“Nope. Just different.” He chuckled with his goofy jackass grin that always elevated Trevor’s spirit.
Trevor watched them plummet one by one off the edge of the cliff. He figured it was about a fifty-foot drop, give or take. He was already an irritable mess, and the thought of stepping off the ledge frightened him. What was with Erin? The way she had initiated last night was no ordinary thing. She rode him like she was possessed. It was all very new.
They all came back up, tired of waiting for him. Ashton was first to jump a second time, his long hair leaving a trail behind his disappearing body. Skye used the natural water slide that was reinforced with some sort of rubbery texture. They watched as she weaved side to side with a joyous squeal in anticipation of leaving the edge. She did, and a raspy scream followed before her splash. Trevor looked back at Stefan and Erin, who made conversation out of pure awkwardness. Stefan walked up to the ledge and took the plunge.
“Are you seriously this mad at me? I was just telling you what happened.”
“And what happened last night?”
“I told you—”
“On the docks.”
Trevor felt a chill. “I told you I don’t know anything about that.”
“Okay.”
“You can’t possibly be upset with me for sleepwalking.”
“No, I’m not.”
“But you are mad.”
“I’m honestly not.”
“So, you are then?”
“In the past, yeah I would be. Now, I’m on holiday.” And at that, she turned and jumped, a splash and laughter following.
Trevor stepped to the edge; the distance down to the group of floating heads made him feel light and shaky. The wind could grab him and blow him sideways at any second. He inched back away from the edge. Fifty feet? Or closer to a hundred?
He could hear Ashton taunting him from down below, his voice bouncing off the rocky walls, trying to find its way up to him. A dude here. A bro there. Pussy.
He needed a second alone. Time to think.
It didn’t take much hiking to discover a trio of mini caves up on the rocky cliffs. The second one was illuminated slightly by bright blue water, steam rising off of it. He entered the cave cautiously, suddenly paranoid that bats were going to come streaking at his face. But no bats came, and the little hot spring was calling his name. He dipped his foot in. It was nice and warm, accented nicely by the cool dampness in the cave. He climbed in, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. No kind of spa meditation was going to solve the immaturity that was his and Erin’s relationship. For the longest time, he thought boredom was their biggest issue. But now, kick in some spicy sex, and they were petty teenagers.
A daydream ensued, and it was not the kind to put him in better spirits. It tortured him. His father… Trevor envisioned him walking down a back alley; it was raining, dark. The buildings around were the only thing that stood out from the darkness, the graffiti both bold and italicized, all neon colors like it was the 80s. His teeth were chattering, eyes wide and moving side to side. He looked like he wanted to cry, but he was trying to be brave. The rain was coming down harder now. A shadow formed behind him, stalking him in the night. Not a soul would see or hear a thing—
“Hi.”
He jumped. Standing in front of him was a beautiful young woman. She couldn’t have been much older than twenty. There was just enough of a bikini to cover the essentials.
“Hi.”
“Mind if I…”
“Oh, sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
She leaned on one leg, hips out. Her stomach was flat. A bead of sweat rolled into her belly button.
“Where are your friends?”
“Oh, I don’t know.”
Another pause ensued. “Why yes, I’d gladly join you. Thank you.” She stepped into the water gracefully and slowly lowered herself, teasing his eyes. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Still in awe, he asked, “Who are you?”
She smirked and cupped some water. She patted her neck and ran her fingers through her long dark hair. “It’s been said that this spring will reset one’s soul. That any concerns are but a distant memory as they are replaced with dreams of youth.”
Uh huh, say more things, please. “Good. My plans of being a professional bull rider are still alive then?” Weak, but it’s a start.
Any look she provided him with was absolute torture. Lust didn’t even begin to describe what he was feeling.
“If that’s something you desire… I’m Cassidy.”
“Trevor.”
“Why are you so bothered, Trevor?”
He was rigid in the water, hanging on her every word. He conducted another assessment of her face. Dark eyes, tanned skin, lush lips, defined collarbone, and…
“Who said I was bothered?”
She leaned forward. “That stick lodged neatly in your ass.”
Another seductive smile followed. “City boy Trevor…”
How does she know my name? “I’m actually from hick town Wyoming. Bull rider, remember?”
“No, you aren’t.” Her face was serious. “You’re from New York I would guess. Businessman of sorts.”
“And what are you?”
“Here. In this moment.” She raised her eyebrows with a funny grin.
“So, you’re a hippie.”
“I’m not bound by any titles, Trev.”
The way she said that. Trev. Her lips.
“Psych or philosophy major?”
She lifted herself up slightly against the edge of the rock, revealing her breasts again before sinking back down. “I’m not one for school. Couldn’t swallow the conformity. You’re right. Hippie.”
“What do you do then?”
“What could I do? I’m not educated.” She laughed quietly. The tone of her voice was musical. “You’re attractive,” she said. “What brings you to the island?”
“Stefan is my cousin. He wanted us to come check it out before he invites anyone else apparently.”
“Is that all?” Cassidy rose from the water, tucking her hair behind her ears. She showed off her fit body once again, holding her gaze intensely on him.
She wrung out her hair, the sound of droplets echoing through the cave. “What are you worth?”
“Excuse me?”
“Money,” she said.
“That depends.” Surprised, he couldn’t help but be proud.
“On what’s yours and what’s Daddy’s?”
A ping of anger registered. “On which assets you would like to consider.” He smiled awkwardly. “Is this your first time attempting small talk?”
She sat back down in the water, leaning over the edge to grab a cigarette from the pack she had already laid out. She lit one and took a drag. “I know men like you.” She exhaled the smoke without tightening her lips into a circle.
“I doubt that. I’m not like most men.”
“No?”
“Most men don’t drive a Bugatti.”
“What’s a Bugatti?” she asked.
He paused. “A car.” He tried his best not to sound like a prick.
“Well, I figured as much.”
“Right.”
She played with her hair. “Trevor Miller. King of the courtroom. Defender of the American dream.”
Did I say I was a lawyer? How the hell does she know my last name? “Did we sleep together at some point?” he asked.
“Oh, my sweet Trev… I could only dream of such a thing.” She took another drag and laughed, shaking her head.
Just take it easy and get out. “Dreams come true every day,” he said lightheartedly with an overdrawn smile.
Her cigarette burned brightly, her slender neck flexing as she inhaled. The smoke curled out of her lush lips as she sighed out the incredibly lucky toxins.