Page 51 of Wild for You
“I’m never taking it off,” I promise. “Besides, it’s like having a built-in weapon. Now I’m ready for anything.”
“Slow down now. I don’t need you picking fights with anacondas anytime soon.” He laughs.
“I can’t make any promises.”
“Here, why don’t you take a seat.” He gestures toward our picnic set up by the fire, and I follow his lead.
“Jack, I think you’ve outdone yourself here. This must’ve taken hours.”
He removes the shirt from the top of the basket and pulls out the fish he no doubt caught this morning. Mahi mahi, my favorite. Well, it’s my new favorite anyway. Before crash landing on this island, I was never much of a fish eater, but now after eating the freshest catch every single day, I’m afraid I’m becoming accustomed to the finer things in life.
“Oh, and you’re in luck. I had just enough rum left to make us a few rounds of these.” He hands me the elaborately decorated coconut, its weight heavy in my hand.
“Cheers,” I say as we clink our coconuts together. When the warm liquid touches my lips, I savor the tropical flavors mixing with the flavorful rum. “Oh my god, how did you manage actually to make a pina colada out here?” I take another hurried sip because I was so wrong about this drink. It’s perhaps the best thing I’ve ever tasted.
“So, you do like it?” He laughs. “I found a pineapple tree a few days back, and I was waiting for the right opportunity to woo you with my bartending skills.”
I drain the rest of my drink and slam it down on the ground beside me. “Consider me woo-ed.” Then I take his cup and drain it.
“It’s a good thing I packed extra, then, isn’t it?”
I simply nod and lean back on my hands, admiring the golden afternoon sun that’ll be setting soon as Jack begins cooking our meal. He really knows how to impress a lady. Better yet, he knows how to impressme, which is actually a whole lot better.
We sit there soaking in each other's company while the fresh fish sizzles against the fire and he prepares me another pina colada. A girl could get used to this.
After we’ve eaten the most delicious mahi-mahi and fresh citrusy salad known to man, I’m sated in the best way possible. My belly is full, and my heart is overflowing with adoration.
No, it’s more than that. My feelings for Jack have grown. They’ve multiplied like a gremlin soaked in water—ocean water—to a point where I’m consumed mind, body, and soul with this man. Maybe it’s the Pina Coladas talking, or maybe I’ve finally found the other piece of my soul, but this night has been nothing short of magical.
“Tell me something about yourself that no one knows.” My question breaks our gentle silence, and Jack looks up for a beat.
“Sometimes, I wish I could go back to the early days when I started the vlogs just to teach people how to thrive in nature. Once I started taking on the guided tours, it seemed like my passion for exploring turned into more of a job. Having to keep sponsors happy and clients alike constantly.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. I kind of just miss doing it for fun. But I guess that’s a pipe dream, and you can’t have it all.”
“Sure you can.” I nudge him with my shoulder. “Maybe you just haven’t found the right way yet, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Maybe you just need to think outside the box?”
He scratches his beard, considering this. “Yeah, maybe so.
This evening has been one of the best nights of my life, and I want Jack to see me for who I am. I want him to want me still, the good, bad, and even the ugly parts of me.
“I want to apologize for how careless I’ve been since I’ve met you. My whole life, I’ve carried this chip on my shoulder about not needing anyone, and by not letting you help me, I’ve put both of us in harm’s way too many times to count.” My throat tightens as I choke out the words.
Jack softly laughs but nods his head, encouraging me. I love that about him, how he always knows when to be silent and when to speak. I don’t feel like he’s waiting for me to finish talking to respond. He actually listens.
“I need you to know that I’m sorry for being so stubborn, and I think I was just annoyed by how happy you always seemed to be, no matter the circumstances.” I look down at my wringing hands as I speak. “I’ve spent my whole life chasing external validation to make me happy, and seeing you choosing happiness even when things didn’t go your way, it almost felt like you were holding up a mirror revealing all the parts of myself I hate the most.”
He scoots closer to me, wrapping his large arms around my shoulders and pulling me into his chest. “Aw, baby, I never want to make you feel bad about anything. You’ve overcome so much, and you’ve become a strong, independent woman all on your own. That’s something you should feel proud of. Don’t ever doubt that you’re anything less than perfect in my eyes.”
“I guess I just want to say thank you for being so authentically you. You’ve inspired me to let my guard down and challenged me to think about success and life in a whole new way.” I laugh because I don’t even recognize this version of myself. “This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever lived through, but if it had to happen, I’m really glad you’re the one I was stuck with on this island.”
A warm smile pulls at his lips, and rather than answering me, he glides his fingers over my heart as if he’s writing something in invisible ink.
“What was that?” I ask almost breathlessly.
“Just signing my name where it belongs. Don’t worry. I’ve made a space for yours, too.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I can’t fight my grin as he guides my hand over his heart. I use my pointer finger, forming each letter of my name as I brand him with magical invisible ink. It’s a promise, and even though it’s invisible, I know this bond is something that will stand the test of time. No matter how long our time may be.
Then he pushes my bikini top aside, and I suck in a breath at his smooth, warm contact.
