Jade Read Free Page B

could do something as silly as swim after her to push her head underwater, or something.
    But even if I was inclined to do so, which I’m not, I’m too tired to swim after her, so I just float on my back and watch the sky. It’s getting a little darker, and I wonder what it would be like to swim here at night under a full moon and the stars.
    From the opposite side of the pond, a male voice, much deeper than James’ voice says, “Nothing’s better than sex.” 
    James concurs, “You can say that again.” He dives in and swims in Agatha’s direction.
    Looking for the source of the voice, I see the silhouette of a man dive into the pool. I scan around at the water’s surface but see nothing. 
    On the other bank, James has caught up with Agatha and she’s giving him the welcome kiss that she’s kept on hold since the airport. 
    I look away, and keep scanning the pond. There’s not a bubble, nothing. Either the man has drowned, or I’m so tired I’ve imagined his presence. 
    I’m starting to think that I’ve had a hallucination when his head pops up in front of me.
    A very handsome head it is, that is, if you don’t care for hair, and I have an open mind on the subject. His skull has a very regular shape and his eyes are wide and perfectly symmetrical. I love symmetry. There’s not enough light for me to see if the eyes are brown or black but they’re witty. Very wide lips open on even teeth. Not perfect but close enough. The mouth speaks. Oh. My. God. He’s drop dead handsome.
    “So, you’re a virgin?”
    I’m so surprised that I open my mouth, water rushes in. I try to cough it out but I can’t. I choke; I’ve swallowed so much water that I can’t breath. I’m going to die, and the irony’s not lost on me: I’m dying a virgin! 
    The strange thing is that I’m not in a state of panic; I feel an amazing sense of relief. I’m ready to let go. I’m so not ready to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life that, for an instant, I’m fine with drowning. It’s cool, because if I drown, I won’t have to make a choice and then spend the rest of my life wondering if it was the right one.  
    Before I go under, I see that James and Agatha are still on the other bank. They’re so wrapped up in each other that they haven’t noticed a thing. My vision blurs as my heads goes under the water.
    Strong arms get a hold of me and press on my ribcage. My head is above water now, and water comes out of my lungs. I cough and gasp for air. My lungs fill, and I’m breathing again. I look at my savior’s face. I’m pretty sure, I just spat in his face! 
    The first time I think a man is interesting, and I manage to set a new record for the world’s worst first impression!
    As my heart beat returns to normal, I become aware of his hands gently resting on my hips, and of my breasts crushing against his hard body. He’s hard, I mean really hard. 
    He’s smirking, and I smile. Maybe I did not make such a bad impression, after all. 
    I push away without letting go. I doubt I’m able to swim or float on my own yet.  
    “Are you okay?” he asks.
    I nod. I’m unsure that I can speak. If I do, I’ll probably sound like a cartoon duck.
    “Hello Red, I’m Oliver. It’s nice to meet you.” The smirk is still plastered on his face.
    I breathe in once more, and say, “Jade, my name is Jade.” My voice is a bit raspy. My throat hurts when I speak.  
    Now he’s grinning like I just said something really funny.
    “Seriously?”  
    I nod again.
    “Now, Jade, are you feeling okay or do you want help to swim back to shore?”
    “Fine” I whisper. 
    He releases me, and I swim away. I climb out of the water, wrap myself in the sarong, and wipe my hair with the towel. I glance in the direction of James and Agatha. They’re swimming back towards me, and talking to each other in hushed tones.
    James gets out of the water and pulls Agatha out.
    “Where’s Oliver gone?” James asks looking at me.
    I