Madeline adjustedher mask and slid beneath the surface, the world around her blurring into a kaleidoscope of sunlight and ripples. Instantly, she was surrounded by color. There were schools of neon fish darting between fans of seaweed, flashes of sapphire and yellow and orange. The water was so clear it felt like flying, weightless, and every worry dissolved in the hush of the lagoon. For a few blissful minutes, she forgot about sabotage, about the future, about anything except the gentle push and pull of the current and the wild, vibrant life all around her.
But not even rainbow parrotfish distracted her completely from what had almost happened a few minutes ago. The heat of Kel’s body close to hers, the way Kel’s eyes had darkened, that electricity in the air. Madeline’s skin still tingled with the memory. She’d pulled away, partly because she was nervous, partly because she wanted to see if Kel would chase her.And let’s be honest,she thought.Because I’m not sure how much longer I can tread water in this game before I just… give in. She wondered if Kel felt it too and was almost certain but almost wasn’t enough. If she was wrong, if she’d misread things, she would never live it down.
Madeline surfaced, laughing as a bright yellow butterflyfish zipped past her mask at the last second. She glanced to her leftand spotted Kel, floating easily, arms out, watching her with a soft, private smile.God, she’s beautiful, Madeline thought, heart skipping. The urge to swim over, to pull Kel close and kiss her senseless, was so strong it made her ache.
And then—pain. A sudden, sharp spasm knotted her left thigh, locking the muscle tight. Madeline gasped, flailing for the surface. The pain was blinding, panic rising as she realized she couldn’t touch the bottom. The water felt suddenly very deep. She tried to call for Kel, but all that came out was a strangled yelp.
In an instant, Kel was there with strong arms wrapping around her from behind, and a voice steady and close in her ear. “I’ve got you, Madeline. Breathe. I’ve got you.” Madeline clung to her, letting Kel tow her through the water. Her leg still cramped, every stroke agony, but Kel’s grip was sure, and her presence was a lifeline.
They reached the shallows, where the sand sloped to meet them. Kel half-carried, half-dragged Madeline until they collapsed together on the warm, wet shore, water lapping at their hips. Madeline panted, blinking up at the sky, heart pounding with leftover terror and something else. Something wild and grateful and very alive. Before she fully caught her breath, Kel’s face was above hers, eyes full of concern, hands checking her calf. “Are you okay? Where does it hurt?”
“Just… my leg,” Madeline managed, but her voice shook for a different reason now. Kel’s hands were everywhere, gentle, and concerned, but also lingering a beat too long. The realization that she was half-naked, sprawled beneath Kel, hit her all at once. They were skin to skin, Kel’s thigh pressed between hers, and a hand splayed on her hip. Something snapped. Madeline surged up, fisting a hand in Kel’s hair, and kissed her. Hard, hungry, with relief, adrenaline, and want all tangled together. Kel made a sound, half-surprised, half-ecstatic, and then kissedher back. The world narrowed to mouths and tongues, to the slide of Kel’s hand up her side, cupping her breast through the bikini’s thin fabric. Madeline arched into the touch, moaning into Kel’s mouth, her own hands roaming Kel’s back, nails scraping lightly.
They were tangled together, rolling in the sand, Madeline’s thigh hooked over Kel’s hip. Kel’s hand slid down, fingers grazing the bare skin right beneath Madeline’s bikini, and Madeline gasped, heat flooding her entire body. She wanted more, but the press of gritty sand and the open sky made her pause. After a beat, she broke the kiss, breathless, lips swollen, and her heart racing.
Kel’s eyes were dark, and her chest heaved. “Madeline—”
“Not here,” Madeline whispered. “Not in the sand. I want you, but—can we… maybe… get back in the water? The shallow part?” She grinned, wicked and sweet, brushing her thumb over Kel’s cheek. “Less sand in awkward places that way.”
Smart enough not to hesitate,Kel let Madeline tug her toward the lagoon, heart pounding in her throat, hands still tingling from the imprint of Madeline’s skin. The sun was warm overhead, the sand hot underfoot, but the water was cool and clear. It felt perfect as they waded in. She barely had time to catch her breath before Madeline was there, close, pressing into her arms, legs sliding around Kel’s waist with a confidence that made Kel’s knees go weak.
Madeline’s arms looped around Kel’s neck, her face flushed, eyes shining with want and mischief. “You sure you’re okay with this?” Kel whispered. Instead of answering, Madeline kissed her, slowly and deliberately. Kel groaned, pulling Madeline tighter, the world narrowing to the press of Madeline’s thighs around her hips, the brush of Madeline’s breasts against hers, the tasteof salt and sun and Madeline’s soft mouth. Every inch of Kel’s body was alive, thrumming with the knowledge that this was real, that she was holding Madeline Whitley, her Madeline, close against her, and Madeline wanted her just as badly.
The water lifted them, made them weightless, bodies gliding together in the gentle current. Kel’s hands slid down Madeline’s back, fingers splaying over the curve of her waist and the swell of her hips. She let herself touch, really touch, learning the shape of Madeline’s body, the way her skin pebbled under Kel’s palms. Madeline gasped when Kel’s hands cupped her ass, pulling her closer, grinding their bodies together. Heat flared, fierce and electric, and Madeline’s fingers tangled in Kel’s hair, dragging her mouth down to her neck.
Kel trailed kisses along Madeline’s jaw, her throat, tasting sweat and salt and something that was simply Madeline. “God, you’re beautiful,” Kel breathed against Madeline’s skin, kissing her shoulder, her collarbone, and the hollow at the base of her throat.
Madeline shivered, arching closer, her legs tightening around Kel’s waist. “Touch me,” she whispered, voice trembling. “Please, Kel. I want you.”
It was all Kel needed. She slid one hand up, fingers skimming the side of Madeline’s bikini top, brushing the edge of her breast. Madeline moaned, her head falling back, exposing the elegant line of her neck. Kel’s thumb found Madeline’s nipple, hard beneath the thin fabric, and circled gently, teasing until Madeline’s hips rocked forward, desperate for more. Kel’s other hand mapped the length of Madeline’s thigh, fingers tracing the sensitive skin beneath the edge of her bikini bottoms.
“Is this okay?” Kel murmured, pausing, needing to be sure.
“Yes. Yes, please,” was Madeline’s breathless response, accompanied by a rolling of her hips that left no doubt. Kel slipped her hand beneath the fabric, fingers gliding alongMadeline’s heat, finding her smooth, open and so ready. Madeline’s whole body shuddered, her breath catching in Kel’s ear as Kel slipped inside and stroked her slowly, learning every gasp and whimper, every way Madeline’s body arched and softened under her touch. The world faded to nothing but Madeline’s hands gripping her shoulders, and the taste of Madeline’s mouth.
Kel’s own need was a wildfire, burning through her restraint, but she forced herself to slow down, to savor, to give Madeline everything she’d ever dreamed. When Madeline’s thighs trembled and her breath hitched, Kel pressed their foreheads together, watching every flicker of pleasure cross Madeline’s face. “Let go,” Kel whispered. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”
Crying out, Madeline’s body clenched around Kel’s fingers, hips jerking as she came, the sound swallowed by small ripples of the lagoon and Kel’s mouth on hers. Kel held her through it, kissing away her gasps, and her hands were gentle as Madeline shuddered and finally relaxed, boneless and spent in Kel’s arms.
They floated together, hearts pounding, breaths mingling. Madeline’s fingers traced lazy circles on Kel’s back, her smile soft and sated. “Your turn,” she whispered, mischief returning to her voice as she slid a hand down Kel’s stomach, slipping beneath Kel’s bikini. Kel gasped, the world tilting as Madeline’s fingers circled her clit, coaxing pleasure higher and higher until Kel shook, holding on to Madeline like she was the only thing keeping her afloat. Madeline kissed her, deep and claiming, and Kel let herself fall, let herself shatter, coming hard with Madeline’s name on her lips.
After, they clung together, bodies tangled in the gentle water, breathless and laughing, drunk on each other and the impossible magic of the island. Kel pressed a kiss to Madeline’s temple, with her heart so full it hurt. “I love you,” she whispered, the words spilling out.
Madeline smiled, eyes shining. “I love you, too.” For the first time in forever, Kel believed it. There, in Madeline’s arms, she was exactly where she belonged.
14
The beautiful, dazzling sunshine lit the commercial shoot location at the edge of the cove, although the slightly waning light as the day drew closer to its end muted its brilliance. Ruthi swept her gaze around as she talked with the cinematographer and sound tech, taking them through her shooting plan, so they could get the B-roll shots they needed while waiting for the new gimbal sensor board replacement to be delivered.
“I know we’re a little upside-down because we typically shoot A-roll first, but needs must,” she said, brushing away a stray strand of hair that had blown into her eyes under her sunglasses. “Losing continuity in terms of lighting ratios because the light changes too much between shots isn’t the goal here, especially when we edit all the sequences together. We’ll have to shoot fast. Nonetheless, try different angles, go down on the ground, try to shoot from above.”
The cinematographer nodded, and Ruthi continues to give direction. “We have stock Solis Foundation still photos that can be interspersed with those shots as well. The ultimate goal is to build this story around Madeline Whitley and her narrative in such a way that it reaches out to grab the heartstrings of everysingle person who sees it, about the hope and transformation it represents.”
Looking at the light sparkling on the water with its breaking surf and scenting the floral fragrance and tang of the sea salt, the corners of her mouth tipped up in an unfamiliar smile. “I want this commercial to open wallets on the spot. Although extremely rudimentary, wedohave a storyboard, so you are aware of what’s essential to shoot. Depending on Ms. Whitley’s delivery and the viewers’ ability to relate to her, it may well do that. She played a popular mom on a sitcom for a long time, so the audience will automatically feel drawn to her. As long as she comes across as earnest and invested in Solis, not as an actress who’s doing it for the paycheck, they will believe her.”
Ruthi stepped out of the way so the cinematographer and sound tech could finish positioning themselves against the glorious, magical setting. “We’ll aim for sequences that are about thirty seconds, so they allow for some editing,” she said. “Get lots of wide shots, medium shots, and close-up shots, even a few extreme close-ups. I’ve seen your work, so I have every confidence in your abilities. Let’s do this.”
Ignoring the surprised look the two crew members gave each other, Ruthi pulled up the script to finish the final revision while letting her mind wander to Mistress Eve as the B-shot filming began.
