Jacob Have I Loved
Chapter 6
Cliff diving. One of the few recreational activities La Push has to offer its teenagers these days. However, I've never tried it. The thought of it actually terrifies me, but what else am I going to do today—the market closed early due to low customer traffic. I mutter these thoughts to myself, throwing my large, beach towel over my shoulder, as I head over to Steph's house only a few blocks down from mine. The water is probably freezing today, but being with Jake will definitely be a warming perk.
As I near her house, I notice she is already pulling her mom's navy-blue Toyota out the driveway. I hurriedly jog over to the passenger side of the car.
"Hey, girl!" I greet her as the car comes to a halt.
"You ready for this?" Steph happily asks, and I open the door and plop myself down in the passenger side seat.
"Ask me that again when I'm standing at the top of the cliff." I huff, already regretting my promise to Jake to come today.
"Jake's going to be there." She gladly informs me, not knowing that I am aware of the fact. "Are you excited about the dance tonight? This could be your chance to finally get with him."
"I'm not going with him anymore." I sadly confess, staring off at the trees as they blur by the car window. "He doesn't want to hurt Quil's feelings."
"You're joking." Steph is surprised, and I shake my head in response. "Well, at least he's honest, I guess." A long pause. "That must mean he really likes you!"
I roll my eyes at her and vow to stop talking for now. She is planting too much hope in my head. However, I secretly hope he does feel the same way about me as we speed steadily toward the beach . . .
When we arrive at our destination, I notice our all-male group of friends—Quil, Embry, and Jared—standing near the ledge of the rocky cliffs. They have already been testing the waters from the look of things; Embry's wet tresses and soaked shirt, which now clings to his body, display the evidence all too clearly. Now, I can see what Stephenie likes about him. He looks pretty sexy all wet. FOCUS, GIRL! Jake, remember?
"Jess!" Quil's face is right at my window. I frustratingly grit my teeth and focus my attention to Steph as she parks the car.
"Remember . . . waiting 'till marriage." She wickedly cackles as she opens the driver's side door. I smile and follow her lead, exiting the car and ignoring Quil, who is following me like a puppy all the way to the edge of the cliff.
The chilly, drifting wind wildly tosses my hair, and I instantly pull the hood of my dad's jacket over my head. I look around, but don't notice Jake. Where is he? My toes graze the edge of the cliff, and I loudly gulp at the raging, gray waters below. A loose pebble trickles down the side of the rocks, and I lose sight of it half way down. I can't believe I agreed to this. What was I thinking?
"You look like you're ready, Jess." I spin around and there he is—GORGEOUS AS EVER. His drenched hair is tied back in a rubber band; his wet clothes . . . my tongue is almost hanging out, panting. I feel lightheaded and lean forward as if I'm about to faint, but he catches me. His gentle touch against my chest sends electric currents throughout my body. "Are you okay? Maybe, you shouldn't do this."
"No." I step back, letting his palm drop from my chest. "I'm fine."
"Sure, she is." Quil's arm is about my shoulders—AGAIN. "I'll jump with you, babe. Don't you worry."
"Maybe, Jake should take her down a little lower." Steph graciously interjects, and I could kiss her again. "This is her first time, you know." She winks at me, obviously proud of her little joke.
"Another cherry, boys!" Quil squeals in delight, clapping his hands together.
"Grow up, Quil!" Jake takes my hand as Embry, Quil, and Jared howl in laughter at Quil's derision. Then, suddenly, Jake slaps Quil on the back of the head with his free hand to silence him and turns his attention back to me. "Come on, Jess."
"Hey, just don't try anything with my girl, Jake!" Quil calls after us. But we both ignore him.
Jake leads me down to a lower level of the cliff, still holding my hand. I can't believe his hand is in mine. I am grinning from ear to ear and giggling like a little schoolgirl, but I hope he doesn't notice. He has such an effect on me. We reach the edge of the lower ledge, and Jake affectionately looks over at me.
"You ready or do you need a second?" He kindly asks, his right hand still in my left. The warmth of his palm is exhilarating; I don't want to let it go. He senses my uneasiness and assures me, "I won't let go, I promise."
I peer down at the raging waters below, wishing I could just stand here and hold his hand forever. But I don't want to appear weak. I break his grip, tossing off my brown mules and pulling off my white socks. The cliff feels like ice under my bare feet, causing me to flinch, as I remove my jacket and rest it beside my shoes on the ledge. "I'm ready."
"Good. Ok, on the count of three." Jake takes my hand again as I stand back up.
"One." I close my eyes. "Two." I brace myself.
"Three." We both heftily leap off the cliff, hand-in-hand.
I instantly panic and part my hand from his. I terrifyingly scream at the top of my lungs and plunge into the frigid waves beneath my feet. The water is so cold; my body becomes numb almost instantaneously as I desperately fight my way back to the surface. When my head finally emerges from the darkness of the ocean, I gasp, taking the long-lost air into my lungs. I can barely feel my arms as I intently struggle to keep my head above water. I never want to do that again.
"Jess!" Jake's voice is in my ear, and his arms are wrapping about me now, pulling me to him. I immediately enclose my limp legs around his waist and grasp his shoulders with all the strength I can muster. I'm completely grateful to him at the moment. "I'm sorry I let go."
"No, I let go." I'm shivering now. "I got—scared."
"That's okay. It happens." Jake is obviously amused, smiling, but then his face is suddenly serious. His face is right in mine, our noses almost touching. Drops of water languidly roll from his forehead and off the base of his chin. Jake's eyes are piercing into my own, and my heart begins its familiar wild rhythm whenever he is near. I feel almost hypnotized as I stare into his beautiful, brown eyes. The fear instantly leaves me, and I pull my legs tighter around his waist. This is the moment I've been waiting for, and I've never wanted him more.
"Jess . . ." Jake tenderly leans his head to the side and moves his face closer.
He's going to kiss me. I close my eyes and prepare for it, my heart pumping my blood even faster.
Jake's soft lips press gently against mine. I forget where we are. I forget how cold and wet I am. I forget my name.
I forcefully grab the back of his head, and Jake kisses me harder, slipping his tongue into my mouth. I feel the sensation of pure ecstasy surge throughout my body. This is really happening, I gleefully tell myself.
He pulls me closer to him, pressing his hands against my bottom. Man, he is a good kisser, and his lips taste amazing. I never want to stop. The area in between my body and his starts to throb and pulsate; I've never felt this sensation before, and my mind begins to wonder how good he is . . . Then, he abruptly pulls away, causing my thoughts to dissipate.
"Sorry." Jake says, releasing my vice grip from around the base of his neck and taking a deep breath. Did he really just apologize for making out with me? "I can't do this, Jess. No matter how much I want to." He sighs, almost in reluctance, and my legs unwrap from around his body. "Quil is my friend." He swims away from me and begins to paddle toward the beach.
"Jake!" I yell at him, beginning to follow him through the frigid waves. But he ignores me and continues to pace toward the shore.
I stop dead in the water, the burn of his kiss still throbbing on my lips, and deeply regret I ever listened to Steph's advice in the first place.
Attn: This chapter was one of my favorites to write. I love the whole cold, dripping-wet kiss . . . yummy! For some reason, I imagined myself as Jess in this chapter. Weird . . . Please review. Thanks! :D
