Chasing Ever After Read online

  “Okay.” The water was past my knees, and would be almost up to her waist. I gave her a gentle toss and her butt hit just as a wave came in and crashed over her head, plunging her beneath the swell for just a second, but it was long enough. She burst from the water sputtering and thrashing, sending up a spray that hit me in the face. I wiped the salty water from my eyes just in time to see a drenched mass of red curls and rage launching herself at me. She was maybe a buck twenty soaking wet, but when she slammed into me, I went down like I’d just been tackled by a defensive lineman for the Patriots. She rose back out of the water and stood above me, hands on her hips and a satisfied grin on her face. I wish I could say her smile was the only thing I noticed, but it would be lie. Her pale skin was almost translucent in the moonlight and my eyes followed the droplets of water that trailed down her throat and ran between her breasts and down her toned stomach.

  I groaned and leaned back in the water, dunking myself under again to cool my arousal. Just as I lifted my head back up another small wave crashed right into my face, rocking me backwards. Sadie covered her mouth to stifle her giggles. “Oh you think that’s funny, do ya?” She just nodded. I used my leg to sweep her feet out from under her and she toppled back down into the water.

  “Oh shit, is that a shark?” I exclaimed. Immediately a panicked look overcame her face and I’ve never seen someone jump up so fast. I was holding back laughter as she dashed through the water toward the shore. I got up and took off after her, once again scooping her up into my arms. When she realized I was laughing she started smacking me and screeching in my ear.

  “That’s not funny, you jerk. There really are sharks out here. You scared the hell out of me. I thought I was going to end up like the chick in the beginning of Jaws.”

  I was still laughing as I carried her back out. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you get eaten.” When I was standing waist deep I lowered her back down into the water letting the front of her body slide down mine. Big, heavy-lidded eyes stared up at me and with her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, it took every ounce of control I possessed not to lean forward and bite it. Her chest was pressed into my stomach and I had to step back before she felt another part of me pressing into her hip.

  “You promise?”

  “Huh?” I think at that point I would have promised that girl anything, and it took me a second to pull myself together enough to try and figure out what she was asking.

  “You promise you won’t let a shark eat me.” She smiled playfully and I was caught off guard by it. It was rare that I got to see this side of her, and I rather enjoyed it.

  “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” I took a step forward eliminating the space I’d put between us and the playful look disappeared, replaced by something much more intense. I leaned my face down so that our mouths were only inches apart. She was frozen in place, eyes locked on mine. Very slowly I brought my hands to her hips and ran my thumbs along the top of her swimsuit bottoms. She sucked in a sharp breath at the contact, but she didn’t pull away from me. I ran my nose along her jaw and down her throat and then back up to her ear.

  “The only predator you need to worry about out here is me,” I whispered softly, blowing my warm breath on her skin, causing her to shudder. I pulled away just slightly and looked once more into her eyes. What I saw there was very encouraging. She wasn’t as repulsed by me as she wanted to be. I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. I could tell that wasn’t what she was expecting, but I knew I had to tread carefully. I sure as hell wasn’t going to back off now, but I didn’t want to push her too fast and scare her off. I was going to win her over, no matter how much time it took, or how much I had to reign in my natural instincts that were telling me to take her right now.

  I took her hand in mine, “Come on, let’s go get you that pizza.” She didn’t say anything, just nodded and let me lead her out of the water. As soon as we stepped back onto the dry sand, whatever moment we’d been having was broken. She pulled her hand from mine like she had come to her senses and was reinforcing all her walls to keep me out. I wasn’t worried though, it meant I was really getting to her.

  Not six hours ago I’d been determined to rid myself of her, even if it meant forgetting her in the arms of some random girl, or six. Now it was clear to me just how ridiculous that thought was. I knew there wasn’t a girl out there who could hold a candle to Sadie or make me forget about her. She was so deep inside me, that I didn’t think it would take much for her to completely own me. I wanted her like I hadn’t wanted anyone since … since Jules.

  I’d been in love with Jules though. Is that what was happening? Was I falling in love with Sadie? Shit. I didn’t even know. On the short walk back to the hut I took stock of my feelings and tried to sort through them. There was definitely attraction between us … and lust. A lot of lust. I also just enjoyed being around her, even when she was irritating and pissed me off. I liked pushing her buttons and winding her up, but more than that, I liked figuring her out. I wanted to know everything about her, what made her laugh, what made her cry. I wanted to be the one to make her laugh and the one to dry her tears. I wanted to be better for her, to deserve her smiles and laughter.

  Yeah, I was definitely falling for her and it was almost effortless. The hard part would be getting her to fall for me. It was going to be a challenge, but it was going to be fun. I’d never had to chase a girl before, and this one was determined to run from me, but I was even more determined to catch her. For some reason catching this girl mattered more to me than anything.

  I waited for her to run inside and change, the whole time worrying she wouldn’t come back out, but five minutes after she’d left me standing on the deck, she reappeared in a pair of tiny cotton shorts that showed off her long legs, and a loose t-shirt, wet in spots from her hair.

  “I’m going to need the longest shower after this. I’ve got sand in … well everywhere,” she muttered.

  I just laughed, but I knew exactly what she meant. I had sand in pretty much every crevice of my body as well, but I’d deal with it if it meant spending a few extra minutes with her.

  We walked the twenty or so feet over to my deck. I was hoping the rest of the guys hadn’t come back yet and I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened the back door to an empty cottage. I stepped inside, holding it open for her. She hesitated in the doorway.

  “Just come in already. I’m not a serial killer or a creep. I promise not take advantage of you or chop you into little pieces. I’ll behave,” I told her.

  “Yeah, I seem to remember you making that promise before we went in the water too.”

  I grinned. “That was me behaving.” She rolled her eyes but stepped inside, somewhat reluctantly, and I closed the door behind her. “Have a seat, I’ll be right out.” I ducked inside the bedroom I was sharing with Spade and found a pair of clean boxers and sweat pants. The towel from my earlier shower was hanging off the dresser. I grabbed it and quickly stripped down and dried off before pulling on the clean clothes.

  Sadie was sitting on the couch, looking around the suite when I walked back out into the living room area. “Pretty fancy huh?” The band had stayed in some nice places since we made it big, but nowhere that could top these cottages on the beach yet, although the casinos in Vegas came close, so did some of the hotels in Europe.

  “Yeah, this place is amazing. I can’t believe we’re here for two whole weeks.”

  I grabbed two plates and the leftover slices of pizza and went to sit next to her, handing her a plate with two slices. She dug in right away. “And you’ve got yours all to yourself. That must be nice.” I was used to sharing a hotel suite with the guys, and we’d been living together long enough now, that we were used to each other’s annoying habits, but it would be nice to have space to myself every once in a while. Although I don’t think I’d ever get tired of sharing space with Sadie.

  “Yeah, it’s nice to have the place to myself. It’s uh, quiet, and relaxing.” She didn’t
really sound like she meant it. I tried to recall things Jaxyn had told me about her, and I remembered her mentioning that Sadie didn’t have any family around, which is why it was so easy for her to pack up and leave Oregon for Boston. She never really mentioned any other friends, and I wondered if Sadie wasn’t a little bit lonely. It wasn’t something I could just ask her, and I didn’t want to make her feel bad, but I didn’t like thinking that Sadie felt alone, even a little bit.

  “It’s a little smaller than this one, but cozy and looks the same otherwise. It doesn’t have bedrooms like you guys have but it’s nice.” She was rambling. I’d noticed she did that when she was nervous or uncomfortable, and she seemed to do it a lot around me. “The bed is near the back doors though, so it looks out over the deck and the beach. It’s really soft and comfortable too, and big. Really big. I think it could fit four people, maybe more.”

  I had a difficult time not laughing. “Four people huh? You plan on testing that out?” I smirked causing her to blush. “I’d be happy to volunteer for your experiment, although I don’t think I’d be willing to let anyone else in. I don’t think I’d be able to share your bed with anyone but you.” I knew I should probably quit messing with her, but I couldn’t help it. I winked at her and bit into my pizza, ignoring the glare she was shooting at me.

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about that. You will never be invited into my bed.” Her words were short and clipped.

  “Don’t say never, Sade,” I teased, but the only response she gave was a derisive snort. She ate her pizza, completely ignoring me. “Never is a long time.”

  “Not nearly long enough,” she mumbled under her breath between bites. She was almost finished eating and if I didn’t find a way to get her to stay, she would go back to her cottage, and I wasn’t ready to say goodnight yet. As the silence stretched out between us, it became awkward and I was unsure of how to break it. It seemed that just about every time I opened my mouth, I could see the urge in her eyes to inflict bodily harm upon me. I think that deep, deep down she found me amusing, but I doubted she’d ever admit it.

  Before I could try to convince her to stick around and watch a movie or something, she stood with her empty plate, just as a couple of loud and familiar voices made their way toward the cottage.

  Dammit.

  They had horrible timing. Sadie heard them coming as well and took her plate to the sink. “Thanks for the pizza. Goodnight.”

  “You’re welcome,” I called, but she was already rushing out the back door. “Sweet dreams,” I said as Spade and Danny were coming in the front door.

  “Who you talking to?” Spade asked.

  I sighed, “Sadie.”

  “Shit, were you two … ?”

  I grabbed one of the throw pillows off the couch and tossed it at his head. “No asshole. We were just hanging out and eating pizza since everyone else went out.”

  “Uh huh, just hanging out. Since when do you ‘just hang out’ with a girl?”

  “I’m not you. I can hang out with a girl without needing to get into her pants.”

  “Don’t try to play it like you don’t have it bad for her,” my idiot cousin chimed in.

  “Wait, what? You’re actually into her, like really into her?” Spade looked incredulous.

  “You’re a dumb ass man,” Danny told him. “He’s had it bad since they met. I don’t understand how you haven’t noticed.”

  “Whatever.” I wasn’t discussing this with the two of them. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Well shit,” I heard Spade mutter before I disappeared inside the bathroom to rinse off in a quick shower. I ignored the both of them still standing there, discussing me and Sadie, when I reemerged, and went straight to the bedroom. I groaned when I heard Spade come in right behind me. I threw myself on the bed, facing away from him, hoping he would take the hint, but of course he didn’t. He sat down on the foot of the bed.

  “Danny’s right, I am a dumb ass.” That got my attention and I rolled onto my back to look at him. “I should’ve noticed it sooner. You guys push each other’s buttons like only people who want to tear each other’s clothes off do.”

  “Except nobody is tearing any clothes off.”

  “Not yet.” He grinned. “So what are you gonna do about it?”

  “I have no idea man. Most of the time she can’t stand me.”

  “But you want to right? Tear her clothes off and have your way with her?”

  “Could you not put it like that? Yes, I want her in that way, but I also just want her, period.”

  “Huh,” he said like that was a foreign concept he was trying to understand. “Well I got faith in you brother. I may not get it, but if anyone deserves the happily ever after bullshit, it’s you, and for the record, she’s a cool chick. So I’ve got your back.”

  “Thanks.”

  “And she’s pretty fuckin hot, can’t wait to see her in a bikini.” I shot forward and punched him in the arm. “Ow, fuck. Yeah, you’ve got it bad.” I just shook my head while he rubbed his arm and launched into Usher’s U Got It Bad. I swung a pillow at him, but he just dodged it and kept on singing as he got up and made his way back out of the room.

  “Asshole,” I mumbled.

  He just laughed and I heard Danny chuckling as well. I was starting to think this could be a long two weeks.

  Chapter 4

  Sadie

  “How is it possible that this is our fourth day and you guys are already golden brown and all I am is, pink?” I asked. The five of us girls were getting ready for the rehearsal dinner in Jaxyn’s room.

  “Have you been using sunscreen?” Jaxyn, who was currently standing behind me straightening my hair, asked.

  “Yes I have, and still I’m pink, which is only slightly better than my usual glow in the dark.”

  “I think your skin is pretty.” Izzy was sitting in the chair next to me, while her mom pulled her hair back and pinned tiny flowers in her baby curls. “You look just like Mommy’s fancy porcewan dolls, and I wish I had lots of speckles like you.” It was so adorable the way she said porcelain.

  “Oh, you mean my freckles?” She nodded bashfully. “Well I think you’re beautiful just the way you are, and I see a few freckles on your cheeks.” I playfully poked one of her freckles.

  She giggled and tried to sit up high in her chair to look in the mirror. “Really. I gots speckles too?”

  “Yes, and I’m sure you’ll get some more.” I’d never seen someone so excited about freckles. “When I was a little girl, my daddy told me that freckles were angel kisses.” It’d been a long time since I could recall pleasant memories of my parents, but it was nice to remember that things hadn’t always been the way they were now.

  “Really? Is it true?” I looked up at Lucy who was smiling fondly at her daughter, then back to the sweet little girl.

  “I don’t know, but I like to think so,” I told her.

  Izzy looked thoughtful for a minute. “I think so too.” She grinned back at me, and every so often, while we were getting ready, I noticed her fingers go to her cheeks and her smile would get even bigger. She was so sweet and beautiful, like a little angel. It tugged at my heart and I had to push the longing and sadness away.

  After Jaxyn finished straightening my hair, she pulled it all to the side so that it fell over my shoulder and then pinned a purple flower to the right side of my head. I was the only one of us wearing my flower on the right. It was like a flashing sign, even more obvious than a ring, or lack of one, proclaiming my singleness. I wasn’t so sure about this Hawaiian tradition.

  While Jax started on my makeup, my thoughts went to the other night and my late night swim with Ace. I let everything go for a few minutes and I actually had fun. As much as he irritated me, I enjoyed his playful side, but everything about that night had messed with my head. I thought for sure he was going to kiss me, and then when he didn’t, reality came sinking back in and I’d realized I would have let him. Again. After that I became awkward a
nd unsure of myself. I told myself I didn’t want him to kiss me and yet the disappointment in my gut wouldn’t leave. It felt slightly like a rejection, so his flirting confused the hell out of me. I didn’t know what he was doing, other than driving me crazy.

  We’d spent most of our time the past few days checking out Lahaina and the beaches. We’d also been to the volcano and cruised around Maui. In all that time stuck in the car with Ace and Spade, I’d thought for sure I’d be ready to throw myself out of the moving car to put myself out of my misery. Instead, Ace had surprised me. He’d been … nice, really nice, and polite. No jokes, sexist comments or innuendos. Not a single wink, smirk or naughty look of any kind and it just wasn’t like him. Ace was many things, but “nice” wasn’t one of them, usually.

  The weirdest part was that even Spade had toned down the douchebaggery, and I sort of didn’t hate him. He was actually kind of, slightly, a little… fun. That’s how I knew something was most definitely up, I just didn’t know what. In our down time hanging around the resort, I hardly saw either of them. They were always off doing their own thing, which probably involved the many bikini clad females walking around everywhere. It didn’t bother me. Not even a little.

  Lie. Lie.

  Okay, so it shouldn’t have bothered me. It should have made everything easier and reinforced the notion that he was a playboy I couldn’t afford to play with, but if I had a dollar for every time things in life didn’t go the way I thought they should … well I wouldn’t be worrying the balance in my bank account. I was embarrassed to admit that I’d even taken to sitting out on the deck late at night, constantly looking over at his back door, hoping that I would see him emerge, but he didn’t.

  I don’t know what made me do it. Nothing could ever happen between us again, so it would be better for both of us if he stopped trying and finally backed off. I think a part of me had just wanted to believe that he wasn’t giving up, even though I’d given him every reason to a long time ago. I should have known better though. Ace didn’t pursue anyone. They made themselves readily available to him. I didn’t think I was incredibly insecure, but he was a famous rock star for crying out loud. I didn’t have anything to offer a guy like him. I’d known that from the very beginning, despite the sparks that had been there. At least I thought I’d felt them.