“You better stop. We can’t keep Paul waiting.”
He levels his eyes at me. “Respectfully, fuck Paul.”
Then he scoops me over his shoulder, slapping my ass as I laugh and yell for him to put me down. Luis looks thoroughly entertained by us as Rome carries me all the way to my seat. We’re presented with a delicious lunch consisting of chips and guacamole, seafood ceviche, and wood-grilled chicken and vegetables.
We take our time feeding each other and enjoying the cocktails that were made for us before jumping in the water. After, Rome has me help him set up the Kindle app on his phone so he can continue reading the A.R. Washington book, and I can start a new e-book on our way back to shore.
Days like today stay with you forever and when the dust of mine and Rome’s relationship settles, I’ll be grateful to have had this.
When we get back to the hotel, Rome immediately passes out. Because I’m not tired at all, I let him keep sleeping peacefully. I kiss him on his forehead and leave him in my room to go find Evie. She texted me while we were on the boat, but Rome refused to let me acknowledge the outside world. I tell her to meet me by the entrance, and we agree to ride bikes into town to do some shopping.
“What did you do with your day of rest?”
I look down at the ground to hide the smile threatening to take over my entire face. “Exactly that, rested. I finished the second A.R. Washington book.”
“Oh, that’s good. Was the book good?”
“It was the best reading experience I’ve had in a long time,” I say, biting my lip.
“Oop. Okay, girl. Tell me no more about your one-handed reading.”
I roll my eyes, going back to rifle through the hangers of shirts in the clothing store we’re checking out. “And what did you do with your day, miss ma’am?”
“I spent most of the day going back and forth between my pool and my bed. I had planned to go out and find me a little boo ting, but I was too damn tired. Those drinks last night were potent. Is this what we’re to look forward to in our thirties? Actual hangovers? I rebuke this.”
I didn’t feel hungover at all when I woke up today, but then again, I’m pretty sure Rome and I sweat all the alcohol out. “We are in our thirties, Evie.”
“No. We’re thirty. Next year, we’ll be in our thirties. There’s a difference.”
“Whatever you say.”
We look through a few more stores, mostly browsing, but we do get a few pieces of jewelry and handbags. We go into a store that features all types of handmade art. While Evie is looking at the alebrijes, the clay art catches my eye. One in particular, a pair of handcrafted clay sea turtles, makes me think of Rome. Two souls drifting together despite their very nature to be alone. I look around to see if there are any clay giraffes lying around but there aren’t.
Decision made. He gave me a memorable day; I want to get him a physical representation of what it meant to me.
“I’m finished. Did you wanna get something?” Evie asks, joining me in front of the clay art.
“Yeah, I think I do.”
Chapter Six
Rome
Aswitch flipped in the days after our boat trip. Before, we were moving with barely put together restraint. We enjoyed each other at night and acted like strangers during the day. But now? She’s still holding on to the foolish notion that what we’re doing will come to an end after the week is up tomorrow, but in the meantime, she’s finally allowing herself to be with me completely, in and out of the bedroom. Every free moment she has is spent with me. She doesn’t hesitate to be in my presence around our friends and even though she doesn’t allow herself to be affectionate with me, the way we’ve been outwardly eye fucking each other is bound to get us caught.
I meant what I told her the other day, I’m not afraid of getting caught. I’m drawn to her in a way that I can’t explain but I know I need more. Whatever more entails, I want it.
The craving I have for her has me texting her to join me in the gym, even though I just left her not one hour ago.
Me: Get outta bed and come work out with me
I wipe the sweat already pooled on my forehead with my towel while I wait for her response. The hotel gym is completely empty right now, and normally I would revel in this time to put my headphones in and lose myself in my workout, but J has my mind too gone to be able to do that.
J: Oh so you think you can just make demands of me now?
Me: You right that was wild of me. You should come to the gym and set me straight
J: Lol if I were a fool that might have worked
