“I love you, baby.”
I remove my hands from between us, resisting the urge to lick her off my fingers for fear it might break my resilience. We remain like this for a few minutes, basking in the nearness of our bodies and souls. It’s only when I hear the raspiness of her breath that I realize she’s fallen asleep on top of me.
There, the proof I needed. If such a mild orgasm can knock her out so efficiently, she definitely isn’t ready for more. Soon, though. One more week and I’ll do whatever she wants.
Five weeks is a good number. Right in the middle of the surgeon’s suggestions.
How reasonable of us.
Chapter 24
“So, how are you doing,mija?” my mother asks on the other end of the line.
“Great. My shoulder doesn’t hurt anymore, unless I lift my arm above my head. But that’s normal. And I’ve been much more active lately. We’re actually getting ready to go on a hike.”
“A hike?! Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”
“Ah-ha. It’s a short one. But I need the exercise. Lex keeps cooking calorie-heavy meals, and I’ve gained like, ten pounds since we got here.”
“Well, that’s good. You were skin and bones before.”
“No, I wasn’t. But he feels that way too, so I’m pretty sure he’s doing it on purpose.”
“That’s a good man. Keep him.”
“I intend to,” I say with a laugh. Once my hiking boots—which were delivered yesterday—are laced, I stand and look at myself in the mirror, twisting around to see how those yoga pants look. Jesus, it’s like all ten pounds went right there. At least Lex will have something to look at if the nature out there turns out to be disappointing, which I doubt.
“How are you enjoying Costa Rica?” my mom then asks.
“Oh, uh… It’s been great. The resort is amazing, and the excursions are great,” I lie.
Lex keeps moving us around, buying plane tickets, and making it look like we’re getting into those planes. We’ve been in Belize, Cuba, Barbados, and now Costa Rica. Literally all places I wish I’d been to.
“I hope you’re getting some rest,pollito.”
“Ugh, too much of it. I spent almost five weeks resting, that’s how I put on all those pounds.”
“Good. So, Alexander is not too… demanding?”
I almost snort at that. If anything, I’m the demanding one. Two more days, and the gates of paradise will open to me again. I still wishwe’d gone with four weeks, but I’m glad I negotiated it down to five weeks instead of six. I’m pretty sure this short hike is actually a test from Lex. If I can’t handle a few miles, I’m pretty sure he’ll push us back to six weeks. And I’m not letting that happen.
“Are you ready to go, freckles?” Lex asks, his head popping through the doorframe.
“Yeah, just a sec,” I reply. Lex nods and disappears as swiftly as he appeared. “Mom, I have to go. I’ll call you back later, okay?”
“Yes, of course. Take pictures,mija.”
“Will do,” I lie with a wince.
Per usual, I’ll find an excuse and say I forgot, or my battery died. We’ve sent a couple of pictures, stuff we found on the internet and edited so a reverse search wouldn’t work. But it’s safer to keep it to a minimum.
When I arrive downstairs, Lex is throwing a few snacks in a backpack, as well as two water bottles. Like me, he’s fully geared, wearing black shorts and a matching hoodie over his gray long-sleeved crewneck.
“Hey there, hot stuff,” I greet as I reach him.
“Mrs. Wilson.”
“God, I love it when you flirt back. Shall we?”
