Skinny Dipping At Dusk

Mixed Emotion's And Treasure Hunting

I pointed in its direction. “Well it’s obviously on the beach, either by a tree, the shore, or in the water. I think its pretty explanatory.”

He shrugged his shoulders and headed off towards the sandy beach and blue waters. Grumbling to myself, I followed after him, a bigger frown forming on my face.

“I’m going to look over by the tree line, you look in the water and around shore!” Landon called out, before turning back around and kneeling to the ground.

I watched as he began to scoop handfuls of dirt up and toss them in the other direction. Finally, deciding that if I started looking now, the job would get done faster, I headed towards the water. My feet sank into the wet sand as I wadded in about knee deep and started sifting through the sand. At first, the work was easy, and I looked hard, but after a while my back started to kill and my good work turned into skimming.

Time passed slowly as we looked, and I had already made my way up to shore with still no sign of a clue. My shriveled wrinkled hands dug into the damp sands just on shore. Closer to the dock I moved, the more and more impatient I became. I was just about to give up and plop down into the sand when my finger snagged something hard.

I quickly dug deeper into the sand until a little glass bottle with a note inside came into view. Shouting with excitement, I snatched the bottle up and opened it. The paper was just barely out of the bottle when Landon reached my side with a look or curiosity on his face. I quickly unrolled the little paper and read the words out loud.

“Now that you have found the clue, you must go and find the food. It might be something hot or cold, but either way, it’s rather old.”

After reading the words aloud, I read them back over in my head. “Easy, it has to be in the kitchen.”

Landon didn’t protest at my words, so we both headed up to the kitchen, him a few feet ahead of me. “Wait up!” I shouted after him picking up my pace.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so slow,” he responded coldly and I joined him at a fast stride.

I ignored his comment, already accustomed to his rather rude personality. Soon enough, we were at the entrance of the kitchen, and I couldn’t be happier. When we were looking for the clues, there was no reason to be near Landon.

“Mia, how’s the search going?”

I turned around to face Owen who was leaning against the nearest counter, a smug smile on his face. My heart picked up at the sight of him. “Uh, okay, a little slow.”

He nodded his head and turned to look at Landon who was glaring at him. “I thought you felt sick?”

I was glad that he ignored Landon’s rude behavior. “Uh, well, I was, am, but Landon insisted that I help him since I’m his partner.”

The sexy cook nodded. “Well I hope you two the best of luck.”

“Of course you do,” Landon mumbled under his breath before turning away and searching a nearby cabanet.

He searched for a minute more before leaving the kitchen for the cafeteria. I let out a sigh of relief once he was out of sight and turned back to Owen. “I have a feeling you weren’t really sick this morning.”

I dropped my gaze to the floor immediately, gripping the clue in my hand harder. Of course I wasn’t sick this morning, but I couldn’t face Owen.

“Here, let me see the clue, maybe I can help?” he finally asked.

I was glad he had changed the subject. “Isn’t that against the rules?” I questioned handing over the note unsure.

He shrugged. “Since when have we followed the rules?”

Owen’s words were obviously referring to last night, and I couldn’t help but smile. This was why I liked him, he could always turn a uncomfortable situation upside down.

“But first,” he said peering over to the door where Landon had left. “I’ve been waiting to do this all day.”

Before I could react, his lips were on mine. The same heart racing sensation pulsed through my body like the night before. But, unlike the night before, I had enough sense to break off the kiss as quick as possible.

“Stop,” I breathed out, trying not to look him in the eye.

There was a long pause before Landon burst through the cafeteria door and into the kitchen. Owen immediately stepped back with a look of guilt on his face.

Landon looked at us suspiciously before running over to my side. “Let me see the clue, I think I know where to find the next one.”

Still a little breathless, I handed over the clue and watched as he read it over carefully. The whole time I was afraid he could hear my heart beating.

“Well I will let you two finish up, uh, feel better Mia,” Owen said before turning around and heading out of the kitchen.

I watched him until the door swung shut and I was left alone with Landon. How could I let Owen kiss me again? I mean, it was wrong the first time. So how could I let him? I guess I did stop the kiss, but didn’t he understand my confusion. There was a seven year age gap, plus, I was only seventeen. If we got caught, Owen could lose his job and got to jail.

What would Julie think? I mean, it would be bad enough getting physical with a boy my age here, but kissing the cook who happens to be twenty three? Not such a good idea…

Was it wrong that I might have liked kissing Owen?

Surely it was wrong…

Suddenly I remembered Landon and turned to look at him. His eyes were no longer on the clue, but focused on me.

“Deep in thought Mia?” he asked in a smug tone.

I didn’t answer. “Don’t worry, if I were up to bad things I would have a lot to think about too.”

Without another word, Landon turned around and headed over to the freezer to look for the clue.

Well, looks like there’s some more tension. Sorry, I know this chapter is NOT the best, and I’m sorry for mistakes. Looks like I may have to get a new editor after all. Anyway, I think it’s really cute how you all love Nathan and haven’t even met him yet, but shortly you will. Oh, and sorry for the lack of Gavin in these past chapters, I promise I haven’t forgotten about him. 

Whoa, I say sorry WAY too much. ....