Page 26 of Always Another Sunset

In the blink of an eye, Roxie bounded inside, turning quickly toward JC to receive her reward. “Good, girl,” Bella said from the front seat while JC ran a hand over Roxie’s head.

“Yes, she is,” JC added, including a quick scratch behind the dog’s ear. Then, Roxie settled onto the blanket without being asked. “Roxie, you are amazing.”

“She really is,” Bella added as JC secured Roxie’s leash to ensure the dog didn’t jump out. Although it seemed unlikely considering how she acted, JC didn’t want to risk her seeing something on the side of the road that made her excited. The idea of Roxie jumping out of a car and getting lost again crossed JC’s mind a few times. It was possibly the way she escaped before.

Finally ready, JC took the driver’s seat. “I thought we would go counterclockwise around the island,” she said, pulling a simple island map from the glovebox. “We will bypass the more touristy beaches for now by taking the H3 through the Koolau mountains.” She traced a line on the map. “That is a beautiful drive and drops us near Kailua.”

Bella’s smile beamed. “I am open to going and doing whatever your heart desires,” she said, making JC feel a little heat flare in her body. Their brief but passionate detour through the bedroom seemed like not enough. Even in the moment, only the promise of much more got JC and Bella out of bed to start their adventure. Although exploring the island would be fun, she felt her pulse jump at the idea of exploring Bella’s body again later.

Catching Bella’s eye and holding the gaze for a beat, JC ensured her look conveyed her thoughts. “Then let’s get started,” she said, her voice pitched low.

This time it was Bella’s turn to blush, and she squirmed a little in her seat. “JC, I warned you… if you talk to me in that voice again, we aren’t going to be leaving anytime soon.”

Considering her options for one more second, JC finally let her sultry look turn to a playful smile. “Roxie might be a little disappointed if we bail now,” she said, glancing at the dog’s happy face in the back seat. “I think she’s used to road trips, and I promise this will be a good one.”

26

While the warm summer wind whipped through Bella’s long, dark hair as they drove north along the Oahu’s coast, she held her sunhat on her head and couldn’t keep the huge smile off her face. As alternative rock played through the jeep’s speakers and the salty smell of the ocean filled the air around her, Bella couldn’t believe the turn her life had taken. Not much more than two weeks before she was horribly depressed, lonely, and unsure of what to do with herself in her little condo studio in Waikiki. She had been desperate to try to find words to fill the pages of a novel she realized that at the time she didn’t want to write. Her entire future looked bleak. Then, in what seemed the blink of an eye, she found herself riding in the passenger seat across from a fantastic woman who was gorgeous and sexy while sweet and considerate too.

I don’t know what I did to deserve this,she thought.But I promise to be grateful every day if it can keep going.That would be the trick as she had yet to find a way to explain to JC her commitment to leave the island for the writer’s conference. Even though she couldn’t quite see a clear path forward for them from there, she wanted to do everything possible to reassure JC they would work the details out.But I won’t bring it up yet. There’s plenty of time today, and this is too perfect.

As if reading her thoughts as to the day’s perfection, JC reached to take her hand. “Thank you for being open to exploring today,” she said, making Bella shake her head.

“Are you kidding?” she said. “I can’t imagine a more perfect way to spend the afternoon than here with you.” Glancing into the backseat to see the sleeping dog, she smiled. “And Roxie too.”

Lifting their hands, JC kissed the back of Bella’s. “I agree,” she said. “And just ahead is a nice little beach. It’s public but small so usually pretty quiet, and I think you will like it.”

Although not a fan of the ocean, nor did she think she ever would be, the idea of laying on a blanket on the warm sand beside her sexy lover sounded very welcoming. “Let’s stop then,” she said. “We’re not in a rush, right?”

“Not at all,” JC said, putting on her blinker as Bella saw the small, brown sign along the side of the road. It had an arrow pointing toward the ocean with a promise of parking and restrooms. In a few minutes they parked under the shade of a tall Eucalyptus tree and unloaded the jeep. After being a perfect passenger the entire ride, when it was time and JC motioned for her to go ahead, Roxie hopped out of the vehicle with what appeared practiced ease.

“You’re such a good, sweet girl, Roxie,” Bella said while JC attached the lead to the dog’s jacket and handed the end to her.

JC grinned while walking to the back of the jeep and opening the tailgate to gather the things they would need. “I can’t wait to see how she reacts to the water,” she said. “I have the strangest suspicion she will love it.”

After learning of Roxie’s many other talents, Bella was curious too and led the way along the short gravel path to the sand where she was even more impressed with the beach than she imagined. Only one other couple plus a small family shared the space with them, and they were all far enough away that everyone had plenty of room. The turquoise color Bella had become so accustomed to in the waters around the island seemed exceptionally bright. “Oh, JC,” she said, stopping at what appeared to be a perfect spot. “How can it always be so beautiful here?”

Letting the bag of towels and blanket slip from her shoulder, JC nodded. “This is a magical place,” she said. “I’m glad you see it too.”

Watching the woman she was so attracted to roll out the blanket, Bella thought there was more than only water and sunlight that was magical in Oahu. JC was one of a kind, and for Bella, it seemed impossible that she could ever leave her behind, even if temporarily. Life was unpredictable, and Bella was wise enough to know that sometimes things could be too good to be true. She prayed JC wasn’t one of them.

As she letthe warm water splash over her feet, JC smiled. The ocean was precisely like she hoped it would be—calm and with small waves. Of course, the size of the waves would make any boogie-boarding she might want to do nearly impossible, but she didn’t mind. Bella, and possibly Roxie, would fare better in the gentler water. “Is it warm?” Bella called from where she sat on the blanket farther from the water. Roxie sat beside her, watching JC’s every move with rapt attention. Loving the sight, JC went to rejoin them.

“Like bathwater here this time of year,” she said with a smile, and Bella returned it but shook her head.

“Not my bath, I assure you,” she said. “That would make it a hot tub, and no one would want to swim in it.”

Sitting on the edge of the blanket, JC ran a hand over Roxie’s head. “Fair enough. But still very pleasant. I’m going to go for a quick swim. Are you okay staying here with her?”

“Of course,” Bella replied, pulling her floppy sunhat from the bag. “I brought my Kindle and have the latest novel by Jae all loaded and ready to read. Part of her shapeshifter series, and I can’t wait.”

As Bella put on her hat, JC leaned closer. “I won’t be gone very long,” she said as Bella responded to her movement and met her halfway. Their lips met, lingering for a moment, and JC couldn’t help but feel both a thrill of excitement as well as a warmth from the tenderness. “Be right back.”

“We’ll be here,” Bella said, breathiness to her voice that let JC know the kiss affected her too. JC stood, stripping off her shirt to reveal a bikini top. She noticed Bella staring at her. “I will never get enough of watching you do that,” Bella said. “Never ever.”

JC grinned. “Then I’ll be sure to keep doing it in front of you,” she said a moment before she started jogging toward the shimmering blue water. Before she was even halfway, she heard Roxie barking. Alarmed, she turned to see Bella trying to hold back the excited dog. Seeing her tail wagging, JC relaxed. There wasn’t something bad upsetting her.She wants to run to the water with me,JC thought, surprisingly pleased to see the dog’s desire to play in the ocean. Looking up and down the beach, the family had left, and the other couple was a reasonable distance away. “Do you want to come with me, Roxie?”

“Are you sure, JC?” Bella asked. “She’s still learning her name.”

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