by Kennedy Fox
Being together was more emotional than I could’ve ever expected, so I understand why she’s pushing me away. While we were together, I found something I’d been missing with other hookups. Deeper feelings surfaced than I’d ever experienced before. From seeing her that first time at breakfast, to her coming to Dylan’s rescue on the beach, to spending hours chatting and drinking together—it’s already felt like more than any of my previous flings. In that short amount of time, we’ve built a connection that even I don’t understand. It’s frightening, but exhilarating all at the same time, and I’m ready to dive in head first to see where it goes. We have a week to experience each other to the fullest, and I’ll be damned if I allow precious time to be wasted. Sometimes a person has to put their cards on the table, call the bluff, and make a bet, even if the odds are stacked against them. I have to know if this is just a stupid vacation fling or if there’s potential for more between us. Our story could already be the lyrics to a stupid country song.
After I’m dressed, I give her a wink, taking one last long look at her—knowing deep down it won’t be the last time we’re together—before leaving. The connection we shared was almost too much. It’s intoxicating and feels like it will completely swallow me whole or break me—I’m not sure which one it is yet. We may barely know each other, but something about her pulls me to her, like an invisible lasso. She’s holding the rope and calling the shots.
Hunger takes over as soon as I leave her room, so I take the elevator down to the coffee shop in the hotel lobby and grab a few muffins and a giant coffee to take back to my room.
To know I’ve actually been snubbed is a strange sensation. Not often has that happened to me; actually, I don’t think it ever has. I’m usually the one pushing girls out of my bed in the morning, and oddly enough, it makes me want her that much more. The chase makes it that much more interesting and fun, as crazy as that sounds. For a moment, I slightly understand Crazy Carly then try to forget the stupid thought as I ride the elevator to my floor.
Before I slide my keycard, I pound on the door like I’m the police and wait for some sort of noise on the other side. Since there’s no answer, I assume the coast is clear and enter.
“Fuck!” I shout. “It stinks like nasty sex in here.” Just as the words leave my mouth, I see rustling in the bed, then Jessica’s head pops up like a prairie dog.
“Howdy,” I tell her, taking a bite of my blueberry muffin, feeling slightly bad for being an asshole. As I chew the dry ass muffin, all I can think is how much better Mama’s are. Even my sister, Courtney, could put these nasty bricks to shame. In Key West, the biggest disappointment is the cooking.
Dylan groans and pulls the blanket from over his head, giving me a death glare. “Go away!”
“No, sir. The night’s over. Time to get up. It’s nearly ten in the morning. Going back to work is gonna be a bitch if you keep sleepin’ in late,” I tell him matter-of-factly, turning my back as Jessica tries to slyly slip on her clothes without revealing too much. Poor girl has to take the walk of shame, and the look of it is all over her face. It’s always easier to sneak out before the other person wakes, that’s one-night stand basics, but even I didn’t follow the basics this morning. As I take the last bite of the first muffin, I hear lips sucking and smacking each other and groan.
“Get a room,” I say with a laugh.
“I’ve got one!” Dylan throws a pillow my way.
“Get another room,” I correct myself, just as Jessica walks around the bed to grab her purse.
“Bye, Alex,” she says as she sashays toward the door, blowing Dylan a final kiss before she leaves.
Just as she walks out, I turn and look at Dylan. “You’re dirty as fuck.”
He sits up in bed, rubbing his face. “I know. What was I thinking?”
“You weren’t. I don’t remember her looking quite like that last night.” I try to think back, but honestly, the only thing on my mind right now is River. Her body against mine. The way she tastes. She’s like a poisoned apple and has already made her way through my veins. I can’t stop thinking about her, and it’s been less than an hour since I left. Goddammit.
“Beer goggles. Those sneaky bastards will make a two a ten. You’d think I’d learn my lesson by now,” Dylan says with a grunt. “No wonder Liam was so willing to push her off on me.”
“No regrets, though. Right? I’m sure she’s a nice girl.” I bite into the last muffin, and when my stomach gurgles, I regret eating them, but finish it anyway because this hangover isn’t going to cure itself.
“I swear, if you wouldn’t have shown up, she may have never left. Which is okay, I guess. But to me, she seems like a psycho. You know the phrase: a freak in the sheets? Well, that’s her times ten. I’m not gonna go into detail, but if for some reason I go missing and don’t make it back to Texas, she’s suspect one.”
“Damn, dude,” I say with a laugh, but he looks at me a little too seriously for my liking.
“I need a shower.” He doesn’t even wait for me to reply as he walks into the bathroom—bare ass and all—and shuts the door.
After he’s showered, Dylan decides he needs to eat. I’m so full of sugar the thought grosses me out, but I go anyway, secretly hoping I run into River.
“Gonna tell me what happened last night?” Dylan asks with a shit-eating grin on his face as we leave the hotel and walk down the sidewalk.
“Nah. I’m good.”
He punches me in the arm, and I’m half-tempted to punch his ass back.
“So you found your girl, and she turned out to be a psycho, too?” Dylan leads us into a burger joint a few blocks away. Every blonde I see in the distance makes my heart race, but it’s never her.
“No. She’s not a psycho. She’s actually pretty fucking perfect. Maybe a bit guarded, but perfect nonetheless. And that’s where the problem lies.”
Dylan orders himself a double cheeseburger, and we sit at a huge window that overlooks the beach. I stare out, watching people walk up and down the white sand having a good time.
“Because Cowboy Prince Charming found his Princess Cowgirl and all she left was her boot on the stairs at midnight?”
“No wonder you’re single,” I tell him, stealing a fry from his plate, hoping to change the subject.
“I have little sisters. Give me a break. Disney and princess shit is something I’ve had to deal with for years. So I guess things didn’t go as planned, then?”
I give him a look that tells him he’s right.
“This just keeps gettin’ better and better.” He continues eating, not taking his eyes from me, waiting for me to spill the beans.
“Or worse,” I correct. “After one of the best nights of my life, I was kicked to the curb like a stray dog,” I finally tell him.
Dylan laughs so hard I’m concerned I might have to give him the Heimlich. I’m beginning to think he’s a serious liability on the island. After he catches his breath, he shakes his head.
“I’ve always heard that Karma’s a Bitch, but now I might actually believe it. Alex Bishop has finally met his match. Perfect. Can’t wait to watch how this plays out.”
“You’re a dick,” I mutter as he cleans his plate. “A nasty dick at that.”
“I learned everything I know from you,” he says as he stands to dump his tray in the trash.
I let out a laugh. “So what you’re saying is I’ve created a monster. Great.”
Most of the day passes, and we spend it exploring other parts of the island. I’m no fun because all I want to do is go back to the hotel, pound on River’s door, and ask her if we can talk. The more I think about this morning, the more bothered I become. Call me a hypocrite because of my track record, but it all feels wrong.
Once we’ve basically explored every inch of the west side of the Keys, and I grabbed some tacos from a food truck, we decide to Uber back to the hotel. Just as I see the hotel in sight, my palms become sweaty and my heart races. I have to figure out exactly what I’
m going to say to her because I will see her again.
“Apparently, there’s a volleyball tournament on the beach tonight at six. Wanna go play?” Dylan asks.
“Do you think it’s a good idea? I’m afraid you’ll break something or hurt yourself.” I joke with him, though I’m halfway serious.
“You only live once, right?” Dylan smirks as he thanks the driver and gets out of the car. We enter the hotel lobby and round the corner only to find Jessica waiting impatiently by the elevators with a big smile on her face. Dylan turns and looks at me with wide eyes, and all I can do is laugh.
“You chose it.” I smirk, patting him on the back and giving an encouraging push toward her. I should be a good friend and save him, but I don’t because it’s funnier this way. He deserves it for all the shit talking he’s done today, and at least, he’ll have a good story to bring home.
“We actually have plans tonight.” Dylan turns and looks at me.
“Nah, we don’t.” I give her a wink as his face turns blood red.
“See, that means we can do the boat tour and watch the sunset!” She shrieks in excitement.
When I make eye contact with Dylan, he whispers, “I’m going to kill you,” before he’s whisked away to the beach for a romantic afternoon. He’s too much of a gentleman to tell her no, and if he’s learned everything from me, then I’ll take that one as a compliment.
Considering I’m alone and the night is still young, I make my way through the lobby, past the pool, toward the cabana bar that overlooks the beach. I order a beer and stare out at the water as the sun begins to set in the distance. Chatter echoes from the pool, and I’m lost in my thoughts before I realize my name is being called in the distance.
Just as I turn, I recognize the voice.
Natalie.
“I’m really sorry my friend is such a sour puss,” she says with a smile. She’s alone, and her mouth is the color of the blue drink she’s sipping. Drunk Natalie just might be my ticket to finding River.
I smile and pretend like I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I’m sure she already knows everything. I’m not the kinda guy who kisses and tells because some secrets are better left buried, and Mama raised a gentleman.
“I’m going to fix this, I promise,” Natalie says before flashing me a wink as she stuffs her phone into her pocket and waves bye before I can ask any questions. Curiosity gets the best of me as I watch her walk away.
I don’t know what she’s up to, but I kinda like her style.
She’s fierce with a side of no fucks given.
Chapter Ten
RIVER
I feel completely relaxed after Natalie and I had massages this afternoon. The masseuse really worked out the kinks of having rough sex last night. Afterward, we parted ways, and I went up to my room where all I did for the next few hours was lounge around. I decided to read one of my romance books because someone should get a happily ever after on this vacation even if it’s living vicariously through fictional characters.
About halfway through my book, I decide to take a nap, and it felt good to actually do nothing for a change. Instead of meeting Natalie and Adam for dinner, I decided to order room service and stay in, hoping to detox my mind and body of everything Mr. Southern ’n Dirty. Reading a steamy romance was probably not the smartest choice to help me forget about last night, but I don’t think I could ever forget…even if I tried.
Once my food arrives, I sit up against the headboard and flick through the TV channels, inhaling my food in the process. I stop once I come across an old black-and-white western. Just the sound of the man's deep, gravelly voice has my mind back on that damn cowboy. I turn it off and finish my dinner in silence, but everything in my head goes back to him and the way he cherished my body. Gah! It’s ridiculous.
The sound of a text has me shaking him out of my head, and after I grab it, I see it’s from Natalie.
N: Meet me at the cabana bar past the pool ASAP. It’s really important!
* * *
R: On my way. Is everything okay?
My instincts take control as I slip on a sundress and flip-flops. I quickly pull my hair up into a messy ponytail before grabbing my keycard and phone. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something wrong. When she doesn’t respond to my message, I grow more concerned. Did she and Adam get into a fight? Or worse, did they break up? Different scenarios flood my mind, and without another thought, I rush toward the cabana.
When I step outside, the warm breeze brushes across my skin, and I can’t help but glance at the plum-colored sky as the dark orange sun falls below the horizon. Everything about this island is incredible, and I’m definitely going to miss seeing its beauty once I’m back home and surrounded by the cold and snow.
Music flows lightly through the crowd, and I immediately search for Natalie’s red hair once I reach the pool area. People surround the bar, so I move closer to see if I can spot her on one of the stools. Worry consumes me when she’s nowhere to be found. I glance over the nameless faces, and though I’m in a crowd of people, it doesn’t stop me from seeing him. And when I do, he’s looking directly at me.
For a moment, I contemplate turning around and pretending I didn’t see him but find it hard once our eyes and bodies are locked together in a trance. It’s as if we’re the only people on this whole fucking island. My phone vibrates in my hand, breaking the tension, and when I glance down, I see it’s another text from Natalie. I quickly unlock my phone, hoping everything is all right.
N: Don’t hate me, but you needed a little push. Love you!
I let out a hard sigh when I realize this was all a sham so I’d jump out of my comfy bed and come down here where she must’ve known Alex was waiting. I grind my teeth, already planning to give Natalie an earful when I see her tomorrow.
By the time I look up from my phone, Alex is gone. The glass he was drinking from now sits empty along with the vacant barstool. For a split second, I’m slightly disappointed that he left, but I know I shouldn’t be. I’m half-tempted to text Natalie back and rub it in her face that her stupid plan didn’t work after all.
Annoyed, I turn around and immediately bump into Alex who’s now standing directly in front of me. The smell of him suffocates my senses—pure man mixed with the ocean breeze. My body remembers every single touch and kiss. Swallowing hard, it takes everything I have to look into his baby blue eyes and keep a straight face.
“Looking for someone?” he asks nonchalantly with a smirk on his face.
Inhaling a deep breath, I keep my composure. “Actually, I was meeting Natalie,” I tell him, unable to move as if I’m glued to the ground. He actually laughs, which confirms my suspicions about this all being a setup. I narrow my eyes at him, and he shrugs unapologetically.
“Hmm. Doesn’t look like she’s here.” He pretends to look around, then his eyes fall back on me.
Being this close to him forces heat to permeate through my body, and it feels as if hot flames are licking my skin from head to toe. Blinking and clearing my vision, I finally get a good look at him, and he smiles before taking my hand and leading me to the beach.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I ask, but I don’t pull away.
He chuckles, not answering my question, and we walk pass the cabana until we’re standing in white sand staring out at the water.
“We need to talk.” He finally turns to me, and when I face him, he glides his hand along my cheekbone before brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Knowing this isn’t a conversation I should have, I shake my head, dismissing him. My messy ponytail is loose and starts to fall out, and I quickly try to adjust it.
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawls, adjusting his ball cap. “Don’t be stubborn.” He notices me fussing with my hair and pulls the band out of my fingers, causing it to fall around my face.
Opening my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, I barely get a word out before he palms my cheeks and his lips crash into mine. Soon, his finge
rs are threading through my hair, and I can’t help the small moan that escapes. I feel as if I’m falling into a bottomless pit as our tongues twist together. The beach and sand and everything surrounding us melt away, and it’s just us. By the time we break our embrace, we’re both gasping for air, for some sort of relief. The intensity of the emotions behind his kiss is almost too much—too soon—and it makes me want to run and push him away. It’s what I should do anyway. It’s the smart thing to do, but when I meet his eyes again, I’m incapable.
“You were saying?” he asks against my mouth.
“Don’t be a smartass.” I can’t help but smile and chuckle against his lips.
“Just felt like you needed a reminder of last night, ya know, in case you’d forgotten.” He releases his hold on me but slides one hand down the length of my arm and threads my fingers with his.
“Uh, no. I actually have a great memory, so I don’t forget much at all,” I retort, remembering every inch of his hard, sweaty body against mine.
“Good to know. Well, I’ll just come out and say it then. I had a real fucking good time last night, and I’m pretty sure you did, too. In fact, I know you did, several times. I’d hate for us to stop hanging out, because like I said, last night was a fuckin’ good time. So if you plan to spend the rest of the week playing hard to get, I’d just like to know so I can make sure we’re on the same page. Otherwise, we can go ahead and continue where we left off last night.” He winks, brushing his fingers across my bare arms, causing goose bumps to cover my skin.
Swallowing hard, I try to steady my racing heartbeat. I should’ve known a guy like Alex Bishop wasn’t going to let me off easy, especially with the way I kicked him out this morning.
“Trust me when I say I’m not the girl you want.” I’m trying to convince him, or maybe myself, but either way, he doesn’t let me continue. His finger reaches up and softly covers my mouth, stopping me.