Chapter 22 #2
“You’re such a dork,” I said, nudging him with my elbow. “But you’re right. It’s incredible down there, and it is kind of a treasure hunt. I used to plan epic scavenger hunts as a kid. Maybe I should try one underwater sometime. Something to really challenge your expert navigational skills.”
Eli raised an eyebrow at me, eyes glinting. “Challenge my navigational skills? Please. I’ve got an internal compass calibrated to the tides, baby. You’ll never stump me.”
A smile played at the corners of Ben’s mouth as he lifted his gaze from the fire to his brother.
“That’s rich, coming from the guy who once got lost on his way to his car in the parking lot.
He might be a wizard under the sea, but above water, that’s a different story. Eli could get lost in a closet.”
“I’ve seen it,” Chase added.
Laughter rippled through the small group, the warmth of it chasing away the slight chill of the evening.
“Yeah, yeah,” Eli replied with a good-natured shrug. “But I picked the right career, didn’t I?” He fished a beer from the cooler behind him and handed it to Ben. “Speaking of which, how’s the security business? Still keeping Dove Key safe from rogue tourists?”
After opening the bottle, Ben returned his gaze to the flickering flames. “Not much action lately.” He mumbled the words, a hint of hesitancy threading through his voice.
“Oh?” Eli tilted his head. “Slow season?”
Ben shifted, the driftwood log creaking beneath him. “Nah. I’ve been… looking into something else.”
His cautious tone caught my attention. Eli must have heard it too. “Looking into what?” he pressed.
“An EMT program,” Ben said quickly, as if the words might escape before he could stop them.
I couldn’t help responding, even though I was a newcomer. “That sounds great. Emergency medical technician is a fantastic career path. You’d never run out of work.” I had no idea Ben’s ambitions ran in that direction, but his steady presence under pressure would be a boon.
“I don’t know,” Ben mumbled, picking at the label on his bottle of beer. “It’s just something I’m considering.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to apply,” Harper added from across the fire.
“Plus, you’ve had plenty of practice patching up this knucklehead,” Eli added, jerking a thumb at himself.
Ben actually laughed at that, a rare, rich sound. “True. Though most of your injuries were self-inflicted stupidity.”
As they chattered back and forth, warmth spread through me. I looked around the circle of faces, illuminated by the flickering flames, and felt a sense of belonging I’d never expected to find here. And all because of Eli.
Because I was falling in love with him.
I was falling hard for this gorgeous, goofy, never-serious opposite to me. And none of that mattered. Only we mattered.
Then my gaze met Eli’s. His eyes turned sultry, and my body responded automatically. He tilted his head slightly toward the screened foliage, a silent question in his eyes. I nodded, almost imperceptibly.
“Hey, I’m gonna grab another drink,” Eli announced, his voice casual. “Jules, wanna join me?”
My blood sang as I stood and shook my half-full beer. “Sure, I could use a refill.”
As I rose, I was grateful the rest ignored both us and the cooler behind Eli.
We walked away from the fire, the voices of the others fading as we headed toward the tree line and privacy.
Eli led me to a small glade, the sand ringed three-quarters of the way around by scrubby trees.
The moment we were out of sight, he pulled me close.
“God, I’ve been wanting to do this all night,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear. “And more.”
I tilted my face up to his. “Seems like a private spot.”
His mouth lowered to mine. I melted into him, my fingers dragging through his hair as he pressed me against a nearby tree. The rough bark at my back was a stark contrast to the warmth of his body.
“Eli.” I gasped between kisses. “This is…”
“Crazy?” he finished, trailing kisses down my neck.
“Dangerous,” I corrected, my eyes fluttering closed as I thought of the house not far away.
His hands roamed my body, igniting my skin everywhere they touched.
I’d never felt so alive, so wanted. And it wasn’t just the physical connection—it was everything.
The way he’d introduced me to his family, included me in their traditions.
Like I was part of them. Maybe now was the right time to tell him how I felt. To finally find the courage to fly.
“Eli, I—”
A wry, tolerant laugh sounded from the opening behind us. “I guess this is why I never show up to these things.” Helen’s voice carried clearly as she stepped out of the shadows.
Eli and I sprang apart, startled.
Her amused, indulgent expression morphed when her eyes shifted from Eli to me. When she recognized me, they flew open wide. Shock filled her face, then transitioned to unmistakable disapproval as she stood ramrod straight.
Her head whipped back to her son. “Elias Coleridge, what in God’s name is going on here?”
Eli’s hand dropped from my waist, leaving me cold. “Mom, I can explain—”
“Explain?” Helen’s eyes flashed. “Do I look stupid to you?”
“Of course not.” His face visibly paled and I couldn’t string two words together.
Her scowl deepened. “I knew I hadn’t misread what I saw between you two at the pub. You lied to me, Eli!”
I shrank back against the tree, wishing I could disappear into its bark. Shame slithered through me, winding through my guts like a serpent. Eli stepped forward, his stance protective.
“It’s not like that,” he insisted, but his usual charm faltered. “Jules and I, we—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I have only asked one thing from my kids regarding this resort. One rule—no getting involved with other employees.” Helen’s gaze swept over me, disappointment etched in every line of her face. “I expected better from both of you.”
My throat constricted. “Mrs. Coleridge, I’m so sorry. We never—”
“Save it, Julianne. I thought you, of all people, understood the importance of professionalism.”
The serpent grew, becoming a dragon trying to eat me from the inside out. I’d worked so hard to prove myself, and now…
“This ends right now,” Helen said, her voice dripping with ice.
Panic clawed at me. How could I have been so stupid? This wasn’t just about our relationship. My career could very well be at stake.
“Mom, please,” Eli tried again, but Helen held up a hand.
“You and I will discuss this later. Privately.”
And that was clear as glass.
“I’ll go,” I mumbled, edging away.
Eli reached for me. “Jules, wait—”
But I was already retreating, my vision blurring with tears. Behind me, Eli called out, “I’ll fix this, I promise!”
His words echoed in my head as I stumbled down the beach toward the parking lot. The sand shifted beneath my feet, but the image of Helen’s face, her furious disappointment, was all I could see. Shame was all I could feel.
That earlier sense of belonging mocked me, leaving me cold and alone in the dark as I trudged to my car. And I had no one to blame but myself.