The etching sound that dances across the kitchen window is enough to send my back straight and instantly my eyes open to pitch darkness as a thin layer of cold sweat rests on my forehead. What is that sound, and why is Adam not rushing up to check what it is? Now that I'm awake I remember that I'm not in bed, but lying on Gabe's couch. A thick, blue duvet is covering my body, so it's no wonder I feel so sweaty. Pushing the blanket off me, instantly I feel the cool air lingering on my body. The nausea swirls wildly in my empty stomach, and my head is swimming with full-formed regrets. Why did I drink so much? Why is there a crust of dried saliva on my lips? Why am I thinking about Adam, and how much I want to see him at this very instant?In the silence, I am alone with my thoughts and it is horrendous. My melancholy hangs over me like a black cloud. I can't just lie here. I stand up in a hurry and regret it instantly. My brain feels swollen and numb, like a sink needing to be unclogg
This is bliss. I am sitting in a field of daisies and dandelions, and I marvel at the dandelion seeds blowing lazily in the gentle breeze. I run my hand along the tips of the soft grass, relishing in my solitude in this vast and never-ending meadow. Holding my face upwards to feel the warm light of the mid-summer day, I breathe in this fresh country air. All of a sudden, this nagging crow flies over me and caws at me. I shake my arms at it, hoping it will fly away. But it comes back, swooping low over my head and caws louder. Why won't this bird go away? I'm getting annoyed now and I wave my hands to shoo it away but it's on a mission now. Caw, caw, caw!Like a jolt to my system, I am jerked awake to the sound of a kookaburra chirping outside. Light is everywhere.I am comfortable and warm - in this bed. ButI open my eyes, and blink rapidly to look upon the ceiling that is not mine. It's a cool light blue instead of warm white. And these are not my sheets covering my body, it's a
"Business proposition?" I place the dishes in the rack and turn around, backing up against the sink. He strolls towards the kitchen with his plate, with total relaxed swagger. He's really confident, I'll give him that."Aha, I knew that would get you interested. Care to hear more?" I do. I need to know why he's back. He can't just show up out of the blue, discussing business with me without divulging what his situation is."Fine.But only if you tell me why you're back," I challenge quickly.He raises an eyebrow, his face illegible. "I don't think so. Obviously, you're not interested enough." "I'll put in a good word to Hansley." "What do you mean?"I'm having fun with this. "Well, I could either say you took me here when I was at my most vulnerable and looked after me. Or I could say you took me here when I was at my most vulnerable and messed with me." I can see a trace of panic across his face. "You wouldn't dare." He knows how protective Hansley is of me, especially when
"Seriously, is that why?"Tristan might be a womaniser but surely he's responsible enough to not jeopardise his career like that, or so I thought.He shrugs, seemingly unworried."We were having fun, and then she decided she wanted more."I raise an eyebrow, interested in some gossip. "And then what?""Well, let's just say it was easier to come back and start afresh. I can't go breaking hearts all over America too, it's not fair to the female population," he says with a cocky chuckle.Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I stare at him in disbelief. "Have you ever heard of the phrase mixing business and pleasure? And that it's bad?"Those full lips quirk up in a smile. "It's all pleasure to me."I swallow nervously at the way he is looking at me. You're seeing things. Tristan is a renowned flirt. He's just a friend."So are you interested or not?" he says it so suggestively and my cheeks warm. "To what?""Us, working together. Destination weddings?" Oh, here I thought he m
"Jesus Christ Lace, here I was about to send out a search warrant for you. And you were just busy shoving your tongue down some hot guy's throat. I suppose I can forgive you," Gabe's teases with a naughty grin. Sitting on Gabe's glass dining table, my feet are firmly planted on the black chair as I rest my face on my knees. Gabe put on a pot of Turkish apple tea, and it smells wonderfully aromatic. All is forgiven, considering I just left in the middle of the night, with his car no less, and didn't tell him when I was coming back. I've had chocolate, too, but nothing is helping to make me feel better."We didn't make out. We kissedI mean he kissed me" my face flushes at the memory of his full lips caressing mine. Those hands on my body. How can one kiss be so damn good? How could I just fall into the arms of another man, even if it was the most amazing thing to happen to me inyou know what? I don't want to compare it to anything.There was nothing like it, which is embarrassing consi
BOOK TWO: AMALFI COASTPushing the heavy mahogany door open, I walk into the room breathless. Not because I'm sweating underneath my black Capri pants and t-shirt, not because the bus ride stopped half a mile shorter than expected, and not because Gabe and I had to walk up several flights of stairs with our heavy luggage in tow. No, I'm breathless because of this view in front of me. White walls from floor to ceiling. Blue embroidered carpet. Crystal blue skies outside the large white windows.?I set the suitcase at the door and drop my black leather handbag on top of it to explore the room: the classic lined wallpaper, the antique circle dining table, the pure white starched sheets. I've been transported to interior design paradise. I'm. In. Italy. I have to pinch myself that I'm really here, on the Amalfi Coast. More specifically, I'm staying in the Grand Hotel Villa Galleria, one of the most luxurious hotels in all of Southern Italy. It looks more like a 14th century castle th
I lean into the circular gilded mirror, taking inventory at my reflection. After the afternoon pool lounge session with Gabe, I now have a nice light tan and I like the colouring on me. Two thick coats of mascara have been applied, a bit of blush has been dabbed on, my hair is as straight as it can be but in this humidity I doubt it will last long before it frizzes.The only solution is to tie it up in a casual half pony-tail that makes it look even more full and voluminous. My long black dress feels snug and comfortable, and I've just painted my toenails dark green to go with my brown sandals. Happy with my efforts, I grab my purse and head out of my hotel room, eager to catch up with my old friend.The hotel lobby is uniquely Mediterranean. From the yellow terracotta tiles to the high ceiling fans, there is so much light and openness here that it feels more like an opulent villa rather than a hotel. I scan the room, searching for a familiar face amongst the sea of relaxed tourists. A
I'm in bed with a man. He doesn't have a face, just a perfectly sculpted physique. Lying on top of me, my arms are pinioned above my head as his muscular arms hold me down. His adept hands explore my naked body, roaming up and down. Caressing my waist, tracing my stomach, flicking across my erect nipples. A moan leaves me as those magical fingers go down, all the way down.?His hips pinned to mine, he leans in to capture my mouth, his tongue skillfully working my own. Then his fingers find their way to the apex of my bare thighs and I arch my back, keen for him to touch me, conquer me. Without hesitation he drives a finger right now, hitting my sweet spot with a sharp slap, and godoh godit's glorious, I'm going to come, I'm going to come. And then I look up and I see whiskey coloured eyes.Abruptly I wake up, sitting up from the bed, gasping for breath, covered in sweat. Did I justhave a wet dream? And did Ihave it about a certain someone? I'm completely confounded. What the hell just