Taking the Plunge Read online

  She smiled. “It’s a good thing he’s an artist, not an athlete.”

  He sat down beside her and dropped his board on the sand. “So, how’s it going between you two?”

  She avoided his gaze. “We don’t have to talk about this, Derek.”

  “We’re friends, right?”

  “But we can wait awhile.”

  “Nancy, I sealed my fate when I treated you like shit. I admit it hurts me to see you with him, but I want you to be happy. And the sooner we dive into the truth, the sooner I’ll accept it and move on.”

  She nodded. “So, have you been with anyone?”

  “No. I’m done with sleeping around.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I liked being in a relationship with you, at least for the week when I was taking it seriously. I would like to have that again.”

  “You’ll find someone.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Just don’t be an idiot again,” she said with a laugh.

  “Don’t worry. I learned my lesson.”

  “I’m glad.”

  They said nothing for a long time. Nancy watched Thatcher move in the waves and Derek dug his toes in the sand.

  “Do you love him?” Derek asked.

  “Madly,” she blurted.

  He nodded. “I thought you might.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I see the way you look at him. You never looked at me like that. Your wall was always up so you never had the chance.”

  She looked down at the sand and stared at a seashell.

  “So how did it happen?”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  He nodded. “I’m your friend. I won’t be mad.”

  “The night I saw you—you know—I stormed off the beach. He caught up to me and asked me to help him find his keys. I blew him off because I was so upset. Then I saw him at a party the next night and we started talking about art and other things I can’t recall. I was attracted to him but I never thought about pursuing it. I never thought I’d see him again. When I realized he and Mr. Adams were the same person I was shocked. He had this way of looking at me, making me feel beautiful and attractive. He would touch me innocently on the arm or the back, but it made my spine shiver. I don’t when the feelings started. They were just there.”

  “What about when you went away together?”

  “We spent a lot of time talking. He was honest about how he felt about me, that he loved me. He told me to leave you because I was too good for you. I deserved someone better. That’s when he told me what you did. The rest was history.”

  “And you never cheated on me?”

  “Not once.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?” she asked.

  “I—I don’t know. You say you love this guy, right? You were alone with him for a whole weekend, he declared his love for you, and you still didn’t do anything? Now I feel even worse.”

  She looked across the ocean and saw Thatcher riding the waves. She wasn’t really looking at him, but reflecting on her past. “Let’s just forget about it, Derek.”

  “Does he hate me?”

  “As my friend, no. As my boyfriend, he wants to kill you.”

  He nodded. “Sounds about right.”

  When Nancy looked up, she saw Thatcher approach them. He pulled his hair out of his face, leaving it messy on top. The water dripped down his face but he still looked handsome. He pulled the top of his wetsuit down, revealing the body Nancy fantasized about.

  “Hey,” Derek said. “How are the waves?”

  “Perfect. You should get moving before you miss them.”

  “Yeah,” Derek said as he stood up. “I’ll see you guys later.”

  “Bye,” Nancy said.

  Derek walked across the sand with his board under his arm then ran into the sea.

  Thatcher stripped off his wetsuit then tied the towel around his waist, removing his briefs and changing his clothes without revealing anything but his naked chest. Nancy had the urge to pull down the towel.

  “Nancy?”

  “Huh?”

  He smiled at her. “Did you hear what I said?”

  Her cheeks blushed. “No.”

  “I was wondering what you wanted for breakfast.”

  “Whatever you have at home is fine.”

  “Actually, I need to go grocery shopping. I’ve been abandoning my responsibilities since you came into my life like a bolt of lightning.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. By the way, I like it when you stare at me like that.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked as she looked away.

  “I didn’t realize you were so shy.”

  She smiled. “I’m not.”

  He kneeled down in front of her then pushed her back on the towel. He lied on top of her and gave her a hard kiss. His erection pressed against her thigh. She wanted to reach under the towel and grab it. Thatcher rubbed his nose against hers before he pulled away. She stared up at him, her lips slightly parted, wanting more.

  “You’re doing it again,” he said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I like it.”

  He sat up then finished his deck change.

  They left the beach then went to the supermarket.

  Thatcher grabbed a cart and steered down the aisles. He threw bananas, oranges, mangos, and pineapples in the cart, then a few seedless grapes and strawberries. She noticed he only put unprocessed food in the cart. There was no cereal, granola bars, or packaged material. He only bought bread, dairy, meat, and fruit.

  “Are you a health freak?” she asked.

  He laughed. “Let the teasing begin.”

  “I’m not teasing you.”

  “It sounds like it. My mom just raised me on real food. I never had processed junk for a meal and she packed my lunches with only healthy items. I just got used to it and never liked anything else.”

  “You drink alcohol.”

  “I like alcohol, mainly wine. I drink beer socially just so people will leave me be.”

  She wrapped her arm through his as they moved through the store. “I’m going to lose so much weight dating you.”

  “I hope not. I like your body.”

  “You haven’t seen it.”

  “Yet.” He stared her down with a serious gaze then looked away. The look gave her shivers.

  They paid for the food then loaded it in the back of the truck. She realized they accomplished so much before the day even started. Nancy sat next to Thatcher on the ride home, resting her hand on his thigh. He smelled like the sea and she felt it tickle her nose.

  “So, what were you discussing?” he asked.

  “Derek and I?”

  “Yes.”

  “You.”

  “And what was said?”

  “I told him I loved you.”

  “I like what I’m hearing,” he said with a smile. “And what was his response?”

  She shrugged. “He’s happy for me.”

  Thatcher looked at the road ahead, gripping the steering will. “Now I understand why you gave him so many chances. He’s a good guy. He just made some mistakes.”

  “He is. He says he isn’t going to sleep around anymore because he likes being in a relationship. He wants what I have with you.”

  “I hope he finds it,” Thatcher said.

  “Me too.”

  “Now I feel guilty for stealing you away.”

  “You didn’t steal me away.”

  “I certainly pressured you.”

  “You went after what you wanted, you seized it,” she said.

  He glanced at her with a smile on his face. “Yes, but I never would have done that unless I knew you weren’t happy.”

  “I wasn’t. Don’t feel bad.”

  “You’re right. I’m too happy to feel remorse. I would have done it again in a heartbeat.”

  “Good. Because I got what I always wanted.”
<
br />   “And deserved,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.

  “And all my friends think you’re hot.”

  He laughed. “Because I’m a mysterious, misunderstood artist. Chicks are always into that.”

  “No, you’re just hot.”

  He laughed again. “Well, I’m glad you think that.”

  “I really do.”

  They came back to his house and unloaded the groceries before he made breakfast. Instead of sitting at the table, Nancy watched him so she could learn. He smiled at her while he worked the pans. She helped him when it was allowed.

  They shared their breakfast together, eating in silence. She sipped her coffee while she looked out the windows, seeing the road in the distance. Thatcher ate his food slowly, not dropping a single crumb or even using his napkin. She stared at his mouth, remembering the way it kissed her the night before. He met her look with a heated gaze, sharing the same thought. He continued to stare at her while he sipped his coffee.

  “It’ll have to wait until tonight,” he said. “We both have work to do.”

  She sighed, disappointed.

  He put the dishes away, and she helped him load the washer.

  “I’ll be in my office if you need me,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.

  “Okay.” She grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips, feeling her lips burn immediately.

  He broke apart, his breathing deep and shallow. “I’m never going to get any work done with you around.”

  She smiled. “I’m so sorry about that.”

  “Could you be any more sarcastic?” he asked while he rubbed his nose against hers.

  “No.”

  “I’ll see you after work before I leave.”

  “What? Where are you going?”

  “Henry and I are getting tacos.”

  “What?” Nancy asked. “My Henry?”

  “Yeah,” Thatcher said. “He’s your best friend, isn’t he?”

  “Well, yeah. But I didn’t expect you to hang out with him.”

  “I like him. I would like to get to know him better. If he’s important to you, he’s important to me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is that okay?”

  “Yeah. I was just looking forward to seeing you tonight.”

  “You will. I won’t be gone long.”

  She sighed. “I’m sorry for being so needy and obsessive.”

  “You aren’t being needy and obsessive,” he said with a laugh.

  “I’m not?”

  He grabbed her face. “The feeling is mutual, Nancy. Believe me.” He kissed her again then walked away. She watched him go, her heart in his hand.

  She went down to the office and worked through his paperwork. A few people came by and looked at his artwork. He sold two paintings and made more than most people make in a year. Nancy looked through his calendar and realized he had another art gallery to attend in New York soon. She wondered if he would take her.

  At the end of the day, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thatcher was on her mind all day and she just wanted to be with him. Secretly, she hated Henry for spending time with her boyfriend. She didn’t want to share Thatcher with anyone.

  When she walked upstairs, he stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. Drops of water dripped down his chest. She stopped and blatantly stared at him, wanting him to drop the towel.

  He looked into her eyes, seeing the desire and fire burn. Thatcher stepped toward her, holding her gaze, and dropped the towel to the floor.

  “Oh my…”

  Thatcher stayed in front of her, looking at the redness that flooded her cheeks.

  Nancy stepped toward him and ran her hands down his chest and to his hips. His erection formed as he looked at her, and her eyes widened in surprise at his size. Thatcher stepped closer to her, his hard cock pressed against her stomach. His wet hand gripped the back of her neck, the warm water touching her skin.

  Nancy kissed his chest, tasting the water and smelling the scent of his body wash. She looked up and pressed her lips against his, massaging his mouth with her own. His lips tasted like honey, warm and sweet. Her fingers moved through his wet hair, feeling the individual strands.

  Thatcher grabbed her and picked her up, holding her against his chest. She continued to kiss him as he walked into the darkness of his bedroom. He laid her on the bed then crawled on top of her, kissing her the entire way. Her clothes became damp from his wet body but she couldn’t care less at that moment. Her hands moved to his ass and massaged the muscle, loving the feel of it in her hands. He had such a nice backside and she wanted to bite it.

  Thatcher unbuttoned her pants and pulled them off, not breaking their kiss as he moved. Her heart raced in anticipation, wanting him inside her as soon as possible. His fingers slowly moved down stomach until they reached the brim of her underwear. His hand moved inside, making her take a deep breath as she waited for him to touch her. His warm, wet fingers touched her clitoris, rubbing it gently. Thatcher explored her slowly, enjoying his time, never rushing. She grabbed his face as he touched her, loving the feel of his hand against the apex of her thighs. It felt so much better than when she did it herself.

  His two fingers slipped inside her then moved, swirling slowly. He touched her intimately, feeling every inch of her. She knew how wet she was by the sound his fingers were making. Now he knew just how attracted she was to him. She couldn’t hide it.

  He pulled his fingers out, the fluid shining on his fingers, then he placed it on his cock, rubbing the juice on it. The sight made her moan loudly. He reinserted his fingers then moved inside her, making her scratch his back as she kissed him, enjoying every second of it. He pulled out again and applied the liquid to his shaft. He did this until he was as soaked as she was.

  Reading his mind, she grabbed his shaft, flinching as she felt his hardness, then rubbed her thumb over the tip. He was leaking from the top, drooling down his cock. She stared at it while he looked at her, his fingers still inside her.

  “Thatcher, you’re huge.”

  He leaned in and kissed her, his fingers pulsing as he rubbed her clitoris. She stroked him, moving from the tip to the base of his cock. She could use both hands and still have room on his length. She darted her tongue inside his mouth, moaning as he slide inside her repeatedly.

  Nancy breathed into his mouth. “Yeah…”

  He continued his pace, moving inside her soaked pussy.

  “God…yeah.” She felt it start in her stomach then move down to her center. It was pulsing, blinding, hot. It exploded and made her shake. She thrust her hips slightly, enjoying every second of the bliss he gave her. Thatcher rubbed her clitoris harder, making the orgasm last as long as possible. “You’re so good at that.”

  He kissed her, silencing her.

  She used her other hand to massage his balls while she jerked him harder, making him feel as good as he made her feel. His fingers stopped moving inside her and his mouth became immobile. He breathed loudly, rocking his hips into her hand.

  “You’re good at that too,” he whispered.

  She moved her hand hard and kissed the corner of his mouth, pleasuring him until he reached his threshold. He shook with pleasure, moaning loudly as he stiffened and came. Nancy caught the cum in her hand and felt the weight in her palm. There was a lot.

  He took a few deep breaths before he kissed her forehead. “That felt good.”

  “So good. You make me cum harder than any other guy has. And you just used your hand.”

  “Sex feels different when you’re in love. It isn’t sex anymore. It’s a spiritual journey, connecting without the use of words or directions. You feel the soul of your partner and they feel yours in return. There’s nothing more beautiful in the world.”

  “I’m starting to see what you mean.”

  “We’re just getting started, Nancy.” He kissed her again then stood up. He grabbed his towel then cleaned the cum from her palm. Thatcher turned around and
searched in his drawers for clothes.

  “Thatcher, come here,” she said from her position on the bed.

  He did as he asked and leaned over here. “Yes?”

  She grabbed his face and kissed his lips gently. “I love you.”

  He rubbed his nose against hers. “I love you too.”

  “Now you can leave me.”

  “I’m never gone.” He held her gaze for a moment before he turned away and dressed himself. He wore jeans and a thin t-shirt. The lines of his chest could be seen in the outline. She wanted him to take off his clothes and do it all over again. He caught the look. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She sighed then sat up.

  “You’re welcome to stay here. And use my office. It’s belongs to you as much as it belongs to me.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll be here when I get back?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you want me to bring you anything? Some tacos?”

  “No, have fun,” she said.

  He walked to the stairs and she followed him. He grabbed her face and kissed her once more. “You’re welcome to come if you want. But I prefer to be alone with him.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?”

  He laughed. “I just want to bond with him, that’s all.”

  “Just don’t take my friends away from me. They’re going to like you more than they like me.”

  “They probably already do,” he teased.

  She hit him lightly on the chest.

  “I’ll see you in a little while.”

  “Okay.”

  He walked down the stairs and disappeared. She stood by the window and watched him pull out of the driveway. When she realized how obsessed she was being, she walked back to his kitchen table and picked up the newspaper. She flipped through the pages until she saw a picture of Oahu Resort. Her heart stopped. According to the article, over half the employees were laid off due to hotel finances. It was the biggest layoff on the island for several years. Angry, she ripped the paper in half and screamed.

  Her father’s behavior was inexcusable. He cared more about having more money than he ever needed than giving respectable people an income to support their families. It made her sick to her stomach, enough to vomit her guts out. Without an outlet to express her feelings, she marched to the office and gathered her supplies, ready to relieve the stress on her heart. Not wanting to get dirty, she stripped off her clothes and threw on Thatcher’s old t-shirt, working in her underwear.