Chapter Six
Kaylee
When the boat arrives back at the dock, it’s lunchtime.
The group makes a decision to grab tacos at a concession stand on the beach.
It’s not far from the resort, and there’s a volleyball net nearby.
We all get fish tacos, a fitting choice for where we are, and we eat them while lounging in the sand.
Tristan stays close to me, and I don’t say anything, but I like it.
I just wish we hadn’t been interrupted before kissing in the water.
He was so close. Then again, maybe it’s for the best. My desire for Tristan is strong, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for me.
He’s not the type to get serious with a woman, and I only do serious in my relationships.
That’s why Mark was surprised to see us together.
He knows I’m not the casual type, and he’s heard of Tristan’s reputation as a player.
There’s a little voice in my head telling me to enjoy the weekend with him and I’m tempted to do just that, no matter where it takes me.
Tristan just might be worth a little heartache when the wedding weekend is over.
After lunch, the men decide to join a few others on the beach in a volleyball game.
Ashley excuses herself to make a phone call, and I see Shannon heading back to the resort.
Mark and his girlfriend have been subdued all day, and despite me not being directly at fault—I didn’t start the arguments, and Mark was the one acting like an ass—I feel bad.
I’m not the type to come between a couple, but Mark is going to have to get his act together or lose his current girlfriend.
I stay sitting in the sand as the guys start a game.
I need to keep my sunglasses on to shield my eyes and wearing them lets me ogle Tristan in private.
I bite my bottom lip as my gaze trails over his six-pack abs and down to the V-shape at his hips.
Of course, he’s still wearing his swim trunks, so there’s nothing to see, but I felt him when we were about to kiss in the water, the bulge brushing against my stomach, large and unbelievably tempting.
Someone spikes the volleyball over the net, and I watch as Tristan dives forward, bumping it up with his forearms just before it hits the ground.
He ends up with a face full of sand, but Lucas is able to send the ball back over the net.
The other team didn’t expect the save, so they aren’t prepared, and they miss the ball.
I cheer for Tristan, even if the game is for fun and no one is keeping score.
“Hello, there.” Rainey joins me, a margarita in each hand.
I take one from her and she plops down at my side, letting out an encouraging whoop as Lucas serves the ball over the net. “Go Lucas!” she calls out.
Next Tristan slams the ball down and I’m the one cheering.
“You’re staring,” Rainey says, nudging me with her shoulder.
I smirk and point to my sunglasses. “You can’t know that.”
“No, but you’re putting out some unmistakable I’m hot for Tristan energy.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Come on, Rainey. I told you this morning in confidence, this thing between Tristan and me isn’t real.” I cornered her before we came down to the dock.
After hearing me tell my mom that Tristan was my boyfriend last night, Rainey had some serious questions. She’s my best friend in the world, and the reason I even know Tristan, so I didn’t want her in the dark. She’s also the only person who knows about my crush on the guy.
My eyes drift to him again. Sweat now glistens on his skin, and my pussy clenches with need.
Who am I kidding? Before, I was thinking I was beyond tempted to take things further with Tristan, and now I’m sure.
Despite the fact that I don’t do casual relationships.
I want time with Tristan badly enough that I’m willing to break my own rule and spend this weekend in his—our—bed.
Based on the way he looked at me in the water earlier, like he wanted to devour me, I don’t think I’ll have any problem getting him to agree.
“You know, it’s okay to like him for real,” Rainey says in her soft, best friend voice.
I pull my gaze away from Tristan to find her watching me while she sips her margarita through a straw. She knows me too well.
“He’s just helping me out and I appreciate him for that.
” I’m not sure why I don’t want to be honest with her about my growing feelings for Tristan.
I just know I’m already dealing with the feelings I’ll have to face when the weekend is over.
I may be going into this with my eyes wide open but I know it’s going to hurt when it’s over.
And I don’t want Rainey, and, by extension Lucas, feeling torn or in the middle.
“Whatever you say. Just know I’m here if you want to hash things out in your head.”
I smile at my friend. She knows me well enough to see right through me, but she also understands that I don’t want to talk about it, so she’ll let it go.
We spend the rest of the volleyball game checking out our men while sipping our drinks and shouting out words of praise and booing the other team.
When the game is over, Tristan accepts a bottle of water from one of the guys they played with, and I watch as he pours it over his head, shaking his hair out like he’s in a shampoo commercial. Or like he’s trying to kick my libido into high gear. If that’s the case, he’s succeeded.
Using the shirt he hasn’t worn since we were on the boat, he wipes his face and strolls over to me with an easy smile on his face.
I tilt my head back as I look up at him. He holds out his hand. “Want to go for a walk, sweetheart?”
Rainey is the only one around when he speaks.
Does he know I told her the truth? Or does he think she’s in the dark?
Is he calling me sweetheart for her benefit or does he mean it?
At what point does this pretend game cross the line between faking it and having real feelings?
For me, that’s an easy answer. For Tristan? I’m not sure anything is real.
Yet I’m helpless to ignore my feelings.
“Sure,” I say, putting my hand in his and letting him pull me to my feet. I hand my empty margarita cup to Rainey, who gives me a sly smile.
“Have fun,” she chirps.
Giving her a goodbye wave, I fall into step beside Tristan and we head toward the water. When we reach the place where the waves stop, I slip off my flip-flops and carry them in one hand, enjoying the way the gooey sensation feels between my toes. Every time the water rises, it runs over my feet.
As we walk in silence, our arms brush against each other’s and I’m happy, enjoying the easy silence but, as usual, I’m tempted to speak. “You’re one hell of a volleyball player,” I tell him.
He grins. “I enjoy the game, and I admit I have a competitive streak.”
“Were you keeping score despite it being just for fun?” I ask.
“Maybe.” He looks out over the ocean, and the wind tousles his dark hair, giving me more to admire. “Let’s just say my team won.”
I chuckle. “I get it. I’ve never been a big fan of the whole participation trophy thing they do in sports now. I’ve always thought that a win should be earned.”
He nods. “Agreed. Tell me more about you, Kaylee.”
I shrug, unsure of what to say. “What do you want to know?”
He thinks for a moment, then asks, “How do you spend a typical day off?”
“Hmm.” I consider how to answer. I like that he’s thinking outside the box.
“Well, I’d start off by sleeping in. There’s no better way to start your day than to wake up feeling well-rested.
Then, I’d make myself French toast for breakfast. I’d want to spend the first half of my day doing something creative.
Painting or scrapbooking or something like that.
One time, I even took a basket-weaving class. It was surprisingly fun.”
He smiles as if he’s enjoying my answer. “I bet you’re the type to give people handmade Christmas gifts, aren’t you?”
“Of course. Those are the best kind. Don’t you think?” I love creating things, giving personal gifts.
“Yes, actually, I do. Now, go on. You sleep in and do something creative. Then, what?”
I’m quiet for a moment, and Tristan gives me time to think. We’ve walked farther down the beach, our pace unhurried. We have time until the rehearsal dinner this evening, so there’s no rush.
“After getting creative, I’d probably want some downtime. I love to read. Lately, my favorite thing to read is romantasy.”
“Romantasy? What’s that?” he asks, genuinely interested.
I stare at the water beyond me. “It’s a romance set in a fantasy world. One with magic or dragons or fae. Sometimes the main characters start as enemies but become lovers. Or they’re fated mates. That’s my favorite trope,” I muse out loud.
“Fated mates?” he asks.
I glance at him as he scrunches his nose up in curiosity.
“That means they’re meant to be together?”
I nod. “Yep. Destiny. Isn’t that romantic?”
He stops and I pause with him. “Actually, I prefer the idea of choosing the right person for you, someone you’re so crazy about that you don’t need fate to make the decision for you.”
I nudge his arm. “Look at you. A closet romantic. Who knew?”
He meets my gaze and holds it, making me grateful for the sunglasses to hide whatever emotions he would otherwise find there. “Yeah, who knew?” he asks in a gruff voice.
I force an easy laugh, though my heart feels stuck in my throat.
Tristan glances back at the resort and sees how far we’ve walked. Without discussion, we turn and head back toward the hotel, in sync in a way that feels natural and good.
“Okay, so what’s next on your day off? Dinner?” he asks.
I’m surprised he remembers our earlier conversation. I give the question some thought. “Sushi for dinner. Specifically from On a Roll. It’s my favorite meal ever. Then, after dinner, I’d want to go out, maybe to Midnight.”
He turns and looks at me. “You’re not just saying that to suck up to me, are you?”
I shake my head. “Now, why would I do that?” I’m teasing him, and he knows it.