Читать книгу Best Friends…To Lovers - Jules Bennett - Страница 19

Eleven

Jenna woke with a start when her pillow was jerked from beneath her head. Disoriented, she blinked against the bright sunlight streaming through her open blinds. Blinds she’d closed before bed.

Jenna turned her head to see Mac standing beside her bed, holding her beloved pillow.

“Whatever you’re smirking about, go away and give me back my pillow.”

His rich laughter flooded the room. “Get up, sunshine. Today we’re getting back to Mac and Jenna. No wedding talk, no pretend relationship, just us.”

Figuring she had no choice, and since she was already awake, Jenna sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. “What do you mean, back to us?”

He tossed her pillow behind her and took a seat on the edge of the bed, caging her legs in on either side with his hands. “I mean things have been too intense lately. We need a break from this charade and I just want to be us again.”

She couldn’t agree more. One of them was going to break if they didn’t step away from the emotional chaos that had been controlling them. But how could they just be themselves? They were on this island with a slew of wedding people, her mother and sister and Martin.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked.

“Just get dressed and meet me out front in five minutes.”

Jenna laughed as Mac jumped off the bed and headed toward the door. “I’ll need more than five minutes to throw clothes on and brush my teeth.”

He gripped the edge of the door and threw her a look over his shoulder. “Fine. Seven minutes. No more.”

Rolling her eyes, Jenna grabbed her pillow and tossed it across the room. Mac closed the door just in time.

Throwing her covers off, Jenna was out of bed in seconds flat. She got ready quicker than she would’ve liked, but with her hair up in a knot on her head, a simple tank sundress and clean teeth, this was as good as it was going to get. Who knew what Mac had planned? He was always acting on a whim, living from moment to moment.

Jenna was relieved he didn’t bring up her blatant advances from last night. Perhaps whatever outing he had planned was a way to get them to move beyond this awkward, warped version of a fake engagement. She was too confused over what was going on, between what was real and what was completely fabricated, to keep up the pretense.

The bedroom door flew open just as she slid into her silver-sequined flip-flops.

“Oh, good. You’re ready a minute early.”

Jenna eyed her extremely anxious friend. “Am I going to need a purse or my beach bag? A swimsuit? A little hint would be helpful.”

“You look fine.” He jerked his head. “Let’s go.”

With a shrug, she followed him out. She had no idea what he had planned, but she was more than ready for a break. Who knew she’d need a break from her fake boyfriend only a few days into the relationship? Perhaps she wasn’t cut out for relationships of any kind.

Last night she’d nearly botched their friendship. How would this morning be playing out had Mac given in? Had they spent the night together, would he still be planning this surprise for her? Or would he have woken with regrets?

She shoved aside the what-ifs because, in reality, Mac was giving them a new start this morning. Maybe he was doing this so she didn’t feel uncomfortable. Or maybe her throwing herself at him had meant nothing and this was just another day.

“You’re frowning.” Mac took her hand and led her down the dock. “Everything that happened before this morning has no place in your mind.”

Jenna blinked against the sun. “Just tell me what we’re doing.”

He stopped, turned and offered her a smile that had her toes curling in her flip-flops. “We’re going on a helicopter ride. We’ll be away from the resort, nobody will be around, no cell phones, no fake relationships. Just Mac and Jenna.”

“Sounds simple enough,” she replied with a smile of her own. “I’ve never been in a helicopter.”

Squeezing her hand, he headed to the end of the dock. “Then I’m happy to be your first.”

* * *

Jenna leaned over and stared down at all the loveliness below. The lush, natural beauty, the sparkling water surrounding the small island. No buildings, no people. Absolutely breathtaking.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said into her headset. “I’m not sure I want to know how you managed to get a helicopter at your disposal. Not to mention the fact I didn’t even know you could fly a helicopter.”

Mac’s rich laughter came through the earphones. “There’s plenty you still don’t know about me, Jenna. But you know the important stuff.”

The important stuff. More like what he considered important. Still, she hadn’t exactly opened up to him about her past...or the feelings that were overwhelming her now.

“Mac, look.” She pointed to the breathtaking waterfall that came into view. “It’s gorgeous.”

Mac maneuvered the helicopter down closer. Jenna nearly plastered herself to the window as she watched the aqua water spill into a small, naturally made pool. The tropical plants surrounding the area seemed to invite only those who were lucky enough to find it.

As Mac took the helicopter even lower, Jenna turned to him. “I’ve never seen anything so stunning.”

His eyes flickered to hers briefly. “I have,” he murmured as he watched the controls. His words were so soft, so low, but she’d heard them loud and clear through the headset.

“What are you doing?” she asked as he hovered over the ground.

“Landing,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Landing? Did you plan on bringing me here?”

With a shrug, he maneuvered the helicopter down on the ground and killed the engines. Finally, when he took off his own headphones, she did, too.

“Mac?”

A slow, easy smile slid over his face. “I knew this island was here. I wanted to show you, but I wasn’t sure if we could land here or not.”

Jenna squealed as she stepped from the chopper. “This is the coolest place ever.”

Smoothing down her cotton dress, she tiptoed over the bright vegetation. The colors in all the blossoms and blooms were beyond overwhelming. She’d never seen anything like this.

Spinning in a circle, arms outstretched, she attempted to soak up all the beauty, to fully absorb everything all at once.

She caught Mac’s smile as his eyes locked on to hers. “I knew you’d love this place,” he told her. “I was hoping I could get you close enough because I found out there were plants and flowers here that are nearly nonexistent anywhere else in the world.”

He knew her so well. He may buy jewels and fancy gifts for his arm candy, but Jenna knew their bond was too deep for such superficial things. When he wanted to surprise her, he went above and beyond.

“This is even better than the time you brought me a pint of Rocky Road and that terrible movie when I twisted my ankle.”

She’d joined her local gym in an attempt to get healthier, but she’d tripped over the elliptical before she could even get on the darn thing. Jenna had taken that as a sign and never gone back.

“I’d say this surprise trumps that one,” he agreed with a laugh. “Let’s explore.”

Mac held out his hand and as she placed her palm against his, she couldn’t help but smile. The day was gorgeous, Mac was fighting to keep this relationship right where it should be. This is what they were. They were smiles and good times. They were surprises and last-minute planning. Well, he was last-minute; she preferred a spreadsheet.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” she muttered as they walked toward the rushing sound of the waterfall.

“You needed a break. I wanted to take you somewhere where we could be ourselves, we didn’t have to worry about pretending or cell phones or work.”

“This is perfect.”

Jenna’s foot caught on a thick root, sending her tumbling against Mac. He caught her with his firm grip and held her tight. With her face right against his chest, she inhaled that familiar woodsy cologne and tried not to moan or close her eyes at the fact that just the smell of him turned her on. That’s not what they were here for. He may have taken his flirty advances into another territory, but then he’d backed off. He’d wised up or given up, one of the two, and pushed her away.

So, whatever chance she may have had with her best friend, it was gone, and if she wanted to salvage the greatest friendship she’d ever had, she needed to cool it.

“Okay?” he asked, tipping her chin up.

With a nod, Jenna eased away. “I’m good. Just need to watch where I step.”

He kept his hand in hers as he led her around the island. They discussed plants, flowers and he actually told her a few things she didn’t know. Apparently the mysterious Mac O’Shea had done some homework before taking her out on this little excursion.

When he bent down to pluck a bright yellow flower, she halted her steps. He slid the blossom behind her ear, shoving her hair away, smoothing it on down past her shoulders. A shiver crept over her at the slightest touch and the way he seemed to be seducing her without even trying. Was he even aware of the effect he had on her?

“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his fingertips trailing along her jawline before tapering off.

Jenna blinked and started walking ahead. Any response would only add fuel to the desire or start an argument, and at this point, they couldn’t afford either.

The sound of the rushing water seemed to echo. Jenna walked on a few more steps then froze. She was at ground level with nature’s pool, watching as the cascades fell over the edge of the cliff. The crystal water seemed so inviting, so refreshing. She’d worked up a slight sweat walking around, but she didn’t mind one bit.

Slipping free of her flip-flops, Jenna tiptoed down to the water’s edge. The coolness washed over her feet. She reached to the modest hem of her dress, and held it up as she waded in just a bit further.

Behind her, she heard Mac stepping in, as well. “This is perfect,” he stated.

Keeping her back to him, she stopped when the water reached her knees. “I could stay here forever.”

Only the sounds of a random bird chirping and the rushing of the waterfall enveloped them. Besides the beauty of their surroundings, there was nothing here that demanded their time or attention. Mac, Jenna and their own private island were all that existed in this world.

Jenna glanced over her shoulder and nearly gasped. Mac had taken his shirt off, those tanned muscles glistening in the sunshine. His board shorts were wet as he stepped in even further.

“If you want to take your dress off, there’s no one else here,” he told her.

Swallowing, Jenna kept her grip on the material bunched in her hand. “No, I’m...”

Mac stood only a few feet away, but he eased closer. “It’s just me, Jenna. Don’t be embarrassed.”

“I only have on a bra and panties.”

Mac quirked a brow. “And how is that different from a swimsuit?”

“I don’t like wearing a suit, either.”

“I know.” He took her hand and opened her fingers, releasing the material. “You’re beautifully made, no matter what you think or what you’ve been told. I’m not pressuring you, but if you want to swim in this once-in-a-lifetime place, then do it. Don’t let insecurities rob you of this moment.”

Why did he have to be so right? Why did he have to get inside her head and drive out all of the doubts? She’d justified each and every insecurity and felt she had a right to them. But when Mac talked to her, when he used that voice of reason, she listened. If she let her low self-esteem run her life, she’d miss out on some amazing things.

Turning away, she gripped the hem of her dress and slid it up over her head. Using the material as a shield, she moved closer to the shore and gave it a toss. Pulling in a deep breath, she rounded back and froze.

Mac’s intense gaze was on hers, his hand extended, inviting her to join him.

Just friends.

Every now and then that reminder crept back into her head.

But there was something very intimate about being in a remote location with your friend, wearing nothing but your underwear.

No matter what happened today, this would be a memory she’d keep forever.