Page 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

T he plane creaked as the sun’s rays dried up the morning dew and Abi woke to the sound of Mackenzie’s rhythmic breathing. She rolled onto her side to face him. He hadn’t shaved for days and the scar on his chin was now barely visible through his dark beard. His ritual was to shave once a week and she was always pleasantly surprised in his changed appearance each time he strolled up from the lagoon cleanly shaven.

Careful not to wake him, she crawled out of her bed and stepped out of the cabin.

The morning sun gilded the dew on the leaves high in the trees and small birds skipped across branches in the canopy as she walked barefoot along the marked track. She’d grown to love her morning swim and surprised herself by running toward the tumbling water, giggling as she ran, savouring her freedom.

Her timing was perfect to see the sun crest as a golden glow above the distant trees just as she arrived at the ridge. Digging her toes into the damp leaves, she raced down the cliff and was panting when she reached the bottom.

She skipped onto the rock pontoon and sat cross-legged on the rock wall that formed the waterfall. A beautiful dance of orange, yellow and white hues shimmered in the stream below her as the sun flashed its morning brilliance.

The heat of the sun penetrated her skin and, closing her eyes, she breathed in the crisp air. For the longest time she listened to the therapeutic sound of water tumbling into the valley below.

She bent over the cool water to scoop a handful to splash her face, but its silvery surface caught her reflection, and she recoiled in shock. It had been at least four months since her last hair appointment and the damage was showing. Her chic hair style had grown out. Her fringe fell below her eyes and a dark line split the part in her hair like a racing stripe.

But she was pleasantly surprised to see how thin her face had become. Something else was different too. It took her a while to work out what it was—an absence of makeup. Up until a couple of weeks ago she wouldn’t have been caught without it regardless of what activities were planned for the day.

Even in the middle of Kakadu, the first thing she’d done every morning was apply her makeup. Initially, when it ran out, she’d consciously avoided getting too close to Mackenzie.

But now it didn’t bother her one bit. She smiled. It was unexpected freedom that she would never have found if it wasn’t for the crash.

Spencer would have disowned her.

Her weight loss had been dramatic too and she now fitted into the diminutive travel reporter’s more practical clothing. She took off her shirt and ran her hands beneath her breasts, feeling her ribs. The roll of fat that usually sat there was gone.

Before the trip, she’d hated what she saw in the mirror. Her eyes were too close together, her lips insipid pink and her freckles just dark blemishes on her milky pale skin. But now there was a natural glow to her skin and her cheeks and lips were a delicate rose colour.

Staring at her reflection again, she thought she didn’t look so bad.

“Hello, Abi.”

The sound of Mackenzie humming made her jump. Without any rational thought, she snatched up her shirt and tugged it on as she raced to the other side of the stream and hid behind a large tree. She peered around in time to see him arrive at the bottom of the path and when he looked around, she assumed he was looking for her.

I should play a trick on him .

“Abi?” he called .

Her heart thundered as she remained hidden. Mackenzie walked to the rock platform and removed a backpack from his shoulder. He wore nothing but a small pair of blue shorts. His body was lithe and athletic with sculpted muscular arms and broad square shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist. He was hot, and she was heating up just watching him.

Abi was like a schoolgirl spying into the boy’s locker room. She gasped when he stepped out of his shorts and stood naked with his back to her. With his arms above his head, he stretched from side to side and his bottom cheeks bulged and relaxed with each movement.

She couldn’t take her eyes off his white buttocks.

He bent over and she quickly looked away, covering her mouth to resist giggling. She looked back just in time to watch him do a beautiful swan dive off the rocks into the lagoon below.

Taking the opportunity, she quickly moved to another tree so she could see the entire lagoon from the base of the waterfall to the boulders that formed the far edge.

Mackenzie stretched out and backstroked toward the waterfall. He settled under the tumbling water, letting it bounce off his head and shoulders. Diving back in, he swam a few laps across the pool then glided underwater to the large boulder at the opposite end.

He climbed out in one swift athletic movement, and she held her breath as he lay back on the boulder. The golden sun glistened off his body and the purity of the scene was magical; she felt exhilarated and alive.

After several minutes, Mackenzie got to his feet and faced her, allowing her a full view of him naked.

An exquisite sensation that she’d never felt before stirred within her.

Mackenzie’s confidence with his body excited her and with a pounding heart she released the breath she’d been holding and tried to remember the last time she’d seen Spencer naked but couldn’t.

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 the waterfall, 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 she hoped 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.

Abi forgot about her bare breasts and felt free, exhilarated. When she reached the surface, Mackenzie was nowhere to be seen.

Where did he go?

Without warning, he dove through the waterfall over the top of her.

When he popped up, she barraged him with scoops of water and to her surprise, he picked her up and tossed her away. Laughing as she submerged, she swallowed cool mouthfuls. They splashed in the water until Abi was panting with exhaustion and lay back floating on top. “Okay, you win.” She was no longer concerned about her exposed breasts and loved it.

“Come on. I’ll show you the cave. Follow me.”

She kept close behind him as he passed through the waterfall. The water beat down on her until she was through the other side, breathless. They were now standing on a large boulder at the edge of a cave. Mackenzie climbed up into the cave and she couldn’t take her eyes off his bottom.

She looked away just in time though when he turned to offer her his hand. He lifted her with ease, as if she were as light as a child.

She marvelled at the cave’s existence and spun in a slow circle with her arms wide. “This is amazing.” She had to yell over the thundering water. “I bet we’re the only people in the world who know this exists.”

“I reckon. And watch this.” He took a couple of steps back, ran a few paces and dived through the waterfall.

“Come on, your turn,” he called to her from the other side.

She didn’t hesitate and copied his move. For a brief moment, pounding water slapped her back and legs before she plunged into the lagoon. When she surfaced, she was laughing.

“Fun, hey?”

“Wonderful!” She couldn’t stop smiling.

“Are you hungry?” Mackenzie swept his wet hair from his forehead.

“Famished.”

Abi swam to the rocks, climbed the wire ladder and at the top she dried off with her shirt before putting it on. During the walk back to the campsite images of Mackenzie standing above her completely naked came back to her mind again and again.

Heat rose up her neck, no doubt blushing her cheeks red. She thought of Spencer and an overwhelming sense of guilt took her. Not because of Mackenzie, but because of her sudden comprehension that she’d been contemptible throughout their entire marriage.

Spencer devoured every adventure and only now could she see the attraction. For years they could have enjoyed incredible mind-opening experiences together.

Her mind wandered to their third anniversary. Spencer had surprised her with a helicopter ride to a deserted island.

Three things were wrong with that. First, she hated surprises—it took the control out of her hands. Second, she was scared of flying, and he knew it. And third, a deserted island, for goodness sake! She didn’t do deserted islands.

And finally, to top all that, once they got there, he wanted to make love to her, right there on the beach. But there was no way she was taking her clothes off in the middle of nowhere. But now look at her, today she’d practically skinny dipped with another man. And she’d loved it. Her third anniversary could’ve been a truly magical day, but she’d completely ruined it with her prudish attitude.

Abigail was on the verge of tears. All these years she’d blamed Spencer for their dreadful relationship. Nothing he did was enough. She’d pushed him away when he wanted affection. Their occasional sex wasn’t enough and the way she’d treated him, it was no wonder he pursued other women. The demise of their marriage was just as much her fault as Spencer’s.

With each passing day she spent in Kakadu, her dignity, which she’d once held so high, crumbled away.