The Necklace That Protects Me novel Chapter 23

Soon we pulled up to the locals spot at the river. There were some people there so we jogged up a path along the river to a cliff diving spot. No way in Hell was I going off of that, thankfully I saw a small foot path down to the water. I knew the guys would definitely be jumping from the cliff.

Brie stepped out of the truck first. Wearing an all black bathing suit. The top was a tankini and the bottoms were booty shorts. She looked gorgeous! It was so nice to see her back in perfect health! She had some light scars on various parts of her body. I hoped in time they would fade for her but they didn't lessen her beauty at all. The only dark scar was one on her neck where it connect to her shoulder. Clearly a bite mark. I shuddered at the thought of how that bite could've been fatal. I had so much skin showing I was afraid to hug her but I did anyway just a quick one!

She laughed realizing why and said she barely felt a shock that time. I smiled. It was so nice to see her! The guys quickly started taking turns jumping off the cliff. With the exception of Michael. He was watching me as I watched the other guys jump.

Cross my heart, I swear I was watching them because it was neat to see people cliff diving. Plus they had started to try to out do each other with tricks. However, it was definitely difficult not to ogle at them. I knew they were all muscular and fit, but to see them without shirts on was something else. They all had 6 packs and were perfectly tan. The sun seemed to glisten off of each of their bodies. I found myself dreaming of what Michael would look like. Before I could catch myself I turned to look at Michael slightly biting my lip. He could probably read my expression like a book. He had a grumpy look on his face until he saw the look on my face. Then he smirked! I looked away as quick as I could.

He ran up to the cliff with the other guys and removed his shirt. He made the other guys look like nothing. My eyes were drawn to him. The way his muscles moved, the way he walked, how the sun seemed to kiss his skin, it was almost too much! But then I brought my eyes to his face. He had the biggest and cockiest grin on his face I had ever seen. I rolled my eyes but I'm sure a blush was fully covering my cheeks. He flipped off of the cliff then pulled into a dive before hitting the water.

When I could no longer see him I blushed deeper realizing that I had been totally zoned into Michael, Brie and Amy most definitely noticed. They elbowed me and giggled. The girls and I sat on our towels and talked until the boys had their fill of cliff jumping. It was such a nice time! Even Amy seemed to have loosened up! We packed up all our stuff and headed down to the water. Michael without asking, carried my bag down. I was the last person to head to the trail when suddenly an idea popped in my head.

Adrenaline started to course through me. I don't know where this courage came from but it was all I could feel. It was addicting. I slowly headed up to the cliff hoping no one would notice. I stood near the edge and waited for my group to settle near the water and realize I was up here. The cliff was probably 30 feet in the air, but I wasn't afraid. There was no fear anywhere in my body. I heard Brie yell at me saying that I would never do it. I took a few steps back and glanced at them. Michael seemed relieved thinking I wasn't going to jump. Little did he know I was just getting a running start. I ran and jumped!

The feeling was thrilling. Like every cell in my body was alive. When I hit the water all I felt was joy. That joy, however, came to an abrupt end when I felt my necklace slipping over my head in the water. In the heat of the moment I had forgotten to take it off! I scrambled around in the water trying to find it. I still hadn't come up for air from jumping so I tried to go up. But the current was too strong for me. I got pushed forward into some rocks and my foot got stuck. I saw my necklace come to rest on a rock near me as I was running out of air. Of all times, a massive headache hit me with so much force I blew out the little air I had. My ears started ringing, and black spots appeared in my vision. This migraine was going to make me drown! I was going to die.

Just then strong warm arms came around me and pulled me towards the air my lungs so badly needed. It was Michael. Our heads came Above the water and I gasped for air. Still clinging to Michael. He pulled me to shore. I felt safe and loved and complete in his arms. Even once we were walking he never let go of me. His face didn't seem pained so I laid my face on his chest. He squeezed my body impossibly tighter into his chest with his arms. I sighed. I was content. But as we went to sit down I remembered my necklace. I tried to run back to it but Michael stopped me. He told me to stay before he grabbed his shirt and dove into the water. The girls ran up to me to check if I was okay. I told them I was fine, I was just worried about my necklace