Chapter Thirty-Two
Kat
The beach is glorious, the sun beating down on my face, and I love the quiet here.
Nate brought us to an island that is secluded but still has everything we need. The hotel is luxurious, and we have our own private section of the beach to do as we please.
We’ve been here for three days now, and even Zoey seems more relaxed. I know she’s still hurting, but maybe, being so far away from home is helping her. Out of sight, out of mind, maybe?
I sip on the iced coffee that sits beside me on a little wooden table that is attached to the lounger I’m currently lying on. Zoey is led next to me, and Nate is in the sea, with a surfboard. Yes, my husband can surf, and he’s bloody good at it. I watch him as he uses a paddle to move along, looking so at peace that it makes me smile.
He’s relaxed more too since we’ve been here. It’s doing us all good.
I could just picture us living out our days here, surrounded by the beauty of the tropical island. Picture perfect.
I continue to watch Nate as he moves, his balance unwavering, his abs on display for me to drool over.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth,” Zoey says from beside me as she chuckles.
I avert my eyes to see her with a smirk on her face.
“I can’t help it if my husband is the hottest guy I’ve ever seen,” I tell her, knowing it will cringe her out.
“Can we not? I don’t care to hear how my brother makes you all fucking girlie and shit,” she says with a grimace, and I laugh loudly.
“You started it,” I say as I sip my drink.
“Yes… well… now I’m ending it,” she says matter-of-factly.
Comfortable silences stretches between us before Zoey speaks again. “You know, I could get used to this way of life.”
“You mean the fine food, the peace, the quiet, and the fact that there is no drama?” I say.
“Exactly that.”
I couldn’t agree more, and I’m going to enjoy every single second before we have to go back.
I watch as Nate comes back to the shore, holding the surfboard under his arm and dropping it on the sand a few feet from us. Splashes of water hit me, and I squeal as the cold drops hit my skin.
“Fancy a dip?” Nate asks me, his head cocked to one side and mischief in his eyes.
“Sure,” I say as I place my coffee down and stand up. “But you’ll have to catch me first.” With that, I take off running, hearing his laughter behind me. I run to the left and enter the trees, making my way through them, my heart pounding with excitement. I love the playful side of Nate, and it’s come out more and more over the last few days.
I dodge trees, going deep into––what I can only describe as––a tropical forest. Colourful flowers surround me, the beauty of the island shining bright as I tear through. I breathe deeply as I hear his footsteps pounding behind me.
I didn’t even have this much fun in my teens, for fuck’s sake. But I’m making up for it now.
I wonder if Nate and Zoey used to do this when they were kids? Just have fun. Just be.
I hope so.
I chance a glance behind me, but the space is empty. I dart to the right and flatten myself against a tree trunk, desperately pulling air into my lungs.
I keep my ears pricked but I don’t hear anything, and I can’t see Zoey from where I am, the view shrouded by all the tree trunks and lush greens of the flower’s leaves, along with the pinks, oranges and yellows of the petals.
I peer around the tree, but still see nothing before I am hauled against his hard body, his lips by my ear as he says, “Gotcha.” I’m whirled around so I’m facing him, my back slamming against the tree trunk and his lips capturing mine.
Heat pools between my legs as he kisses me fiercely, like he needs me to breathe.
