13. Emory
EMORY
"Ready?" I ask, adjusting my linen shirt over board shorts as Vada emerges from her room.
"Almost," she says, as she ties a cover up over a black bikini that makes my brain temporarily short-circuit. The top showcases curves I've been trying not to think about all week, while the bottoms sit low on her hips in a way that makes my mouth go dry.
“Christ, Vada," I breathe, my eyes traveling over her body before I can stop myself.
"You like it?" she asks with a smile that suggests she knows exactly what effect she's having on me.
"I more than like it," I say honestly, stepping closer until I can smell her perfume mixing with the ocean breeze through our open windows. "You look incredible."
"You clean up pretty well yourself," she replies, her hand briefly touching my chest in a gesture that sends heat straight through me. "Though I have a feeling this cover-up won't be staying on long."
The way she says it makes my pulse spike with anticipation for whatever tonight brings.
The other wedding guests mill around the elegant setup of The Crown, everyone looking effortlessly beautiful in the kind of resort wear that photographs perfectly in golden hour lighting.
Derek appears beside us with his usual enthusiasm, though thankfully he seems more focused on the evening's mystery than on providing commentary about our obvious attraction.
"Anyone know what this 'sightseeing excursion' actually involves?" Maya asks, joining our small group with obvious curiosity about Erika's cryptic planning.
"Erika's been acting secretive," I said, noticing them talking to resort employees near a boat dock instead of the dinner area. "But the swimwear dress code hints we're doing something on the water."
"Water activities at night," Vada adds thoughtfully, her hand finding mine with the automatic ease that's characterized our entire week. "That's either very romantic or slightly concerning."
Before anyone can speculate further about the evening's plans, Erika approaches our group with obvious excitement.
"Ready for the most magical evening of the entire celebration?" she asks, gesturing toward the boat where catering staff are arranging elegant appetizers rather than a full dinner.
"Light fare," Vada notes with appreciation. "Smart choice for whatever you have planned."
"You'll see," Erika says with secretive satisfaction as we board the stunning catamaran.
As the boat begins moving toward open water, I settle beside Vada on the cushioned seating, hyperaware of every point where our bodies touch. Her cover-up has shifted, giving me glimpses of smooth skin and black fabric making concentrating on conversation practically impossible.
"So," she says quietly, accepting champagne while her free hand rests on my thigh, "any theories about tonight's destination?"
The casual touch makes thinking difficult, especially when her thumb starts tracing small patterns against my leg.
"Something requiring swimwear," I manage, my hand covering hers before she can drive me completely crazy with the gentle stroking. "Beyond the obvious, I'm trusting Erika's planning."
Twenty minutes into the cruise, we enter a secluded bay surrounded by dramatic cliffs and completely untouched by development. It's breathtakingly beautiful and completely private.
As our boat settles into the calm water, a gentle wave breaks against the hull. For one moment, there's a shimmer in the dark water—a faint trace of blue-green light flickering and disappearing so quickly I'm not sure I saw it.
"Did you see that?" someone whispers.
Another wave rolls toward shore, this one larger, and suddenly the water erupts in trails of electric blue light that spiral and dance where the wave breaks. The entire wedding party falls silent, mesmerized.
"Oh my god," Vada breathes beside me, her grip tightening on my hand.
A third wave builds, and this time when it crashes, the whole bay seems to come alive with ethereal light. Brilliant blue-green trails swirl through the dark water like liquid electricity, creating patterns that pulse and fade and reform.”
“Is this real?” someone gasps, and I realize the entire group is standing at the boat's railing, watching in stunned silence as nature performs magic right in front of us.
"Bioluminescent plankton," Erika finally explains, her voice filled with wonder despite having planned this surprise. "Microscopic organisms that create light when the water moves. It's completely safe to swim in…" her voice fades away as she is speechless.
But no one moves yet. We're all transfixed by the ongoing light show as the bay continues to pulse with otherworldly beauty. Every ripple creates new patterns, every gentle wave brings fresh spirals of electric blue that illuminate the dark water like scattered stars.
"I've never seen anything like this," Vada says with awe, and I can see tears of wonder in her eyes as another wave creates a particularly spectacular burst of light across the entire bay.
"Most people never do," Erika adds softly, never taking her eyes off of water. "We're lucky it's this strong tonight."
The realization that we're witnessing something truly rare, something magical that most people will never experience, makes the moment feel even more precious. The bay continues to glow with each gentle movement of the water, like the ocean itself is celebrating our presence.
"Who wants to swim through liquid starlight?" Jared asks with infectious excitement, and suddenly everyone is moving toward the dock.
Vada takes off her cover-up, showing off that black bikini, and honestly, seeing her looking that amazing in this incredible place? Totally ramps up the attraction. She’s gorgeous, and the idea of spending time with her in this beautiful light is really exciting.
"Ready?" she asks, extending her hand.
"More than ready," I say, following her to the platform.
The moment we enter the water, magic surrounds us. Every movement creates swirls of electric blue light around our bodies, like swimming through starlight. Trails of glowing light follow every stroke, every gesture, creating patterns fading and reforming with each movement.
"This is beautiful," Vada breathes, moving closer to me through water sparkling with bioluminescence around her every motion.
When she reaches for me, our bodies outlined in blue-green light as we float together, the combination of natural magic and her barely-covered curves makes my arousal spike beyond comfortable levels.
"You're so beautiful," I tell her, pulling her closer until her legs wrap around my waist and every point of contact creates new swirls of light around us.
"So are you," she whispers against my ear, and the way her body presses against mine through the warm water makes thinking about anything except getting her alone practically impossible.
We swim together through the magical bay, sometimes drifting toward more secluded areas where the bioluminescence creates private pools of light around our increasingly intimate touches. Every time she moves against me, every casual caress underwater, builds the tension until I'm aching with need.
"I want you," she says quietly when we're floating in a particularly secluded corner, her hand trailing down my chest underwater in a way that makes me groan softly.
"When we get back." I manage, though every cell in my body is screaming to take her up on whatever she's offering.
"Promise?" she asks, her lips finding my neck in a way that creates new patterns of light around us.
"As soon as we get back," I say with conviction that makes her smile against my skin.
The return cruise feels endless. Vada sits pressed against my side, her damp skin warm under my hands, occasionally making small touches that keep my arousal at a constant, almost unbearable level. By the time we dock at Paradise Cove, I'm barely holding onto my self-control.
The walk back to our suites happens in comfortable darkness, Vada's hand in mine, the anticipation building between us, everything combines to make the short walk feel like the longest few minutes of my life.
The moment we're inside my suite with the door closed behind us, I can't wait another second.
"Come here," I say, pulling her against me with desperate urgency.
I kiss her, letting out all the desire I've been holding back. She kisses me back, tangling her fingers in my hair and pulling me closer.
"I've been thinking about this all night," she admits breathlessly when we break apart.
"All night?" I ask, my hands finding the ties of her bikini top.
"Yes," she confirms, her voice rough with desire that matches my own.
I pull the strings roughly, watching black fabric fall away to reveal her perfect breasts that make my mouth water with need. When I cup them in my hands, she arches against me with a soft moan that destroys any remaining restraint.
"Shower," she says urgently, already working on removing my board shorts.
"Definitely shower," I agree, lifting her so her legs wrap around my waist as I carry her toward the bathroom.
Under the warm spray, with her pressed against the tiled wall and my hands exploring every inch of skin I've been fantasizing about, the night reaches its perfect conclusion.
I tear the bikini bottoms off and she's absolutely incredible, and when she falls apart in my arms with my name on her lips, the sound is better than any natural phenomenon we witnessed tonight.
"That was amazing," she says afterward, both of us breathing hard and completely satisfied.
"Better than bioluminescence?" I ask, though I'm pretty sure I know the answer.
"Much better," she confirms with a laugh that vibrates against my chest. "Though swimming through liquid starlight was pretty incredible too."
"The perfect combination," I agree, carrying her to bed where we collapse together in complete contentment.
As we drift toward sleep, it hit me that tonight was a big deal. It wasn't just about being close, but about sharing something amazing and magical, a real kind of passion that just makes everything else seem to pale in comparison.
Tomorrow brings separation for bachelor and bachelorette activities, but tonight we have privacy and satisfaction and the growing certainty that what we're building together includes the best of everything.