Page 30 of Pure Temptation

She shook her head. “No distracting. I’m doing it. I just needed a little fortification first.”

Daxon set aside his sunglasses and pulled off his shirt, then watched as she stripped down to her swimsuit and tugged on her booties. But watching her was getting him even more worked up, and they were in public. He stood up and offered Kendall a hand, and when she took it, he pulled her close, into his arms.

“I’m almost sure this won’t strain your calf. It’s almost healed.”

He nodded his head slowly. “It feels great. My calf will be fine.”

She slipped her hands onto his waist so naturally, as if they were meant to be together like this.

“I’ll be there for you, sweets,” he murmured into her ear. “You’re safe with me.”

She stilled in his arms, and for a moment, he wondered if he had said the wrong thing. But when he pulled back, she was smiling. “Let’s do it.”

They walked along the rocky cliff, over toward the platform where the boys had jumped. The three kids had climbed up the ladder and headed back to a spot farther along the warm black rocks, their cheering and needling still loud, adrenaline-filled.

Kendall walked to the edge of the platform and hung on to the railing as she peeked over the edge. “Holy shit. That’s a long way down.”

“You sure you want to do this?”

She nodded decisively. “Just working myself up to it.”

He smoothed a hand over her cheek and kissed her. “Okay. I’ll go first and wait for you at the bottom. Just remember to keep your arms close to your sides and go in straight so you don’t smack anything.”

“I still remember all the warnings from years ago.”

Daxon laughed. “I’m sure you do.”

“You’ve jumped from higher than this, haven’t you?”

“Still gives me the same thrill.” Even more right now, when Kendall was next to him. “If you change your mind, just let me know and I’ll come back up. But otherwise, I’ll wait for you at the bottom for as long as you need me to. Take your time.”

He leaned over, cupping her neck with his hand for one more kiss, hard and fast. Her eyes were closed when he backed away, and she sighed. His heart thudded harder in his chest as the thrill of her nearness amped the thrill of the height. This, right here, was the ultimate rush. He took one more breath, soaking in this moment, and then turned to the Pacific Ocean, wide open in front of him, glittering in the afternoon sun.Best day ever.The thought filled him as he curled his toes over the edge of the platform for grip and threw himself out into the endless blue sea.

CHAPTER TEN

HOLYSHIT.SHEreally was doing this. Kendall was going to jump from a height that looked crazy-high. Though logically, she knew it wasn’t life-threatening, her body was still in panic mode. She so, so wanted to do this, but could she actually make herself take that last step off the cliff?

That day years ago on the ten-meter platform wasn’t the only time she had considered jumping off the high dive. She had talked herself into similar situations—and then out of them—at least a dozen times before. This time, she was finally following through because Daxon Miles was waiting for her at the bottom. He was probably the most famous risk-taker in the world, and yet she trusted him right now. She trusted he wouldn’t bring her here if she couldn’t handle it.

Daxon hit the water with a yell and a splash, then disappeared into the darkness. She held her breath, waiting, until he emerged with another shout of glee.

“It’s amazing,” he yelled up to her. “Best jump ever.”

His words pumped another rush of adrenaline through her, as she watched him swim over to the ladder on the side of the cliff. She was standing at the southern tip of Hawaii, ready to jump off into nothing. If she chickened out now, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

“Ready?” she called down to him.

“Ready when you are, beautiful.”

Kendall drew in a deep breath and let it out. She wasn’t backing down. If she died now, she would die a happy woman, in the middle of the best day of her life. Stepping off the ledge was the hardest part, and the more she stalled, the harder it would be. Deep breath. One more. Kendall shut off her thoughts and pushed off the edge, plunging toward the water.

Words, yelps and squeals came out of her mouth in a tangled cry as the water rushed toward her, too fast. Her heart pounded in her chest and her whole body tingled as she tried desperately to keep her arms by her side, but it was hard to think when she felt so free.

She hit the water with a startling crash, the impact almost knocking the wind out of her. The ocean swallowed her in one quick gulp, and she went down, down, into the dark water. So far down...

Her brain kicked back into gear. She needed to breathe. Which meant she needed to swim like hell for the surface. Her survival instincts took over, and she kicked, but her booties made it hard. Almost there. Finally, finally, she popped out and gasped for air. Her heart thumped as she stared out into the endless blue ocean, sucking in breaths.

Lying back in the cool water, the rush of adrenaline pumped through her. Holy hell. She had done it. She actually jumped.