Third Chances (Men Of Manhattan #2) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,74

arms and welcomed the rain on their skin. But I was keenly aware of the fact that I was all alone. Just like always. The rain falling down on me made me feel so small. I didn't want to be alone anymore. Why did I always push everyone away? I hugged myself and closed my eyes. There was no reason to ask myself that question. I knew why. I just didn't want to think about it.

There was no reason to be upset about what happened with Rob. It was one day of my life. I rarely ever said yes to dates. My friends had pushed me. That was all it was. Whatever I had felt, I had just gotten swept up in the excitement of it all. Sure, Rob was nice. But clearly he wasn't the guy for me. There were so many red flags. Him losing his temper last night would have been the last straw anyway. I had just been trying to help. Besides, he lived in Delaware. I lived in New York. The whole thing was stupid. I wasn't going to think about him anymore. I wasn't even sure why I was thinking about him now.

I opened my eyes and watched the ripples in the water from the rain. Last night I had roamed around the hotel until my friends had gotten back and fallen asleep. I wasn't going to risk them putting their bracelets on me again. And I had woken up at the crack of dawn to go on this hike by myself. I loved my friends, but I was in serious need of some alone time. I wrapped my arms even tighter around myself.

It had been a bad idea to come on this trip. Alina would have understood if I had backed out. They all would have understood. And I was pissed at Kristen for not running this bachelorette party idea by me. She knew about Derek. She knew and she didn't care how much this was going to hurt me.

I sat down on one of the rocks by the edge of the water. I wasn't sure why I wanted to come here again. It's not like I was crazy enough to go swimming by myself in crocodile infested waters. I hugged my knees to my chest. But Derek would have loved it here. I would give anything for him to be next to me right now. I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was crying. It felt refreshing for the rain to instantly wash away the salty tears from my face, as if there were no consequences for being upset out here.

It had been a year and a half. Why did it still hurt so much? When would it stop feeling like this?

"You've got to be kidding me."

I opened my eyes and saw Rob standing on a rock in front of the small waterfall. Completely soaked. And completely naked. My eyes seemed locked on his perfect body. It didn't look like he had an ounce of fat on him. The water glistened on his flawless skin. He looked like a Greek god. He wasn't even erect and he was huge. Why am I looking at his penis? Stop looking at his penis! I forced my eyes to meet his. He had a scowl on his face.

"I'm sorry." I quickly stood up. "I'll go."

"Don't bother. I'm leaving anyway." He walked over to a backpack on the ground. He grabbed a pair of athletic shorts, hastily pulling them on, hiding his perfect ass from view.

Stop staring at him. But I couldn't seem to stop.

He crouched down, picked up a bottle of shampoo, and shoved it into his backpack.

"Were you showering under the waterfall?" Who does that?

He stopped what he was doing and stared at me. "I don't see why that's any of your business, Daphne." His voice oozed with venom.

I had never heard someone say my name like that. How could he hate me so much for trying to help? "Rob, the tour guide said there were crocodiles in there. It's dangerous. You shouldn't..."

"I don't give a shit about what you think. I thought I made that clear last night." He stood up, pulling his backpack over one shoulder.

"But the crocodiles..."

"The only thing dangerous here is you." He gestured to a small bruise on his chiseled abs.

"Did I do that?" I thought about the other day when I had thought he was a crocodile. I had kicked and squirmed and tried to fight