Read Online Distractions by J. L. Brooks - Free Book Online Page A

was able to experience it
    at
    least
    once
    every
    month
    and
    occasionally more often than that. I
    wished I could feel that clean.
    Shepard held my hand as we made
    our way back to the ship. There was a
    small bar near the dock where we tasted
    a few samples of the island’s famous
    orange flavored liquor. I watched him as
    he interacted with the small market
    vendors that were nearby. So full of life
    and energy, he looked to be in his natural
    element. He loved to listen, to observe,
    and to truly understand what another
    person felt. His empathy was admirable.
    Stopping to look at me briefly and give a
    smile, I waved as he returned his full
    attention to the person he was speaking
    to. They stood in front of a mobile
    wooden cart full of tourist kitsch like
    little wooden key chains, flags, and
    necklaces. I didn’t see what he had
    purchased; I only caught him shaking the
    vendor’s hand and walking back with a
    plastic bag and a naughty grin.
    I pretended to ignore the bag he
    placed on the bar while taking the stool
    next to me, although I was extremely
    curious. It was narcissistic to think it
    was for me, then again, I did. He knew it
    was killing me because he kept looking
    at the bag and then back to me,
    chuckling.
    “Don’t tease me too much; I have
    no reservations in cutting you off.” He
    stopped laughing and went to open the
    bag, but I reached out to stop him and
    smiled.
    “I am not that cruel, sweetheart.”
    Popping off my stool to lace my arms
    around his shoulders, I took in his
    piercing blue eyes and freckles that were
    emerging across the bridge of his nose
    from the sun.
    “No, you’re not cruel at all. I don’t
    think you have a vicious bone in your
    body. It’s one of my favorite things about
    you. How do you know what is in the
    bag isn’t meant to tease you?”
    He was looking for an intrigue. My
    attention went back to the inconspicuous
    grey shopping bag that didn’t look like it
    had much of anything in it. I tried to use
    my index finger to peek inside, but
    Shepard grabbed my wrist to stop me.
    Whatever was inside of that bag was
    building a curiosity within, growing
    stronger by the moment, and he knew it.
    Lifting my hand up to his mouth, he
    gently
    kissed
    each
    knuckle
    with
    intention.
    “Let me surprise you.”
    My
    knees
    began
    to
    buckle
    underneath his gaze. His blue eyes
    deepened as the dark clouds rolled in.
    The ship’s television station announced
    we would be sailing through a storm.
    Noticing I was looking at the sky
    nervously, he gently tugged me towards
    the path leading back to the dock.
    After moving up the gangway into
    the main atrium area toward the
    elevators, Shepard stepped back quickly
    and told me to head on up without him;
    he’d forgotten to grab something he
    needed. Thinking nothing of it, I was
    tired of all the walking and ready to take
    a nap, but first, I wanted to soak for a bit
    in the hot tub. I changed into my suit and
    left a note for Shepard in case he wanted
    to join me. Nearly an hour passed and I
    was still alone in the Jacuzzi pool when
    the rain started to pour. It chilled the air
    enough to make the steaming water feel
    rejuvenating. I laid back and watched the
    surface of the pool next to me start to
    chop roughly and splash to the sides.
    Being under a covered area, I was not
    too worried about being in the water, yet
    my wrinkled fingers told me otherwise. I
    returned to the darkened room to find
    Shepard already passed out in bed, so I
    slipped into the small shower to rinse
    off.
    After wrapping my hair into a
    towel, I slid naked in between the cool
    sheets next to him. For the first time, he
    didn’t turn to snuggle against me.
    Knowing he was asleep, the wheels in
    my mind were spinning unnecessarily.
    Small things like this made me realize
    how insecure I really was. Shepard had
    done nothing but show me complete
    dedication for the past few months; there
    was nothing to alert me otherwise.
    I awoke to his face