Rescued: A Festive Novella (4 page)

The squeals of excited children and families making their way to the beach woke Anya early. Christmas morning and all its festivity had arrived yet for Anya the fog of what the day represented hung heavily in the air.

As Anya stretched and readied herself for the day, Sophie bounded into the lounge room presenting Anya with a beautifully wrapped gift, solid black paper with a gorgeous gold bow. As she opened it, Sophie was visibly excited, obviously proud of her shopping choice and to see Anya’s reaction to it. Inside was an exquisitely boxed bottle of Bvlgari Jasmin Noir—Anya’s new favourite scent and one that was well and truly beyond her price reach.

“Oh god, Sophie, you shouldn’t have—but I’m so glad you did!” she squealed, throwing her arms around Sophie’s neck and pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you!
Here is yours, though my wrapping is nowhere near as perfect as yours!” she laughed.

Unlike her, Sophie tore through the wrapping paper with little regard for the paper, caring only for what was inside. “Aaahhh!! I love it, Anya!” she screamed holding up the 1938 Oroton Barrel Bag that Anya knew she’d been eying for months and that Anya had saved hard to buy her. “It’s perfect!” she squealed, with the delight of a child who’d just unwrapped their favourite toy from Santa.

“I’ll make breakfast” Anya offered, jumping up from the couch and heading to the kitchen. “Pancakes and ice-cream or bacon and eggs?” she called to Sophie who was still checking out her new handbag, totally smitten with its perfection.

“Both!” she cried, “It’s Christmas!”

“Seriously, Soph? We’ll be beached whales if we do that”

“Ok, pancakes today, bacon tomorrow” she negotiated, “after all, I have a little surprise for Finn today…” she laughed.

“So…” Sophie purred as she made her way into the
lounge room clad in a gorgeous turquoise bikini that left very little to the imagination, “beach?”

“Whoa, Soph… Finn is in for a surprise!” Anya whistled.

“You think he’ll notice?!” Sophie laughed conspiratorially.

“Swim first, sun after?” Sophie advised, rather than asked Anya as they dropped their bags on the beach and started the walk down through the droves of people to the water.

“Are you asking or telling” Anya joked.

“Bit of both, I guess” Sophie laughed. “Have you seen them yet? They’re both working so they’ve got to be here somewhere”

“Yeah, well there’s only about 30,000 people here, Soph… it could take a while to find them” she offered though she knew her own eyes were busily scanning the crowds looking for Jack.

“Oh, Anya, you have such little faith—and on Christmas of all days—“ Sophie joked, “Here they are now, they can’t keep away from us”

“Merry Christmas ladies” Finn shouted, as he walked bare-chested toward them, clearly enjoying both the beautiful Christmas sunshine and the adoration from the nearby female beach-goers.

“Geez Sophie, you’re killing me here” Finn smiled, taking in Sophie’s barely there bikini before showering her with kisses and whispering something in her ear that made Sophie gasp and blush at once.

Anya looked on contently—maybe Sophie would get her Christmas wish with Finn.

“Merry Christmas, Anya” Jack whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to take you home and keep you all to myself”.

“Merry Christmas, Jack. I’ve been thinking the same thing myself. I missed you yesterday”

“I know, I’m sorry it was a rough day here and we had a debrief and planning for today well into the last night. I’ll make it up to you, I promise” he replied, kissing her deeply before pulling back, “I have to keep going Anya, I’ve got to keep my eyes and focus on the water, and, well you are quite a distraction for me” he whispered.

“A good distraction, I hope?” she replied, playfully.

“The very best”

“Jack! Finn! Someone, help. Please, someone help!” came Sophie’s shrill scream. In a second, all the noises of the beach, the kids playing, parents shouting, drunks laughing—it all faded to silence, as his eyes strategically scanned the water where he’d last seen Anya and Sophie swimming, his body instinctively moving, already headed toward the water. He could see Sophie, standing on the shore, frantically scanning the water.

Anya, where
is Anya?
he asked himself repeatedly, his feet carrying him faster than he thought possible, he looked to his left and saw Finn running with him, keeping up pace by pace. Behind him were two other surf lifeguards trying desperately to keep up.

“Soph, where is she?” Jack shouted, stripping his shirt off and throwing it behind him as he made his way into the surf.

“She’s was hit by a surfboard, she hasn’t come back up yet. Please, I’m coming to help” Sophie yelled, making her way into the water alongside him and Finn.

“Finn, get her out of here. Calm her down, we don’t need to be pulling them both out” Jack shouted, hearing Finn’s stern voice commanding Sophie to stay on the shore before feeling his presence as they both dove under an incoming wave.

Coming up, he saw a distressed surfer shouting to him, “over here, over here” he called urgently, “my board flew out and hit her in the head, I’ve been under a few times, and I can’t see her”

Jack swam to him, duck diving beneath the surface, his eyes searching the water, stinging from the salty water but instinctively staying focused and open
, adrenaline taking over. He made eye contact with Finn as they both came up for breath, the concern etched onto his friend’s face both deflating Jack’s hopes and spurring him on to keep going. Jack watched Finn dive back under and immediately began to follow him as he saw Anya’s body bob up above the surface a few metres away. Then he heard it: her desperate gasp for breath, her pained and scared moan for help before she dropped back below the surface,
at least she’s breathing
he thought to himself as her threw himself toward her, every muscle overstretching and overworking in his desperate attempt to get to her. Reaching her, he dove down just below the surface and dragged her to the surface, pushing her hair out of her face and holding her up above the water, “I’ve got you Anya, just breathe. Breathe. You’re safe, I’ve got you” he gasped, his own body struggling for breath, as Finn joined him and took her weight so Jack could check her over.

“
Jetski is on the way, Jack” she heard Finn shout, “Anya, babe, you ok. You’ve taken a fair knock to the head—you hurt anywhere else?” Finn asked, checking her over as best he could.

She tried turning to answer him, but Jack’s eyes were clasped firmly on hers and though she tried, she couldn’t drag herself away from the concern and fear etched on his face.

“I’m… I’m ok. Jack, I’m ok?” she spluttered questioningly, thoroughly unconvinced about her own safety.

“You’re ok, I’ve got you” he repeated as he and Finn loaded her onto the jetski mat, repeated it all the way into shore,
and repeated it as he settled her onto the stretcher in the lifeguard tower.

“You’re ok, Anya. I’ve got you” were the last words she heard as everything blacked out.

“I’ll take her home” she heard Jack say.

“No, she needs to come home with me” Sophie argued.

“What, so she can sleep on a couch Sophie? Seriously, she has a shocking concussion—what she needs is a proper sleep, in a bed, and someone who is qualified to look after her properly. And, unless you’re hiding some kind of medical knowledge that I don’t know about, then she’s coming with me”

“Ok. You’re right, Jack. Do you—is it ok if I come too? I just don’t want to be away from her” Sophie asked meekly, her voice quavering and giving away her fear and shock.

“Ah, well look who’s decided to join us” smiled the nurse, “Anya, my name is Betty and you’re at St Vincent’s Hospital. Can you tell me what day it is?” she queried gently.

“Christmas” she replied quietly, her throat raw and burning.

“Why yes it is” Betty replied cheerfully. “Now, can you tell me who is this spunky young man who’s been brooding over your bed for the last hour?”

Anya could help but smile, “Jack”.

“Are you sure you’re comfortable Anya? The doctor said you can take another painkiller if you need it? I can grab it for you—or maybe a cold drink?” Sophie stammered, reaching behind her to fluff her pillows and adjust to blanket for the umpteenth time. She was clearly in shock and more frightened by the afternoon’s events than she was letting on.

“I’m fine, honestly Soph, I’m ok”

“Yes…but you nearly…you nearly weren’t ok” she stammered, her tears threatening to take over yet again.

“Ok, ok, enough of that kind of talk” Jack called from the kitchen. “It’s Christmas, we’re all together, safe and sound, so
let's concentrate on that. Besides, my glorious Christmas dinner is just about ready” he said, strolling into the bedroom, the concern etched on his face defying his attempt at a nonchalant attitude. “Soph, reckon you could go and finish making the salad that’s on the bench? Meat, seafood, and pasta I can handle—salad is just not my thing”

As if understanding her queue to leave, Sophie jumped up and quickly left the room—Anya had never seen anything like it. Nobody told Sophie Anders what to do and Sophie Anders would never listen even if they did. Something had shifted.

“You look worried” she said gently to Jack.

“Of course I’m worried, Anya. God, I thought I’d lost you today” he whispered, lying down and resting his head beside hers, sighing heavily as though the concern was too great to keep inside any longer. “I was scared that I’d lost you”.

“I was scared too, Jack. It all happened so quickly yet I felt like I watched it all happen in slow motion. I saw the board coming, knew it was going to hit someone then before I could even think to move I realized it was going to hit me. I should’ve moved, but I… I just couldn’t…” she explained, the tears falling for the first time since leaving the hospital. “It must’ve knocked me out for a little bit, because I remember it going black then next thing I was under the water and I thought I was drowning but I couldn’t remember why—it’s like those dreams you have where you’re screaming for help, screaming to wake up but you can’t. Then I realized it wasn’t a dream, and I don’t know what happened I just started kicking and fighting to get to the surface… then, you… you were there”

“I’m sorry Anya, I should’ve gotten there quicker—“ he started, tears springing to his eyes.

“I’m sorry too Anya, I should’ve stayed out there with you instead of heading in” Sophie cried from the doorway.

“Oh, you two are killing me!” Anya exclaimed, “Come here, Soph” she offered, patting the other side of the bed and sitting up to comfort her friend before being struck instantly with a dizzy spell.

“You sat up too quickly, Anya. You need to take it slowly” Jack offered, sliding behind her and settling her between his legs for support.

“Yeah, Anya—listen to Jack, I had to fight him for you this afternoon, and he won, thanks to his lifesaving skills” she smiled, playfully.

“I
know I heard you both” she laughed, “but seriously, no more fighting. I need you both” she replied bossily, pulling Sophie into a hug.

“I was scared today, Anya. I’d be lost without you. I know I’ve been a bitch these last couple of days, and god I’m so sorry—“ Sophie trailed. “And, Jack—I’ll never be able to thank you for rescuing her” she said, reaching up and running her hand down Jack’s stubbled cheek.

To Anya’s surprise, Jack didn’t move away from Sophie’s touch instead he reached for Sophie’s hand and kissed her palm, “You don’t have to thank me Soph. I know how you feel about Anya, I’ve only known her a few days and already she’s changed my life. I can only imagine the impact she’s had on yours after all these years” he replied kindly before pulling Sophie closer into him and Anya.

Sophie’s breath caught noticeably, as she shifted into Jack’s embrace, his left hand sliding from Anya’s thigh to just beneath the hem of her shirt, then higher until he stopped on her breast.

Sophie was watching wide-eyed as he touched Anya so gently, so carefully and was surprised when he turned his attention to her as well, resting his hand on her outstretched leg.

Anya stilled, uncertain of what was happening, wanting Jack to touch her more, to watch him touch Sophie who had her eyes trained on Jack’s awaiting his next move. His hand worked
its way to Anya’s nipples, rolling them in turn between his thumb and finger, her desire no longer able to be hidden as she moaned loudly with pleasure. Relaxing her head back against Jack’s strong shoulder, she closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch before feeling Sophie’s soft hands glide up her body, taking her singlet with it. Startled, she opened her eyes and found Sophie watching as Jack’s hand continued to work her breasts, his finger dipping into Sophie’s waiting mouth for lubrication every so often.

“Ssh… I’ve got you, we’ve got you Anya” Jack whispered, as she searched his eyes for an explanation.

“Oh, Jack”, Anya found herself whispering.

“We’ve both got you this time” he repeated, pulling Sophie closer and dragging her shirt over her head, steadily unclasping her bikini top before returning his attention to Anya.

“Anya—Jack—is this ok?” Sophie started, before Jack reached for her and pulled her into a deep kiss. Anya knew the kiss, knew how it melted your insides, how it could stop the world from existing. She watched as Sophie transitioned from being uptight and unsure to relaxing into Jack’s mouth and his hands which were now unbuttoning her shorts.

Moving from behind Anya, Jack slid free of his shirt and boardies before slowly pulling away his jocks. Sophie’s gasp echoed through the room as Anya took his impressive length into her mouth, feeling him relax into her throat as he carefully cradled and soothed her aching head. She glanced up to see Sophie, naked and watching her intently, her eyes hooded with desire. Settling flat on the bed, Anya dutifully took on the task of sucking and teasing the underside of Jack’s length, offering Sophie easy access to him from above.

As they both settled into a rhythm of pleasuring him, taking turns in rolling their tongues across the head of his shaft, Jack stood watching the erotic and sensual show unfolding before him. Slowly sliding his length from between their mouths and immediately missing their warmth, he watched as their mouths aligned and both girls fell into each other.

Walking to Anya’s feet, he lowered his mouth to her heat and felt her body relax against his tongue. As his pace quickened and her body convulsed against his mouth, he knelt between her legs, seamlessly sliding into her as both hers and Sophie’s eyes found his. Pushing her legs further apart, he positioned Sophie to better watch his every stroke into her friend, Jack reaching for Sophie’s nipples and rolling them to further pique her desire.

Anya’s eyes had darkened, her need for release building and gaining an unstoppable momentum. Recognising Anya’s need for release, Jack took Sophie’s head pulling her in briefly for a kiss, before guiding her mouth down to Anya’s clit. The sensation of Jack’s thrusting and Sophie delicate suckling bringing Anya to an explosive climax.

Sophie stretched up to cover Anya’s mouth with a kiss sharing with Anya her own scent and taste fused with Jack’s which had been stained across Sophie’s lips. As Sophie straddled Anya’s body and deepened the kiss. Anya felt rather than saw Jack lift Sophie’s backside into position before sliding himself into her and taking her firmly but gently with deep, passionate strokes. Breathing heavily, Sophie broke away from her kiss with Anya instead hovering above her, jolting forward with each thrust from Jack. Anya couldn’t resist taking Sophie’s nipple in her mouth and she begun suckling softly causing Sophie to moan with desperate desire. 

As Jack’s thrusting increased, and Sophie’s moaning became more insistent, Anya broke away from their union making eye contact with Jack who was already watching her intently. Locked in his gaze, Anya flinched as she felt his fingers enter her sex, a wild wink passing over his gorgeous brown eyes as he synchronized his fingers and cock into a steady rhythm bringing both women to climax simultaneously.