I held him close as we sat quietly watching the ships until his stomach growled. “How about some lunch?”
He nodded. “That sounds good.”
When we got to our feet, I draped my arm over his shoulders as we walked back toward the nearby resort. “We have our first massage scheduled at three.”
Luca’s smile was back. “First? How many do you need?”
“All massages are not the same. You’ll see.”
Every time he shared something new about his life, I wanted to protect him even more. When we were together, I was the happiest I had ever been. I wanted to spend every second of every day with Luca, but that wasn’t possible. Things were goingto get complicated, and time would be limited. I hope we didn’t go backward, or he didn’t run or push me away.
Chapter 25
Luca
My bag sat on the bed in the villa, ready to go home. Every room had a memory I never wanted to forget. As I wandered through, I took photos of everything. The view of the beach from the bedroom. The kitchen where we had coffee, the bathroom we shared every day, the bed where we’d given ourselves to one another. It had been the most romantic weekend of my life, Axel ticking off boxes in my life like he had a checklist. No matter what happened at this point, I’d always have Bermuda. And I was glad it was him. What were the odds that two men with little to no relationship experience could make this work? I guess we’d find out.
When it was time for the car to arrive to take us to the plane, Axel found me on the beach, the pink sand running through my fingers. Time had run out on our fairytale weekend, and it was time to face reality. I had to go back to work, and his long season was starting. Long expanses of time that I knew would test us also terrified me. I wouldn’t shut him out, but I had to get used to the distance, and absorbing myself in my work and school would help.
“I don’t want to leave,” he said, “but we must. Too bad they don’t have a hockey team.”
Leaning over, I laughed as I kissed his polo-clad shoulder. “I don’t think tropical islands have hockey teams. But it’s time to get back to the real world of work and the Nighthawks.”
He hummed in agreement. “We can come back, you know. I’ll have a couple of breaks in the season. All-Star week and a few days here and there.” He draped his arm over my shoulders. “Maybe I should buy a place for us so we can come on a whim.”
Us. Magic words to my heart. “It is a beautiful place.”
His phone buzzed when the car arrived. Axel stood, then reached down to pull me up. “Time to go home, love.”
With one last kiss on the beach, Axel held his phone out to take a selfie of us. “Can you send it to me?”
With the press of a button, my phone pinged with the incoming text. Axel took my hand and led us inside. He closed and locked the sliding door that led to the beach, then picked up our bags as we headed to the car.
Three hours later, our plane touched down, officially ending our long weekend. We’d enjoyed another opulent dinner and champagne as we flew back to JFK. Unlike on the way down, I’d only had one glass, choosing to keep my head on straight. As he talked to the flight attendant, I realized how much things had changed. I’d opened my heart to him, and in hindsight, it still felt like the right decision. I’d told him things I never told anyone, so why stop now?
As the pilot taxied to our destination, where George would be waiting, Axel reached for my hand until we pulled to a stop. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I stood from the plush leather seat and stretched. My energy began to wane as we took our bags from the storage compartment and headed for the car. George opened the back, and Axel stowed them as I slid onto yet another leather seat and buckled in. It was a far cry from the cloth interior of my Camry.
George called out to Axel. “Where to, Mr. Hughes?”
I answered. “My apartment, please, George.”
Axel’s brow creased as he took my hand and tried to bargain. “Come home with me. We’ll get up early. I’ll make you breakfast and drive you to the office myself. You know you’ll rest better if you sleep in my bed.”
A big knowing grin spread over my face. I leaned forward, our lips inches apart. “We both know what will happen, and it won’t be sleep. I’ll be a zombie in the morning.”
Curling his fingers around my neck, he nuzzled my cheek and bit my earlobe, replying. “A zombie with a golden tan. What if I promise to let you sleep?”
It would be so easy to say yes. To fall into needing him every second of every day. He knew how I felt about him, but my need for self-preservation kicked in. “I wish I could, but I can’t. After missing these days of work, I’ll have a lot to catch up on tomorrow. I can’t do it wired and sleep-deprived. And my last capstone class starts on Thursday. I’ve got to focus on finishing this project and getting ready for my licensure exams. If I’m with you, I’m going to want to do nothing but be in your bed.”
Axel sat up. “That means I won’t see you until Friday night.”
“I know. But you won’t die. I promise.” I didn’t like this part, but it was reality. “Three nights apart will be good practice for when you’re on the road this season.”
He hardened his jaw like a stubborn little boy. But in the end, he knew I was right. “Fine.” Pouting Axel was irresistible, hence the soul-affirming kiss I gave him. Intimacy was another thing I’d eased into without reservation.
I put my head on his shoulder as we held hands the rest of the way. Toffee and bourbon filled my head until George pulled up outside my building. He parked a block away, but he left the car running as he got out to retrieve my luggage. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Wait.” He grabbed my arm before I got out. “Where will you be working on your project? The library or your apartment?”
