"I love how happy you are, and I want you happy, but I want you to be careful. This guy appears out of nowhere after seven years, and I worry about you."
"I’m being careful, I promise. But if this is the only time I can spend with him before we go back to letters, I need to take it."
"I know, just be a bit guarded, is all."
She drops the subject as we step into the clothing store.
After spending an hour trying on dresses, I settle on an off-the-shoulder dress that’s tight at the top and then loosens up around my waist. It’s a long dress with a high slit that shows off my legs. Though it’s a casual dress, it’s perfect for the relaxed vibe in Key West. It's not what I would typically wear, but Avery says it's the dress that will make him swallow his tongue, and she hasn't steered me wrong before.
When I get back to my room, I send Jase a text.
Me:I just got back to my room, so I’ll be getting ready if you still want to meet up early.
Jase:Yeah, I do. I’ll head over and wait in the lobby. Text when you’re ready, and I’ll come to your door.
Of course, he will. Jase is the perfect gentleman. After getting dressed, I put some curls in my hair but decide to keep my makeup light and natural. I send him a quick text as I slip into my sandals and put what I need into a smaller purse instead of the bag I’ve been carrying around.
That's when he knocks on my door. I take a deep breath and check that it’s him before opening the door. When I see him, I freeze. He's drop-dead handsome in dark jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up in that sexy way we girls love.
Jase is doing some looking of his own. "Damn, Rylee, I don't know if we’ll make it out of this hotel tonight."
That catches my attention. "Is everything okay?" I ask, still caught up in the way the jeans hug his muscular legs.
"Yeah, baby girl, everything is fine. That dress is going to have me hard all night." He reaches for one of my hands, and I look down at my feet as a blush heats my cheeks.
He places a finger under my chin and tilts my head up. His thumb runs over my cheek, which is still stained red. "Thatwas my terrible way of telling you that you look breathtakingly beautiful." His voice is gruff, and I can tell he means every word.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He turns and holds his hand out for me to take. When I do, he leads me downstairs and out of the hotel. I don't ask where we’re going. We could be walking across the island for all I care. I simply like walking with him, hand in hand.
We talk about my day, the dress fitting, and even my talk with Avery.
"Your cousin is worried about you, and she’s right to tell you to keep your guard up. Even though I get it, I plan to prove myself, and I won’t disappear."
He takes me to a restaurant not far from the hotel. It’s right on the beach, and we have breathtaking views of the sunset over the water.
"I can't believe you remembered." I don't mean to say it out loud, but it slips out.
When we passed this place yesterday, I made some off-the-wall comments on how beautiful it must be to eat dinner by the water and watch the sunset.
"I pay attention to everything you say or write to me. So yes, I remembered." He gives my hand a gentle squeeze before leading me to our table.
Chapter 6
Jase
I don't remember the last time I stumbled over my words like a shy teenage boy getting to touch his first pair of tits, but when Rylee opened that door, my mouth went dry, and I felt like I swallowed my tongue.
The way it hugs her curves and shows off her legs, well, we’re only just getting to the restaurant, and I'm still fighting my hard-on. I don't want to scare her or make her think I'm looking for something she isn't ready for.
Thankfully, the table offers a bit of cover, and over dinner, we sit and talk. The more I talk to this girl, the more I realize how mature she is. Our eleven-year age gap seems so small sitting here like this.
When she smiles at me or laughs, my heart clenches. I want this girl more than my next breath, and by the time dessert comes around, I've decided I don't care about the age gap. All I care about is her.
"Would you like to go for a walk on the beach?" I ask as we finish up dinner.
"Yes!" She seems so happy at the simple suggestion.
