Page 213 of From Rivals to I Do

I notice the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles, and it makes my pulse quicken. I can't deny the attraction that has been growing between us, and being in such close proximity only amplifies those feelings.

We settle down on our towels and just lie there, watching the waves. I can feel the heat emanating from his body, and it makes me feel alive. I catch Jackson stealing glances at me when he thinks I'm not looking. His eyes linger on my figure, and I feel a subtle heat rise in my cheeks. The way he looks at me with a mix of desire and admiration sends a thrilling jolt through my body. It's a silent confirmation that our connection goes beyond mere friendship. I can see how much he is struggling to keep his eyes off me, and it makes me feel powerful.

The salty breeze plays with our hair, and the warm sand feels soft beneath our bare feet. It's a perfect day for connection and exploration. We engage in playful banter, our conversation flowing effortlessly as if we've known each other for a lifetime.

We share stories, laughter, and dreams, creating a bond that feels both familiar and exhilarating. There's a natural ease to our interactions, as if we've finally found the missing piece that has been absent in our lives. There's a magnetic pull between us, an undeniable chemistry that I can't ignore.

As the day progresses, I become bolder, allowing my hand to graze against Jackson's arm or our fingers to brush lightly. Each fleeting touch sends an electric current through my body, and I can sense a similar connection in him.

Time seems to stand still as we venture into the water, the cool waves caressing our skin. We splash and play, the excitement and joy radiating between us. I feel a sense of liberation, a freedom to be myself without any reservations. Jackson's laughter fills the air, contagious and full of life. In this moment, everything feels perfect.

As the sun begins to set, casting vibrant hues across the horizon, we retreat back to our spot on the beach. The soft glow of twilight envelops us, casting a romantic aura. We sit side by side, our shoulders brushing lightly, creating a delicious tension that electrifies the air.

I turn to look at Jackson, our eyes meeting in a lingering gaze. The weight of our unspoken desires hangs in the air, drawing us closer, irresistibly pulled by an invisible force. My heart skips a beat, and in that moment, I know that we share something special. The anticipation builds, and before we know it, without a word, we lean in, our lips hesitantly meeting in a tender, tentative kiss.

It feels like a culmination of all the unspoken emotions, the longing and desire we've kept hidden. Time stands still as we lose ourselves in the magic of that first kiss. The world around us fades into the background, and all that matters is the connection we share. In that embrace, I feel a sense of completeness, a newfound happiness that I never thought possible.

We kiss deeply, and I can feel his hand moving up my back. My heart is beating so fast, and I can feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

His touch is gentle yet filled with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. Our bodies gravitate to each other, fitting together as if they were made to intertwine.

In that single, stolen moment, I feel a flood of emotions surge through me. Passion, longing, and a sense of belonging all intertwine as our kiss deepens. It's a kiss that speaks volumes, conveying everything we've held back, everything we've felt but couldn't express.

When we finally pull away, our breaths mingling, I find myself lost in his eyes. Breathless and with eyes locked, we both know that this is just the beginning of something beautiful. There's a vulnerability, a rawness that we've both exposed in this intimate exchange. It's a silent agreement that our connection is more than a fleeting spark—it's a flame that burns with the potential for something extraordinary.

"I've been wanting to do that for so long," he says, smiling down at me.

"I know," I say, grinning back. "I've been wanting it too."

We lie down, our bodies entwined, and I can feel his heart beating against my chest. The sound is so soothing, and I feel myself start to drift off to sleep.

As we lie there, I can feel the connection between us growing stronger. It's like nothing I've ever felt before, and I know that I want to be with him. The sounds of the crashing waves and the whispers of the wind become a backdrop to our newfound connection. The beach, once a place of leisure and tranquility, has transformed into a sanctuary where our hearts have converged.

Chapter six

Chapter Six

Istep out onto the porch, a fresh cup of coffee in hand, savoring the quiet solitude of the morning. The sun peeks over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the world around me. The gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the trees, creating a soothing melody that accompanies the sunrise. It's moments like these that I cherish, a brief respite from the chaos and demands of my job.

I take a sip of my coffee, the warmth spreading through me, as I let my thoughts wander to the blissful memories of our day at the beach. It was a day that felt like a fleeting dream, a respite from the realities of life.

Maya's laughter echoes in my mind, the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and the gentle touch of her hand as we strolled along the shore. I relive our first kiss, and a fire consumes me; I'd give everything now to hold her in my arms again and have her lips entwined with me.

The tranquility of the morning is shattered as a car screeches to a halt in front of my house, jolting me out of my reverie. My heart skips a beat when I recognize the vehicle—it's Margaret, my ex-mother-in-law. Her imposing presence looms in the driver's seat.

Margaret's arrival is unexpected, and a twinge of irritation prickles within me. I appreciate her concern for Henry, but her unannounced visits have always felt intrusive.

I step off the porch, my feet sinking slightly into the dew-kissed grass and approach the car cautiously. Margaret steps out of the car, her stern expression mirroring the tension that lingers between us. Margaret's grief runs deep, forever marked by the loss of her daughter. I can't imagine the pain she carries, the weight of that void in her heart. But in her sorrow, she has fixated on blaming me, seeing me as the catalyst for the tragedy that befell our family.

The last time Margaret visited, accusations flew like arrows, her words sharp and cutting. She berated me for not being present every moment, questioning my ability to care for Henry. I tried to explain the realities of life, and the need to work to provide for our son, but her anger was insatiable.

Now, as she stands before me without any prior notice, the remnants of that previous encounter linger in the air. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead, my coffee forgotten as I set it down on the porch railing.

"Hello, Margaret," I say, putting up a fake smile. "We weren't expecting you today. Have you been well?"

Margaret's face is etched with a mix of determination and disapproval. She wastes no time, her words sharp as she launches into her familiar tirade.

"Jackson," she greets me curtly, ignoring my question. Her tone is laced with an undertone of contempt. "We need to talk."

---