Getting To Know You
Chapter 10
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: Jed was concerned that John Bartlet had fooled Abbey into believing he was the perfect father; feeling he was being set up to look bad, John smacked Jed later in the evening
Summary: Jed and Abbey have some fun at the beach
"Geez, Abbey, we're only going to be gone two nights," Jed let out short, labored breaths as he attempted to carry Abbey's suitcase downstairs. "What have you got in here anyway?"
"Just some essentials."
"Like what? The thing weighs 90 pounds." He set it down to catch his breath, then kneeled to try to lift it again.
"Jed, it does not. Maybe you should hit the gym more often and work out those big, strong muscles you claim to have."
Jed stood up, his eyes glued to her as he picked up a nearby towel. "Come here," he directed, playfully throwing the cloth at her when she refused.
With a laugh, Abbey pushed him out of the way. "Let me show you how I do this."
She positioned the suitcase flat on its back, shook off the tendrils of hair that dared to creep to the front of her shoulders, then gave the bag a shove, propelling it down the stairs with such momentum that it tumbled aimlessly into the wall and came to a rough landing on its side.
"Interesting," Jed muttered in a low whisper.
"That didn't go exactly as I planned, but at least it's downstairs." Abbey caught a glimpse of Jed's teasing nod. "Don't you dare do it."
The smile formed on his face before she finished speaking. "Please tell me you had nothing breakable in there."
She shot him a fearless smirk and started down the stairs. Jed sidelined her by the third step, beating her to the bottom as he reached for the handle of the suitcase and gently lifted it up. He shook his head at Abbey then began to drag the large bag out the door.
"Jed, don't drag it like that! You'll scratch it!"
"I swear to God, Abbey, if you don't let me do this my way..."
"Okay, okay, fine. Do it your way." She followed him out without another objection.
Jed stopped to pop the trunk. When he raised it, he took out a small duffle bag and waved it in front of her. "You see this? This is what I'm bringing with me. Everything I need is in this little bag and anything that isn't in here, I really don't need."
"So when you realize you forgot something, you won't come running to me, right?"
"Right. Because I haven't forgotten a thing." He winked at her. "Now get in the car."
"Okay." She slid into the passenger's seat and waited as she watched his reflection in the side mirror. The heavy suitcase had taken its toll, defeating him each and every time he tried to roll it into the trunk. He was definitely struggling.
"Damn it!" he exclaimed repeatedly.
"Do you want some help?" Abbey called out.
"No!" he grumbled, agitation lacing his voice. "I can do this."
Determination. It was one of the qualities Abbey found so irresistible about Jed. His boundless energy and motivation to get something done only endeared him to her. She stepped out of the car and leaned against the frame, her arms folded in front of her as she admired his unrelenting fortitude.
"Why don't you let me hold the side?" she offered.
"Abbey, I can do it."
A loud grunt escaping from the bottom of his lungs, he put all his strength into a final attempt and lifted it up into the air, hitting the inside latch of the trunk and breaking it off as it finally came to rest.
"Uh oh."
Jed silently nodded, surveying the damage with his a glint of optimism in his eyes. "It's okay. I'll fix it."
It took another hour, but eventually, they were settled in the car, driving towards the harbor. Behind them, the trunk wobbled against the breeze, only tightly-woven rope securing it to the frame of the car.
When they arrived, they bolted up the steps and towards Millie, Steve, Joni, and Dave, abandoning the frustration of the past few hours and forging a calmer, more subdued greeting. The three couples boarded the Island Ferry on one of its daily cruises to Martha's Vineyard.
A quick glance at the island confirmed it was just as charming as they expected. Jed and Abbey checked into their room and immediately changed into their swimsuits. For Jed, slipping on his swimming trunks was a simple task that only delayed his progress towards the beach by mere minutes. Abbey, on the other hand, took a bit longer vacillating between the large selection of swimwear she had packed.
Minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, a royal blue two-piece accentuating her tan, toned figure. It curved up at the waist and brought out the delicate swells of her hips while showing off the muscles that defined her abs. Her breasts danced inside two well-supported cups with only a hint of cleavage, driving Jed crazy with desire. Every curve was on display, yet carefully covered up to only reveal the bare minimum.
"I could totally jump you right now." His eyes traveled a path from her beautiful face down to her polished toes.
Abbey leaned into him, flirtatiously teasing him with her lips as she grazed the edge of his face. "There will be plenty of time for that later."
"Really?"
"Maybe. Depends on how late we get back to the room." She traced his cheekbones with her fingers, coming to an abrupt halt when she found a very faint bruise in middle of her track. "Jed, what's this?"
"Huh?" He covered her hand with his, swallowing nervously when he realized she had found the spot marked with his father's angry hands. "Oh, I don't know. I guess I just slept on it funny or something."
"It's a bruise. Were you in a fight?"
"Of course not. I probably just smacked it on the door when I was hauling your big-ass suitcase in the room." He gave her a warm smile before changing the subject. "Why do we have to leave the room again?"
She threw her head back as he began kissing the hollow of her neck. "We told the others we'd meet them."
"Screw the others." Abbey laughed, her hand reaching for his to lead him out the door.
For most of the afternoon, Jed sat on the sandy shore, watching Abbey frolic in the water. Swimming in the ocean just wasn't his thing. He found that battling the waves while trying to tread water to avoid crab bites just didn't hold the appeal it did for others. But when Abbey ran up to him, her arms extended and wrapped around his, he couldn't resist. He followed her into the crystal-blue water, fighting the suds as they lifted him off his feet once he was away from the shore.
They swam deeper into the ocean to escape to calmer waves. Jed stopped suddenly, picking Abbey up in his arms when she turned in curiosity. She screamed when he held her and struggled when he dunked her. Furiously, she resurfaced, her hand strategically placed on Jed's head, ready for retaliation. But before she exacted her revenge, he outmatched her strength and lifted her up once again, this time joining their lips with a tender kiss.
"I love you," he said, so caught in the moment that the words seemed effortless.
Abbey gazed into his sapphire orbs, her breath catching in her throat. He had never said that before. He told her countless times that he was falling in love with her, but never had he actually said he loved her.
Jed stared at her for the longest minute of his life. Had he frightened her, he wondered. Had he crossed a line it wasn't yet safe to cross? Determined not to clue her in to his vulnerability, he held his breath waiting for her response.
"I love you too," she finally replied.
TBC