Page 51 of Too Close To Call

“You mean like this?” I ask with a devilish gleam in my eye.

In reply, she tucks her head under my chin. “Exactly like this.”

It isn’t long before my wandering hand inches beneath her shirt and even less time before I carry her up the stairs to finish what we started on the deck.

CHAPTER 16

TORI

Monday night, Case took me back to Brewster’s, where we embarrassed ourselves singing Karaoke. I had a few margaritas for courage, which made me braver than I should have been.

Afterwards, he carried me into the house and straight up to bed. We spent hours loving each other, and I came so close to saying those three little words again. I feel them. I mean them, but Case isn’t saying them back. In fact, he reminded me I have only four days left on the island.

Tuesday, we went out on his boat. He pulled into a private cove and we stripped, swam naked, and then made love on the deck, and again on the lower berth when Case said he didn’t want me to burn in the sun. How could I not be burned by him when he loves me like he means it, but doesn’t say the words or acknowledge it in any other way?

When we got home, we showered off the ocean and sand and he took me to new heights while warm water rained down upon us. I had tears in my eyes, lying in each other’s arms as we fell asleep. The day had been perfect. Our love-making had been perfect. Yet, he said nothing about wanting more.

Wednesday, he took me on a tour of the island. We started in town, had a picnic lunch on the beach, made out in his truck, and spent hours playing in the water and walking on the beach to find shells.

He cooked for us that night and made love to me on the kitchen counter and again in his pool before taking us upstairs to once again put his shower to good use for something other than cleanliness. In fact, we got very dirty in the shower.

Today is Thursday and I’ve yet to put my feet on the floor to get up. I hear Case in the kitchen and the smells coming up the stairway are tempting, but my stomach is filled with turmoil. Time is running out and I don’t know what to do.

My phone vibrates on the bedside table and I smile when I see it’s Carina.

“Hey!”

“Hey, Tor. I hear Daisy is having a great time.”

“She called you?”

“She did. She calls every day to check on Bella. And Ryan sent the cutest picture of her with one of her princesses. They were both in beautiful gowns.”

“Yeah, he sent me that one too. The dress you made her was prettier than the actual princess’ dress.”

“So, how is it going?”

My head rolls over and I glance out the French doors to the upper balcony. “Oh, fine. Just fine.”

“Come on, Tori. Tell Mama Carina.”

I’m overwhelmed with emotions and have no idea how to even start. “I’m telling you the truth, Car. These last few days have been the best ever. I’ve fallen in love with Case all over again.”

“Has he asked you to stay?”

My stomach turns and I know it’s not from hunger. “No, we haven’t talked about anything past Saturday.”

“Nothing?”

There have been plenty of times lately when I thought he was going to say he loved me. It was clearly in his eyes. But the moment always passed and he didn’t. “No, nothing.”

Carina pauses and then says, “Tori, I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe that’s your answer. It’s not the one you want, but it’s the one you need to accept. You don’t want to live your life waiting on him to come around. If he’s not falling all over himself to be with you, then you may need to acceptthatis his answer. Maybe the only one he’s capable of giving you.”

I hear what she’s saying. I’ve even come to that conclusion on my own, but it’s going to break my heart all over again to leave him. “I love him and this is all my fault. He may love me, Car, but he doesn’t trust me and I’m not sure he ever will.”

“You tried, Tori. You said before you left home that you had to try, you had to know. Well, now you do.”

I tremble and I know she’s right. I thought I could get through to him, that he wouldn’t hold being with Ryan against me. That he would understand and if not forgive, at least accept. “If I just wait…”

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