Learning To Trust Again

On the following Sunday morning Rebecca took Jake kayaking. She had only recently joined a club that met on the river not far from where she lived. It was watching the other members paddle past her place that had first sparked her interest in the sport. She couldn’t believe how lovely and peaceful it looked to be able to move across the water, barely making a sound. And after her first outing she was hooked. Now she couldn’t wait for the weekends so she could go again.

Borrowing two kayaks, as she didn’t yet own one herself, the two of them set out for a short trip east along the river. As always, Rebecca felt her worries melting away as she moved out on to the water. She found it relaxing, quietly paddling along, while the city hummed all around her. It was like being in the eye of a storm and having Jake by her side this time only enhanced her feeling of peace. She looked over at him as they began to move along and as he winked at her, she smiled.

Jake had said he’d done some rowing before but not for a long time. However being fit and athletic he picked it up easily and Rebecca knew if he wanted to, he could outstrip her in pace with very little effort on his part. He didn’t though. Instead he chose to paddle next to her and she liked that he didn’t feel the need to show his dominance. She didn’t feel the need to go any faster than what she felt comfortable with. Mark had had to beat her at everything. If they were running, which he only insisted they do because he knew she hated it and because he could easily out distance her. He would never match his pace to suit her, instead he would just take off leaving her to lag behind and then pick on her for taking so long once she finally managed to reach their destination.  

However Rebecca enjoyed kayaking with Jake. At one point she challenged him to a light hearted race to the nearest bridge, which she won. Breathing hard as she reached the bridge, with Jake a stroke behind her, Rebecca smiled and trying to catch her breath said ‘you didn’t have to do that.’

‘Do what? Jake said with a grin.

‘Let me win’ Rebecca said.

‘No way, it was all I could do to keep in touch with you’

‘Yeah right’ Rebecca said with a smile, her disbelief was obvious. She was touched and as they returned the kayaks to the club house she hoped they’d do it together again soon.

Walking out of the club Jake said ‘thanks, I really enjoyed that.’

‘Same here’ Rebecca replied ‘I love being out on the water.’ Then needing to say something about the consideration he had showed she said ‘thank you for staying with me, I’m sure you wanted to go faster.’

Shrugging Jake denied any hardship, ‘I wanted to go kayaking with you. It didn’t matter to me how fast we went.’

Rebecca put her hand out to stop him and reaching up she kissed him. Easing back after a minute she said ‘thank you.’

‘No worries’ Jake said with a smile. Then hungry after an hour on the river, he asked ‘you want to get some lunch?’

‘Jake it’s barely eleven o’clock.’

Jake shrugged and grinned ‘so, I’m hungry.’

She smiled and shook her head ‘okay come back to my place. I’ll make you something there.’

‘Sounds good’ Jake said and pulling her against him kissed her with such heat Rebecca’s legs threatened to give out when he lifted his head.

‘What was that for?’ she asked with a smile.

‘Later’ he said with a wink as he pulled her against his side and headed them in the direction of her apartment.

Rebecca smiled to herself.