Page 115 of Until Then

“Clearly,” he laughs. The sound is cut short, though, when his eyes catch on something in the distance. “Izzy, look.”

I turn back to the water and scan the surface, but excitement quickly dwindles to disappointment. “I don’t see anything.”

“Just wait,” he says, fidgeting on the seat behind me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Derrick this happy before, and I know it’s entirely because he’s glad forme. “Keep looking.”

My heart races, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

Because if he really did see a whale, who’s to say it’ll surface again here? It could be miles away before it comes up again.

“Be patient,” he whispers, like he can feel how tense I am.

I’ve been waiting all summer for this, and as the warm days dwindle, my hopes have gone with them. The boat rocksgently with the waves. I’ve gotten used to the motion. Love it, really. The soothing rhythm is good for my soul.

Derrick leans in, hand splayed over my back, causing goose bumps to rise on my skin. As I obediently watch the water, I can’t help but wonder if my body will always respond to him this way, or if one day, it’ll wear off.

I’m about to open my mouth to tell him this is hopeless, to whine about how the universe just doesn’t want me to see a whale, when in the distance…

“Oh my God.” I grab his arm, my grip tight, and pop up on my knees. “Is that one?”

“A humpback,” he says with a kiss to my shoulder.

It’s embarrassing how quickly tears stream down my face. Of all the amazing experiences I’ve had, this tops it all. Nothing feels as powerful as witnessing nature in this way.

“Why are you crying?” he asks, carefully prying my hand off his arm and lacing our fingers.

“Because it’s so beautiful.” Another comes up near where the first surfaced, the sight making my knees weak.

Derrick grasps my waist to keep me from tumbling off the cushion.

“Just look at them.” Nature is truly astonishing in her beauty.

I spentmonthsmoping over being canceled, as if that truly matters. How could it when moments like this exist? How did I let myself care so much about what a bunch of strangers thought of me? I don’tknowthem. Their opinions are moot.

The pod of humpbacks stays nearby. They’re close enough to see from time to time but far enough away that I don’t feel like I’m intruding.

For an hour, we watch, and not once does Derrick mentionleaving. Not once does he sigh or fidget or try to steal my attention. He knows I won’t want to leave until they do.

“They’re magnificent,” I murmur. “Look at them.”

I have to wipe a few more tears away. Seeing them in person is better than I dreamed it could be.

“They are,” he says softly, but when I turn, he’s looking at me.

Eventually, the pod moves on, and an ache forms in my chest. I don’t stop watching until several minutes go by without another glimpse of them.

When I’ve resigned myself to the knowledge that they’re gone, I tug my sweatshirt on. With the day waning, it’s grown cool.

“Moments like that show us how truly small we are,” I gush. “Nature is so vast, so infinite and we only experience a blip of it. Life’s short and things like this? I guess they remind me of why we’re truly here. The real joy in life is being content to simply exist.”

“It never gets old.” He pulls the anchor, his muscles straining. “Seeing them. It’s incredibly humbling.”

I pack up our snacks and towels and anything loose to keep it from blowing away as Derrick puts the anchor away and starts the engine. “Can I drive?”

He chuckles. “Not on your own, but come here.” He tugs me in front of him at the wheel, showing me the controls and whispering each instruction in my ear in such a sensual way that it has me squirming against him. His cock grows hard, making me eager to drop to my knees and make my boat blow job a reality. But before I can, he stops me with a hand on my hip.

“Another time.” He presses a kiss to my neck.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he can read me so well.

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