Ava Du Mortain's Summer Scenario - Treading Water

Water plunges in torrents down to the chasm below, thundering with such force that it makes the slick rocks beneath my bare feet shudder.

I grit my teeth as I swallow hard, edging carefully closer and peering down to where the water disappears in a sheer curtain downwards. “That’s, uh…that’s a really long way down.”

Ava stands to one side, the cascade of clear water crashing against her strong calves as though they are unyielding boulders. The hem of her swimming shorts aren’t even wet, as though the water was too afraid to splash her.

I, of course, am soaked in my swim gear already just from wading through the river towards the waterfall. The water apparently didn’t think much of me.

She folds her arms as she arches a brow at me. “This was your idea, Agent.”

“Yeah, well, now it doesn’t seem like such a good idea to throw myself off the edge of a cliff with the possibility of a watery death at the bottom of it,” I state without taking a breath, backing up and almost tripping in my haste.

Ava’s hand shoots out to help steady me, spreading across the bare space between my shoulder blades. The touch seems to have a direct line to my heart, which responds by exploding into an erratic beat.

She removes her hand in a slow sweep across my skin. “Our next mission involves a possible escape by waterfall. Your idea of gaining some experience in such a thing before the mission is a good one.”

I glance at the edge once again and wince. “Is it really, though?”

With a roll of her eyes, she steps closer towards me and reaches a hand out.

I stare down at the outstretched hand, up her arm, across her broad shoulder, and finally to her glittering green eyes. They truly sparkle like crystalline emeralds in the warm sunlight.

But I’m also suddenly very aware of the fact she has no shirt on and only a bikini top.

With my mouth suddenly dry, I try not to drag my eyes over the solid strength of her bare torso…It’s a real struggle. Especially with how low her swim shorts hang on her hips.

Eventually, I drag my mind out of the flurry of heated thoughts that intrude my imagination and reach out to slip my hand into hers.

She walks towards the edge, leading me along beside her, and as my wariness piques, her fingers grasp mine firmer. “It is alright.”

My body relaxes at the mere sound of her voice.

We shift towards the middle of the waterfall’s edge, and I have to brace myself against the stream of water which bashes against my legs. But Ava takes my other hand and turns me to face her fully, helping to keep me from being dragged over by the current.

“In these situations, you must think of something other than the possible outcomes,” she explains.

“Like being mangled on the rocks at the bottom of this waterfall, you mean?” I suggest.

The slightest flicker of amusement quirks her lips up. “Exactly.”

“And how do I do that?”

“Forget the waterfall.” She steps in towards me, her presence like a tidal wave all of its own. “Think only of me. Listen to my voice. Concentrate on my breath. Feel my heartbeat.” She tugs my hand up and presses it against her collarbone, her hand remaining over mine.

Her skin is sun-warmed and soft against my hand. I spread my fingers out on instinct, as though wanting to feel as much of her as I can whenever I get the rare chance.

Her heartbeat flutters in soft kisses against my palm. The rhythm is familiar—a melody that matches my own pulse.

“Are you focused on me?” she asks. The question is breathless, barely a whisper of words over her lips.

I steady my gaze on hers. How can I not be focused on her?

She’s all I can think of. All I can feel. Always.

I manage a nod.

“Then jump.”

And I do.

Grasping her hand with all my strength, we spring off the rocky edge and fall.

And fall.

And fall.

The water engulfs me, sucking me under and squeezing my lungs, my limbs crushed by the sudden weight of it.

But a tug drags me out of the cage of pressure. My body sweeps through the raging depths until it calms.

Ava gazes at me, floating before me like a ghost of a dream I can never quite catch.

Her free hand strokes down my cheek and all the remaining air in my body expels into a stream of bubbles.

Then we swim up to the glimmer of sunshine that ripples on the surface.

Breaking free, I suck in a breath and then instantly let out a laugh.

“I did it!” I yell. “We did it!” Without thinking, I grasp her in an embrace, but her body shakes in a laugh as well.

When I pull away, our faces are so close that our noses touch. Water cascades in lines from her hairline down the sharp contours of her face before falling over the soft temptation of her lips. They part beneath my sudden attention.

“Just one more kiss…?” I murmur, my mouth almost against hers already.

Her hands grasp my waist, promising to drag my body up against hers. “I cannot,” she replies, even as her fingers trace the sides of my body with urgency. Her wet lashes frame the sudden softness in her eyes. “It will undo me.”

“Then let it.”

Dimples appear in her cheeks as she smiles. “You are too much temptation for me, Agent.”

I let out a long sigh and rest my forehead against hers, running my hands into the loose, soaked strands of her hair. “I’m sorry. I know you can’t—”

“But I wish I could,” she admits before pushing herself away.

We tread water as we stare at each other, neither willing to move away but not daring to get closer either.

How could I have been afraid to jump when I have already fallen into the deepest depths of all?