Page 35 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

“Some are good just being alive at the moment,” Rachelle says, glancing between the two of us. With that, she turns around and heads down the slide.

“Thanks for that, man,” I say, adding in a healthy layer of sarcasm. We’d been on a roll and I have a feeling we aren’t going to the moment back once I’m at the bottom of the slide.

Instead of the guy getting the hint, a large palm slaps down on my shoulder, sending pain vibrations coursing through me.

“No problem, dude. Sometimes we just need a little shove to man up.”

Even though I’m not a fan of him butting into our conversation, the guy has a point. And I won’t leave this ship without doing everything I can to get Rachelle back. But even with the glimpse of the old Rachelle, will she ever completely trust me again?

CHAPTER15

Rachelle

That is the last slide I’ll be going down in a while.

Okay, let’s be real. I’m scarred. There will be no more slides in my lifetime.

The adrenaline from accidentally hitting Landon faded about a third of the way down. Then it turned to sheer terror.

Seeing the bottom of the slide go down a steep incline is not what my stomach was built for.

“Where are you going?” Tiffany asks as I stumble out of the end of the slide toward the stack of towels.

“To relax on a chair.”

“Are you sure?” Dani says, frowning. “We were going to the last slide. I think it’s the biggest on the ship. We can wait for you if you need to catch your breath.”

I shake my head, wiping at the water running down my face. “I’m good for today. I’d rather not end up in the room for the rest of the trip. Or the makeshift hospital wing.” Even on my frustration walk the night before I hadn’t seen a clinic or anything, but on a boat this size, there has to be something to help with emergencies.

“I’m actually ready for a break as well,” Tiffany says, surprising me. “I must not be completely over what I ate. Go ahead, Dani. We’ll catch up with you soon.”

The water at the end of the slide surges and there is Landon, walking out in some bright orange board shorts, which match the slightly tanned skin above the waistband. I didn’t have a chance to take him in like this at the top of the slide since my hand was and is still throbbing.

My attention is again focused on his jaw, but this time attraction surges as I replay how relaxed he was about being hit. I hope he doesn’t have a bruise. Then I’ll have to stare at it whenever we see each other on deck. But it could be a good thing. I didn’t learn how to hit or fight until a few months ago and Kenzie would be proud.

I glance away before the sight of the water running down his chest and abs draws me in. He’s always looked amazing to me, but I think he’s worked to get rid of anything that wiggles. Probably for Savannah.

I groan, remembering that I’m ogling some other woman’s boyfriend. I’m no homewrecker.

He glances up, his eyes searching and I turn, ready to bolt to a chair out of sight. Instead, I end up hitting the side of my head on a metal pole holding up a section of the deck above me and fall to the ground.

It takes several seconds for the world to stop spinning.

“Are you all right?” Tiffany asks, turning my head as she examines the spot.

“No, but I’ll survive.” I brush her hands away. “Don’t do that. You’ll draw attention.”

“Landon already saw you smack into the pole. No worries there.”

“Rachelle, are you all right?” he asks, coming to my side. Why do I feel like he’s constantly asking me how I am? A mental recap of the underwear incident and my unhinged shooting of him in the chest replay across my brain.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to figure out the best way out of here. Where are my ruby slippers when I need to escape real life?

I try to nod, but a pain surges over my eyebrows. “I’ll be fine.” I give a gentle push around the growing bump on the side of my head. At least it won’t be a huge bruise on my forehead by tomorrow.

Just leave me to die from humiliation.

He takes my hand and the familiar strength in them causes the ripples of attraction to flow through me. With a slight tug, he’s pulled me to a standing position, leaving only a couple inches between us.

---