Chapter 25

    A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay. Writers block and life got in the way. I hope you can forgive me and I hope you enjoy! Let me know :) I've really enjoyed all your comments.  Some of them are hilarious! Also, big thanks to @katnisseverqxeen for the new cover! So sweet of you! -S

        Emie felt hersef being pulled from a deep, hectic sleep.  She felt as if she were being yanked out of tar—like her brain and her body were at war.  Her body wanted to return to the waking world, while her mind was still in need of the replenishing, healing cocoon of sleep.       “Emeline. Emie. EMIE!” She felt someone shaking her and calling to her, but their voice sounded like they were deep under water.  She stirred, her consciousness coming slowly into a blurry focus.  Emie opened her eyes, and her vision was filled with his face. Tom.  His gorgeous, comforting, warm face.  She felt her heart pounding, and she started to sit up, despite feeling groggy.  She felt relief wash over her at seeing him.  She somehow felt comforted just having him nearby.  Her dreams last night had taken their toll on her.       “Oh, Tom.” She said softly.  He hushed her, sitting down on the edge of her bed.  He reached for her, hesitantly at first, but then he touched her bare shoulder.       “Are you alright? I’ve been waiting for you.” He said gently. Emie frowned, feeling completely disconnected at hearing him murmur the same words she’d thought last night in her exhausted stupor.  It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about.  Running.  They were supposed to take a run together that morning.       “I’m so, so sorry.” She shook her head, running a hand through her messy hair.  Emie glanced at the clock.  It was nearly half past eight.  She was supposed to have met him at eight a.m.       “It’s fine, Em.  It’s fine.  Are you alright?” Tom asked again.  Emie sighed, lying back down on the bed, pressing her hands to her face.  She was exhausted, and everything seemed to hurt.         Emie thought back to the day before.  After they had escaped from Vicky’s incessant talking and overt flirting, both of them had run straight into the bathwater warm lagoon. Emie dove under and Tom followed after her. She’d come up feeling refreshed and looking around for Tom.  He came up a moments later, a few yards away.       “Want to take a swim?” He asked her, nodding off toward toward the horizon.  She nodded, but didn’t say anything.  She just slipped back into the water, falling into a moderate crawl stroke next to him.  Tom was much more athletic than she was, but Emie was able to keep up with his rhythmic stroke as they cut through the water together.  They swam parallel to the shore, gliding through the completely transparent water.  They swam in silence for quite some time, until Emie started to feel her muscles burn and beg her to stop.  It felt good to move, though.       She started to slow down, and Tom must have sensed her movements because he slowed as well.  He began to swim slow, lazy circles around her.  Emie smiled, settling into a backstroke, her gaze up toward the perfect blue sky.  She swam that way, not caring which way she was going for a few minutes, until her vision of the clear sky was blocked by the dark outline of Tom’s profile.  He blocked out the afternoon sun.       “Want to head back? I’m starving.” He asked.  She couldn’t see his face, and his voice was muffled from the water in her ears.  Emie stood up, the water sluicing down her shoulders and chest.  They were pretty far out from the shore, but the water only came up to just below her breasts.       “Sure.” She nodded.  She felt the fatigue in her arms and legs, and realized she probably shouldn’t have skipped all those runs lately.       “Are you tired?” He asked, tilting his head to the side.       “I’m not as fit as you.” She said with a smile.  He grinned.       “Let me tow you back, then.” He turned his back to her, and sunk lower into the water.  She laughed, but obliged, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck and shoulders.  She kicked her legs out behind them, and let Tom pull her slowly through the lagoon.  With her face so close to the back of his neck, she could smell the beach on him, she could see the wetness of his hair, and the way it curled under the weight of the water.  She was also acutely aware of the way she had to press her breasts against his bare back.  She fought every urge to press her lips to the back of his neck and his muscular shoulders.       “Do you want to get dinner with me tonight?” He asked softly. It was the first time she’d ever heard him sound unsure, worried.  She hesitated, opening her mouth, but nothing came out.        “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” His voice was apologetic, and a bit embarrassed.         “Tom, I can’t right now.” She said gently.  He nodded.  She couldn’t see his face, which made it all the harder. Emie let go of his neck, slipping into the water.  He turned, looking at her, his blue eyes full but guarded. She felt the need to lighten the mood.  She felt like she needed to protect herself, but also him.         “You could ask Vicky.” She said with a grin, knowing full well that she would rather die than see him go anywhere with that woman.  Tom was good natured enough to smile, and shake his head.         “No.” He said firmly, swimming backwards so he could watch Emie as she swam forward.  Emie forced a smile.         “What? She’s not your type?” She teased, grinning at him.  Tom pursed his lips for a second, then frowned.  His lips turned and he shook his head.       “I thought my type was pretty obvious.” He said, his face serious.  Emie swallowed, looking away.  She dipped under the water, swimming for a few yards under the cool, calming water.         After they had gotten back to the beach, Tom had asked if she wanted to take a run that next morning and she had agreed to that.  Then, they had split ways.  Tom had said something about grabbing dinner, and Emie just nodded.  As she had been walking away, back to her room, she had seen Vicky making a beeline for Tom as he’d left the beach.  Emie had returned to her room that night, her stomach feeling sour.  It was most likely what had led her to those horrible dreams.       “Emie? I was worried when you didn’t show up this morning.  I figured you’d just slept in, but when I got here, you doors were wide open.” Tom said, and Emie was pulled from her thoughts.  He gestured toward her French doors.  She’d forgotten to close them last night after trying to cool off.       “I was hot last night.” She uncovered her face, and looked down, suddenly remembering what she was, or in this case wasn’t, wearing.  Thankfully, her towel had somehow stayed put.  It was still wrapped around her, only showing the majority of her bare thighs.         “To be honest, you scared the shit out of me, Em.  I came in here and you were sprawled out on the bed.  You wouldn’t wake up.” He looked at her with concern all over her face.  Emie sat up, smoothing back her hair.       “I’m really sorry.  I didn’t sleep much last night, and had some terrible dreams.” She said.  She swung her legs over the side of the bed, holding the bath towel to her chest.  Tom sat next to her, in his running shorts and gray t shirt.  His long, muscular runner’s legs stretched out in front of him.       “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.  Emie looked at him.  He turned to her.  His hands clasped in his lap, his shoulders hunched slightly.  Things were so confusing at the moment.  She hadn’t been able to sort anything out in her head.  All she could think about—more like dwell on and obsess over, was the fact that she didn’t see how this could go anywhere.  They led different lives.  And although Tom tried to keep his personal life as private as possible, she knew it would inevitably be leaked.  But here she was, sitting inches away from him on her bed, wearing only a damp towel and messy hair, and all she could do was see the way he looked at her.  How could she ever come to terms with the fact that those looks may be numbered?       “No, it was just a silly dream.” She said softly.  Tom nodded.  He’d been much more reserved since they’d gotten back from the boat trip, and rightly so.         “Okay, Em.  I’ll give you some space.” He said softly, and then moved to leave.  Emie moved without thinking, suddenly needing to feel him touch her.  After her terrible night, she could only think of one thing.         “Tom.” The words slipped from her lips.  He turned, and she went right into his arms, not waiting for him to offer.  She slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her face into his chest.  Tom tensed for a barely noticeable moment before wrapping his arms around her and enveloping her in a hug.  Emie breathed in his familiar scent.  She felt her body relax instinctively as he held her.  Even if her brain wouldn’t let her relax, her body knew differently.  There was something primal and honest about the way her body felt at ease with him around.  Like it knew things she couldn’t or wouldn’t recognize.       “Hey. It’s alright, love.” He mumbled into her ear.  Emie let out a soft sob, but pressed her face firmly into his chest, forcing herself to hold it in.  Not allowing the tears to fall.       “I’m so sorry.” She whispered.  “Please, just…don’t give up on me.  Not yet.  I know I’ve been horrible to you, but I just...” She moved onto her tip toes, wrapping her arms around his neck.  Tom leaned into her, pressing his face into her hair.  He breathed in, as if inhaling the essence of her.       “Em, I couldn’t give up on you if you asked me to.” He leaned down, his lips right next to her ear.  She felt her chin quiver, and she kissed his neck, if only for a brief second.  She pulled away then, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.       “Can we go for that run?” She asked suddenly, feeling the need for the physical exertion.  Tom pulled away, nodding.       “Sure.”       “I’ll meet you outside in a minute?” She asked, gesturing to her towel.  He nodded, then turned and went back out the doors to wait for her on the deck.       

              The sun was hot as Emie and Tom jogged their way across the resort grounds.  They had decided to loop around the property a few times, and then they would end on the beach near the bungalows.  Tom may have been in better shape and a better runner than Emie, but she had the fire from her terrible dreams fueling her along.  He could barely keep pace with her, though his stride was at least twice the length of hers.       On their second lap around the property, they both were sweating and breathing hard.  Emie glanced over at Tom, and he looked at her, one eye brow raised.       “Tired?” She asked with a wink.  He raised both eyebrows at her and then looked forward, picking up his pace.       “Not at all.” He huffed as they kept going.  Emie laughed and then forged forward, taking the lead again.  The resort grounds were beautiful.  Alternating between deeply hidden, foliage shaded pathways to wide open sidewalks with stunning views of Mount Otemanu.  They covered at least another mile before Tom grabbed Emie’s arm and pulled her off toward a fork in the road as they rounded the same corner for the third time.       “This way.” He said breathlessly, running her toward the beach.  Emie followed him, lagging only slightly behind at this point.  She could see his strong legs moving, the slightly darkened spot on the back of his tshirt where he had sweat through.  She was a bit surprised to find her stomach clench tightly, thinking about Tom’s strong, muscular back.         “Where are we going?” She asked, moving along quickly to catch up.       “My room.” He said over his shoulder.  She faltered for a moment, but then kept going.  They ran down a shaded path, a canopy of green foliage over their heads.  It cleared and then they were on the beach.  Tom ran through the powdery sand and Emie did her best to follow without stumbling.  He led her toward a long, wooden pier that went out over the water.  There were several off shoots from the pier, which led to each individual bungalow.  In total, there were only ten or fifteen bungalows.       When Tom reached the wooden pier, he stopped running and began walking, his hands on his waist as he breathed heavily.  Emie slowed as well, following him down the walkway.       “Why are we going to your room?” She asked.  Her heart started beating faster.  Her dream from the night before came rushing back, almost like a movie before her eyes.  Sure, it was early morning and not late at night.  And Tom was with her this time.  But it still felt eerily similar.       “Water.” Tom said simply, turning and looking at her.  Emie wasn’t sure it should be legal to be so good looking after running a few miles.       “Okay.” She nodded.  They kept walking, passing bungalows every few minutes.  “Which one is yours?” She asked.  They all looked the same.       “One on the end.” He pointed to one at the end of the pier, off to the right.  “It’s really private.” He said with a quick smile.  Emie nodded, but didn’t respond.  They were there within a few moments, and Tom stopped at his door.         His door was nearly identical to the one in her dream.  It was a heavy, light colored wood.  The only thing that was different was that it was closed and locked. Emie hesitated, watching him.   Tom opened it easily with a code on the keypad, and then swung the door open, holding it wide for her.       “Ladies first.” He said, stepping to the side.  Emie smiled softly, took a deep breath and then stepped into his bungalow.       The similar doors were the only things that her dream and reality shared in common.  The inside of his bungalow was surprisingly airy, full of light, and completely spotlessly clean.  She had known it wouldn’t have been like her nightmare, but something deep down inside had been eating at her.  The majority of the room was his bedroom, with a small sitting area to the side of the bedroom.  Two of the walls seemed to be able to be pulled back, revealing a breathtaking view of the lagoon and Mt. Otemanu.  The wide, sliding door like walls opened to the large deck.  The walls of the bungalow seemed to be made of some kind of bamboo wood.  A big, four poster bed sat in the middle of the room, perfectly situated for viewing the scenery.  Airy, featherlight white gauzy material hung from the ceiling around the bed and by the movable walls.       Emie spun around, her mouth open.        “This is amazing.” She whispered.  Tom grinned, walking over to a small kitchenette off to the side.  He had a sink, a mini fridge and some granite counter space with an expensive looking coffee maker.  He opened the fridge and pulled out two water bottles.       “Do you want a glass?” He asked, lifted up the bottle.       “Bottle is fine.” She smiled.  He opened it and handed her the bottle.  Emie thanked him, and took a thirsty sip.        “Do you mind?” She asked, nodding toward his room.       “Go ahead.” He grinned, taking a long drink from his bottle.  Emie smiled and then slowly moved through the room. She walked through the small sitting area.  It had a small couch and a coffee table that had a glass piece on the top.  Under the coffee table there was glass in the floor that she could look down and see the water under the bungalow.  Emie smiled, amazed.  It was the most stunning room she had ever seen.  It was all light wood, white linens with pops of mossy green and a surprising coral red color.  She saw Tom’s laptop on the coffee table, and then noticed a few other of his things lying around.  Some shoes.  A few shirts on the seat of a lounge chair in the corner.  It was far from messy, but she liked seeing his things lying around.       “You should see the bathroom.” He said, coming up behind her and taking her hand gently.  Emie let him lead her off to the side of the room.  They walked through a wide, open door and around a corner.         Emie gasped.  The bathroom also had one wall that was completely moveable.  Tom had it pulled back, and it gave another stunning view of nothing but pure blue water and the mountain vistas.   Just in front of the doors, overlooking the deck was a large, free standing, porcelain white bath tub.       “Oh god, I’m in love.” She laughed, walking over to it.  It could easily fit two people.  Up close, she realized that it looked as if it was a slightly smaller tub in a larger surrounding tub.       “It’s an infinity tub.  Have you seen one of these?” Tom asked, stepping next to her.  Emie frowned.       “No.”       “You can fill it up all the way.  If it spills over the edge, it just goes into an overfill.” Tom laughed.  “It’s ridiculous really.  I haven’t even used it yet.  But it’s pretty spectacular.  It also has a setting so you can use it like a spa.  It’ll just stay hot forever.”  He said, tapping the side of the tub.       “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Emie laughed.  Tom grinned.  The rest of the bathroom was just as breath taking.  A large, rainfall walk in shower with river rock tiles.  Double sinks, and a separate smaller room for the toilet.       “I thought you’d like it.” He said softly.       “Can I just stay here?” She giggled, sighing.  Tom was quiet for a moment, before nodding.       “Sure.”       Emie licked her lips, looking away.  She walked out toward the deck, and stepped into the sunshine.  A light breeze was coming in off the water.   Her skin still felt hot and flushed from the run.  Tom joined her a minute later.  She leaned down, reaching for her toes to stretch out her hamstrings.  All the unexpected exercise the last few days had wrecked havoc on her muscles.  She stood back up and then stretched her shoulders.       “Sore?” He asked, taking a seat on a lounge chair and watching her.       “A bit.”       “Do you want a massage?” He asked.  Emie’s mind went immediately to the night they had been together on the boat.  The way he had relaxed her so quickly.  Made her melt, and feel so comfortable.  She looked at Tom, and she could tell the same thing went through his mind.  His blue eyes were not quite focused.  She looked away, blushing.        “I’m okay.” She said softly.       “I meant that there’s a great spa here.” He said gently, raising his arm to point toward the main guest house.  Emie grinned and nodded, looking out over the horizon.         “No, you didn’t.” She looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw him break into a smile.       “Let’s go for a swim.” He said, standing up.  He walked next to her, putting his water bottle down on the railing.       “I don’t have my bathing suit.”        “Wear whatever you’ve got on, it’ll be fine.  We’re alone out here.” He said, raising his arms.  They were pretty isolated.  Even though there were other bungalows, they had been situated just right so that they were pretty private.  Emie hadn’t seen another person the entire time they’d been out that morning.       Tom pressed his hands together, silently begging.       “Emeline, I can’t swim alone.  What if I drown?” He begged.  She laughed.       “You’re a better swimmer than I am.”       “I might get a cramp.” He shrugged, then pulled the ends of his shirt up and over his head. Emie felt her mouth go dry, as he tossed his shirt onto a nearby chair.  He then reached down and pulled off his trainers and socks.       “Tom.” She said, her voice warning.       “Let’s go, lady.” He said, his hands reaching for his shorts.       “Tom!” She laughed, and he pulled down his shorts.  He had on boxer briefs underneath.  Dark gray ones, to be exact.  But it didn’t keep Emie from blushing and looking away.       “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” He said, his voice low, teasing. Emie laughed loudly.  She groaned, and then pulled her tank top off, knowing she had a sports bra on underneath.  Tom stood in front of her, boxers on and nothing else.  He watched her, a smile glued on his face.  She rolled her eyes at him, and then pulled off her shoes and socks.  Next came her shorts.  She stood in front of him, on the deck in the bright morning sun, wearing her sports bra and a pair of polka dot cheeky panties.  Not her sexiest underwear she owned, but she didn’t know she would be showing them off that day.       “I like those.” He said, still grinning.  She made a face, and then reached forward to try and shove him off the deck and into the water.  He managed to move out of the way in time, laughing.         “Let’s go.” He said with a laugh, then reached down and pulled off his boxers.  Emie’s eyes went huge and she yelped with laughter.  Tom cackled, throwing back his head.          “Tom!” She shoved him hard on the chest.  He toppled over the edge of the deck, making wild windmill arms as he did, his face lit up in mock surprise.  She laughed as he landed with a loud splash in the water, and then came up a moment later.       “You’re turn.” He said.         “I’m not getting naked.” She warned.  He shrugged.  She nodded and then quickly ran and jumped off the deck, yelling loudly as she did.  She came up quickly, smoothing her wet hair off her face.  Tom swam up next to her, his handsome, happy face greeting her.  She couldn’t help but smile at him.  Although the water wasn’t deep, he treaded water and floated around her.        “Come to dinner with me tonight, Em.” He asked for the second time in two days.  Emie licked her lips, tasting the slightly salty water.  She looked down at this beautiful man, and felt her heart break just a little bit.       “You know the answer to that, Tom.” She said softly.  He looked away, but only for a second.       “I’ll never stop asking, Em.” He stood up, rising out of the water.  She watched as the water ran down and over his muscular chest.  His chest was starting to become so familiar to her.  His recently tanned skin.  The smooth skin over hard muscle.  The light smattering of chest hair.  The sinewy way his arms met his shoulders and then his chest.       Although his hips were still in the water, there wasn’t much left to the imagination.  Bora Bora was known for it’s crystal clear water.  Emie pressed her lips together and forced herself to keep her eyes on his.        Tom took a step toward her, closing the space between them.  She stood up, not being able to stand her eyes being at waist level with him.  He raked his eyes up and down the front of her, and Emie felt everything that made her a woman squeeze tightly.  He opened his mouth, just slightly, but it was enough to make Emie wish she could bite his lips.         She felt her bra strap twist slightly and roll down her shoulder.  She looked down to fix it, and realized her white sports bra had become nearly translucent from the water.  Her nipples were almost entirely visible.  Small, pinkish buttons pressed against the wet cotton fabric.  Emie crossed her arms across her chest, and looked back up at Tom, who was still watching her.  The look on his face was unlike anything she’d ever seen.  It was raw, emotional.  It was like she was seeing him for the first time.  Or seeing him for the first time in color after a lifetime of black and white.       “You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.” He said, his voice low and rough.  He looked down at her, eyes heavily lidded.  He made a move like he was going to touch her, but then he stopped himself.  Emie sucked in a breath.       “Don’t say that.” Her voice barely above a whisper.         “I cannot, for the life of me, stop.”  He said stubbornly.  Emie blinked.       “Hey, Tom! You in, mate?” A deep voice rang through the air, and both Emie and Tom’s attention snapped to the bungalow.  Chris.         Tom frowned, but then moved with lightning speed.  He practically flew up the deck steps taking the six or seven steps in two strides.  In an instant, he was pulling on his shorts and giving Emie quite a view.  She followed after him, frantically looking for her shirt.  Tom came to the rescue, wrapping a beach towel quickly around her shoulders just as Chris made his way out to the deck.       “Hey buddy.” Tom said, looking completely guilty of absolutely nothing and everything.  He was terrible. Emie felt her face burn, and she pulled the towel closer to her body.  Chris paused at the door way to the deck, looking at them both.  He knew he had interrupted something.       “Bad…time?” He asked, hesitantly.         “No, not at all.” Tom said, but Emie caught him shake his head ‘Yes’ and she couldn’t help but smile.  Chris took a hesitant step out onto the deck and Emie was finally able to look at him in the eyes.       “Good to see you, Chris.  Sorry, but I’ve got to…run.” She said, leaning down and grabbing her clothes and shoes off the deck.  She made a beeline for the door and then was practically running through Tom’s bungalow.  She heard him say her name, but she didn’t turn around.         She ran all the way back to her room, her clothes and shoes still in her arms, her bare feet slapping over pavement and bare ground.  She burst into her room and then collapsed onto the bed, breathing hard.  Nothing about this was simple or easy.  She felt the way he looked at her, all the way deep down to the marrow in her bones.  It was like that look was part of her now.         Emie promptly rolled over and burst into tears.