Page 26 of Journey to Love

"If you're gonna be dressing like a whore, then I'm gonna treat you like a whore,"Paul's voice echoed in my head, a bitter reminder of the past I was trying so hard to escape.

But with Jacob by my side, I felt a glimmer of hope, a newfound sense of security that I hadn't felt in a long time. As I leaned into his embrace, I vowed to try and leave the darkness of my past behind and embrace the warmth of the present.

We reach the main deck and as soon as the doors open, Lana is there waiting. I turn toward Jacob, “thank you for riding me”, my eyes go wide at the realization, “No, I meant ridingwithme!” He laughs and brings me into a hug, then leans his mouth to my ear and whispers “Don’t worry baby, before this trip is over, I’ll haveyouridingme.” He says and then kisses and nips at the space between my neck and shoulder. Heat rushes to my face and between my legs, and I have to catch my breath. “See you later gorgeous” he winks and walks back into the elevator, leaving me horny and breathless.

Chapter Fourteen

Anya

Lana and I rendezvous at the exit, swiping our passes to signal to the crew that we are disembarking. The attendant reminds us that the ship is scheduled to depart at 7 pm and we must return by 6:30 pm or risk being left behind.

As we step off the cruise ship, Lana links her arm through mine, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can you believe we're finally here, Anya? This vacation is going to be amazing!" she exclaims, squeezing my arm gently.

I can't help but laugh at her infectious energy. "I know, right? I'm so glad we decided to do this together. It's just what we needed," I reply, feeling grateful to have Lana here with me.

We stroll along the bustling dock, taking in the sights and sounds of the tropical island. The warm breeze carries the scent of the ocean and exotic flowers, making me feel alive and free. I glance over at Lana, who is beaming with joy, and I can't help but smile too.

"We so needed this," Lana says, her eyes shining with anticipation as we head for the beach.

I nod in agreement, feeling a sense of adventure and possibility in the air. Little did I know that this vacation would change my life in ways I never could have imagined.

As we reach the beach, Lana and I kick off our sandals and let our feet sink into the soft sand. The sun is starting to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the water.

"Race you to the water!" Lana suddenly exclaims, taking off and running towards the waves, her laughter floating back to me in the breeze.

I can't help but laugh as I chase after her, the cool water rushing up to meet my toes. The salty spray mingles with our laughter as we splash around like carefree children, our worries and stresses from home melting away with each wave that crashes against us.

As we wade deeper into the ocean, Lana grabs my hand and pulls me further out until we are both floating on our backs, staring up at the sky painted with hues of pink and orange. The moment feels magical, like time has slowed down just for us.

"Anya," Lana whispers softly, turning towards me. I sigh softly, my eyes closed, feeling the gentle rhythm of the waves surrounding us.

"Yeah," I murmur in response, soaking in the tranquility of the moment.

"I’m so glad we are doing this, thank you for taking me on this trip," she says, her voice filled with gratitude as she joins me in the water.

A smile spreads across my face as I reply, "Same here. I didn't realize how much I needed this trip until this very moment."

After leaving the water, we opt to bask in the sun for a while. Lounging under the warm rays feels like hours passing by. Eventually, I reach into my bag and retrieve my phone to check the time.

"Hey Lana, it’s 1 PM," I announce, glancing at the screen. "We should head back for lunch and maybe shower to rinse off the sand. I don’t want to risk being left behind."

She nods in agreement, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Good idea," Lana responds, her voice carrying a hint of enthusiasm.

After going through the entrance of the cruise ship, we scan our IDs again before heading to our room to freshen up. As I shower and change, my thoughts drift back to Jacob. Did he make it to the beach with his family? Will we meet up again tonight? There's an inexplicable pull, a curiosity that tugs at me, urging me to learn more, to experience more of him.

Jacob

The beach was a hive of activity, the golden sands dotted with colorful umbrellas and beach towels. The sun was slowly making its descent, casting a warm glow over the scene. I watched with a smile as my mom set up our spot near the water, Marissa and Tom helping out with the cooler and beach chairs.

"Isn't this just perfect, Jacob?" Mom said, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she spread out a beach towel. "I'm so glad we could all come here together."

I nodded in agreement, soaking in the joyful atmosphere around us. The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled my ears, and the salty breeze carried a sense of freedom and relaxation. Marissa and Tom were already setting off towards the water, their laughter echoing back to us.

"Race you two to the waves!" Marissa called out, her infectious energy lighting up the beach.

I chuckled and followed after them, feeling the cool water envelop my feet as I waded into the ocean. The laughter and chatter of families and friends surrounded us, creating a symphony of joy and excitement. I glanced back at my mom, who was smiling contentedly as she watched us play in the water.

As I splashed around with Marissa, my thoughts kept drifting back to Anya. I wondered if she made it to the beach, if she was enjoying her vacation as much as I was. The memory of her smile and laughter replayed in my mind, tugging at something deep within me that I couldn't quite explain.

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