Page 72 of Taking the Heat

I shrugged. ‘Nah. I’d rather stay here with my friend and talk about her dreams.’

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Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 17

The beauty team came knocking on my door at 4:45am, and as my best friend Serena says, ‘Anything that happens before five is still yesterday.’

‘Whose idea was this, anyway?’ I grizzled, as Mama Ruby dumped me in the chair.

‘Child, Mama just follows the run sheet. You got a date coming in an hour.’

Knowing that the guys get to choose date details, I narrowed my eyes. ‘Whoever he is, he’s a dead man.’

With tendrils of my hair pinned softly to the top of my head and the rest curling around my shoulders, I checked out my vibrant green bikini in the mirror. The tiny scraps of fabric skimmed over my cheeks and breasts, and the gold-flecked sarong around my waist shimmered softly. My eyes were highlighted in emerald and looked much larger than normal—although I was more impressed the makeup people had managed to hide my tired bags.

Pale gold sandals waited for me by the door. Slipping them on, I leaned on the frame, and it vibrated under my arm from series of knocks.

I pushed the door open, ready to tear strips off the guy brazen enough to drag me out before dawn.

‘Hey, babe.’ Chris stood there looking like a vision of manliness, in green and gold boardies and a cream sleeveless shirt.

‘Oh my god!’ I squealed. ‘It’s you! Wait—are you here for a date or are you just visiting again?’

‘It’s you and me today,’ he smiled wolfishly. ‘Well, you me and these guys.’ He indicated the small crew behind him and Greg waved goofily.

‘Bring it on!’

I jumped into the waiting buggy with him and the crew, shivering slightly in the pre-dawn air. Chris produced a blanket and draped it over my shoulders as we sped away into the jungle. ‘I hope you don’t mind the early start; I have a full day planned.’

‘You’re the only one who could get away with it,’ I laughed, happy to be by his side.

The world had begun to lighten around us as we whipped along the paths, traveling high up into the hills. As the buggy struggled to navigate up the steep inclines, I began to worry it might just buzz itself to death.

Just before it gave out, the ground levelled flat and the sound of rushing water greeted us.

‘Waterfalls?’ I questioned.

‘Come and see,’ Chris answered.

We left the buggy, pushing giant leaves aside as we followed a narrow trail through the trees. The roaring grew closer, the smell of wet earth and something tangy wafting in the breeze.

We emerged on the banks of a gently flowing river, separated into levels by small waterfalls. Rising from the surface of the water were curling tentacles of steam.

‘Hot springs,’ said Chris, close to my ear. ‘The temperature is just like a bath.’

I shivered, and said, ‘What are we waiting for?’

Stripping off my sarong and sandals, I shamelessly watched Chris tug his shirt over his head, perving at his gorgeous rippling abs. He stepped down onto the rocky river bed, then turned to make sure I got in safely.

Lowering my legs down, I moaned as the crystal clear and piping hot water flowed around my feet. It was almost scalding, in the best possible way. As I stepped out deeper, following Chris, the level rose to cover my backside and stomach, cleansing me and washing my worries away.

‘Over here,’ Chris called, wading to the closest waterfall. Leaning back, he let the rushing flow cascade over him, dripping down his defined chest as he raised his arms.

I could have stared at him all day, but I wanted to try as well. Scooting in beside him, I tilted my head and felt the pounding liquid pummel my skin. Every cell stimulated and burning, I gasped, tuning to Chris in wonder. He stared back at me, his aqua eyes the exact colour of the pale morning sky.

The sun broke through the tree, bathing us both in golden light, the water droplets shining and turning us into sparkling statues. Chris led us into deeper water and we dove under the surface of the mineral spring, playing like happy seal cubs in the warm, bright liquid.

We swam and played until the sun was high in the sky. A whistle from the bank caught our attention, as a crew member waved to us. We paddled over, finding an entrance to a quiet side pool, away from the rushing waterfalls. There, the water was shallow, just deep enough to sit comfortably, and breakfast had been placed within easy reach on the edge.

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