Page 17 of Fear of Intimacy

All I could do was nod as he put his arm back around my waist and started for the front doors of the hotel.

With each sip of the water, I started to feel a bit better, my head clearing slightly, which was probably a good thing. I already knew I embarrassed myself to no end in front of Trevor. Although, it really wasn’t my fault that the margaritas were so strong. They sure didn’t skimp on the alcohol at this place.

The ride up the elevator was slightly awkward. Josie and Wyatt stood off to the side, Josie now wrapped around hisfront like a koala bear. The two of them whispered to each other, and I looked away, minding my own business. I glanced down at my feet only just realizing I was barefoot.

Trevor stayed pressed against my side, arm around my waist as if he was afraid I would topple over at any minute. I wasn’t going to complain. Drunk me was more than happy to have his arms around my body. Something sober me would never admit out loud.

I didn’t say a word as the elevator slowly made its way up to our floor. I didn’t trust what would come out of my mouth. Not when my stomach was tangled in delicious knots that only came from one thing.

Thankfully, the doors opened a moment later, cutting through the weird silence that enveloped Trevor and me. This was the closest we had been since that night five months ago. The closest I let us be without making some excuse to get away.

“Think you’ll be okay to go to the bonfire in a few hours?” Trevor finally spoke when we reached my room, which was right across from his. I didn’t know what time it was or how long we had been out on the beach. Didn’t help that my body was still off from the time difference.

“Yeah, I’ll be good.” I just needed a nice long shower and maybe some food. Standing there, I brushed a bit of sand off my arm. More than likely, it was stuck to me in other spots too. If I didn’t get cleaned up soon, it’d cause an uncomfortable and irritating itch that I wanted no parts of.

Trevor looked a bit doubtful but dipped his chin to his chest after a minute. Handing me my bag, he finally took a step back, the warmth from his body suddenly gone. I shifted under his gaze, not sure what to say or do.

As I fumbled in my bag for my room key, Trevor watched my every move. When my keycard unlocked my door, and I pushed it open, I glanced back over at him. Standing there inthe hallway, hands now in his pockets, his broad shoulders were more relaxed.

“I’ll see you in a bit?” He said it more like a question, and I found myself doing the most embarrassing thing ever—I gave him a thumbs up.

Yet, the longer we stood there staring at each other, the stronger the urge came to do something stupid. Like kissing him again. Needing to get away, I quickly turned and entered my room before shutting the door behind me.

I sagged against it, head whirling.What was going on with me?When I was around Trevor, I tended to lose the tight grip I had on myself. The one that kept me from doing anything out of line. It was like one look from him disarmed my entire security system. Didn’t help that my slightly drunk self was more than happy to give up the password.

I still wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not

7

TASHA

Iended up spending a solid thirty minutes in the shower. Thanks to my drunk self lying in the sand, it took ages to get it out of my hair and all other places it shouldn’t have been. By the time I stepped out of the stall, my skin was pink from the scrubbing myself.

Drinking so many margaritas in a span of a few hours probably wasn’t the smartest idea. But it was nice to sit back with my best friends and not have a care in the world. We all needed it, and it was a good way to kick-start our time away.

With a headache starting to form, I wanted nothing more than to lay down and take a nap. But I knew if I did, I’d be even more off with the time change, and tomorrow, we planned on exploring the island. So as much as I wanted to sleep, I forced myself to get up and change out of my towel.

Not bothering to put in much effort, seeing as it was going to get dark out, I grabbed one of the twenty-something dresses I packed for the trip. I probably overpacked but you never knew what could happen. What if I needed twenty pairs of underwear, or I met some royal prince that invited me to dinner? I had to look nice cause you never knew.

Slipping on a light blue summer dress, I left my hair to air dry, the wet strands sticking to my back. Putting on a little bit of lip gloss, I called it good. After sliding on my flip-flops and grabbing my phone, I left my room. I glanced at Lydia’s door across from mine, but it was shut. Right after I left Trevor in the hallway and started for my room, our door opened behind me to Landon carrying a mumbling Lydia.

When Landon saw me staring, he grunted and moved past me to put Lydia on her bed. Bet that will go well when she learns who brought her up here. She was probably still passed out. Letting her be, I grabbed my room key and headed for the lobby, texting Josie as I waited for the elevator.

I fiddled with my phone as I rode the elevator down. When I got to the lobby I didn’t see any of my friends, so I awkwardly stood off to the side, waiting for replies to my texts. The main area of the hotel was surprisingly busy with guests coming and going. Some lingered with family as they chatted with each other.

“Feeling better?” My head shot up at Trevor’s voice, relief washed over me at the sight of him.

“Where have you been?” I found myself asking, ignoring his question.

“Did someone miss me?” His eyebrow raised as his lip lifted in a smirk.

“You wish.” I rolled my eyes, even though a small voice in my head told me yes.“Where is everyone?”

“Not entirely sure. Landon was in his room getting ready last I saw. Haven’t heard from the others.” Trevor shrugged. Subconsciously, I found myself looking him over, noting that he was wearing board shorts and a light jacket. His brown hair was a little bit curled, the sight of it making me want to run my fingers through it. It had gotten longer than normal but it fit him.

“I texted Josie, but she hasn’t replied.” I worried my bottom lip between my teeth.

“Probably still getting ready. Wanna head to the shore and wait?” As soon as the words left his mouth, someone shoved past me, hitting my arm and making me stumble right into Trevor. His hand grabbed my arm as my hand landed on his chest. I peered up at him from under my lashes. The smell of citrus with a hint of spice hit my nose. God, he smelled delicious.

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