The Good Intentions

Chapter 30 - Bethany

Bethany

Physically, I've been avoiding Kaden almost completely. Mentally, I can't get away from him.

Maybe sharing a room with the guy wasn't such a good idea. I mean, he does sleep on the couch and has given me the bed, which I respect and thank. But I can't be alone with him other than to sleep.

While he's in the shower, I get dressed as fast as humanly possible and bolt out the door. Dinner is not for another hour, but I can't linger in that room. I can't look at Kaden. Jealousy consumes my entire being just at the thought of him.

Of him and Chloe.

The way her arms twisted around his waist while they were on the ATV. Her breath probably caressed his neck, making his smirk beneath his helmet. I know that smirk, I've seen it multiple times, I've felt what it did to me.

Yes, I did ride with Teddy and it was great. It was good. Okay, it was terrible. I mean I had a good time, but for a moment, I'm pretty sure he forgot all about me. Correction, he actually did forget about me.

He took the turns so sharp that I actually fell off and face-planted in the mud. Luckily no one was around to see it happen and I jumped up so fast to save myself the embarrassment. Though, that was hard to do as Teddy drove back around to me, nearly keeling over in laughter. He has a nice laugh, so I joined in with him, even though it felt like my laughter was scorching the back of my throat. Oh, I hope he doesn't bring that up at dinner tonight.

Yes, Teddy is coming to dinner. I'm not even sure who invited him. It wasn't me. I'd actually like to avoid him the same way I'm avoiding Kaden. But before we parted ways after getting on the ship he said, "See you at dinner." So, I'll be seeing him at dinner.

I would like to pretend this afternoon didn't happen. I did so by scrubbing my body raw, ridding my skin of mud, and spraying copious amounts of perfume all over my body. But, no amount of bathing could take away the feeling of Kaden between my legs. Even the thought now makes my spine stiffen. Yet another reason why I'm trying to avoid him.

The ship is buzzing with elegantly dressed people. A band is playing on the main deck stage and they dance to the smooth Jazz bouncing off the marble walls. I smile as a waiter, carrying a tray of champagne does a quick dance and spins in the middle of the dance floor. Everyone claps for him and he takes a bow before passing out the glasses.

"B!" I turn around and Loni is walking over to me with Jace trailing close behind. "What are you doing?"

"Oh," I say with a shrug, "Just enjoying the music."

I can't tell her I'm avoiding being in my room, then I'd have to tell her about Kaden, our plan, Teddy. You know what, I'm not even going to think about that right now. And honestly, I don't think Loni really cares to ask any more questions because Jace is whisking her away toward the dance floor.

Jace spins her, pulls her against his chest, their foreheads touch, and they sway to the gentle rhythm of the music.

I want that.

I want someone to hold me, love me, look like they can't live without me. I want someone to dance with, laugh with, share everything with. I thought I wanted that with Teddy. Up until this moment, I wanted it to be with Teddy. But I just can't picture him.

It's probably from all of the activity today. I'm exhausted. He's the one I want. He is. We just still need to get to know each other better. Then I can really picture us like this. Yeah. I just need to get more time with him. And some much-needed rest.

***

I walk to the dining room with Jace and Loni. I try to slow us down by looking into the windows of the little shops on the main deck. Though, they are persistent and hungry that they drag me along. The back of my neck gets hot and I wrap my curled hair around my finger to move it away from my skin, though the rest of my body is covered in goosebumps.