Crash Into Me

Chapter Nine: Eli

I want to keep making out with Alli with every fiber of my entire being, but in typical Alli-fashion, she slips away before I can do more. I dive underneath the ocean surface, trailing behind her and grab her hand. Her long dark hair flows behind her, mimicking the waves. She's wearing a bold red string bikini that shows off her tight sexy body. I knew she would probably have a runner's body, but damn. She's flawless in every way, resembling a siren with her long fins gracefully swaying up and down behind her. I want her so bad right now.

She spins around and gravitates in the same spot with her eyes fixated on me. I glide through the crystal clear water toward her and stop in right in front of her face. She pulls off her snorkel, bubbles floating to the surface. I do the same, pulling her tightly against me. She wraps herself around me, legs folded behind my back. I passionately kiss her, forgetting about everything else. At that second I need her more than I need to breathe. Her mouth presses against mine and I'm lost in a trance. Her hands run up my back slowly, sending shivers through my body. My lungs start to beg for air, reminding me that we are underwater. Suddenly, she pushes herself off of my chest to gain momentum to the surface.

I follow her back up, feeling lightheaded from the lack of air and the spell she just put me under. I gasp for air, feeling the relief of oxygen filling me up and rushing through my lungs. She glides her hands over her soaking wet hair, slicking it back. I'm stuck there, speechless, wanting more. She grins attractively. I blink to make sure this is all real.

"Ahem," I clear my throat. "That was...uh..." All I can do is laugh nervously.

"What's wrong, Dr. Vasquez? You don't have anything to say for once?"

"Very funny," I struggle to tread water, my muscles weak from the sound of her arousing voice.

The boat comes back by to pick us up and we flop onto the deck, exhausted. We lay there, swimsuits soaked and sun beating down on our tired bodies. I feel around for her hand, find it and cling to it with my other hand shielding my eyes from the sun.

"I want you to meet my mother," I say, out of nowhere. I'm almost surprised I said it out loud.

There's a brief second of silence before Alli says, "Wait. Seriously?" She rolls over onto her side and stares at me, her hand propping her head up.

"Yes." She probably thinks I'm crazy for welcoming her to meet my mother after less than two weeks of knowing her.

"Are you sure?" she asks, her eyes wide as she looks like she's processing what I just told her.

"I've never been more sure of anything." I mean it too. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm never going to let her go. I tilt my head from under my hand and stare at her. Her face is luminous, little freckles kissing her nose.

"I would love that," she beams, but then her beam is replaced by a look of worry as she picks herself up and sits cross legged. She looks down at her feet, looking like she has something to say.

"What's wrong?" I prod her, picking myself up onto my elbow.

"There's something I've been wanting to ask you but I've been too scared," she looks up at me, squinting from the sun. I sit up and cross my legs to match her sitting position. I wonder what could possibly be so terrible that she would be afraid to ask.

"Ask away," I smile, trying to reassure her that it's okay.

"It's none of my business," she shakes her head.

"Alli, you can ask me anything. You never have to be afraid."

She nods her head slowly before taking a breath and asking, "Who is Jannine?" She looks me straight in the eyes.

My stomach drops and my face flushes uncontrollably. I'm taken aback. I was not expecting that at all. I furrow my eyebrows, unsure how to respond. "How do you know about Jannine?"

She looks down at her feet again and fiddles with her fingers. "I saw her name on your phone the night we met. I wasn't trying to be nosy or anything. Her name just popped up on your screen and I couldn't help but notice you seemed pretty upset to hear from her. I just thought she might be someone that was, or is, important to you?" Her brown doe eyes look up at me, killing me inside. I can't possibly be mad at her for asking. I encouraged her to ask in the first place.

"She's my ex," I say, flatly. Alli stays quiet, waiting for me to continue. "We dated for two years."

"Two years," she raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"Yeah," I nod, not wanting to say anything more.

"And then?"

"And then what?"

"And then what happened?" she presses me.

I grow quiet and feel her waiting for me to respond. "She cheated on me," I say finally.

"She cheated on you?" A look of surprise wafts over her face.

"Yep." I fiddle with a small seashell that found its way onto the deck.

"Why?" She looks dumbfounded and hurt for me at the same time.

"Why does anyone cheat? Boredom, neglect, infatuation? Does it really matter? She cheated, so I walked away." I throw the seashell overhand into the ocean, watching the waves and glistening water.

Alli sits there quiet for a bit, looking off into the distance with me. The boat sways about as we drift through the ocean. I'm not sure what's she's thinking until she turns toward me and takes my hands into hers and tilts my chin up to look at her. "I would never cheat on you, Eli. There's never an excuse for being unfaithful. You deserve so much better than that. If she couldn't see that, then she never even deserved you in the first place." I can see the sympathy and sincerity in her sparkling eyes.

I shake my head in awe. "You are truly remarkable Allison Smith."

She lights up, flashing her pearly white teeth. "Oh come on, you're a doctor." She pushes my arm playfully. "If anyone's remarkable, it's you. I just worked at some bookstore. I never even went to college."

"Social standing has nothing to do with being a more notable or deserving person. I know plenty of quote unquote successful people who aren't even half the person you are," I say, reaching out to touch her thigh. I see goosebumps appear across her skin. She looks down at my hand on her and bites her lower lip.

"Why did you get two beds?"

"What?" I laugh, surprised by her random question.

"At the hotel. There's two beds." She looks authentically concerned.

"I didn't want you to think I expected you to sleep in the same bed as me. I thought it was the gentlemanly thing to do."

"So it's not because you don't want me to share a bed with you?" She still looks worried.

"Are you kidding me? Allison, I want that more than anything. I want you more than anything," I say, squeezing her thigh.

She looks relieved and smiles sheepishly, her cheeks blushing. "Oh. Well good. Because I want that too." This woman drives me crazy. I have to kiss her again. I don't care who sees; as far as I'm concerned we're the only people on this boat. I grab the back of her head and pull her into my embrace, my hand tangled in her wet hair. I never want this moment to end.