in close to his large frame and they sat there in comfortable silence together.
Vidalia lay her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. So much for keeping this man at bay, she thought. He was insidious and addicting. Not to mention full of surprises. Impulsively, she wanted to do something for him.
Before she had second thoughts, she slipped from beneath his arm, laid her camera aside and crawled across his lap. They were sitting in the middle of the bench so there was plenty of room to position herself in the line of fire.
“Show me,” she demanded softly, glancing back at him with a nervous grin. Would he reject her? If he did, she would feel like the biggest fool ever. She bit her lip as she felt the flush spreading to her cheeks while he stared down at her in surprise, and then a smile slowly slid across his devilish mouth.
“I’d love to, darlin’,” he replied, his eyes eating her up.
One large hand settled around her waist and tucked her in close to his body and the other began rubbing her buttocks. Her body tensed, waiting for that first swat and hoping it wouldn’t be too painful.
“Relax,” he purred. “This is all about pleasure. You’re giving me pleasure by asking for it and I’m giving you pleasure in return by giving it to you.”
“It won’t hurt at all?” She asked doubtfully.
“Pain can be pleasurable,” he murmured. His left hand was kneading the knots between her shoulder blades.
She stiffened, suddenly regretting what she was doing. What in the world was wrong with her? Who in their right mind wants pain? “M-maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
He immediately slapped the seat of her jeans causing her to yelp. “Ouch!”
“Don’t give up on me now,” he ordered. “The best is yet to come.”
