We collapsed, panting, her laying on top of me, her head on my chest, our heartbeats syncing in the aftermath. She traced the scar there, her finger gentle, curious. "How did this happen?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.
I hesitated, the past a shadow I rarely revisited. "Childhood wasn't as great as my life now. Accidents happen when you're young.”
She lifted her head, her eyes searching mine. "I'm sorry you went through that."
I shrugged, pulling her closer. "It made me who I am. Tougher, maybe." She smiled, snuggling into me, her body warm and soft against mine.
We lay there for what felt like hours, talking in hushed tones about everything and nothing. As the night deepened, we dozed off and on, our bodies entwined. But desire stirred again before dawn. She woke me with soft kisses down my chest, her hand stroking me back to hardness. "Round two?" she whispered, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight filtering through the curtains.
"Absolutely," I replied, rolling her beneath me once more. This time, it was slower, more intimate, exploring each other's bodies with hands and mouths, building a crescendo that left us both breathless again. As we caught our breath, I looked into her eyes, my voice a low murmur. "Aurelia, you're going to ruin me... and I'm going to let you."
Chapter 15
Aurelia
The first hints of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains of my room, casting a soft, rosy glow across the room. I stirred slowly, my body heavy with the kind of exhaustion that came from a night of passion rather than sleeplessness. For once, the nightmares had stayed at bay, replaced by the warmth of Keith's arms around me, his steady breathing lulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep. As my eyes fluttered open, I realized he wasn't lying beside me anymore. Instead, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, his posture poised and alert, as if he'd been watching me for a while. His dark hair was neatly combed, but a few strands fell rebelliously over his forehead, and his eyes held a softness that made my heart skip a beat.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and smooth, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He reached out, brushing a strand of my hair from my face with a gentleness that contrasted his commanding presence.
I propped myself up on one elbow, the sheet slipping slightly. A blush crept up my cheeks as memories of last night flooded back.The way his hands had explored my body, the intensity of our kiss escalating into something raw and consuming. "Good morning," I replied, my voice still husky from sleep. "You're up early. Couldn't sleep?"
He smiled softly, his dimples appearing briefly. "Actually, I slept better than I have in years. But I have things to attend to. Meet me at the shed in the morning? I have something to show you."
Curiosity piqued, I raised an eyebrow. "The shed? What kind of something? Is it work-related?"
His smile widened, mysterious. "You'll see. Trust me. It's worth it. Say, in about three hour? Rest till then"
I nodded, a spark of excitement igniting in my chest. "Okay. I'll be there."
He leaned down, pressing a quick, tender kiss to my forehead. "Good. Get some more rest." With that, he stood, his tall frame filling the room for a moment before he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
I flopped back onto the pillows, a giddy smile spreading across my face. What was he planning? The secrecy only made it more thrilling. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt light, unburdened. The nightmares that usually haunted my mornings were absent, replaced by a warm afterglow from the night before. Keith had a way of making the world feel smaller, safer, like his presence alone could chase away the shadows. I closed my eyes, letting myself drift back into a peaceful doze, the sheets still carrying his cedarwood scent.
After about two hours, I woke up. Refreshed from a quick shower and dressed in a simple sundress, I made my way to the shed. Themorning sun was climbing higher, painting the island in vibrant greens and blues, the air alive with the chirp of birds and the distant roar of waves. The shed came into view, its open sides letting in the breeze. Keith was there, his back to me as he stood by the table, examining something I couldn't see. Even from behind, he exuded confidence with shoulders broad, stance solid, like he owned not just the island but the very air around him.
I approached quietly, but he sensed me anyway, turning with that poised grace that always took my breath away. His eyes lit up when they met mine, a genuine smile breaking through. "Right on time," he said, stepping toward me. "Come see."
Curiosity bubbling, I joined him at the table. But instead of blueprints or designs, there was... a picnic basket? And a map of the island with a path marked in red, leading deep into the forest. "What's all this?" I asked, glancing up at him.
He took my hand, his touch warm and firm. "I arranged a date. Thought we could use a break from the work. There's a spot I want to show you. An oasis in the forest, away from everything."
A date? My heart fluttered. "Really? Well, lead the way!"
We set off, hand in hand, the path winding through dense forest, palms and ferns brushing our arms as we went. The air grew thicker with the scent of earth and flowers, the sounds of the resort fading behind us. "How far is it?" I asked, stepping over a root.
"Not too far," he replied, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. "About twenty minutes. But it will be worth it"
We chatted as we walked, the conversation light and easy. "Tell me more about the island," I said. "What was the hardest part of building it?"
He thought for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. “The ocean,” he said finally. “It started as nothing—just open water. No land, no foundation. Everyone told me it couldn’t be done, that you can’t build stability in something that never stops moving.”
His voice dropped lower, steady but laced with quiet pride. “But I did. Every grain of sand you see was brought here. The bedrock was artificial. Steel, reinforced concrete, anchored into the ocean floor. It took years of testing, months of storms undoing what we built overnight. But I refused to stop. Brought in engineers from four countries. Every day, the tides tried to undo what we built. Every storm tested it. But slowly, the island began to rise from the water. One structure, one dream at a time.”
He looked out across the lagoon, the faintest smile curving his lips. “When the first villa stood on its own, surrounded by nothing but sea, I knew it was real. I’d built a home out of the impossible. A piece of calm in the middle of chaos.”
Then his gaze flicked back to me, softening. “What about you? What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on?”
I smiled, thinking back. "A beach house in Malibu. The clients wanted it to feel like an extension of the ocean with blues and whites and open spaces. It was challenging, but seeing their faces when it was done... priceless."
