I couldn’t get past the lump in my throat at seeing her in my clothing. “Great,” was all I was eventually able to manage as I rose to my feet. Telling her she had to be the most beautiful woman in the world to me, would no doubt send her running once again, and if I was being totally honest, it would probably also initiate my flight mode.
So far, I had been unbothered by the intensity of my attraction to her, convinced that I was in complete control. Then after I’d woken up for the second time since I had met her in bed with her. Just watching her, as she softly inhaled and exhaled, her beautiful, curly hair tousled around her—I had begun to suspect that maybe I was beginning to slip.
It couldn't happen. I couldn’t fall for her because it was nowhere near the plan.
So just like she had propositioned, we would take this week solely as the gift given to us by the universe to enjoy each other until our time came to an end.
It sounded good enough to me.
A little while later, she was leaning against me in the elevator while I nuzzled her neck, inhaling her clean scent. She smelled just like me, having dabbed a bit of my cologne behind her ears, and I absolutely loved it.
All of the sudden, she sucked in her breath between her teeth, as she read the message she just received on her phone.
“What is it?” I asked.
She glanced up to find my gaze. “My friends have nowhere to be tonight, so I told them about the restaurant, and they want to go there too.”
“That’s perfectly fine. Why are you bothered about it?”
“Uh, you met them the last time right? They’re not exactly reserved.”
Yeah, they weren’t but they had made me laugh. “I very much look forward to meeting them again, especially the blonde one. Somehow, I have a feeling she had a hand in you coming back to me.”
Her eyes widened in shock before a wide smile spread across her lips. “Yeah that would be Anne. And you have no idea.”
Leah
I couldn’t have been more relieved when we entered the Harbor restaurant.
Perhaps it was because I had barely eaten anything all day.
Carter paid more attention to me than he gave to his meal, which at first made me feel shy but I loved every second of it.
Midway through our meal, I received a message from Tracy and my heart lurched into my throat at the notification of their arrival.
I felt guilty because it seemed very likely that from here on out, my time with them would be very limited. I watched when they came in and were seated across the room from us, so I rose to my feet to briefly go over. “My friends just came in. I’ll say a quick hello to them and be back.”
“Why don’t they join us?” he asked, and I felt a bit surprised by this. “Um, ok. I’ll ask them.”
“Only if it’s okay with you.” He nodded “I don’t mind.”
"Alright,” I said, and went over.
Tracy smiled heartily at me as I approached.
Anne wore a look that was a mix between confusion and horror on her face. “What are you wearing?” she asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Tracy quipped.
A few seconds later, Anne finally understood. “Ah, it’s his shirt. Thank God! I thought you bought this.”
“What’s wrong with it?” I retorted. “It’s just a simple white dress shirt.”
“Honey, it’s bigger than you are, but since it’s his, now that’s sexy as fuck. I approve. Where is he by the way?”
“My four ‘o clock,” I said and turned briefly to him so the girls could follow my gaze.
“Again,” Anne said. “That is one fine man.”
“I bet he’s tastier than whatever we’re about to eat right now,” Tracy said.
I smacked her across the shoulder. “Behave you two.”
“So what’s happening between you two now?” Anne asked. “Any chance you’re going to throw him back in the water for the rest of us before this vacation’s over?”
“Not happening.” I beamed. “He extended his vacation until the end of the week for me, so he’s all mine until then.”
“So I guess we won’t be seeing much of you anymore?” Tracy asked, her tone slightly sad.
I felt bad about this. “Of course you will,” I said. “I won’t be with him all the time.” I hoped.
“You’re allowed to spend the nights with him but when I ask you to come explore with me during the day, you’re not allowed to say no.”
I gave her a solemn nod, “I’ll do my best.”
We all turned to glance at him and found him watching us. He raised his hand for a wave, and the girls returned one to him with smiles on their faces.
“God, he’s so hot,” Anne drooled. “Are you sure I can’t even kiss him? This thing between you both is temporary right?”
“Anne, behave,” Tracy scolded as she sighed in defeat.
I had nothing else to say, but then I remembered his request of them joining us at our table. I chose to forgo it, not wanting anything to interrupt our time together tonight, so I didn’t bother informing them. Yes, maybe it was selfish of me, but this was about me enjoying him.
I soon returned to our table, the milk pudding I had ordered for desert awaiting me.
“They won’t be joining us?” he asked.
“No,” I replied. “Tonight, is just the both of us.”
“I love the sound of that.”
His voice had lowered to that deep sexy tone and my heart skipped several beats.
When we were done, he led me across the street to the beach. There, we indeed met a very small band playing, as well as a huge bonfire on the sand surrounded by people.
Carter led me to the snack bar and soon enough, we both had drinks in our hands.
He waited until I’d downed two full glasses of Cosmopolitans before asking me, “Would you like to dance with me?”
At first I hesitated, but then
