I’d never seen Jade so happy and light. Her smile was real. It wasn’t the sarcastic, casual smile she used at school, but a giant, I love life smile that made my heart beat faster.

This was the real Jade. Jade with the pony tail and no makeup, with sneakers and shorts, and a little bit of mud. I wanted to believe it was more than the outdoors bringing it out in her. I wanted to believe it was me. But it probably wasn’t. I generally didn’t have that effect on people, but I could pretend. I could pretend that the night—and morning—we spent together would become something more.

“I could stay out here forever.” Jade pulled on my arm to get me to look out at the view.

“I could too, but it’s going to rain.”

She sighed. “I don’t mind getting wet.”

“Oh, I’m well aware you don’t mind that.” I wriggled an eyebrow.

She pushed me playfully. “Kyle.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“Yes you could. You can always resist.”

“Not always. Sometimes words slip out.”

“Are we only talking about words?”

I pulled her close. “Are you asking if I can always resist you?”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t you already know the answer to that?”

“Do I?”

“Is there a reason you’re teasing me?”

She ran her teeth over her bottom lip. “I’m not teasing. I’m being me.”

“And being you means teasing me?”

“I’m only asking a question, Kyle.” She bit her nail for a second before quickly dropping her hand to her side.

“Did you have to say my name that way?”

“What way?” she smiled.

“That way. The way that makes me want you again.”

Her face flushed. I loved knowing I had that effect on her. “I thought it was going to rain.”

“It is, but as you reminded me, you don’t mind getting wet.”

“Not if it means kissing you.”

“I have to agree with you there.” I connected my lips with hers right as the sky opened up.

Jade laughed, breaking the kiss. “We probably should start heading back.”

“Changed your mind about getting wet?”

“It sounded better in theory.” She started retracing her steps down the trail. I followed behind, eager to get her back to our room.

The rain picked up, making the ground slick and muddy. Jade started to slip once, but I caught her in time.

She steadied herself against me. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

“You like playing hero.”

I brushed some of her wet hair away from her face. “I like playing it with you.”

She smiled and turned around. We made it the rest of the way down without incident and dashed to my mom’s car.

Jade buckled up as I started the car. “I hope your mom doesn’t hate me for getting her car dirty.”

“Why would she hate you? It’s more natural to blame me.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Don’t worry about it. She can get it cleaned.”

“This car might cost more than my parents’ house.”

“I doubt that, but you really don’t need to worry.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“You don’t need to be intimidated by my mom. She didn’t have much money growing up.”

“Until she married your dad…”

“And you don’t need to be intimidated by my dad either. They like you. I can tell.”

“Well, as long as they like me enough for me to get through this week, I’m okay with it.”

I put a hand on her leg. I couldn’t keep my hands off her. “Trust me, you’re going to make it through this week.”

“What’s the plan when we get back to the resort?”

“We’ve got a boat trip.”

“A boat trip? Like the scenic kind?”

“Yes, exactly. You said you liked the water….”

“I do.” She looked out the window.

“No worrying about my family.”

“I don’t want to do or say something stupid.”

“There’s an easy solution to your worries about that.”

“There is?”

“Yeah. Stay with me. No one can grill you if we’re together.”

“I wouldn’t mind staying with you.”

“Good.” I squeezed her leg gently as I turned into the resort. “Want me to drop you off out front?”

“I’m already soaked, so I don’t mind walking.”

“If you’re sure.” I pulled into a spot and grabbed my backpack from the backseat.

We got out and ran to the front door and up the stairs. I opened the door and she walked in first. “I need to get these wet clothes off.”

“By all means.” I gestured for her to start taking them off.

“I didn’t mean it in that way.”

“Oh wait, I forgot the new rules.”

“What rules?”

“That if I want you getting naked, I have to do it myself.” I pulled her sopping wet t-shirt off her.

“If you’re undressing me, I’m undressing you.”

“Go right ahead. I have no problem with that.” I grinned.

She pulled off my shirt and tossed it on the floor on top of hers.

“Now comes the hard part.”

“What do you mean?” She chewed her nail.

“I’m deciding whether I should take off your bra first or your shorts.”

“And what’s your decision?”

“Your bra.” I reached around and unhooked her bra, happily tossing it onto the pile.

She went to cover her chest with her arms, but I carefully lowered her arms to the side. “You’re not supposed to be nervous when I’m doing it, remember?”

“I’m still nervous.”

“Maybe this will help.” I lowered my mouth to one of her breasts while I cupped her other breast with my hand.

She moaned lightly while I used my free hand to unbutton her shorts.

She reached over and unbuttoned mine. I refused to release her breast, so I stepped out of my shorts while I still had my mouth on her.

She moaned against me as I pushed her shorts down, and slipped my fingers inside her panties. I released her breast. “Feeling less nervous?”

“Mmm hmm,” she mumbled while she took me in her hand.

“Do you think we need a shower first, or can we get in bed?”

“As long as I get you again I’m good.”

“Then let’s do both.” I grabbed a condom from my bag before leading her into the bathroom. Showers were never going to be the same again.