Page 28 of Kobalt

“Fast! Fast! Fast!” our instructor called out as we navigated around a section of rocks just before we came upon a narrow passage.

Kaimera squealed with glee as we took on more of the faster rapids and the raft bounced up and down at a faster pace, twisting and turning through tighter channels.

Something about the serenity of the outdoors had the power to ease the ache that had been in my heart since learning about Kaimera’s miscarriage. Being in nature with the wind, the water, the trees, and the skies was healing. I prayed that my baby was receiving the same soothing powers from nature that I was. Minutes later, her words confirmed that she was.

“I love this. It’s so beautiful, so powerful, and so serene. I think everyone needs to come out and reconnect with the Creator by doing something like this—something so simple. This view is amazing,” she declared when we navigated downstream. There were colorful trees on every side of us and fresh, clear water behind and in front of us. I inhaled a big gulp of fresh air and felt rejuvenated. Two other groups were traveling in rafts behind us as we made our way down the river.

“You’re amazing,” I replied, reaching over and grabbing her hand. I gave it a little squeeze before I grabbed the oar and started stroking the waters again when our instructor advised us to.

When we finished our adventure and stepped out onto the rocks, Kaimera threw her arms around me. “That was the most fun and rejuvenating thing I’ve ever done. Thank you for that, baby.”

I wrapped my arms around her and brushed my lips against hers. “You’re welcome. Thinking I’ll have to take you on these trips more often.”

“I’d love to, but why?”

“Your ass looks fine as hell in this wet suit. Now I can’t wait to get you out of it.”

“You have to catch me first!” She shrieked as she raced up the stones. I caught her at the top of the hill and grabbed her in my arms and spun her around. The sound of her laughter ringing out through the trees was music to my ears.

“We’ve got lunch for you lovebirds over here,” Monica, one of the instructors, called out, laughing at us.

There was a deli-style lunch set out for everyone, and we took our seats on large plateaus of rocks where we could view Long Creek Falls. The cascades were breathtakingly beautiful. While we ate lunch, Kaimera hopped up several times and took pictures of our entire crew posing with the waterfalls behind them. After she and I finished eating, she had someone to take several shots of us as well. On the last shot, she quickly leaned up and kissed my lips.

“All right. Back on the bus!” someone shouted.

It was difficult, but I pulled away from her and rested my forehead against hers.

“Kobe, I don’t want this day to end.”

“Luckily for you, it’s not about to end just yet,” I replied, winking at her as I took her hand and led her toward the bus.

“If you don’t quit playing around, we’re not going to make it out of this hotel room to dinner, Kobe.”

“That sounds good to me,” I murmured against the nape of her neck. I was supposed to be zipping up the off-the-shoulder sweater that she wore from the back, but I was more fascinated with the scent of her freshly washed skin with hints of citrus and orange blossom emanating from her.

“Hey! Did you just bite me?” she asked, jumping.

I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her hard against me as I kissed her earlobe and moved up to suck the shell of her ear. “Mhm. I’m ravenous.”

She giggled. “Well, if you’d hurry up, we can actually eat.”

My hands ran up the expanse of her stomach before I worked them around to the back again. I ran a hand over her soft, silky back before I finished zipping her up. She turned around and pranced in front of me in her tight Ecru jeans and cream and brown off-the-shoulder Ecru crop sweater and Ecru heeled boots. “Do I look fine?”

“Baby, you look damn good, but you look even better without all this,” I replied, reaching for her.

“Uh-uh. Not this time. We just had sex an hour ago. You’re going to feed me first, Mister Harden. I’m famished. Between white water rafting, window shopping in the historic downtown area, and sex, I’m starving.” She grabbed her purse and ran out of the room, leaving me behind growling.

I rushed out behind her and caught up with her just as she and another couple stepped onto the elevator.

“Ooh! Be careful!” the lady exclaimed as I slid my hand through the closing doors and stopped them from closing.

“I know you! You’re the Furor! Hey, man!” the older white man greeted, beaming at me.

“Wassup?” I greeted. I grabbed Kaimera and pulled her against me before I buried my face in her neck.

“Behave,” she whispered.

“Mhm.” I focused on nibbling on her neck while the man rattled on about how many of my fights he and his wife had attended, his personal favorite moves of mine, and the matchup he enjoyed the most. When he finally shut up as we stepped off the elevator, his wife piped up.