Chapter Sixteen
Rachel
As soon as Diesel’s lips touched her skin, Rachel felt all the embarrassment drain away. It had been a long time since she allowed anyone to see her without a shirt, and never a guy. Diesel was the first, and he didn’t even know it.
Rachel followed as Diesel led her by the hand to the water’s edge. She wasn’t sure which was scarier, letting Diesel see her scars or learning to swim.
“You’ll be fine,” Diesel offered. “And if you get too overwhelmed, remember you can just stand up.”
“Okay,” Rachel took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
“That’s my girl!” Diesel cheered.
Stepping back into the water was a refreshing feeling. The water wasn’t hot, but wasn’t cold either. The alcove created a perfect temperature. Rachel bent down and splashed water over her arms and chest, then squatted down to wet her face and hair.
“You ready?” Diesel asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Rachel shrugged.
“You got this, babe,” Diesel reminded. “You’ll do great.”
“I’m glad one of us has faith,” Rachel mumbled.
“Come here.” Rachel stepped into Diesel’s outstretched arms. “First, you’re going to learn how to back float.”
Rachel felt Diesel dip down into the water and lift her. At first the sensation was rather unsettling. She was not a small girl. She was a well-rounded, grown woman. But her weight didn’t seem to bother him, so Rachel just let the insecurity go.
“Now lean back into the water and straighten out your legs,” Diesel instructed.
Rachel did as she was told, feeling the water surround her.
“That’s it,” Diesel encouraged, “Now just relax. Think of something peaceful and just let your body have itself. I’m right here.”
Again, Rachel did as she was told. She listened to the sound of Diesel’s voice and let everything else fade away.
“You’re doing great,” Diesel whispered.
Rachel smiled to herself. This was something she never thought she would do. It wasn’t swimming, but it was close enough. Ever since she was a kid, she wanted to learn, but never had anyone to teach her. Her mother was never home and her grandmother was too old.
The day continued much the same. After Rachel had mastered floating, Diesel taught her how to doggy paddle. The lesson caused Rachel to drink more lake water than she would have liked, but it was hard to laugh and swim at the same time.
By the end of the afternoon, Rachel had laughed more in the few hours they had been in the water, than she had in months. It felt great. It was something she desperately needed.
“Okay,” Diesel called from his place by the shore. “Let’s eat.”
Rachel frog kicked closer to shore, then stood. She hadn’t realized she was starving until Diesel had said something.
“Who would have thought learning to swim could make someone so hungry,” Rachel said, grabbing the towel Diesel offered from his outstretched hand.
“Burning a lot of calories,” Diesel said, handing over a turkey sandwich.
Rachel took it and sat on the blanket under the shade tree. Diesel had picked the perfect spot for them today. The scenery was beautiful and so was the company.
“Why are you smiling?” Diesel asked.
“I had a lot of fun today,” Rachel answered. “Thank you.”
“It’s only the beginning, baby,” Diesel smiled back.
Rachel didn’t know how to reply that. She didn’t know how to handle men like Diesel. He was so honest and upfront with what he wanted. It kind of threw Rachel off. She was used to men being more obtuse.
As the day continued, Rachel and Diesel spent time exploring around the cove. Diesel pointed out the different wildlife, beautiful rock formations, and even a cave.
“Geographical maps show that it stretches for about six miles underground in several directions,” Diesel explained.
“Wait. Stop.” Rachel knew she was looking at him like he’d lost his mind. “You are into geographical mapping?”
She was dumbfounded. Who was this guy? The more time she spent with him, the more Diesel surprised her.
“Yes,” Diesel laughed. “I know a lot more than just dick jokes.”
“I can tell,” Rachel smiled, placing a hand on his bicep.
“I graduated Ranger school at the top of my class,” Diesel said. “I was one of the youngest to ever accomplish that. Then fucked it all up over a piece of ass.”
“Marcus,” Rachel said, bringing his face back to her. “We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them.”
Rachel felt her blood rush south when Diesel planted his lips against her palm. It may have been a simple gesture but it felt incredibly intimate.
“I can’t help but wonder what my military career would have been like if I hadn’t slept with that woman.” Rachel’s heart broke for the man before her. She could hear the self-disgust in his voice.
“Then you wouldn’t be here. In this moment. With me,” Rachel countered.
“You’re right,” Diesel said after a moment of thought. “You’re absolutely right.”
“Of course I am,” Rachel smiled.
“I wouldn’t trade this moment or the ones we’ll create in the future, for anything in the world,” Diesel said, leaning in to place a soft kiss on Rachel’s lips. “Including my career.”
Looking into his eye, Rachel knew Diesel was telling the truth. The evidence was written clearly in his gaze. The realization that Diesel would have chosen her over being an Army Ranger completely humbled her. And Rachel knew, in that moment, that she fell just a little bit harder for the man standing so strong and steady in front of her.
Making their way back to the shade tree, they both helped to clean up the area. It was time to head back home. Neither wanted to be on the lake after dark.
Loading into the boat seemed to be another lesson. With Diesel’s help, Rachel climbed back into the boat after what seemed like the hundredth try.
“I’ll get a small ladder for next time,” Diesel offered, still laughing.
“What makes you think there will be a next time?” Rachel countered, also laughing.
“Oh, we will have several next times in our future,” Diesel said, sending a wink in Rachel’s directions.
“I’ve never paid much attention to the future,” Rachel commented. “My life has always been about just staying one step ahead of my mother’s enemies.”
“Hey,” Diesel said, crouching down in front of her. “Not anymore. We live. No more looking back. No more running scared. We stand and we fight together. Okay?”
“Okay,” Rachel returned.
“Good. Let’s go home,” Diesel said, leaning forward to deliver a quick kiss to Rachel’s lips.
Home. That one word caused a heat to fill Rachel’s chest. Home. She hadn’t had one of those since she was a child. She always had somewhere to stay. Somewhere to sleep. But Rachel had never had a place to call home. The more she thought about it, the more she seemed to like the idea. Home, with Marcus.
Rachel was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of a motor humming. Diesel had pressed the button that was lifting the anchor. Once it was set in its place, he started the boat and headed for home. The day had been great. Rachel learned so many new things; she felt like a kid again. All the moments she missed out on, Diesel was creating for her and she fell a little more.