Chapter 39
Today’s activity crosses off a long-time bucket list item.
I scoop up another handful of mud and slap it on the side of the enormous elephant, rubbing it over the animal’s skin as if it were a clay mask.
There are things about the elephants I didn’t expect, like how their skin is covered with coarse hair that tickles my fingers, or even the smell, but I’m having the time of my life, so nothing else matters.
The elephant sucks up the muddy water, lifts her nose, and sprays the water on her back—but mostly on me and Nate.
I yelp as muddy droplets splash all over my hair, face, and swimsuit.
He turns to me, laughing. “I think you got the worst of that one.”
“It feels like it.” I blink a few times, making sure no mud gets into my eyes.
Nate nods to something behind me. I glance over my shoulder. Lauren stands back from the action with a frown plastered to her face. She tiptoes out of the mud, berating Isaac for trying to get her to participate.
“I don’t understand why Isaac broke up with you.” Nate glances at me as he keeps covering the elephant with mud. “You’re way more fun than Lauren.”
I eye him, grateful for the little ways he tries to build me up, especially when it comes to Isaac. Despite being over our relationship, his words still wielded so much power over me. Even just a few days ago, I was pretending to thrive and faking relationships to regain the confidence he took from me. But the last few days, I forgot that he existed. Nate has built me up to a point where what Isaac says no longer controls me. I can be confident in who I am. The good, the bad, the fun, the uptight. I just need to find the right guy who appreciates all those sides of me and isn’t scared of them.
My gaze travels to Nate.
Something’s telling me it could be him.
But that’s not how this is supposed to go.
The guy who’s supposed to appreciate—who does appreciate—all the different sides of me is Mr. International.
My heart could do well to remember that.
* * *
“I can’t believe you dunked me in that disgusting pond,” I say to Nate as we walk back to the pavilion where the showers are.
“Oh, it wasn’t that bad.”
It really wasn’t, if you count having Nate’s arms wrapped around my torso, but I’m not telling him that.
“I was trying to help get some of the mud out of your hair.”
I shoot him a pointed look. “A couple elephants pooped in that water.”
“I’d hardly call that poop. Their diet is mostly bananas and oats, and the workers scooped the feces right up.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t feces.”
“I was lying. It totally is.”
I laugh, pushing hard against his shoulder.
He returns the favor by wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me in the air for one flirty second before putting my feet back on the ground.
When we get to the pavilion, all the showers are taken by people in our group. The first wave of guests—the ones too old or too afraid to get in the questionable water to bathe the elephants—have already showered and changed.
Mud and water drip from our arms, leaving brown streaks down our skin.
I glance at my swimsuit, a dark sports bra top paired with high-waisted bottoms. “I’m glad I chose black today; otherwise, my swimsuit might have been ruined.”
Nate grimaces. “I don’t care if I wash off all the mud. I’m never wearing this swimsuit again.”
I laugh as someone comes out of one of the showers.
“This one’s open,” he says, walking past us.
The outdoor showers are lined up in a row, wooden stalls with half-doors that aren’t completely private, just enough to rinse off.
“Ladies first.” Nate sweeps his arm out in front of me.
“We’re kind of in a hurry to get to the bus. Do you want to just share?” I offer. “We’ll be wearing our swimsuits, so?—”
“Okay.” He walks past me, pushing the wood door open.
The fact that Nate agreed so easily scares me a little.
“Just keep your hands to yourself and your swimsuit on,” I tease as I twist the knob. A weak stream of cold water sputters out, causing my body to shiver.
“No promises.” Nate smirks, brushing wet hair off his forehead.
I dip my head under the shower as the water around my feet turns a murky brown. “No promises that you’ll keep your hands to yourself or that you’ll keep your swimsuit on?”
“Both.” His devilish grin tells me he’s joking.
The water pounds against my body, loosening the mud, but not enough to wash it away. I rub at my stomach, legs, and arms, but before I can make much progress, Nate’s soapy hands are on my shoulders, sliding down my skin with slow, deliberate pressure. His fingers move over my arms then up to my neck, where he brushes mud from the curve of my jaw.
I swallow hard, lifting my eyes to meet his. The entire mood changes. What was once a quick rinse-off has become the hottest moment of my life—at an elephant sanctuary, of all places.
Nate’s touch lingers, fingertips trailing lightly as he works the mud away. My breath turns shaky when he shifts closer, the warmth of his body almost distracting me from the cool water. My hands go to his chest on instinct, wiping away the mud he hadn’t gotten to yet.
Heat follows his touch as his fingers move to my back. He’s literally burning me from the inside out. His eyes flick to my mouth. My lips part. He leans in just enough that I can feel the space between us disappearing with each quick heartbeat.
The door to the shower next door slams, shaking everything.
I jump back.
Nate exhales a short laugh. “I think you’re clean now.”
I can’t think of anything else to say except, “Thanks.”
He snickers before facing the water and runs his fingers through his hair.
I let out a breath.
That was a close call.