Page 69 of Unexpected Adventures

Hearing that endearment only Denise uses instantly warms me and makes me feel at ease.I can actually let loose and enjoy myself.

“Wonderful!”

He laughs. “See. What’d I tell ya?”

“And I didn’t even scream like a baby.” I laugh along with him, never having felt more free.

After a few more moments, Drake motions off to our left and I see Shaun and Rachel not far from us, grinning like crazy. I wave to them like crazy in return. We’re sure to keep a safe distance, not wanting some crazy wind to catch us off guard and tangle us together.

I don’t know how long we stay up as I’m too caught up in the wonder of it all. I watch gulls fly below us, and I even catch a glimpse of some pelicans diving for fish. Way off in the distance, I can make out surfers and beach-goers.

If Denise and Sylvia could see me now!

The feeling of euphoria is almost comparable to great sex. Almost. I’d say it’s a close second as I free my mind of worries and succumb to the enjoyment of it all.

All too soon I realize our flight time is up when I hear Drake ask, “Ready for touch down?”

“No, but yes,” I respond, earning me a laugh.

“Get ready to start pedaling again,” he says. “I’m going to bring us in as softly as I can.”

“Okay.”

We approach the bluffs again, close to where we parked. Drake angles us toward a flat stretch of ground. As he hovers close, I get my legs pumping, ready to hit the surface. One of the others is running along with us, I assume ready to snag our chute as we make a perfect landing.My adrenaline is peaked.

“That was so wonderful! Thank you, Drake!”

Once we stop, Drake starts unfastening his gear before working on mine. “You’re so welcome. And welcome to the club, Abby.”

“The club?”

“The adrenaline club… One look at your face and I can tell that you’re hooked.”

I smile broadly. “And you’d be so right! I think my heart is going to beat out of my chest, and I can’t wait to do it again!”

“Only next time, my man Shaun will do the honors.”

“Yes,” I respond, a bit breathy.

As I help in any way I can, I notice Shaun and Rachel making their descent. Once down, they go through the same routine of getting out of their gear. I run over to Shaun and launch myself into his arms.

He catches me, laughing. “I take it you enjoyed that.”

“I most certainly did! And I can’t wait to do it again,” I repeat.

He kisses me deeply. “I’m so glad, Abby. I can’t wait to take you up and enjoy it with you.”

“By the way you’re beaming, I’d say you liked it,” Rachel says as she and Drake approach.

“It was wonderful,” I answer, lowering myself out of Shaun’s arms.

“So,” Shaun says. “How ‘bout lunch?”

“We’d love to,” Rachel answers. “Drake and I will take care of returning the gear and we’ll meet you at Players Sports Grill, at the end of Pier 39. It’s early enough in the day so we should be able to get in, then hang out around the piers.”

“That sounds great!” I exclaim.

“We’ll see ya there,” Rachel says.

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