As Eddie watched Rachel walk away from the swimming pool, he cursed himself for his lack of self-control. He couldn't describe what had come over him in the moment he had seen her stood before him in her understated yet sexy black swimsuit. He just hadn't felt able to hold back any longer, he had to tell her. Although few words had been exchanged between them, it seemed that they were all that were required. The gentle caress of Rachel's lips on his had been all the reassurance he needed that he had guessed correctly, she really did feel the same way he did. As the kiss had deepened and become more passionate, he felt he may have died and gone to heaven. He had never experienced feelings like this before from a single kiss, the feeling of being at one with the other person, like they belonged together, like coming home. As his hands had explored her body beneath the steamy water and he felt her mirroring his actions, it was as thought his skin was on fire, her touch setting his flesh alight, leaving a burning trail behind, which felt so real to him he was convinced others would also be able to see it. Eddie knew one thing for certain; Melissa had never made him feel that way in the whole of the time he had been with her. This just reinforced his decision; he had to end it withher.
It was just a matter of timing now. He obviously didn't want to upset Melissa and ruin the weekend she had been looking forward to so much. The proceedings of the last half hour however were going to make this evening excruciatingly painful for Eddie, having to spend time in a room with the two women in his life, knowing that the one he most wanted to be with and tell the world of his love for would now most probably ignore him for the entire evening. And poor Rachel he knew would be feeling at least as bad as he was, having betrayed her sister so completely. Eddie desperately needed to talk to her and explain his actions, what he had been feeling, and his decision to end it with Melissa. He would have to try and talk to her this evening at some point, reassure her that everything was ok. He just hoped she wouldn't hate him and would wait for him. He just had to be able to talk her around now he knew she so obviously felt the same way hedid.
Rachel meanwhile had dried off and practically run back to her room to escape the situation. Tears clouding her vision, she was completely unaware of anything except the memory of the last half hour, of Eddie's lips on hers, his hands roaming her body, the feelings that had flooded her in those few minutes being some she wasn't convinced she had ever felt before. She had come to her senses however and was now distraught. She could not believe she had acted so recklessly and allowed herself to give into her feelings. This was her sister's fiancé for goodness sake, how could she have allowed herself to get so carried away? It was so unlike Rachel to put her own feelings before those of others, especially her sister.
For the same reason she was also rather angry with Eddie. He had made his own decision months go now when he had asked Mel to marry him, effectively choosing her over Rachel. And now he had committed possibly the ultimate betrayal in his clinch with Rachel in the hot tub. She didn't know how she was going to face either of them tonight. How she would react to being anywhere near Eddie again? And how would she possibly be able to stop Melissa from identifying the guilt that she was sure would be written all over her face? Feeling her tears begin to fall, Rachel turned the corner and approached her room, and was shocked to see Phil sitting on the floor outside.
"Finally!" He yelled as he saw her coming towards her, "I thought you lot had all forgotten about me, where have you been?"
As Rachel walked towards her nephew, she felt her guilt increase ten-fold. Phil didn't deserve to be caught up in all of this; he had had enough upheaval and emotional turmoil in his life without this. He and Eddie got along so well, it seemed to Rachel it would destroy her nephew again if she were to take that away from him. "Rach, what's wrong?" Phil asked, concerned for his aunt as he caught sight of her red puffy eyes,
"Have you been crying?"
"Don't be daft Phil!" Rachel replied, trying to keep her voice level and cheerful as she could, "I've just been for a swim that's all, not used to all that chlorine in my eyes. I'm going to get a shower and try and wash it all away."
Little did Phil know that it was a lot more than the chlorine she would be trying to wash away.
"Fair enough," he replied, "As long as you're ok. Don't be hogging that shower though, we've only got an hour to get ready, I thought you'd be half dressed by now!"
Rachel attempted a laugh at her nephew's banter and apologised for keeping him waiting as she unlocked the room and headed for the bathroom, taking her toiletries and dress bag with her. She hadn't previously considered the fact that she would have to get dressed whilst sharing the room with Phil!
In the shower, Rachel briefly let the tears fall, knowing that no one would be able to see her cry, before attempting to pull herself together, telling herself that she had been looking forward to this night all week. Once she got downstairs into the party, she could spend the evening catching up with all the relatives she hadn't seen in far too long. She could keep her distance from Eddie and Melissa, and try her best to act like nothing had happened. It was for the best, for tonight at least.
Rachel quickly dressed in her beautiful fitted silk black dress, trying hard not to think of the reason she had chosen this one, because she had thought Eddie might like it. She left the bathroom to sort out her hair and makeup and allow Phil to use the shower while she finished getting ready. Half an hour later, they were both ready to go. Phil looked smart in a dark shirt and tie, while Rachel looked immaculate, her hair and makeup done to perfection. The only sign of her inner turmoil was in the slight frown, which still graced her usually smooth forehead. Tonight was going to be difficult, but she would try to stay out of everybody's way and make conversation with the rest of the family instead. Rachel slipped her feet into her towering black heels, grabbed her clutch bag from the dressing table, and she and Phil headed downstairs to meet his mum and her fiancé in the hotel bar.
Eddie and Melissa stood at the bar, drinks in hand, waiting for the other two to join them. Melissa had thoroughly enjoyed her afternoon of pampering and was now definitely in the party mood. From her collection of outfits, she had chosen to wear a bright pink and purple floaty summer dress with matching purple satin shoes and clutch bag. With purple makeup to complete the look and her blonde hair in an elegant up do, she looked very pretty indeed, as Eddie had already informed her several times. This was nothing though compared to the vision that greeted his eyes when Rachel entered the room. His breath caught in his throat and he had to stop himself from choking on his drink when he caught sight of her, her beautiful black dress clinging perfectly to every cure and contour of her body that he still remembered so clearly from earlier. Her hair was in a beautiful sleek auburn frame about her face, and very subtle makeup serving only to accentuate her practically perfect features. Stunning just did not do her justice, Eddie felt his eyes might pop out of his head and had to turn away for fear of her catching him looking.
"Oh my God Rach, you look gorgeous!" Exclaimed Mel as she approached them with her nephew, "And you haven't scrubbed up to badly either Phil. Here, come and get your drinks, we got them in for you."
Rachel avoided Eddie's eyes as much as possible as she walked towards the bar to pick up her drink.
"You look stunning Rach." Eddie breathed just loud enough for her to hear, making chills run down her spine at the huskiness in his tone. She was momentarily stunned, and stood frozen next to him, glancing up at him through her eyelashes, when a sudden hushing sound filled the room and everyone turned to the door in silence. Aunt Gladys had arrived and the surprise party was about to begin.