It’s hard to believe almost two weeks have already passed. Two weeks in paradise, completely isolated from the rest of the world. Well, almost completely, since Lex needs a few hours every day to work, and I sent pictures and news to a selected few. I don’t mind him working, since I know he’d go mad from all this idleness otherwise.
The island is small—a tiny patch of white sand lost in the middle of the purest azure water stretching endlessly to the horizon. Equipped with snorkeling masks and fins, we spent hours admiring colorful fishes. On land, we only have a few coconut trees and bushes, so nothing as interesting.
The house, however, is magnificent, with wide openings to the outside on every wall, white curtains dancing freely in the Caribbean wind. It was built to be enjoyed leisurely, with beautiful interiors, a rooftop to sunbathe and admire the sea, stunning views all around… We barely used the small swimming pool, but we soaked in the Jacuzzi every evening, gazing at the stars and cuddling in the middle of the heated bubbles.
We declined the 24/7 assistance, but a boat resupplied us with food and beverages every three days, along with a couple of maids to clean up everything in the most discreet fashion.
Yes, the Wilsons know how to live. Hopefully, the Walkers will, too, when the time comes.
“Still no news?” Lex asks.
“No, nothing online or from Lewis. I imagine it takes a while to prepare such a big operation. Thirty-seven influential people and seven associates… Can you imagine?”
“Hardly.”
We’re quiet for a while, watching the sun lower slowly as the sound of rolling waves fills our ears. When I break the silence, the sun is halfway gone, red and glowing.
“With everything that happened, do you regret going after Becker all those years ago?”
A few beats pass, then he answers, “No. I regret not looking into him harder. I might have stopped him from harming more women if I had.”
Jesus, why does he always blame himself for things out of his control?
I shimmy to my side, dismissing the sunset to look at him instead. “You didn’t know, baby. You couldn’t have known. What Becker and his clan did to those women isn’t on you. But all the ones who’ll be spared once he’s arrested? That’s on us. We did that.”
He lets it sink in, long enough for the sun to be completely gone by the time he says, “I’ve been thinking of opening a fund to help those women.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When it all blows up, some of them will come forward, some will be subpoenaed for the trials, some will want their voices heard… I want to help them.”
“That’s amazing of you, baby.”
“It’s the least I can do. Rehab, therapy, housing, food, money, education… Anything they need to overcome what happened to them, I’ll pay for it.”
How can I love this man even more than I already do?
“I don’t have your resources, but I’d love to help you organize it or something,” I say.
“I’d love that.”
Plastering myself onto him, I lay a hand on his chest and then my chin on it, and look up at his beautiful face. My man, my love, my protector, my fake husband… The best person I’ve ever met, future father of my children… How did I ever get so lucky…
“Will you marry me?” I ask, as I’ve done at least twenty times before.
“No.” As always, he softens the refusal with a tender peck on my lips. “But we’re almost there, my love.”
Ugh, what’s Lewis doing?!
“What do you want to do tonight?” I ask, eager to please him and give him everything he wants in this world and the next.
“Hmm… I want to make love to you on the beach, with the waves lapping at our legs. After that, some of those fish tacos we cooked yesterday. Then, we take that last bottle of champagne with us in the Jacuzzi and empty it straight from the neck. And to finish the night with a bang, I take you to bed for more sex.”
“It sounds like every evening we’ve had since we got here,” I giggle.
“I told you, I like a routine.”
I smile and kiss the underside of his jaw and then endeavor to climb over him. “You’re the boss. You decide.” A lopsided smile bends his lips, and I press myself closer to him, plastering my naked chest on his.
