Page 5

5

TREVOR

I really needed to look away from the blonde across from me, but my eyes wouldn’t listen. When I did look away, it would only last a second before I was back to staring like a weirdo. I was screwed, and I knew it. I knew it the moment Tasha Davis stepped into my life. Well, more like bulldozed her way into my life.

When Josie talked about her best friend when we first met, I assumed she was someone similar to her—shy, soft-spoken. But none of those things described Tasha. The fiery blonde could crush a man in her high heels without a second glance. She was confident and wasn’t hesitant to put a person in their place.

The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was going to come into my life and completely wreck it. And not a single part of me cared.

It was no secret that I had been with my fair share of women. But none of them sparked my curiosity as much as Tasha. There was something about her that made my eyes seek her out every time she walked into a room. I was drawn to her in a magnetic sort of way .

Tasha liked to act like she couldn’t feel what was between us. That she couldn’t sense the electrical current that glowed bright whenever we were around each other. I know she could, even if she wanted to deny it.

Like right now, sitting across from each other at the little diner the hotel had, there was something palpable in the air. I was glad I agreed to come on this vacation. It would give me a chance to have moments alone with her, which were hard to come by these last several months.

Any time we were alone in a room, she would make some excuse to leave or say that one of the girls needed her help. It was beyond frustrating because all I wanted was to have a conversation about what happened. But the last thing I wanted was to push her to talk when she didn’t want to. So, for the time being, I let it go, but the two of us were stuck on this island for the next five days. She couldn’t get away from me that easily. Just like on the plane.

When we got on, the first thing I noticed was that Landon was next to Tasha, while I sat next to Lydia. I didn’t even hesitate in ripping his ticket out of his hand and shoving him mine. Like hell I would pass up the chance to sit next to her for hours. Even if that meant getting an earful from Landon.

I didn’t even care that I got my ass kicked at playing cards either. I had no idea she was secretly some poker, card-playing master, but I would take getting my ass beat just to see the way she smiled when she won.

And what she did for me on the plane was… I couldn’t really put it into words. I was uncomfortable with the flight attendant coming by every few minutes, purposely touching my arm and flirting. Being who I was, that kind of attention came with certain situations. It was nothing new. I'd gotten used to women blatantly flirting with me and grazing my arm or hand in an attempt to lure me to the bedroom. I just never had someone come to my rescue like Tasha did .

She didn’t even hesitate to call out the flight attendant. She noticed my discomfort and put a stop to it. It was nice having someone have my back, and I won’t lie, it was kind of hot seeing Tasha all worked up and jealous. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to drag her across the divide on the plane and kiss her.

It was because of that I fully planned on using this vacation to my advantage. We were stuck on this island for the next few days, and somehow, I was going to show Tasha that I had no plans of giving her up anytime soon. Even if the thought of that slightly scared me.

“Everyone good with just laying around the beach today?” Josie’s voice jerked my attention away from Tasha.

Today was our first official day on the Island and everyone was still jet-lagged, even though we went to bed early last night. Relaxing today sounded perfect. I said yes with everyone else at the table as my attention went back to Tasha who was quiet, seemingly lost in thought as she stared down at her food. “I heard there’s a bonfire showdown on the beach tonight if anyone wants to go.” Josie continued.

I really needed to get a hold of myself and stop staring. When she looked up, confused, having missed the conversation, I found myself smiling.

“You should start paying attention, Sunshine.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Her gorgeous gray eyes met mine. Her face was free of makeup, and God, did she look beautiful, her blonde hair pulled into a messy bun on her head.

“Did you just call me Sunshine?” She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah, and?”

“Out of all the names… Sunshine?” Her nose did this cute little scrunched up thing that made my heart race in my chest .

“It matches your hair,” I tried to say casually but wasn’t sure if it came out that way. I made myself look down at my food, needing to get myself under control.

“What did I miss?” Tasha asked, ignoring my comment.

“Honestly, nothing. Everyone’s going to either spend the day on the beach or relax back at the hotel and then maybe go to a bonfire tonight.” I told her.

“Sounds like you weren’t paying attention either.” The look she gave me had me holding back a smile. I loved when she teased me. Nothing could stop those same words from leaving my mouth.

“I can do multiple things at once, babe.” I took a bite of my omelet as I relished in the way her eyes widened and her mouth opened a little. Getting any reaction out of her was one of my favorite pastimes.

My eyes darted down to her mouth. The dirty image of those lips wrapped around my cock had me shifting in my chair. Now was not the time to get hard. Shoving another forkful of eggs in my mouth, I tried to think of random things.

Locker room filled with sweaty hockey players. Max’s hairy ass. Coach Barnum.

Eventually, it felt like cold water was being dumped on my head. Perfect.

Once the hard-on in my shorts calmed down a little, I turned back into the conversation at the table. Josie and Wyatt were whispering something to each other, looking every bit in love that they were. Wyatt and Josie were that couple that you couldn’t help but look at and think, that’s love. Josie truly was the best thing to ever happen to Wyatt.

When he got hurt during a game two seasons ago, it was like this part of him slowly seeped away. Getting hurt is never what a professional hockey player wants, especially one as hardworking and fierce as Wyatt. It was like he was lost for a little bit. Unable to play like he used to. Then he met Josie.

I don’t know what it was, but she helped bring him back to life in a sense, and he helped her with the passing of her father. The two met at a time when they both needed someone. I wasn’t sure if I ever saw a pair more suitable for each other.

Leaving them to their moment, I glanced at Lydia, who was glaring daggers at Landon. I didn’t have to be a part of that conversation to know Landon probably said something to her. Wyatt’s older brother could come off as an asshole. I mean, he was one but he was also a great guy.

He’s had to be the father figure to both Wyatt and their younger brother, Mateo, since their father ran out. He’s also become a brother figure to me throughout the years. Once you got past his hard exterior, you saw someone who would do anything for those he loves.

Although from the way he was looking at Lydia, I couldn’t decide if he wanted to get as far away from her as he could, or if he wanted to pull her across the table and kiss her. Leaving those two to whatever that was, I turned back to Tasha, who was talking to Mila.

“I bet if one of the guys used their names, they’d gladly bring us some,” I caught Tasha saying. The way Mila grinned, I knew the two were up to no good. I sat back and watched as Mila turned to Bryton.

“Babe.” Mila crooned. The way Bryton looked at his girlfriend almost rivaled Wyatt and Josie.

“Yeah?”

“You know I love you, right?” Tasha covered her mouth as Bryton narrowed his eyes at Mila.

“What do you want?” Bryton asked.

“I can’t tell my boyfriend I love him?” Mila battered her eyelashes .

“Again… What do you want?” Bryton repeated.

Mila let out a dramatic sigh, my own lips twitching. She knew how to lay it on thick. All four girls were trouble and they knew it.

“Us girls want to go to the beach. We had such a long flight yesterday, but we want margaritas while we relax.” Mila pressed her chest against his arm as she traced his hand with her finger. “Think you could help us get a few delivered to the lounge chairs?”

“So, you want me to ask the poor workers at the hotel to keep bringing you girls drinks?”

“Uh…yes.” She looked a little uncertain.

Mila could ask for the moon and Bryton would say he’d get it for her.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Bryton relented, earning a kiss from Mila in return. I shook my head. The boy was so in love. But as I looked over at Tasha, who was smiling widely, I briefly wondered if I’d ever get the chance to be that way with her.