Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
The sound of a text has me shaking him out of my head, and after I grab it, I see it’s from Natalie.
Natalie
Meet me at the cabana bar past the pool ASAP. It’s really important!
River
On my way. Is everything okay?
My instincts take control as I slip on a sundress and flip-flops. I quickly pull my hair up into a messy ponytail before grabbing my keycard and phone. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something wrong. When she doesn’t respond to my message, I grow more concerned. Did she and Adam get into a fight? Or worse, did they break up? Different scenarios flood my mind, and without another thought, I rush toward the cabana.
When I step outside, the warm breeze brushes across my skin, and I can’t help but glance at the plum-colored sky as the dark orange sun falls below the horizon. Everything about this island is incredible, and I’m definitely going to miss seeing its beauty once I’m back home and surrounded by the cold and snow.
Music flows lightly through the crowd, and I immediately search for Natalie’s red hair once I reach the pool area. People surround the bar, so I move closer to see if I can spot her on one of the stools. Worry consumes me when she’s nowhere to be found. I glance over the nameless faces, and though I’m in a crowd of people, it doesn’t stop me from seeing him. And when I do, he’s looking directly at me.
For a moment, I contemplate turning around and pretending I didn’t see him but find it hard once our eyes and bodies are locked together in a trance. It’s as if we’re the only people on this whole fucking island. My phone vibrates in my hand, breaking the tension, and when I glance down, I see it’s another text from Natalie. I quickly unlock my phone, hoping everything is all right.
Natalie
Don’t hate me, but you needed a little push. Love you!
I let out a hard sigh when I realize this was all a sham so I’d jump out of my comfy bed and come down here where she must’ve known Alex was waiting. I grind my teeth, already planning to give Natalie an earful when I see her tomorrow.
By the time I look up from my phone, Alex is gone. The glass he was drinking from now sits empty along with the vacant barstool. For a split second, I’m slightly disappointed that he left, but I know I shouldn’t be. I’m half-tempted to text Natalie back and rub it in her face that her stupid plan didn’t work after all.
Annoyed, I turn around and immediately bump into Alex who’s now standing directly in front of me. The smell of him suffocates my senses—pure man mixed with the ocean breeze. My body remembers every single touch and kiss. Swallowing hard, it takes everything I have to look into his baby blue eyes and keep a straight face.
“Looking for someone?” he asks nonchalantly with a smirk on his face.
Inhaling a deep breath, I keep my composure. “Actually, I was meeting Natalie,” I tell him, unable to move as if I’m glued to the ground. He actually laughs, which confirms my suspicions about this all being a setup. I narrow my eyes at him, and he shrugs unapologetically.
“Hmm. Doesn’t look like she’s here.” He pretends to look around, then his eyes fall back on me.
Being this close to him forces heat to permeate through my body, and it feels as if hot flames are licking my skin from head to toe. Blinking and clearing my vision, I finally get a good look at him, and he smiles before taking my hand and leading me to the beach.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I ask, but I don’t pull away.
He chuckles, not answering my question, and we walk pass the cabana until we’re standing in white sand staring out at the water.
“We need to talk.” He finally turns to me, and when I face him, he glides his hand along my cheekbone before brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Knowing this isn’t a conversation I should have, I shake my head, dismissing him. My messy ponytail is loose and starts to fall out, and I quickly try to adjust it.
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawls, adjusting his ball cap. “Don’t be stubborn.” He notices me fussing with my hair and pulls the band out of my fingers, causing it to fall around my face.
Opening my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, I barely get a word out before he palms my cheeks and his lips crash into mine. Soon, his fingers are threading through my hair, and I can’t help the small moan that escapes. I feel as if I’m falling into a bottomless pit as our tongues twist together. The beach and sand and everything surrounding us melt away, and it’s just us. By the time we break our embrace, we’re both gasping for air, for some sort of relief. The intensity of the emotions behind his kiss is almost too much—too soon—and it makes me want to run and push him away. It’s what I should do anyway. It’s the smart thing to do, but when I meet his eyes again, I’m incapable.