Page 42 of Love Off Course

You can’t fall in love with a group of people and suddenly wonder how your life will measure up the moment they’re gone.

Impossible.

I barely know them.

But, somehow, they know me.

Each one of them. Even Camilo. Maybe especially Camilo.

We’reall wedged in this back room like sardines. Each cot is inches from the next. If it weren’t for Eduardo’s loud snores and Araceli’s frequent groans irritating me, I’d be dying of anxiety. The candles have all been blown out as we try to rest. Damian, the little glowworm, is illuminated by his obnoxious body glitter. It’s like having a night light that is close enough to reach over and pet your hair just because he can.

On my other side, Estefania sleeps soundly. It makes me wonder where Camilo is. After we had sex, I’ve been thinking about him nonstop. I can’t believe I slept with him. So random and unlike me.

He’s a vacation fling.

Sounds fun and exciting.

Until I think about David and real life. Should I tell him? He can’t exactly get mad since we’re not technically dating.

Just imagining how that conversation will go has my stomach turning. Thanks, tequila. I’m definitely not telling David about Camilo. I’ll tell him I’m ready for us to settle and be more.

And settle for mediocre sex for the rest of my life?

That thought hits me hard in the chest. I’ve only had sex with three men in my life. The first was a college fling with my study partner that ended badly when I found out he had a girlfriend. Then, I had the one time with David. Neither of those were exactly memorable. Nothing compares to the way Camilo held me up against the door and drove wildly into me.

Heat floods through me at the memory.

Camilo and I couldn’t work in real life. He’s a busy pilot. I help run a multi-billion dollar corporation. We’re both obviously workaholics. I’d never see him.

As I try to talk myself out of why Camilo and I would be terrible together, sadness washes over me. I want what Momma and Daddy had. Hell, I’d even settle for what Daddy and Mona have. I just want constant love. Something that never wanes and is always there, even on my worst days. Trying to fit Camilo into my world just doesn’t work.

Araceli groans loudly and I don’t blame her. Sleeping on these cots has to be hard on a pregnant woman. I roll on my side and stare into the darkness, listening to the storm as it howls. It’s beginning to sound like a freight train is rolling right over us. When something crashes loudly outside, I let out a terrified whimper. I can hear shuffling and then someone is crawling onto my cot over my body.

I recognize his familiar scent immediately.

Camilo.

“Shhh,” he whispers as he half settles on his side beside me on the narrow cot and the rest of his body tangling with mine. His lips find my neck and he kisses me softly. “I’ve got you.”

All the panic over the storm fades as he replaces it with warm affection. I love being in his arms and that scares me. How can I love the way he makes me feel when it’s only temporary? It feels cruel to do to myself, but I’m powerless to stop it. Once the hurricane blows by, we’ll be back on our way to Costa Rica and I’ll never see him again.

Jitters of anxiety dance around in my stomach. I don’t like that thought. He’s a pain in my ass, but I’ve grown fond of him. Of all of them. Going back to the normalcy of my life suddenly feels overwhelming.

Camilo slides his palm beneath my sweater and my breath hitches. His touch is fiery. Electric. Unlike anything I’ve ever felt. How will I settle for less one day? The thought has bile creeping up my throat. Then, as though magically, he strokes my stomach and chases away the dread. He tethers me to this moment with him, making me forget about my future or my past. Just the present. With him.

“Hands off my ass, Damian.” Camilo chuckles. “Now.”

“I’m asleep. Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Damian lies.

Camilo’s mouth meets mine and he kisses me like he has all the time in the world. Like this hurricane isn’t going to blow through here and be gone in another day. As though three days from now I won’t be in another country and back to regular life.

His kiss pauses time.

Wraps us up in it.

Keeps us.

I sigh into his mouth that tastes like tequila and sin. He rubs his thumb along my nipple over my bra and then pinches it, making me gasp. Carson laughs nearby, which makes Camilosmile against my lips. God, he is so naughty. Feeling me up right here with everyone—and I do mean everyone—crammed in here with us.

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