“Sounds nice.” Xander replied and thought of Robert Montclaire. She probably sat with him like this there…
“I guess.” She murmured.
Xander picked up some sadness in her voice, maybe she was missing her handsome Robert? He wanted to ask badly but thought it would be rude. “Nice pool?”
“Oh my, yes!” Halo looked over to him and smiled, “I so love my house Xander!”
“Tell me about it?” He watched her lips part into a full smile and he swore he could see her eyes twinkle in the starlight.
“My first house was right up the street from my home. I’d drive by this gorgeous Spanish style home every day and I would always drive by slowly so I could enjoy the sight.”
“Tell me more about it?”
“Well… I bought it the first day it came on the market… my dad about fell over when I told him. My mom was so cool about it though. My dad still wonders why I need a house that big.” She was ready for the next question as she saw his lips move.
“Arches and red tile roof?”
His question caught her off guard. Most everyone asked how much it cost or how big it was. “It’s white stucco with a red tiled roof, courtyard and yes, lots of arches… the driveway is circular with a fountain in the middle… I would love for you to come stay with me sometime!” She exclaimed.
“Really?” He chuckled with disbelief.
“What? Won’t we at least be friends after all this?” She asked quietly.
“Oh… I—I just meant that… well, you are a beautiful somebody back home and I’m just a guy. Things will be different when we get back…”
“Xander? I don’t understand… we have spent almost two weeks together. You’ve seen me at my worst! Holy hell, you help me go potty. Don’t you think that makes you a little bit special in my book?”
He turned to her and saw her eyes were wide and staring at him. He frowned with his lips tight against each other and shook his head then sighed, “Halo, I—it makes my heart feel good you would even suggest that. My wife would never allow me to be alone with you, uh again.” He felt his eyes start to burn and knew his heart would finally finish falling to pieces.
“Oh.” Halo replied. She saw his eyes water and felt his sadness, “I’ll be sad.” She sighed and reached over and touched his hand with hers and left it there against his. So not fair, she thought. Looking back up at the stars, the thought of being rescued left a sour feeling in her insides. At least he will hold her tonight and make her forget their future.
Xander felt her hand touching his and it woke up the butterflies in his belly. He lay there looking up at the stars knowing that he was so close to leaning over and kissing her soft lips. He quietly cleared the lump in his throat, “I don’t know any of these constellations.”
“Me either.” She mumbled.
An hour went by as they both enjoyed the proximity of their closeness. They both would glance at one another out of the corner of their eyes, both knowing what was there but unattainable to them.
When the breeze picked up, he turned to her, “Want to head up? I’ll work on your back if you would like?”
“Oh yes please!” Halo blurted out then covered her mouth as she giggled with embarrassment.
He chuckled as he got to his knees, “I may just have to start charging you…”
She looked at him long and hard and hazarded her response as he came to pick her up, “I’d pay you anything you want…”
He felt a rush of excitement bolt through him, with all his will he pushed her words from his mind, thinking it would never work. Besides she is just feeling like she needs to keep him happy to continue helping her, he sternly reminded himself. He gently picked her up and he felt her arm go around his neck as she tucked her head under his chin. Rather than pick up the blanket, he kicked sand over it so it would stay put for the night.
In silence he carried her up to the tent and laid her down on the blanket, then helped her turn over on her tummy. No words were exchanged as he began the fire cupping. When he was done and the cups removed, he began rubbing down her back once more with baby oil. Through his hands, he felt more than heard her moan in pleasure again as he worked the muscles in her back into submission. He was tempted to use Kiatsu pressing on her, but at times unintended things had a tendency to happen…
Even though he promised her a short massage, he conveniently lost track of time as he did not want to stop being in contact with her. Working on her injured back was more than a plausible enough reason for him to keep touching her so soft skin. A sudden yawn made him realize that he was getting very tired and he began pulling her shirt down over her bare back. She rolled sideways again for him and he caught sight of the side of her breast. His heart jumped and with unsteady hands, he delicately pulled her T-shirt past her perfect looking breast. Then she turned to the opposite side and he caught sight of her pink, perfect nipple. He quickly looked away and with still shaking hands, he got the fabric over her breast and into place. Then he quickly covered her up in her red blanket.
He felt the beads of sweat on his forehead and wiped it away before he turned her over. When he did, he saw she was faintly smiling up at him, “You are still shaking.”
“Yeah…” He said nervously.
She had a mind to pull up her T-shirt and really start something. Instead, she watched as he lay down next to her on his back and moved around trying to get comfortable. Failing, he turned towards her on his side and their eyes met.
She held his green eyes in her blues and whispered, “Xander… I know you have a wife at home and all, but…would you hold me again? It—it’s kind of cold with the breeze.” She saw him swallow hard in the dim firelight and felt bad for asking. Before she could beg off, he reached under her head with his strong arm and pulled her close.
She smelled his sexy scent, along with smoke and salt water. She was in heaven as she nuzzled up under his chin. She casually reached up, touched his chin in a gesture of thanks then curled it up under her own chin. She wondered if his wife did the same and thought that if she did not she was stupid.
After a time she felt him drift off into a deep sleep, when she was sure he was out she laboriously got herself turned with her back to him and scooted herself into him to where they were spooning. She could feel his warm manhood against her bum as she wrapped her leg around his. His arm eventually came around her, scooped under her breasts, and held her tight against himself. His breathing never wavered.
With a smile and a warmed heart, Halo found sleep in the arms of her Superman.
Halo looked over at Xander and saw his full lower lip was relaxed as he slept, they were so, so kissable! She ran her foot down his leg softly, feeling his skin. She saw his one eye open at her and he gave her a sleepy smile. She gave him one back, reached over and touched his cheek with her fingertips, “Xander?”
“Yes, Halo?” He replied sleepily at her.
“I—I was thinking… I saw something a while ago, on Twitter of all places. It said the last person you think of before you fall asleep is the person you truly love…” She paused and watched him smile at her, “if that is true, what does it mean if all I can do is think of you?” She gave him a little pout. She watched as his smile grew bigger and he reached over and caressed her cheek with his fingers.
“Halo, it means we are both lost to each other… for forever and a day.” He leaned in close, and she could feel the heat of his lips so close to hers. Suddenly with a start, her eyes flew open and saw she was alone in the tent, her heart was rapidly beating and she was panting. She pushed herself to a sitting position and looked out at the morning sun drenching the white sand. “Damn…” She sighed wistfully.
Something in the surf caught her attention and she shielded her eyes with her hand and focused. It was Xander, he was coming out of the water with something in his hands. All he was wearing was his white swim trunks. She watched as he came closer and caught the contours of his finely defined muscles. She felt her nether region
s warm as he came into full view, it reminded her of a recent 007 film, when Bond came out from the water.
She marveled at his body and found herself biting her lip—holy hell he was hot! She realized that he had to have spent years working out. His body was no quick Hollywood work out with steroids to boost an actor’s physique. His was the real deal.
She saw him nod to her with a smile as he closed the distance to the tent, “Good morning!” He called out cheerfully.
She waited until he got closer, smiling the whole time as she took in the sight of his body, “Well, a good morning to you, Mr. Magic Mike!”
“HA! Not likely, but thank you, Miss Beautiful.” He chuckled, “Hey, I got some more fish as you can see!”
“I see that! How?” She saw a long stick in his hand and gestured to it. He held it up to her and she saw that he fashioned a fish spear with three pointy prongs at the end that were blackened by fire. They were held splayed out by a disc in the middle and tied close by what looked like wire.
“I woke up early and found this stick, as well as some wire. I think the tsunami from a few years ago is still washing things up. Anyway I made this, I was hoping to find some squid, but no go.”
“Impressive, I must say.” She replied. She saw him furrow his brows together at her and cock his head at her. “What?”
“You are talking almost normally…” He looked down with a chuckle then back up to her, “I mean your voice is almost normal now.”
“Ah… yes! It is!” She took a deeper breath, she still felt some stuff in her lungs but it was nothing like a few days ago.
“And you are sitting up.” He gestured to her with his spear.
“I am…” Halo was happy but she was worried she might be sleeping alone soon if she got better too quickly. “I don’t think I can walk yet, I still feel some stuff in my chest…”
“Well you look healthy; there is some pink in your cheeks. So! Are you hungry?” Xander said raising the two fish on a stick.
“Oh my yes!” She said and unconsciously licked her lips.
Xander laughed and went to the cold fire pit and got a small fire going.
She watched him deftly clean the fish and spit them over the fire. She saw him place the entrails into a plastic bag and set it aside. She called over to him, “Why keep those?” She pointed to the bag of fish guts.
“Oh, bait for the fish rack in the lagoon. I hate to say it, but you will probably be hating fish soon. That’s why I was hoping for some squid or an octopus.”
“I’ve never had octopus, I love calamari though!” She replied with a smile.
“Then, my lady, I will do my best to get some. If I can find the right type of wood I can make a trap.” He checked the fish and came over to the opening of the tent.
She saw his washboard abs flex as he moved close and kneeled down in front of her. Her thoughts took her to his wife, and the words ‘lucky bitch’ shot through her mind. She almost brought her hand to her mouth in shock at what she just thought. She returned her attention to him as he asked her a question.
“I’m sorry, what?” Halo asked.
“Oh… uh do you knit or crotchet by chance?” He asked.
“Yes, I’ve done some of both, why? Need me to make you a speedo?” She saw him look down at his tight swim trunks and she saw his cheeks redden. “Xander, I’m kidding. You look, um… very good! I can tell you have worked out for a long time.”
“Uh, thanks. Why I am asking you is, if you are willing. Would you be good with trying to do some palm leaf weaving for mats and the like?”
Halo gave him her proud smile, “Of course! I’d love to help out! I feel like such a third wheel.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
Out of the blue she blurted out, “Xander? Do you not think we will be rescued?”
Xander shrugged, “Truthfully?” He shook his head, “At least not by a search party. I constantly watch the horizon and nothing. At night, I haven’t even seen a jet liner fly over. Like we talked about, I think a rescue will come when we get a surprise visit from some fishermen or scuba divers.”
Halo smiled and inwardly she felt a little thrill in her insides, more time with him is good. “Oh, ok.”
“I’m sorry Halo, I know you must want to get home. I’m doing all I can, I can break open the phone…” He offered.
“No! I mean, it’s fine. We have food, water and great company. I’m good.” She replied with a slight arch in her eyebrow.
“Ok. I just don’t want you to think I’m trying to keep you here all to myself.”
“That’s not a bad thing!” She blurted out before she could stop. She thought this blurting out thing was not normal as she usually was in control of her words. She watched him smile.
“I, uh do so enjoy your company, Halo. I still sometimes think I’m in heaven or maybe in a coma at a hospital having a wonderful dream…”
“Well! I feel real and so do you. So if that is the case? We should just enjoy it!” She gave him megawatt smile that lit up her face.
“I am, trust me. I am.” Xander said quietly as he was in awe at her beaming smile at him. He enjoyed every waking second when he was with her.
They ate the fish and leftover breadfruit for breakfast. Later he helped her with brushing her teeth and combing out her hair and put it back into a ponytail for her. He sat across from her in the tent as she wrinkled her nose at him.
“What?” Xander asked.
“I really need a bath, Xander.” She sighed.
“Uh, I can take you down to the water… uh… maybe that won’t work? Tell you what; I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime I can heat some rainwater and you can clean up while I’m gone.”
“Gone? Where to?” Halo asked immediately hearing his words.
“I was planning on getting the garden cleaned up… we had a red sunrise this morning.” Xander replied with a shrug.
“Oh. What’s that mean?” Halo asked.
Xander smiled, “Not sure if it really is true: Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning. Something like that, I don’t want to take any chances. The clouds on the far horizon are still only puffy and white, but I would like some rain to replenish our supplies.”
“You think we’ll get a storm?”
“Dunno, but I’d like to get the drainage ditches cleared and prune some of the veggies. I’ll bring back another pineapple too.”
“Ok… water would be good before you go, I really would appreciate it.” She said with a slight downturn of her lips.
“Will do.” Xander noticed her demeanor changed to a sad one, “Hey, I won’t be gone too long, ok?” He watched her nod to him, “Check out my book reader if you would like, there is a survival guide in there. It explains how to do the palm weaving.”
“Ok, I will.” Halo said as she rubbed her thigh with her hand and looked towards Xander’s suitcase.
Xander let her be with her thoughts and began heating up rainwater in the metal water pitcher. He got a small lunch ready for himself then walked out of view and got dressed in his khaki cargo shorts and his red Star Wars T-shirt. Checking the water and finding it hot, he grabbed a towel and took it and the water over to Halo.
“Here you go. If you don’t mind I’ll hang our red blankets up to air out?”
“Of course, and thank you.” She replied and looked up at him. “Star Wars fan?” She asked, not wanting him to leave.
“Oh yeah!” He replied with smile, “It’s my running shirt.”
“Millennium Falcon. Nice.” She pointed to the front of his shirt.
His smile broadened, “Star Wars fan yourself?”
Halo nodded and held up her hand, her first two and last two fingers separated in a ‘V’, “Live long and prosper.” She deadpanned.
He paused and his smile faded, “Uh… Halo?”
She could not hold back and began giggling. With an altered voice she quickly added, “Strong in the force this one
is… hmm yes.”
His smiled returned and replied with relief and a chuckle in his voice, “Whew, I thought I was going to have to try and explain…”
“There is no try…” She laughed cutting him off.
“Do or do not.” He finished.
Her smile faded and she sighed, “I should let you leave already. It’s like I don’t want you to go, I’m sorry.”
“I can stay if you need me to.” He offered.
“No, no. You need to get things done. If you can bring me back some palm fronds and I’ll see what I can do.”
Forever and a Day Page 40