by Avery Wilde
“Oh, come on!” I heard him say, his voice tinged with laughter. I groaned inwardly, wishing I could just go back into the boat and hide.
This day wasn’t starting off well at all.
14
CONNOR
I watched as April stuck her masked face back into the water, her hair floating around her like a cloud. For an hour we’d been snorkeling; diving beneath the warm waves and spying the wildlife below, and I had to admit that I was enjoying myself. The darting fish were like the ones you saw in aquariums; bright and luminescent, the coral just as beautiful, but there was one pearl of the sea I wanted to get my hands on again.
April’s face popped out of the water and I grinned at her. “See anything else?” She’d calmed down after my impromptu kiss and started talking to me again about ten minutes later.
“I just, I can’t even explain how awesome this is!” she exclaimed, pulling the mask off of her face. “It’s like another world right below you. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
She buzzed with excitement from where I was treading water and it made me want to take her even more. Her exuberance and the innocent way about her made me glad that of all the women the guys could have picked for this damn bet, they’d picked her.
I couldn’t imagine Crystal enjoying a simple excursion trip like April was. She paddled over to me and I fought the urge to pull her against my body again, remembering her earlier slip into my arms. She felt damn good against me, her soft body causing all sorts of reactions within my trunks. The need to kiss her again was overwhelming, but apparently she hadn’t felt the same need after she’d pushed herself away from me, nearly drowning herself to keep from kissing me.
Or had she?
What was April scared of by kissing me? We were both adults and if the attraction was there, hell, I wasn’t going to hold back. And the attraction was present there on my end. I had the aching cock to prove it. So what was I going to do about it?
April smiled at me as she reached the ladder and I waited for her to climb up, admiring the way her bathing suit clung to her ass as she pulled herself out of the water. I knew exactly what I was going to do.
APRIL
“So you’ve never been to a live game before? Are you serious?”
I shook my head at his incredulous expression, kicking at the sand with my big toe as we walked along the beach. “No. It’s not that I didn’t want to go, weddings tend to happen on the weekend and well, my weekends are full up with them.”
Or they were, until I went and got myself fired. Now my weekends were free…my whole life was free. I’d never been in this position before, unchained from a work desk or job. It felt so unnatural, and being beside Connor was starting to feel like the norm…
“April, that’s just wrong, you don’t know what you’re missing,” Connor replied. “I tell you what. Next season there’ll be a ticket at the window with your name all over it. I’ll even spring for you to see me play against your beloved Battle Hawks, while I stomp a hole in their defense.”
I giggled. “You’re going to get sacked so many times, that’ll be fun to watch.”
“Oh, really?” he said with an arched brow and playfully kicked a spray of sand at my legs.
This was nice, I thought with a sigh. We’d had our lunch on the tiny island, just like those photos in the brochure; a little plinth set up on the sand with a table for two and a canopy overhead. Connor had entertained me—distracted me more like it—with his football stories, making me forget completely that he was truly supposed to stay out of my way like he’d promised. He’d then suggested a walk on the beach after our exquisite meal, and not wanting to get back onto the boat so soon, I agreed.
Connor was proving to be very charming and a pretty funny guy, a surprise compared to the crude guy I’d dealt with during the wedding planning and the beginning of the trip. “You never know, we might surprise you this season,” I continued.
“I doubt it,” he grinned, causing me to sock him in the shoulder with my fist. “Hey now, I can’t help it that we are that good.”
“Your time is coming, O cocky one,” I warned. “What’s it really like being a professional football player, anyway?”
“It’s great,” he said, his hands clasped behind his back. We’d left our shoes back next to the table, and glancing over my shoulder I was surprised how far we’d walked during our conversation. “I do love the fact that I get paid to do something like play football for a living. It’s a rush like no other to play on Sundays in front of thousands of people.” He swelled with pride; from the way he sounded, he truly enjoyed his job.
“What are you going to do when it’s all over?” I asked softly, knowing that he couldn’t play football forever, no matter that he probably wanted to do just that.
His green eyes flickered to mine and he stopped before plopping down in the sand, his arms hanging loosely over his knees. I joined him, the cool sand under my bare legs as I waited for him to respond. “You know what, I don’t think anyone has ever asked that before.”
“Everyone has to have a backup plan,” I replied, stretching out my legs.
“What’s yours?” he asked, looking at me with genuine interest in his expression. I was glad that we could carry on a conversation like this. Maybe I could be friends with a man like Connor, though I doubted many women wanted to just be his friend, and I was starting to believe I was like all the rest.
“Well,” I started. “I’ve always wanted to open up my own business, party planning, weddings, big glorious social events and after parties. I even have my dream building space picked out and everything.”
“Why haven’t you done it then?”
I grinned, thinking this was the one place where our lives certainly didn’t line up. “Well, money doesn’t grow on trees, you know. I can’t just smile and show a bit of skin and land an endorsement deal,” I said as I mockingly flexed my arms as I’d seen him do a thousand times on the TV ad.
He chuckled. “I dunno, you definitely have something I’d pay to see…”
I let out an over-exaggerated gasp and lightly slapped his thigh. “Yeah, well, we all know what kind of horny devil you are.” Before he could add in a dirty reply I continued, “So, yeah, leases are expensive, the start-up for the type of business I want to run—‘cause I’m not talking kids parties here—is extremely expensive. It’s not as easy as it seems.”
“You need a partner then,” he said, staring out into the water. “Someone who foots the bill until you start making it on your own.”
“I haven’t found my business angel yet. Besides, now I’m a risk. I doubt my ex-boss is going to give me a reference. So I’m back to square one,” I sighed, sifting the sand through my fingers. It was actually a really good idea, the next sensible step, but to find someone interested in a dime a dozen business such as party planning would be downright hard to do and like I said to Connor, my references now wouldn’t be glowing.
He was silent for a moment and I thought about my life once I left paradise. I would have to find another job on the side while I built up the business, something I really didn’t want to do, but it would be a necessity. I could make it work, maybe even have to start out with kid’s parties to get my reputation up… but I feared that if I didn’t get stuck in as soon as I got back, then I’d probably never do it. What did I have to lose?
“I think I would like to be a restaurant partner,” Connor chirped up. “Or own a gym franchise. Those are two things I do really well; eat and work out.”
“I’ll come eat in your restaurant then,” I offered, earning a smile from him. I wrinkled my nose. “The gym, not so much.”
“I could make you like the gym,” he said before swearing under his breath. “I mean, not that you need to go to the gym.”
I laid a hand on his arm and laughed, thinking it adorable that his cheeks were turning the slightest bit pink. “I didn’t take it that way.”
His hand covered mine and I swallo
wed hard, feeling that slow hum of anticipation revving up inside. “You’re gorgeous,” he said softly. “I wouldn’t change anything about you.”
“I, um,” I stammered, his words reaching that vulnerable place inside of my heart that had lain dormant for so long. Oh no, I didn’t want to feel this way again!
Connor leaned over and brushed his lips over mine like he’d done in the sea earlier, the gentlest of kisses that had time slowing around us. I’d gotten out of this earlier, but now, I didn’t want to pull away.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered against my lips, his hand coming up to cup the back of my neck. “Tell me, April. Tell me to stop and I will.”
The words formed on my tongue but I couldn’t get them out as he skimmed over my lips again, sending unmistakable shivers down my spine.
“Connor, I…” I didn’t really know what to say or even what to do. His hand was warm on my neck and I wanted to lean into him, take everything he had to offer just to have that special feeling in my life again. It had been so long, the spark gone until now, with this man.
It was scary, it was exciting, it was confusing…but it was oh-so good.
15
CONNOR
I waited a hairsbreadth away from her lips. It was all I could do; this time I would hold back and wait for her to give me the okay. One word and I was going to push her away, untangle my hand from her hair and apologize. One word and I was going to do all of those things. But she was silent, her breath coming in short pants against my mouth.
This overwhelming yearning to kiss the hell out of her was coursing through my veins, and normally I took without permission; my tongue could’ve been inside her mouth in an instant, exploring her and making her moan, showing her what I could do between her legs, if only she allowed me. But this was different. I was going to wait and I didn’t understand why.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she gave a little sigh, one that sucker-punched me in the gut.
“Kiss me, please.” Her words were hurried and held a hint of starvation within them, like she’d gone a long time without being kissed, and suddenly I felt inadequate to even do so. I wasn’t worthy of this woman no matter how cocky I came across. I was the type of man to take and never give, the type who couldn’t have given a rat’s ass whether or not the woman on the receiving end actually enjoyed it. They should all fucking enjoy it, that was my motto. They were kissing Connor Haden. But April, so soft and so different in my arms, didn’t fit that mold, and she deserved better than what I could give her. I’d fuck her and use her, just like every other woman that had come into my life.
With great internal resistance, I removed my hand from her neck and backed away, a thousand reasons not to kiss her rolling through my mind.
“I’m sorry,” I forced out as she looked at me with surprise and confusion in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have.” She didn’t deserve to be fucked around by the likes of me. This woman was made for that fucking happily ever after, a woman who deserved better than what I could offer. She wasn’t a fly by night type woman and I certainly couldn’t let myself be the one to break her heart. Never mind the fact I was beginning to realize she was way out of my comfort zone.
“I don’t understand… why?” she asked quietly, the hurt obvious in her voice. She looked up at me as I picked myself up from the sand; being close to her wasn’t an option anymore. I ran a hand through my hair and brushed the sand off my pants as I tried to put what I was feeling into words. I decided to go with the truth.
“Hell, you scare me.” Her eyes widened and I stalked off, my fists clenched at my side. I wasn’t weak, I was a tough-ass football player who took everything he wanted no matter what…so why the hell was I the one running away now?
APRIL
I leaned my head back and allowed the morning sun to wash over my skin; it was going to be hard to leave this when it was time. And while I should’ve been relaxing, working on my tan and getting in some good reading time, I couldn’t concentrate on the words on the screen. Too busy dealing with the internal turmoil, thinking over everything that had happened the day before. He’d kissed me while we’d been in the water, then later on when I’d finally let myself let go and asked him to, he’d pulled away. Talk about embarrassing… but it was his last words to me that had me puzzled. I scared him? It didn’t make any sense, and neither did his hot and cold moods.
During the boat ride back to Echo Island, he hadn’t said one word to me. The driver must’ve have thought we’d had an argument as he kept looking over at us, sitting apart on either side of the boat. When we’d returned to shore we went our separate ways and I’d walked to the hut alone. For hours I waited for his return, and I’d eventually fallen asleep on the bed, still waiting for him.
This morning, his aftershave had filled the air so I knew he had come back, but I guess the awkwardness of yesterday had gotten to him. I wasn’t so sure what I would say to him anyway. His words kept playing around in my mind: I scared him? He scared me. He made me feel things I hadn’t felt in quite a while. Just when I thought I’d lost that one chance at that great love, I crossed paths with Connor and those feelings that were buried deep down inside were starting to surface once more. It couldn’t be him. We were as different as oil and water. He wouldn’t be able to commit…
With a sigh, I leaned up on my elbows and looked out over the water. So what was I going to do about it? Did I dare throw caution to the wind and take my chance, to have him for this short time, while I could? I was scared and confused, worried that this was a horrible repeat of what I already knew about guys like Connor. Besides, he had already left one woman practically at the altar and countless others with broken hearts. I shouldn’t have even been considering anything with him and I sure as hell shouldn’t have begged for him to kiss me on the beach.
Swinging my legs over the lounge chair, I stood up and walked indoors to where the itinerary was posted. Tonight was another honeymooner delight, a sunset yacht cruise with a private dinner, just the two of us bobbing on the ocean. If he even turned up that is… it would mean lots of intimate time together, something that I couldn’t find any fault with anymore; I needed to see him, to figure out what the hell was going on in my head.
16
CONNOR
I waited nervously out on the deck, overlooking the calm sea as I tried to pull myself together and emulate the gentle in and out flow of the lapping waters. I’d stayed away for much of the day, giving April time to herself while I tried to not let last night get to me. I’d indulged in some kitesurfing lessons, believing that the strong winds and exercise would make me forget about her. It hadn’t fucking helped. In fact, it seemed to make it worse, and I’d lost my balance too many times to count, sending my ass into the salty brine over and over again.
It was almost laughable to think that I was actually nervous. She was just a chick, and not even my type, I tried to convince myself. I could handle a few more hours in her company.
The sound of the door opening caught my attention and I turned around, my heart constricting in my chest as I drank in the sight of her, clad in a long flowing gown that left her shoulders bare and hugged that magnificent rack of hers. Her hair was up with a few tendrils framing her face. She held my stare without giving anything away; an expression that any seasoned poker player would be envious of. “Are you ready?”
I forced a nod, walking toward her. Dressed like that I was going to have a hard time keeping my hands off her lush body or my lips off her soft skin, regardless of the decision I’d made to leave her be. “Showtime,” I said. I extended my hand and she took it without question, her heated skin colliding with mine. I gave it a squeeze and together we meandered down the wooden walkway, past the central buildings and onto the small dock, where a gleaming yacht was awaiting our arrival.
“Right this way,” the man on the gangway said, as I helped April on board. We followed the man into the belly of the ship, where a table for two had been set up, overlooking the water. “Mr
. & Mrs. Haden, welcome aboard. We will sail out to a beautiful spot, and once there we will serve you your meal. Our chef has some delights he can’t wait for you to try.”
“That sounds fine,” I answered. He bowed, literally bowed at us before hurrying off. The staff were so polite, and I had to try and keep a straight face. I walked over to the table and grabbed the chilling champagne bottle, pouring two glasses of the bubbly before handing one to April. The engines rumbled beneath us and I gestured to the way we came. “Shall we go watch the sunset above deck?”
She nodded and followed me up top, the wind catching her hair as the boat puttered around the island, giving us the best view as the colors of the sunset cascaded and bathed the huts along its shore with dazzling lights.
Another attendant was waiting in the wings so I wrapped an arm around April’s waist, pulling her close as we sipped on our champagne; still needing to keep up the pretense. This felt so right but so wrong at the same time. I was just content with having her beside me, not even imagining how it would be to be standing here next to Crystal at this point. Well, we wouldn’t be standing right here. She would be fussing with her hair and complaining about the wind.
“Connor?” April bit her lip and took her eyes off the view, turning towards me.
“Yeah?” I asked, my hand tightening around my glass.
“What did you mean?”
“About what?”
“Why did you say you were scared of me? Why did you run?”
“Leave it be, April,” I warned. I’d been wrestling with that same question all day, getting nowhere except knowing that I bitterly regretted not kissing her again.
Persistent, she stood before me, attempting to get my attention, her cool eyes demanding answers. “What would you do if I kissed you now, will you run again?”
