“All I can remember was that getting sand off of your body was equally as pleasurable as getting it on your body.” He leaned down and kissed her.
She tried to keep it light. But her body melted to him, as if recognizing him already. She was breathless when they parted.
“You should go.” She swallowed hard. “I’ll meet you for snorkeling in an hour.”
There was a small hike up Black Rock, then a fun dive. Nimita had done it once before. It was a fabulous experience.
She watched them start their climb, then made her way to where the snorkeling was. She obtained a boogie board with a snorkel mask and set off into the water.
Her mind drifted over the past few days. She had found some escape here, as well as some unexpected peace. It was time to fix what she had broken. Tomorrow, it was back to real life.
Chapter Eleven
Roshan was grateful for his sunglasses as he drove to the airport at the crack of dawn. The sky was light purple, orange and yellow as the sun insisted on rising bright and happy, at odds with the hollow that was being carved out in his stomach. Nimi was chatting nearly nonstop in the seat beside him, her voice animated as she gave him more sightseeing suggestions and restaurants recommendations. He hadn’t heard this much energy in her voice—ever. Not that Nimi wasn’t energetic. It was just more today. Forced.
They had spent last night soaking up the last minutes of their time together, and now he found himself without anything to say.
No. That wasn’t true. He had plenty to say.Let’s not end this. Where do you live? We can make this work. I think I’m falling for you.But she needed to fix things with her family so she could stop running. He still had work. And Malini. He simply was not going to say it. They had an agreement. Vacation only.
“Nimi,” he said softly as he took the airport exit. Damn but the airport was close by. “We have your very detailed itinerary. We’ll figure it out.”
“Right.” She nodded. “Of course.” She paused for a moment, then turned her body to him. “Just remember that the dessert at Merriman’s is totally worth it—”
He turned his head slightly with a raised eyebrow.
She smiled with chagrin. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll stop.” She faced forward in her seat. Silence fell between them, heavy and tense. “That’s me.” She pointed toward the right door.
All around, people loaded and unloaded luggage, hugged their loved ones with excitement and dread, cried tears of joy and sadness. Buses dropped off and picked up their passengers, brakes squealing. Airport police patrolled in cars and on foot despite the fact that the crowd seemed small at this hour. Overhead, the sound of planes taking off and landing added to the symphony of the airport.
He pulled over to where she had indicated. She was taking one of the major airlines out, and not Wanderlust. That didn’t tell him much, like where exactly she was headed. He knew she planned to see her sister, but then what?
Not that it mattered where she was going. Whatever this was, it was over. He got out of the car and grabbed her bag from the trunk without saying a word. There was no way to trust what would come out of his mouth.
“Thanks,” she said with her normal voice. “I could have gotten that.”
“I know. I just wanted to.” He reached up and closed the trunk.
“Trying to get rid of me faster?” she teased.
“Yes.” He grinned at her. “My next fling is waiting for me.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Well, you tell her that I tired you out last night.”
He moved closer to her. “That you did.” He was close enough to catch her perfume, light and floral. She was looking at him, something new in her eyes. Was it dread? Did she not want to leave? Well, who ever wanted to leave paradise?
She looked up at him, soft brown eyes resting on him. What was behind those eyes?
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth. Coffee and mint. “Safe travels.”
“Bye. Have fun.” She stepped back and grabbed her bag. “Tell Vishal and Karan I had a great time and thank them for their kindness.”
He nodded. They were going to miss her, too. That never happened. Vishal and Karan had never liked any of the women he dated. It figured that the one they liked only wanted a fling.
He opened his mouth to tell her to text when she landed, but he caught himself. That was what people in relationships said. Not flings. The pit in his stomach hollowed out. He watched her enter the airport and followed her as long as he could see her. If she looked back, it was a sign.
“Sir.” An airport police officer approached. “I’m going to have to ask you to move along.”
“Of course.” Roshan nodded at the officer, his eyes still following Nimita.
