Page 72 of Lost In Kakadu

Mackenzie walked along the edge of the lagoon and climbed the ladder. At the top he dressed, filled the water bottles, placed them into the backpack, and then retraced his steps up the steep cliff, humming his favourite tune. She didn’t recognise the tune and made a mental note to ask him about the humming one day.

Abi waited until he disappeared through the bush, then grinning like a crazy woman, she came out from behind the tree. At the top of thewaterfall, she recalled Mackenzie’s naked body diving so elegantly into the lagoon below.

I can do that.

Her heart skipped a beat as she anticipated what she was about to do.

She stripped down to her underpants and before she could change her mind, she jumped. Squealing like a child on the way down, she closed her eyes and plunged into the lagoon. The crisp water took her breath away. She pushed up to the crystal surface, swam to the edge, climbed from the water and stretched out on the giant boulder just as Mackenzie had done. The warmth of the rock on her back was as pleasant as the sun on her breasts.

She closed her eyes and felt invisible as she absorbed the serenity of her surroundings.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Mackenzie’s voice startled her.

She sat up, folding her arms over her chest. “Are you spying on me?”

With his hands on his hips, he gazed at her from the other side of the lagoon. “As a matter of fact, I thought I’d be saving you. I heard you scream and thought you’d fallen in.”

“Oh.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Um, well, um …”

“Come on. Don’t be shy.” Mackenzie whipped off his shorts and before she could say anything he dived in, glided under the water and popped up before her. Her eyes bulged as he climbed up on the rock beside her and stretched out.

Abi made a conscious effort to avert her eyes. Blood rushed to her neck and cheeks, and she hoped he wouldn’t notice her blushing.

With her arm across her breasts, she lay back against the rock, but it was uncomfortable and the more she thought about it, unnecessary.

He’s not going to look. He’s gay. Isn’t he?

Her mind drifted to an earlier conversation they’d had. Always attracted to both women and men, he’d said.

Torn between covering her nakedness and leaving herself exposed to enjoy the freedom, she gradually allowed her arm to fall to her side. Her nipples tingled with excitement, she could hardly breathe, and shehoped Mackenzie didn’t speak to her, afraid her voice would belie her bravery.

They lay in silence for such a long time Abi wondered if he’d fallen asleep. Peeking at him with one eye, his chest rose and fell with each breath. His silver necklace laced through his dark chest hair, and she tried not to giggle at the small ring on the chain, now loosely circling his nipple.

But she snapped her eyes away when she caught sight of his pubic hair glistening in the sun.Wow.

Her body tingled with exotic sensations, and she chewed on her bottom lip trying to keep it all real.

She heard him moving and turned her head toward him. To her horror, he was now on his side, head propped up on his hand, looking right at her. Too afraid to speak she forced a smile, willing her eyes not to roam.

“Shall we go for a dip then?” His dazzling smile took his handsomeness to spectacular.

He stood above her, and she absorbed the full view of his naked body, his manhood exposed for the world to see. Her breath caught in her throat, and she was stunned beyond breathing, frozen in time. With flawless olive skin that moulded over perfectly sculptured muscles, his body would make any man jealous and any woman swoon.

Finally, he dove into the pool, and she could breathe again.

“Come on in, Abi. It’s fantastic,” he called from the other side of the lagoon.

Struggling to her feet, she was certain her wobbling knees would drop her into the valley below and quickly jumped into the fresh water.

He swam beside her. “Have you seen the cave?”

Frowning, she shook her head.

He playfully splashed a wall of water over her. “Come on … it’s neat.” Before she had a chance to shove her wet hair from her eyes, he grabbed her hand and dragged her forward. Holding hands, they dove under the water, then letting go, he swam ahead, and she viewed the rocky bottom through the green tinge.

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