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She clears her throat and looks to the floor in a completely vain attempt to hide her nervousness. "My energy is decent. I couldn't go for a run, but... why?"
"We're in paradise. If you're going to put on clothes, there's nothing worth seeing in the room."
She brings her eyes back to mine, her lips curling into a smile. "Not if you're naked."
"I'm getting dressed."
I make my way to my suitcase and pull on my boxers. Alyssa pouts in mock irritation, but she watches me dress with an expression of pure delight.
When I finish, I move closer to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "Have you ever been on a horse?" I ask.
Her eyes go wide. "I don't... I guess not."
I smile. "You're in for a treat then."
***
"You rich asshole." Alyssa stares at the pair of horses like she's never seen the animals before. She turns to me, that same shocked expression on her face. "What if it tries to kill me."
"It's a guided trail," I say. I point to the guide slowly meandering towards us. "You'll be fine."
"But in Gone with the Wind--"
"Let me guess--you read that whole, eight-billion-page book?"
"I'm sure you've seen the film," she says, with special emphasis on the word film, as if she's mocking me.
Okay, she's absolutely mocking me. But before I have a chance to tease her mercilessly, the guide arrives. He's a short, bald man. About thirty.
We say our introductions. He's Steve and he's going to take us on a guided horseback ride.
"Is this your first time on the island?" he asks.
"It is," I say.
"You're in for a treat then." He nods to a stable and motions for us to follow him. "You know, Hawaii is not only the most beautiful state in the country. We're also number one in weddings."
"What do you say? Want to fuck the planning and do it while we're here?" I wink at Alyssa.
She bites her lip. She's nervous. "Horses first, then your nonsense."
Steve opens the doors to the stable. It's divided into half a dozen stalls, each one housing a horse.
Alyssa's jaw drops open. "They're huge."
He points Alyssa to the brown horse in the corner. "This is Mabel. She's been doing this trail for years and she's very comfortable with people."
She stammers. "Okay."
"We don't have to, Ally."
She shakes her head. She's determined. Steve helps her lead her horse outside, then does the same with me.
Alyssa stares at her horse. She's transfixed.
"It's very safe," Steve says. "Do you need some help getting on?"
She nods, accepting his words, and allows him to help her onto the horse. She looks back at me as if she expects to find jealousy on my face--the male guide did have his hands on her--but I only smile. She's an adorable, nervous wreck on that damn horse.
