Page 28 of Wild for You
“How about we call it a tie?” I concede, offering her my hand.
“I don’t want your pity, Jack.” She turns to walk away, and I scoop her up, tossing her over my shoulders as I run into the ocean, letting the cool waves crash over us.
She squeals and kicks and clings to me tightly, and I don’t let her go, not for a minute, soaking up this rare moment of peace between us.
“Come on,” I say after I feel thoroughly refreshed. “Let’s get cleaned up for dinner. I think we should celebrate our small victory.”
“What victory is it you’re referring to exactly?” she presses.
“We’ve gone almost an entire day without fighting.” I smirk as I carry her out of the water and gently place her down. “And that calls for a special treat. I’m going to see what I can catch for dinner. Why don’t you go get cleaned up?”
She studies me for a moment, then finally speaks, “Don’t get used to it. I was off my game today. I can’t make any promises about tomorrow.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
* * *
A few hours later,we’re sitting around the campfire with our bellies full of fresh fish and oysters, still laughing and arguing over who technically won the sand castle contest.
My heart flutters in my chest every time Gwen giggles, and if I had to relive this day over again, I’d do it a thousand times, except for the near-death experience this morning, of course.
I take Gwen’s empty plate—technically, it’s just a flat rock. “Allow me to do the dishes. Are you ready for your surprise now?”
She clasps her hands together in delight. “As long as it’s not another disgusting fish eyeball … or eggs.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not.” I stand to leave. “I’ll be right back.”
I take off toward the tent, and once inside, I dig through my survival bag, grabbing the rum and two coconuts I've been saving before I make my way back to the fire.
From a distance, I watch her bent over the fire, poking it with a stick. She looks natural; her shoulders are softer than I’ve seen them, and her eyebrows aren’t all scrunched up—like how she usually looks around me. It’s nice. She looks like she’s at peace.
“Close your eyes,” I call as I climb the last rock on my way back to her. I have the coconuts pinned underneath each arm as my hands cradle a full bottle of rum.
She looks up through hooded eyes, and my heart feels like it could explode.
“Where did you get that?” she gasps.
“It’s actually something I keep for emergencies, to clean wounds. You’d be surprised at how frequently it comes in handy.”
“Are you sure we should drink it, then?” Her eyes pull together in worry.
“Ah, it’s eighty proof. It won’t hurt for us to have just a little. Besides, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
“Really, you’re quotingThe Shiningnow?”
I dig my knife into the coconut to create a small hole and pass it to her. “Drink this one first, so I know you’re hydrated. We’ve got to be extra careful since we’ve been in the sun all day.”
Her eyes go wide at my command, and surprisingly, she obeys, turning the coconut up and letting the water drip into her soft, pretty mouth.
That mouth I remember all too well.Fuck, get it together, man. This is definitely not the time to think about her like that.Though I’d be lying if I said the memory of that night didn’t cross my mind every time she bends over in that ridiculous dress-thing or when she wipes the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
I snap out of my daydream when she passes the coconut back to me. I shake it, satisfied that she drank most of the liquid inside.
“I know I may have already mentioned it … but I really hate coconut.”
I laugh. “Well, babe, I hate to break it to you, but the coconuts are survival 101. Frankly, we’re lucky they’re so plentiful around here.” I break the coconut in half over a rock and slice the meat to loosen it before pouring a generous amount of rum over the top. “Sorry, I don’t have a straw and a little umbrella.”
Gwen rolls her eyes and takes the peace offering. “Cheers” She clanks her coconut to mine, and we both throw back the liquor without even wincing.
