“Fun.”
Ivory still looks concerned. As much as I want to convince her to do this with me, I also understand her hesitation. I am still a stranger even though we’ve grown closer and shared that life-altering kiss in the rain. She still needs reassurance and I will do everything in my power to give that to her.
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise. It’s you and me. If you’re not sold on the idea, we’ll have Taylor call the owner and see about extending our stay. I think this would begood for you though. Breaking out of your shell and pushing your limits. That’s what this trip was all about, right?”
“And we’ll make a plan? We won’t just fly by the seat of our pants the whole time?”
Ah, the real reason for her hesitation is the potential lack of structure. She is used to a set schedule. She is used to being told a plan and then following it. If that’s what she needs to say yes to this, that’s a low bar. Maybe after we make a plan, she can loosen the reins and we can add in some spontaneous stops outside of the plan.
“We can make a plan. We can pick the places together and make all the decisions before we leave here.”
Ivory nods like she is giving herself an inner pep talk. She looks back out at the water in the distance. “Is that a yes?”
She doesn’t say anything for a good five minutes and then she turns to me with her piercing eyes and says, “Yes. It’s a yes. Take me on an adventure, Preston.”
I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face nor can I resist leaning in and kissing her forehead. The sigh that leaves Ivory sounds like it holds the weight of the world as she leans into the touch. It’s quick but the whole action feels like the most natural thing in the world. I’m struck again by the revelation that I want to be this for her. The safe space for her to land. The comfort in the hard times. The ease to her stress. I am addicted to Ivory Crenshaw and there is no sign of a cure any time soon. Not that I want there to be.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Preston
The next night, instead of watching a second episode of Heartbreak High after dinner, Ivory asks, “What about the hot tub? I feel tense and it's the second best thing to a massage.”
The thought of rubbing my hands all over Ivory’s body and soothing her aches hits me with a force that has me needing to lift her legs off my lap and take a cold shower before she realizes the semi in my shorts.
“Hot tub it is,” I choke out. “I’ll go make sure it’s on and the temp is right while you change,” I say, practically running to my bedroom, discreetly adjusting myself and taking deep breaths to will my dick down as I go.
I can’t get into the hot tub with a boner when it’s already going to be hard enough being so close to her in her teeny bikini.
I’m settled in the hot tub with my head leaned back, looking at the night sky and the jets pummeling into my back muscles when Ivory finally joins me. I hear her walk up and watch as she dips her tanned feet into the water. The sight of Ivory in a bikini is one that I will never take for granted. Seeing her in a movie or on the television screen is nothing compared to the view of her up close. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. My body responds to hers without conscious thought, tensedand ready to spring into action if I were to give it the slightest nudge.
Reaching for her hand, I help her into the steamy water. She doesn’t need the help but I can’t resist an excuse to touch her. It’s becoming harder and harder to ignore the need to have my hands on her in any capacity she will allow. The moan Ivory lets out once she fully submerges herself into the water has my dick springing back to life in full force. So much for the breathing exercises. There is no hope around Ivory with the noises coming from the back of her throat as she positions herself in front of the jets.
“This feels so good,” she moans out. I can’t form words and instead choose to just watch her as she fully relaxes in the makeshift seat, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on the headrest. “So, where are you thinking we would go?”
“Hmm?” I’m so distracted observing every single moment of Ivory in this hot tub with me that I don’t even realize she is talking.
“On this adventure. Where do you propose we go?”
“Oh…um, I don’t know. Do you hike?”
“Not really.”
“Are you opposed to it?”
“I guess now would be the time, right? Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and all that. I don’t know what I like until I try it.”
“I like that about you.”
“What?”
“Your openness. Your willingness to try new things. To not box yourself in.”
Ivory doesn’t open her eyes or look at me but I notice a small upturn to her lips at my words. She doesn’t give me a chance to say anything else before she asks, “Are there trails for hiking?”
“A lot of Belize is jungles and rainforests. I imagine there are tons of waterfalls and other things to see on hikes on the mainland.”
“I like waterfalls.”
