“Ready to go?”
I nod. “You sure they’re not going to mind me tagging along?” I ask.
Alka links his fingers with mine. “They’re not going to care at all. They’ll be happy to have you join us.”
“They’re friends we met on the island,” Oscar says from the other side of Alka as we walk along the bungalows down the beach. “Sweet guys. Just starting their family. I think their oldest is… three?” He looks at Alka.
Alka shrugs. “I think so. I think they have another on theway, too. This is kid number three if I’m remembering the correct couple.”
“It’s really cool that you have friends from the island,” I say.
“We have a handful of couples that we’ve kept in touch with over the years,” Alka says. “We don’t talk much when we’re back home. I think we exchange Christmas cards and occasionally exciting news from time to time. Otherwise, we catch up and sometimes hang out when we’re here.”
I smile, imagining my life like theirs. Having friendships that span years so you can grow with them. Keep up with their lives and growing families.
I want that. I want to be a part of this.
CHAPTER 14
ALKA
Iclose my eyes and turn my face up into the water. You think you’re in shape because you run around with your college soccer players a few times a week, but joke’s on you. Hiking a mountain proves that you’re getting old fast.
The hot water feels good against my back. I was only wearing a water pack, so there’s no way my back should be this achy. Maybe I didn’t stretch properly. I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I should probably give more attention to my physical health and some shit. You know, put some effort in.
I’m sweaty as fuck, but I suppose that’s to be expected. We are close to the equator. Hot is expected. It’s basically part of the definition of equator.
But it was a great day with my two favorite men. I’m only a little bummed that we walked Ruby to his room instead of bringing him back with us. If he’d have made any subtle hint that he’d wanted to come back to our bungalow, I’d have jumped all over that. However, he didn’t, and I don’t want to pressure him.
Even if we made out like teenagers in front of his door for a few minutes. Even if itlookedas if he didn’t want me to go or didn’t want to be separated for the night.
We haven’t been sexual, and I don’t want him to feel pressured into anything. Or made to feel like I expect it. I’m afraid that he would feel that way if he came back with us.
Besides, he seems completely comfortable with Oscar now, but how would Ruby feel about being in bed with both of us? It really is a very different thing to say you’re okay with your boyfriend having a husband when it’s more of an abstract situation. Even hanging out together when it feels somewhat bromantic as opposed to full-on happily married is different.
It’s not that I’ve made a conscious effort to put some space between me and Oscar. I haven’t at all. I won’t make that concession for anyone, especially not when I need that person toactuallybe okay seeing us together and supporting our relationship.
I suppose I’m still fully caught up in this new relationship energy, so my focus is more fully on Ruby—not that I neglect my husband. Not at all. I love him far too much for that.
Maybe I don’t know what I’m saying because I’m a little sore and a lotta tired.
Hands on my hips make me jump. Oscar’s lips press against the back of my shoulder. I can feel his smile as he presses his body against mine. Because I have the water so hot, he feels cool. I shiver, my skin breaking out in gooseflesh.
Oscar’s arms wrap around me as he continues to kiss my shoulder. This man has sensuality running in his blood. I swear, he makes me hot without any effort at all. I lean my head back and sigh, eyes still closed as I keep my face turned toward the water.
“You okay?”
“It was a really good day, but I feel old and sore.”
He chuckles.
“You’re not sore?”
His shoulders rise in a shrug. “Guess I spend enough time at the gym.”
“Ugh. I hate you. You’re older than me. You should be sorer than I am.”
Oscar laughs. “I can give you some pointers if you want.”
