So much of our twenty-four hours had passed us by. In five hours, we’d be on the boat. In five and a half hours, we’d be on the plane again. I didn’t consider a second of our trip wasted. We didn’t have to leave the room. The noise of the election was obnoxious. Royce was the only one to quiet it. Being with her, no matter what we were doing, was enough.
“You needed rest.”
She pushed out a weighty breath and slid both hands down her face.
“I didn’t sleep.”
Sympathy was the catalyst for my disappointment. I had altered her in ways I never wanted to. My teeth pressed against each other.
“Me either.”
“You’ve been there all morning?”
I nodded.
“Keeping myself busy.”
I lifted the sketchpad. The woman resembled Royce though the picture was far from finished.
“You draw?” Her hand laid against her bare chest.
“When I’m inspired enough.”
Her nipples were like buttons. They hardened as her fingertips ran along her chest.
She took her eyes off me. A smile began to form slowly as she admired the sea life around us. Large turtles. Fish of all colors. Dolphins. Colorful coral reefs.
“And I thought it was beautiful at night.”
We’d reached the boat near midnight. The thirty-six minute ride placed us at the entrance of our villa by twelve-thirty.
“I can’t believe it’s all underwater.”
Royce stood up in bed and extended the hand she lowered from her chest. Her long frame stretched to meet the top of the tank. The bed’s height assisted.
“It’s so beautiful.”
She was a woman with everything… one who had witnessed so much in life. And, one who had experienced even more. Discovering a place she hadn’t meant a lot to me.
“Was it me or them?”
“You or them?”
“Your inspiration?”
I hesitated, watching her twirl so carelessly on the bed. Her smile was bright. So were her eyes. The weight and the worries were gone. A gentler version of Royce had replaced the cold, calculated woman I encountered last night. Though I loved her too, this was who I’d been after.
“Both.”
“Hmm. Understandable.” She paused to catch her breath. Her orbs were on me again. “You look like you have something to say. What is it?”
I folded the cover over the sketch pad and set it beside me. When time permitted, I would finish. For now, Royce had my undivided attention.
“What are your views on marriage?”
She looked in both directions, never turning her head. Wheels were in motion, although her body had stilled.
“What do you mean?”
