Quick to Love

Chapter 9

When we get back, it becomes apparent that whilst we were gone everyone got completely and utterly plastered. Vi hugs me within an inch of my life and Austin's friends start ruffling his hair in that jokey way guys do. We both look at each other and make the same amused "what the fuck" face. Shots are thrust into our hands and everyone starts to dance with wild abandon. Our seats have been overrun with drunk revellers and I start to feel slightly claustrophobic. I realise the only thing to do is to get as drunk as my friends.

When the shot girl saunters by I take four, two in each hand and down them one after the other. The liquid burns my throat but I tolerate it and I start to feel the effects quickly. I am having the best time and being here with Austin is the icing on the cake. I quickly feel the alcohol running warm through my veins and I feel myself let go. At this very moment nothing could ruin this day.

By the time the boat has pulled back to the shore, most of us can't see straight. We all stumble off the boat. Charlie, Vi and I cling on to each other as we make our way back to the hotel along the cobbled path. At one point Charlie trips over a big stone and ends up on the floor like an upside down turtle. We all fall about hysterically laughing at the scene in front of us. I whip out my phone and take multiple photos as evidence to embarrass her tomorrow.

Once Charlie has been hauled up by one of Austin's friends we continue the trek back to the hotel. My senses are on high alert and I feel Austin beside me. He puts his arm around my shoulder and the temperature of my blood increases dramtaically. He just whispers "Hey" in my ear and it's enough to make me explode. We walk like this back to the hotel and my whole body fills with hope.

What is he thinking? Does he really like me? I am desperate to know.

We get to the hotel foyer and Sam, one of Austin's friends shouts "Afterparty". Everyone drunkely cheers and we follow him into the lift. The afterparty is clearly going to be in someone's room as the fourth floor button is pressed on the wall. Sam opens the door to room 410 and we all stumble in. I look around and realise this is one of the platinum suites. It is massive with two big beds and a hot tub on the balcony.

"Who's room is this" Charlie wails.

"It's mine" I hear Austin shout back. I balk at what he says. "This is your room" I stutter. "Yeah, it was the only room available" he drunkenly slurs. He gives me a mischievous smirk and I melt.

Someone orders drinks from room service and the in room sound system in turned on full blast. We all drunkenly cheers when the drinks arrive and dance around the room. I am so drunk but in a good way where you feel loose and carefree. The sea sickness from the boat has subsided and I am in that happy drunk state which makes me a more confident person. I know I shouldn't need alcohol to make me more sociable but I am so bad at talking to strangers I am thankful I feel this way at the moment.

Austin comes over to me and asks if I want to go in the hot tub. We are already in our swimwear so I think why not. I follow him outside to balcony and pull off my vest and shorts. I slowly dip my toe in to test the temperature. It is super hot but in a good way. I slide in and Austin comes to sit next to me. Our legs touch and once again that electricity fizzles around my body. I feel exhilarated and I wonder what will happen next. Austin reaches over and moves some stray hair away from my face. The gesture catches me off guard and it makes me bite my bottom lip in anticipation. "You are so beautiful" he declares and I wonder to myself if this is a dream. I pinch my leg just to double check and decide no this isn't a dream it's real life. Austin looks at my lips hungrily and slowly edges his face towards mine. My heart starts to race as I inch closer to him. This is what I have been waiting for since the first time I laid eyes on him. The moment our lips meet I am in heaven. He tastes like a mix between Tequila and mint. The kiss is soft and tentative at first. It's like he is double checking that this is ok. We both pause and look into each others eyes. Before we know it our lips are touching again but this time the kiss is deeper and has a sense of urgency to it. I hear a sort of moaning noise and realise the it is coming from me. I would usually be self conscious but I'm not even embarrassed by it in this moment. Austin reciprocates my moan and the kiss becomes more passionate. One of his hands moves to my face as he tries to bring me closer to him. Both completely forgetting our surroundings our kiss becomes all consuming. He grabs my leg and slowly pulls me onto his lap. I start to grab his thick dark hair in my hands and he pulls me even closer to him. His hands slowly wander down my back and it makes my skin hum. He finally grabs my bum and I push my breasts into him. I am completely intoxicated by him. I don't want this moment to ever end but I am starting to become aware of our surroundings. I am also aware of Austin's growing arousal and I know even in my drunken state that I will not let anything more happen in this hot tub.

Gradually I start to break off the kiss. I desperately want to continue but I want it to be more that a fumble in a hot tub. I want it just be us, alone with no inhibitions. He looks at me questionably and I point at the drunk people stumbling around the room. Understanding my subtext he smiles and strokes my face in confirmation.

I reluctantly climb off Austin and sit beside him. The loss of touch makes me feel cold. The hot tub is still bubbling and I let the jets massage my back. Austin reaches across and takes my hand in his. He strokes my knuckles with his fingers but stays silent. I rest my head on his shoulder and we sit in silence for a few minutes catching our breath. The silence is loaded and my head is spinning from what just happen.

I break the silence. "I've had such a great day" I say enthusiastically.

Austin agrees and "Do you want to do something tomnorrow? Just the two of us?"

My heart swells. He wants to spend the day with me!

"I'd love to!" I gush batting my eyelashes at him.

We make plans to meet for a late breakfast at 10am and then we will head to town. I look down at my fingers and they have started to prune. We decide it's time to get out of the tub, so Austin gingerly climbs out first and then offers his hand to help me out. He grabs us both a towel and I quickly dry off as best I can. I can feel him watching me the whole time and it makes me feel powerful and confident. I throw on my clothes and round up Charlie and Violet who are still dancing around the room. It is tiring watching them so hyped up but I usher them out as best I can. I hover at the door and Austin meets me there. For a moment we stare at each other, just smiling, remembering the moment we just shared. He leans down and lightly touches my lips with his. "See you in the morning, Gorgeous" My heart melts and I incoherently mutter my goodbye.