Page 43 of Wild Ever After
“Like you won the lottery and don’t really belong?” he asks with a hint of a smile.
“Exactly. Which, I kind of did. I never could have afforded this kind of honeymoon on my own.”
“Money doesn’t change that feeling,” he says.
Our food comes, halting the conversation. I consider his words during dinner, though. After we get back to the resort, Declan tips his head to the lobby bar. “Wanna grab another drink?”
I do want to spend more time with him, but I’m not really getting anywhere on discovering his deep, dark secrets and getting drunk together seems like a potentially bad idea for our friendship. I shake my head. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
I can’t be sure, but I think disappointment crosses his face. Though he covers it with a smile. “Okay. Night, Jade.”
“Night.”
* * *
The next morning, I wake up with a fresh burst of excitement. It’s our last full day here and I want to make the most of it. I get up and head to the shower, while Declan is still sleeping. I didn’t hear him come in last night, but I laid awake for hours, thinking about our conversation at dinner and everything else I’ve learned about him.
It may take me the entire year of marriage to fully understand my husband. He has a white knight complex, always swooping in to save the day, but he’s guarded in a way that makes it difficult to spot because he pulls back with no desire for thanks or recognition for his help. What does helping people give him if not love and respect?
When I get out of the shower, he’s sitting up in bed with his feet hanging off the edge. He runs a hand through his messy, dark hair.
“Morning,” I say, averting my gaze.
“Hey.” His deep voice sets off a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
“The bus to take us to the excursion leaves at nine.”
“All right.” He stands. White boxer briefs are the only stitch of clothing covering him. His chest and arms never seem to get less impressive, no matter how many times I stare at them. I can’t bring myself to look lower, but a peripheral glance is enough to make my body tingle. The only good thing about leaving this island will be that I won’t have to wake up every morning assaulted with images of Declan half-naked. Unless he walks around his house like this. In which case, I am seriously screwed. And not in the fun way.
16
BECAUSE I WANT HIM
JADE
I haven’t stopped smilingsince Declan and I got on the dune buggy. I forgot to read the fine print, which required a driver with manual transmission experience, but thankfully, Declan had us covered. We drove on roads, dirt paths, and on the beach—which was my favorite. We went up hills and down valleys, cruised local streets, and stopped to take in breathtaking views.
My hair is windblown and I’m wet and covered in dirt, but it was worth it. Declan pulls to a stop with the rest of the group. I get out and remove my helmet. My legs feel shaky from the long ride. Declan’s grin is just as wide as he pulls off his own helmet. There are two other couples and two friends, a pair of teen guys with us. It’s our last stop, a quiet stretch of beach off the beaten path.
Everyone heads for the water. I kick off my shoes and strip down to my bikini. Declan is still pulling off his T-shirt when I wade into the water. It feels so good to wash off some of the dirt.
I’m staring out at the endless green-blue water when Declan swims out to me.
I turn to him while treading water. His dark gaze is warmer, softer somehow after this morning.
He brings his hands together in front of him and squirts water at me.
“Hey.” I send a splash back at him, and soon, we’re in an all-out war.
With no other clear path to victory, I move behind him and grab hold of his shoulders, essentially using him as a shield.
“Oh, I see how it is.” He holds onto my legs and then falls back, dunking us both underwater.
When he comes up, we’re both laughing.
“The water is pretty, but it doesn’t taste very good.” I remove one hand to wipe my eyes, then hold onto him again. He’s so strong and steady, and I’m tired from tensing my muscles throughout the bumpy drive.
“I think you enjoyed the dune buggy more than me,” I say. “I thought the guide was going to lose his shit when you took off past him along the water.”
