“Yes, Brady. I want you. I know that. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it earlier. I’m sorry I let so much time go by without letting you know. And so much time away from you. I don’t want to be away from you again. I want to find a way to make it work for both of us. If that’s what you want?”
“Yes, that’s what I want, Hayes.” I think I might see a small tear in the corner of his eye. I put my lips to it and kiss it away before it can fall. Then my mouth moves over the rest of his face, kissing him slowly at first, but I can’t keep my tongue off his lips or out of his mouth. This connection we feel tonight with the promise of tomorrow in the air is powerful. I move my face in front of his and kiss him so he knows exactly how I feel. In this moment, there is no distance between us.
Chapter 40
Spring Break, Final Day
One year ago
Hayes Carter Itinerary
Chicago to Clarkson University Hartford, Connecticut
13h 20m (869 mi)
via I-90 E and I-80 E
This route includes tolls. Single drivers are not permitted in HOV(High-Occupancy Lane)
Brady Gibson Itinerary
US Air Flight Number: 9841 Class: FIRST
From: (MID) Chicago, IL Depart: 5:40 AM
To: (BDL) Hartford, Connecticut Arrive: 7:50 AM
Stops: NONSTOP
Equipment: Boeing 777 Jet
Capri Week Ahead Forecast
Sunny skies may yield to gathering clouds as the week unfolds. An even chance between sunshine and showers, with two competing weather systems creating unstable conditions.
Chapter 41
Capri
Hayes
Saltwater splashes my face as the private ferry from Napoli to the Isle of Capri cuts through the choppy sapphire water. I’m standing with one arm around Brady and other is holding the camera in front of us, trying to get the stunning orchards that cling to the rocky cliffs soaring above the coastline into frame.
“Aisha should like that one,” I say to Brady as I lower my arm so I can have both around his waist. I’m even more motivated to earn that bonus now so that Brady can use it to start school and join me in Boston. I squeeze his small body tightly and pull him closer to me.
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that we woke up this morning in Poland with our bodies entwined and not enough time to have one last round of initiating this new phase of our relationship. But we did it anyway. I stayed close to him all night, sometimes putting my leg over his or kissing his back softly.
When I woke up, I could feel his dick pressing against my thigh so I rolled toward him and let him know I was feeling the same exact way and pressed into his side. We almost missed our connection in Rome but thanks to Brady charming a gate agent, who he claims was “family,” we were able to board after the flight closed.
We hit some rougher water so I lead him to one of the benches and sit next to him. “Look at those cliffs and the sun hitting the water. It’s absolutely exquisite. There must be so many beautiful places to swim or hike,” Brady says.
“Hike?” I ask and twist my head in confusion. “You mean hiking between stores while I carry bags, I assume.”
“No, I mean actual hikes, with you.” He turns and puts his hand on my chest then bites his lip. “Though I will need to buy some better boots for that, so it does mean some shopping.” He smiles up at me. “I found a ton of beautiful trails in the Hamptons this past year. There’s one through a marshy swamp with beautiful views of the bay.”
“You, Brady Gibson, have chosen to step in, and I quote, ‘a marshy swamp.’” I can’t hold back a laugh. “What happened to your position on the not-so-great outdoors?”
He moves his body so he’s in front of me and I can wrap my arms around him. “What can I say? You aren’t the only one who’s changed. After that night camping in Pennsylvania, I found it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I walked lot of great nature trails last year. Mosquitos and humidity remain my mortal enemies, but I like it.”
