The sun was setting when they entered the water, welcome relief following a day that had reached 49 degrees Celsius by late afternoon. Emma quickly abandoned the warm shallows to swim in cooler depths, leaving Cal standing waist-deep, his eyes focused on the crumbling headland to his right, where clumps of windblown foliage struggled to maintain a foothold. Engrossed in breaststroke, Emma didn’t notice the pile of red and yellow rocks at the base of the cliff – evidence of recent slippage – or a fissure higher up the slope.
Cal surfaced beside her, grabbing her waist to pull her close. Salty lips nuzzled her neck, sending shivers through her body. ‘Are you cold, my love?’ he asked, raising his head.
‘Not really, but maybe we could go and sit on the beach. It’ll be dark before long.’
Rel
