by L. B. Dunbar
“Garvey would be so proud of you,” she said as we sat on the blanket on the landing, pillows propped at our back.
“Why?” I laughed, picking up a pile of crackers, cheese, and salami, and sticking the whole mini-sandwich in my mouth.
“You’ve made this collection of food into a feast.” She smiled up at me, and my heart expanded in my chest. She was so beautiful, and I relished the future of proving to her each day she belonged with me.
“And what are we celebrating?”
“Another hurricane, perhaps.” Her lips curved, and a gleam came to her eyes.
“That means I have to make love to you at least three more times in this little cave.” The comment stopped us both. Her hand stilled in mid-air from collecting cheese on crackers.
“It is like the cave,” she said, her voice lower. “Maybe we are being given a second chance at that.”
I softly chuckled. “I don’t suppose the island could do that.”
Tender eyes looked up at me. “But don’t you agree the island was…different?”
“If you’re suggesting that we were different on the island, then yes, I agree. I’m more carefree without other things to interfere, but I’m not going to change how I feel about you no matter where we are. I want you with me.” I reached for her hand. “Did you ever think about what would have happened had we been there the full year?”
“You’d be sick of me,” she laughed, but I tugged at her hand, and she dropped her cheese and crackers. I didn’t stop tugging, but pulled her so she eventually straddled my lap.
“I want you to listen to me and listen good.” I brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear and then cupped her jaw so she’d look up at me. “I love you. That’s not easy for me to say, and it’s not something I ever thought I’d hear, but I find it’s easy for me to say to you, and I love hearing it said from you. This…” I wove a hand between us. “…is not going to be different. I will still want you wildly every day. You tame me. You claim me. And I want to be yours.”
A tear streaked down her cheek. “I said those words to you in the cave.”
“You did and I’m saying them back to you. What’s going to be different is our surroundings, but not us. Island or not, we will be together. This is real.”
She nodded slowly, and I reached for her lips. There was only one place kissing would lead, and I needed to be close to her again. If I had to make love to her every day to prove we were real, that our love was real, I would.
24
Juliet
I’m not certain how long we were in the stairwell, but it was embarrassing to be caught wrapped in a blanket, hinting that I was naked underneath. Of course, Tack was naked under me as well. Marco looked away quickly, talking to the dark wall.
“All seems clear, Boss. Not much damage, but I thought you’d like to assess it for yourself.”
“I would,” Tack replied, not embarrassed or even shifting to pretend we hadn’t been caught moments after having sex. “Give me a few minutes. Any running water yet?”
“We’re working on the generator.” Marco left the stairwell and Tack tipped my face to kiss me.
“Cave time over.” He sighed after he said it, and I sat back from him. “Remember what I said— different but the same.” He pointed to his chest and back at mine. I smiled slowly.
“Different but the same,” I repeated. He pulled me forward for one more kiss, mumbled he loved me to my lips and then helped me stand. We didn’t bother to properly dress. He slipped on his shorts. I pulled on his T-shirt.
“Like you in my clothing, Mouse,” he said, shaking his head as he gathered our small collection.
“Like you better out of them,” I teased, and we both laughed. My heart felt like we might just make it.
+ +
Our shower was sketchy. Brief, cold, and spotty, we rinsed quickly, taking off the sweat of a dark stairwell and the scent of sex. We’d had it three times, and my body ached. In three days, I’d had more sex with him than I’d had in a lifetime. I never imagined it would be so good.
We wandered down to the shops in the resort. The hotel felt strangely vacant as it was.
“Pick whatever you’d like, if there even is something you’d wear.” I was out of clean clothing, as my original stay was only for a few days.
“I’m not pilfering through the stores,” I laughed.
“I’ll let the management know. I think they’ll understand.” He winked, and I began thumbing through a small rack of dresses. They were either informal cover-ups or formal dress wear, and I had trouble deciding. I did find one I thought I might like. It was simple and white, like a few of my other things, but another white dress didn’t hurt.
“What do you think?” He walked out of a dressing room with an overly bright, floral button-down shirt and similar-looking shorts. I burst out laughing.
“I don’t think those are meant to be worn together.”
“Oh yeah,” he said smoothing down the shirt. “Let me see what you’ve selected.” I pressed the dress against me, shielding it with my arms.
“I think I’ll save it for later.” His eyebrow rose in question. “I also need some…essentials.” I didn’t mind not wearing underwear around him, but it felt a little strange walking around the resort without them. It felt improper, inappropriate, and a bit exciting. His eyes widened, and he pointed me to a shop across the way. It was small, but it was filled with tropical bath products and minimal lingerie. He followed me, but I stopped him. “I think I can manage in here.”
“I want to test all my products. See how they fit for comfort and such,” he said, and I laughed at his playfulness, but stopped him with a hand to his chest.
“I promise I’ll tell you all about it.”
His lips pouted but he let me proceed alone.
I found him twenty minutes later standing by a jewelry counter, his hands in his pockets while he stood with his back to me. He seemed deep in concentration as I approached. I stepped next to him, my things tucked into a paper bag.
“You don’t wear any jewelry,” he said, still looking down at the case. “Not even your own things.”
The comment surprised me, and I looked down at his wrist. He still wore a leaf-made bracelet but it wasn’t the original one. He sensed my eyes on him and slipped his hand free of his pocket.
“The first one broke, but I still have it in a glass case in my home in Baltimore.”
“Why a case?” I giggled, thinking it strange.
“Because no one’s ever given me a gift, handmade and in gratitude, like you did. I mocked it as a friendship bracelet but I realized shortly afterward, it was. You were my friend. Are my friend.”
I smiled with the thought, recalling the little prince and the fox.
“I found this one online. This little boutique shop makes these bracelets, and it seems pretty close to the original. I buy a new one once I see the old one is getting ratty or unraveling.”
I smiled broader. “Perhaps I need to speak to the owner about durability.” Tack chuckled.
“I never knew it was your company,” he said, his voice lowered. “I’ve been ordering them for a year, and I didn’t know it was you.”
“Didn’t you do your homework?” I admonished him.
“After I found the item, I asked my secretary to handle it. I never dug deeper.” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I’m such a fool.”
I reached for his forearm. “No more looking back,” I said and he smiled. He leaned forward to kiss me and pulled back with excitement in his eyes.
“Pick one,” he said, pointing to the case. I looked down to find it filled with rings. Diamond rings and matching earrings.
“Oh, I don’t have need for something like that,” I chuckled, choking back a lump in my throat. For some reason, looking at the extravagant items made me sad.
“Well, if you could pick one, what would it be?” His voice remained cheerful and I peered through the case. One ring was listed for n
ine thousand dollars, another was seven grand. I gasped.
“What?” he said, pressing a hand to my back.
“Those two are so expensive.” He slipped behind me with another laugh. “Just one,” he said, resting his chin on my shoulder. In the corner was a single solitaire, circular cut and a bit large, but simple.
“I like that one,” I said, pointing.
“It’s so small,” he chuckled, wrapping his arm around me.
“It’s perfect,” I said, my breath hitching when he kissed my neck.
“Hmm…you’re perfect.” He stepped back, took my hand and led me away from the cases—ring gazing over.
25
Tack
We spent a few days working to help remove downed trees, pick up foliage and clean the pool area. In those moments, I realized I didn’t know as much about Juliet as I thought. She was obviously hardworking and dedicated, but I should have remembered how hard she worked alongside me when we built the boat. I gained a new appreciation for her because others adored her. She was amazing with the locals, offering a comforting touch or hug of support. She didn’t complain about lifting a hand or handing out food. Without refrigeration, we started offering what we could to those nearest the resort. There was only so much the few of us at Redemption could eat.
“You’re amazing,” I said to her as she fell across my bed. We were in my private rooms, and I looked forward to all the things we would do here. She rolled to her back and looked up at me.
“You’re pretty awesome, too,” she said, smiling slowly at me. There was something in her eyes, an intensity in that violet color, and I knew nothing in the world would be more important to me than having her always look at me with that look.
“I love you,” I said, as I reached for her ankles, stroking up her shins. Her lids closed, and she groaned.
“That feels nice,” she said, letting her arms stretch across the bed. I tugged at her ankle, and her eyes sprang open.
“You didn’t answer me,” I said sheepishly, wanting to hear the words from her. She sat upward and reached for my jaw.
“Yes, I did.” She smiled slowly. “I said that feels nice. You loving me feels nice to me.”
“I still want to hear it.” I pressed forward and kissed her. “Every day,” I added.
“I love you every day.” She giggled, and I bit her lip, holding her laughter.
“Funny,” I teased, but all joking aside, I meant what I said. Every day from this day forward I wanted to hear her tell me she loved me, and I wanted to tell her the same thing.
+ +
“I’m staying longer,” I heard her tell Miller once cell service was restored. She’d stayed an additional week. It pleased me, but I wished I could hear what Miller said on the other end of the conversation.
“I know I’ve never not been there, but I think you can handle it a little bit longer without me, right? They need me here.” There was a pause and she added, “I need to be here with him.”
Miller must have responded and then she said, “I don’t know where it’s going, but I like where it’s at. Isn’t that enough?”
She laughed after another short pause. I liked her laughter, but my heart pinched that it came easily to her with him. Her shoulders slumped as she faced toward the window. I leaned against the entrance to the bedroom, waiting for her.
“I don’t have any resentments, Miller. You know that. It took a long time, but I can’t live with that constant hatred. It was too much bitterness.”
I stood upright, my arms slipping to my sides. I didn’t want her to resent me, although I could not blame her. What had happened would never be forgotten. It would always be there between us, but I didn’t want it to divide us. I wanted nothing more than for us to be together.
“I love you, too, Miller. Talk soon.”
She hung up and leaned her head forward onto the glass. She stood like that for only a moment before standing straighter, spinning, and stopping when she saw me.
Her eyes squinted. “Eavesdropping?”
“Curious,” I said, stepping forward.
“That killed the cat,” she teased, the crease between her brow lessening.
“This cat wants to make it up to you,” I said, holding out a hand for her and she walked to me. She smiled up at me, a playful gleam to her eyes. “Come with me.”
She laughed, her head tilting. “I’ll go anywhere you lead.”
It was just what I needed to hear.
+ +
We held hands as we walked to the boat launch. While it wasn’t foreign to hold a woman’s hand, it felt different walking with her. It was as if I’d never done it before, and yet as if I’d done it every day of my life with her.
“How’s Miller?” I asked.
“He’s fine.” I squeezed her hand, hinting I didn’t believe her. “He’s worried. But he doesn’t need to be, right?” Her hesitation made me step in front of her.
“He doesn’t need to worry and neither do you. There’s going to be more changes when we return to Baltimore, but we’ll tackle them together. Different but the same,” I repeated my new motto.
“We’re going back to Baltimore?”
“Yes, I need to get back as well.”
“But I thought you were based in Virginia.”
“Corbin Industries is. Calliope is in Baltimore, remember?” I’d already told her these things.
“Why?” She looked up at me, squinting in the blossoming sunshine. It was nice to see the blue sky overhead, no more gray clouds lingering.
“My Mouse disappeared there, and I was trying to find her.”
“I wasn’t hiding.” She bit her lip as her mouth curled.
“You weren’t easy to find, either,” I added, cursing once again that she had tried to find me and the security of Corbin Industries kept her out. She stepped toward me, and I opened my arms to envelop her.
“When will we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” I answered. We stood holding one another for a moment, and I could feel her hesitation. Returning home wasn’t going to be easy, but we both had to face reality again. I had a plan to assure her things were never going backward.
We continued on until we reached the beach, where I directed us to a boat launch.
“What’s this?” She laughed.
“The maiden voyage,” I announced, reaching down for the stern and pushing the double outrigger forward in the calm bay water.
“Is this…” Her voice faded.
“Vixen 2,” I proclaimed, stepping into the ankle-deep depths. “Come on, first mate. Get in.” With a clap of excitement, she raced for the bow and climbed aboard. She perched on the front seat as I moved the craft forward, feeling pride in building this boat all on my own, and anxious that we were about to take the first cruise in it.
I slipped into her easily and paddled us forward, quickly taking us out to the edge of the cove.
“She’s perfect,” Juliet called over her shoulder, excitement in her tone.
“She’s beautiful,” I replied, implying both my companion and the boat. When we’d made it as far as I risked us going on the first trip, I pulled the oar backward, slowing the craft to float gently with the waves. Juliet shifted so she faced me.
“What are you—” She stopped abruptly as I climbed the length of the skiff to reach her. “You’re going to make us tip,” she squealed, gripping the edge of the boat.
“We can’t tip. It’s a double outrigger. We’re supported by balance on both sides.”
She stopped squirming as I knelt before her on both knees. I reached forward with one hand, cupping her jaw. Her eyes gleamed in the bright sunlight, filled with the anticipation of what would come next. I’d typically kiss her. She licked her lips, waiting for me to descend to them.
“Can I ask you?” The question was reminiscent of asking her for that first kiss. Just one, I had asked then. Forever forward, I wanted all her kisses.
“You can ask me anything.” Her voice was breathy, and
if I didn’t have something important to ask, I’d take her in the bottom of this craft, fully taking her breath away.
“Will you marry me?” Startled, she pulled back from my grasp. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth popped open, but no sound escaped. “Mouse?”
Tears sprang to her eyes and confusion struck me. Did I misunderstand? Did she not want this as much as me?
“Mouse?” I questioned again at the same time she said “Yes.” Liquid moistened my eyes in relief. I pulled the ring from my pocket, the one she said was perfect, and I agreed, because it was simple, refined, and delicate, like her.
“Thank you,” I sighed, relief shifting to excitement. Land was too far away, and I instantly wanted her. She giggled as I slipped the ring on her finger. Her brows pinched, thinking my gratitude was in response to her answer.
“Thank you,” I clarified, “for returning to the island. For coming back to me.”
“I love you,” she said, reminding me once again. “I’ll go wherever you lead.”
+ +
We returned to the resort hours later, after enjoying some much-needed time off to sail and swim in the surf. A new happiness surrounded us. I asked the cook if she could make a special dinner to be served in my room, despite the slim pickings of our stock. Supply ships would soon return, but we were still short on several things. Fortunately, champagne had a long shelf life.
Juliet wore a white dress from the clothing shop. Tied just over her breasts, there was a long layer overlapping another, hinting at a deep slit to the material. After toasting to her beauty and sipping champagne to celebrate our day, I spoke.
“Let’s play a game.” I eyed the deep cut of her dress and she watched me over the rim of her fluted glass. She didn’t need to respond. She’d play along. I took the glass from her hands and led her to sit in a chair perpendicular to the couch. Pressing her knees apart, the soft material fell open, slipping over each thigh, exposing a sultry gap in the dress. I knelt at her feet, rubbing my hands slowly under the fabric, searching for skin. Her eyes remained on mine as my fingers climbed. I stopped when I hit a metal clasp.