Page 50 of Stranded

“Tink, you’re here!” I jump back on my butt, quickly pulling away from Weston as my gaze moves to Bower.

“Hi, Bower,” I say shyly as Weston and I stand up.

Bower starts to head towards me, his arms opening wide, but he stops short, his eyes going wide in alarm, as if he suddenly realized what he’s doing.

“Shit, sorry, Tink. I forgot you don’t like hugs,” he says sadly, his arms dropping.

His somber tone has me deciding to be honest with him. “I never actually said that. You just surprised me before.”

He and Weston look at me with a mix of surprise and hope.

“Are you saying… that I can hug you?” Bower asks carefully.

I shrug, biting my lip again, and Weston surprises me by reaching out and tugging my lip free.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” he says quietly, making me swallow heavily. The tension feels thick and I glance back at Bower, deciding that I don’t just want him to hug me to make him happy, I want him to hug me to know what it feels like.

Unsure of how to say the words, I decide to show him. Stepping around Weston, I move right in front of Bower, who looks down at me with wide eyes. Slowly, I lift my arms and wrap them around his waist. He waits all of two seconds before his arms wrap around my shoulders and back. He squeezes me tightly against him as I rest my cheek on his chest, well it’s more like his abs due to our size difference.

His embrace is warm and solid and I find I like it, I like it alot.It makes me feel safe and cared for, something I haven’t felt in a very long time.

After a couple minutes, I hear someone clear their throat and I let go, taking a step back to look up at him. He smirks down at me, looking pleased. “I hope we can do that again, Tink.”

“Me, too.”

His smirk turns into a full-blown smile, but before either of us can say anything, Kingsley speaks, bringing my attention to the fact that he’s here, too.

“Is that another bed?” he asks, eyeing the mattress behind me.

“Yeah,” Weston says, sounding a little frustrated again. “She did this while we were at the beach.”

Kingsley looks at me with a similar, disgruntled expression. “You did?”

“I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?” I ask, feeling frustrated myself at their reactions.

“Sweetheart, no,” Kingsley says, his expression softening. “We just hate that you’re doing so much for us and we’re doing nothing for you.”

“I told you I’m not doing this to get something in return,” I tell them, my eyes bouncing between all three.

“We just wish we could do more,” he explains. “We’re not used to taking a backseat, especially when it comes to women and relationships.”

“I don’t need you to do anything, though. Honestly, I’m just glad for the pleasant company. Steve, Kevin and Bob aren’t the best conversationalists.”

“Who’s Kevin and Bob?” Bower asks.

“Kevin’s the palm tree she hates,” Kingsley says, surprising me with his memory.

“Bob is the seagull who tried to shit on her,” Weston adds.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you want from us as a thank you?” Bower asks from behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder as I lookup at him. His warm hand reminds me of the hug. Hmm… I did love being held by him, maybe therewassomething they could give me.

“What about a thank you hug?” I ask, my gaze moving between the three of them. Kingsley's smile is slow, but as I watch, it covers his entire face. His hair falls down into his left eye as he takes a step towards me. Bower gently pushes me forward with his hand on my shoulder and I step up to Kingsley and wrap my arms around his waist, as his own come up to encircle me. He gently sways me back and forth, causing me to let out a quiet, contented sigh. He wasn’t as big as Bower, but his embrace is softer, and as he rests his chin on my head, letting out a deep sigh. Maybe he needed this hug almost as much as I did?

I step back, giving him a shy smile, which he returns. Then I turn to face Weston, who’s frowning at me again, and I’m starting to realize that it’s just his normal expression. When I step up to his giant six-foot something frame, he bends down and wraps his arms around my waist, hoisting me off my feet.

“Weston!” I gasp in surprise, my arms flying up around his neck. He presses his face into my neck as he holds me close and takes long, deep breaths. My legs feel awkward dangling, but I have a feeling if I try to lift my legs, I’ll flash the other two behind me.

I drop my own face to his neck and inhale his intoxicating scent of ocean and mango. He holds me like that for a couple minutes before his lips press to my neck gently, making my breath hitch.He kissed me!Even if it was just my neck, it makes me feel special. Important. Like a silent promise to take care of me.

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