It was time to return home.
“Well?”
She smiled a sad smile which he immediately understood the meaning behind.
“I’m okay; I got cleared for flying home”
He held her close, her head tucked under his chin.
“Okay, let’s talk about this later”
They had arranged to go out for lunch as apart from visiting Terri at the Inn Carrie hadn’t gone further than the beach that last week of recovery. Endless hours she walked with Nico throwing sticks and balls for Beau to play catch. She had opened up more to him than anyone about her grief for Rob and feeling so lost. How detached she was from her job and now on her sabbatical. She felt her confidence had returned as her healing continued. She had refused Nico’s request to have dinner with his parents, preferring their arrangement at the beach house. Nico didn’t challenge her too much as he didn’t want to intrude on their limited time together. He knew it was coming to an end. That he was also needed urgently in LA to get keep the project on track but he didn’t want to acknowledge this. Belle had said as much to Carrie the previous evening. “We need him here Carrie; sorry to say this darling because I know you need him too”
“I understand Belle, really I do. I expect tomorrow that I will be given the all clear to fly home so he might be with you sooner than you think”
“Are you still going home?”
“I have to Belle, I’ve got to get some perspective on this, and I don’t know what happening between me and Nico”
Less than 24 hours later, she still felt the same. She could feel his reluctance to discuss what the Doctor had said and let him distract her with talk of the Cape.
“My gramps would take me out on his sail boat and we would spend hours, fishing and exploring. Making camps and staying out in the ‘wilderness’ until it was time to go home. Gramps always had dogs and we would take them with us.”
“It sounds like a fun time. An idyllic childhood”
“I wouldn’t say idyllic all of the time. My Dad was busy building an empire a complete workaholic and my Mom was busy being on every charity board or worthy cause. But yeah, I was lucky, I really miss him.”
“I had a great childhood. A protective older sister who has always been there for me. Parents who let me make my mistakes but helped patch me up when things went wrong. I’ve said before my father has a big family so there is always a sense of belonging. It’s never quiet. Plus Belle, who could forget to include my Auntie Belle? I have to say no sail boat though!”
The server returned and topped up their wine glasses. “A sail boat isn’t everything!”
“Nico, I’m going to book my flight home. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. But I need to get back home and you are needed in LA”
“The work can wait Carrie but do you have to go now? As soon as the doctor has deemed you fit to fly?”
“I do Nico, I’m not looking for excuses but my sister does need me just now. Things will be hectic at home and I can help her.”
“I won’t try and change your mind but I hoped you might want to see what happens with us”
“I’m not saying never Nico, I’m just saying not now. This feels too magical for me and there hasn’t been much of that recently in my life,”
He stood up and pulled a few dollar bills from his pocket.
“You want magic? I want to fuck you. We are leaving now”
They made their way back to the beach house with little conversation. She could see Jay try to attract Nico’s attention in the mirror but no words were exchanged. The door to the beach house closed firmly and Nico turned the lock. Her bag dropped to the floor as they pulled at clothes. There was a clichéd buttons popping moment but she was sure she saw one pop from Nico’s shirt and bounce on the floor. That was when the last coherent thought left her head. They made it little further than the living area. Carrie bounding into the back of the high winged chair. Her hands gripping it as her body pressed forward. Shoes discarded along with her trousers. “Take your clothes off, now” he demanded raising her arms and pulling her top over her head. She thought she heard the tear as the delicate panties she wore ripped. Naked her back to him she heard the zipper of his trousers as it lowered and they fell to the floor. Skin to skin she felt his bare chest against her back. This was no gentle lovemaking. It was raw and wild. He bit at her neck and she leant forward holding tighter onto the back of the chair. Hooking her up he had his hands on her waist as he balanced and pulled her onto his hard length. Her back against the flat of his stomach. Plunging again and again. Her body welcomed him with her wetness she arched into him with each feel of his cock. “You are so fucking hot” His hand swept lower and between her thighs. Just a few brief touches of his fingers and the ecstasy began. She screamed his name.
The afternoon passed in a delicious haze alternating in passion and gentleness.
It was late when she woke and her body bore the aches a different type. Nico lay on the bed next to her. “Hungry?”
“Yes, for food. As our lunch was abandoned.”
Nico laughed, “I will call for some food. Club sandwich sound okay?”
“Delicious, let me go for a quick shower first”
The powerful shower had steamed the bathroom almost instantly. The door misted over and Carrie gave a start as Nico opened the door. “Room for another?”
Carrie kissed him, pulled his head closer to her as their kiss deepened “I think we can accommodate you”
She lathered the liquid soap into her hands and smoothed it over his chest until the soap bubbled. Teasing him with her strokes as her hands lowered, occasionally skimming over the top of his groin and thigh. She could feel the muscles in his stomach tighten as she moved her hand within a fraction of his growing hardness. It pressed against her belly as her hand trailed down to his buttock. She kissed him again full on the mouth her teeth gently nipping at his bottom lip. He moved to pull her closer and she shook her head.
“Let me”
Her hand moved delicately down his chest as she slowly lowered to the floor of the shower and pressed Nico back to the tiles out of the direction of the flow of the water. Her hand gripped his cock and pulled it towards her open mouth.
“Ah Carrie, what are you doing to me?”
“Oh Nico, I think you know exactly what I am doing”
Then she took him over the edge as her mouth covered his erection. Her hands cupping and stroking him as he filled her mouth. She moved her hands to behind his buttocks and her mouth continued to work a magic of its own as his breath quickened. He was so close to coming when he looked down at her eyes gazing at him he shattered.
They both avoided discussing Carries return home. Instead they shared the sandwiches on the rug in front of the open fire which Nico had lit. Drank soda instead of wine.
Carrie could hear the muffled sound of the vibrate of Nico’s mobile.
“You better answer that”
“It can wait”
Within seconds the house phone to the beach house rang.
“I guess that can’t”
Nico abandoned their picnic and answered the ringing phone. Carrie cleared the remnants of their meal as he took the call.
“What?” she heard him exclaim and gave him privacy while she dressed in pyjamas feeling a little vulnerable in the dressing gown.
Nico was still on the call when she returned to the living room.
“I’m sorry Carrie, I have to go. I need to fly tonight to LA. There was a fire during the fit out of the kitchen. That was the crisis management team.”
“Belle?”
“Is fine, no one has been hurt but I have to go. There are the authorities to deal with as well as trying to get the project back on track.”
“Do you know what happened?”
“They think it was a gas leak but it’s not been confirmed”
“Okay,” masking her disappointment, “What do you need?”
She helped him gather his lapt
op whilst he dressed, repacked his shaving kit and toiletries. Familiar things she had done a million times for Rob.
“Come with me”
“I can’t Nico; you know that’s not practical. You have work to do, people who are depending on you to fix things. Is it okay to stay here until I get my flight?”
“Carrie did you think I was going to throw you out as I go out the door? Of course you can stay, let me get Robin to book your flight okay,”
“Okay”
They kissed with a little desperation as if it would be their last moment of intimacy together. “I will call you tomorrow and we can talk about us”
She nodded not trusting herself to speak.
Despite her misgivings Carrie slept soundly. Her phone had messages from Nico. He had tasked Robin with booking her return flights. She had an email from Robin with confirmation of a flight the following day. The same route as before but a shorter layover time. The tickets business class. She had arranged for them to be delivered to her that day. Wow that was quick. She began to pack her things into the cases once she finally found them stored away. The gifts she had bought for her family and the beautiful dress she had worn to the dance. All seemed like a million years ago. Nico’s tattered shirt, now button less she had packed away too. The scent of his aftershave embedded in the material. Something drew her to not place it in the laundry hamper but to take it with her. Nico had notified the sheriff’s department of her pending return home. They would contact her when there were any further developments with her case. She had declined to know any further information on her attacker. She just wanted to forget about it as quickly as possible. They told her he was in the county lock up and bail had been set.
Carrie carefully packed away her belongings for her return journey then made a call to Monique to say their goodbyes. No time to meet as Monique was visiting family up state. They promised to keep in touch. Carrie ended the call as there was a knock on the door. Expecting it to be her tickets or Jay to bring Beau for his walk it was Nico’s mother who greeted her.
“Oh Mrs Devanti, I didn’t expect to see you”
“Clearly you didn’t”
Taken aback by her tone, she held the door open as her visitor pushed through.
“Can I get you anything?” Carrie offered.
“No, I see you’ve made yourself quite at home here,”
“It was very kind of your family to help during my recuperation”
“My son was determined to offer our hospitality”
“It was much appreciated”
Mrs Devanti walked through the room her eyes taking in every detail of the room.
“I’m sure it was”
Bristling at her tone Carrie replied, “What are you implying?”
“Do you think you have landed a meal ticket with my son as he is apparently besotted with you? What can you offer him?”
“I really think my relationship with Nico is none of your business. I don’t have to explain myself.”
“Relationship? Is that what it is called? You hardly know each other. You have baggage Carrie. Baggage my son does not require. How much do we have to pay to see you off?”
Holding onto the same chair for support that yesterday she had been holding in ecstasy. Baggage? Oh that one hurt. Her face masked the emotions she was feeling. She walked over to the door and held it open.
“For your information, I neither want nor need your money. As for baggage, how dare you speak to me like that. That’s my life you are talking about. Mrs Devanti, I think that you should leave before we both say things that we can’t take back.”
“Nico is a good man and he deserves to be with someone of his own calibre, someone who hasn’t been married before and has that type of baggage.”
“I have never been more insulted in my life. I’m a widow not some serial gold digger divorcee. I don’t care if this is your property get out. Get out before I forget the manners that my Mother instilled on me and kick your skinny ass as you leave”
Shaking she stormed through the house collecting the remaining items of her belongings. Baggage! She exclaimed. No way could she stay here another twenty four hours. She would rather sleep on the floor of the airport than spend another moment on Devanti property. On hold to the airline she zipped closed her cases for the final time. She couldn’t use her beloved but battered blue tote. She had packed it away. The little Marc Jacobs bag would have to accommodate her passport, cards, money and Rob until she could collect her tickets from the airport. She read out her credit card number and confirmed she could be in the airport for the first of her connecting flights. Portland to JFK with a couple of hours waiting time then JFK to London. Then another couple of hours at London before her connection home to Glasgow. She was going to call Jay but forgot he would have left with Nico. Feigning innocence she called the main house and asked for a cab for the airport. Without quibble the said it would be there ten minutes tops. She guessed Mrs Devanti had given them a heads up of her departure. If she hadn’t well she didn’t care. Her bags were collected via the staff access to the building and Carrie followed them. She didn’t want to go through the main house. The cab was waiting and the driver happily talked about the weather, the economy and Scotland once he heard her accent. As the iconic yellow cab drove through the gates of the property she didn’t look back.
“This is becoming a habit Robin. What do you mean no one knows were Carrie is? I left the Cape less than twelve hours ago and you are telling me she isn’t at the beach house”
“Nico she answered my text this morning about the tickets but I haven’t been able to contact her since.”
Nico checked his phone and he didn’t have any unanswered calls or texts from Carrie. He had planned on calling her after the emergency meeting that had been called. Instead he was speaking now with Robin.
“Leave it with me”
Carrie collected her tickets and checked in at Portland. She had little time to make it through security but soon she was buckled in and on her way to JFK. She had switched her phone off and closed her eyes. Trying not to breakdown, to give in to the tears that had been threatening since her altercation with Mrs Devanti. They were wrong for each other, they moved in different circles a point that she had repeatedly made to Nico but spending time with him had changed that. She needed to get home and back to her family. Because she knew she had fallen for him. Beau, she hadn’t even got a chance to say goodbye to the puppy who had been her companion these last few weeks. That’s when the tears fell that she had been struggling with holding back. The affectionate little or not so little dog had helped her recovery so much. She popped on her sunglasses and let the tears fall. Damn them all.
Any enthusiasm for airport shopping had vanished. A brief stop to get some magazines as a distraction for the flight and some water to take her pain killers. The headache was reaching a crescendo all of its own. Her upset, tension and tears of the last few hours hadn’t helped. She checked her watch, another hour until it was time to board. She picked up a coffee and headed towards the gate. She would wait there until her flight was called. Time to let back home know she was on her way home. She didn’t trust herself but knew she had to speak to them.
“Hello Daddy,”
Her voice didn’t betray her upset as she kept it brief. Promised to text her arrangements for him to track and he said they would be waiting for her at the airport when she got home. For once she didn’t try to dissuade him. Her phone beeped letting her know someone else was call. It was Nico.
“Hi Nico,”
“Carrie, where the hell are you?”
“JFK”
“What the hell? Why didn’t you wait until tomorrow when Robin had organised your flights? Tell me this did you leave the moment my back was turned?”
“Let’s just say, the enthusiastic pep talk from your Mother persuaded me to advance my departure. Oh and that doesn’t mean I accepted her financial incentive to leave either.”
Nico could feel his t
emper beginning to boil.
“Fuck, why is she interfering? It’s none of her business.”
“Well it worked Nico; she made it her business. I need to go home back to my family. But I won’t be spoken to like that by anyone.”
“What did she say to you?”
“I’m not a tittle tattle. Let’s just leave it at that”
“I want to know Carrie and I will find out even what she said even if I have to leave LA now”
Thinking back on their conversation Carrie briefly told him, “She said I had baggage and that you deserved someone of your own calibre, before offering to pay me off.”
“Carrie I apologise on behalf of my Mother. That’s untrue what she said. You know my feelings for you and no one tells me how to live my life”
“I feel like I have been in a different world whilst I’ve been with you Nico. It’s been a real rollercoaster with highs and lows. I guess this is a low.”
“Oh Carrie, never lows but a bit bumpy I would agree”
“My flight will be called soon, I need to get ready. Time to get back to the rain and my family” she tried to joke.
“Call me when you get home, I want to know you landed safely”
“Okay I will, Good Bye Nico, take care and say good bye to Beau for me, it was kind of rushed earlier”
“That sounds like a permanent Good Bye?”
“It isn’t, Nico, things will be different when I go home and that’s what we need. It’s been life changing for me this visit to the Cape and meeting you. I needed to find the old me again”
“I like the new you a lot”
“I like you too” she laughed.
Carrie checked the board again and the message now instructed to go to the gate.
BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY Page 32