Page 13

13

TASHA

“ E veryone ready to go?” Josie asked as I bent over to lace up my heels.

“Ready,” Lydia, Mila, and I echoed. Everyone added finishing touches to their makeup and outfits.

Today was our final day and night on Whitsunday Island . At dinner last night, we all agreed on going whale watching and doing more exploring before going to a local club tonight. It was the perfect way to end our trip. One last day to celebrate Josie’s engagement before going back to the real world.

We all had a blast whale watching. We ended up seeing four humpback whales break through the water that were apparently passing through during migration. Probably one of the coolest things we’d done on this trip, snorkeling aside.

After a full day of exploring more of the town, we were now all getting ready to go to the club. We were set to meet the guys downstairs in five minutes for the short walk from the hotel.

Straightening up from putting my heels on, I smoothed my hands down the sides of my skirt. Since it was our final night, it was a perfect time to finally dress up.

“What do you guys think?” Mila asked as she came out of the bathroom with flawless winged eyeliner and mauve pink lips. She had an obsession with lipstick and always carried no less than three colors in her purse at all times.

She wore a short silver dress with a plunging neckline, something only she could pull off. Her dark skin practically glowed as her gorgeous curls went down her back, a few tendrils framed her face. Her six inch heels made her even taller. Mila looked drop dead gorgeous.

“Damn Mila.” I whistled, causing her to grin widely.

“That dress suits you perfectly.” Josie echoed.

“I need those heels.” Lydia added.

Mila preened under our compliments. While she went over to her purse on the couch Lydia got up and headed for the bathroom, her dress catching my eye.

Her red dress was so different yet perfect for her. While it had long sleeves, the front dipped down between her breasts and the skirt had a revealing slit, showing off plenty of leg. It cinched at the waist, showing off her body in ways she typically didn’t. Her short blonde hair was piled into a cute updo. Interested to see how Landon dealt with how hot she looked tonight.

“Excited for tonight?” I turned to ask Josie next to me. She was in the middle of slipping on her heels when she answered.

“It’s going to be fun, but I’m sad it’s our last night here though.”

“The last five days have flown by.” I said in agreement. Feels like we just got here. So much has changed since we stepped foot on the island. Mila and Bryton were moving in together. Josie and Wyatt were engaged. Trevor and I…well that was still up in the air. As for Lydia and Landon, the two st ill couldn’t decide if they wanted to hit or fuck one another.

“Think Wyatt will like the dress?” Josie asked, standing and doing a little twirl.

The soft white dress she wore hugged her frame perfectly. The material was silky, bunched on one side to show off more leg with little sparkly tassels hanging down. The dress contrasted beautifully against her tanned skin. It was unlike anything she typically wore but it fit her so well. Like me, she kept her long brown hair down. She looked like a bride to be.

“He’s going to love it.” I promised. Josie grinned in return.

While everyone dressed a bit fancier, I chose something more casual. The black top I wore was only held by a single string around my neck and my back, leaving almost my entire back bare. It plunged just enough to show off my cleavage. I paired it with a simple black skirt that showed off my legs. With a pair of red bottom heels I was good to go.

Within ten minutes we were all ready to go. Glancing at my friends I saw how hot we looked. We were all so different from one another, but damn, we would be turning heads tonight. Or more like our men's heads.

I couldn’t be bothered to carry a bag, so I stuffed some money in my top and held my phone. If anything, I’d make Wyatt pocket my phone since he’d most likely have Josie’s. No one wanted to be out dancing with a purse hanging from their shoulder.

Arm in arm with Josie, we all made our way down to the lobby where the guys were waiting for us. The club was only a block away, thankfully, since we were all wearing high heels. The walk back was going to be a bitch after.

Our heels clicked against the marble floor, drawing the attention of all four guys standing there, and even a few guests in the lobby. My eyes sought out one person in particular. Trevor’s eyes met mine, and it felt like it was just us as the others faded away.

Trevor’s eyes raked up and down my body, his jaw muscles twitching. I could have sworn I heard him mutter a ‘fuck’ under his breath. I felt my cheeks heat up at the way he kept staring. Almost like he wanted to devour me right then and there.

While he was busy checking me out, I did the same back. Trevor’s brown hair was styled back but a few pieces hung on his forehead, my fingers itching to push it back. He had a slight bit of stubble on his face which only enhanced the dirty thoughts running through my mind.

A black dress shirt fitted his upper body, the sleeves rolled up, showing his forearms and the sexy as hell tattoo sleeve he had. It was almost like he paired his outfit with mine. A small part of me purred at the thought. He finished his outfit off with a pair of black linen pants that almost looked like dress pants. He literally looked like he walked off the set of a photoshoot.

“Hey.” His words brought me out of my blatant staring.

“Hi.”

“Looks like we’re matching.” Trevor swept his eyes up and down me. The way they lingered on my legs made my pulse jump.

“Means we’re secretly the coolest.”

“Oh, 100 percent.”

Trevor’s face was serious for a moment before breaking out in a smile.

With the others heading for the doors, I was forced to look away from Trevor’s smile. A smile that made my heart flutter in an embarrassing way. When he turned around, my gaze immediately dropped to his ass.

“Nice ass,” I muttered, not even realizing it came out of my mouth .

“You want to do what with my ass?” Trevor looked at me over his shoulder, eyebrows raised. Of course he was close enough to hear that. “Didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff, Sunshine.”

“What? No!”

“It’s okay, I’m not kink-shaming. You do you.”

“I’m not…” I shook my head, but he stopped me.

“Don’t worry, Sunshine. I won’t think of you differently, I promise.” Trevor smirked. “But kinky.”

“You… I…” I couldn’t get the words out. Not when he winked at me and then turned away.

“Come on, Sunshine. You can tell me all about your kink on the way.”

Narrowing my eyes, I stomped past him. “I hate you,” I muttered under my breath. I was more embarrassed that he heard me admiring his ass than anything else.

“No, you don’t.” Trevor followed after me. I didn’t have to look at him to know he was grinning like an idiot.

“I truly believe you’ve been hit in the head too many times. Brain damage has occurred.”

Trevor easily kept up with my long strides. “I told you I wouldn’t judge. I’m just curious.” From the corner of my eye, I watched him smirk over at me. “So do you like to be the one doing the fucking or is it the other way—” Before he could even finish, I sent my elbow right into his ribs.

“I am so done with you,” I said, my expression neutral. He just responded with an even wider grin.

Ahead of me, Mila and Bryton walked hand in hand. Bryton bent down to whisper something in her ear. Lydia and Landon were walking side by side, despite the two of them saying they hated each other. I didn’t miss the sneaky glances they gave each other. Maybe something was secretly going on between them now that we were on vacation.

Josie and Wyatt hung back near us. The two of them were a picture of pure happiness. Josie’s face was going to fall off from how much smiling she was doing. Wyatt was no better. Staring down at his fiancée like if he looked away, she would disappear.

The walk to the club didn’t take too long. In less than five minutes, we were nearing the doors. With each step closer, I felt the all too familiar pressure in my chest. I'd only been to a club once since that night and could sense the same anxiety filling me. It was only because Josie was by my side that I didn’t turn and high tail it out of there. I also had my mantra to fall back on— I am safe, I am safe, I am safe.

I knew it took time to get over traumatic experiences. Hell, I preached that to my own patients, yet sometimes, I couldn’t seem to take my own advice.

“Hey.” Josie’s voice snapped me out of my head. “Can I talk to Tasha for a second?” she asked Trevor, who nodded and went to walk by Wyatt.

Looping her arm through mine, she spoke softly. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” I squeezed her arm and sent her a smile. It was her night, and I wasn’t going to take the moment from her.

“I’ll always worry. But if at any point you want to go, just let me know and we can leave.” And she meant it. I knew if I looked uncomfortable, she would haul me out of there with no hesitation.

“I will,” I promised, even though if it came down to it, I wouldn’t. Not tonight. “Let's celebrate your engagement!” I grinned, changing the subject.

Josie looked at me with worry and hesitation on her face, but I gave her a little nudge. I was going to be just fine. She didn’t seem convinced, but she eventually left my side and walked back over to Wyatt .

As the others reached the door to the club, I lingered back a second.

Don’t think about it, Tasha. You are okay. Nothing will happen.

I knew I would be fine, I just needed to convince my mind of that. I was going to let loose and have fun tonight.

“Hey,” a voice said softly next to me. Swallowing, I looked up at Trevor. “I got you.”

Those three words seemed to settle into my bones, easing the tension in my shoulders. I don’t know if it was the way Trevor said them or the look on his face, but I knew he meant them. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to me when he was around.

“Okay?” His eyes never left mine.

“Okay.”

With an encouraging smile, Trevor put a hand on my lower back and steered me into the club.