by Ellie Hall
They ate a light lunch on the boat, lounged on the deck, then cruised around the islands. Blake pointed out a few spots of interest and they spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the rainforest on Dominica. Cece commented that the one good thing about having such short hair was that she didn’t have to worry about it getting frizzy in the humid forest. She seemed relatively happy, or at least content for the first time since she’d been there.
When they returned to the yacht, the sun had just started to set in the west. They watched it drop as they motored back to the island.
While eating dinner in one of the resort dining rooms, Blake said, “Save room for dessert.”
“This whole day has been like dessert.”
“Are you saying spending time with me is delicious?” he asked. Mischief danced on his lips.
“I’m saying it’s my birthday, and I’m not sure I have room for more.”
Blake’s head tipped to the side and his eyes widened. “It’s your birthday? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was hard enough not to just stay in bed and cry because Serena wasn’t here to spend it with me.”
“See, I told you that you were wallowing.”
“How insensitive can you be? My sister passed away.”
“What’s that saying, live life to the fullest?”
“Serena used to say that.”
“My dad did too, and he did while he could.”
“What’s your point?”
“That’s what they’d want for us. That’s what I’ve been trying to show you. Yes, of course, grieve, but you can’t let guilt over living rob you of your life. In a way, it’s selfish because I guarantee your sister or my father would be mighty upset if they knew that we’d quit on ourselves.”
“What makes you the authority on this?” Cece looked at her hands but there was an edge to her voice.
He could’ve let them fall into silence, allow her to retreat, and crawl back into her cave. He could’ve turned his back. Instead, he said, “I’ve battled with the guilt. I’ve given in and let it consume me. I’m here to tell you there’s another way.” She’d helped him see that.
“Why should I listen to you? You’re hiding away on the island, unable to face your family.”
“But I have faced myself. It took me years to be able to look in the mirror. That was why I rarely shaved.” He brushed his hand along his jaw. “Because I had to reckon with myself.” His voice was harsher than he intended. He softened it when he spoke again. “And I have you to thank.”
Her face fell. She rushed along the beach and back to her cabana.
Chapter 9
Cece
The day had been too good, too perfect. Cece didn’t deserve any of it and certainly not Blake’s comment about her helping him. She couldn’t help herself; how could she do anything to benefit him or anyone else? In fact, she felt completely helpless as the tears streamed down her face.
Serena wasn’t there to celebrate her birthday with her. She was alone.
Cece rushed into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face, to make the tears stop. When she lifted her eyes, they were red, streaked with sadness. But in them, she saw Serena’s eyes and there was a plea there. Blake was right. She hated that he was right. Serena was with her all day: when she saw the dolphins and when she experienced wonderment and awe beneath the water. She was there when Cece laughed and smiled in the sun. Blake was right that Serena would’ve wanted Cece to celebrate her birthday, to live her life.
She wiped her eyes and then strode to the kitchen. The pantry was well stocked and she tore through it, looking for a box of brownie mix. There wasn’t any. Her shoulders fell. Maybe the day hadn’t been as serendipitous as she’d hoped.
A light knock came from the cabana door.
Perhaps an angel was delivering a box of brownie mix.
Instead, Blake stood there with a box in hand.
He was the last person she wanted to see. He’d gone from flirtatious bad boy to flirtatious good boy. The guy who’d broken her heart was different and she wasn’t sure what to make of him. Wasn’t sure if she could trust him.
“I didn’t realize it was your birthday but had wanted to share these with you.” He held out the box. It was a bit tattered like it had been tossed around or traveled a great distance.
Cece folded her arms in front of her chest, but let him in any way. One thing she was sure of, it was near impossible to resist him.
He sat down on the couch and set the box on the coffee table. “I’m not sure I ever told you, but I have a twin. His name is Dallen. We’re nearly identical looking, except he has a dimple and I have freckles, but we’re complete opposites in every other way. When we were little, we started a tradition where we’d buy each other candy for the number of years we were turning. So when we were ten, we’d trade ten candies. He sent these to me a few months ago for our birthday. After our father died, we had a falling out. All my brothers and me. I left. Haven’t seen or talked to them since.” Blake lifted his head then met her eyes. “I can’t get that time back.”
Cece understood that he meant he regretted the distance he’d placed between himself and his siblings.
“You should call them. Talk. Apologize.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
“Start with I’m sorry.”
Blake turned to her and their knees bumped. It was one of the first times they’d actually touched aside from on the jet ski. A zing shot through her legs, right into her belly, stopping just short of her chest. She shifted away.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
His brown eyes swam toward hers and held. Her breath caught. His eyes were captivating. Dreamy. Alluring. But that wasn’t the point. She wouldn’t get lost in them. She’d resist. She knew how to swim and would even if it was against the current.
She plucked a milk chocolate square from the box to tell him she accepted his apology. “Delicious.”
“Happy birthday.”
“It has been pretty happy. Thanks for the trip today.”
She helped herself to another chocolate and read the top of the box. “Mom and Lollipops. I remember that place when I visited Hawk Ridge Hollow. Do you miss it?”
“The candy store?”
“No, home.”
He nodded. “Mostly, I miss the people. My brothers. Dallen is supposed to get married soon too.”
“So you’ll see him soon?”
His silence was the best answer he could give.
Her jaw dropped. “What? You’re not going to your twin’s wedding.” She went on, scolding him.
“I couldn’t face them.”
“We both know, all too well, that any one of us could be gone in an instant.” She snapped her fingers. “I can’t go back and tell my sister how she was also an amazing singer, hear her tell me her silly jokes—she loved puns—listen to her wish me happy birthday and make giant brownie sundaes. But your brothers are still here. They’re all you’ve got.”
Blake hedged.
“Blake Hawkins, I dare you to call Dallen right now. Apologize. Make it right. If could just say hello to Serena right now I would.”
Blake sighed.
“You made me get out today, face some fears, and I’m glad I did. Now, I’m making you call your twin. You’ll be glad you did.” Her face was set, her stance determined. She stared him down and didn’t budge until he gave in.
He reluctantly pulled out his cell phone and with a wary glance in Cece’s direction, he pressed call.
When a tinny hello came from the other end, Blake stepped outside. The walls of the cabana were thin, but all Cece could hear was the rise and fall of his voice, not distinct words.
She helped herself to a few more chocolates and checked her social media. There were the usual fans gushing about her music but there was also the gossip about her hair, where she’d disappeared to, and of course, the circumstances surround
ing her sister’s death.
She wanted to stop scrolling, to curb the ache in her chest, but she couldn’t. Then the door opened. Blake’s expression was unreadable. He lingered on the threshold.
“Truth or dare?” she asked.
“Truth.”
“Do you feel better?”
He let out a heavy sigh.
She got to her feet and they sat on the patio. The light from the lanterns and the cabana cast them half in light and half in shadow.
But she found his eyes, glimmering. He smiled. His gaze held hers and he said, “Yeah. I do feel better.”
She passed him the box of chocolates.
He studied the contents before popping one in his mouth. “Caramel. My favorite.”
“Did you tell Dallen thank you for the gift?”
He nodded around his mouthful. Then said, “My turn. You got your dare and truth out of me. How about a confession.” Without waiting for her to answer or protest he said, “That hit song Once wasn’t Enough, was that about—?”
“You? Yes. So was the follow up Never Again/Not You.”
He winced and drew back.
“It was to help me get back on my feet. You’d pierced something inside me.”
“With what? My rugged good looks?” He lifted and lowered his eyebrows.
“At the time, yes. Along with your charm.”
“Tell me more.” He sported a Cheshire cat grin.
She huffed. She wouldn’t tell him it was a case of love at first sight. There was no need to inflate his already bloated ego. “You weren’t going gaga over me, falling over my feet to heed my beck and call. You were kind of aloof.”
“That made you attracted to me?”
“It was refreshing. But then you disappeared. Talk about being standoffish.” She let the words dig a little.
He nodded as though he understood he deserved the comment but also owed her more of an explanation. “When I couldn’t save my father, I decided to make it my mission to learn how to protect lives. I went from being a failed member of the mountain rescue team to being a bodyguard. I’ve been here, trying to forget all of my failures, including the hearts I broke.”
“More than one? Maybe that’s why that song was so popular.” She almost laughed.
“I can’t take all the credit. But I didn’t exactly live a chaste life.”
“Figures.”
“And you have? I’ve seen plenty of celebrities who claim to be sweet and conservative but are actually—”
“Why? Because they can’t quite resist you?”
He chuckled low. “No. Well, yes. It was easier to shut the chatter off in my mind, ignore my heart, and give into the moment.”
“What were you trying to ignore back then? Your father was still alive.”
“After my parents’ break up, I didn’t trust relationships. Women wanted a commitment, but I couldn’t give that to them, so I offered what I could.” He waved his hands in front of his chest. The chest she’d seen countless times while swimming, but snug under his shirt right then.
“There are other ways to be close.” She was waiting for the one who’d make her foot pop, the one she’d marry and it required more than just physical attraction. The air seemed to heat up a few degrees as she met his eyes. “How about a dare?” she asked.
He lifted an eyebrow with curiosity.
“When you were a kid did you ever do trust falls?”
“Yeah, you turn your back and trust the person to catch you.”
“It’s like that sort of. Intimacy isn’t just about the body.” She stepped closer to him so they were nearly toe-to-toe. “I dare you not to touch me. Just hold your hands here, over mine. Hold my gaze.” She demonstrated by holding her hands flat, palms out, and parallel to his chest like they were going to high five each other.
Energy crackled between their palms. It was like heat lightning, dropping from the clouds.
“Do you feel that?” she asked.
He nodded and his eyes swam over hers, answering her dare. He moved his hands, hovering over her shoulders.
Her breath caught at the intensity between them even with his fingers just inches away from her skin.
Without contact, he slid his hands down her back. She lifted her palms, positioning them perpendicular to his chest, just inches away from the muscles hidden beneath his shirt.
“Blake, tell me what’s locked away in your heart. What are you so afraid of?” she whispered.
Their eyes continued to hold, the tension mounting.
“Getting too close.” His hands trembled with want.
She lifted her hands, cupping them just inches from his jaw.
“This is too intense. I can’t do it.” His hands dropped to the wall behind her head, caging her in, but they still didn’t touch. He practically panted as though out of breath.
“But you are doing it.” She lifted her chin and her eyes held his once more.
Blake drew a deep breath. “What are you afraid of, Cecelia?” His voice was gruff.
“You. Us. Of someone replacing my sister.”
“It’s lucky we had the people we loved while we did.” His forehead hovered just an inch from hers.
“But how do we go on without them?” she asked.
“We go on together.”
“But what if I forget her?”
“If she’s looking down on you, what would she want to see? What would Serena say?” he asked, echoing the game she’d mentioned they’d play when they were younger.
She leaned against the wall. There was no escaping Blake or the question. “She’d want to see me laugh.”
“What makes you laugh?”
“People falling down. I know it’s cruel, but it’s true.” Her lips quirked. His breath whispered over her skin.
“What about falling… in love?”
She broke the trance and ducked under his arm. Maybe she was the one who couldn’t do it. She slid onto the couch and grabbed another chocolate and stuffed it in her mouth. She wanted his lips there, but the candy would have to suffice because kissing him would be reckless.
He sighed. “What else makes you laugh?”
“Is this a game of truth or dare?”
“Just truth,” he answered.
“I’d never lie.”
His eyebrow lifted. “Just omit? In that case, what’s one secret that you’ve never told anyone?”
She leaned back on the couch, feeling uncomfortable. “A secret I’ve never told anyone? Every time I step on stage, I feel like I’m going to be sick. Then when the lights come on, I pick up the guitar or sing into the mic, and the crowd cheers. It disappears. Poof.”
“Are you afraid of the dark?”
She shook her head. “No. I guess I’m just afraid of the unknown. What if there wasn’t anyone in the audience or if they hated me, my music. I guess the darkness represents that, but no, I’m not afraid of the dark.”
“I was when I was growing up.”
“Afraid of the dark?”
“I went through exposure training to get over it.”
“Did it work?”
“Except when I don’t know what you’re thinking. I often feel in the dark when it comes to what’s going on in there.” He pointed to her head.
She grimaced. He didn’t want to know what she was thinking, not the sadness, not the longing.
“Too much? Too personal. How about this. Have you ever shared chewing gum with someone?”
“Ew. No, that actually seems too personal. My turn. What’s a bad habit that you have?”
“Leaving the toilet seat up. You?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Not changing the toilet paper when the roll is empty. Most embarrassing moment?”
“Walking out of the men’s room at a club with toilet paper on my shoe. You?”
“There are too many. My life has been captured on film and social media. Shall I show you the blooper real?”
“Yes. Is there a video of you falling?” The
corner of his lip curled.
“Just search my name on the internet, and I’m sure you’ll be entertained.”
He reached for her phone.
“You wouldn’t laugh at me falling, would you?” She pressed her hand against her chest, mock offended.
“You’re the one who said you think people falling is funny.”
“But you’re not supposed to. You’re a bodyguard. I thought you were supposed to keep people like me from falling.” Nonetheless, she went on to tell him of several instances on the red carpet and when stepping onto and off of the stage when she’d taken a spill.
He tried to stifle laughter.
“Okay, my turn. What are you most afraid of aside from the dark?”
“Falling.” He hesitated as though not sure whether to say the next part then extended her hand to bring her to standing. “In love.” He bit his lip and draped his arms around her waist.
She knew if she let him say more, she might end up where she’d started with him: heartbroken and lost. “What’s your favorite pizza topping, vacation spot, holiday?” she asked rapid fire. But she didn’t pull away.
“That was a lot of truths. How about a dare?” His eyes sparked and hers returned the crackling energy despite her attempts to keep it contained. She’d never experienced anything like the surge between them except for when they’d met the first time. The foot popping time when they’d kissed at the ski resort.
His eyes darkened and dipped to her lips. His twitched.
Her chest swelled and the heated tension between them burned hotter than the scorching Caribbean sun.
His hand skimmed the curve of her head, down her neck, across her shoulder, then landed on her hip. He broke the no-touch rule.
She inhaled sharply at the weight of his palm.
“But what if I want to be close to you? To touch you? What if I want to kiss you?” he asked.
“What if I’m scared?”
“What if you’re brave?” He lowered his head.
She leaned in and closed the space between them. She curled into him, gripping his back, pulling him even closer.
He held her in a tight hug and all the stiffness and the stress from deep inside dissolved. She lifted her chin, leaning back slightly and expected his lips to land on hers. Instead, his mouth just barely brushed her collarbone, her shoulder, and then the space behind her ear. Tingles coursed through her. Blake’s lips drifted to her cheek, then her forehead, then he pecked her nose before planting his lips on hers.