Layers(75)

“I’m visiting my parents next weekend for a few days.”

“Oh, you are?”

“It’ll give you some needed peace and quiet to devote to your work.” I beam at him encouragingly.

“I don’t want peace and quiet when it means you’re away,” he says, low and stern.

I adore you, D. I reciprocate with a profound kiss, sinking further into his embrace.

“Dessert?” Iris asks from the doorway.

“Just a quick one, we’ll head home soon.” Daniel adds, to her quizzical look, “I need to work.” She’s not able to mask the disappointment that falls over her face at his words

When we eventually leave, Iris follows us to the door, enfolding us both in a deep, motherly hug. “I am so happy to have finally met you, Hayley, dear.”

I hug her back. “Me too. It was an absolute pleasure.”

“And you, kid,” she says to Daniel, “take care of her. She’s definitely a gem. There’s an aura about her.” She looks at me with a twinkling hazel gaze. “And please, take care of your beautiful self for me, will you?” Daniel’s stare becomes tender as hugs her close.

~~~

I watch Daniel’s peaceful face illuminated by the rays of the morning sun that peek through the blinds, his chest slightly rising and falling with his steady breaths. I love watching how his eyelashes gently caress the soft skin under his tranquil eyes. He looks so handsome and calm, almost childlike, not revealing the weight he carries on his shoulders during the day.

Unable to refrain from touching him, I get closer and softly kiss his slightly ajar lips. He embraces me closer to him sleepily, snuggling his head in the crater formed between my head and shoulder. Inhaling his smell, his appealing, addictive scent, my own eyes feel heavy and I give in to the sudden tiredness falling over me.

~~~

With my eyes still shut I slide my hand beside me, looking for Daniel. Instead I find a cold, empty mattress. Where is he? How long have I slept?

Too sleepy to look for fresh clothes, I put on a pair of his boxers that I find in the open closet. I quickly brush my teeth, splash water on my face to remove the last remnants of sleep and go looking for him.

“Good morning,” he beams at me from under the shaded lounger. Seems as if he’s been working for a while, his laptop on his lap and an empty mug of coffee by his side.

“Morning,” I reply sweetly. He sets his laptop aside.

“Come over here, baby.” He reaches out to me. Parting his legs, he allows me enough space to lie down enveloped by him. “Love the look.” He presses a cinnamon and coffee tasting kiss on my mouth.

“Mmm, cinnamon?”

He chuckles. “Yes, there are some warm cinnamon rolls waiting for you in the oven.”

“You were saying something about a look,” I question, indulging in the closeness of his warm sun-kissed skin.

“You look so hot wearing my boxers.”

“Oh, I do?” A suggestive curve plays on my lips.

“Yes.” He runs a thoroughly predatorial gaze over me.

“Do you want some coffee? I’m going to get one,” I ask.

I’m answered with a sharp, “Later.”

His look darkens with easy-to-interpret intentions, making my insides set off in warm waves that vanish any prior craving for caffeine. This would be a much more satisfying way to help me wake.

“Come here, you.” He pulls me closer as he slides back to lie beneath me. “Damn hot,” he says to my mouth right before claiming it in a rage, his hands squeezing my behind under his loose boxers. From that moment words are the last form of communication we use to connect.

~~~

In the few hours we have before our early afternoon flight, Daniel continues to work by the pool. After a short surfing session, I join in. I lie in the same position I was in earlier that morning, snuggled between his legs, tanning, occasionally disturbing him only to be granted with lush kisses. I can’t even think of having to go back. The thought of it brings me down. These past few, too few, days in this paradise for two have been utterly perfect.

“Knitted brows, Hales?” He looks at me from behind the screen. He sends his finger to the puckered spot between my brows, rubbing it, gently releasing the tension.




“I was just thinking about going back,” I explain, the disappointment clearly reflected in my voice.

“I feel the same way. It’s nice to have you by my side all the time.” His lips twist in a small angle.

“Same here.” I take his hand and kiss the center of his palm lengthily. He slides me to rest on his chest to face him.

“And to think about what’s waiting for me upon return,” he sighs heavily, enfolding me closely.

Loosening his embrace for a few moments, he turns up the volume of the background music with the remote on the wicker side table. The melody plays loud as he cages me in his arms, this time his embrace tighter around me as he mumbles the song’s lyrics into my hair.

I raise my head from the warmth of his chest to look at him, thinking about the lyrics. How one would give up forever just for a touch, and how he feels so close to heaven he doesn’t want to go home.

“How fitting,” I murmur in bitter frustration. He nods, biting his lower lip.

“We’re coming back here the first chance we get,” he asserts. I couldn’t agree more.