124. Chapter One-Hundred-Twenty-Three
Chapter One-Hundred-Twenty-Three
Riley
It’s still dark out when I step back into the jet to wake Scarlett for our early morning date.
I head into the bathroom first, brushing my teeth, and then cleaning up my body the best I can with a bit of the bottled water and soap on a face cloth. In the end, my teeth feel cleaner than I do, and I start to regret not just asking Scarlett to climb onto my lap in the main cabin last night.
Turns out, having too much time on my hands leads to rumination, and now I’m a little self-conscious.
I was so damn sure my sweat had no real odor to it, but it’s easy to say that after one session on stage, when I’ve showered that afternoon.
Being stranded on an island with no access to a shower for a few days is pretty different.
I don’t think it’s the number of days or the amount of sweat though, when it comes down to it.
Before I knew she was ours, I didn’t care how anyone perceived me.
I didn’t want to be desired. I wanted to be left the fuck alone.
But now with Scarlett I have a reason to care.
It’s kinda scary, but it’s a good thing.
I move to the bedroom door slowly, in part because of my injured foot, and in part because I don’t want to incur Xane’s wrath if I make too much noise and wake him up.
My lead Alpha isn’t much of a morning person.
I open the door slowly and slip inside.
Ki and Trick are passed out on the mattress on the floor, Trick’s arm stretched out across Kian’s body. Kian murmurs in his sleep, but Trick is perfectly silent.
I move to the bed where Scarlett’s sleeping with Xane snoring behind her.
Thankfully, they’re not entangled.
Scarlett looks so peaceful that I don’t want to wake her.
Maybe this whole idea was dumb.
We should just do this stuff after we get to Golden Sands.
I start to leave, pulling the door closed.
It creaks, and I wince.
She lets out a soft gasp, and I turn to see her eyes opening.
She blinks as she awakens. “Riley?”
Her voice is whisper soft.
“It’s me,” I whisper back.
She nods and carefully removes the sheets.
She’s still dressed in those sexy short tight pajamas when she gets out of bed.
I let go of the door and step back to give her space.
Covering her mouth, she steps out of the room.
Once she closes the door, I realize she’s yawning.
“We don’t have to do this if you’re tired,” I start. “It’s probably a dumb idea anyway.”
She shakes her head slowly. “Oh no. You’re not getting out of this a third time, Riley Rush.
I woke up early so we could do this, instead of doing what I really wanted, which was to sit on your knot right here in this cabin.
So, now you’re gonna give me a second to use the bathroom, and then you’re gonna walk me out to the beach to watch this sunrise while we claim each other. ”
“I had no idea you were this bossy,” I admit.
She smiles. “Well, now you do.”
She slips past me into the bathroom, and I walk to the jet’s doorway to wait for her.
I notice her purse still sitting out on the table, and I pick it up, deciding she might want to take a picture of the sunrise. Then, I grab my spare pair of sliders from my backpack and set them down on the floor for her.
It’s still a bit muddy out there.
If I was fit to carry her I would.
Too bad I was a dumbass and ended up stung by the stingray I was trying to warn her about.
I should have given her more credit. I assumed, and it made a dumbass out of me.
She comes out of the bathroom looking as good as she always does.
I hold up her purse. “Thought you might want pictures.”
“Oh, so you’re that kinda kinky?” she teases as she gets closer.
“I meant of the sunrise,” I clarify. “But if you really want naked photos of me, you’re gonna have to sign an NDA with my manager to get clearance.”
She laughs. “What do I need a picture for? I get to have you in real life. Besides, isn’t Xane your manager?”
“Well, yeah. But I’m serious about the NDA. We can’t have naked pictures getting out into the public eye. It might start a riot.”
“Are these for me?” she asks, already stepping into the sliders.
“It’s still a bit muddy out there.”
“That’s probably a good thing,” she says, shrugging when I give her a questioning glance.
“Wet sand doesn’t get everywhere the same way dry sand does.”
“Good to know,” I start, vaguely amused.
“Don’t ask,” she says. “It’s not a sexy story.”
I exit the jet and start leading her toward the beach, trying to limit my limping as I walk.
“Sexy stories only on this beach.”
“Then I guess my story about rescuing you is out,” she jokes.
“Ouch!” I murmur. “That was a burn.”
“It really wasn’t sexy, that’s all.”
“I don’t know,” I tease. “You were kinda hot when you were looking after me like a nurse.”
“Like a nurse?” she asks, clearly surprised.
“Gentle touches, commanding attitude. If I hadn’t be writhing in pain, I would have been thinking naughty thoughts.”
I take her hand as I lead her onto the beach.
The bath sheet is spread out next to a lamp and the fire that didn’t start.
I tried my best, but I’m gonna blame the wet sand for the fire’s refusal to burn.
We sit down on the bath sheet and slip out of our sliders.
“Marshmallows?” she asks, picking up the bag.
“Kian saved some for you. I couldn’t get a fire started to toast them.”
“That’s so sweet.” She hugs the bag to her chest. “I’m beyond hungry. You want one?”
“I’m okay,” I admit, liking how happy they’ve made her. “You can have them. They’re for you.”
“You’re the best,” she murmurs, before she takes one out and takes a big bite.
I think she was talking to the marshmallow, but I can’t stop smiling either way.