Chapter 19
Ethan
Standing at my pickup truck in the drop zone field, packing away my gear and the rigs after a jump with Liam and a couple of experienced jumpers, a wave of tiredness hits me. It’s only mid-afternoon, but we’ve already spent a long morning cleaning the oil spill with our respective volunteer groups before heading out for the jump.
Bandit lies sprawled on the grass, his blue-gray coat catching the sunlight. His eyes are closed, ears twitching occasionally. The warmth of the sun has lulled him into a peaceful slumber, his paws gently twitching as if he’s chasing something in his dreams.
“Man, these last few weeks have been really demoralizing.” I stow the last of the rigs, shaking my head. “It feels like we’re barely making a dent with the oil. Every time we think we’re making progress, there’s another setback.”
Liam wipes sweat from his brow. “I hear you. It’s like a never-ending nightmare. But we’re doing our best. That’s all we can do.”
I sigh, leaning against the truck. “I’m not used to having a problem I can’t fix. It’s driving me nuts.”
Liam slaps me on the back. “Well, you’re not Superman, you know. All you can do is what you’re doing.” He starts putting away a set of strings, glancing at me sideways with a smirk. “How’s Blake?”
I can’t help the rush of happiness. “It’s been great, actually. We’ve been spending a lot of time together.”
Liam raises an eyebrow. “Blake Summerton, huh? I can’t believe she’s giving you a shot.”
Shaking my head. “Trust me, I can’t believe it either.”
Liam grins, finishing up with the spare strings. “You and half the guys in town. But seriously, it’s good to see you happy.”
I nod, my mind drifting to Blake, to the nights we’ve been sharing at my place. It’s been more than a week since we agreed to see how things go, and it’s been amazing. And when I’m not with her, I can’t stop thinking about her.
We’ve spent a lot of time together, actually, and it’s more than just that new relationship honeymoon phase—even though we’re not technically in a relationship. I’ve been hanging around the Tavern, making sure she’s okay, that I’m there if David shows up again. But thankfully, he hasn’t been around, even though I know Blake is worried.
Liam gives me a knowing look, his words cutting through my thoughts. “You’re smitten, man.”
I laugh, feeling a bit exposed. “Maybe a little. She’s just... she’s different. And not just because of how hot she is. She’s strong, independent, and she doesn’t take any crap. It’s refreshing.”
Liam leans against the truck beside me. “Yeah, she’s pretty much the perfect woman. Just don’t screw it up. Blake’s a good one.”
Tossing a bag into the truck. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
We load the last of the gear into the back of the pickup, and I close the tailgate with a satisfying thud. “Alright, let’s get out of here. I’ve got a date with a gorgeous redhead.”
We drive back to town and park in the marina parking lot, loading ourselves up with all our gear, then walking toward our office, Bandit trotting beside me, only to be met with an unexpected sight.
Blake is already there, leaning against the brick front of our office, wearing cutoff jeans and a midriff baring tank top, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail on top of her head, escaped tendrils of red curling in the heat and humidity.
We hadn’t agreed to meet up until later, but I can’t imagine a better surprise. She looks up and smiles when she sees us, watching us until we stop beside her.
Liam kisses her on the cheek. “Hey.”
She bends down to pat Bandit, then turns to me and kisses me full on the lips. It’s a bold move with Liam right there, the first time she’s kissed me in front of anyone, and I fucking love it.
“How was the jump?”
“It was good to get back out there,” I reply. “I wasn’t expecting you till later. Is everything okay?”
“It’s all good.” She turns to Liam. “Do you mind locking up so I can steal him?”
Liam shrugs. “Sure thing.”
“Thank you. Come with me.” She grabs my hand.
I raise an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”
Her smile widens. “You’ll see. Just trust me.”
“Uh oh,” Liam says, a flop of his dark blond hair falling in his eyes as he shakes his head. “You’re putting Mr. Control Freak out of his comfort zone.”
Blake puts a finger to the red of her lips. “Shhh. Don’t tell him my evil plan.”
She tugs my hand again. I hate not knowing what’s going on, but it’s Blake. Of course I’ll go with her. “Alright, but if we end up in some sketchy alleyway, I’m blaming you.”
“I promise, no sketchy alleyways. Besides, Bandit’s coming too. He’ll protect us.”
We say goodbye to Liam and I whistle for Bandit, who perks up and follows us as we walk the short distance to her car. “You sure you don’t want to give me a hint?”
She shakes her head, her ponytail swinging. “Nope. Just enjoy the ride—if you can, my big handsome control freak.”
“Hey, I prefer the term detail-oriented. ”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Boss Man.”
We reach her car, and she unlocks it. “Are you ever going to get tired of calling me that?”
“Probably not,” she says, opening the rear passenger door for Bandit and putting the window down. “It suits you.”
I slide into the front passenger seat, Bandit jumping in the back. She grins as she settles in the driver’s seat, starting the engine.
Blake drives us out of town and I turn to look at her, taking in the details of her perfect face. Her profile is striking as ever, with high cheekbones and a dusting of freckles across her nose, her green eyes focused on the road ahead.
As we head out onto the open road, her red hair catches the late afternoon sunlight, creating a halo of fiery brilliance. There’s literally nothing about her I’d change. She’s beautiful, strong, and effortlessly captivating. The uncertainty of not knowing where we’re headed makes me uncomfortable, but being out of my comfort zone with Blake by my side feels wild in the best possible way.
“So, why exactly are we heading out on this top secret excursion?”
“You need to let off some steam,” she replies. “I know how hard you’ve been working and the oil clean up is stressing you out. The Tavern is closed today. It’s the perfect day for an adventure.”
I look at her for a long time, something loosening in my chest. I can’t remember the last time someone told me to take a day off, that I looked stressed and needed to relax. Maybe it’s because I’ve always tried to project this image of control and unshakeable confidence. I’ve prided myself on being the guy who never wavers no matter how rough things get.
But Blake sees through all that. She sees the tension I carry, how hard I work sometimes to stop things spinning out of control, and she’s offering me an out, a chance to just... breathe.
It’s like she’s holding up a mirror, showing me the parts of myself I’ve ignored for too long. And the way she’s looking at me, I realize just how much I need this. Need her.
Not just the adventure she’s promising, but the break, the permission to let go and enjoy the moment without feeling like my life is about to unravel. The edges of my stress start to soften, the rigid need to control loosening its grip.
We soon hit the road that runs along the Pine Barrens, the dense forest spreading out to our left, oil-slicked beaches to our right.
“How was your day, really? Did you make anyone else’s life difficult, or is that a special service just for me?”
She glances at me, the corner of her lips twitching. “Just you. I like to save my best efforts for the people I care about.”
I pretend to be offended. “Oh, so I’m a special case, huh?”
“Absolutely. You should feel honored.”
“I do,” I say sincerely, reaching over to rest my hand on the bare skin of her thigh. “I really do.”
“Good. Now sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ve got an adventure ahead of us.”
I glance at Bandit, who’s got his head out the window, then lean back in my seat, watching the scenery pass by, feeling more content than I have in a long time.
Blake takes us on a winding drive along the scenic coast, away from the oil spill, the ocean glittering under the afternoon sun. The salty breeze whips through the open windows, tangling her hair and filling the car with the scent of the sea.
“Look at that beach,” she says, after we’ve driven for about an hour, pointing to a hidden cove down below. “Ever been there?”
I shake my head. “Nope, but I’m game if you are.”
We drive down a winding road, the beach no longer in view, then pull over and scramble down the rocky path, our laughter mingling with the sound of crashing waves. The secluded beach is a perfect slice of paradise, with soft white sand and turquoise water. We kick off our shoes and race to the shoreline, the cool water lapping at our ankles.
Blake nudges me with her shoulder. “Admit it, you’re having fun.”
“Maybe a little.” I splash her playfully. “But I’ll only admit it because you’re so adorable and I’m hoping I get lucky tonight.”
“I can say with absolute certainty that you will be getting lucky tonight.”
We spend the afternoon exploring hidden beaches that haven’t been touched by the oil spill, and checking out quirky attractions, stopping at a roadside shack for fish tacos and cold beers. Blake slips her hand into mine, and it feels natural, right.
As the sun begins to set, we pull up in front of a cute bed-and-breakfast, its weathered sign swinging gently in the breeze. The place is charming, with wooden window shutters and a garden bursting with colorful flowers.
Inside, we’re greeted by a grumpy old lady with a stern expression. Her gray hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and she peers at us over her glasses, clearly unimpressed by our presence.
“Good evening,” Blake says cheerfully. “Are you pet friendly?”
“Yes,” replies the woman. “As long as your pet is housebroken.”
“Great! Do you have any rooms available?”
The woman huffs, adjusting her glasses and giving us a once-over. “Do you have a booking?” she mutters, shuffling through a stack of papers on the counter. “We don’t usually take walk-ins.”
Blake’s smile doesn’t falter. “We were just so taken by the charm of this place. We couldn’t resist trying our luck.”
The woman squints at Blake, then turns her scrutiny to me. “Where’s your luggage?”
“We left it in the car,” I say quickly. “Didn’t want to bring it in until we knew you had a room available.”
She sniffs, clearly not buying it. “Hmm. Fine. I suppose I can look. I might be able to find something for you.” She taps away at her computer, her frown deepening. “We have one room left. Names?”
“I’m Ruth Butternut, and this is my new husband, Jonny Butternut. We’re on our honeymoon. And we’re not picky. We just want to enjoy our first night as a married couple.”
I blink, not sure I heard her right. Married? Did she just say we’re married? I glance at Blake, but she committed to selling the story.
Normally, that kind of talk would send me running for the hills. I’ve had more than a few girls drop not-so-subtle hints about getting serious, and every time, it’s made me want to bail. But with Blake, it’s different. Even though it’s just a joke, it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I kind of like it. There’s something about her that makes everything feel… right.
The old lady grumbles under her breath, but her expression softens. “Alright. That’s booked in. Seeing as it’s your honeymoon, you can have breakfast on us tomorrow.”
Blake squeezes my hand, and I can’t help but grin. “Thank you so much.” An arm around Blake’s waist. “We really appreciate it.”
The woman hands us the key with a begrudging nod. “Enjoy your stay. Breakfast is at eight sharp. Don’t be late.”
Blake thanks her again, and we get Bandit and head upstairs, barely containing our laughter until we’re out of earshot. The room is great, with a four-poster bed draped in sheer white curtains and a balcony overlooking the ocean. Blake flops onto the bed, while I let Bandit out onto the balcony. He finds a sunny corner and settles in with a content expression as he watches the waves in the distance.
Blake stretches out on the bed. “Not bad for a fake honeymoon, huh?”
I sit beside her. “Not bad at all. You sure know how to plan an adventure.”
She props herself up on her elbows, looking at me with those green eyes, and leans in with a conspiratorial whisper. “The secret is not planning anything at all.”
I put a serious expression on my face. “So, we’re married now, are we? And here I was thinking you didn’t want a relationship.”
Blake blushes. “Well, I figured we might as well start with the honeymoon and work our way backward.”
I lean in closer. “Is that how it works? Seems like you’ve got it all figured out.”
Her cheeks are still tinged with a hint of pink. “Hey, go big or go home, right?”
“Guess so. But I have to admit, you caught me off guard. Didn’t think you’d want to tie the knot so soon. I like you, but I’m just not ready, sorry, babe.”
Blake rolls her eyes, drawing her knees up to her chest. “Relax, Jonny Butternut, it was just a joke.”
I love seeing her squirm, but I can’t hold back my laugh. “I’m only kidding. This is officially the best fake honeymoon ever.”
She relaxes back onto the bed. “Glad you approve.”
I brush a strand of hair from her face, my voice graveling. “You really are so beautiful, Ruth Butternut.”
Our lips meet in a kiss that feels like it could go on forever, my tongue seeking hers as my hands roam over her body, desperate to feel every inch of her soft, warm skin.
She moans into my mouth as my fingers find her breasts, teasing her nipples through the thin fabric of her tank top and bra. They harden under my touch; a growl in response, the primal need to claim her taking over.
I begin tugging at her tank top, desperate to get it off and feel her bare skin against mine. She pulls away long enough to let me pull it over her head, and then we’re kissing again, more frantically now, as I explore her body with my hands.
I slide one hand down her stomach, the muscles clenching under my touch. Heat radiates from her core, and I need to touch her, to be inside her. My hand works a button loose and then unzips her cutoff jeans, before slipping inside, teasing her with feather-light touches as I work my way closer and closer to her center.
She kisses me deeper, an aching, wanting need in the way her lips press against mine. I’m going to taste her and make her come like it’s actually our honeymoon, and once we’re both fully satisfied, I’m going to make her come again.
After that? Who knows? And for the first time in a long time, I’m perfectly content not knowing what comes next.