Page 32 of The Getaway
“Please don’t! The walls are thin, and we have an early flight out!”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment, but even still, all I can do is bury my face into Noah’s neck to stifle my laughter.
“Sorry!” Noah calls back, not sounding apologetic at all as he peels us away from the wall and sets me on my feet. He doesn’t let me go anywhere, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I clasp my hands behind his neck, smiling up at him.
“Maybe we go back to my place for the rest of our sex-cation,” I whisper, even though we are alone, and the neighbors probably wouldn’t hear us talking normally.
“You will hear no protests from me about that. Having you alone in a place where only I can hear you fall apart so beautifully sounds like a dream.”
Chapter 10- Noah
“Feel free to take a few minutes to snap your pictures out here. We’ll meet inside the lobby in five minutes and start our tour!” The tour guide calls out before turning to talk with one of the other employees.
Our small group immediately disburses, everyone scattering to go take their pictures of the Christmas decorations set up around the outside of the Rum House.
Last night, after getting cleaned up and grabbing my stuff, we went back to Bri’s bungalow. Neither of us could keep our hands to ourselves as we enjoyed the night of private conversations and learning more about each other’s bodies.
Like we agreed at dinner, nothing we talked about was too deep. But even still, we chatted for hours about our favorite foods and drinks. Bri told me all about the romance books she reads, who her favorite authors are, and how she’s still mad at me for not asking Lilly Matthews for an autograph.
We then talked about the plans we had for our vacation and as it turns out, Bri and my brother have a lot in common with excursion planning. Connor had booked me three total excursions, the falls yesterday, a rum house tour today, and one more nighttime lagoon trip for my last night. Which is exactly what Bri had planned for herself, along with a massage or some spa package.
When I first looked at the plans my brother made for me, I had thought he was an idiot for thinking I would enjoy these. But now I’m grateful he did, because it means I get to spend even more time with Bri. Not that I plan to tell him that.
I look around at the array of winter inflatables, fake snow and even notice a nativity scene set up in front of the big welcome sign. While everyone else gravitates to the blow-up Santa and reindeer, I slowly follow behind Bri as she moves toward a grouping of barrels stacked on top of each other. As we get closer, I realize they’re set up with garland, lights, and other random decorations to make it look like a tree.
Bri stops in front of it, tilting her head back as she looks over the fake tree, but my full attention is on her.
Since we weren’t doing any hiking today, she chose to wear a tantalizing navy wrap skirt and gray cropped tank top. Every step she takes causes her perfectly toned legs to peek out and it’s been an ongoing effort to not drool over every inch of revealed skin.
With the sun shining brightly down, it’s easy to see the new freckles that peek out on her face and my eyes drop to the small smile that lights up her face. Her hair is braided back, with a few strays breaking free.
Even with all the places and things to see on the island, there’s no doubt in my mind that she is the most beautiful sight here.
“It’s so pretty,” Bri murmurs.
“Yes, you are,” I respond without hesitation, not bothering to follow her gaze.
Why would I look anywhere else to find beauty, when everything and everyone else pales in comparison to her?
Slowly, Bri looks away from the Christmas decorations and it’s then that I notice the tears lining her eyes. I close the small distance between us, pulling her into my arms and cupping her cheek gently.
“What’s wrong?” My question comes out rough, the need to find and fix the problem taking over.
She smiles up at me, shaking her head.
“Nothing,” she says, placing a soft kiss on my lips before trying to pull away, but I refuse to move. Bri stares up at me, and I see the moment she’s about to try the “nothing” answer again and cut her off.
“Something upset you.” I try to keep my tone soft, while also hiding the desperation of needing to know what’s bothering her.
“It’s nothing either of us could fix, Noah.” Her voice is a whisper, and that damn sad smile still rests on her perfect lips.
“I might not be able to fix it, but sometimes, just having someone listen can help.” I tuck a stray hair behind her ear, holding her gaze while aching for her to let me in. “I can be your someone. I can listen.”
Her eyes bounce between mine, searching for the truth behind my words and deciding if she’ll listen. I can only hope she doesn’t see just how deeply I mean them or just how hard I’m fighting off feelings that shouldn’t be here after only two days.
Bri sighs, leaning into my hold and dropping her forehead against my chest.