“
I’m crazy about you,” Jake said. “I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re the last person I think about before I go to sleep and the first person I think about when I open my eyes—and you often inhabit my dreams in between. I can’t eat and can’t sleep without thinking about you and missing you, every waking second. I just…can’t get you out of my head.”
His words really hit home with me. Shivers ran up my spine, and goosebumps pimpled my skin. Jake’s eyes fixed on my lips and moved closer. I moistened them, not sure what else to do. I had, after all, sworn him off forever.
His mouth lowered on mine, and our lips connected in a slow, gentle touch. In spite of the smoldering temperature, a shiver ran through me. I closed my eyes, savoring his sweet taste. Goosebumps rippled my skin as his strong hands wandered down my back to my middle. He gently lifted my arms and guided them around his neck, drawing me unbelievably closer; I was already standing so impossibly close.
More sweet, romantic kisses on the lips followed, exactly as I remembered them. My heart was drumming so hard that I wondered if Jake could hear it; I would surely die from embarrassment if he could. His arms squeezed me more tightly, but his touch remained soft. Without warning, he pulled away, staring down at me, wide-eyed. I let my hands linger on his shoulders a moment too long before taking a step back, the magical moment broken and confusion taking its place.
Jake cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I-I don’t know what came over me. I just…”
I gaped at him, speechless. I was putting down my guard, and I loved it. “I’ve gotta go,” I said, then turned to walk back to our hotel room.
He followed right behind. “You can’t pretend like that didn’t happen, Ashly.”
“
It wasn’t like we made out. It was just a couple kisses on the lips, no biggie.”
“
I know you felt what I did.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Please don’t take it as an invitation to bed. It just happened. That kind of stuff just happens when two ex-lovers are forced to spend time together like this. It’s natural. It’s nobody’s fault. I’m not mad or anything, Jake. I just need to think.”
“
All right. I won’t push you,” he said. “We can take things as slow as you want. Like I told you, I’m willing to give you all the time you need.”
I kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for understanding.”
Back in the hotel room, I stared out the window, wondering why things were so complicated. The
click
of the door startled me a bit.
Jake quietly walked in, made his bed on the floor, and situated himself under the covers. “Goodnight, Ashly,” he said. “Sweet dreams.”
“
Goodnight, Jake.”
Chapter 10
Morning came, and I jumped in the shower, constantly thinking of Jake’s sweet kisses as I got ready for the day. I wore a short, flirty dress that showed off my shoulders and definitely my long legs. I accented the outfit with simple jewelry, a matching purse, and white, glittery sandals. My makeup was natural, and I curled my hair so it hung down my back in long waves.
Jake wore a printed two-tone shirt with paisley-inspired shapes. He completed the outfit with white shorts and sandals. I loved his tropical wardrobe.
We enjoyed the breakfast buffet. I hit the omelet station and fruit bar and poured myself a nice glass of orange juice. Then we lounged around on the hammocks and walked along the beach.
We had lunch in an amazing restaurant. While we were there, a band in authentic costumes came up to us, playing the most beautiful, romantic music.
“
Uh, we’re not a couple,” I said, clearing my throat, but they still continued to play.
Jake smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but grin. He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to the musicians, and they thanked us and moved onto the next table.
Mosquito Bay was a popular destination because of the water’s bioluminescence; it was literally glowing, thanks to a high concentration of phosphorescent dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms that glow when disturbed. I really wanted to swim in the beautiful water at night. We needed a picture, so we paid one of the employees to take one and then to take the camera back to the hotel.
“
I rented us one of those clear kayaks for the entire day,” Jake said. “We don’t even have to return it until midnight, so after lunch, we can row around.”
“
I saw that they rent those glass-bottom boats.”
He smiled. “This is way better. I’ve got connections.”
I chuckled. “You mean you flashed your money my lawyer gave you for expenses.”
He winked. “Maybe a little. The water is so serene and beautiful. I knew a clear kayak would be the way to go. I heard the bartender talking about it, so he’s letting me rent his.”
I smiled. “Then I guess you’ve got yourself a date, but maybe we could go back so I can change.”
“
But I love that outfit. The color matches your eyes perfectly.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
He took my hands in his. For a moment, he regarded me in silence. His gaze connected with mine, and he took a deep breath. “You’re so…wow—just so beautiful. I can’t take my eyes off you.” His finger trailed down my cheek, stopping on my upper lip.
“
I can’t stop thinking about our kiss either. How was it for you?” My heart fluttered, anxiously awaiting his reply.
“
Magical,” he whispered, cupping my face. His breath brushed my lips as he drew closer. “What did you think?”
My voice broke. “Intoxicating.” I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
“
Then you’ll give me a chance?”
I swallowed hard. “Maybe, but part of me knows how it will all end.”
He traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “Nobody knows what the future holds, Ashly.”
I finished my wine in a hurry and said, “Let’s go get those kayaks.”
“
Sounds like we have a big adventure awaiting us.”
I grinned. “You bet!”
We started walking down the beach. I caught Jake staring at my legs again and cleared my throat.
“
You’ve got the sexiest legs,” he said.
“
Uh…thanks,” I said, smiling.
“
I don’t get why you’re the woman behind the camera. You should be the model in front of the camera.”
I blushed. “That’s so sweet.”
“
I’ve never done any modeling. I prefer to be the creative force behind the camera. I love looking through the lens, because it allows me to see the world in a unique way and lets me capture moments in my photographs. When I am creating a picture, I am telling a story. I’m always striving to get the perfect angle, the perfect lighting, the best smile, the most brilliant color, and the most fantastic pose.”
He stopped and gazed at me. “You work so hard, and you’re so passionate and driven. But when was the last time you took the time to actually observe everything around you, without hiding behind your lens?”
I thought about his words. “I don’t know, but you have no idea of the intense demands of my schedule and my heavy client load.”
“
But now, for the first time, you’re being forced to slow down.”
“
Yes. My life is so stressed and hectic, a daily race against time.”
“
That’s my point. When do you get to enjoy life? Take a deep breath of fresh air, Ashly. Enjoy the beautiful water and the beautiful backdrop around us.”
I gazed around, then watched two adorable little girls building a sandcastle. I stared at the way a palm tree leaned toward the water, casting its glorious reflection on the surface. Older children wrote “I love Puerto Rico” in the sand. I saw a little boy flying a kite, and then my gaze drifted down to the seashells on the beach. The blue tones of the sky and the big, fluffy clouds moving lazily across it completely captured my attention. And then I glanced down at the crystal-blue water and beautiful, soft sand.
He gazed at me and smiled. “Nobody can juggle ten tasks at a time. Slow down and enjoy life.”
We had talked about the same topic before, but this time, it really set in. “I know I’m missing out on so much of life.” I gripped his hand. “I didn’t know what I was missing until you made me slow down to see all the beauty around me. Life is moving at such a fast pace that I’m not even enjoying it.”
“
You know when the best time to relax is?” he asked.
“
When?”
“
When you have absolutely no time.”
“
You know, you’re right. That’s it! I’m gonna rebel against my hectic lifestyle. I swear I’m going to enjoy the rest of this vacation.”
“
And even when you get back, you can’t do a million things. Maybe it’s about time you think about hiring employees.”
“
I want to slow down. I really do.”
“
It’s your time, your life. You may as well enjoy it.”
I swallowed hard. “I’ve felt so rejected over the course of my lifetime. I figured nobody wanted me, so I threw myself deep into my work to hide the pain. Maybe I try to decorate the outside with nice clothes, hairstyles, and makeup, but deep down, I’m dying in the inside.”
“
You are beautiful, inside and out.”
He embraced me in a tight hug, and we held each other for a long time. I felt a healing starting to take place as he stroked my back slowly. I knew I needed to take back my life, but I just wasn’t sure how. Jake promised to be there for me no matter what, if only as a good friend.
“
Life is a long journey,” he said. “We may as well enjoy and appreciate it every step of the way.”
“
I’ll try,” I said, “and thanks for the good advice, Jake.”
We finally found the dock, and the man who greeted us knew exactly who Jake was. After explaining how to stay safe, he handed us the oars.
I inspected the nine-foot, clear vessel, entirely transparent; I’d never seen a kayak like it before. I picked up the lifejacket and put it on, then looked up at Jake. “Are you ready?”
He nodded and climbed in. I climbed in easily and sat in the bow seat, then picked up the paddle, which I used to gently push the canoe away from shore. Jake glanced over his shoulder and grinned at me. I smiled back and dipped the paddle into the water until the blade was submerged, using the proper strokes to correct the bow drift away from the paddle side without killing momentum. As the paddle passed my body, I twisted my hands down and out. The paddle blade rotated a quarter-turn, and then I pried the blade away from the boat.
Using my leg muscles and upper body strength, I made smooth, powerful, well-balanced strokes and headed west, propelling in a straight line. We could see fish and all kinds of vivid colors below us. It was really spectacular.
Jake’s acquaintance called to us from shore, “Let’s get that picture!”
“
Thanks!” Jake called back. “Can’t thank you enough.”
We smiled for our picture, and then the bartender hurried off.
We paddled around and just lazily floated, talking for hours about anything and everything. We joked, laughed, and really connected, just like old times. We even went back to shore, grabbed a bite to eat, and sat on some huge rocks. Jake laid his head in my lap, twirling a thick blade of grass between his fingers.
I brushed a piece of hair from his cheek. I couldn’t get over how handsome Jake was, how much I loved caressing his face. I couldn’t believe this beautiful, handsome man with a heart of gold genuinely cared for me, and wanted to be with me. And here I was running as far away from him as I could get. My feelings were overwhelming and intense, rushing over me like a tidal wave. It was in that moment that I decided that I wanted Jake back.
I stared down at his angelic face. I wanted this wonderful man in my life because I simply couldn’t breathe without him. I didn’t know why I didn’t see it sooner. I couldn’t let him go without giving it one more shot. Jake was older now and more mature, and so was I. What we had was too special to just throw away.