Chapter Thirty-four
I let out an unhappy groan as someone held my shoulder, shaking me lightly. It's not that I was still very tired but I was too comfortable to get up and was just about to fall asleep again.
“Love, you need to wake up.” Nathan whispered into my ear.
I swear everytime he does this something happens to my body, I didn't know what it was but it definitely felt good.
I hummed lazily in reply, snuggling back into my pillow. I didn't expect him to literally drag me out of bed and hold me up. I let out an omph when I get his muscled chest, looking up to give him a nasty glare while I rubbed my forehead.
“Good morning.” He greeted in a sing song voice, letting go of my arms so I was standing on my own.
“What's got you so excited?” I asked dryly, plopping onto the bed lazily.
“What's got you so unexcited?” He retorted. The way he said it made him sound just like Oliver.
“I'm really tired Nathan.” I wasn't exhausted but I could use some sleep.
After I got home yesterday, I took a nap that Nathan woke me from, got me on his private jet and all the way to Miami. I was half awake throughout the two and a half hour flight and fell asleep before we even got to the place we were staying at. I didn't even know where we were, all I knew was that the bed was very comfortable.
“We can't spend the day couped up in here. Let's go out.” I groaned once again before I forced myself to get up.
“What time is it?”
“Almost noon.”
My eyes widened at that. So I've been asleep for almost fifteen hours. Why don't I feel well rested yet?
I trudged to the bathroom and got into the shower, sighing as the warm water hit my skin. I was done in five minutes and slipped on a light floral print dress before I found Nathan in the kitchen. He didn't see me though, giving me the opportunity to look around the house.
I could see the sand and water from the sliding doors made of glass, helping me conclude that we were at a beach house, a nice one at that. It wasn't so big but it was cozy and quaint. I slid the door open to stand on the wooden patio next to the table set, leaning gently on the wooden frame.
I watched the waves crash into each other as the light breeze blew my hair around, a lot of the strands coming to hit my face. I continuously had to keep tucking them behind my ear so none would get in my eye. Nathan's joined me outside soon after, leaving not even three inches of space as he stood next to me.
“Ready to go?” He asked.
“Where are we going?”
“You'll see.” I rolled my eyes at his vagueness.
I hate when he takes me places without telling me exactly where he is taking me. I traded my flip flops for a pair of sandals and a small purse for my phone and some money, not like Nathan would let me pay for anything.
He held my hand, a gesture that always woke the butterflies in my stomach. We strolled away from what I figured out was a not so small beach side cottage to the main beach where people we already having fun. It made me wonder why none of them were close to where we stayed.
We got to the main road where a car was waiting for us. We greeted the driver and Nathan told him where we wanted to go or where he was taking me. The Bayside Marketplace was our first destination. Known as one of the best places to shop and eat in Miami, it was crowded and kind of hard to navigate, we had to push past a people so we could continue.
“Would you like to eat first?” I agreed, letting him lead me to a seafood place.
The food was good. I never really enjoyed seafood but the meal was great and was just what I needed to wake me up. I could finally enjoy my day. As usual, Nathan got me to buy some things or let him buy me some things which I still wasn't a fan of but I didn't complain.
Later in the day, we were back on the beach. Nathan explained that this was private property and he owned it. He usually used this house to relax when work got too much but he hadn't visited in a while.
Our next activity was jet skiing. I didn't even know how to ride a jet ski so Nathan only rented one. He got changed into a muscle t-shirt that showed off his muscles and some beach sorts. I in turn put on a one-piece swimsuit and some shorts. The bathing suit covered the scars on my back and stomach, I would never want Nathan to see them. He'd ask too many questions and at this point I won't be able to lie to him anymore.
I hated that I couldn't tell Nathan about Christopher. I wanted to but I couldn't risk him or anyone getting hurt, I cared about him too much.
Speaking of Christopher, the man has been sending me threatening messages that I couldn't be bothered to open. I knew he would do this. The way I talked to him yesterday must've ticked him off but I didn't regret it and if he was smart he'd listen to what I said. I have information on some of his less that legal deals, things that he wouldn't want the police to know about and I was ready to report it.
I didn't want to dwell on him for too long, I needed this vacation and had every intention of enjoying it.
My heart pounded as I got behind Nathan on the jet ski. I squeaked as it rocked slightly when I sat down. My grip on Nathan's hard torso was tight as the engine came on. It jerked to a start nearly throwing me off while I screamed with terror and buried my face in Nathan's shirt. I could feel his chuckles by the rumbling of his chest.
Is he seriously laughing at me? It's not my fault I'm scared.
Getting past my utter terror, I forced myself to stop sniffing his shirt and look around. The wind hit my face immediately, causing me to squint to I could see. As I let go of my fear, I let my myself enjoy the ride. It wasn't actually so bad, kind of romantic in a way.
I put my face against his back as we maneuvered through the water, letting out a relaxing sigh. I looked up to see him turn back and smile lightly. My face flushed as I pressed it to his shirt again.
A few minutes later, we pulled into a dock. It was really crowded and I could see people going off on speedboats wearing things like tarps or parachutes. What are they doing?
“What are we doing here?” I had to ask.
“Don't worry, you'll see.” He took me to a man who led of to where people were putting on harnesses.
What is Nathan planning now?
“Come on!” He pulled me behind a boat and helped me in only to have me put a harness on.
“What are you doing, Nathan?” I was afraid. What do I need a this for?
“Don't worry about it, parasailing is perfectly safe.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Parasailing? No, I am not doing this. It's crazy!” I tried undoing the straps on the harness but Nathan held my hands to stop me.
“It's going to be okay. You trust me, right?” Of course I do, I wouldn't have let myself fall in love with you if I didn't. I didn't say all that, instead I shook my head 'yes' in reply. “Then trust me when I say that I will be there to help you, I won't let you get hurt.”
I'm going to be fine, it's going to be okay, I'm not going to die. I repeated that in my head as the speedboat engine started.
A hand gripped mine and squeezed lightly. Nathan had gotten in his own harness with his parasail attached before the boat started. I had my as well and hoped it wouldn't catch any wind.
Unfortunately, it did. A cacophony of screams escaped my lips as I was propelled into the air. The line attached to the boat didn't let me go too far but it was still terrifying. I was a few feet in the air above open water that I could possibly drown in, the line could break and I might fall in. My parasail might even tear.
I want to go down. I want to go down! I don't want to do this anymore! I'm going to die! I screamed all this in my head while I continuously shrieked out loud all while kicking my legs as if it'll do me any good.
I clutched Nathan's hand so hard I might break a finger. Maybe I should as payback! I thought spitefully. I could barely hear him cheering happily over my cries.
How can he be enjoying this?
I wanted to cry. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying that it'll be over soon. My husband must've finally realized how terrified I was and spoke to me. “Love, it's going to be fine, open your eyes.”
I shook my head, tears welling behind my eyelids. “I'm going to die!”
I don't know if it was a chuckle I heard come from him. Is he seriously laughing at me again? That's it, I'm breaking his fingers! This is the second time today he's laughed at my fear and I don't like it. I wouldn't be so scared it he had told me what we were doing and let me refuse like a normal person.
“You are not going to die!” He continued. “I'm right here, open your eyes!”
I managed to pry my eyes open on after the other to see the blue water beneath me. I kept my muscles ridged as a reflex.
“It's going to be okay. Look around, the view from up here is amazing.” I shakily skimmed my eyes over to the mainland, taking a longer look when I saw how beautiful it actually was from here.
The city was in my sights. The tall skyscrapers let the light of the setting sun bounce off them, making it look like one of those professionally taken photos. I took my time to admire the city before my sights fell on Nathan.
His curls were being blown around by the wind and his eyes held a spark of happiness. His small smile nudged me to try to enjoy the ride and soon enough, I was cheering even louder than he was. With the way I giggled, you wouldn't guess I was so close to crying a few minutes ago.
I finally let his hand go and pumped my fist in the air yelling out a laugh as the wind hit my face, blowing my hair all around. I was actually having fun. Sure, my heart was pounding so fast I thought it was going to come out to my chest but it added to the experience.
“Let's go again!” I suggested loudly, still shaking with excitement.
“Says the woman who was so close to crying her eyes out.” He teased.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Well, you should've told me we were doing that!”
“So you could refuse and never even try it? No thanks.”
I laughed with him knowing he was absolutely right. We once again got on the jet ski and rode it back to the cottage. I didn't really want to go back. We were having such a lovely day out but I understood why. It was kind of dark. Don't get me wrong, I'm not so adverse to staying out late but we're not in New York and I'm not familiar with this place.
I headed straight for the bedroom to check my phone. As expected, Christopher was still sending threatening messages and his wife and child even joined in. I simply dismissed what they were saying and left the phone on the bed so I could take a shower.
I wrapped myself in my fluffy robe and my hair in a towel before I stepped into the room again. Nathan was sitting on the bed, his back facing me and head bent as if he was reading something. His shoulders were tensed and I couldn't help but wonder if there was a problem. He picked his head up when he heard me shut the bathroom door and met my gaze.
“What's wrong?” I questioned, seeing the anger in his eyes.
He turned the phone in his hands so I could see the screen. It was my phone and the messages I've been receiving from Christopher were clearly displayed especially the one he wrote; All the beatings I've given you will be nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you if I ever see you again, wretch.
“What does he mean by 'all the beatings'?”
Oh no.