He lifted his head and then kissed me, softly at first. His lips held mine a moment before the softness turned less gentle. His mouth moved, opening mine and finding my tongue. Heat flared through me as they touched, and his hands moved to my butt, lifting me against him. Easily my legs went around his waist, my arms around his neck. I was kissing him back in spite of the pain.
How could I waste time on self-preservation when our time together was so short? He broke our kiss, dropping his forehead to my cheek. His hands were securely holding my rear, and I moved my hands to his face, making him look up at me again. His brow was creased and his blue eyes were so earnest, yet so full of all the things he wouldn’t tell me. How could I be angry when there were so many things I wouldn’t tell him?
“If things were different,” I said. “I’d tell you I love you right now.”
His forehead relaxed, and his eyes closed. The smallest hint of a smile tried to form on his lips, but I wouldn’t let myself see it. Instead I leaned forward and kissed him hard on the mouth. He kissed me back with an equal amount of passion, then I pushed against his chest, lowering my legs. He released me, brows pulled together again not understanding. I didn’t stay to explain.
I turned and walked fast, not looking back. A few more steps and I was jogging across the grassy area that separated the patio from the spa hotel. He didn’t follow me. He let me go back to my room, where I collapsed into the bed, tears rolling from my eyes.
Elaine didn’t come back to the room that night, and when I awoke the next morning, a note had been slipped under the door.
Please call the front desk. A parcel has been left for you.
Curiously, I picked up the in-house phone and pressed 0. Alerting the hostess I was awake, she said she’d send the parcel right up, and I went to retrieve one of the thick robes that hung in the bathroom. I paused, checking my reflection. My eyes were only a little puffy from crying. I picked up a washcloth and wet it with cold water, holding it gently to them.
All night I’d dreamed of him. We didn’t stay in the little box in my mind, we jumped out of it and ran free and clear all over my life. Derek carried me back to Wilmington, and we made love on the beach in my old hometown. We ran hand in hand through all of my favorite places from my memory, and everywhere he fit in as perfectly as if he was always meant to be there. It broke my heart. My dreams could be so cruel.
Just then the tapping started on my door. I jumped out of bed and ran across the room. The girl handed me a small package, and I handed her a tip. Then I closed the door and went back to the bed, ripping off the paper and pulling out a black velvet box.
For a moment, I hesitated. Then I carefully pulled the top open. Inside was a delicate gold chain on which a floating heart hung. A small note dropped out, and I opened it.
What I would give you. If you hadn’t already stolen it. –D.A.
My lips pressed together as my eyes misted. Gently pulling the chain from the box, I fastened the necklace around my neck. The tag indicated it was 24 karat gold. It would never tarnish. I could leave it on forever if I chose. In the mirror in my room, I saw the delicate charm sat just at the base of my throat, in the little hollow between my collar bones where he’d often kissed me. I touched it gently.
He’d survive without his heart. He had mine to use in its place.
Chapter 8 – Something Truly Major
Elaine called to say she and Patrick were driving to Sedona as planned and wouldn’t be back until late. I assured her I would be fine in her absence.
“Did you make any progress with Derek,” she asked eagerly. “The man is sex on two legs, don’t you think?”
Yes. “What are you saying?” I replied. “Aren’t your eyes only for Patrick?”
“Of course! Patrick is amazing, and I’m not interested in trading at all. But I’m also not blind.”
“Derek is very sexy.”
“Very alpha,” she said in a tone like she was reading my mind. “And ex-military. I know you tend to shy away from those.”
I almost wished that were true. “He is a lot of man, but at the same time, he can be tender.”
Her voice rose in excitement. “So you did get to know him better? Oh, Mel, if you got laid on this trip by that hunk of—”
“Hey,” I cut her off. “Have fun today and be safe.”
“You, too,” she said. “Please do everything I would do.”
I laughed, fingering the little heart floating at my neck as I hung up the phone. “Okay.”
When I’d run off last night, leaving him at the fire pit, I’d also left without a plan for us meeting today. At the same time, when I reflected on our conversation up to that point, I wasn’t sure if the door was still open to us meeting today.
Yes, I’d kissed him and told him I wished I could say I loved him. And he’d sent me this lovely gift, but the words we’d said before that…
Was it best to leave these tokens as our last goodbye?
Everything in me screamed No! If he was within steps of me, I had to try and find him. I considered going to Room 213 and pounding on his door, but I hesitated. If I did that, I’d be sending a message I couldn’t live up to. I’d be saying I was his, and I couldn’t say that.