I grab her thigh and slide her flush against me. “Well, I’ll give her something to watch.” I side her braids off her neck with the tip of my fingers. She smells like cherry blossoms today, I nip at her neck while I cradle the nape of her neck with my other hand. Now, if anyone is watching, they can't see my mouth. I move to her ear and whisper. “You don’t have to answer me, but I want you to know that I’m okay with either outcome. We can be friends and do every fucking thing this island has to offer, or we can see nothing else but the inside of my room for the rest of the week. It’s up to you how authentic you want it.”
Heaven shudders once more and pulls my hair out of my ponytail. “So soft,” she whispers. “One last question?” She tells me in my ear. “Are you an escort or gigolo?”
I was not expecting that. I toss my head back and laugh so hard and loud that she can’t help but join me while others stare at us.
“No.” I deny her question while wiping an errant tear from my eye. “Even if I was, you would be free.”
Heaven
I decided to follow Axel to the pool after he suggested going somewhere less voyeur-y. I mean, why not? My girls were busy all day, and I keep replaying his words in my head. I shudder at the thought of being locked up in his room for the rest of the week.Axel wants me.I tingle all over. His attention and that kiss were not for show.
“What are you thinking about?” The sun bounced off his shades when he tilts his head toward me.
“A lot of things. Our conversation this morning. How stunningly green this grass is; I mean, look at this!” I bend down to run my hand across the grass. “It’s perfectly manicured like a putting green or something…”
I take in the whole picture before me, trying to catalog it in my head. I’ve taken pictures with my phone, but pictures aren’t the same. The sidewalk is even well beyond normal expectations. It is a mixture of soft colored tiles, mixed with the concrete, giving the path on both sides of the massive water feature a soft glow. Huge palm trees line both sides of each sidewalk. The water feature is aptly named, ‘The Serenity Pool.’ I feel a sense of calm staring at the row of small fountains that lead to a bigger opening that houses a big statue of a partially naked Hula girl surrounded by little volcanoes spewing water.
Axel is hugging me from behind again, his chin resting atop my head much like it did the first day we’d met. Today is day three, and I feel like I’ve known him for months. I pull out my phone and snap a photo of us.
“I have so much to explore on the resort; I almost feel I need to have another vacation just to see the island,” I gush, still in awe of the view.
“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” He laces his fingers through mine again. The butterflies hula dance in my belly. He makes me feel like we’re a real couple. Holding hands, touring the hotel, and taking pictures all feel intimate.
I fear I’ll get attached—scratch that—more attached to him. Then what? Sadness flashes through my body. I have one full day left with him in paradise, and away from reality. Axel tugs my hand again.
“You zoned out again,” he chuckled. “Come. Our Cabana awaits.”
“Cabana?” I ask. I’d seen the offer to rent them but didn’t want the extra cost.
“Yes.” He stopped by the towel hut and grabbed a few extra towels. “It’s the only way to vacation by the pool.”
We stop in front of the assigned cabana. It’s perfect. Not only is it one of those incredibly white tents with a safe and a small flat-screen TV in the corner, it also has a plush setup that looks the size of three tall lounge chairs merged together and covered with multiple outdoor pillows.
I slide off my flip flops as if I’m at home kicking off my house shoes, before jumping into bed. I climb on and crawl to the other side. I’m almost to my desired spot when I notice my right ass cheek is considerably warmer than the left. I peek over my shoulder to locate the source. Just like I hoped and feared, I find Axel’s hand cupping it while looking at it like it’s his fourth meal. I wiggle it to dislodge his hand only to realize my action created the opposite of the desired effect.
Axel squeezes my ass and his other hand joins the party and cups my waist to stop my movement. Damn, this would be my vantage point if he was taking me from behind. I have a feeling it would be good—so good. Our eyes meet over my booty, and I have no doubt that our dirty little minds are thinking the same thing. The intensity in his azure irises is a near accurate depiction of how he would look at me. Fuck. I’m wet, but I can’t tell him.
Axel is the first to break the silence. “Damn, Heaven. Out of all the ways you could have gotten up here…” He sounds almost pained, but I can’t feel sorry for him. This is the same guy who has teased me from the moment we’d met.
“I know now,” I agree, far too breathless. “It’s Latoya’s fault. She insisted that I wear her shorts. I own nothing this skimpy. But, you have to unhand my ass, Sir, before you traumatize some kids.”
I settle on my side to allow him to join me. I bite back a moan when he rips his shirt off. I haven’t seen him completely shirtless since the day we met. “This is the ‘Adult Only’ pool, sweetheart. Imma grab some drinks.”
He doesn’t have to go far because this perfect cabana is a short distance from the pool and snacks and a long distance from any of the other cabanas. We have our own little private oasis. A girl could get used to this. I roll on my side to watch him. His back is to me giving me room for a little payback. I ogle his muscular back, mentally tracing every line to every muscle. I wanna nibble on those back dimples that peek out just above his board shorts. I start to wonder if I should get him back and grab his ass; instead, I stifle a giggle when he jumps and almost spills our drinks because his stalker comes out of nowhere. That bitch is stealthy.
Her bikini is ‘Latoya’ tiny. The tropical print top barely covers her boobs, and the bottoms are thong-like. She and Latoya would get along if it wasn’t for the man stealing part. Latoya may be wild, but a homewrecker she is not. But this bitch… I’m not the ‘fight for my man’ type, especially in this type of situation. I feel he should be able to turn a woman down unassisted because what would he do if I weren’t around, right? This time, though, I don’t know if I feel bolder because he’s my pretend boyfriend, or if it’s because I know for a fact that he’d already turned her down. Which means, she is knowingly poaching, like Ashley; either way, I’m not feeling it today. I insert myself directly between them with my back to his chest. I look the little she-demon in the eyes.
“Nice swimsuit, but here’s the thing, Sis. I‘m pretty thirsty and apparently you are too. Therefore, I decided to help.” I hand her a map from the stack on the counter. “Here is a map of the pool areas; it’s very helpful in pointing you in the right direction.” I point behind us. “The clean towels are over there, and the dirty towels go over there. Any food or beverage questions can be answered by the lovely bartender to your right.” I start to push Axel away. “Oh, and any other activity questions can be answered at the activity desk on the other side of this building. If that doesn’t help, please feel free to ask anyone BUT AXEL. Thanks, enjoy your stay.”
I usher a giggling Axel back to our cabana. “Aren’t we catty?” he says between laughs. “Enjoy your stay?” He breaks into another peel of laughter. “I don’t think I’ve had a woman defend my honor.”
I shrugged. “Bitches be trippin’. I gave her a pass for the elevator. She didn’t know you. She didn’t see a ring on your finger. I understand that. She has seen us together all morning and just tried the in-person version of sliding into your DMs. So disrespectful,” I huff.
Axel parks his butt on the lounge and deposits our drinks on the nearby table while humming Beyoncé’sSingle Ladies.I roll my eyes at the song. He grabs both of my shoulders; the coolness from our drinks on his fingers makes me shiver a little.
“Tell me, am I yours?” he teases.
Yes!
