348 Vacation to Jamaica 7

Max wrapped his arm around Liz's shoulders, and she leaned on him and both of them got lost in their own thoughts while gazing at the colorful scenery through the window.

"Ah, youth…", one older lady sighed while looking at Max and Liz. When her husband didn't respond, she nudged him with her elbow. "You can see that they are in love. Look how they are holding each other..."

The older man next to her got the hint. He put his hand around her shoulders, mimicking Max's and Liz's position. "There. We are in love also."

The older lady giggled and leaned on her husband.

Liz and Max glanced at each other and their smiles widened. It's a good feeling that their love radiates and spreads on others.

After about twenty minutes into the ride, they reached their destination.

It was a clearing paved with irregularly shaped bricks and surrounded by the jungle. There was a small waterfall and sculptures carved in stone and an inevitable souvenir shop.

"We can get souvenirs on our way back.", Max advised Liz when he saw that she is checking out the merchandise. They are going for a hike up to the waterfalls and they will return to this exact spot so dragging extra weight is unnecessary.

Liz agreed. "Yes, yes… But they have maps of the area. Look, there are some caves off the main path, we can explore them."

Max didn't object.

Max noticed stands with food. "We can have lunch here when we get hungry…"

Liz bobbed her head excitedly. "Let's go up… oh, this area is nice. Can we take a photo with the waterfall behind us and these big red flowers?"

Max glanced to the side and locked eyes with one young woman who was staring his way. It was three of them in a group. He waved at the young woman. "Can I trouble you to take our photo?"

"Sure, sure…", the young woman agreed immediately. 

Liz and Max posed, and the woman snapped a photo with Liz's phone.

The young woman handed the phone back to Liz without taking her eyes off from Max. "My name is Linda. Do you mind taking our photo?"

Max assumed that Linda wants a photo with her two friends who are observing them and whispering something among each other.

"No problem.", Max said and extended his hand, expecting Linda to give him her phone.

Linda smiled and unlocked her phone before giving it to Liz.

Max and Liz had matching confused expressions when Linda grabbed Max's hand.

"Uhm… what are you doing?", Max asked stiffly while squirming out of Linda's hold.

"I want to take a photo with you."

Max took the phone out of Liz's hand. "I don't mind taking your photo, but my photos are only with my girlfriend."

"Maybe you should ask her for permission." Linda looked at Liz. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Come on, it's just a photo…", Linda whined.

"Since it's just a photo, you should not make a fuss about it and give up on that idea." Max saw that Linda is not willing to give up, and he pushed Linda's phone into her hand. "I'm glad we clarified that."

Linda pursed her lips and watched as Max and Liz walked away.

Max felt that there is a knot in his stomach. "I'm sorry, Liz…"

"Why are you apologizing?", Liz interrupted him. "You did nothing wrong."

Max half-smiled in relief. He was glad that Liz didn't say the incident was his mistake. He knows that it was not his fault, but considering his previous reputation, he fears that Liz will blame him for fooling around. And they just made up after the storm Irene caused.

Liz saw that Max is troubled and she hugged him and pressed her face against his chest.

"Max, I am insecure and jealous, but I also have eyes that are working fine. As long as you don't flirt with other women, I will not blame you for them coming onto you. But you need to be consistent in not allowing them to come close."

Max tightened his hold on Liz and hummed in agreement. "You are the only one who gets to come this close."

Liz looked up at him and smiled slyly. "And closer."

"The only one…", Max spoke against Liz's lips and kissed her once, twice… and then he deepened the kiss and she laced her fingers into his hair and the two of them stood like that and kissed, oblivious to other tourists who circled around them because Max and Liz were in the middle of the path and no one dared to interrupt them.

…

After a short hike uphill, they reached the waterfalls.

The waterfalls are like huge rock steps over which water cascades, creating shallow pools at the base of each step.

Max and Liz removed their clothes and were down to their swimsuits. They were ready for a dip in the biggest pool, like most of the tourists present.

Compared to the hot air of the Caribbean at noon, the water was freezing, and Liz's teeth could not stop clattering. She was happy that there was a stand where towels were provided.

"Let's NOT do this again…", Liz whined while wrapping herself in a towel.

Max laughed. He was freezing as well, but Liz's sulky expression was priceless.

"Ah! Don't take a photo!"

Liz was too late. Max's smug smile told her that he already took a few while she was not paying attention.

After toweling off, Max and Liz went toward the caves, off the regular track.

During their walk, Liz looked around, trying to see if Linda and her two friends are anywhere nearby, but she could not spot them, so she relaxed gradually. The last thing she needs is a jealous woman messing up with their vacation. 

They found out that many other tourists had the same idea of checking out the caves, so it was not secluded how they envisioned that it will be.

"Do you want to go deeper in the jungle?", Max suggested. "We might find something unique."

Liz rejected firmly. "The only thing jungle reminds me of, is the two of us at the bottom of a cliff. This vacation is going well so far, and I don't want us to risk our luck. I'm fine with exploring these caves…"

The caves are actually one big cave with several entrances, and not too deep into the cave, there was a crystal-clear lake. Liz touched the water and the shivers she got from the coldness confirmed that this lake is definitely connected to the icy waterfalls.

They didn't stay in the cave area for long.

Liz was interested in souvenir shops at the beginning of the hiking trail and there were several in their resort as well. The gleam in Liz's eyes told Max that she means business.

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