Then Comes Marriage (15 page)

Every ounce of logic in me screams “no” at the top of their lungs. My heart hammers with fear, reminding me how bad the fall could hurt.
 

My fingers lace between his. “Okay.”
 

He pulls me onto the rock with him, and together we make our way to the smooth platform of mud and rocks where we had seen others jump. He tightens his grip on my hand, turns his head and smiles.
 

“Ready?”
 

Hell no. I’m not ready. I’m scared. Shaking. Heart racing faster than ever. I squeeze his fingers.
 

“No. I can’t!”
 

“Rachel,” he says calmly. “Yes, you can. You came all this way all by yourself. You can do this.”
 

His words, as simple as they are, hit something deep inside. I did come here all by myself. If I can do that, I can do this. “Ready.”
 

“On three.”
 

We scoot closer to the edge of the cliff. Derek looks down, calling out to make sure it’s clear for landing.
 

“One,” he says. “Two.”
 

“Three!” we say together and jump. Wind rushes against my face, blowing my hair back. I close my eyes and plunge into cold water. I kick my legs, swimming back to the surface. I can feel rocks beneath my toes, but we made it. Alive, unscathed.
 

I did it.

I pop out of the water, laughing as I fix the up-my-ass wedgie the jump caused.

“Not so bad, huh?” Derek asks, running his hand over his face to wipe away the water.
 

“That was awesome!”
 

We swim towards land, stopping when we get to a place where we can stand. I push my wet hair back, unable to stop smiling. “I did it and lived!”
 

He laughs. “I wouldn’t kill you here. Too many witnesses.”
 

I inhale, feeling more alive than ever. “Thank you. For making me jump.”
 

“Thanks for bringing me along with you.”
 

We’re just feet from each other, hearts racing, as we look into each others’ eyes. “Want to swim in the waterfall with me?” I ask. “I’ve always wanted to do that. Swim through it then go in the little cave behind it.”
 

“Of course,” he says then takes off. The water comes down forcefully, and I’m laughing again as I stick my head and hands under it before dodging behind. A few others stand behind the waterfall, taking pictures. For a split second I want to swim back and get my bag, going around in the shallow parts so I can snap some photos too. But then I look at Derek and realize there is no way I’m going to capture what I’m feeling. I don’t want to interrupt this moment.

“This is amazing.”
 

“It is,” he agrees.
 

“I could stay here forever. Well, as long as that farm stand by the road can make me a Dirty Monkey, I’ll be good.”
 

“Dirty Monkey?”
 

“It’s a drink. I’m not sure what’s in it, but it tastes like a banana split. I had one when I first got here. And maybe with breakfast this morning. Maybe.”
 

He laughs. “I’ll have to try one. I’m usually an on-the-rocks kind of guy, but whatever fruity cocktail you had at the bar this afternoon was pretty good, I’ll admit.”
 

“Sex on the beach,” I say with a smile and Derek’s face goes slack with shock. “That’s what I ordered.”
 

“I’ve never had that.”
 

“The drink or the sex?”
 

He laughs. “Well, there aren’t too many beaches in Dallas…”

“There’s a lot of beaches here.”
 

Derek’s eyes meet mine and his mouth opens slightly as he tries to think of something to say.

“I didn’t mean it like that. That me…you…that we…”

He laughs. “It’s okay. But no, I’ve never had either before.”
 

“You popped one cherry at least.” I turn away to hide my red cheeks and take a few steps into the rocky overhang. The air is cool near the back of the cavern, causing goosebumps to break out over my wet skin.
 
I wrap my arms around myself, looking around. I can feel Derek drawing near before he speaks.

“You’re seriously cold?”
 

“I get cold easily. And sometimes really pretty things make me get chills. So do certain songs. And lots of movies.” I cringe when the words come out of my mouth, remembering how annoyed Travis got with me being “overly emotional”.
 

“I know what you mean,” Derek says quietly. We spend a few minutes standing next to each other, taking in the beauty of this little spot. “Want to go checkout that farm stand?”

“Yeah,” I tell him. We get back into the water, and swim across. More people emerge from the forest, gaping in awe at the waterfalls. I grab my bag, doing a quick check for my phone and wallet—both are there—and pull out a towel. I dry off the best I can, wring out my hair, then toss the towel to Derek.

“You can put your stuff in here,” I offer, nudging my bag with my foot as I finger-comb my hair.
 

He runs the towel over his body and god, I’ve never been more jealous of a piece of fabric before in my life.
Keep it together, Rachel
.
 

“Thanks,” he tells me and adds his phone and wallet to my big bag. I bring it up over my shoulder, fix the strap on my left sandal that’s rubbing my heel, and hike back toward the road.
 

“I have reservations for two at a pig roast tonight,” I blurt when my feet hit the gravel lot. “Going to dinner alone isn’t the most fun thing in the world, so I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”
 

“I suppose I can do that. I don’t want to make you suffer alone or anything.”
 

“Thanks. You’re pretty good company to keep, anyway.”
 

He nods. “Oh, I know. It’s all part of my stalker-slash-murderer cover, remember?”
 

“Damn. I knew this was all an act.”
 

We stop by the farm stand, looking over what’s offered for sale. Derek retrieves his wallet from my bag.
 

“What do you want?” he asks.

“Hmm…definitely a passionfruit smoothie. And maybe some coconut candy. It sounds good.”
 

He steps forward and orders it for me, which I of course appreciate but feel awkward about.

“Thanks,” I say, taking my drink.
 

“It’s the least I can do in exchange for the ticket here.”
 

“Hey, it would have gone to waste.” I put the straw to my lips. “This is really good.”
 

Derek, who got the same for himself, agrees. “It is.”
 

We wander to the other side of the road, looking out at the trees. “I’m glad you came with me,” I say quietly.
 

“I am too.” I can feel his eyes on me so I turn, having to look up to meet his gaze. My stomach flutters and heat rushes between my legs. I feel so comfortable around him, and the attraction I’ve been denying since the first time I saw him can’t be held back anymore. The world spins and I have to reach out, planting my hand on Derek’s firm chest to keep from falling.
 

“Are you okay?” His hand lands on the small of my back, an attempt to steady me, but it only fuels how off-center I am.
 

“Too much sun,” I mumble. “I’m fine.”
 

He doesn’t take his hand off me. Is he feeling the same way I am right now?
 

God, I hope so.

Chapter Fourteen

Derek

What the hell do you wear to a pig roast?
 

Why the hell do I care?
 

And how long is the image of Rachel going to be stuck in my mind like this? It plays over and over, the way her blonde hair hangs around her face. Eyes bluer than the cloudless sky. She has faint freckles along her nose and cheeks, uncovered by makeup. And then there’s the rest of her. Supple breasts, smooth skin, long legs…fuck. I need to stop thinking about her. It’s turning me on and now is not the time to pop an erection.
 

Though it’s more than just her body that makes Rachel so attractive. There’s something about her that I can’t quite put my finger on. She has an innocence about her, a way of looking at the world that’s refreshing. She’s not blind to all the bad shit going on in the world, she just chooses not to focus on it.
 

I’m not sure how to do that.
 

How do you let go and move on when bad things are happening? Hell, she’s on her honeymoon alone and enjoying it. How do you not let your heart get tainted when someone you love, someone that close to you, fucks up your world in the worst way possible? I was forced to come on a practically free vacation and was hating it…until I saw Rachel.
 

I take a quick shower and get dressed in dark shorts and a dark shirt, and then head downstairs. I’m meeting Rachel at the tiki bar, and though I’ll be earlier than we agreed to meet, I want out of here before Justin comes back.
 

I’m a grown-ass adult and don’t owe my family an explanation, but I want to avoid them anyway. Because explaining Rachel to them means explaining her to myself, and none of this makes any sense.
 

It’s a huge coincidence we saw each other here. That’s it. She’s attractive. I haven’t had sex in way too fucking long. That’s all there is to this. I don’t have feelings for her. I can’t have feelings for her. Not yet. It’s just not possible.
 

When I get to the bar, I’m surprised to see not only Rachel—who looks absolutely stunning in a white lace dress, low cut and flowy, hem ending just inches above her knees. Her hair has a slight wave to it, and she’s forgone the makeup again. Not that she needs it, of course—but my sister sitting at a tall table in the back.
 

Three drinks sit in front of them. Rachel’s is halfway gone and Margery’s is empty, which is no surprise. The third drink is untouched.
 

Rachel looks up the moment I step onto the sandy wooden planks covering the bar floor. It’s like we’re on the same wavelength or something, and the loud tropical music quiets and the background fades, spotlighting on Rachel. Her blue eyes light up when she smiles.
 

Marg, who’s talking, snaps her mouth shut and follows Rachel’s gaze to me. She leans back, trying not to smile as well.
 

“Hey,” I say when I reach the table, taking a seat next to Rachel. “This is interesting.” I flick my eyes back and forth between Rachel and Marg.
 

“She’s telling me all your dirty secrets,” Rachel says.

It’s a joke, and I know it. Yet I still get hit with panic and my face darkens, features twisting into unspoken accusation toward my sister. She wouldn’t bring up Deirdre, would she? When she gets to drinking, there’s no telling what secrets she might spill.
 

“Okay, not really,” Rachel snaps, leaning away. I can feel her curiosity turning into unease with each passing second. I need to say something. Something funny, something light hearted and happy.
 

I come up empty.
 

“So, Rachel says you guys are going to dinner,” Margery blurts. She can’t look at me, and she can’t look at Rachel. Instead, she keeps her eyes on the table and runs her fingers up and down her drink, playing with the beads of condensation rolling down the cool glass.
 

“Yeah,” I mumble, hating myself just a bit. “How was shopping?” I ask my sister.
 

“Fun! There are a lot of cute—and expensive—little shops nearby. One was hiring. I considered applying for the job then never leaving this place. Might as well. I have an English degree and can’t get a freaking job in my field.”
 

“One of my friends has her master’s in literature and still can’t get a job in her field,” Rachel tells her. “It’s so frustrating, and I’m sorry.”
 

“What do you do?” Marg inquires.
 

“I’m a nurse,” Rachel says and takes a drink. “But I blog on the side.”
 

“What kind of blog?”
 

“Mostly fashion. I guess you could call it a bit of a lifestyle blog.”
 

Margery pushes her empty glass to the side and puts her arms on the table. “I wouldn’t take you for a fashion blogger. You’re too…too nice and down to earth.”
 

“Marg,” I scold.

Rachel laughs. “It’s okay, and I’ve heard that before, actually.” She takes a breath and it’s all I can do not to stare at her breasts rising and falling behind that dress. “I like fashion because it’s a way to express yourself. And society has made how we look such a big deal that I try and focus on dressing for yourself, not for other people. Plus, it’s just fun.” She shrugs. “Some people like painting or drawing. I like using clothes and makeup as a way to express myself.”
 

“What’s your blog?” Margery pulls out her own phone and checks out Rachel’s stuff, following her on all social media. “What else do you like to do?”

I tip my head at my sister, trying to let her know I’m aware of exactly what she’s doing. I just hope Rachel doesn’t catch on to Marg asking questions so I’ll hear the answers, hence getting to know her better. Marg is just as bad as my mother when it comes to wanting me to settle down with someone. Again.
 

“Uh, I like being outside. And horror movies.”
 

I chuckle. “Fashion and horror. That’s a nice combination.”
 

She flushes and smiles again. “I’m a little weird, I know.”
 

“I like weird.” And now I’m smiling, looking into her eyes.
 

“Oh!” She pushes the drink in front of me and bites her lip. “This is for you. Well, if you want some more sex on the beach.”
 

“I think I always will,” I laugh.