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Since the island is small, it’s easy to circle around and not realize that’s what you’ve done until you recognize something. Somehow, I end up at the visitor section where there are flyers for all the things you can do here. Fishing, hiking, renting boats or Jet Skis, whale watching, swimming with dolphins. There’s so much.
One flyer of a waterfall and beautiful pool below it catches my attention. It looks like it’s only a mile hike or so from here. A secluded little spot in the forest that would be perfect for taking pictures or swimming. I wonder if you can jump from the top of the waterfall? It’s been so long since I did anything like that.
The idea makes me smile. Marcus, Asher, and I spent so much time out at that stupid cliff, but we never went alone. Not until I was alone.
I’ve sat there over the years, wondering what happened, and just wanting to go back. To be surrounded by the escape we used to find there, but I never could. Now I know what happened, and it hurts to think of that spot even more. I can picture Asher scared of his best friend being angry with him, scared of losing the only connection he had. If Marcus cut Asher off, Asher would probably assume I would too. Thinking back, I’m not sure what I would have done. Marcus would have been so angry, betrayed by both of us, but would he have tried to force me to cut Asher off? Would I have allowed it for fear of him leaving me too?
I don’t know.
Dragging my ass back to the room, I need a shower. I’m pretty sure I can still smell cum on my skin, and I’m sweaty from being in the sun. It’s not until the lock beeps open that I remember Asher caught me watching him working out. Fuck. I don’t want to face him yet.
I freeze with my hand on the door handle, one foot in the doorway. Will he say anything? Probably. He’s Asher. With a quick prayer to whoever might be listening, I push open the door, but it’s blissfully empty. Thank fuck.
I get my stuff put away and dig in the drawers for something to wear. I have no shorts or pants left already. Shit. With shaking fingers, I grab a green-and-black pleated skirt that hangs down to mid-thigh, black shirt that barely comes down past my pecs, and a pair of gray hip briefs that cup my ass just right.
Normally, I love outfits like this. I feel sexy and powerful, but I don’t want Asher to think I’m either weird for wearing a skirt, trying to seduce him, or both.
My shower is quick, and I hate that a part of me hates washing him off my skin. I can’t let myself go there. Friends. I can be friends with him. Maybe. I have to talk to him and tell him sex is off the fucking table.
Once I’m dressed and deal with my curls correctly for the first time in months, I head out to find something to distract me for a while.
I find a bar that’s over the water, like the villas we’re all staying in, with a tufted roof and no walls. Everything here is airy, letting the breeze come through and not cutting off the views. It’s set up with a round bar and stools around it with other small tables spread out on the decking. In the center of the space there’s an opening where you can see the fish and sharks swimming below. It’s beautiful and calming.
At the bar, the tall, blond-haired bartender with a nice ass brings back the memory of Joy and Marnie on the beach the other day.They said he sells weed, right?
What was his name? Heath? Harry?
He turns around and his name tag says Holden. That’s it!
He has an easy smile that turns flirty when he takes in what I’m wearing. The breeze coming off the water picks up the edges of my skirt to make it dance around my thighs. I hold my breath for just a second as he comes toward me, waiting for the reaction to me, but with every step he takes his demeanor becomes cockier. It would probably be a terrible idea to sleep with an employee on the island, but the vibe he’s giving off says he’s done it before and he’ll do it again. The man is tall and definitely spends time on the beach if his light hair and tanned skin are anything to go by. He’s not overly muscular but could probably throw me around a bit.
“Well, look at those legs in that skirt,” he says, giving me another appreciative look.
His flirting is enticing. I feel confident in my outfit and love the attention he’s giving me. It’s been so long since I was in the headspace to tease that it feels like I’m rusty, but I do it anyway.
Leaning on the bartop, I order a drink. “I think I’ll start with a sex on the beach.”
His smile ratchets up, as does mine, before he winks and turns to make the drink. I sit on one of the stools and pick up a menu so I don’t stare at him, and I’m suddenly starving. Reading through what they serve, everything sounds good, but the shrimp tacos sound amazing.
Holden the flirt slides my drink in front of me and watches as I take it.
It’s sweet and tangy on my tongue, and I can’t stop myself from licking my lips before I set it back on the bar.
“Delicious, thank you.” I smile at him and enjoy the feeling of being wanted by a stranger. There’s no history, no strings, just lust. Here I don’t have to be Elliot Cushings. I’m no one. Anonymous.
He gives me a knowing smile, like he’s got something else delicious I can put in my mouth. It’s tempting. So very tempting.
“I think I’m also going to need the shrimp tacos.” I drag my teeth over the corner of my lip, which does nothing to hide the smile.
He bites his lip and groans. “Oh yeah, those tacos are sogood,” he says. “Gets a little messy, but I’m sure you can handle it.”
Holden checks in on the other customers, and I assume places my food order on the computer. Forcing myself not to stare at his ass, I turn around and sip my drink while taking in the quiet. Even though I’m at a bar, there’s no background noise. No TVs or music, there’s no honking horns from traffic. A few people chat at a table on the other side of the deck, but they’re far enough away from me that I don’t hear them. It’s just the water lapping against the pillars of the deck and some random boat engine as one passes.
“Hey, legs.” Holden’s voice has me turning around with a smile. “Enjoy your dinner. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“Thank you,” I respond and pull my plate closer to me. Was that sultry? It felt sultry.
A throat clears to my right, and I about jump out of my skin when I see Asher glaring. How the hell did he find me out here? How did I not notice him approaching?
