All Chapters of Not bound by honey: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

We finally got to the next campsite and ate again in the same communal setting. The night settled slowly over the campsite. The last of the laughter from the other riders faded into the trees, and one by one the lanterns dimmed until only the crackle of the dying fire remained. The forest felt different after dark. Inside the tent, everything felt smaller. My stomach stirred as I waited for Jason to finally head back from his last conversation. I have been missing his touch the whole day. Spoilt by our constant contact Jason ducked through the flap behind me, zipping it closed. The sound seemed louder than it should have been. We changed in the soft glow of a small battery lamp hanging from the center pole. I stole a look at him while I pulled on one of his old T-shirts, I could feel his eyes were on me too. I finally looked up at him again, he looked intent. “What?” I asked, pretending innocence. He stepped closer instead of answering. His fingers slid under the hem

l could not get a word out of him. He climbed onto Biscuit before Jeff even got back and headed for our cabin. I did not have much faith in my navigational skills and decided to painstakingly wait for Jeff. He insisted we eat lunch, which I understood since he did not have the urgency I had, but he could definitely have been hungry from his own long day. Edith tried to comfort me, apologising profusely. But I knew it was not her fault and could not feel any animosity towards her. She insisted I pack extra meals for Jason, the kids and myself, which I did. Riding back, I did not know what to think. I had never seen Jason that way. We did not ever walk out on each other and we have had some intense fights about our parenting skills, roommate issues and even our schedules. The cabin seemed quiet. I climbed down from Chickpea. Jeff helped me unpack my things from the satchel bags and gave me a you’ve got this look. I put the things by the car and headed into the cabin. Jason was si

Rachel’s POV Jason slid the record into place, and a second later the soft crackle of music filled the cabin. I recognized the song almost immediately. Leaving on a Jet Plane. For a while we just talked quietly while the music played behind us, the lyrics drifting through the room in a way that felt heavier than they should have. Eventually I finished my coffee and stood, carrying the mug to the sink. When I turned around, I bumped into him, I stepped back instinctively, but he filled the space between us immediately. Brushing his hand over mine. I did not try to moved away again, already feeling the air had shifted. Jason looked down at me quietly, tension sitting behind his eyes. “Rach,” he said softly. The nickname alone made my chest tighten. “I’ve been trying to keep my distance since Paris.” His voice stayed calm, but I could hear the strain underneath it. “Not because I wanted to. Because I thought it was the right thing to do.” I swallowed hard. He gave a small, hu

Italy memories Jason was up early and gone before I woke. I slept longer than I meant to. When I finally stepped into the shower, the hot water poured over me, steady and relentless. I closed my eyes, letting it drown out the noise in my head. I felt the bathroom door open hearing a shift in the air behind me. I turned, expecting Jason. Instead, I was met with Chris. Completely bare. For a split second I couldn’t breathe. It felt like seeing a ghost or being caught by one. My heart slammed against my ribs and instinct took over. My hand flew out and struck him. “I’m so sorry, Chris I wasn’t expecting anyone.” He laughed softly, rubbing the spot I’d hit, water running down both of us. “Wow,” he said, a slow grin forming. “You are feisty.” I turned the water off quickly and stepped out, reaching for my towel. The warmth evaporated. Shame creeping in. Suddenly feeling guilty and disgusted with my body as I stood there. Should I confess about Jason? I couldn’t even

I went to take a shower and realised that with the open plan I had nowhere private to get dressed. “Uhm Jase, you mind going out so I can get ready” I heard him step to the door and slam it How long is his mood going to last As I was drying my hair my mind drifted to Chris. Why did I think he has been single since I was thirteen? And could it be true that he has other women? I was nearly done zipping up my shorts when Jason came in. “Right” he said “We got some planning to do, we are here in Southern France are we going to book a tour or do our own thing? Our budget is limitless” I then had an idea “Jase, how long will we be here?” “As long as we need” he said “Well why don’t we do a different type of holiday type on every day? For example we do a wine tour day, day two life in Southern France in a camper van, day three booking into a hotel and doing everything that comes with that, day four a full on french beach day with coastal food, day five hiking, day six doing