All I can manage is a whispered, “I missed you too.”
A smirk pulls up one side of his full lips. My mind wanders back to when they kissed their way across my body.
Our bubble bursts with Ian’s deep voice. “Okay, you two lovebirds. Break it up. We all have jobs to do for the next few hours.”
Nate’s jaw muscles tic with annoyance as I press my lips together to stifle a laugh. I step to the side and lose Nate’s touch, just as Jenny and her entourage round the corner. Cade walks a few feet behind them, looking as beat as I feel.
I get a quick wink from Nate as he and Ian fall in step with Jenny. Following behind the group with Cade, we all make our way to the plane. Everyone must feel the effects ofour weekend off, because no one says a word as we walk across the tarmac.
Thankfully, the flight is uneventful and quick. We’re touching down in just a few hours after boarding. Nate gives me one last look filled with elation and promise as he deplanes with the group, leaving Cade, myself, and the rest of the flight crew to finish the post-flight duties before following them to the hotel.
As soon as they’re off the plane, Cade starts hurling questions my way about Nate and me and what has happened since he loaded me into Nate’s truck Saturday night. I answer them as thoroughly as I can without going into too much detail. I love Cade and generally share everything with him, but this all feels too new. Too raw. I feel somewhat protective over it and want to keep some of it private until I feel more secure.
He eventually relents, and we finish work with him recounting his Sunday to me. Apparently, he might be back with his ex, and I’m glad that taking a deep dive into his relationship history takes the focus off me.
Right before we leave the plane, I grab a few bags of chips and shove them in my tote bag. While technically, this is stealing, considering my money shortage at the moment, my morality will need to take a backseat to at least having a little something to eat. Who knew my brother going to rehab again would be the accidental diet I wasn’t intending to be on. I can already tell I’ve lost a few pounds from my curvy figure. I would’ve lost even more if it hadn’t been for Cade and Nate buying me meals.
My mother would be so proud since my weight was always something she was quick to criticize while growing up. For some, those insults would make them want to conform to gain their parent’s approval, but for me, it wasalways the exact opposite. The more she told me to lose weight, the more I refused to and embraced my thicker frame.
And Nate seems to enjoy it very much, if this last weekend is any indication.
By the time we make it to the hotel and check in, it’s a little after noon.
“I think we should go lay by the pool. We need to enjoy the sun as much as we can.” Cade jams his finger into the elevator call button. “I would really prefer to go to the beach, but it’s too far. The pool will have to do.”
“Sitting outside in the sunshine sounds like perfection. I’m down.”
His grin is wide as we step into the elevator. “Meet you at the pool in fifteen?”
“Yep, that’ll work.”
Once I’m in my room, I quickly change into my swimsuit. It’s a tight-fitting one-piece that accentuates my waist and gives me fantastic cleavage. I stare at myself in the mirror and glance over at my phone.
I probably shouldn’t do this…
Swiping my phone off the table, I angle it to capture the perfect angle of my chest in the picture. My cheeks flush when I pull up the text string, and I quickly send it before I can second-guess myself anymore. Then I toss the phone on the bed as if it’s on fire and press my hands to my heated cheeks. I’m not really sure if we’re at the point in our relationship where we send risqué photos, no matter how tame, to each other. But it’s too late now. I’m digging through my suitcase, looking for my cover-up, when I hear the faint vibration.
Gnawing on my bottom lip, I pick up my phone.
Nate: Jesus fucking Christ, woman. I wasn’t fucking prepared for that delicious view.
A flush moves from my cheeks down through my body. Not knowing how to respond, I send the kissing face emoji.
Nate: I’m not kidding when I say I’m sporting half a boner right now looking at this picture. I cannot wait until tonight when I can get my mouth on those again.
I squeeze my thighs together as wetness gathers between them.
Me: I can’t wait either.
Nate: I think I’m going to pass out from lack of blood supply to my brain.
Me: Please don’t…that might delay you coming to see me tonight.
Me: I’m going to the pool. Counting down the minutes until I can see you.
I pull on my cover-up and shove my sunglasses into my hair, stepping into the hallway with a lightness in my heart. I might still be scared, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe everything might actually work out this time.
Twenty minutes later, Cade and I have drinks in our hands, despite me once again protesting about him paying. And him telling me to shut up until I finally gave in. We’re stretched out on loungers, watching a few groups of kids playing in the pool. My phone vibrates next to me.
