Mags’ mouth hung open. “Oh my gosh. Thank goodness we were off the sand!”
I handed her the dress, and she pulled it over her perfect, toned body. The memories from last night invaded my mind, and I groaned, tilting my head back. “Last night was unexpected.”
She dusted as much of the sand off the dress as she could before giving me a teasing smile. “This is the first time you’ve stuck around after.”
Thick gray clouds rolled in over the sky. The sea was no longer dark like last night, but it wasn’t that tropical shade of blue either. It looked metallic, glistening as the occasional ray of morning light pierced through the clouds.
“I’m sorry, Mags. I’m not walking away this time.” I used my thumb to brush the sand off her cheek before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
“I trust you. Don’t you dare make me regret it.” A drop of crystal-clear water appeared on her nose, and I smiled.
“You won’t.” I bent down and picked up our underwear and my shirt. “Let’s head back to the resort.”
All at once, the drops came, steady and soft, falling from a sky of gray velvet. We locked hands and started running across the gentle roll of the sand dunes. Her smile was bright and filled with a joyous sense of happiness as we ran through the rain.
It fell in crazy, chaotic drops and the wind gusted around us in a wild vortex one moment and a diagonal sheet in the next. The warmth of the summer shower drenched us completely. We finally reached the resort, and the staff gave us amused looks as we made our way to our rooms.
We stood in the hallway outside our rooms and stared holes into each other.
She bit her bottom lip. “Do you want to come in and take a shower with me?”
“Hell yes I do.” I grinned as she opened the door.
“I need help getting sand out of places sand should never be.” She shivered as we walked into the air-conditioned room.
“I am more than happy to help you with that, babe.” I winked, gazing out the huge window as the rain gave itself to the ocean. Each droplet became a part of the body of brine. I wondered if that’s what I was doing, giving myself completely to Mags. Was I even capable? I wasn’t sure, but if she had faith in us, I would too.
Day Five
7 AM - 9 AM - Breakfast and Meeting
“Good morning!” I offered the group a big ass smile as Luca and I walked in hand-in-hand over to the table in the cafeteria. We were late, of course, due to the much-needed shower. And because we had gotten distracted. But that was no fault of mine. I mean, Luca was a sex-god. What was I supposed to do? Not have shower sex?
Faith’s eyes widened as she zeroed in on our interlocked hands.
Evelyn gasped. “No fucking way!”
Asher grinned and winked at Luca. “Finally.”
Jamie and John shared a smile as I sat down. Luca went to get our plates, and my friends started grilling me.
“You weren’t answering last night, but now I see why.” Eve gave me a playful glare.
Faith bounced in her seat. “How the hell did you get him to open up? I am so happy this is happening!”
Asher grabbed her hand with a laugh. “Let’s give her a second to explain.”
My ears warmed. “He opened up, and I didn’t leave like he thought I would. Which, by the way, was really stupid of him to think. I’ve crushed on that black-haired cutie since I hit puberty.”
Luca strolled over and placed the plate down in front of me. “Telling them about our beach sex last night?”
My breath caught and I wheezed. “Luca!”
Snickers erupted around the table as I shoveled eggs into my mouth.
“That explains the glimpse we got of you two looking like drowned rats this morning.” John gulped his juice.
Asher slapped him on the back as he sat down. “Why am I not surprised?”
“So, you’re getting married tomorrow! How does it feel?” Jamie asked, and I shot her a grateful smile which she returned.
Their eyes lit up, and Asher pulled her in for a kiss.
Faith pulled away with a giggle. “Oh my gosh, I am so ready to finally be Mrs. Wells.”
Jamie nodded. “Just wait, next school year will be so confusing with the name change.”
Faith grabbed her orange juice. “I’m kind of expecting that. My students were already calling me Mrs. Wells though, since they heard I was engaged to their gym teacher.”
Asher laughed. “They tried to call me Mr. Reed, but we explained that Faith was taking my last name.”
Jamie joined in the laughter. “Yeah, I remember that.”
Luca’s hand teased the inside of my thigh, and I glanced over. Not now, I mouthed. He paused and pouted his lower lip out.
“The weather is supposed to clear up by this afternoon. Depending on when it actually does, we will go down to the festival on the Pavillion. Remember, our wedding meeting is in half an hour!” Faith reminded us.
“I can do half an hour,” Luca whispered in my ear. The man was insatiable, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it.
Once we finished breakfast, it was already time for the meeting. Much to Luca’s displeasure, since we didn’t have time for that quickie. Faith and Asher led us to a huge room that was just beside the cafeteria. Beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows gave the best views of the ocean. Rows of tables were set up with flimsy chairs around the room.
Faith’s Dad was sitting in one with an older couple that I recognized and Luca’s parents. Luca stiffened beside me.
Faith rounded over to them and welcomed her aunt and uncle. “Uncle Mark, Aunt Jess! I thought you were arriving tomorrow!”
They doted over her. “We were, but your dad flew us out early to surprise you.”
Jess’s
