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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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The Honeymoon Arrangement

Summary: “But how are we going to pretend to be married when we don’t even have rings?”

I raise a finger at my best friend. “About that…” Going over to his jacket, I dig out the black box I found in there earlier, opening it up. As painful as it is, I slip on the wedding ring Neal bought for me, stopping halfway when sadness courses through me, my eyes welling with tears. I manage to get the ring all the way on, my stomach plummeting. It occurs to me that if the wedding hadn’t been interrupted, I’d be married right now, the reception would’ve started and I’d be Mrs. Emma Cassidy.

But that’s not my reality. Not anymore.

This is my reality—sliding on a ring that no longer belongs to me so I can go on a honeymoon without a man I didn’t end up marrying. Instead of dwelling on those facts and breaking down in tears, I take a deep breath and rein in my emotions, pushing down the repulsion I feel from wearing a ring that was once beautiful but is now tainted with Neal’s betrayal. I return to Killian and get down on one knee, extending the platinum band with a satin finish that was originally intended for Neal.

“Killian Arthur Jones, will you be my fake husband?”

Rated: Explicit

Catch up: Ch 1 I Ch 2 I Ch 3 I Ch 4 I Ch 5 I Ch 6

Chapter 7

I never should’ve made out with her.

I got caught up in the moment.

The second she put her hand on my thigh and told me to kiss her, all my common sense flew out the window.

I knew we were only locking lips to show up that woman, but I couldn’t think about anything while her tongue was on mine, while I could feel her softness, taste her sweetness. All thoughts had evaporated into nothing, and all I could think about was how much I loved kissing her. I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to pull her onto my lap and hold her in my arms as we let the kiss take us away to another dimension. But it had to end, it ended far too quickly for my liking, and then I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted to kiss her again.

I could barely register what the other woman said to me, or that she’d even spoken at all, and I could barely follow the loaded exchange between them. I know Emma was only trying to teach the woman a lesson, and even though she and I aren’t actually married, it was a matter of principle. That’s all Emma was trying to accomplish. She wasn’t trying to cross the line between us that should never be crossed, though that line is often blurred.

So I had to force myself to keep my distance and not invade her personal space. Because if I did, I’d be tempted to finish what we had started on the patio. I know it confused her and maybe upset her, but it was better than making a move that was unwanted and causing her to hate me for it.

I’ve been lying here, wide awake and staring at the ceiling for who knows how many hours. There’s no way I can sleep after that damn kiss. It completely blew my mind and flipped my world upside down. I can’t stop thinking about how sweet she tasted and how soft her mouth was, how insistent her tongue was as it mingled with mine.

I grab my phone to check the time.

Damn, it’s one a.m.

I need to talk to my brother. It’s seven a.m. in Storybrooke and I’m pretty sure he’s already up by now, drinking his morning cup of joe, so I get out of bed and walk out to the lanai, sliding the door shut to call him. I’m not sure exactly what I’ll tell him, all I know is I need to talk to someone, and he’s one of the few people beside Emma I can confide in.

“You’re up pretty early. I figured you’d be sleeping in since you’re on vacation.”

I was right—judging by the cheerful ring in this tone and how human he sounds, he already had a cup of coffee. “It’s one in the morning here.”

“Oh right, I forgot about the time difference. How’s Hawaii?”

“It’s incredible. The weather is perfect, and the suite we’re staying in is huge and has two of everything except for the bed.” I groan as if it’s a complaint.

While the idea of sleeping in the same bed with Emma is nothing short of a dream, it was a nightmare waking up next to her with a raging hard-on pressed against her thigh. Being so close to her, smelling her, seeing how adorable she was when she first woke up in the morning. It was hard to not want to take our friendship to an entirely different level. It was very, very hard.

“So how come you’re calling so late? You don’t even sound drunk.”

I slowly pace the length of the balcony, enjoying the soft breeze sweeping around me. “No reason in particular. I just…” Dragging a hand through my hair, I almost tell him I can’t sleep, but then he’ll know something’s up. “I just wanted to see how things are going.”

“Good. Really, really good actually.”

I arch a brow when I hear the smile in his voice. “Oh yeah? You really enjoy not having me around to pick on every second of the day that much, huh?”

“Oh no, I do miss picking on you at the station and embarrassing the hell out of you in front of the guys, don’t get that twisted.”

“Then why do you sound so happy?”

“Because I started seeing someone.”

I’m taken aback. “Really? Who?”

“I’ll tell you but you have to promise not to say anything to Emma, okay?”

Okay, now I’m intrigued. The fact he wants me to keep a secret from Emma tells me he’s seeing someone she knows. But he should know by now not to trust me to keep something from her. “I promise.”

“I’m seeing Elsa.”

“Really? How did that happen?” He’s always been shy around Emma’s cousins, and I’ve never once seen him having a one-on-one conversation with Elsa. The only time he has ever spoken to her that I know of is when we were all hanging out as a group.

“Well, we started chatting outside the church as we were escorting people out after the wedding fiasco. We were worried about Emma and were discussing how much of an asshat Neal is. Elsa and I found it odd that we’ve known each other for a long time yet had only spoken three words to each other. We ultimately came to the conclusion we should talk more, and that’s how I ended up getting her number. I called her the next day to ask her out, and we talked for hours. Next thing I knew, I was dropping her off at her apartment and we were having our first kiss.”

“Wow, that’s great. I’m happy for you. Elsa is a nice girl.”

“She really is.” I can tell by the pleasant tone in his voice, he’s grinning like an idiot.

“So, is the station surviving without me?”

“Aye, it’s been quiet. The guys and I started a betting pool.”

“Oh yeah? What did you bet on?” I regret the question as soon as it leaves my mouth.

“On how long it will take for you and Emma to sleep together.”

I stop dead in my tracks, my mouth hanging open. “What?” Anger pulses through me and I grip the phone tightly in my hand. “Why would you guys bet on that?”

“Why not? You’re both single now, on a fake honeymoon and sharing a suite. I would think it’d be hard for you two to not sleep together.”

I grit my teeth, not appreciating the fact my friendship with Emma or what we do together is any of their business. “So how long did you say?”

“Why, so you can purposely make sure I lose the bet? Unless you already did?” I can hear the smirk in his tone.

“Liam, we’re not sleeping together. We’re just friends. We’ve always been friends.”

“You said it yourself, there’s only one bed, so either you’ve been sleeping with Emma or you’ve been sleeping on the couch.”

“I’ve been sleeping in the bed with her, yes, but we’re not sleeping together.”

“How do you do that?”

“How do I not have sex with my friend? Come on, Liam. I have some self-control for Christ sake.”

“I’m just saying it sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. I mean, you’re in Hawaii, staying in a honeymoon suite, all the expenses are paid for and you’re sharing a bed with a beautiful woman you’ve known all your life who’s not a relative.”

“Yeah, it seems perfect but trust me, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows.”

“How come?”

Stepping up to the edge of the balcony I grab the rail and grip hard, hanging my head as I close my eyes. “Because I think I’m in love with her,” I blurt out, an instant wave of relief rushing over me from getting that off my chest.

“I could have told you that.” He doesn’t even sound surprised.

“Liam, I’m serious. I didn’t even realize it until recently.”

“I know, otherwise you wouldn’t have let her almost marry that douchebag.”

“Let her marry him? It was her decision to marry Neal…before he ended up betraying her, that is. I wanted her to be happy. I thought she was happy. Then the other night, I found out she used to have a crush on me in high school. But she doesn’t even remember any of the conversation because she was drunk when she told me.”

“Wait, you didn’t know she had a crush on you in high school?”

“And you did?”

“The better question is how did you not see it? It was so obvious. She was always looking at you with moon eyes and hanging on every word you said. Every time you suggested something to do together, she was always on board.”

“Because she was my friend, and that’s the kind of person she is. She listens when people talk to her. She’s always been that way. And we share a lot of the same interests.”

“But she shared her popcorn with you and she never let me have even one kernel.”

“Yeah, because you teased her all the time.”

“Because I knew she had a crush on you. You seriously never knew?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I was waiting for the day you two would get together, so it shocked the hell out of me when she moved to New York and you just let her go. And when you told me she was getting married to someone who wasn’t you, I was so sure you’d try to talk her out of it or pull a Tamara. I just always thought you two would be the ones tying the knot.”

“How have you never said anything about this to me before?”

“I did. I teased you all the time about it.”

“Yeah, but I thought you were just dicking around. Why do you think I got mad at you all the time?”

“Because I figured you were too afraid to admit it. I didn’t know you were oblivious to it all.”

“Yeah, well I was an idiot. I had no idea she liked me in high school or that I hurt her when I started dating Tina.” If I had known, it might have changed things. I might’ve found myself wanting to see where things went. I might’ve broken up with Tina much sooner. Or maybe I would’ve been too scared to change things between me and Emma. Maybe I wouldn’t have wanted to take the risk. And maybe that would’ve put a wrinkle in our friendship. Or maybe it would’ve broken us apart. “But now that I know I’m in love with her, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if she feels the way she once did.”

“If she does feel something about you, she’s not going to tell you, or she’s going to deny it because she’s afraid of getting hurt again. You need to tell her how you feel before some other guy sweeps her off her feet.”

“I know.”

“I’m serious, Killian. Tell her before you lose her.”

My heart folds into itself at the thought of losing her. That’s the last thing I want. And I know my brother’s right. I need to tell her, and I need to do it soon.

After I wish my brother a good morning and he wishes me a good night, we end the call, and I head back inside, sliding the door shut behind me. My heart pounds when I see Emma in bed, her back facing me. I go around to the other side, wanting so badly to tell her how I feel, but she’s sleeping so soundly and peacefully, breathing softly, I don’t have the heart to wake her. So I grab a pillow and head out of the room to sleep on the couch, promising myself to tell her tomorrow.

~*~

“Killian!” I’m shaken awake, Emma’s frantic voice ringing in my ear.

Panic fleets through me as I quickly sit up, rubbing the sleepiness from my eyes.

“We overslept!”

I look around, trying to remember what we overslept for and where we’re supposed to be.

She hands me my phone and spins around, her gorgeous ass moving quickly into the hallway.

Fuck.

She’s wearing a different bikini from the one she was wearing last night. This one is a skimpy, red string-bikini that is a bit more revealing, showing off even more of her decadent skin. I can see the G-string bottoms underneath her sheer sarong, which is embroidered with red butterflies and a floral design. She returns with our key cards and hands them to me since she obviously doesn’t have any pockets. “We can still make it if we hurry.”

I take them and blink, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light so I can look at my phone and see what time it is. “It’s 7:30, love.”

“Yeah and we’re supposed to check in at the marina at 8:00.” She hurries out of the room again.

“Shit.” I forgot we booked the jet ski and parasailing combo for this morning. Jumping up from the couch, I race to the bedroom to get the swim trunks she got me.

Emma grabs a bag, and we shove sunblock and our beach towels inside before making a beeline out the door. We have a quick breakfast in one of the restaurants downstairs and grab our coffees to-go before meeting the van that will take us to a private marina.

I drink my coffee as fast as I can, trying to wake up. After my conversation with Liam, I was finally able to fall asleep about an hour later.

“How come you were sleeping on the couch?” Emma asks curiously, nursing her coffee just as desperately as I am.

“I couldn’t sleep so I called Liam and we chatted for a while out on the balcony. Then I went to the living room to watch T.V. Finally fell asleep after a while.”

“How’s he doing?”

“Sounds like he’s doing pretty well. I’m not supposed to say anything since Elsa wanted to tell you herself but they started dating.”

Emma’s mouth falls open as she perks up and springs forward to the edge of her seat. “They did? When?”

“Just after the would-be wedding.”

“Aw, why didn’t she say anything when I talked to her the other day?”

I shrug. “Not sure.”

Emma shakes her head as she sinks back into her seat. “They are so perfect for each other. I knew they’d get together eventually. I could definitely see the sparks between them at the engagement dinner. I’m just surprised it took them this long.”

I nod in agreement. Though I know it’s because they’re both very shy and reserved. “Aye, love, me too.”

“Sorry for waking you up so abruptly and yelling in your ear. I was afraid we were going to miss our ride.”

I offer a small smile. “It’s okay, I’m glad you did.”

“You’re not going to chicken out on me when it’s time to parasail, are you? I know you’re afraid of heights.”

“No, of course I won’t,” I say unconvincingly. My stomach is full of butterflies but not at the prospect of the cable breaking while Emma and I are in the air, or possibly running into a shark while we’re jet skiing. I still plan on telling Emma how I feel about her but seeing as we’re in a van full of strangers on our way to partake in watersport activities, it doesn’t seem like the adequate time or place.

The van pulls up in front of Seabreeze Water Sports, and we head inside a small shop that is drowning in an absurd amount of blue and check in at the front desk. We’re given a lanyard with a media card and a different colored wristband for each activity we’re participating in and head out through the back to the dock. We lather each other up in sunblock while we wait for the shuttle that will take us to the activity platform.

“You alright?” Emma looks over at me in concern when I rub the back of my neck for the third time this morning.

“Aye, just have a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch.”

She tucks the bottle of sunblock into the bag and comes up behind me, massaging my nape with soft, gentle fingers.

I tip my head back, melting into her touch. “I should’ve pulled out the bed while I was watching TV just in case I fell asleep.”

“You could’ve watched TV in our room, you know?”

There’s something about the way she calls it our room that sends a shudder down my spine, making it sound like it’s just as much mine as it is hers. Even though her parents paid for the suite and even though it was intended for Emma and Neal and not at all intended for me. I’ve only slept in it once and doubt I’m worthy enough for it to be considered mine but I do like the way our room sounds from Emma’s gorgeous lips. Though I like the way anything sounds from her lips.

“You were out like a light, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Come on, you know I can sleep through a thunderstorm.”

“I know.”

“That is a gorgeous rock you’ve got there,” the woman behind us compliments.

Emma and I turn around to face her. She’s older than us, probably twice our age and is with a man, who’s standing beside her with his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Emma stretches out the fingers of her left hand, the diamond shimmering in the sunlight. “Thank you.” The wedding set is very flashy and not at all Emma’s taste, and I can’t even imagine how hard it was for her to put it back on after what the man who gave it to her did. But she did it for this trip. She did it to come here with me.

The other woman shakes her head. “Mm mm mm, you must really love this woman to give her a ring like that.”

My cheeks heat as I flash Emma a grin and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close so I can plant a kiss on her temple. “I do. Very much.”

It’s funny because I can admit it to a couple of strangers but I can’t say it to her. Not without her thinking I’m lying through my teeth. I actually do love her, but I’d never have to get her a big, expensive rock to prove it. Because diamonds don’t equate to love—Neal definitely didn’t love her very much, if it all, and he’s the one who bought if for he. But I don’t tell this lady that.

Resting Emma’s hand on my stomach, she beams up at me and surprises the hell out of me when she kisses my lips. My heart skips a beat.

“How long have you two been married?”

“Three days,” Emma answers without batting a long, dark eyelash. “We’re actually on our honeymoon.” She leans so closely against me, she’s straddling my leg as her other arm winds around my back, her hand curling around my hip.

My entire body is on fire, and it has nothing to do with the bright sun beaming down on us.

The woman gently swats her husband on the chest. “Oh, Tom, don’t you remember when we were that young?”

The husband smiles nostalgically as he gazes at his wife. “I remember it like it were yesterday.”

The wife beams at him before returning her eyes to us. “We were around your age when we came here for our honeymoon.”

“Oh, really?”

I’m doing my best to follow their conversation but it’s hard to think of anything else when my stomach is doing flips underneath her warm palm.

“Sure. It was thirty years ago to this day. So we decided to come back for our anniversary.”

Emma’s eyes light up. “It’s your anniversary? Congratulations!”

“Thank you, honey. We are so blessed to have found each other. I just hope you have a long and prosperous marriage like we did. Marriage has its ups and downs of course, Lord knows we’ve had our downs, but mostly ups. We keep each other young, can’t you tell?” she asks with a wink.

Emma laughs playfully. “Yes, very much so. You both look very young and happy.”

She’s not lying. The couple looks genuinely happy and I’m sure they have aged much more gracefully than they would have if they were unhappy and stuck in a loveless marriage. My gut twists, knowing Emma and I are not being genuine with them. Yes, our friendship has lasted for twenty-four years and is very genuine, but it’s not the same as promising yourself to one person for the rest of your life. Though that doesn’t always mean a whole lot to some people.

Who knows if I’ll even get married at all. If I did, I’d want my wife to be like Emma. But that’s not possible because there is no one like her, and I’d just compare anyone I’m with to her. Even though there is no comparison. It’d be like trying to fit a rectangle into a circle.

When the boat arrives, Emma and I board, sitting on a bench together. I feel much more awake and relaxed as the wind blows in our hair and the water sprays on our faces. I take a moment to look over at Emma, who is pulling up her long golden hair into a ponytail. She’s all tanned skin and long legs and so undeniably beautiful, but it seems to me she’d be cold in just her bikini. The air is warm and the sun is blazing in the clear blue sky, but the boat is shaded by a canopy and the ocean breeze is a bit chilly.

Sure enough, Emma’s arms are covered in goosebumps. I know it would be ungentlemanly-like to sit by and let her shiver, so I rub my hands up and down her arms. She immediately melts into me, appreciating the warmth. Her skin is cold against mine, but I don’t even care. I just want her to feel comfortable.

I lean in to whisper in her ear. “You look beautiful, Emma.”

A blush as red as her bikini top paints her cheeks as she looks over at me. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, love.” The words come out broken and much huskier than I intended, and her face is so close to mine, I can feel her breath on my skin. I pull back a little so I can think straight. “I figured as your fake husband, I’m allowed to give you compliments.”

“You’re allowed to give me compliments as my friend too.” Her eyes scroll over my body, a soft smirk pulling at the corner of her lips, making my cheeks heat. “You don’t look so bad in the trunks I got you.”

I arch my brow. “You like them better than the ones I had for ten years?”

Emma nods wholeheartedly and laughs. “Definitely.” She rests her head on my shoulder and snuggles close. I can’t help but wish I could hold her like this forever. And I want so badly to tell her how I feel. My stomach is full of knots at the thought.

The shuttle is only an eight-minute ride and takes us to a floating activities island where staff members in black H2O shirts are chatting among themselves while they wait for us.

Emma lifts her head, and I release her, grabbing our bag. We rise, and the group exits the shuttle and steps onto the platform, which has a canopy and seating where we can wait out of the hot sun. There’s a launch pad which is partially sunken in the water, jet skis floating in front of the platform.

“No freaking way…” Emma’s murmured words have me eyeing her with an arched brow.

“What is it, love?” I can’t fathom what she’s fascinated by, as I’m fairly certain she’s seen a jet ski before.

I follow her gaze only to realize she’s not looking at some thing , rather some one .

“Graham Humbert?”

The name has one of them—a man with brown, curly hair—turning their head toward Emma, recognition lighting up in his eyes. His jaw falls open in shock. “Emma?!” The man answers in a thick, Irish brogue, a big grin spreading over his lips.

“Oh my God…” Emma rushes toward him, and they embrace each other with a big hug, smiling and laughing.

“Wow, what a small world!”

Jealousy hits me like a ton of bricks.

My stomach twists inside out, and my heart stops.

I have a feeling this is exactly how Emma felt when she saw me with Tina.

When they break apart, he takes her biceps in his hands and scans her over, not believing his eyes. “Wow, you look…” The words catch in his throat as though he’s refraining from saying something inappropriate, his eyes meeting hers again. “It’s so amazing to see you!” He grins big and wide, showing a perfect set of teeth that sparkle like a Twilight vampire in the sunlight.

“You, too. I didn’t know you lived in Hawaii.”

“Yeah, for a couple years now.”

Emma turns to look at me, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward them. “Graham, this is Killian.”

The man gives me a double take then looks at Emma while pointing at me. “Wait, this is the Killian?”

Emma nods proudly and grins. “Yes, sir.”

“Holy cow...” He gapes at me wide-eyed and open mouthed like I’m a celebrity, and I don’t know exactly how to feel about that. Emma would never talk badly about me, so I know she must’ve said good things. Especially since the guy opens his arms, pulling me into a hug and clapping me on the back. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“You, too.” Even though I have no idea who you are.

“Killian, this is my friend, Graham. We used to work at a hospice center in New York.”

I think back to the various chats Emma and I have had when she lived in New York. Actually, she still lives in New York, but I try not to think about that right now. I hated living so far away from her, only communicating via phone and computer. But I do recall her mentioning a friend named Graham. She always had positive things to say about him.

“Right, I remember Emma mentioning you.”

I remember her telling me they hung out a couple times after work. She said they only went for drinks to unwind from a long, emotionally and physically grueling day, but still, I can tell by the way he was just checking her out, he’s definitely attracted to her. Not that I blame him.

He glances between us. “So what brings you two here? Vacation?”

Emma looks over at me and then back to Graham. “The short answer is yes. The long answer is a bit more complicated.”

“That’s okay. How long are you staying?”

“Seven more days.”

Well, why don’t we meet up for dinner tonight and you can tell me all about it.” His eyes dart to mine. “Killian, you’re invited, too. I have to know more about the man who grew up with this incredible woman, ya know?”

Emma blushes and smiles.

I force a smile of my own, grimacing at the idea of having dinner with him. I don’t like the idea of Emma having dinner with him at all, and I sure as hell don’t want to be there to witness it. I also don’t want to give him the chance to be alone with her or make a move on her. “That sounds great.” She may know him and trust him but I sure as hell don’t.

“Alright, well, you’re both jet skiing today?”

Emma nods and holds up her wrist, showing the two colored bands. “And then we’re parasailing.”

“Awesome. Do you still have my number?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“If not, I have yours.”

Of course he does.

Graham leaves us for the time being, and soon, the coordinator divides the group into smaller ones, and of course Graham is the guide for our group.

Just fucking perfect.

Emma removes her sarong, stuffing it into our bag, and we’re given some safety instructions and lifejackets and rent a pair of goggles to keep the water out of our eyes. We’re not allowed to use cameras unless they’re hands-free because if it falls, the device could be toxic to marine life. They do, however, attach a go-pro to their equipment, which we’ll insert our media cards into to capture video and photos of the experience we can purchase afterward.

Graham pulls a jet ski onto the launch pad which is sunken enough for him to wade in the water above it as our group gathers around. “Aloha and welcome! My name is Graham and I’ll be your guide today. I’m going to give you the rundown of how to ride these babies before you take off. Everyone ready?!”

The group cheers, everyone much more enthusiastic than me.

“Would anyone like to be my volunteer for the demonstration?”

Emma’s hand shoots up before anyone else gets the chance.

Graham grins of course. He no doubt had a hand in getting us in his group. “Come on down!” he says like he’s Bob Barker when he hosted the Price is Right.

She eagerly steps up to the back of the jet ski, and Graham extends his hand to her, helping her climb onto the watercraft from behind. He places his hand on the side rail, and I can’t help but notice his fingers are dangerously close to her ankle when she places her feet into the footwells on either side. I also can’t help but notice how close his hand is to her chest when he grabs the lanyard attached to the key and shows us where to clip it to the life vest, or how he keeps his arm between her legs as he holds onto the lanyard.

I shoot daggers at him, my hand curling into a fist on its own accord, itching to punch this arsehole in the face. The worst part about it is he doesn’t seem like an arsehole. He’s charismatic and charming and exudes positive energy, and he’s got this ridiculously infectious smile. He seems genuine. Which makes me want to punch him even more.

“This is in case you fall off the jet ski.” He presses a button near the handlebar that turns on the engine. When he removes the key, the engine shuts down. “This turns off the engine automatically.” After replacing the key, he shows us where the stop and start buttons are, how to accelerate and how to maneuver the jet ski.

We booked one jet ski for two people, so after the instruction is over, I join Emma, straddling the watercraft behind her, noting the lack of things to hold onto.

“The back is the easiest to fall off of so make sure you hang on tight to Emma,” Graham tells me.

My cheeks heat as I wrap my arms tentatively around her waist. As much as I like the idea of having to hold onto Emma, I’d rather just fall off the watercraft than risk hurting her by gripping too firmly.

“Have fun you two, okay?” Graham places a hand on Emma’s leg and grins. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Since my foot is not far from his face, I’m very tempted to kick him, my blood boiling. If Emma tensed up in my hold or seemed in any way uncomfortable by his touch, I wouldn’t hesitate, even if it meant getting kicked off the jet ski. But she doesn’t even flinch, and I don’t know if I should feel relieved or devastated. Or both.

Emma grips the handlebars. “Ready?” A gleeful ring of excitement laces her words.

“Aye.” I’m ready to get away from this arsehole.

The engine roars to life, and I tighten my grip as Emma takes off at full speed, the water splashing around us as she zips around the ocean. Wrapping my arms tightly around her waist is all I can do to not topple off the back. She follows the course which is marked by buoys while making sure to stay at least a hundred feet from other jet skis.

Sprays of water hit us in the face, and I’m so glad we got these goggles. I peer over to see Emma beaming like never before as squeals of delight leave her lips.

Her laughter ripples through my hands which are positioned on her waist as she raises a hand in the air, having the time of her life. Her joy is infectious and I find myself laughing, shouting and raising a hand in the air as well.

We switch about halfway, pulling over and trading spots. As soon as Emma wraps her arms around me, I can barely concentrate. Not long after we leave the platform, I make too sharp of a turn, and we end up falling off the jet ski, Emma going first and taking me with her. The lanyard attached to my vest pulls out the key, causing the engine to cut off, just as Graham said it would. What he failed to mention, however, is the fact that plunging into the water would cause my goggles to fall off and get lost in the ocean. Though I should’ve seen that coming.

I notice Emma lost hers as well. “You alright, love?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She laughs. “That took like, what, five seconds?”

I scowl playfully and splash water at her. “Yes, laugh it up. I’ll just leave you here.” I push myself up and climb aboard the jet ski, extending my hand to her.

When we’re off again, I’m cursing myself for causing us to fall and lose our goggles because the saltwater is stinging my eyes. But when Emma uses me as a shield, burying her face in my neck, it’s not so bad.

When we return to the platform, Graham is quick to come over and help Emma off the vessel.

“I see you both lost your goggles?”

“Thanks to Captain Hook over here,” Emma teases, pointing a thumb at me. “He took too sharp of a turn and we went flying.”

Graham claps me on the shoulder, making me wince. “It’s alright. It happens all the time. Not everyone can be a natural like you, Emma.” He gives her a wink.

Emma blushes.

Now I really wanna punch this wanker in the face.

“Other than falling off, how was it?”

“It was fun. I wish we could go again,” Ema says.

He chuckles. “Well, I should take you on my jet ski before you head back home.”

Her eyes light up, and she doesn’t look opposed to the idea. “I should’ve known you’d have your own jet ski.”

“Of course. Anytime you wanna ride while you’re in Hawaii, let me know and I’ll hook you up.”

Yeah, I bet you will.

That familiar pang of jealousy courses through me again, and we can’t get on the speed boat that takes us parasailing fast enough.

~*~

I’d convinced myself I could do this without being completely terrified, but once we’re strapped in and sitting on the rear of the boat, it starts to feel real. As the boat jets off, my heart pounds furiously in my chest.

The instant we’re lifted from the boat and carried out into the endless blue sky, by the parasail, Emma squeals and squeezes her eyes shut, reaching for my hand. When I take hers in mine, she eagerly threads our fingers together and squeezes so tightly, I think she’ll break my fingers.

She was the one making fun of me earlier, so seeing her freak out has me chuckling. She pries her eyes open and glares at me.

“Who’s afraid of heights, now?”

She scoffs. “Shut up.”

Slowly she opens her eyes all the way just in time to see the boat shrink below our free-hanging feet. Soon all we can see around us is various shades of blue, illuminated by the shimmering sun. Her eyes widen as she takes it all in. It’s incredible and not as terrifying as I thought it would be, but my heart is still lodged in my throat. I can’t stop smiling though.

“Oh, wow…” she wheezes. “Look down there!”

My eyes follow where she’s pointing to see some dolphins jumping out of the ocean. It is quite a unique sight for us, as the only time either of us have ever seen a dolphin was at SeaWorld when we were kids. We’re both fascinated by the sights below, seeing it all unfold from a different angle. Sailboats and windsurfers litter the water, wave after wave crashing below.

Peering up at the cable connecting us to the boat, my eyes trace the length of it all the way to the bottom, my stomach plummeting when I realize how far away the boat was.

We’re truly out in the open sky.

I cast a quick glance across to Emma, and the obvious excitement on her face makes my heart completely melt inside my rib cage.

I wonder whether she has thought about Neal at all today, and if I had to guess, I’d say she has completely forgotten about him. However, I also wish she would forget about a particular Irish lad as well.

“I’m gonna remember this for the rest of my life, Killian,” she murmurs so softly I can barely make the words out. “Thank you for agreeing to this.”

Returning her grin, I gently squeeze her hand. “Of course, love.” Despite the fact we have a spectacular view from up here, silence envelops us as we simply stare at one another. But I could stare at her for a lifetime if she’d let me.

Emma’s knees wobble when we step off the boat, and I catch her, keeping her steady. My knees are feeling wobbly too, but for different reasons entirely, adrenaline pumping through my veins, my heart hammering. I wonder if she’s feeling it, too.

“You okay over there?” Her question rips me from my thoughts. “You still look nervous.”

I shake my head. “No, no, I’m good.” But I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince of this—her or myself. I take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself.

~*~

Emma is against the idea at first, but she eventually caves and lets me purchase the photo of her with a terrified look on her face and me with a pained expression since she had a death grip on my hand when we were parasailing. She only agreed to letting me have that one if I agreed to letting her get the shot right before we flew off the jet ski, the one with the oh, shit, we’re going down look on my face. I also got one with her driving. She was laughing, pure joy written all over her face, and I couldn’t resist.

Once the van brings us back to the resort, we head to the beach to cool off in the ocean since we’ve been in the water and above it but haven’t really had the chance to swim. The water is refreshing against our hot skin as we swim far out enough that we’re not surrounded by tons of people but close enough to be able to wade in the water and not get swept away by the current.

“Can I ask you something, love?” The question has been nagging me since we left the activity platform.

She gives me a look like why would you even ask that. “Of course.”

“Did you and Graham ever…” I realize how stupid the question is as soon as I begin to ask it.

She arches her brow. “Ever what?”

I let out a pained sigh, running a hand through my wet hair.

“Have sex?”

“Well, I was going to ask if you ever dated, but that too.”

“No to both.” She cocks her head. “I told you, Graham and I are just friends.”

“Yeah, but so are we…”

“And you and I have never dated or had sex either.”

“But we kissed.”

Her face flushes with crimson when I mention the kiss we shared. It was bound to come up eventually.

“True. But that was to teach Tamara 2.O not to hit on my husband.” Emma studies my face for a moment. “Look, it’s different with you.” She closes the small distance between us and winds her arms around the back of my neck. “You’re my person. Graham is a good guy, and I think you two would get along really well if you got to know him, but he’s just a friend, and not even a close one.”

I wrap my arms around her back and smirk. “I’m your person?”

“Of course, you idiot. You’re the one I go to. You’re the one who knows all my secrets.”

I think about the secret she told me the other night and the fact she still doesn’t remember telling me. “All of your secrets? Are you sure about that?”

“Okay, most of my secrets.” She laughs. “Everyone needs to have their own secrets they take to the grave. But you know more secrets about me than anyone else does.”

I have to wonder if she’s told anyone else about the crush she used to have on me. Perhaps Elsa or Anna?

“And look, if you don’t want to have dinner with Graham, you don’t have to. Or if you don’t want me to go then I won’t.”

I don’t want either, but I also don’t have the right to tell Emma what to do or how to live her life. It’s one thing when she’s too drunk to make her own decisions but it’s an entirely different story when she’s making a sober, conscious choice. “Love, if you want to have dinner with Graham then you should have dinner with Graham. And if you say he and I will get along, I believe you. I trust your judgment and I’ll tag along. But only if you want me to.”

Her pretty lips spread into a big smile. “Of course I do.”

The breeze blows a few strands of hair over her face, so I lift my hand to swipe them away, tucking them behind her ear. “But if you and Graham make fun of me for falling off the jet ski, I’ll show him the parasailing photo.”

Emma gasps, her eyes wide. “You wouldn’t?”

I grin mischievously and nod. “Oh, I would.”

“You are such a brat.” She tries to shove me, but I grab her and pick her up to stop her. She wraps her legs around my waist, her breath hitching as her beautiful emerald orbs pierce my blue ones. All the air leaves my lungs when I realize how close we are. Her arms are wrapped around my neck, and I’m holding her, not even a centimeter of distance between us, our bodies flush against each other.

Eyeing her soft, wet lips, I lean in to kiss her, letting my eyes slip shut.

Our foreheads knock together, we’re forcefully ripped apart by a giant wave and pulled under water.

When I break the surface, my forehead is throbbing as I hold it in my hand. “You okay, love?”

“Your skull is as hard as a fucking rock,” she groans, probably in just as much pain as I am. “But I’m okay. You?”

“Your head is no teddy bear, either,” I tease with a grin, lifting my head to look up at her. “I always knew you were—” The words get stuck in my throat and my brain turns into the consistency of mushy oatmeal when I take in the view in front of me.

Either my eyes are playing tricks on me or…

“Um, Emma?”

“Let me guess—you always knew I was hardheaded?” She’s still cradling her forehead in her hand as she glares at me, unamused. She’s completely oblivious. “What? Am I bleeding?”

“No, but you might wanna put this on.”

“Put what on?” Puzzlement creases her features as I grab the red bikini top floating on the surface of the water and hold it up in front of her.

Emma’s face goes white when she sees it and quickly peers down at herself.

Her head pops up so fast, I’m sure she’ll suffer from whiplash as she quickly sinks down into the water. But unlike the lakes back at home, the waters here are turquoise and clear enough that I can see her feet, among other parts of her.

I smirk and shake my head. “That’s not helping, love.”

She looks down again, her eyes blown wide when she realizes I can still see her bare breasts under the water. She covers them with her hands, but I’ll never be able to get the image out of my head.

Her tits are fucking fantastic. She’s got this sexy tan line from her bikini top, her bronzed shoulders, stomach and arms a vast contrast to her pale, creamy breasts, and her nipples are hard, pink pebbles I want to warm in my mouth.

I quickly kick the thoughts aside and close the distance between us, bringing the red, wet fabric to her breasts. When she removes her hands, I can feel the sides of her boobs at my fingertips.

Fuck.

My skull is not the only thing that’s hard as a fucking rock.

She snatches the top from my hands, holding the cups to her chest and rising.

I swim around and stand behind her, gathering the top strings in my hands and double knotting them at her nape. “I may not be able to do a bowtie to save my life, but I can sure as hell tie some bikini strings,” I say with a smirk, grabbing the strings at her sides and pulling them around her back.

God, even her back is fucking sexy. It’s long and slender and my fingers are itching to trace the length of her soft, wet skin. My lips are, too.

“You can call me the string bikini tieologist.”

“Which is surprising because I’m sure you’ve had more practice untying them,” she retorts.

I chuckle, my cheeks heating. “You’re not wrong, but clearly it’s not hard to accomplish if an ocean wave can get one off.”

She cranes her neck, flashing me a deadly scowl.

Once I tug the bow loops tightly, securing it in place, she turns around, her face still pale, cheeks red and not from the sun.

She looks like she wants to crawl into a hole before she buries her face in my shoulder, muffling against my skin. “God, that’s embarrassing.”

She’s so adorable, I can’t stand it. I want to kiss her so badly. But I also want to dunk her underwater like old times. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close and rubbing her back. “Relax, love, no one saw anything.” A smirk pulls at the corners of my lips. “Well, except for me of course.” I’m never going to be able to unsee it. The view of her spectacular boobs on full display, her hard, pink nipples, those sexy tan lines.

Per-fect-tion.

Lifting her head from my shoulder, she reveals the warning glare she’s throwing at me. “You better not tell anyone.”

I grin cheekily. “I won’t, if you don’t tell anyone about my jet skiing skills.”

That has her laughing and backing away from me. “You know what they say…what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii.”

“That’s Vegas, love.”

“It applies here, too. I mean you’d think someone who drives around a thirty-ton fire truck can handle a jet ski. But don’t worry, I won’t tell my father.” She turns around and swims away from me, knowing she just burned me.

“That’s it, you’re gonna get it, sweetheart.” I chase after her as fast as the water will let me, but she’s quicker.

She turns around and splashes me to slow me down while moving in the other direction.

When I’m close, I lurch forward, but she jumps out of the way and gets behind me, slipping her arms around my shoulders and jumping on my back, wrapping her long legs around me. I instinctively catch her just as she starts to sink back down. I can feel her stomach, her breasts, her…center on my back, and it damn near makes me lose my balance.

I’ve carried her on my back in her parents’ pool many times before but feeling the way I do about her now makes me much more aware of her body, how delectable every inch of her is and how closely she’s pressed against me.

“You’re so dead.” I hold her thighs in place and carry her around, too tired to chase her anymore.

She wraps her arms loosely around my neck and murmurs in my ear, sending goosebumps over my arms. “You could never harm a hair on my head. You don’t have it in you.”

“You’re right, I could never,” I tell her sincerely, looking over at her. “I’d protect you with my life.” Those sparkling green eyes meet mine, making my heart pound, and I have to look ahead so I can breathe again.

She rests her chin on my shoulder as I carry her to shore.

Setting her down, I grab a beach towel from our bag and wrap it around her back, rubbing my hands up and down her covered arms.

My feet are buried in the hot sand as I stand here dripping wet, holding her towel-clad body, unable to take my eyes off the face that is gazing up at me with the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. I don’t even bother to grab a towel for myself. My heart is thumping hard as I swipe some stray hairs from her face, the wind sweeping around us.

The urge to kiss her is so overwhelming but the sound of children laughing and shouting reminds me we’re in public. And the things I want to do to Emma are far too inappropriate for the eyes of these young ones.

So I finally force myself to grab my towel and wrap it around my waist. I grab the bag, and we head back to the hotel. My heart is still pounding, and I’m afraid once we’re in our suite—all alone—I won’t be able to keep my hands off her.

But she has other ideas. “I’m taking a shower.”

Fuck, I don’t know what’s worse—being in the same room with her or being in separate rooms, picturing her naked as she takes a shower on the other side of the wall.

“Alright, love.”

She grabs her clothes and disappears into the bathroom, turning on the shower.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I drop my swim trunks, freeing myself from the soaking wet fabric. Kicking them off, I hang them on the chair for now and grab my towel. But as I dry myself off, I can’t help but stare at the bathroom door and picture Emma in the shower completely naked underneath the stream. Lathering those perfectly round breasts in soap. Rubbing herself down.

I can definitely picture myself rubbing her down from head to fucking toe. I can picture Emma touching herself, her fingers slipping between those luscious thighs and disappearing inside her wet heat. I can picture my own fingers buried inside of her—or my tongue as she braces herself against the shower wall, writhing in ecstasy, her hands gripping my hair.

I look down at my raging erection. I’m so hard, it’s fucking painful, the tip of my cock looking up at me, dripping with pre-cum and begging for some sweet release. I drag my hand up and down my shaft, hoping to get some kind of relief from the friction, but it’s not nearly enough. It would feel so good to touch myself as I’m thinking about Emma.

Glancing at the door again, I wonder how much time I have before she shuts off the shower.

It’s so inappropriate though.

Emma’s in the bathroom and here I am in the room we share, wanting to jerk off to thoughts of her. But it would feel so good. And it won’t take long at all.

Five minutes.

That’s all I need. And judging by her previous showers, she’ll easily be occupied for longer than that.

I spread out the towel on the bed so I don’t make a mess on the bedding. I lay down on the towel, feeling like an arsehole for doing this, but I’m hoping to relieve the ache I feel for her so I don’t lose my damn mind.

I wrap my hand around my unbearably stiff cock, my head sinking into the pillow, my eyes falling shut as I stroke myself. My breathing quickens, my heart hammering against my ribcage.

I have to be quick, but the anxiety of her being in the adjacent room is making that too difficult. So I let my mind drift away and slow down, taking a deep breath as I think about how good it would feel if Emma were the one touching me. If she were taking me in her soft, hot mouth, swirling that sinful tongue around my tip and taking me as deep as she could.

“I’m beginning to look like Sasquatch and forgot my razor. Can I borrow–“

Grabbing the towel, I quickly cover up and fly off the bed, but it’s too late.

Emma has already seen me wanking off.

She’s standing in the doorway, her jaw dropped, her eyes wide like she’s seeing a ghost.

My face is hot as I wrap the towel around my waist and search my brain for words, but there’s no good way to explain myself.

“I’m…I’m so sorry,” she breathes, apology on her face as her eyes linger below my waist.

“No, I’m the one who should be sorry. God, I’m…I shouldn’t have…”

Of all the years I’ve known Emma, all the moments I’ve spent with her, this is definitely breaking our most awkward one. And this is just after her bikini top fell off into the ocean.

She’s standing there dripping wet in nothing but a towel and I’m standing here also in nothing but a towel, my face probably as red as hers.

“It’s fine,” she squeaks, her eyes finally rising to meet mine. “You’re on vacation. You deserve to…”—she raises a hand, gesturing toward my manhood—“have a moment to yourself.” She gulps.

My cheeks burn even hotter as I drag a hand through my hair, my other one clamped around the towel. “I’m sorry…I…” I fumble for words, unable to give her the full explanation. I can’t exactly say, I got so turned on from seeing you topless and from picturing you touch yourself in the shower, I couldn’t help but jerk off in the bed we’ve slept in together. “I shouldn’t have done it with you in the next room over.”

“Well, you know, next time maybe hang a tie on the door or something,” she suggests, her face as red as a lobster. “Or your swim trunks since you probably didn’t bring a tie with you.” She sticks out her hand. “So can I use it?”

Huh?

“Beg pardon?”

“Your razer. Can I use your razer?”

Oh. That’s definitely not what I thought she was referring to.

“Right.” I shake the dirty thoughts her question implanted in my mind and dig into my travel bag. “Of course.” Pulling the razor out, I walk over to her, both of us still in shock as I hand it over. “Here you go, love.”

“Thanks.” She backs away toward the bathroom awkwardly and manages a soft smile as she starts to close the door. Before she shuts it all the way, she pops her head out. “Oh and uh…don’t worry…” Her eyes drop to my covered groin. “What happens in Hawaii…” She looks up at me and winks before disappearing behind the door.

I let out what seems like the longest breath of my life and bury my face in my hands as if that’s going to erase what just happened. I am such an idiot. And a dumbass. Why did I think it was a brilliant idea to wank off while she was in the next room?

I go over to the dresser to search for some clothes. I obviously can’t finish what I had started earlier. The thought of her knowing what I was doing and probably wondering whether I’ll continue while she’s in the shower is giving me enough anxiety to not want to masturbate ever again.

The bathroom door cracks open, making me glad I didn’t try to finish what I’d started, but it doesn’t open all the way. It opens just enough for her to stick her hand through and hang her bikini top on the doorknob before she shuts the door behind her. Something tells me she’s not leaving it there to dry because she could’ve hung it on the inside instead.

Which means…

Wait.

Did she hang her bikini top on the door to tell me not to disturb while she’s…

I gulp.

Is she touching herself in there?

Fuck.

A smirk tugs at my lips as I grab my trunks and hang them on the knob inside the bathroom. Then I shut the door and drop my towel on the bedroom floor.

Perhaps I can finish what I started after all.

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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You are making me crazy😂 I was hoping that you continue writing on unfinished fics after Lady Cassidys Lover, which was not my setting... I tried and your writing was good, but I got lost on the way. But since I subscribed for all your works on AO3, I was a little disappointed when I saw you started a whole new story and now I'm loving it and look forward when you finish to get the next story. Thank you for writing, you make some days more fun. Still I hope you finish the unfinished Cop Killian Story 😜

Hello! I am so sorry I haven't been able to get back to my older wips! I definitely planned on it but then I wasn't able to find time to write for a few months and then the muse wanted to start a new story, so I went with it and haven't been able to stop lol. I hope to go back to Beyond a Reasonable Doubt eventually. Thank you for being patient with me and for reaching out 🥰

#fairytalepetzykle #lovely readers

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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To be honest, I love spoilers. Like, I go digging for them. So, I don't mind longer summaries. As for my own writing, I don't have anything online. I used to write a lot when I was younger (I actually started when I was 12; I'm 28 now) so my material isn't as stellar as yours, but I have tried rewriting some of my stories, which are original inspired by some of my favorite tropes. Maybe I could share some of it with you sometime. Would it be okay to hop onto your website and contact you?

Yes, of course! I would be happy to read them. You can message me here or if you have Google chat, my email is [email protected]

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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Your summary style is just fine, but as a sort of writer myself, I totally get where you're coming from on whether or not I'm giving too much away. I'm not very good at them myself. To have you write Ten Minutes for me was such a huge thing for me, you have no idea! Thank you so much for that fic! It was more than I hoped for. I was curious to know if you plan on revisiting any of your old fics and turning them into originals as well. You've also become one of my favorite published authors too.

They say your summary reflects how well-written your story is, but honestly I think that's a load of crap. Seriously! It's a lot more difficult for me to sum up an entire book in a few paragraphs without also giving away spoilers. It's an entirely different monster, and some authors don't even write their own summaries.

You mentioned you sort of write, do you have anything available to read online?

I am so glad you enjoyed where I went with Ten Minutes! I'm always afraid of disappointing when I write prompts.

I plan on revisiting some old fics that haven't been finished yet but I haven't really thought about turning any more into an original except for maybe Miss Fix It. Oh and also maybe To Play the Game.

Aw, thanks, love 🥰

#lovely people #jessica #anonymous #anon

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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So glad to have made your day! To answer your question, I was skeptical about reading The Honeymoon Arrangement because the summary didn't initially pull me in as opposed to majority of your other fics. But since you're my 2nd fave CS writer(after totheendoftheworldortime79), I gave it a chance and am so glad I did because I'm really enjoying it. Also, I had a feeling that bikini scene had happened in real life! I'm so happy to hear that you're turning into an original!

Oh gotcha, that is good to know! I always have a hard time with summaries, always afraid I give too much away but will definitely think of a different approach when I turn it into an original.

Wow, that is a huge honor! This fandom is full of so much talent, and Michelle is definitely one of the best. I don't know how I made it to number 2, but thank you so much!

#Jessica #lovely readers #anonymous #anon

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

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Hi! I just wanted to say that I was a little skeptical about enjoying The Honeymoon Arrangement as much as I love your other fics, but now, I am ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT!! Please, please tell me that you plan on turning it into an original novel. I am a huge fan of your stories and books and would love to read more published material by you.

From: Jessica (the one you wrote your two shot fiction Ten Minutes for and HUGE fan of A Helping Hand/Too Hot To Handle).

Okay, first of all, thank you so much! This message made my day! I'm glad you gave the Honeymoon Arrangement! This story is kind of a celebration for mine and my husband's 15th wedding anniversary. We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon, and it has been so much fun reliving it through this story, though we stayed in Waikiki rather than the north shore of Oahu. And fun fact, the bikini top scene in chapter seven actually happened to me in Waikiki lol.

May I ask what were you skeptical about at first?

I do plan on turning this into an original. If you've read Burn For You, this one is a next generation one to Burn For You and will feature Maddie and Holden.

You're the one asked for Emma telling off Killian during smut???!!!! That is so awesome!!!! Thank you for your kind words and reading my stories. Lots of Love! 😘

#lovely readers #anonymous #anon

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hookedonapirate · 11 months

Text

The Honeymoon Arrangement

Summary: “But how are we going to pretend to be married when we don’t even have rings?”

But that’s not my reality. Not anymore.

“Killian Arthur Jones, will you be my fake husband?”

Rated: Explicit

Catch up: Ch 1 I Ch 2 I Ch 3 I Ch 4 I Ch 5

Chapter 6

My head is throbbing, my mouth tastes like old orange juice and rum and is drier than a desert. Nausea lingers in my stomach and my lips are cracked. And I’m pretty sure I was drooling in my sleep because there’s a wet spot under my cheek and the drool is now caked onto my skin.

I’m surrounded by warmth, and I’m guessing the person breathing into my hair, whose chest is slowly rising and falling underneath me, is the source of the warmth. When the fog clears from my mind, I can finally remember where I’m at—in Hawaii, which explains the soothing sound of waves crashing into the surf in the distance—and I can register the position I’m in with this person. Our limbs are entangled, my leg is draped around his waist and I’m pretty sure I’m in only a t-shirt and panties. I can tell I’m not wearing pants, not only because I feel the lower half of his warmth against my skin, but I can also feel his very hard boner digging into my thigh. I’m not even wearing a bra.

Just perfect.

I not only got hammered last night, but I hooked up with some guy I can’t even remember.

Panic bubbles inside me. I don’t even try to pull together pieces of my memory from last night because my head hurts too damn much.

I groan into whatever my face is buried into and crack an eye open. Thankfully, the room is dim, so I peel open my other eye and lift my head, which feels like a bowling ball on my neck. I rub the back of it, glancing up to see dark stubble and the familiar handsome face of my best friend. A breath of relief rushes past my lips as I relax my head on his shoulder.

I didn’t sleep with some random stranger last night, so at least there is one positive thing about this morning. Another positive thing is the curtains keeping out the sun. I smile to myself as I close my eyes and tighten my arm around Killian’s torso, knowing he drew them last night so I wouldn’t have to be blinded when I woke up with a pounding headache. It’s not the first time he’s helped me to bed after I’ve gotten drunk off my ass, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

“Morning, sunshine.” His voice is gravelly and laced with a hint of amusement as I feel his smooth, warm lips on my forehead. The sweet kiss he gives me instantly makes my head feel better as I feel his hand on my shoulder, giving me a light squeeze. “Did you sleep well?”

I bring my hand to my forehead and groan. “I think so?”

Killian studies my face, his hand stroking my hair.

I turn my face away from him, not wanting him to have to smell my breath and also spot the drool on my cheek. ”I wouldn’t get too close if I were you. My breath could strip paint.”

He peers down between us, examining our “closeness”. “I think it’s a little late for that.”

“Tell me about it. I can feel your penis on my leg.”

His cheeks turn crimson, his face clouding over with apology. “Hey, this was your idea.” I feel his warm hand on my thighs, my skin heating under his touch as he carefully moves my leg away from his erection. “This is exactly why I wanted to sleep on the couch.” He climbs out of bed, grabbing a pillow to hide his lower region as he heads out of the room. He’s wearing boxers, but with how hard he was digging into my thigh, I’m pretty sure the thin material and snug fit aren’t doing a very good job concealing the prominent bulge.

Forcing myself to sit up, I push the covers away.

I was right earlier about the clothes I’m wearing.

A t-shirt and panties.

But not just any t-shirt. I’m wearing his SBFD shirt, which smells exactly like him. I can’t help but bring the fabric to my nose and take in the aroma of fresh greens and sweet allspice. It takes me back to the days of my teenhood when I’d go over to Killian’s house for dinner after playing basketball or baseball at the park or just sitting and chatting on the jungle gym.

When Killian returns, he’s no longer using the pillow to hide himself because his hands are full as he carries a glass of water, pain killers and a wet washcloth.

“Then why didn’t you?” I pop the pills into my mouth, washing them down with a big gulp of fresh cold water. “Sleep on the couch, I mean.” Not that I’m complaining.

He furrows his brows at me. “You don’t remember?”

I shake my head. “Everything from last night is a blur.”

Disappointment flashes in his eyes as he hands me the washcloth.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s this for?”

He wipes at his cheek. “You’ve got drool on your face. My shoulder was covered in it.” He chuckles.

I groan as I take the washcloth and wipe my face with it. If he were any other man, I’d be mortified right now. I didn’t even like Neal seeing me in the morning without makeup. But Killian has seen me at my absolute worst many times and he’s still here, so I obviously haven’t scared him off yet. After I had my wisdom teeth removed and my cheeks were swollen up like a chipmunk storing nuts, Killian took care of me and stayed by my side while I rested and healed. He also cracked many chipmunk jokes, which made me want to punch the handsome smirk off his face. But I know he’d never judge me or think less of me for not looking my best and he’s never made me feel insecure about myself.

“It’s okay, it’s not the first time you’ve drooled all over me.” His lips tip into a smirk as he gestures at himself. “But I don’t blame you. I am devilishly handsome.”

I chuck the wet washcloth at him and laugh. He catches it, his face souring when he realizes he’s holding a washcloth covered in my slobber. I point at the washcloth dangling from his fingers. “You should cherish that. You’re the only guy I’d throw my spit at.”

He chuckles. “I feel so special.” He takes it to the bathroom and turns on the faucet to wash his hands. I sneak in behind him and go to the other sink to splash some cold water over my face.

When I open my eyes again, he’s extending a fresh washcloth, and I use it to dry my face. Looking into the mirror, I take in the sight of my disheveled hair and the red t-shirt I’m wearing of his, and I see him beside me, his dark chest hair soft enough that I want to rake my fingers through it. Sixteen-year-old me would kill to be in my shoes right now, albeit with a sixteen-year-old Killian.

“You alright, love?” Killian’s question and his touch as he places a hand on my shoulder tow me from my thoughts and break me from my trance.

I blink and turn my head to look at him, realizing I had been just staring vacantly into the mirror. I flash a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just need some coffee.”

“I can make you some. Would you like me to order us room service?”

“No, that’s okay. I’d rather go out to eat. I need some fresh air.”

He points to the balcony. “We have two lanais, love,” he reminds me.

“I know but I want to be closer to the ocean.” Eating breakfast outside by the ocean sounds like a dream.

He chuckles softly and presses a chaste kiss to my temple. “As you wish.”

My heart flutters from the affection, the way he speaks so sweetly, his voice still laced with concern and the way he squeezes my shoulder. It puzzles me beyond belief because it’s not unusual from his behavior toward me. He’s always kind and sweet and gentle, but maybe I’m just appreciating it a little more because I feel like shit.

Yes, that has to be it.

I shake the thoughts away and follow him into the bedroom to grab my outfit for the day. I get dressed and grab a pair of sunglasses to shield my eyes from the bright sun, feeling like a vampire who might burn and disintegrate into ashes otherwise.

We head to a restaurant by the beach for breakfast and sit out on the patio at a table under an umbrella. The weather is perfect. The soft breeze, the sea salt I can taste on my tongue and the soothing sound of crashing waves are already making me feel a little better.

“Coffee,” I breathe out desperately as I lay my head on my arms, which are resting atop the table.

“How about some Bailey’s Irish Cream in that coffee? Or some brandy or vodka?”

I look up to see him place the beverage menu in front of me with a smirk on his face.

I flash him a deadly scowl and groan as I bury my face back in my arms, nauseous at even the mention of alcohol. “How about I punch you in the face?”

“I’m only teasing, love.” He places his hand on my arm, rubbing back and forth. “How about a latte with whipped cream and cinnamon?”

“That sounds amazing,” I mumble, my mouth watering already.

It takes two lattes, a plate of strawberry and cream cheese French toast and eggs benedict to make me feel human again. Until I can hold a conversation and pry Killian for details about last night. Then it’s like we’re in an interrogation room and I’m a detective, digging for clues about a crime.

“How much did I drink?”

“Six Mai Tais.”

“Where did we go?”

“Nowhere. We sat by the firepit.”

“Did I vomit?”

“Yes.”

“Were there any witnesses?”

“No, it was when we were back in our room.”

I arch my brow at him. “Did I puke on you?”

“No.”

“Thank God.” I sigh in relief. “You didn’t let me use my phone, right?” I shake my head, answering my own question when I read the slightly offended expression on his face. “Of course you didn’t. I don’t know why I even asked.” Resting my elbows on the table, I join my hands together, moving in closer to ask the most important question. “Did I do anything stupid?”

When he stalls for two seconds, hesitating to answer, I rear back, gaping at him. “What did I do?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You really don’t remember anything about last night, do you?”

Dread creeps into my gut, and I plant my face in my hands, not sure if I want to hear the answer to my question. “No. The last thing I remember is having dinner at that bar…the Sunset, I think?” I lift my head, waiting patiently for him to tell me if I’m right or not.

“Aye. You had some drinks, and after dinner, you asked the server to keep them coming.”

“Oh, God.” I let out an exasperated breath. “Then what?”

“Then when he wasn’t fast enough to bring you another drink, I offered to get you one.”

“So you went to get me water?” Again I’m not sure why I’m asking him this. Whenever we go out drinking, he knows the drill. We both do. There have been too many nights where one of us had a little too much to drink and the other had to play the grownup.

“I was gone for two seconds when some dickwad saw you as easy prey since you were drunk and tried to snatch you up.”

My face pales even more than it already is as I rest my forehead on my hands.

“He had his hands all over you, and he was kissing your neck when I spotted you dancing with him.”

“Ugh.” I wipe at my neck, promising to take a long, cleansing shower when we get back to our suite. “Please tell me nothing happened with him.”

His jaw stiffens. “Of course not. I threatened to cut out his spleen.”

I arch my brow at him. “You did?”

“He tried to pay me to walk away so he could take you home with him.”

My eyes almost pop out of their sockets. “Are you serious?”

Killian’s hand curls into a fist on the table as he clenches his teeth. “I wish I weren’t.”

“That’s so gross.” I scrunch up my face as goosebumps crawl over my arms and I have to rub them away. “Thank you,” I say appreciatively, grabbing Killian’s tight fist over the table. He immediately loosens his fingers and takes my hand in his, offering a small smile. “I’m so glad I didn’t end up sleeping with that creeper.”

“I wouldn’t have let you, love. You were too smashed to make a decision like that.”

I jump out of my seat and move to the bench he’s sitting on, sitting next to him and planting a kiss on his cheek. “I know you wouldn’t. I’m just grateful you were there. I’m so glad you came on this trip with me.”

He wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple. “I am too.”

“So other than letting some guy molest me, did I do or say anything else that was stupid or embarrassing?”

He shakes his head. “No. I helped you to bed and you fell asleep.”

“So I didn’t say anything over revealing?”

Again, I see the hesitation on his face as he cups the back of his neck, steering his eyes away from me.

Panic bubbles up inside me. I may tell Killian everything—almost everything—but there is one thing I’ve never confessed to him. Like how I used to have the biggest crush on him in high school. But I couldn’t have told him last night because if he knew, he’d never let me live it down.

“Son of a bitch.” His whispered profanity has me furrowing my brows at him as his eyes are focused somewhere in front of him.

Following his gaze, I see a woman walking out of the restaurant onto the otherwise empty patio, a server showing her to the table next to us. She’s pretty and tall and I have no idea why Killian seems so distressed from seeing her.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper quietly, rubbing his back.

He looks at me, ever so slightly tipping his head toward the woman sitting at the table next to us. “That’s the woman from the pool.”

“What woman?” I figure it out as soon as the question leaves my mouth. “Wait, the one who gave you her number?”

“Yep.”

My blood bubbles as I look over at her, shooting daggers behind my sunglasses. She wouldn’t notice anyway because she’s currently occupied with the menu in her hands.

“You think we could escape without her noticing?”

I glance at the door, which is only a short distance away from her and even longer from us. “Probably not.” Which means we have to sit here, hoping she doesn’t look our way or recognize Killian. The thought of her flashing him a flirty smirk makes me want to punch her in the face. Instead, I decide to try something less violent and more evil.

I lean in, whispering in Killian’s ear. “I have another idea.”

He turns his head toward me, our cheeks brushing softly, his stubble scratching my skin. “What’s that?”

Removing my sunglasses, I set them on the table and place my hand on Killian’s thigh, moving into his space again until our lips are almost touching. “Kiss me, hubby.”

Surprise flickers in his eyes, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he lifts his hand and cradles my neck, pulling me closer, vanquishing the small distance between us. I close my eyes and brace myself, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the way my heart leaps around in my chest or the thousands of tiny sparks dancing over my skin when he captures my lips, slowly parting them against mine, an odd heat stirring deep in my stomach and spreading throughout my body in soft tingles.

It’s slow and tentative as we both try to process the fact we’re actually kissing each other. Sure, we’ve had cheek and forehead kisses, but nothing compares to how smooth and soft his lips are and the way his ragged breath mingles with mine. My heart races as he deepens the kiss, but I try to refrain from getting too caught up in it—this is only supposed to be for show to put that bitch in her place—but all ambitions evaporate the second a groan escapes Killian’s mouth.

It’s the most delicious sound I’ve ever heard.

Ever felt.

The deep, breathy sound ricochets through my body until it reaches my core. The sudden need—sudden want—to be closer consumes both of us as soon as our tongues collide and I melt into him. After all the time that has passed, I’m questioning why I’ve never kissed my best friend before. If I had known he was this good of a kisser, I would’ve tried this long ago. I card my hands through his hair, enjoying how soft and thick his locks feel between my fingers as our tongues dual and our teeth clank in our endeavor to get as close as we can. It feels like my first kiss all over again, only this one is so much better and the guy kissing me knows what the hell he’s doing. Sixteen-year-old me would be beside herself. She would’ve died and gone to heaven after getting the chance to lock lips with the boy of her dreams.

As much as I want this to go on forever, eventually we have to come up for air. We’re still holding each other when we break the kiss, staring into each other’s eyes as our foreheads find one another for balance and we try to find our breaths again. I couldn’t even move if I wanted to, my mind is spinning like a merry-go-round, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around what just happened. Not only did we kiss each other for the first time, but I liked it. I really, really liked it. No, I loved it. And something tells me I won’t be able to forget the way he tastes for a long, long time. He drank two cups of Irish coffee and the hint of alcohol on his tongue didn’t make me want to vomit despite drinking my weight in it last night.

Killian nuzzles my nose with his, one of his hands caressing my cheek as those hooded eyes are on my lips like he’s about to swoop in for another delicious kiss.

“Hey, you’re the guy from the bar yesterday, aren’t you?”

My breath catches in surprise as Killian and I both turn our heads toward the person who just spoke and interrupted our otherwise perfect moment.

Oh, right, it’s the woman who gave Killian her number. I was so caught up in the kiss, I completely forgot she was here. Or why Killian and I were kissing in the first place.

He pulls his hand from my face but his other one is still curled around my waist, his cheeks flushed as he shifts to face the other woman. “Yeah, that was me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, I just knew you looked familiar.”

Yes, you did mean to interrupt, I want to say, but I bite the inside of my cheek to refrain myself from doing so.

I wrap my arms around Killian as he rubs my shoulder. “It’s okay, he has one of those faces you never forget,” I comment with a smirk as I look over at Killian, cupping his chin in my hand and kissing his cheek.

“Judging by the way you two were just eating each other’s faces off, you must be the Mrs.”

I flash her a patronizing smile. “And you must be the woman who gave my husband your number.”

She did not expect me to know what she did, because she looks like she just swallowed a fly.

Killian shrugs and smiles softly at me. “We tell each other everything, right, honey?”

I place my hand on Killian’s chest, enjoying how warm it feels through his t-shirt as I revert my eyes to him, wanting so badly to kiss him some more. “Always.”

She laughs it off. “That was before I knew he was married.”

“You knew,” I say with a fake sweetness as I flash her an equally phony smile.

She opens her mouth a few times to say something before she finally conjures up the words with a grin. “Well, I mean…”-she flourishes a hand toward Killian-“can you blame me?”

“For trying to steal my husband? Yes, I can blame you.”

The look on her face before was nothing compared to the shameful one currently etched in her features, crimson coloring her skin before she hides her face behind the menu.

After paying for our meals and leaving a tip, we walk back to the hotel almost in tears at how much we’re laughing.

“Did you see the look on her face?!”

“Aye, love, you are ruthless.”

I turn my head toward him, studying his face. He seems to be amused but I can tell there’s something on his mind, a bit of uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “I didn’t embarrass you, did I?”

He whips his head at me, aghast, his brows wrinkled with confusion. “What? No, of course not.” As he assures me of this, his hands are tucked into his pockets, and I can’t help but notice he’s keeping his distance from me.

I look ahead as we walk, swallowing the thick lump in my throat. Did I take the kiss too far? Did he absolutely hate it? I mean, it seemed to me like he was enjoying it just as much as I was, but it could’ve been for show. For me, it definitely wasn’t. But seeing how much distance is between us as we head back to the hotel is reminding me to put sixteen-year-old Emma to rest. There’s a reason I gave up on my foolish crush on Killian a long time ago—it will only lead to heartbreak and pain.

So I shove aside the memory of Killian’s warm, talented tongue on mine, his taste, the delicious groan he produced and how it made me absolute putty in his hands. I think back to how broken I was when I saw Killian with Tina and remind myself I never want to feel that way again.

When we return to the hotel, I’m still not feeling great after last night and decide right now is a good time to head to the spa.

As soon as Killian and I reach our suite, we both pull our keys and try for the door, and there’s an awkward exchange of laughs and “you go ahead.”

I’m not sure exactly what happened—maybe that kiss knocked a screw loose or something—but I’m not fond of the uncomfortable tension between us, and I think some time apart from each other will do us both some good.

“Is it okay if I head to the spa?” I ask once we step inside.

Confusion washes over his face. “Of course. You don’t need my permission, love.”

“I know, but I guess what I mean to ask is can you find something to do for a few hours?”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Think I’ll go to the market and pick up a few groceries so we don’t have to eat out for every meal. Restaurant food gets old after a while.”

“Good thinking.”

“Would you like me to get you anything in particular? Other than Milk Duds and popcorn?” he adds with a smirk, knowing those are my go-to snacks.

I laugh. “No, I think I’m good.”

“Alright, well if you think of something, text me.”

“Will do.” After browsing the spa menu to decide what exactly I want to have done, I head down for a facial, a Himalayan Warm Salt Stone Massage and a mani and pedi since my nails are starting to chip after the French Manicure I had done for my wedding day.

As the warm salt crystal stones on my back melt away the stress and tension from my body and I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time, I can’t help but think about how I almost got married two days ago and how relieved I am that I didn’t. Neal flaking out on me was the best thing he ever did for me, and I’m no longer mad about it or the things he said yesterday. I’m too far gone, feeling too blissfully content, my limbs the consistency of Jell-O as I’m pampered and exfoliated.

I leave the spa three hours later with glowing skin, a relaxed smile and palm trees painted on my nails, the blue ocean and pink sky in the background. I definitely feel like I’m on vacation. Like I’m in paradise. I also indulge even further by hitting the surf shop in the resort lobby and getting some cute tank tops and shorts to wear to bed, forcing myself not to go hog wild and buy everything in the store. But I can’t resist buying Killian a new pair of swim trunks with a colorful tropical print and some t-shirts I know he’ll get a kick out of since they have cheesy puns printed on them, like A new pint of view, and Up to date on all my shots with a graphic of various alcoholic drinks.

He’s already back of course when I return, and I was right about the clothes I got him. He chuckles when he reads the shirts and he gives me a playful scowl at the swim trunks since I teased him about wearing the same ones for ten years.

We stay in for dinner, making fish tacos and avocado rice. Or rather, he cooks the food and I assist, handing him cooking utensils and spices and sampling the food. We have dinner on the balcony, watching the sunset, and we’re both quieter than usual but we still engage in some light small talk. After dinner, we change into our swimwear and slip into the jacuzzi, the hot, soothing bubbles aiding my already relaxed state. To say I feel like a completely different person from this morning would be an understatement.

We hit the sack after a good, thorough soak in the jacuzzi since we have an early day planned for tomorrow. We booked the parasail and jet ski combo for eight in the morning, and I’m looking forward to both since I’ve never done either.

I brush my teeth, but it doesn’t remove the taste of Irish coffee and strawberries from my mouth, no matter how hard I scrub. Nor do I know if I want to remove it.

I laugh when I enter the bedroom and witness Killian place a pillow in the middle of the bed.

“Probably a good idea.” My face heats when I remember how I woke up this morning—with his prominent erection digging into my thigh. Yes, it’s definitely a good idea to put a pillow between us. Especially since that kiss from earlier makes me want to grab and kiss him again and—

I immediately slam those thoughts to a screeching halt and roll over to my other side so I’m facing away from him and am not tempted to grab the pillow and toss it aside. I close my eyes, but I know I’m not going to be able to forget how soft his tongue is or erase the visions of his rumpled hair and post-kiss daze on his face.

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hookedonapirate · 1 year

Text

The Honeymoon Arrangement

Summary: “But how are we going to pretend to be married when we don’t even have rings?”

But that’s not my reality. Not anymore.

“Killian Arthur Jones, will you be my fake husband?”

Rated: Explicit

Catch up: Ch 1 I Ch 2 I Ch 3

Chapter 4

Today—2:07 PM

Mom: How was your flight, sweetheart?

Today—2:15 PM

Mom: I saw the picture on Instagram. You two are so adorable! Way to make Neal jealous! 🎉

Today—2:23 PM

Mom: Have you eaten since breakfast?

Today—2:28 PM

Mom: Are you at the hotel yet?

Today—2:29 PM

Mom: How is Hawaii? 🌴

I shake my head and laugh as I read the slew of texts from my mother. I also received a couple from Anna and Elsa and one from my brother, wanting to make sure I made it here safely. I type out a message to my mom, letting her know Killian and I arrived in O’ahu.

Me: The hotel room is incredible!!! Thank you for making me come 😊

Me: BTW, you forgot to cancel the swans and rose petals

Mom: Actually, I didn’t forget. The hotel might have gotten suspicious if had canceled it, so I left it alone. Plus, you still enjoyed the champagne and chocolate covered fruit, right? You’re welcome 😉

Me: You’re right. I don’t have to be married to enjoy chocolate and champagne. You and dad outdid yourselves as usual.

Mom: We just wanted you to have the best honeymoon possible. I’m just sorry the groom bailed on you.

Me: I’m not, honestly.

I look over at Killian as he takes a sip of his Mai Tai, watching people having fun in the pool.

Me: I get to spend my honeymoon with one of my favorite people in the whole world, so I can’t really complain.

Mom: Oh please, we all know you like Killian more than you like your parents.

I laugh at that.

Me: Not true. You and Dad are tied with Killian in first place.

Mom: And what about your brother?

Me: That buttmunch is in forth place since he showed up late to my wedding.

Mom: Emma, he’s still your brother.

Me: I know. I’m kidding, relax.

Mom: Speaking of relaxation, have you visited the spa?

Me: Not yet. We’re chilling by the pool, drinking cocktails.🍹 Killian got hit on by some woman at the pool bar.

Mom: Why am I not surprised lol. Did he get her number?

Me: She slipped it into his pocket…after Killian told her he and I are married.

Mom: Are you serious?!

Me: Why do women keep trying to steal my groom? 😡

I was so mad after Killian told me the woman was already under the impression we were married. She’s just another Tamara.

Mom: Honey, you will find that there will always be women who will want what you have. But the right man won’t want anyone else. He’ll only want you. And that’s how you know he’s a keeper.

Me: You sound like you know from experience…

Mom: Do you think I’m the only woman who had the hots for your father while we were dating? No siree. Her name was Katherine, and she threw herself at him before we got engaged, but he did not take the bait. He asked me to marry him the very next day.

Me: Really? How have you never told me this before?

Mom: I don’t really like to bring it up. I hated that bitch. 😡 But it’s all in the past now.

Before I can respond to my mom, another incoming text flashes on the screen.

Milksop: I saw the photo of you and Killian going on our honeymoon. I should’ve known you two were more than friends.

My blood bubbles, my jaw twitching as I type out an angry text.

Me: I never cheated on you, idiot! I never so much as looked at other guys when we were a couple.

But now I wish I had cheated. I’m so mad at him, I could toss my phone into the pool.

Milksop: Yeah, except for Killian. I saw you making eyes at him during the rehearsal dinner.

Me: What the hell are you talking about?! Killian and I have known each other our whole lives, so yes, I look at him differently than I look at other men. I trust him and I love him as a friend. And even if I had developed romantic feelings for him, I wouldn’t have cheated on you or waited until my wedding day to tell you!

Milksop: Yeah, well if only you could see the two of you through my eyes, then maybe you’d realize it, but he is definitely in love with you. And maybe you are with him. Maybe that’s why I was so unsure about you. Maybe it was because I had a feeling something was going on between you and Killian.

My blood is pounding in my ear at this point. How can this guy have so much nerve to blame me for what happened between us? How can he possibly accuse me of being in love with someone else when he’s the one who left me at the altar because he was in love with someone else?

Me: Believe whatever you want to believe, whatever helps you sleep at night. Meanwhile, I’m blocking your ass. Goodbye!

Milksop Blocked

I’m about to throw my phone in my bag when I receive another text.

Mom: Anyway, I don’t want to bother you while you’re on vacation so I’ll let you go for now.

Shit, I forgot to text her back because I was distracted by Milksop.

Me: Sorry, another text came through and I got distracted.

Mom: It’s totally fine. Have fun, sweetie! And watch out for jellyfish!

Me: Thank you. I will.

“Everything okay?” Killian asks, returning with more drinks.

“Yeah.” I sigh in frustration and take the glass, guzzling it down like water. I’m not looking at him but I can feel him giving me an odd look. “I’m going swimming.” I get up, march over to the edge of the pool and dive in, the water instantly cooling my hot skin. Swimming laps, I try to release the anger and frustration simmering inside me.

I am so glad I didn’t marry that gaslighting asshole!

Tamara really did me a favor by taking him off my hands.

When I reach the other side of the pool, I flip around and head in the other direction when I see Killian standing in front of me, blocking my path. I come up for air and wipe the water from my face.

His eyes are full of concern as he approaches me, placing his hands on my arms. “What’s wrong, love?”

I sigh in exasperation. “That Milksop, that’s what’s wrong! He’s placing all the blame on me, saying that he senses you and I are in love with each other and that’s why he couldn’t marry me.”

A mixture of confusion and anger flash in his eyes. “He said what?”

“He said it’s all my fault he left me for someone else,” I croak, trying to push down my emotions.

“Listen, Emma…” He stares into my eyes, and I can see the storm brewing in those mesmerizing blues. “Neal is only trying to get under your skin. You went on the honeymoon that he wanted to go on and now he’s trying to ruin it for you.” Killian’s voice is soft and soothing, even though I can see the anger in his eyes. But it’s not toward me. “Plus he’s trying to transfer the guilt to your shoulders so he doesn’t have to feel bad anymore. He’s trying to give it all to you so he can feel better about himself.”

I nod, knowing Killian is right. He scoops me into a hug and I wrap my arms around him, sighing deeply, letting the weight of everything fall off my shoulders. His body is warm and wet against mine, his chest hair damp from the pool water.

Neal is not spoiling this vacation for me. “You’re right. I came here to forget about him, I came here to enjoy myself, and that’s what I’m gonna do.” I pull away from Killian and splash him.

His mouth falls open, pretending to be offended. “Oi!” He splashes me back, and I giggle, trying to get away from him as fast as I can. He chases after me, scoops me into his arms and throws me back into the pool.

I swim around him, come up and jump on his back. He tries to get me off but I tighten my arms and legs around him. So he dips under water and flips me over his shoulder.

We continue playing in the water like that, just as we did when we were kids. Every summer, we spent as much time in the pool as possible, playing pool games, throwing a beach ball around or floating on rafts. Of course he’d always knock me off and steal mine. And I’d dunk him underwater to get him back.

When we’re done with the pool, Killian climbs the ladder first and extends his hand to help me out. He grabs two towels and hands me one. I dry off and wrap the towel around me before sitting down in my lounge chair.

He does the same. “You blocked his number, right?”

“Whose number?” When he gives me a questioning look, a smirk pulls at my lips.

Of course I know who he’s talking about but I refuse to talk about him any further. I grab my drink and take another sip. “We need more booze. Like an unlimited amount.” I check my phone to see what time it is, and there’s a text from my cousin.

Elsa: OMG, I can’t believe that butthole. Actually, I can. Just ignore him and enjoy your trip! Drink a Mai Tai for me 😊

I furrow my brows in confusion. How does Elsa know what Milksop said to me?

Me: Did he say something to you?

Elsa: Nope, but I saw the comment he left on your Instagram and I can’t believe the nerve of him! 😡

Damn.

I know I shouldn’t check. Absolutely not. I don’t want to see what he had to say on my post, I’ve already heard enough. So I hand my phone off to Killian and promise myself I am not going to check my Instagram while I’m on this trip.

He arches a brow as he eyes my phone.

“Take this please and don’t give it back, even if I beg for it so I won’t be tempted to check my Instagram.”

“Do I wanna know why you can’t check your Instagram?”

“Nope.”

He chuckles. “I’ll take your word for it.” He takes the phone and sets it on the table on the other side of him.

I try to forget what Elsa said, I try to forget about Neal altogether, but the need to check and see more of what that bastard has to say is eating me alive.

When we return to our suite, we agree to take turns with the shower to wash away the chlorine, and he brings my phone into the bathroom with him. “It’s for your own good.” He waves the device in his hand before closing the door behind him.

I groan in frustration and fall back onto the bed, reeling from what Milksop said to me and what he could’ve possibly commented with underneath the pic of me and Killian.

Once I hear the shower running, I sit up and sneak over to the bathroom. I know I’m going to regret seeing his comment, and I know it’s only going to make me even redder with anger but I have to know what he said.

Cracking the door open very quietly I tiptoe inside and make my way toward the counter, where my phone is lying next to his. But damn, I forgot the shower has a glass door, so I can see right through it. Luckily, Killian has his back to me, and what a nice backside he has. Defined back muscles and the most perfect butt I’ve ever seen. I have to shake my head and peel my eyes away from the glorious view to force myself to refocus on my task. I reach for my phone, being as quiet as possible.

“Don’t even think about it, love.”

His words make me gasp, a tingle sliding up my spine. Snapping my gaze back to him, he’s still facing away from me, so I have no idea how he knew I was in hear. I groan. “How did you know?”

“I have eyes on the back of my head.”

I scowl and head back toward the door.

“And don’t do that thing where you stomp your feet, pretending to leave the bathroom so you can steal your phone and sneak out.”

I sigh in exasperation and sneak a peek at his naked butt. “I totally wasn’t going to do that.”

“I know you were, so don’t deny it.” There’s a smirk in his tone. “I also know you’re checking out my ass.”

Dammit.

I roll my eyes. “Was not. Get over yourself.”

He chuckles. “Whatever you say, love.”

Defeated, I leave the bathroom, grab my suitcase and start unpacking. I love my best friend dearly, but sometimes he can be a stubborn pain in the ass and take my words too literally.

I pause from my task when I notice the Turtle Bay Resort rack card on the dresser. Placing the folded blouse in the drawer, I grab the card and turn it over, seeing the list of amenities. I notice the hotel has a business center with computers available to guests. Looking over at the door, I purse my lips, mentally calculating how long it would take to head down to the business center, log into Instagram and -

No, I really need to stop. It’s stupid.

So, so stupid.

Here I am on a dream vacation in paradise in a luxury suite with my best friend, yet I can’t stop thinking about what that milksop may have left on my post. I need to extinguish him from my mind completely because he’s very much not welcome there.

The shower shuts off, so I quickly drop the card on the dresser and continue transferring my clothes to the drawers.

Killian emerges from the bathroom with a towel wrapped low around his hips as he drags a hand through his damp hair, beads of water dripping down the sides of his face. My pulse quickens when I look over at him, afraid the expression on my face is giving me away.

Sure enough, he narrows his eyes at me as he walks over and unzips his suitcase on the bed. “You were planning on going to the business center to log into Instagram, weren’t you?”

I scoff. “No-ooo.” But I can’t even say one single word while keeping a straight face.

“Mmhmm.” The snark in his tone as he grabs some clothes says he doesn’t believe me.

I choose an outfit for tonight and take my turn in the bathroom, getting ready.

We’re both suffering from jet lag, so we decide to eat an early dinner at the hotel, too tired to go anywhere else or plan transportation. We head downstairs to Sunset by the pool, and yes, that’s the bar’s name. Apparently the sunsets are so spectacular here, they named the bar after them. A musician is strumming his ukulele, performing the soothing Hawaiian and Jamaican rendition of Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole as we find a table.

We order burgers and fries with our cocktails, and the gelato we eat for dessert tastes like Hawaii in a bowl and is so refreshing in the evening heat as the sun dips below the horizon. The sunset truly is spectacular, with an assortment of golds, pinks and purples stretching over the ocean that we can see through an array of palm trees.

After dessert, we move to the large crescent sofa around the fire pit. The server approaches us with more drinks when he sees my glass is empty.

“Can you just keep these coming?” I ask him with a lazy smile, my words starting to slur.

“Of course, ma’am.”

“Thank you so much,” I say graciously before he runs off.

“Are you sure you should drink more alcohol?” Killian’s words are cracked as I take a sip of my fresh cocktail.

I wave off his concern. “Please, I’m fine. I’m not a light weight, you know that.”

“I know but this is your sixth Mai Tai,” he points out.

“Yeah, but we just ate, so I’m all good.” I place my hand on his bare knee and give him a playful squeeze. He’s wearing a blue Henley that matches those ocean blue eyes and a pair of white canvas shorts. His cologne is earthy and smells so good as I lean in to rest my head on his shoulder. “Quit being such a worry wart.” I’m definitely feeling the buzz from the alcohol as I pull out my phone, which Killian finally gave back to me after I hadn’t mentioned Milksop throughout the entire dinner.

I sink back into the sofa, resting my feet on the black ottoman as I pull up Instagram. Checking my several notifications, I smile as I read all the sweet and supportive comments left by my friends and family, saying Killian and I look adorable and wishing us a safe and enjoyable trip. But there’s one comment that is not so sweet or supportive.

It’s from Milksop.

NealCassidy: Congratulations on taking your boyfriend on OUR honeymoon. I knew you two were f*cking this whole time! FFS. I’m so glad I chose Tamara, I definitely made the right decision.

The blood is pounding in my ear again, my entire body practically vibrating with anger as I type out a reply.

“Uh uh, no drunk texting.” The phone is swiped from my hand and Killian tucks it into his pocket.

I gape at him. “But did you read what he said?!”

“Yes, I read it earlier,” Killian answers through gritted teeth. “He’s a prick, and as I said before, he’s only trying to get under your skin.”

“Yeah, well it’s working.” I reach for my phone, feeling the shape of it in his pocket.

Killian gently grabs my wrist and cups my cheek in his other hand. “Emma, you need to forget about him, okay? He’s not worth your time or your energy. You’re way too damn good for that.”

My heart flutters at his words, his eyes full of so much sincerity as he stares into mine, and I nuzzle my cheek into his palm, enjoying how warm he is. “You’re so right. He totally sucks.” I set down my drink and rest my hand on his thigh, batting my eyelashes. “You’re so damn cute when you’re mad.”

His cheeks turn pink, making him even more adorable. His scent and the feel of his warmth underneath my palm make my heart flutter, make my skin flush. Of course that could also be the alcohol simmering in my blood. I lean in closer until my lips are only centimeters from his, and to my surprise, he doesn’t pull back. “You smell like coconut and chocolate." I giggle. "I wonder if you taste like coconut and chocolate too." I nuzzle my nose against his, whispering, "I love the taste of coconut and chocolate."

He eyes my lips, whispering huskily, “Emma…you’re drunk and not thinking clearly.”

I bite my smirk, moving my hand up his leg. “Maybe I’m thinking more clearly than ever.” My eyes drop to his lips as my hand moves closer to where I want it to be. Just as I brush my lips over his, he grabs my wrist, stopping me from moving my hand further.

He gives me a smirk that makes my heart pound. “Nice try, sweetheart, but you’re not getting your phone.”

I pout. “You’re no fun.” I pull back, grab my drink and touch the rim to my lips, tipping the glass back, but to my dismay, the damn thing’s empty, except for the ice cubes. I gasp and search around for the server. “He lied. He said he would keep the drinks coming.”

“Why don’t I get you another one?” Killian grabs the empty glass and stands up. “Can you stay out of trouble and sit tight for a second?”

I nod and bat my lashes innocently at him again. “Thank you Killian, you are the best!”

I recline into the sofa, waiting for him to return with another drink. I look around, seeing couples dancing to the relaxing music underneath the stars. I’m still pissed, but the alcohol has made it possible to subdue that anger, and now I feel really, really good.

“Excuse me, sorry to bother you…” I look over to see a man standing over me, running a nervous hand through his sandy blonde hair. “I saw you from over there”—he points in the direction he came from—“and couldn’t stop myself from coming over here. You are so gorgeous and I just know I’d forever regret it if I didn’t ask you to dance with me.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded, gnawing on my bottom lip as I ponder his offer. Killian’s right—I’m on vacation, I need to forget about what’s his name—I can’t even remember his nickname at the moment—and I came here to have fun and enjoy myself, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Flashing the man a smile, I slip my hand in his offered one and push myself up from the couch, much less graciously than I had intended. The world is spinning around me for a moment, so I wait for everything to stop. “I would love to dance.”

He grins, licking his lips and eying me up and down as he releases my hand to place his palm on the small of my back, leaning into my space to whisper in my ear. “Excellent.”

It’s a good thing he appears to be sober because I’m too drunk to know where I’m going, and he has to hold me steady as I stumble over to the dance floor.

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hookedonapirate · 1 year

Text

The Honeymoon Arrangement

Summary: “But how are we going to pretend to be married when we don’t even have rings?”

But that’s not my reality. Not anymore.

“Killian Arthur Jones, will you be my fake husband?”

Rated: Explicit

Catch up: Ch 1 I Ch 2 I Ch 3 I Ch 4

Chapter 5

I don’t actually order Emma another cocktail. No, what she needs is some sleep. But if I told her I was getting her some water, she would’ve flagged down the server and ordered more Mai Tais. Then she’d never forgive me for allowing her to drink so much. Actually, she would, but she’d be even more hungover than she’s about to be in the morning.

When the bartender slides the tall glass over to me, I thank him and turn around, heading back to Emma. My heart is in shambles for her and what that wanker said. If there weren’t an ocean and five thousand miles between us, I’d track Neal down and rearrange the rest of his—

The glass almost falls from my hands, my feet halting when I notice the seat where Emma was sitting on the crescent sofa is empty.

Panic ripples through me, my face paling as I look around.

“Fuck,” I groan, setting down the water on a table and reaching into my pocket for my phone so I can call her.

Maybe she just went back up to the suite.

I’m fucking praying she went back up to the suite. I dig my phone out of my pocket and press the button to unlock it, my brows furrowing in confusion when the picture of Emma and me posing together on the plane is displayed. While I love that photo of us, it’s not my home screen. I turn the phone over, seeing the Stranger Things case I got for her last Christmas.

Bloody hell.

I’m panicking even more, realizing I not only left her alone drunk off her ass, but I left her without a phone.

If something happens to Emma, her parents are going to murder me in cold blood. Hell, I’d pull the trigger myself.

I feel sick to my stomach, a chill skating down my spine at even the thought of something happening to my girl. Getting trafficked or raped or murdered or all three. And it will all be my fault.

Fuck, I have to find her.

Hurrying over to the sofa, I approach the group of people who were sitting next to us, running a nervous hand through my hair. “Hey, uh, sorry to interrupt, but did you happen to see where blonde woman sitting here went?”

The woman offers a drunken smile. “Oh yeah, she went that way with some guy.” She points in the direction she’s referring to.

My stomach drops.

She went with some guy?

If he lays one finger on her, I will fucking kill him, I swear to God.

I thank the lass and turn around, my eyes searching frantically for Emma, my heart hammering in my ear. I weave between tables, my gaze sifting through the crowd until I see golden hair and the red, floral printed dress she was wearing. I let out the longest sigh of relief as I move quickly toward her, but this asshole has his hands all over her body.

My blood is sizzling, and I clench my fists when he whispers something in her ear that makes her giggle. He pulls her close and leans in to kiss her neck, his hands roaming toward her butt, his other one on her thigh, moving up underneath her dress.

I take a fistful of his Hawaiian shirt and yank him off of her.

Emma looks very confused when she blinks at me as if she’s not sure if I’m real or if she’s imagining me. I drag the bloke off the dance floor and over into the grass so as not to cause a scene, looking over my shoulder to make sure Emma is following behind me. My knuckles are white as I tighten my hands around his shirt and shove him into a tree.

“Hey, what the hell, man?”

“The lady’s coming with me.” I breathe through my nose, trying to remain calm, but my voice has a growly bite to it, my jaw muscles twitching. If I knew I wouldn’t get kicked out of the hotel and have to sleep on the beach, I’d punch this guy in the throat.

“She’s dancing with me,” he argues, trying to free my hands. “And we were having a good time until you came along.”

“Is that what you call it?” This guy doesn’t even smell like alcohol, only cheap cologne. “Taking advantage of women who are too drunk to give their consent?”

“Hey, you can’t tell me you’ve never done the same.” He talks to me like we’re best mates. Like just because we’re both men we want all of the same things and think the same way. It’s pathetic.

I grit my teeth. “I haven’t, nor would I ever.”

He looks back at her, undressing her with his eyes and then reverting them back to me, leaning in close and speaking quietly. “Come on, I’ll give you two hundred bucks to buzz off and let me have her?” He grins. “What do you say?”

What the actual fuck? Did I hear him correctly because I think he just asked me if I would walk away and let him have his way with her, which probably involves taking her behind a bush so he can rape her. I give him the fakest chuckle I can manage, pretending to consider his offer, and he laughs with me. “You want me to walk away so you can have her?”

He grins and shrugs like why wouldn’t he want that. “Come on, you’ll help a guy out, won’t you?”

My smile vanishes as I grab his arm and turn him around, bringing it behind his back and twisting his wrist as I press him hard against the tree.

He hisses and groans in pain. “Get the fuck off me.” He makes an effort to escape my hold.

I tighten my grip as I give him a stern warning in his ear, my tone dark and cold. “How about I make you another deal? If you go back to whatever hole you crawled out of and promise not to look at or lay one finger on my friend ever again, I’ll let you go with your spleen intact.” I twist his wrist a bit further, making him twitch.

“Alright, alright, I promise!”

“Promise what!”

“I’ll leave her alone! Just let me go.”

Releasing him, I wait for him to walk away and instead, he runs away, almost tripping over his feet.

Coward.

I go over to Emma and scoop her into my arms, picking her up bridal style and carrying her back inside the hotel.

“What are you doing? I don’t need a dashing rescue. I can take care of myself.” Her words are slurred and unconvincing.

“Emma, you’re drunk and that guy’s hands were all over you.”

“Well maybe I wanted his hands all over me.”

“You’re too inebriated to know what you want right now.”

She scowls. “You told me to have fun so that’s what I was trying to do.” She rests her head against my chest, closing her eyes.

“Aye, but I didn’t mean to dance with some strange guy while you’re smashed and sleep with him.”

When I head inside and past the front desk, I flash the concierge a small smile. “The wife had a little too much to drink.”

The woman laughs. “It happens a lot around here, believe me.”

Reaching the elevator I crouch down a little and tap the button. It opens almost immediately and I step inside, setting Emma down and pushing the button for the top floor. I hold her close to me so she doesn’t fall over.

She looks up at me with those gorgeous, heart-melting eyes and dons a slight smirk. “You weren’t jealous of that guy, were you?”

I shake my head. “No.” On one hand, I don’t like the idea of any man putting their hands on Emma, but I would never be in that wanker’s shoes. I’d never try anything with her while she’s drunk. I look her in the eyes and lift my hand to caress her cheek. “I was worried when you weren’t on the couch where I left you. I thought something bad might’ve happened to you.”

She melts against me. “Aww, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She sighs, resting her head on my shoulder. “I was just trying to forget about…” She looks up at me again, furrowing her brows. “What was his name?.

I chuckle. “Doesn’t matter. You’re safe now.” I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her.

She’s everything to me.

“I always feel safe with you, Killian. Don’t ever leave me.”

My heart flutters as I stroke her hair and drop a kiss to the crown of her head. “Never.”

When we reach the top floor, I dig out the hotel key, pick Emma up again and carry her to our suite, tapping the card and using my foot to prop open the door. As soon as I set Emma on her feet, she holds her stomach, and her face is as pale as a sheet.

“I’m gonna be sick.” She dashes to the bathroom.

I follow behind her, kneel beside her and gather her long blonde hair in my hands, holding it in place as she empties the contents of her stomach into the toilet.

It’s a good five minutes before she’s finished, and I hand her a Kleenex to wipe her mouth, throwing it into the toilet and flushing it down. She’s out of breath, still recovering when she falls back to the floor. I sit behind her and pull her toward me, letting her lean into me so she doesn’t have to lie on the floor. I sink back against the wall, stroking her hair and giving her time to recuperate. It’s not exactly what I envisioned for our first night in Hawaii, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here taking care of her.

After a while, I suggest she move to the bed, and I help her up before getting her a glass of water. I step out of the bathroom so she can empty her bladder and brush her teeth, and I help her to bed when she’s done.

“I haven’t seen you this hammered since karaoke night at Station Bistro two years ago,” I point out, kneeling down in front of her as she sits on the edge of the bed so I can remove her sandals.

She groans and covers her face with her hands. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

I chuckle and shake my head. "Not a chance."

We met up with some high school friends in Boston for our twenty-first birthdays, and I can't remember everything that happened that night, but I do remember singing “Time of My Life” with Emma and getting a foot in the face. She was always shy about singing in front of everyone—I have no idea why, though, because she has such a beautiful voice—so I offered to go up on stage with her, and our friends picked a fun duet track. And no, I didn't even attempt the Patrick Swayze lift. We were both too drunk for that.

Emma knocked back a few Vodka shots beforehand for some liquid courage, and it didn’t take long for her to warm up to the crowd. Everyone was cheering us on and whistling as we danced together and sang our hearts out into our mics. We put on a damn good performance…up until the end when Emma got so confident, she tried to do a cartwheel and ended up kicking me in the face—not very hard—and knocking down the microphone stand. If that’s not bad enough, she ran out of the bar and almost puked all over an innocent bystander, but they dodged out of the way just in time.

“I’m sorry.”

I chuckle as I set down her sandals. “Stop apologizing. I was fine.” I smirk. “Plus, it makes for a fun story that I get to bring up every time you get drunk.” I rise, leaving my palm on her calf as I gently knead my thumb into her skin.

Emma closes her eyes and leans back on her hands, so I go over to the dresser to find her some clothes before she ends up falling asleep. But when I sift through her drawers, I remember her telling me she didn’t bring any pajamas. So I grab one of my t-shirts and set it on the bed.

Helping her out of her dress, I drape it over a chair and grab my red Storybrooke Fire Department t-shirt. She’s wearing a blue lacy bra and matching panties, and I try to look away but it’s very difficult. Her body is so beautiful, and she doesn’t bother hiding herself in front of me. She lifts her arms, allowing me to pull the shirt over her body. Once it’s on, she grabs the material and brings it to her nose, taking in the scent. My heartbeat quickens.

“I love this shirt. It always smells like you. It smells like home.”

In other circumstances, I would’ve told her to keep it, but then she stealthily removes her bra with the shirt still completely on, pulling it out through the sleeve like a magician and tossing it to the floor.

I have to refrain from groaning, knowing my t-shirt is touching her spectacular, naked breasts, her hard nipples poking into the fabric. I’m never washing the damn thing again.

Shaking the thought from my mind, I help her up so I can pull away the blankets. She sits back, and I lift her legs, helping her under the covers and tucking her in. I sit on the edge of the bed and kiss her cheek. “Get some sleep, love.” I try to leave to let her sleep in peace, but she tugs on my hand. “Killian…”

“What is it?’ I ask softly. I can’t see her face clearly because the lights are off, but I’ve already committed every feature to memory, from the flecks of gold in her eyes to her high cheekbones and soft, pink lips.

“Please don’t go.” She pats the spot next to her. “Stay with me.”

I don’t even have to think about her request before I go to the other side, stripping down to my boxers and sliding in next to her. She moves closer, resting her head on my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. I can smell her sweet perfume and her strawberry scented hair as I stroke her golden locks. Her body is so soft and warm against mine, and I’m sure she can hear how hard my heart is pounding right now.

God help me. I take a deep, trembling breath as I pull the covers over both of us.

“I think Neal might’ve been right about something.”

Her statement comes out of nowhere, and it makes my heart flutter in panic. Does Emma know how I feel about her? “Right about what, love?” I angle my head to peer down at her.

She lets out a long sigh as if preparing for a long-winded speech. “Do you remember when our high school held casual dances after the home football games in the cafeteria?”

“Aye, I remember that.” They moved all the tables and chairs and had a DJ, letting the students hang out and dance to dissuade them from going to parties after the games. Of course there were parties, but the cafeteria was still packed after every home game.

“Well, do you remember junior year when I would meet you there after I came back with the band?” Emma was in color guard and performed during halftime. After the band members and color guard were released, they would return to the school through the back entrance near the band room to change out of their outfits and uniforms. Then Emma would go around to the main entrance since the cafeteria was closed off to the back doors by a gate so she’d have to pay for a ticket to get into the dance. We always met there after the game, even though she was exhausted from dancing, waving flags and twirling batons while trying not to hit anyone in the face.

“Aye.” I furrow my brows, not sure why she’s bringing this up or what this has to do with the things Neal said.

“And the one time when I texted you, saying I was feeling under the weather?”

“Yeah…”

Emma places her hand on my bare chest, making my heart pound even harder. “I wasn’t actually sick.”

I arch my brow at her. “You weren’t?”

She shakes her head against my chest, her fingers toying with my chest hair. “No.” She looks up at me again, her green eyes practically glowing in the darkness. “After I changed my clothes, I went out into the hall and saw you through the gate. I ran over to say hi to you…” She trails off and swallows.

I try to think back to that night, but I don’t remember Emma coming over to say hi to me through the gate.

“Then I saw Tina Bell approach you and kiss you on the lips. You smiled and took her hand, leading her to the dance floor.” Her voice is barely there at this point, and the air thickens with tension.

Again, I’m not sure why she’s bringing all of this up. I wrinkle my brows in confusion. “Tina Bell?” I scratch my head, having to think about it for a moment before it finally comes to me. “Oh yeah, Tink.” Tink is the nickname all her friends called her, and she was an exchange student from New Zealand, so she only attended Storybrooke High for a year. Probably why I didn’t remember her at first. “She was a nice girl.”

I can see Emma roll her eyes through the darkness. “Don’t remind me. She was beautiful and had a foreign accent. It was hard to compete with that.”

A chuckle quickly dies in my throat as I mull over her words. “What do you mean compete?”

Emma lets out another heavy breath. “Well, in that moment, when I saw you with her, I realized my feelings had grown for you.”

“Oh,” I mutter, not exactly sure what she means by that. “Grown how?”

She swats my chest, but it’s definitely not very hard since she’s so sleepy. I’m even surprised she’s talking about this right now. “I had a huge crush on you, idiot.” She lays her head back down on my chest.

A hard lump forms in my throat as I stare blankly at her face, trying to process what she’s telling me. “You did?”

“Yes. And I didn’t even know until I saw you holding hands with Tina, because I suddenly couldn’t breathe, and my heart stopped in my chest as I clung to the gate watching you walk away with her.”

My heart crumbles into a million pieces after hearing her confession. “I had no idea…” How did I not know this? I thought I knew everything about Emma. All the guys she’s dated. All her crushes, everyone she hated in high school. She always told me everything.

“Yeah, I know, it was stupid. I even drew pink hearts around all of your yearbook photos. Even the ones from previous years.”

“Wait, so that’s why our class page was ripped out? You told me the dog did it.”

“I couldn’t tell you the truth. You seemed happy with Tina and I didn’t want to fuck things up with her.”

“You should’ve told me.”

She waves off my words. “I didn’t want things to be weird between us, so I shoved down my feelings, and eventually the crush wore off when I convinced myself you would never feel the same way about me.”

I sink my head back into the pillow and just stare at the ceiling. I can’t believe I never knew she had a crush on me in high school. Then again, I was a moron in school. My head was obviously up in the clouds if I didn’t even figure out that my best friend was crushing on me. “I’m sorry…”

“For what?”

I lift my head, caressing her cheek as I stare into her beautiful green orbs. “For hurting you.”

“You didn’t know. Besides, it’s in the past.”

“I know, but…I forced myself to keep our friendship platonic.”

She arches her brow. “You did?”

I nod. “I liked what we had. I still do, I was happy with how things were and I didn’t want to change anything. I wasn’t craving or needing something more with you because what we had was just too perfect.”

I can hear the soft hitch in her breath as she scans my face. “I like what we have too. It was just stupid hormones, not to mention you were super cute.” She smirks, running a hand over my stubble. “You still are,” she says dreamily, making my heart spike again.

I chuckle, my cheeks heating under her palm as I tuck some golden strands behind her ear.

“And I think that Neal sensed I used to have feelings for you. Sometimes when I look at you, I…I think back to that time.”

“So, you’re saying Milksop’s not as boneheaded as we thought?”

She snorts. “No, he’s definitely a bonehead.”

I chuckle as I kiss her forehead. “For sure.” I don’t tell her that he’s also right about me being in love with her. I don’t want to give the bastard too much credit.

“Thank you for being my friend, Killian.” Yawning, she closes her eyes, wraps her arms around me and snuggles closer, draping a leg over my waist.

So much for the pillow idea.

“Thank you for telling me all that, love.” Lord knows she has more courage than I do, because I sure as hell don’t have the balls to tell her what I’m feeling for her right now. I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good vacation or friendship, especially since I know she doesn’t return my feelings.