Jackson

“We made it!” Steven says, swatting me on the shoulder.

Why did I drink so much last night? Will thought it’d be fun to go out the night before we flew to Mexico.

Will and I, and his college buddies Steven, Markus, and David were all out toasting Will’s upcoming wedding and oiling up our engines for our long weekend in Mexico. Too many cheap tequila shots made the flight today almost intolerable.

“The shuttle should be ready outside,” Markus says. He’s the oldest of the group and most responsible. “I emailed and they assured me it’d be set at noon.”

Checking my watch, I see that it’s 11:50. “Let’s get our bags and get out of here.” My throat sounds like I’ve just gargled rocks. What I’d like to do is go to the hotel and sleep until tomorrow morning. No way in hell is Will going to go for that. The best I can hope for is a cat nap on the shuttle to the hotel.

“You look green, buddy,” Will says in my ear as we make our way to the baggage claim area.

“Dude, I can’t hang anymore,” I say.

“You work too much. This weekend will be good for you.”

“Thanks, Will.” I wish he were right. All I can think about is how much I’d rather be spending time with Amelia. After seeing her a few nights ago, I want more. Sure, things were a little different, but she’s as hot as ever. When she was riding me, it took all of my willpower to not rip off her pants. The last thing I should be doing is thinking about having sex with Amelia when her brother is standing next to me.

The guys and I get our luggage and go outside to the curb. I’m hit immediately with sun and heat. Charlottesville has mild winters, but I am looking forward to warm weather. It’s only a few minutes before our ride shows up at the curb to take us to the resort.

In the shuttle, the guys uncork a bottle of champagne. I tug my hat low over my eyes, tilt my head back, and fall asleep in seconds.

Pulling up in front of the resort, I rub my eyes, feeling slightly better than I did before the ride. The check-in area is open, allowing salty fresh air to flow through. Huge potted plants with multi-colored flowers fill the reception room. A beautiful Mexican woman saunters in front of us carrying a tray full of blue drinks with little pink cocktail umbrellas hanging off the edge.

“Looks good, senorita,” Steven says as he takes a drink off her tray.

All the other guys grab a drink, except me. And I know they’re going to goad me about not drinking, but if I’m going to make it through the night, I’m going to have to take it slow.

“What, Jax, you’re not drinking with us?” Steven chimes in.

“Of course, I am, I just don’t want one of your girlie drinks.” Winking at them, I step away from the guys and go to the desk to check in.

We all get our keys and a multi-seat golf cart takes us to our rooms. Will and I are in one room and Steven, David, and Markus are next door.

“Shower and meet back here in a couple of hours for dinner. Then we’re going to hit it hard,” Will announces.

“Sounds good,” David says. “Can’t wait for tacos and tequila.”

Even hearing the word tequila churns my stomach. But the food sounds glorious.

Our room is huge, with an enormous Jacuzzi tub in the center. The walls are tiled and the bedding is in floral bright colors. I’m thankful the room has two bedrooms. My best friend and I are tight, but the last thing I need is to hear him snoring all night.

The shower does wonders for my mood. The warm water eases my tight muscles from the flight and wakes me up. I wear a pair of gray golf shorts and a black golf shirt.

Will and I meet up with the guys and go to the Mexican buffet. I pound three plates full of tacos, with shredded pork, chicken, and beef all smothered in guacamole. Despite the fact that I overate, the last remnants of my hangover disappear with my last bite of food.

“The dance club is right next door,” Will says as he finishes the last of his fajita and pats his flat stomach.

“Let’s go party.” Steven jumps out of his chair and chugs his third Dos Equis of the meal. This guy is going to be out of control this weekend. Steven lacks an on/off switch; all-inclusive could spell disaster for him.

“Yeah!” David agrees and he and Steven give each other a high-five. It’s as if we’re transported back to college, even though these two are both married and both have kids at home.

We stroll into the dimly-lit club. There’s a song playing over the speakers with a heavy bass beat. Making our way to the bar, the bartender is whipping up something with fruit and alcohol in a blender. We place our order of five Mexican beers and the guys order shots of tequila, that I pleasantly decline.

“Come on, man, you better not wuss out on us this weekend,” Steven says with a slight slur.

“Don’t worry, man. We’re going to have a good time.” I raise my beer. “To Will’s bachelor party weekend.” We clink our bottles together to toast.

We have a few beers and watch the drunken tourists grinding on the dance floor. Exhaustion tugs at my eyelids. Cramming more hours in at work this week has left little time for rest. I’d love to call it a night, but it’s Will’s weekend, so I’m going to make the most of it.

As I’m placing an order for another beer, cool hands come up behind me and wrap over my eyes. “Are you going to be rude, or are you going to buy a girl a drink?” I can’t believe it; it’s Amelia’s sweet floral perfume and her sexy voice in my ear.

Spinning around, I’m shocked. My jaw goes slack. Here she is, in the flesh in a short red V-neck sundress. The top plunges low, exposing the curve of her cleavage. Her long smooth legs and take-me-to-bed heels make me want to lift her up and kiss her. My hands twitch at my sides with wanting to touch her. But I don’t. Scanning the room, I see Julia and Will hugging and dancing along with a few of Julia’s bridesmaids. “You’re here.”

Amelia bats her lashes at me and says, “Surprise.”

“Wait, how long have you known you were coming?” Amelia never mentioned Mexico to me, and come to think of it, neither did Will.

She just smirks at me, her hazel eyes sparkling with gold flecks in the dim light. She puts her thumb and pointer finger an inch apart. “For a little while.” She giggles and hiccups as she puts her hands on my chest.

I give her a hug and take a step back. “Are you drunk?”

Her cheeks have that tell-tale blush that she gets when she’s had a few drinks.

“Maybe.”

“You know your brother is here, right?” With her inhibitions lowered, it’s obvious she’s not thinking clearly. She keeps coming closer to me.

“It’s fine. He knows we’re friends. Let’s dance, friend.” She grabs me by the collar of my shirt and leads me to the dance floor.

She brings us to the corner and crushes her body against mine. Her arms come around my neck and the curves of her body fit perfectly against mine. My dick twitches in my pants as she grinds herself against me. “This feels so good, Jackson.”

Does it ever. But we have to be careful. “Remember that your brother is right over there.” I point in his direction. “He doesn’t know about us, but he will soon if he sees us grinding over here.”

“Take me to my room.” Her eyelids are barely open.

“Are you sure about this?” Fuck. I’d love to run back to her room with her, but she’s pretty drunk. The last thing I want to do is take advantage of her and lose the ground we’ve gained.

Her hands come down my back and squeeze my ass, pressing me as close as I can get to her sex. “Trust me, Jackson. I want you to take me back to my room now. Or else….”

As much as I hate to do it, I move her hands. “Okay. Where is it? I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”

She whispers her room number in my ear and sucks my lobe in her mouth while placing a key card in my hand. My body aches to touch her, but I don’t want Will’s fist in my face. I take a step back. She blows me a kiss and turns to walk away. Her legs and ass are perfection. Deep breaths, dude.

What am I going to tell Will? He’ll be pissed that I’m ducking out early. He and Julia are in a lip lock on the dance floor. Steven is sitting in a chair with his head in his hands and David and Markus are dancing with the bridesmaids.

Nobody is going to miss me.

I hustle in the direction of Amelia’s room, wondering the entire time if I’m making a mistake.

Slipping the keycard in the door, I push it open. Peering into the room, it’s dark with the exception of a small light coming from her bedroom. My heart skips a few beats. “Amelia,” I say before turning the corner to her room.

It’s quiet.

“Amelia.”

There’s a whimper coming from the bathroom.

I rush to the door. “Is everything okay?”

“Go away, Jackson,” she says. Her tone is weak.

“What’s the matter?” I don’t like how she sounds. I push on the bathroom door and it opens. Good, she didn’t lock it.

She’s lying on the floor, flat on her stomach, arms bent and tucked under her torso. Her head is pointed toward the door. “Are you okay?” I ask. It’s clear she’s not. When I move in closer, her face is pale and sweat dots her forehead.

“No, I’m not. I don’t feel good. Can you make the room stop spinning, please,” she whines.

Shit. She’s feeling about as good as I did last night. “Damn, babe. Do you want anything? Water?” Lifting her head and setting it on my lap, I wipe her damp hair off her forehead.

“I don’t think anything is going to help me now.” Her eyes are sad and flutter closed while I stroke her hair.

“Oh, no.” Her eyes fly open as she shifts her body toward the toilet, just in time to throw up.

I get behind her and grab her thick hair in my hand. The poor girl. I know just how she feels. I rub her back until she’s finished.

Turning her head toward me, she runs the back of her hand across her mouth. With tears in her eyes, she asks, “Could you please get me that water now?”

“Of course.” Standing up, I go into the kitchenette and grab a bottled water from the refrigerator. Back in the bathroom, she’s resumed her position on the floor. “Hey, let me help you up. Let’s get you into bed.”

“That sounds good.” She pushes herself up tentatively on one arm.

I kneel down next to her and sling one of her arms over my shoulder. We take our time standing up together.

“You okay?”

Her knees are shaking as she says, “Give me a second.”

We stay still and wait for her to get her balance. “Let’s get this off,” I say. In one quick motion, I pull her sundress up and over her head. She’s only got a strapless bra and thong on. Even though she’s sick, it’s nearly impossible to not take notice of her sexy body. Check yourself, Jackson.

I duck down and lift her up under the knees to swing her body up to carry her to the bed. Easing her down, I try not make her world spin any more than it has been.

With her eyes closed, but a grimace on her face, I touch her cheek. “This better than the floor?”

“I think so.”

“I’ll be right back.” I go back into the bathroom and run a washcloth under the cold water and wring it out. The water bottle is sitting on the floor where I left it, so I grab that too, and head back to her bed. Laying the cloth on her forehead, she lets out a contented sigh. “Want a sip of water?”

“Yes, please.”

Twisting off the top, I bring the bottle down to her dry lips. “Just a little.”

Her full lips pucker up and she takes a drink. “That tastes good.” She tries to drink more, but I back it away.

“Let’s take it slow. I don’t want you sick again, okay?”

“Okay. Will you stay with me?” Her voice is small, tentative.

“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.” I take the trash can from the bathroom and set it next to her side of the bed.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Jackson.”

Pulling my shirt and shorts off, I ease into bed next to her and wrap my arm around her waist. She snuggles her head back to my chest, her warm body and backside against me. We fit so well together. I’m not happy she’s sick, but it’s been too long since I’ve held her this way. Sweeping her hair off her back, I kiss the soft skin of her shoulder. “Get some sleep.”

* * *

My friends look how I felt yesterday morning. Bags under their eyes and gray skin, all reeking of stale beer and tequila. After the breakfast buffet, we make our way to the pool where there’s a session of water aerobics going on at one end. Middle-aged and elderly women bounce around, kicking and splashing, following the lead of a buff Mexican man leading the class.

“Hey, thanks for giving me and Julia some privacy last night. I appreciate you getting another room. You really are the best man a guy could have.” He gives me a sly smile.

“No problem at all.” This couldn’t have worked out any better. I thought he would be grilling me about where I was last night. Turns out he thinks I was doing him a favor. Perfect. “You didn’t know the girls were coming here?”

“Yeah. Well, no. I knew they’d be in Riviera Maya, but not our resort. I guess theirs was shitty, so they decided to come to ours. You’re not pissed that they’re here, are you?”

“No. If you’re happy, then so am I.” He does seem to be ecstatic that his fiancée is here. And any time I get to spend with Amelia is a bonus, even if there’s still some uncertainty with our relationship. And the fact that Will still has no idea that his sister and I have feelings for each other. Until Amelia and I are clear with where our relationship is headed, there’s no sense in upsetting Will. “Where are the ladies this morning?”

“Julia is sleeping off her hangover. Not sure about everyone else.”

I left Amelia early this morning before she woke up. I wanted to go back to my room before Will woke up, hoping he wouldn’t notice that I was gone all night. When I snuck in, he and Julia were curled up in his room, sleeping like babies, wrapped up in each other like Amelia and I were just minutes before.

The next time I talk to Amelia, I’ll have to ask her why she didn’t tell me about coming to the Riviera Maya. Why did she think she needed to keep this a secret from me? Did she want to surprise me? Who knows.

Pushing my reclining chair back, I tilt my hat over my face and close my eyes. A little nap is in order after keeping an eye on Amelia all night last night.

I begin to stir when I hear a woman laughing and splashing water in the nearby vicinity. Removing my hat and sitting up, I spot the ladies from the bridal party. They’re all in the water with the guys. Damn, Amelia is in a royal blue bikini. The top isn’t leaving much to the imagination. It’s cut so low, if she bends over a nipple will surely pop out.

Standing up, I walk to the edge of the water.

“Oh, nice. Sleeping Beauty is awake. Come in the water,” Julia says.

“Yeah, dude, you’ve been asleep forever,” Steven says and takes a gulp of an amber colored drink.

Amelia is shielding her eyes from the sun as she looks in my direction. Her lips are pressed together in a tight line. Her face has some color, a stark contrast from how pale she was last night while clinging to the tiles of her bathroom floor. I can’t tell if she’s happy or not to see me.

Jumping in, I’m immediately refreshed. Lying out in the sun for who knows how long, my skin was sizzling hot. I dunk my head under and when I pop my head out, Amelia has moved to the swim up bar. Great. It’s just about time for a drink.

“How are you feeling?” I ask Amelia as I swim up next to her and take a seat on one of the submerged stools.

She shakes her head and covers her face with her hands. “I’m sorry about last night.”

Pulling her hands away, and forcing her eyes up to mine, I say, “Stop. You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. Well, except for not telling me you were coming. Why did you hide it from me?”

“It was supposed to be a surprise. A good one. Not like last night’s mess.”

That’s sweet. And cute. “I’m glad you wanted to surprise me. I loved seeing you here last night. And yes, I hated to see you sick, but it’s okay. It happens to the best of us. I’m just glad that I could be there for you.”

“Really?” she asks, looking up at me through her long dark lashes.

“Yes.”

The bartender comes over and Amelia orders a ginger ale and I get a beer.

“Can we start again, like you’re just seeing me for the first time today and forget all about last night?”

“Okay.” I paint on a fake look of surprise. “Oh my God, Amelia. I had no idea you’d be here.”

“Surprise.” She smiles and all her pearly whites show. A real smile this time.

The bartender hands us our drinks and we clink them together.

“Cheers to you being here,” I say.

“Cheers to starting over.” Amelia takes a tentative sip of her drink.

“You sure you’re feeling okay?”

“Well, I don’t think I’ll ever drink again, but I’ll be fine,” she says.

“Amelia. Get over here. We’re playing chicken. You get on Steven’s shoulders,” Julia yells from across the pool.

“No, play without me,” Amelia says.

The look Julia gives Amelia can only be described as ‘get the hell over here now.’

Amelia gives me a weak smile and scoots off the stool, drink in hand. “Guess I’m playing chicken.”

“Jax, you’re playing too. Amber needs a partner.” Will motions with his hand to come over to where everyone is.

Making my way across the pool, Amber, Julia’s younger sister, is standing in the water, batting her lashes at me, a suggestive gleam in her eyes.

Fuck. This is going to be a long day. I already want to punch Steven in the face for his annoying drunken behavior, hitting on random women, being loud and sloppy, and now the fucker is going to have my girl’s nearly naked body around his shoulders.