Cherished (Wanted 4)

“Jessie, baby, please come home to me. I’m hurting so bad without you. I can hardly breathe with you being gone. I love you, baby. Please…”

I lay there for a few good minutes, just staring up at the blue sky, willing Jessie to come back to me. As I prayed for her to come back to me, I fought the sick feeling in my stomach that I hadn’t been able to shake for the last week.

I had the strangest feeling that I was losing her…and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

I couldn’t pull my eyes from the sky. It was so blue and beautiful, and it just held my gaze. I closed my eyes, and then I quickly opened them. Every time I closed my eyes, I would either hear Scott or see his smile.

I felt something cold dripping on my stomach, and I sat up quickly. Trey was holding a beer over me, laughing.

“Damn you! That’s cold, you ass!” I said as I swatted at his leg.

He jumped and laughed. He sat down next to me and let out a long sigh. I glanced over and watched him take a drink of his beer. I smiled and shook my head. Trey and I had spent practically every waking moment together, touring the island. We had taken a hike yesterday, and I’d ended up throwing up twice. The guide had said that I was probably just not used to the salt air. I’d been feeling like the flu was coming on for the last two days.

Trey bumped my shoulder and smiled at me.

Shit! There goes that damn dizzy feeling in my stomach. I wasn’t even sure why Trey was having such an effect on me. I was clearly only interested in a friendship, but I was slowly starting to think that he was hoping for more from me. Last night, he’d leaned down to kiss me good-bye, but I’d turned away.

“You look amazing in that bathing suit. Have I told you that?” he asked with a wink.

I let out a giggle. “Yes. Yes, you have, Trey—about four times now.”

“Can’t blame a guy, Jessie. You’ve got two really good things going for you.”

I took a drink of my beer. “Oh yeah? What are they?”

“Well, for one, you’re from Texas. And the other one is that you have an amazing fucking body.”

I felt the blush move up my cheeks, and I actually had a moment of need between my legs. Oh god. Jessie, what’s wrong with you? Friends. Trey is only a friend.

I quickly turned away before he could read my eyes. I looked out toward the water. “Well, thank you so much for that compliment. So, what are the plans for this evening?”

He fell back onto his elbows, and when I glanced at him, our eyes met. His eyes were full of lust. At least to me, they looked like that. I slowly turned away again and downed my beer.

“Well, my love, I actually think you need some rest. We’ve been going and blowing way too much with all the hikes and tours, and it’s taking a toll on you.”

I nodded in agreement. “I think you’re right. I’m so tired, and honestly, I don’t feel very well. I thought lying out here in the sun would make me feel better, but it kind of makes it worse.”

Trey sat up and peeked over at me. “Maybe you should go in and take a nap. I’ll take care of all of this.”

Oh man, a nap sounds like heaven right about now. I’d been having such a hard time sleeping. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I was making a mistake by staying away for so long, but I just brushed it off as wanting to see Scott.

“You know what? A nap sounds like a great idea. Will you make sure I’m up in time for dinner?” I asked with a wink.

Trey smiled as he stood up and held out his hand. “You better believe I will.”

As he helped me up, I started to feel dizzy, but I didn’t say anything. Just as I was about to turn and make my way to the cabana, I felt like I was going to faint.

“Um…Trey…I don’t feel right…”

The next thing I knew, Trey was carrying me in through the door and laying me down on the bed.

He ran to the sink and wet a washcloth. He came back and placed it on my forehead. “Jesus, babe, you’re burning up. Maybe I should call a doctor?”

“No. No, I just need rest. Please…just let me rest.”

“Jess, maybe I shouldn’t leave you alone.”

“No, really, it’s okay. Just go clean up and come back in a few hours. I promise, I’ll be fine.”