Take me to Paradise

A small piece of Heaven

Chapter 9

The next morning started soon for Clara. But it wasn't a bad thing. She hadn't been able to sleep anyway, the past days events playing repeatedly in her mind. A soft smile crossed her features as she thought of Steve.

Clara took her cup of black tea and looked over at the clock in her kitchen. It was only eight o'clock, giving her still more than two hours until Steve would arrive. So she finished her drink and started cleaning up. Once the things she had laying around were in order she got dressed.

Putting a Rip Curl vest over her bikini she slipped into her shorts and waited for Steve to come. It wasn't long before her phone rang. Clara answered on the second ring and smiled as she heard his voice.

"Good Morning, Commander." She said and could her his grin over the phone.

"Well someone is in a good mood today." He answered her and laughed softly. "So listen I'm on my way to get you now." Little did Clara know that he already was at the building and wanted to surprise her.

"Oh, that's good. Just let me get my things together."

With a nod he thanked the old lady that had just exited the building and left the door open for him to enter. He took the stairs two at a time and stopped in front of the door to Clara's apartment. He knocked loudly and waited for her to open up.

Hearing the knock, Clara looked up and stood from the couch. "Steve there's someone at the door. Give me a sec." she told him, walking over to open it.

A soft gasp escaped her as she saw Steve standing there. He hung up and smiled at Clara. "Surprise." he said softly and moved into the apartment. He slung his arms around her waist and pulled her into his body.

"Hey." he said and took the phone from her hand, disconnecting the call.

Clara didn't know what to do, it was a really welcome surprise. "Hey." she greeted and smiled at him. "This is nice."

"Yeah." Steve agreed and kissed her softly. "You ready to leave?"

The young woman nodded her head and left his embrace. She went over and put on the thong sandals, while grabbing her beach bag. "Now I'm ready."

The ex-SEAL grabbed her hand and led Clara out of her building. They went over to his truck and got in on their sides. Steve started the car and they drove off towards the beach.

"So are we going to play the same game as yesterday or are you going to tell me where we're heading?" she asked from her seat next to Steve and grinned as he rolled his eyes.

"I'm never getting to surprise you with our locations, am I?"

"I don't think so." she stated plainly and laughed at his face.

"And if I don't tell you?" he asked shooting her a questioning look.

"Well then I will have to use my undeniable charm and get it out of you." She grinned and reached over, laying her hand on Steve's thigh. She squeezed softly and waited for his reaction which never came.

"You forget, babe, I'm a SEAL. I can shut it off when I need to."

Pouting Clara fell back in the passenger seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "You're mean."

Steve laughed and reached over, linking their hands together. "Once we're there you will have stopped pouting, because you will love what you see."

"Is that a promise?"

"Oh yes it is." he smirked and proceeded the drive to the beach.

Only a few minutes later, he parked the car next to a small patch of trees. Turning to Clara he pointed to the trail that led towards the beach. "We need to get through there to get to our spot."

Clara nodded her head and got out of the truck. Steve walked around the vehicle and grabbed both bags before he led the young woman through the trees. Walking next to her, he took the time to study Clara. She was dressed in board shorts and a Rip Curl vest. He would lie if he told anyone that he wasn't affected by her appearance.

Steve pulled her closer and tightened his hold on Clara. "Have I told you that I really like this outfit on you?"

She looked at him and gave Steve a weary smile, not sure how to respond. Of course he had told her she looked good, but there she was mostly dressed in longer or more clothes. "Thanks, I guess."

Steve shook his head and kissed Clara, making sure she could feel the sincerity he poured in it. "Don't do that. I'm being honest with you, babe."

The young woman smiled and leaned against him. They walked on and soon they came to the beach. Clara gasped at the breathtaking sight in front of her. It was beautiful, the water the deepest blue she had ever seen and the beach the whitest in all of Hawaii.

"It's beautiful Steve." she said and let go of his arm, twirling in the sands. Turning back to the ex-SEAL she gave him a look. "I thought we would go snorkeling?"

His answer was the shaking of his head, as he walked up to Clara. "Have you ever gone snorkeling?"

"Well, there was this one time back in High School. But other then that never."

"Alright, well get rid of those shorts and we can get in the water." Steve said and rummaged in his bag to get the diving gear for both of them. He turned back to Clara, who had just gotten out of her shorts, and cleared his throat. He could feel the lower part of his anatomy tighten at the sight of her standing there in the green bikini bottoms. 'So much for being a SEAL.' he thought.

"Oh nice, you got my some in violet." Clara commented as she took the fins and scuba mask from him.

Nodding his head he, too, grabbed his own before pulling his shirt off, too.

Once they both were ready, Steve grabbed Clara's hand and smiled at her. "Don't worry, I'm with you all the way." he said and led her into the water.

She wasn't sure if it should reassure her, knowing that there could be sharks in the water, but knowing that Steve was with her made her feel better all together. She smiled behind her mask and together they went under the water.

It was fascinating to see so many different things. The plants, the animals, everything was so...amazing. Steve turned to Clara and gave her a thumbs up and a questioning look, indicating if she was alright. The young woman gave a slight nod and made her own thumbs stick up. Steve grabbed her hand again and led her through the small reef.

Moving her slightly over the water Clara could see a cave a few feet away from them. Steve followed her movement and grinned as he saw it too. He took out the breathing piece and smiled. "Would you like to explore it?"

Clara nodded her head and this time they swam the few feet on the surface. The cave itself only had a small hole to swim through, but inside it was enormous. In the ceiling was a big hole, giving them a glimpse of the blue sky above and a few plants, flowers and trees had grown around it.

"This is amazing." Clara said as she looked around it and pulled her mask and gear off.

Steve smiled and pulled her into his body, as they stood on a stone ledge in the cave. He put his arms on her waist and leaned down to kiss her, moving his lips with her own. Clara smiled into the kiss and let out a soft moan, crossing her arms in his neck.

"Did you know that this was here?" she asked once they had broken the kiss to get much needed air.

The ex-SEAL shook his head. "No, but I'm glad we found it." he said, looking around the large space of their new sanctuary. He planned to come back with her whenever they both needed a much needed time together. This would be their secret for now.