Page 25 of Capri

“Ask him and he’d disagree, but thanks. I think so, too.”

“Damn right. Believe that.”

Now that the bulge in my pants has subsided, I can stand to get out. However, I enjoy watching Capri walk away far too much.

Her bright blue eyes lock with mine as she says, “Thanks for the kiss, Captain. And the compliment.”

I catch my breath and rethink my proposition as she walks away.

7

CAPRI

“Ladies,welcome to the Blue Grottos, Capri’s most heavily populated area for tourists, and for good reason,” Romeo tells us as the yacht anchors to a stop just outside the natural sea cave.

“How is this real?” Collie asks in amazement.

“It’s stunning,” I say, feeling the weight of Jones coming up behind me and grabbing a hold of the railing.

“Wait till you see the inside,” he whispers in my ear. “It’s unlike anything you’ll ever experience.”

Excitement roars through me. This is what I wanted from this trip—adventure and distraction.

I should start saying ‘fuck the itinerary’ and follow Collie more often.

“We get to swim through it?” I ask Jones, practically leaping from where I’m standing, causing him to teeter slightly.

Catching his balance, he throws his head back and laughs, “I’m assuming you don’t want to just stand here and look at it, right?”

“Hell no. I want in.”

His brows rise, perverting my comment. “Man-child,” I say.

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, an act I’ve noticed he favors, and kisses my forehead softly. “Then what are you waiting for, woman? Go for it.”

My smile is wide and full of anticipation.

I search for Collie and find her stripped back down in her bikini, staring at me in question. She smiles softly, but I know her well enough to know there’s a hidden meaning behind it.

“Be right back,” I tell Jones before heading toward my sister.

“What’s that look for?” I ask her playfully, coming up beside her.

Collie shrugs. “You and Jones hit it off pretty fast.”

I pause, trying to figure out where she’s going with this. “Yeah, and? We met yesterday, remember?”

She nods, sending me a reassuring smile. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, Capri. I just hope you’re being careful. I want more than anything for you to have fun and say yes to new things, but I also think you should guard your heart.”

“I am. We’re just having fun,” I tell her honestly.

“Great. You should have fun. Fuck him on every square inch of this yacht for all I care, but protect your feelings. You love so big, Capri, and I’d hate to see you get hurt in the end. You’ve been through too much already.”

My heart sinks. I know Collie is right. These are all things I’ve thought of. But for some reason, Jones makes me forget why I shouldn’t and only focus on why Ishould.

I’m letting go and enjoying what I want for a change, even if it’s only for a little while.

Unshackling the bullshit that’s weighed me down for years.

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