Free Clementine by R. Jean Wilson

them forward, toward the bridge. She let out a soft laugh when a group of ducks passed by. The little ducklings were close enough to touch but she just watched them swimming by. Those birds were the only company Addison and Holden had on the river that morning. They circled the kayak, making her giggle as they quacked loudly.
    “I’m not sure if they want us on their river, Holden.”
    She suddenly felt the kayak rock to the side and she held onto the sides fearing it was about to tip over. She looked behind her and found Holden sprawled out, lying on his back on the kayak. His legs were still flexed but he was flat on his back, his arms folded comfortably behind his head.
    She studied him for a minute, noticing the way his muscles pulled taut against his abs and chest.
    “Oh I see, am I meant to paddle us the rest of the way?” she joked. Holden laughed and sat up on his elbows.
    “When I first started kayaking I would go out on the river and focus so much on getting to my halfway point and back quickly that I didn’t let myself take in the whole experience of being out here... Its amazing Addison. You should lay back and just breathe for a few minutes.”
    Addison glanced at him skeptically. He seemed to continuously surprise her, and she found herself letting her guard down a little more each time he did. She wouldn’t have pegged him as a guy who knew how to relax. She turned back around and paused for a moment before slowly lowering herself onto her back. She was forced to close her eyes to shield them from the sun, but found the loss of one sense leaving her capable of taking in different aspects of her surroundings. The boat rocked as the slow current carried them further down the river, the wind whistling against the leaves on the trees near the bank. She could sense his gaze falling over her body, and she was glad she kept her cover up on. Even still, she became self-conscious of every rise and fall of her chest as she worked to calm her heart rate.
    “Open your eyes Addison, ” Holden ordered just as she could sense a large shadow falling over their kayak. She opened her eyes in time to notice the underbelly of the bridge she’d just seen from a distance. She sat up on her elbows as Holden began to steer the kayak over to one of the pillar platforms that held up the large concrete arches. Huh? When they reached the island, he held his hand out to brace the kayak.
    “Are we stopping?” Addison turned to face him, “Is this another part of you wanting to notice the journey and not just the destination?”
    He let out a low laugh before throwing their paddles onto the platform.
    “Not exactly... I have to be honest, we didn’t just come out here this early to avoid the heat,” he admitted, moving as if he were about to pull himself onto the small concrete platform.
    Addison sat stunned.
    “We also came out this early so that when we jump from the bridge, we won’t have to worry about any kayakers being in our way… and it may be somewhat outside the letter of the law,” he turned, looking at her, a wicked grin across his face. He looked so earnest in that moment.
    “I’m sorry, what?” s he asked looking up toward the arches that hung above them. Before answering, Holden turned toward the thin concrete island and pushed himself up, causing the kayak to sway from the lack of counterbalance. He dusted himself off and turned to face her, his hands resting on his hips. His eyes held a sense of amusement as he took in her shocked reaction.
    “How would we even do that? Can’t you get hurt jumping from that high?” she continued, knowing that she damn well was not jumping off any bridges today. This guy must be insane. She pulled her gaze from the arches and narrowed her eyes at Holden.
    “Addison, you’ll be fine, I promise,” He spoke smoothly and gently, crouching down so that his face was inches away from hers. His eyes traveled to her parted lips briefly before making eye contact with her.