Head Over Leather #Wattys2017

XXXVI. Paradise Lost

"God I could get used to this." I sigh happily, as I sink deeper into the lounge chair, soaking in the sun and relish in the fact that I get to spend some time with my favorite people. Seeing as we were all exhausted from the trip itself, it was decided that a regenerating second day at the beach was much needed. And boy, am I enjoying it.

Ethan is settled down on the sand beside me, hair dripping wet and it's hard to focus on relaxing when he's making me feel all sorts of ways with his glistening exposed torso.

"Don't get too comfortable, Sawyer. You gotta get in the water sometime." Ethan taunts, his pruned fingers reaching to pinch my thigh as I push up my sunglasses to glare at him. He flashes me a boyish grin and I find myself shaking my head in fondness. There's no one who could push my buttons more while at the same time making me feel like my heart is exploding into thousands of butterflies. When did I get so sappy? And not to mention, cliche?

"You'll have to catch me first." Before Ethan has a chance to even register what I said, I'm up and running away from where our group is settled, feeling the soft, warm sand between my toes. It doesn't take long for Ethan to follow behind me, arms reaching out in attempt to grab me. Laughing, I swerve out of his reach and continue towards the mass of clear blue water.

"Oh Sawyer, did you really think it'd be that easy?" Ethan's already caught up to me and just as I move to outrun him again, he slides an arm around my waist, effortlessly lifting me up to his side. From my angle, I can make out a satisfied smile playing on his lips like he's just won take lottery. Despite my protests, he continues towards the water, all the while holding me as if I'm something so delicate that he's afraid to let go in fear that I'll break.

"Hold your breath." Before I can muster up a scream, Ethan plunges into the water and I feel myself engulfed by the cold, salty sea of Miami. It's such a refreshing contrast to the baking sun above that I almost forget that I have to resurface.

"God, you're an ass!" I gasp for air once I've poked my head up from underwater. Ethan bursts into a fit of laughter, hand reaching up and running through his hair to unstick it from his forehead. Taking this moment to admire him, I notice how he easily burns, with pink undertones across his cheeks and shoulders. The freckles across his nose also seem more prominent than usual and unable to help myself, I reach my fingers out to trace them. He stills for a moment, but recovers just as quickly, hands moving along my exposed stomach to snake around my waist and pull me towards him. I wrap my legs around his hips to hold myself up and it's like everything around us fades away because for all I care, it's just me and him.

"There's a lot we have to talk about." Ethan mutters so softly, I almost miss what he's saying. Maybe I'm just naive. Did I really think we could just enjoy this holiday, acting like a real couple without the complications? Instead of responding, I lean in and hesitantly brush my lips against his. He makes no move to push me away or continue elaborating on the sentiment that we need to talk, so I kiss him once again. His lips begin to move against mine, fingers digging into my hips as he holds me steady and it's like a breath of fresh air every time we kiss.

"Sawyer." I let out a soft groan as he interrupts our kiss to which he responds with a soft chuckle as if he enjoys torturing me like this.

"Yeah, I know. We need to talk. Probably should've done that before having sex but we've never been ones to do things the traditional way, right?" I joke, moving my hand to tuck a damp strand of hair behind my ear. Ethan chuckles again and shakes his head, before tilting it to press a chaste kiss on my shoulder blade.

"I guess talking can wait then." He mumbles against my skin, trailing kisses up my jaw before meeting my lips again and this time there no interruptions.

~~

"What's for dinner? I'm starving." Mia whines, dumping her beach bag down on the ground once we've made it back to the house before sitting down on the arm rest of the couch. Ryder watches her in amusement, a hint of a smile playing on his lips before realization of just how adoring he actually looks dawns on him. They're still acting off and it pains me to watch Mia throw away what they have in fear that he'll hurt her like before.

Just as Riley is about to spark a discussion about what's on the menu tonight, the sound of heels clacking against the stairs echoes through the house. All our heads snap up at the figure emerging down the stairs and it's like we all simultaneously draw in a breath, holding it in anticipation.

"Well Daddy really pulled out all the stops didn't he?" Rachel scoffs, manicured fingers tapping against the banister. She doesn't bother waiting for any of us to recover from our surprise and instead fixes her gaze on Ethan. My eyebrows furrow in confusion and I turn in the same direction to find Ethan trying to look anywhere but her.

"Alright, Ethan." Rachel hisses his name like it's poison on her tongue and walks down the remainder of the steps, the sound of her heels piercing the awkward silence. "Seeing as you've been ignoring my calls and texts, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Would you like to tell them or should I?"

Ethan stares at her for what seems to be an eternity. "I don't know what you're talking about, Rachel." He says her name through gritted teeth and with each word that's exchanged between them, the anxiety I'm feeling in my chest builds. My eyes flit between the two as I will myself not to assume the worst but that hope is shattered once Rachel folds her arms over her chest and declares:

"I'm pregnant."