Chapter 3
THREE
REESE
“There he is!” Mick announces my and Jayde’s arrival to the group.
Familiar faces I haven’t seen in far too long beam, several of my friends jumping up from their seats as Ben orders two more drinks of the colorful cocktails the group is sipping.
“Golden Boy!” My friend Sandra squeals, wrapping me in a big hug before turning and hugging Jayde too.
Jayde remains frozen, her dark eyes holding mine with an edge of panic.
I place my hand in the center of her back, wanting her to feel at ease. After a second, she pats Sandra’s arm awkwardly.
“I’m Sandra. It’s great to finally meet you, Jayde,” Sandra says, pulling away as Mick and Emily approach.
“We’re so happy you could join us this weekend,” Emily says warmly, her eyes darting from Jayde to me. She kisses my cheek as I sling an arm around her shoulders.
“You sure you wanna marry this guy?” I tilt my head toward Mick.
Emily laughs, extending a hand to Jayde.
“I’m Emily and this is Mick.” Mick gives a little wave, hooking his arm around my neck and pulling me from Em as he affectionately messes up my hair.
“They roomed together all of college after being paired up freshman year. That’s where we all met.
” She gestures to the group who wave and call out introductions.
“At the University of Denver,” Jayde says, surprising me that she knew it.
When I finally shake free of Mick, I meet her eyes and she blushes, a soft pink, that would look pretty on any girl but looks mesmerizing on her. Probably because I’ve never seen her flustered before.
“Exactly,” Emily says. “Let me introduce you.”
I follow Jayde and Emily into the group huddle, so Jayde won’t feel overwhelmed. My college group is big—there are twelve of us plus significant others—and rowdy. But, just like I knew they would, they all welcome Jayde with heartfelt smiles and make room for her, Ben passing her a drink.
When he passes me one, I beg off. If there’s one thing I learned after that night at Taps, it’s that when I make the next move with Jayde, I will be completely sober.
There won’t be any hesitation between us.
I want us to come together because we want to, not because we’re in our feels or rebounding from an ex.
Although, this weekend, neither seems likely.
Jayde takes a small sip of the drink and relaxes. Sandra pulls her into a conversation with Kate and Jamie. When Jayde laughs at something Kate says, I relax too.
“Glad you’re here, bro,” Mick says.
“Me too.” I grin, thanking the server for the bottle of San Pellegrino. “All right”—I glance at the group of guys—“let me hear the agenda.”
Jose snickers, shaking his head. “You think we have a plan? That’s your area of expertise, Keller.”
“Yeah, you always were the group organizer,” Ben pipes up. “So, tell us…what are we doing?”
The girls look over and at Emily’s expectant gaze, I dive in. “Well, there’s this nature hike I looked into—”
The group dissolves into laughter, with even Jayde cracking a grin.
“There’s a waterfall and snorkeling. I’ve signed Jayde and me up for tomorrow morning…” I pause to wink at Jayde who blushes again, dipping her head. “But you’re all welcome to join. I spoke to the concierge and if we arrange it ahead of time—”
“Which you did,” Emily says knowingly.
“Of course,” I laugh. “We can picnic on the beach before we head back to get ready for the nuptials.”
“Thanks, Golden,” Emily says, smirking. “But the ladies have a full morning of hair and makeup so…”
“We’re out,” Kate says.
Emily nods, turning to Jayde. “You’re welcome to join us, Jayde.”
“Oh.” Jayde blushes. “Thanks, Emily. But—”
“You guys have your fun,” Ben says, shooting Jayde a wink and gesturing between Jayde and me.
“Your loss,” I say, but deep down, I’m happy my friends are skipping the excursion.
Not because I don’t want to be with them.
It’s been months since we’ve gotten together, and I miss the hell out of them.
But this weekend, I want time with Jayde.
I want to show her how good it can be between us and that’s easier to do when she’s not self-conscious of my friends studying our every interaction.
Our college crew flew in early to have one day of hogging the bride and groom before their official wedding weekend begins this evening, with a beach bonfire and dinner, hosted by their families.
As such, I lift my glass. “To Mick and Em,” I say, turning my attention toward my favorite couple. “I always knew we’d be here one day, celebrating the love you have shown each other—sometimes to a nauseating degree—since our freshman year of college.”
“Woo!” Kate cheers as the group clinks glasses and drinks.
Once side conversations spark up, I slip into the seat beside Jayde.
“You doing okay?” I ask.
She nods, looking much more at ease than on the plane. “Your friends are great.”
“They’re okay,” I joke. “Don’t want to inflate their egos.”
Jayde smiles and it hits me full-on. “You’re not drinking?”
I shake my head. “Not tonight.” I take her hand and lace our fingers together.
I’m aware of the surreptitious glances my friends toss my way, but I don’t care.
This weekend, I’m going all in, and I don’t want to waste a moment.
“I don’t want to miss out on a minute with you, Jayde.
” I lean closer so no one can hear my next words but her.
She shivers at my proximity and since it’s beach weather, I take pride in knowing that I affect her.
“My biggest regret that night at Taps was how drunk we both were. I wanted to kiss you more than anything, but only when we’re sober enough to appreciate it. To do it for the right reasons.”
When I pull back, her eyes are hooded, her cheeks flushed.
Mick asks Jayde a question and she clears her throat, turning back toward the group. But she doesn’t let go of my hand and I don’t move away.
The beach bonfire is laidback, chill, and the perfect way to start a weekend in paradise.
“This is beautiful,” Jayde murmurs, glancing around. The patch of beach we’re standing on is lit up with hundreds of candles and tiny lights. There are oversized cushions for cuddling, cabanas with clustered seating for easy conversation, and a bar strewn with flowers.
Kids are making s’mores and pockets of conversation can be heard over the calming lull of the sea.
“This is Mick and Em,” I reply, seeing both of my friends and their easygoing personalities in the details. “If anyone could bring a group of people together, to truly celebrate something meaningful, it’s the two of them.”
Jayde looks up at me, her eyes liquid gold and less guarded than I’ve ever seen them.
Her mouth is coated in a deep red lipstick I want to kiss off and her dark hair is swept away from her face, gathered in a bundle of curls at the nape of her neck.
“You’re lucky you have such a great group of friends. ”
“I’m lucky I have such an incredible date to their wedding,” I counter.
She rolls her eyes, but the corners of her mouth turn up into a pleased smile.
“Come on.” I palm the center of her back, loving that I can touch her soft skin since the dress is essentially backless and sexy as hell. We approach the bar and Jayde orders a virgin mojito.
She meets my eyes knowingly. I grin, and order the same.
Tonight, we’re doing things for the right reasons.
Temptation won’t be exacerbated by sweet rum cocktails.
Instead, when I kiss Jayde, she’ll know it’s because I can’t not kiss her.
And she’ll either accept my declaration, or reject it, but either way, it will be intentional.
“Golden!” Sandra calls out, lifting a hand. She’s seated at the large table cutting through the cluster of seats and cabanas. “Over here.”
I nod and lift my drink in her direction. Jayde and I head over and sit with my friends, settling into a comfortable conversation followed by a delicious dinner.
Dinner leads to dancing. Acoustic music that blends with the natural sounds of the sea.
“Dance with me.” I extend a hand to Jayde.
She takes it, biting her bottom lip.
I ignore the looks my friends exchange and lead Jayde to the makeshift dance floor.
Wrapping my arms around her petite frame, I nearly sigh in relief. I’ve waited so damn long to hold her like this. Her arms wind around my neck and she looks up at me, her eyes thoughtful.
“You look beautiful, Jayde,” I tell her for the second time this evening. The first time, the words fell from my lips when she stepped from the bathroom into the living room area of our hotel suite.
“You clean up well too, Reese,” she responds easily but her body shifts closer to mine.
I hold her tighter, and we sway to the music, her eyes closing as she leans her cheek against my chest. “Thanks for inviting me this weekend,” she thanks me again, as if needing the reassurance that I want her here.
“Thanks for saying yes.”
We dance two songs before joining in the loud cheering that accompanies the bride and groom saying their good nights. As the laughter and cheers die down, Jayde gives me a shy look. It’s the most vulnerable I’ve seen her, and it kicks every nerve in my being to life.
I want her. I want this with her. But I don’t want to scare her off or push too hard, too fast.
Working a swallow, I extend my hand. “You ready to call it a night?”
She holds my gaze, her eyes a mixture of emotions, of feelings, I can’t read. But she takes my hand, and a bubble of relief swells up into my throat. “Okay.”
Our walk to our hotel suite is quiet. When I look over at her, she’s studying me, her expression thoughtful.
I squeeze her hand and she blushes, dipping her head.
Anticipation swells between us and I’m aware of each stroke of Jayde’s thumb over the back of my hand, the sound of her dress rustling in the breeze, the spike of my heart rate.
The moments of earlier, the joking and playful shoves, the snorted whispers among friends and side looks, have transformed into this very real moment.
I’m conscious of each step Jayde takes, every inhale of her breath, and the weight of her hand, the pressure of her fingers, against mine.
When we get to the door, she pauses. Her eyes lock on mine, heat and desire stamping out the uncertainty from the bonfire. She leans into the doorframe, a hesitantly flirtatious and achingly real smile crossing her lips.
“Are you going to kiss me, Reese?” I can’t tell if her tone is taunting or begging. Either way, it makes my blood heat and my body react.
“I want to, Jayde,” I admit, pausing to weigh my next words. “And it can be a good night kiss. Sweet. But I know once my mouth is on yours, I won’t want to stop.”
Her eyes widen at my words, and she arches slightly into my touch, but I feel it, the natural magnetism that draws her body to mine, my mouth to hers.
“Then don’t,” she voices, her tone husky.
Shit. I shift my weight, my dick already hard, my nerves coiled too tight. My palms tingle, fingers wanting to caress that smooth skin. My mouth is dry, tongue wanting to taste every inch of her.
“Do you mean that?” I question, wanting us to be on the same page. Wanting every damn thing with this amazing woman. “Because I don’t just want your body tonight, Jayde. I want you.”
She tips her chin up, the look in her eyes wild. Undone. “I mean it, Reese.”
As soon as I have the confirmation, I arc my mouth over hers. The second our lips touch, I groan. Because she tastes like the homecoming I never knew I needed.
And now, I don’t ever want to lose it.