I highly recommend you read the previous chapters (8, 9, 10, and 11) to get the full context. At the very least, read Ch. 11 first. As always, please rate and comment. -Petitmort
The morning sun sat low on the horizon as Paul dozed in Jessica's king-sized bed, hugging a pillow with his muscular arms, as naked as the day he was born.
The white top sheet covered his lower body, the bed a jumbled mass of cotton like the frothy shore break on a windswept summer day.
The door opened. It was Jasmine peering inside to check on him.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," she said in a soft voice.
He stirred, not yet opening his eyes to the morning.
"Everyone's awake and getting ready to start the day."
"What time is it?"
"After nine."
He rolled onto his back and stretched, flexing his arms. She sat on the edge of the bed next to him.
"We're making cappuccinos. Want one?"
"A cuppa cappu?"
She ran her hand over his broad chest, his stomach, and his chiseled abs.
"Taylor, Mack and I are gonna go for a run. Wanna come?"
"I wanna check the surf report. Maybe get a sesh in this morning. What about Chelsea? She doesn't want to run with you guys?"
She shook her head.
"She didn't bring her running shoes. She's gonna take a walk along East Cliff."
He nodded.
"I can walk with her. I wanna head down to The Hook and check out the swell."
"I thought we could meet back here and have brunch before we head back to Berkeley."
"Nice."
She gently brushed a lock of hair off his face.
"Did you enjoy yourself last night?"
"Oh my God. It was epic. I don't think I'll ever forget it."
She smiled, running her finger over his lips.
"I don't think any of us will forget it."
"How's Chelsea this morning? She doin' okay?"
"Yeah, she seems fine. You treated her like the gentleman you are."
Paul wondered if she knew about the charade he and Chelsea had played. How they made the moans of a normal massage sound like passionate lovemaking.
"She's a sweetheart."
"Yeah," Jasmine said, softly. "She's got a heart of gold, that one."
"I think you've got a heart of gold," he said, softly touching her cheek. "I really do."
She leaned down and kissed him on the edge of his mouth.
"Come, get dressed and have some coffee."
"OK, I'll be there in a sec."
She got up from the bed and went out the door.
Paul thought about what a generous person Jasmine was. How she not only allowed but encouraged him to bed three out of four of her friends from school.
And, although he and Chelsea never actually made love, Jasmine and the others
thought
they had.
It took a special breed of human being to be that selfless and secure.
Jasmine rejoined the others in the kitchen.
"Paul's getting up. He doesn't want to run, he's gonna go surfing instead. And then we'll all meet back here and go get brunch."
"Yum," Mack said, sipping her cappuccino. "Can't wait to try the vaunted avocado toast at Verve."
"Chels, Paul said he'd walk with you down East Cliff. If you want company."
"OK."
Chelsea was hoping to spend some time with Paul. That's why she didn't mind skipping the run with the others.
"Where're we running?" Taylor asked.
"I thought we'd go to Nisene Marks State Park. It's close by. The park's long and narrow, going uphill, so I figured we could run at our own pace and then catch up with each other."
"You mean I could catch up with you all," Mack cracked.
"It's really nice. Tree-covered, along a creek. You'll love it."
"That's fine," Mack said waving her hand. "I'm used to it."
After Jasmine, Mack, and Taylor hopped in Mack's car and took off for the park, Paul sat with Chelsea at the kitchen island.
"How're you doing?" he asked with a smile. "Good?"
"Yeah, I'm good. You were so great last night. Thanks for being there for me."
"No problem," Paul said. "You didn't tell Jasmine anything about last night, did you?"
"Why, did she say something?"
"Well, she said something about me 'treating you like the gentleman I am'. Or something like that. I thought maybe you said something."
"I didn't, but I got the feeling she knew. She said, 'your secret's safe with me.'"
"I'm not surprised. She's the most intuitive person I know."
"I probably would've told her eventually. Roommates and everything. I'm okay with her knowing, but I'd rather Mack and Taylor not know."
Paul nodded.
"So," Paul said, "I'm gonna take a walk to see how the waves look. I thought maybe you'd like to come."
"Come? With you?"
"Yeah. Up to the Point and back. It's not far."
"Yeah, sure. I'd love to come with you."
Paul and Chelsea set off on their walk along Opal Cliff Drive, heading west towards 41st Ave. The houses along this stretch were each more opulent than the other. Landscaped yards, modern architecture, and luxury cars lined the street on either side.
"This is one of the ritzier parts of Santa Cruz," he said. "A lot of these places are second homes, believe it or not."
"Like Jasmine's house. I can't believe that's someone's vacation home. It's nicer than any house I've ever been in."
"Yeah, it's pretty cool."
Chelsea was wearing the bikini Taylor had lent her, along with a pair of white short shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals. She hoped there might be a chance to lay out in the sun while Paul surfed.
She was bustier than Taylor, and the bikini was a bit too small for her. Her boobs spilled out of the top on all sides and the thong bottom showed almost everthing. She didn't mind since she was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Besides, she felt sexy wearing it. Especially walking next to Paul.
Paul was in his usual attire -- board shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt.
They passed 41st Ave, the main commercial street in Pleasure Point, and turned left to walk along the cliff overlooking the ocean.
Running parallel to East Cliff Drive, the pedestrian walkway runs along the sea cliff on the east side of Santa Cruz.
People of all ages frequent this scenic path -- joggers, surfers carrying their boards on vintage bicycles, tourists and locals alike -- as seagulls, cormorants, and pelicans fly overhead.
Early on a Sunday morning, as they ambled side-by-side, Paul and Chelsea pretty much had it to themselves.