by Melissa Jane
“Coming in?” his tease enticing me.
“Catch me if you’re quick enough.” No sooner after finishing my brazen statement, I fled down the wet sand hearing Leo’s chuckle close behind. I was shin deep into the warm Pacific water when two strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, lifting me a few feet into the air. Screaming in delight and laughing at my poor attempt to win my own challenge, I let Leo carry me deep until the water sat mid-waist. Sinking down, I turned and fell into his arms, kissing him deeply.
“I know I shouldn’t,” he started, his voice carrying an edge of sadness. “It wasn’t part of the deal, I know that. But I can’t bring myself to not say it to you.”
Leaning my head back, I studied the gorgeous man in front of me. Even in the moonlight I could see his brows creased together in seriousness.
“I love you, Josie. I knew I would from the moment I saw you.”
Inhaling sharply, tears burned my eyes, the tightness in my throat rendering me speechless. He was right, he shouldn’t have said it. Admitting to such a thing wasn’t going to make our goodbye any easier. But my heart was swelling with joy, because I would never have forgiven myself for keeping such a thing quiet.
“Leo, I love you. From our first kiss I’ve lived and breathed everything Leo Santiago.”
This time, it was his turn to inhale sharply, his forehead resting against mine. Gently kissing my lips, I let the salty tears glide down my cheeks and fall into the salty ocean.
He was my moment of perfection. My summer of love.
***
That night as I lay in his arms listening to his gentle breathing, I cried.
My hot tears etched down my face, my body racked with a mild trembling I tried and failed to subdue. The sound of Leo’s voice played over in my head. The words he brought to life should have sounded happy, yet they were wounded. They carried a sorrow that should never accompany the words ‘I love you.’
But I understood why.
I too felt the pain.
I loved him with all my heart.
CHAPTER 21
I watched, confused by what was happening in front of me. Leo had kissed me at the door before guiding me to the living room where the furniture was already moved aside ready for my Bachata lesson. In just a few short weeks, I would perform the dance in front of a live crowd and yet I hadn’t even technically mastered the basics.
Each drop of a fifty cent coin resulted in it spinning on the wooden floor until it finally came to rest. Leo, without saying a word, continued to drop the coins randomly on the floor. I counted at least fifteen so far.
When he dropped the last one, his eyes met mine. “You’re probably wondering what these are for.”
“No, not at all,” I teased, earning me a dazzling smile.
“In Bachata, because the man is leading you with his thigh essentially between your legs, you are relinquishing all control. When you relinquish, it can be easy to lose your balance if you have a partner who doesn’t know how to steer you correctly. That won’t happen with me, but on the off chance you dance with someone who lacks control, you can save yourself.”
“So what’s with the coins?”
“There’s no structure to the way they have been placed. Some are further apart than others, some are extremely close. Such as the nature of the dance you have to be prepared to be moved on all angles and at different strides.”
I watched as he artfully performed the three steps with the hip flick at the end, his feet moving from one coin to other. To get to the neighboring piece often required him to maneuver tight twists and turns.
“Your turn,” he stopped and moved to the side for me to take the floor. Sitting on the arm of the chair, hands hanging between his legs, he watched me expectantly but with a look that set my cheeks on fire. Giving me a wink, my heart exploded.
“Are you sure this is for my benefit?” I asked, knowing that with all the ass flicking about to take place, he would surely, as a spectator, be copping an eyeful.
“I’m not going to lie that I won’t be getting something out of it.”
“Huh, that’s what I thought!” Truth was, I was delighted to give him a show.
Pressing play on his smartphone, the beautiful ring of Bachata music flared to life and I was suddenly transported into a world of angst, betrayal and longing created by the artist. Moving in time, my heeled feet traveled between each coin, my hip raising on the fourth beat.
“You need to connect the dots,” Leo said above the music. “Travel to each and every coin until the song ends.
By the time the lyrics died off, I was exhausted. Sweat dripped down my temples as I rested my hands on my hips. My breathing was heavy as I watched Leo watching me.
“You move with such perfection.”
“Are you for real? I felt like a fish desperate for water floundering around.”
Leo laughed as he knelt to the floor to collect the fifty cent pieces. “You certainly didn’t look it and you mastered the tighter of the turns.”
I could already feel my calf muscles beginning to tighten and tomorrow I was sure would be uncomfortable. Pressing play to a new song, Leo took my hand in his. Every time he drew me close, I melted against his chest. It was an effect he had on me. Like my soul was willingly held captive. Guiding his thigh between mine, we lowered us into position. Waiting for the count, he moved me with ease. Strong arms holding me in place, his skillful feet moving us across the room as if we were one person instead of teacher and student. He made me good. Dancing with him, anyone could look like a professional.
With his cheek pressed against mine, we danced to a song I’d grown to love. Leo quietly sang in Spanish to the lyrics as we moved, our bodies in unison. It sounded so beautiful. So perfect.
“What’s this song about?”
“Nina de Mi Corazon. In English, that means Girl of my Heart. He’s singing about how he has finally found the girl of his dreams. That he thanks fate for bringing them together.” Leo sang another verse in Spanish. “He wants to love and take care of her.”
“Do they stay together?”
“Yes, he finds and never lets her go.”
CHAPTER 22
This time as we stood in our bathroom rummaging through cases of makeup and jewelry, it was Nicole going on a date. Compared to reservations she had with Brett, I could tell that this time with Jase she was over the moon even if her hands were a little shaky with nerves.
“Do you think he’s as nervous?” she asked, her usual confidence taking a flying leap.
“I’m not sure if men get nervous, hon, but I can assure you that he’s definitely excited to be dating you.”
“Do you think?” Nicole stopped what she was doing, placing her mineral foundation on the counter. Her eyes carried an edge of fear that I knew was because of her past relationship.
“Babe, stop over analysing things. Jase is a great guy and I know you two will hit off more than what you already have.”
“Do you think Mimi will like me?”
“Mimi is a special girl. If she can see how special you are to her dad, she will love you to bits.”
Seemingly content with my reassurance, she changed the subject. “Are you seeing Leo tonight?”
Nodding, I held an earring to her face to see if it would match her printed dress.
“Well, that wasn’t the response I expected.” Her pretty face crinkled with concern.
Placing the earring on the counter, I took a steady breath. “He told me he loved me.”
There was a pause and I knew what she was thinking.
“Shit!” she finally breathed.
“Yep.”
“That’s not good.” Realising what she said, she shook her head in apology. “Sorry! That came out wrong. You know what I mean. How can you leave knowing how strongly he feels for you? I mean, this is just escalated from a summer fling to being shit serious.”
“I know! It wasn’t just him. I told him I loved him too.”
“You what!”
Again, I just nodded in response.
Seeing my dilemma, Nicole’s face softened. “Oh Josie,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me. “I don’t envy you, but I certainly feel for you.”
***
The stars were like glittering jewels in the sky as lay on my back admiring the light show before me. The warm summer breeze was caressing my skin, the citronella flames from other beachfront homes lined the dunes in the distance. It was heaven. The summer so far had proven to be a spectacular one but in a few short weeks it would be coming to an end.
“Could this get any more perfect?” I whispered in awe.
Leo had picked me up after closing the restaurant which meant we both missed dinner. I hadn’t been hungry due to the knots twisting in my stomach and he had been run off his feet. The clock had just struck eleven when we walked hand in hand down the beach, Leo carrying a blanket and basket for our midnight picnic.
The smell of tropical summer was in the air and I’d never been more happy or alive.
Sitting up, I took another sip of my champagne, while admiring the man before me. Propping himself on his side, his eyes were as dark as the night sky, only the whites glistening like pearls.
“You have given me the fondest memories of my life so far, Josie.”
“Ditto.”
This time, he sat up, drawing me closer to him. “Bella, I hope you don’t mind. But I want to give you something that will remind you of what we shared. Despite what anyone says, I’m not giving up on us and you are the only one I have in my sights now and in my future.”
Sucking in my bottom lip, I held back the tears even though they were burning my eyes.
Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a gold chain, its metal catching the far-off light. I held out my hand and he carefully coiled it on my palm.
“It’s a sun,” he said referring to the round pendant. “Because ever since you came along, everything just seems so much brighter. It’s not just me who’s affected by your presence. Mimi is enthralled by you. But most of all, you have brought to life feelings I never thought I possessed.”
I had given up. The salty tears streamed down my face rounding my chin. Out of rhythm, they fell onto my lap in miniature splashes. “Leo, I don’t know what to say. You’ve been the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me. The best because I can’t get enough of you and the worst because we’re going to be worlds apart.”
Taking the chain from my hand, he hooked it around my neck and secured the clasp, the coolness of the metal resting between my collarbones. Cupping my sodden cheeks, he kissed me tenderly, every part of my soul loving this man who equally loved me back.
***
I woke the next morning to the sounds of vibration.
The obnoxious and persistent rattle on the bedside table pulled me from my dreams. Leo’s arm was draped over me, his delicious body pressed enticingly against mine. Yet, he didn’t stir.
The buzzing stopped and I felt my mind being pulled back into sleep. Before it succeeded, the noise cut through the silence once again.
“Leo,” I murmured, nudging my ass against his groin.
Instead of him waking to deal with his phone, his cock hardened and pressed hungrily against me. Silencing my giggle, I stroked his arm instead. “Leo, your phone. It’s rung twice now.”
Muttering something in Spanish which I’m sure was a curse, yet it sounded incredibly sexy, he regretfully rolled to the side and looked at the screen.
“Holly,” he mumbled still half asleep.
My body froze and my gut twisted. I wasn’t the jealous type, but knowing she had plans to move in on Leo as soon as I set foot on the plane was too difficult to stomach.
Guilty as charged, I listened as he answered the call. He was still groggy, Leo’s hello barely sounding.
“Is everything okay?” There was silence as he listened. What felt like a minute later he finally spoke, “That’s today?”
More silence ensued and although I didn’t know what was being said, I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Okay, I will meet you there.” Placing his phone on the bedside table, he returned back to his position, arm draped over my body, his lips kissing the back of my neck. “I have to get up.” He groaned, uninspired. “Holly is moving today and I promised ages ago I would help.
Keeping quiet, I wanted so much to tell him my fears but I didn’t wish to be that type of person. I was leaving after all. Leo would have to make that decision for himself as to who he moved on with. And me? I just had to live with it knowing it was me leaving that tore us apart.
CHAPTER 23
While Leo was helping Holly move house, I was lost in my thoughts at my college art studio. It was my sanctuary. A place where I could drown out the world and create a new one in my head. I had my series for the final art exhibition lined up yet my perspective on them had taken a radical change. They were classical, their contently happy faces soon to be rendered to perfection. Yet, my emotions had drastically altered my objective. Starting at the beginning, I added darker tones and changed the line of the facial features. They would no longer be drowning in love as I had once intended. Instead, each piece would be loaded with a mix of angst and loss. But as my time was coming to a close with Leo, it was all I felt. Professor Lindsay would hate it, but I wasn’t here to please her.
With my music blasting through the otherwise vacant studio, I couldn’t hear my phone ring or hear anyone approaching. Losing track of time, I had altered three pieces when I moved to place the fourth on the easel. It was then my heart jumped from fright, catching a reflection in the glass window that half covered my studio space. It was dark outside, the person standing behind me for how long, I didn’t know.
“You are incredibly beautiful when you paint, Josie.” Leo stood leaning against the partition that separated the studios. “But why are you changing their faces. They are perfect the way they are.”
My heart was falling back into its normal steady pace. Turning to face him, I could see he was tired and worn out. Then it occurred to me that if it was dark, he should be at the restaurant not standing in front of me. “What are you doing here?” I asked, sounding confrontational even though it wasn’t intended. “You scared me,” I added trying to soften my approach.
“I’m sorry, Bella. You just looked so lost in what you were doing, I didn’t want to break your focus.” He looked at my phone sitting on my equipment cupboard. “I’ve tried to call you a half a dozen times, but you didn’t answer. You had me worried.”
“I’m sorry,” I tried to amend. I sincerely was. “I am, I just get lost up here.” Picking up my phone, I saw that Leo had rung every hour since noon. “Shouldn’t you be at the restaurant?”
“Yes, but ensuring your safety was my priority.” He smiled warmly before stepping forward, wrapping his arms tightly around me. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Pulling away, I studied the changes that I had spent most of the day doing. “Sometimes if a painting doesn’t carry the right emotion it doesn’t make sense.”
Turning back, I watched as Leo nodded, an expression hard to decipher marring his handsome features.
“You don’t have to hide your feelings from me, Josie. If I were to be honest, I’m struggling too. Knowing that I have to let you go is killing me.”
That familiar lump resurfaced.
“But I can’t dwell on the inevitable. You are here. Right now. In front of me. And I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to lose any of these precious moments.”
“She wants to be with you, Leo.”
“Who?” To his credit, he actually looked confused.
“Holly. She…ah has a thing for you.”
“I’ve known Holly for many years now. She’s like a sister to me.”
“Well, she sees things vastly different to you,” I said with a little laugh.
“Bella,” sudden concern took hold, “you have nothing to worry about in the sl
ightest. My heart is with you and no one else.”
“I’m not worried,” I blurted. “I mean, I am, but I’m more frustrated. The thought of you being with others when I leave just terrifies me. It’s unreasonable, I know. No matter how hard I try I just can’t get used to the idea.”
Cupping my cheeks, he tilted my face to meet his. “Josie. You don’t think I feel the same? It’s driving me crazy knowing other men will be seeking your attention. In my head and heart, you are mine and I am yours, but the reality is telling us both differently. But I know one thing. Right now, I want to be your everything. Your perfection. Your lover. Your friend.”
“You are all of those things,” I said through the tears.
“That’s it. No more tears. We make the most of the time we have and we celebrate your achievements. Okay?”
Nodding my head, I let Leo kiss me. It was tender. Reassuring and loaded with adoration.
“Come on. There’s only so much paint fumes one can inhale in a night. Plus, you must be starving.”
Too engrossed in what I’d been doing, I hadn’t even thought about food, but now I was famished.
“Let me just tidy up.”
Leo waited for me as I rinsed my brushes in turps and sealed my paints. Drying my hands, I shouldered my bag and took Leo’s waiting hand. Once in the lift, Leo pressed the ground floor button when I remembered my last chore for the day.
“I just have to stop off on level three to the theory office.” Pressing the button before we passed the floor, I retrieved my essay from my bag. It was a day early, but I had no intention of going in the next day. I had too much to organise.
The heavy elevator doors opened and Leo guided me out with a hand at my lower back. Walking down the external fly bridge to the south building I was met by security at the door. Flashing him my student ID card, he smiled and waved me in.
“I’m sorry, students only,” he grunted.