“How was your excursion?” Kendall asks as we all walk carefully so we don’t drop anything on our way.
“It was even better than I could have imagined. The colors in real life were astounding. I had no time alone because…”
Whirling her head and darting her eyes to me, she says, “Because, why?”
“What if I told you I spent my snorkeling excursion with Jude?”
All three of my girlfriends stop dead in their tracks and gasp. Kendall says, “You’re not joking, are you?”
“Nope.” I shake my head and a small smile spreads across my face.
I update them on what happened and reiterate the part where he asked me to meet up with him later. We drop off all the wedding stuff on the desk and hop onto the bed.
“I know it’s been a hard road, but this sounds like it will be good for you,” Lane says with so much love in her eyes. She reassures me by placing her hand over mine.
My heart wants to meet him, but my head is hesitating and begging me to protect my heart.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“And why not?” Addison asks in a serious tone.
My head falls into my hands as tears slide down my face. “I felt so much today. His presence brought me back to when things were good. Today, after we went our separate ways, it was the overwhelming emptiness and hurt that took over.” It was like my heart dropped into my stomach when we parted.
“It’s been a healing journey for you, Faith. Don’t second guess yourself. It’s time for closure. I think you’ll kick yourself if you back out. At least hear him out,” Kendall urges me.
She has a point. If I skip out, I probably won’t sleep all night. I’ll just be thinking about what could have happened. Then days, months, and even years later I’d make up stories about how it would have gone had I showed up. I don’t want to repeat history.
This is my one opportunity that I wished for years ago—to ask him why. And did he ever think about me? It’s time to speak my truth—I felt hurt and abandoned when he left. Once I shared the news of the pregnancy and scheduled abortion, I hoped he would have driven back home to be with me, but that’s not whathappened. I know that wasn’t practical when he was already halfway across the country, but I still wished for it. Despite my reassurance to him, I would be fine if he didn’t come back. I wrestled with so many feelings over the years.
“You’re right,” I admit. It will be good for me. Closure. “I’m going to grab a quick shower, and we can meet for dinner.”
“Yes, great idea. We’ve been at the pool all day.” Kendall looks at the time and says, “We grabbed reservations for 6:30. We can all meet there.”
I hop off the bed, let myself out, and walk to my room. Opening the door, I smell citrus. Housekeeping must have been in here, because my bed is made, too. I drop my bag, take all my clothes off, and scurry to the bathroom.
This shower is heavenly. The water sprays all over my body, and I lather up the face cloth with soap. I move the face cloth all over my body, and then as I go to clean between my legs, a moan escapes. All of those thoughts about Jude circle in my brain—those rigid muscles and tattoos. I remember the way he touched me earlier and the warmth that consumed my body and pooled in my core. I can’t help but touch myself with the thought of Jude rubbing his cock against me and touching me everywhere.
Running my hand over my sensitive clit, I imagine it’s his hand doing all the work. I take my breast in my other hand, rub my nipples between my fingers, and pull. My eyes are already closed; I can’t get him off my mind. He’s in the shower with me, towering over me. He takes his time to circle my clit with the pad of his thumb.
I’m working myself up as I continue to think about him touching every inch of my body as he slides two fingers into me. The pressure from his thumb against my sensitive clit has me tilting my hips into my hand. I can feel how wet I am for him, and I want his tongue licking me. I slide my fingers in and out in a rhythm that won’t take long for me to come.
My moaning becomes louder—it sounds like it’s echoing off the shower walls. I don’t care, because it’s all worth every second of my fingers in and out of my pussy. My hips start bucking faster and faster as I hit the spot inside. My nipples are so tight…I wish he was biting and pulling them. I move myself up against the cold wall and rub my nipples against it. My fingers continue to slide in and out as I feel every inch of myself. Using the wall for leverage, I hold the back of my hand against the wall and fuck my fingers until I’m clenching and my stomach is tightening. “Oh my god, Jude,” I mutter to myself, as I continue to imagine his fingers fucking me harder and harder. I ride those fingers right until the very end.
Sliding my fingers out, I lean my face against the cold wall. “Holy fuck,” I say, trying to catch my breath as I hold myself up.
EIGHTEEN
JUDE
This excursion was epic. Not only did I spend time with Faith, we reminisced and she opened up to me. This day will forever be ingrained in my mind as one of the best days. I can’t get over how comfortable we were while talking with each other. It was different than I ever imagined—in a good way. After the first couple of interactions with her, I wasn’t sure she’d give me the time of day. On the excursion, she wasn’t trying to get away from me…well maybe at first. It was awkward for a minute, but we fell into a familiar rhythm.
She rocked my world when she finally agreed to meet up tonight. I reminded myself that years have passed, and she may not be receptive to what I have to say—what I want to say. I’m hopeful she will at least hear me out. After today, it seems like we connected deeper than just a casual conversation.
I return to the courtyard, where the pool is glistening under the sun and looking as smooth as glass with no one swimming in it. Spotting Max and Klara relaxing in the corner by the pool, I walk over to them, eager to share all the details of today. My heart feels light, my mind is racing, and a smile spreads across my face.
Their chairs are situated close together, allowing them to hold hands effortlessly. Max, with his messy blond hair and muscular frame, seems to almost take over the entire chair. Beside him, Klara lounges, soaking up the sun’s rays in her yellow bikini. Her sleek, blonde hair cascades down and around the chair.
The smell of coconuts envelopes me; it must be the oil Klara has on. As I take a seat next to them, I rub my brow, trying to form a sentence. “You’ll never believe what happened today.” I tell them all the details of the unexpected day with Faith. Right down to her finally agreeing to meet up tonight.
