Chapter Eleven

Elijah

 

The small hotel towel barely wrapped around my waist as I got out of the shower, and the tiny soaps they provided had a strange smell. I’d have to go shopping later for the things I needed. It was inconvenient to stay in a hotel, especially since the hotel was more of a resort, and families swarmed the pool with their screaming kids. I wasn’t staying at the house though, no matter how inconvenient it was for me. I’d burn that place down if it didn’t stand to make a pretty penny once sold.

I slipped into a nice pair of jeans and found a short-sleeved button-up shirt that wasn’t wrinkled from being crammed into my bag.

I was excited to see Taylor, and to hear how her double not-date had gone.

Why was I so nervous? I’d known her for what felt like forever.

I walked into the hotel lounge where the fathers of the screaming kids all drowned their stress with fruity cocktails with tiny umbrellas. I struggled not to laugh as I leaned into the bar between two sunburnt sad sacks wearing bright floral shirts. “Jack, please,” I ordered my drink from a pretty blonde bartender with large breasts, one of the obvious reasons for the dad’s hanging around.

She winked at me as she took my twenty. “Keep the change,” I smiled, sliding out from between the two men and moving to a small pub table in the corner.

I sipped my drink with the bartender eyeing me. I’d been in there a few times that week, and I’m sure she caught on that I wasn’t with a family, and wasn’t the average tourist. Normally, I would’ve had her up to my room at least twice by now, but that part of my life seemed to be over. When the fuck did that happen?

My thumb slid over Taylor’s number and then clicked to messages. I shot her a quick text, letting her know I was on my way, and then waited like an eager schoolboy staring at my screen for her to respond. Wow, what the fuck has happened to me?

That sweet beep and vibration in my hand lit me up like a Christmas tree. She was ready, excited to see me.

I finished my drink, slid between the same two guys, and left my glass on the bar. I could feel the blonde’s eyes burning through me as I walked out, but I didn’t dare turn to look.

Taylor’s hair was down again, beautiful and flowing down her back. The little white sundress she wore brought out her dark skin, and the sandals gave me a peek at her painted toes. Red; I love it.

“You look beautiful, as usual,” I complimented as she slid from her front door. She was eager to leave I guess, no invite in while she primped one last time. I liked a woman that was prompt, but I’d have to admit, waiting on Taylor wouldn’t bother me one bit.

“Thank you,” she smiled and slid her hand in mine as she leaned in for a hug. Her scent of vanilla made my mouth water as it wafted under my nose. I was suddenly self-conscious of my own scent, the strange smell of the hotel soap mixed with my expensive cologne.

I walked her to my dad’s old car, my car now. I opened the door, watched her slide in, one long slender leg at a time, and wondered if her panties matched her red toenails. I was certain they did. A woman like Taylor paid attention to small details like that.

“So, how was your non-date last night?” I asked, sliding into the driver seat next to her. She scooted closer to me, almost to the center. Wow.

“It was horrible, as expected. I seriously do not know what Madison sees in that jerk,” she spouted, rolling her eyes in disgust.

I laughed. She was cute when she was irritated.

“So, was the brother any better behaved?” I asked, hoping he was. I really didn’t want to kick his ass, but if he’d offended Taylor, I’d have to, not just for my sake, but for Tommy’s as well. He’d expect no less from me.

“He was still a jerk, but I put him in his place pretty quick. I stayed until ten o’clock, and then I told Madison she was on her own,” she smirked with a crooked smile that made my dick twitch against my jeans.

“Well, you’ve done your good deed. No more double non-dates then?” I questioned, hoping it came off casually. I didn’t want her to think I was being controlling. She was a grown woman and could do what she wanted. I did hope that I was what she wanted to do, and not some jerk that she’d been out with twice now.

“No more. Not even if she cries,” she smiled. Thank God!

She filled me in on the details of the night, and after ten minutes, it was clear she was right, both brothers were complete tools. I loved listening to her talk. I wasn’t sure why. Most women started talking and I tuned out unless it was bedroom talk; that I stayed alert for. She was different. It was easy to talk to her, easy to listen to her.

I was almost disappointed when I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.

Inside the restaurant, we were seated at a private table near the large window where we could view the ocean slapping against the jagged rocks while we dined. Our conversation picked right back up where it had left off in the car, with her asking about my trip to see Xander.

She laughed so hard I thought she was going to choke on her wine when I told her about the way Xander greeted me with a cocked shotgun. “Tommy used to tell me stories about him all the time,” she smiled. It was the first time I’d heard her mention her brother’s name.

“He wasn’t exaggerating,” I chuckled.

“I’d like to see him again. Maybe you can show me the way?” she asked.

I thought about her on that path, climbing up the sharp cliffs and wading through the swampy terrain. “Are you sure you’re up for that?” I asked, realizing my tone was a little too condescending for her liking as her one eyebrow raised high on her forehead, and her eyes glared into mine.

“If you can handle it, I can handle it,” she said sharply, a smirk working upward on her face as she spoke.

“Wow, you think so?” I taunted.

“I know so,” she replied firmly.

“Okay. We’ll plan a trip,” I agreed to defeat.

Taylor Manning had always been impressive, but if she made it up that mountain side, I’d marry her.

The waiter brought our meals, filling the first awkward silence we’d had since we sat down. Taylor’s eyes widened as the blackened trout slid in front of her. “This is what I missed about this place: the food,” she beamed. “Anything you miss about living on the island?” she added.

I hadn’t really thought about it until she asked me just then. Did I miss anything? “Well, Miami has amazing weather all year, a beautiful ocean, great food, and no tarantulas,” I jested.

Her dark eyes rested on mine with a strange glaze over them. She was thinking something, but I couldn’t read her well enough to know what. “I’m sure there’s something I’ve missed,” I appeased her with a lie. I knew there was nothing, other than Tommy, and he wasn’t here anymore, so nothing, until now. I was going to miss Taylor when I left here; I could feel that in my bones.

“I don’t like the seclusion,” she chimed in, deciding to go a different route with her topic. “And, the fact that I can’t get a greasy, delicious slice of pizza any hour of the day or night just by walking out my front door,” she closed her eyes and let her head fall as a soft moan of pleasure escaped her lips. Fuck, my cock stiffened instantly at the sweet noise she made.

“Yeah. If you want anything here, you have a ways to go,” I chuckled nervously, praying that the blood would rush from between my legs back to my brain.

We spent the rest of dinner coming up with reasons why living here sucked in comparison to our homes in the states. It was refreshing how easy she made it to find something in common to talk about. Damn, her lips were so red and plump. My mind drifted often during our conversation, and plenty of times I had to tune her out and think of baseball or some other focal point to distract my cock.

The check came, and I didn’t want the night to end. It was Saturday, and I knew she didn’t have to work, and I could put off working on the house until late afternoon, or even Monday if I wanted. “Would you like to take a walk on the beach?” I asked, slipping my credit card into the leather folder with the bill.

Her smile spread across her face as she nodded. Damn, it is going to be tough to keep my hands off of her.

We tossed our shoes in the car and she leaned against the driver drawer while I bent down to roll up my jeans. “I should’ve worn shorts,” I chuckled nervously as my eye caught a glimpse of red between her legs as the wind lifted her skirt ever so slightly. Fuck, the ache between my own legs returned, and this time with a vengeance. I instantly thought of Tommy to stop from growing a full wood right there like a damn perv. I stood quickly, before chancing another peek at her panties, and took her hand.

We walked on the beach, not saying much, and then stopped at a large rock to rest. My hands gripped around her small waist and lifted her up to the rock, and then I slid next to her. The water was rising quickly, and with each wave, more water splashed up the rock and wet our feet, and then our legs. “Looks like we’re about to get drenched,” I warned as the next wave blasted up the rock and splashed to our laps. She giggled hysterically as she stood on the rock. “Get on my back,” I suggested, leaning into her so she could climb aboard. The warmth of her body sent electricity through my veins as she wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I ran up the beach towards the car as if the waves were chasing us. We probably had plenty of time to hang out, but we were going to get wet, that was for certain.

I bent down, letting Taylor slide from my back to her feet. “Thank you,” she gushed. The front of her white dress was soaked from the waves, and her red panties were very visible. I tried not to look, but I couldn’t help myself. Her eyes widened as she noticed what I was looking at, and a squeal roared from her throat. “Oh my God!” she screeched, giggling and running for the passenger side of my car. I laughed as I walked around, opening the door for her, and gave her a wink as she slid into the seat. “Red’s my favorite color,” I taunted as I slid into the driver’s seat, a smirk smeared all over my face.

Her cheeks turned bright red, and her smile widened with a new excitement I’d yet to see. “I better get you home and dried off,” I apologized with a smile, and then pulled the car out of the parking lot and headed towards her house.

I pulled up in front, dreading letting her go for the night, but walked to her side, helped her out and had to laugh when she covered her front with her hand. I’d already seen it; those red panties were burnt into my memory for life.

At the door, I helped her with her keys so she didn’t have to move her hand from in front of her dress. “Would you like to come in for some wine?” she asked. I hated wine, but I still agreed.

“I’ll be just a minute,” she excused herself, leaving me in the living room of her childhood home.

A large picture hung on the wall of Taylor with her dad and brother. I remembered when it was taken, just a few months before Tommy died. He’d come home on leave, and that was the last time he’d seen his family.   

Taylor returned to the living room wearing a silky red robe tied snuggly around her waist. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had anything on underneath. It sure didn’t look like it. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get us a glass of wine,” she smiled, walking past me and into the kitchen.

I sat down on the couch, nervously fidgeting like I was back in high school and getting ready to meet my date’s parents for the first time. Damn, this girl is getting under my skin.

My voice cracked a little when I thanked Taylor for the wine she handed me, and when she sat down next to me, close enough that our hips touched, a lump grew in my throat, nearly choking me to death. This was it, now or never. The perfect moment for our first kiss.