Chapter 3 by: horse-nerd!
Jake slowed Witch to a walk as they got near the lake. The mare's foot prints indented small horse shoe's in the sand. Sam and he both turned to look for Jen, Darrel and the donkey.
"Hey what's your donkey's name again?" Sam asked.
Jake adjusted his seat so he was sitting closer to Sam. He couldn't help but think how great it felt to be so close to her. But remembering her question he quickly answered.
"My brother's call him Ass, but his name Simon."
Sam snorted. "Simon? Really? Out of all names where…"
Sam was cut off as she heard a brawl. A gray blur wizzed past Sam and Jake carrying the screaming Jen and Darrel. The little donkey bucked by them and made his way to the lake.
Jake let out a sigh and kicked Witch into a gallop after them. He grabbed Sam around the waist with his free hand to hold her secure. Sam gasped at his sudden grip but snuggled in closer as Jake pushed Witch forward. They heard, Jen let out a scream followed by hollowing laughter from Darrel. Jake brought Witch to a sliding stop next to the lake and Sam let out a giggle.
Jen was treading water in the middle of the lake, fuming. While Darrel was still on Simon.
"Shut up Darrel this is so not funny!" Jen yelled splashing water at him and spooking Simon. He bucked and sent Darrel into the lake after Jen.
"Ha!" Jen yelled as he came up sputtering water.
Sam nearly toppled over with laughter at the site in front of her that she didn't even feel Jake slide off from behind her.
Suddenly Sam was being pulled off of Witch. She screamed and fought against who could only be Jake's arms. But smiled none the less.
Jake tightened his grip on the wriggling Sam.
"No! Jake please!" Sam pleaded as they got closer to the water.
Jake smiled and feeling a little bold put his mouth to her ear. "Please what?" He whispered sending shivers down Sam's spine.
"Please don't dump me in the cold water," Sam whispered right back but batting her eyelashes at him.
"Dude don't fall for it! It's all evil girl tricks…dump her in the lake!" Darrel yelled
"Oh would you shut up Darrel? Don't be cold and heartless Jake, no girl wants to be dumped in a cold lake!" Jen said glaring at Darrel who only laughed.
Sam shot a glare towards Darrel too but then turned back to give Jake her best puppy dog expression.
"You know that almost worked…for a second there I was tempted to put you down but—" he shrugged and swung Sam around so he was carrying her bridal style and jumped into the lake. He held on tight until they came up for air again.
"Jake Ely you will pay!" Sam yelled before leaping out of his arms and swimming towards Jen.
"We must pay the consequences for our actions," Darrel said swimming up next to Jake. "Yours was she left your loving arms," Darrel cooed sarcastically earning a smack in the head. Darrel rubbed his head and glared at Jake. "While mine…well I don't even want to think of what kind of evils Jen can concoct."
Jake stared at Darrel with his mouth hanging open.
"Wow Darrel…learn some new words there?" He asked as he watched Sam point in their direction, as she wispered with Jen.
"Did a little studyin' to impress a girl. No biggy."
Jake snorted. "You impress a girl? Naw." He faked disbelief. But then he realized who he was talking about. "Wait…Jen? Are you trying to impress her?"
Darrel shrugged. "Maybe. So what?"
"Dude I don't think dumping her off a donkey into a lake was a good way to impress her…" Jake trailed off as he realized he did the same thing.
"Ah, dang."
"No. But it's a good way to get a good show. Eh, eh?" Darrel waggled his eyebrows to imply more meaning to what he said.
"Darrel you're a perv."
"Don't deny you wouldn't mind seeing a little of Sam's—" he was cute off as Jake dunked him under water.
Darrel shot up gasping for air.
"Dude you don't dunk someone in mid-sentence."
Jake rolled his eyes and looked past him at the girls. He watched as she and Jen laughed at something before they took another peek in his direction.
When he looked back at Darrel he was waggling his eyebrows again.
"Oh God what?" Jake asked not sure if he really wanted to know.
"How about a little dare?"
"How about not."
"Oh c'mon don't be such a panty waste," Darrel whined. "Just one dare. You do it you can…oh!" He smiled mischievously at Jake while he twiddled his fingers. "You can have the Firebird for an entire week if you take the dare."
Jake groaned. How could he pass down the Firebird?
With a sigh he nodded. "Alright what do you want me to do?"
"That's my man! Now I dare you to kiss Sam. No cutesy little chaste kiss either dude. I mean like if you want to work some tongue in there then be my guest." Darrel smiled ear to ear, liking this idea.
"Hell no Darrel!"
Darrel pretended to cough. "Panty waste."
He grinned again as Jake groaned.
"Dude you are basically getting two prizes. One hot smooch—maybe more if you make it good—and the Firebird. Seriously it's a win-win
situation."
"Yeah, you forgot the fact that Sam might possibly kill me." Jake said looking at Sam again who smiled at him.
"Nah—Sam's not capable of killing someone. Not even you—look just do it dude. It might give you a jump start to the whole 'I love Sam ' thing."
Jake gave him a menacing glare but then sighed in defeat. He had to admit there was a part of him that really liked to idea of kissing Sam…
Who was he kidding. He liked every single part of that idea.
"Alright fine—deal." He finally agreed.
"Ok but the catch is…you have to do it tonight."
Before Jake could argue Sam and Jen started swimming towards them.
Darrel smiled again at his lucky victory. He didn't get those often with Jake.
"What are you two dodo birds talking about?" Jen asked coming up beside Darrel.
"Just how beautiful you two look under the pale moonlight." Darrel flirted.
Sam gagged making Jake laugh. She waited for Jen's smart-ass comeback…but it never came. Instead she was smiling.
"That's sweet Darrel." Jen said making Sam and Jake stare at her their mouth's agape.
"Not as sweet as you baby."
Jen giggled. "Ok you are forgiven, for dumping me in the lake." She said before swimming off with him leaving Sam and Jake staring after them.
"Wow—when did that happen?" Sam asked still staring after her best friend.
Jake just shook his head.
"I can't believe she is eating up his crap." Sam continued to complain.
Jake only nodded again…afraid to speak. Because there was that possibility he might throw up.
Sam sighed and bumped him on the shoulder. "Aren't you a lively one tonight." She teased smiling up at him.
Oh God, he thought. She's gorgeous. Darrel's stupid line doesn't seem so cheesy now—I'm gunna hurl…
"Yeah, sorry. Still recovering." He said nodding towards Darrel and Jen who were now shamelessly flirting.
"Ugh come on. Let's go somewhere where we can't see that." Sam said pulling him towards shore.
Jake's heart jumped at her touch. He followed her to shore like an obedient puppy.
"There," Sam said as she sat on a rock. "That's a little better." She picked up a small stone and skipped it across the lake. They were silent. Jake watched as Sam continued to skip rocks.
How was he ever going to do this? Should he ask her? Swoop her up and plant it on her? Crap, did Darrel have to see?
Jake's mind was working overload. This was stupid….
Then again the thought of kissing her was exhilarating.
Oh, what the hell…
He grabbed Sam's hand that was about to throw the rock and stopped her. Feeling bold—and scared shitless—he positioned himself so he was crouched in front of her.
She gave him a questioning look and trembled as Jake ran his hand down her arm to her hand. She dropped the rock as Jake replaced it with his own hand. Her heart was racing. As was Jake's their minds both running a million miles an hour. The nerves made their breathing increase. Jake looked up at her face and nearly lost it. She wasn't confused anymore. Instead her lips were slightly parted as her breathing matched his. She inched closer to him running her hands up his arms and wrapped them around his neck. Jake almost burst.
She wanted this. She wanted him to kiss her.
All his second thoughts flew out the back door as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled their body's closer so they were touching. Slowly he closed the distance between them. As his lips met hers it felt like the fourth of July in his stomach. The fireworks were going crazy it was a surprise that the top of his head didn't blow off.
At first it was slow and uncertain—but that didn't last long. Sam pulled herself closer and kissed him deeper. She clutched a fistful of his hair as Jake grabbed her hips and pulled her even closer, not wanting any distance between them. They broke for a quick breath before Sam pulled him back in. Jake thought he would die. Never had he thought she would react like this.
"Hot damn!"
Sam and Jake jumped apart so fast that Sam tumbled backwards off of the rock, and into the water of the murky lake again.
Darrel clicked his tongue. "Oh no please continue…don't mind me."
Jen giggled but smacked him before grabbing his hand.
Jake glowered at him as he helped Sam up and out of the water. As he pulled her up out of the water, their gazes met, both smiled dumbly and blushed.
"Wow." Sam whispered to him as he pulled her to her feet.
Jake smiled.
"Uh-oh Darrel I think they may start again." Jen teased.
"Where's some popcorn when you need it? This might take a while." Darrel teased right back.
"Ew Darrel. Just ew." Jen smiled at him despite his pervertness. "Actually guys—as much as I hate to be the responsible one—I think we need to head back before someone notices."
"Awe but Jen! They were just about to get their freak on…" Darrel whined earning another smack. "Fine. Whatever you say babe—let's go." He
scooped Jen up and made a run towards their mounts,with Jen squealing all the way. Jake ignored them and grabbed Sam's hand. He smiled down at her, his lips still tingling from the kiss. She returned it with a blush making Jake's smile grow even wider then it was.
"C'mon let's go before they scare Witch and Simon off." Jake said as he began to walk with her across the cool desert sand; hand in hand.
