Chapter Fourteen

 

Melissa waited until the server disappeared behind the colorful partition before reaching for Darius’s hand. Their truce had lasted all week. As the vacation drew to a close, the tension between them, along with the doubts, had eased out to sea with the tide. She didn’t even want to remember what had started all the bickering and angst.

“I can’t believe our week is up. The time went so fast,” she said.

He stroked the tops of her fingers. “It seems like we just got here yesterday. But look at all the stuff we got to do. We even took the sunset cruise.” He smiled.

“At least I managed to see the sun fall below the horizon before falling asleep,” she laughed.

The waiter returned with a sparkling red wine. He made an elaborate show of popping the cork and filling their glasses. After taking their meal requests, he left them alone on the empty balcony.

“Are you sure you didn’t keep me busy just to make sure we didn’t run into Rob again?”

He almost smiled, even though his lips curled up, his face remained stoic. “You’d think by now I’d gotten past my old insecurities. But when I least expect them, they pop up again. Maybe that’s the way it will always be.”

“I’m not like your mother. You can trust me.”

“Deep down inside, I know you’re not. But I carried her secret for years, hoping my father wouldn’t find out. Even though he never said it, I think he wonders why I never said anything to him about what was going on. So, under some circumstances, I’m always suspicious.”

She leaned closer to him and squeezed his hand. “What happened between your parents was a long time ago. They seem to be doing fine. When your father found out, they worked through their problem. Now, their marriage is strong and they seem very happy.”

“Sometimes my father gets in a mood and no one can understand his depression. I think the pain of my mother’s adultery still dogs him.”

“But he’s happy, Darius. You believe he’s alright, don’t you?”

He nodded and refocused his attention on her instead of the silverware on the table. “I don’t want to talk about my family. This evening is all about us.”

“How long has it been since we’ve spent quality time together?” she asked, while trying to decipher the distant look hiding behind his eyes.

“Obviously, too long. But this week brought us closer together.”

“How do we take what we’re feeling back home with us?”

He reached beyond the table to place his hand over her heart and his other hand over his. “We have to carry the passion in here, Melissa.” He thumped his chest. “If it’s not in here, we’re doomed.”

She nodded agreement. The sincerity in his voice left no room for vacillating.

Finally, the commitment she wanted from him was spoken under the full moon in one of the most romantic places on earth. Her heart swelled with each beat.

“This trip was everything you promised. I even know how to snorkel now. I have the scratches on my ankles to prove it.” She stuck out her leg to show him.

“I told you to watch out for the coral,” he chuckled.

“I’ll remember to follow your guidance the next time.” She lifted her wine glass and tapped his.

“Why don’t you come with me on tour? This doesn’t have to end. Think about how much fun we can have. I want you beside me.”

As much as he wanted to have her on the road, she couldn’t. The university needed her back in the classroom. Besides, going from city to city and listening to screaming fans was no longer her idea of fun. That was his dream, not hers. In the quiet moments between their adventures, she was able to decide on two important things. She wanted to save her marriage and it was also time to find something to make her as happy as music made him. And it couldn’t be clinging to him.

“You know I can’t. But I think after this semester I might not go back to the classroom.”

Darius sat up straight in his chair. “You were serious the other day?”

“Yes, I was. I’ve been thinking about my career a lot for several months. My parents loved teaching. I just kinda fell into it.”

“What will you do? I can’t imagine you sitting around the house all day.”

“My sisters have found their passion. I think it’s time I pursue mine.”

“You’re going to paint?” For the first time since they sat down to dinner, his eyes lit up, sparkling like sea glass.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I might. I’m thinking about it. And I may open an art gallery for up and coming artists. With my own place, I can help someone else and display my pieces too.”

He nodded as if the thought had to be absorbed. “I like the idea. It’s about time you got back to your canvas.”

“I’m only thinking about the options. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“What brought on this change?”

She didn’t dare tell him that all the talk about careers and passion had tilted her universe and knocked her off kilter. Her parents had always assumed she’d be a teacher, so, while growing up, it was easier to assume the position than it was to fight with them. But now everything was different; pleasing them was no longer required. If Rob could follow his dream for medical school, she could pick up her brushes and get serious.

“I’ve been thinking about this for months.” She tried to sound nonchalant. “Right now it’s only an idea. Stay tuned.”

The server set their entrees in front of them. She caught a whiff of garlic and rosemary and the scent of his meat grilled in butter. Instead of diving into her favorite seared salmon, her stomach turned upside down.

“Are you okay? You look green.” Darius stared at her.

She pushed the plate into the middle of the table to keep the smell away from her nose. “I just lost my appetite.” She rubbed her stomach through the thin silk of her dress, hoping the wave of sickness wouldn’t ruin their evening.

“Are you going to be okay or should we leave?” Darius put his fork down.

“No. We haven’t eaten since breakfast. You have got to be hungry. Eat.” She gestured to his sizzling plate as she tried to fight the throbbing feeling in her head.

“If you want to go back to the villa, I can have this wrapped to go. I really don’t mind.”

“Eat, sweetheart. I’ll be fine.”

Without waiting for more encouragement, he picked up his fork and cut into his ribeye steak. Watching him chew each medium rare hunk set her belly into another spin. When he finally put his fork down on the empty plate, she felt like she’d been released from food prison.

He paid the check. “We better get out of here before you start to hurl. If you get any paler, I might have to carry you back to the villa.” He grabbed her hand.

****

The huge paddle fan in the middle of the master bedroom stirred up a nice breeze, but Darius cracked open the patio doors to allow air in the room. Melissa’s color had returned the moment they left the restaurant and stepped out into the night air, so more ventilation had to be better.

“At least I waited until the last night of our stay before getting sick.” She curled around him as he eased back into the bed.

“You had me worried for a while there.”

“It was nothing, probably an allergic reaction. Whatever upset my stomach stopped as soon as we left the restaurant.” She trailed her finger down the center of his chest. “You know something else I noticed. You haven’t been guzzling those energy drinks while we’re here.”

“You see, there’s another reason why you should go on tour with me. I can take care of you and you can take care of me. I haven’t had a desire or a need for one of those drinks in days.” He pushed a ringlet of hair away from her face so he could stare into her deep, brown eyes.

She swatted his arm and laughed. “You mean I’ll be taking care of you because when you’re traveling you are just one big baby. I want no part of sitting around waiting on you hand and foot.”

Hearing the light context in her voice eased his anxiety. They needed more time together to solidify their restart, but cancelling the shows was not an option. He pulled her closer, cupping her face with his hands as he kissed her warm mouth.

Trust. He had to trust they would be just fine.

He lowered his mouth to her lips. She tasted warm and sweet as she pressed the full length of her body against him. The smell of her cologne still lingered on her skin. She wrapped her legs around him, drawing them even closer. His erection pushed against her thigh, his need for her heavy in his loins. Being away from her for several weeks was unimaginable. He knew it was impossible to get enough of her to last him until he returned, but tonight, he wanted to try.

She released a moan as he massaged her breast.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked.

“A little.”

“I’ll be gentler,” he responded. He took her nipple into his mouth and circled it tenderly with his tongue. He switched to the other breast and moved his hand down her body to the soft crease between her thighs. She opened her legs to allow his fingers to find her nub.

Melissa draped her arms around his neck and pushed her tongue inside his mouth. In rhythm, they explored each other until he felt unable to hold back the tide of pressure mounting in his body.

He pulled away from her to straddle her thighs. She seemed reluctant to release her hold on him.

“Baby, I want you now. I need you.”

She nodded and untangled her legs as her hands gripped his shaft. She tightened her hold on him, almost causing him to explode with ecstasy.

“You better not do that,” he warned. “I’m so close…”

“I am too.”

He plunged into her like a burning man into water. The euphoria of being inside of her made him shudder. For several moments, he luxuriated in her warmth. This was the purest pleasure he knew. He could spend a lifetime in this position and still it wouldn’t be enough. To love one woman with so much fervor had to have some downside, but for now, he pushed all negative thoughts from his mind and allowed his body to match her movement.

She drove her hips against him, demanding more. He thrust deeper into her, again and again until she began to claw at his back.

“Darius, now,” she purred in his ear.

He climbed the mountain, and just as her frenzied movement stiffened, he plunged over the side. His body was transported to ecstasy.