Page 68 of Nothing Without You

Chris served prawns on a bed of lettuce and avocado for entrée, and they enjoyed a bottle of champagne, which he said was very expensive. ‘You know Evie, I mix with the higher echelon of the surfing business world and other entrepreneurs, both here and overseas. Everyone is rich and always trying to make more money. But honestly, I’m happiest when I’m here on the beach fishing or surfing with my mates. Money isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.’

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the flavour of the champagne. It tasted like the best thing she had ever drunk, and along with the fat tasty prawns that had a yummy dressing Chris had made drizzled over them, she felt like she had died and gone to heaven.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

She quickly opened her eyes. ‘These flavours together are the best. And look at the view.’

In front of them, over the top of a row of low trees, was the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Fairy lights strung in a tree further down the slope flickered in the evening light, and a few other house lights peeped through the bush. But apart from that, there was nothing but the bush and ocean. She stretched her legs out and took another sip. ‘You might say money doesn’t bring happiness, but I can tell you, when you don’t have it, life isn’t easy.’

‘You sound like you know about that.’

‘We had money, but I had no control over it. I only have what I have, because I took it out of the till and hid it. I’ll never let anyone control me again. Ever.’

‘No one should control anyone. We’re all our own person. I’m surprised you fell into that sort of relationship. You were always so independent and strong-willed.’

‘I fell apart once we left Beaudesert. With Mum and Dad separating and …’ she twisted her mouth and sighed, ‘and leaving you, I hated the world and rebelled against everything I possibly could. I thought it was so cool to drink and do drugs, mix with older people and spend the night stoned, doing what everyone else was. I actually think I liked it when I was hurt, emotionally. It sort of justified the pain I was feeling.’

‘Those things were also part of that era. I know I went through some wild times also. Times I’d rather forget: drinking, marijuana and partying. It wasn’t all bad though. They were just different years; we were all trying to work out who we were, and where we fitted in a rapidly changing world.’

‘Well, I can tell you now, those times were all bad for me. There’s nothing good to look back on.’ A heavy feeling filled her and she sipped her champagne, the sweet taste and festive bubbles somehow overcoming the ugliness of years gone by.

They continued talking over dinner, and she asked him if he was interested in selling the Datsun. He laughed. ‘You can have it. I’d buy you a new car, but I know you wouldn’t let me.’

Frowning, she ate her vegetables, the skin on them crisp and tasty, the insides roasted to perfection. ‘I also need somewhere to rent. I can’t stay at The Magic Fish forever.’

Pushing his plate into the middle of the table, he rested his arms on the timber boards. Everything in this house seemed to be made of timber, jute, or other organic materials. The entire place was warm and inviting, and the cushion on the bamboo dining chair she sat on was plush and comfortable. Tea candles burned in coloured glass containers, and as the darkness set in, cicadas chirped noisily in the bushes nearby.

‘Why not?’ he asked as he got up to clear the table, holding up his hand when she went to help. ‘Sit, please. I’ve got ice cream and strawberries for dessert.’

When he returned, she was standing at the railing, looking up into the night sky. Stars flickered above and an owl hooted from a large tree next to the veranda. After putting the desserts on the table, he came and stood behind her. When his arms wrapped around her, she leaned back into his chest, her hands coming up to cover his.

Neither spoke. There was no need. The owl hooted again, as she turned and wrapped herself in his embrace. Warm hands caressed her back and when she pressed against him, she knew this time there was no running away from her feelings.

As he guided her into his bedroom and gently dimmed the lights, a sense of calm confidence enveloped her. She felt secure, cherished, and his tender touch ignited a rush of emotions, like electricity coursing through her body. No one else had ever made her feel the way he did.

Chapter Eighty

The next morning, Chris watched Evie as she slept. He had risen with the sun, his body invigorated. When he looked at her naked body stretched out before him, a sense of serenity overcame him. Life had come full circle.

After a shower and cup of tea, he cleaned the kitchen and retrieved the bowls of melted ice cream from where they were, still on the veranda. The ocean glistened to the east, and a cloudless sky filled the expanse above. A small mob of kangaroos lifted their heads to watch him, all returning to eating the fresh shoots of grass on his front lawn when he quietly went back inside.

When he returned to bed, he lay on his side and watched Evie sleep. She was as beautiful as she’d ever been. Her thick brown hair was spread across the pillow, her long eyelashes splayed out, dark against her gorgeous olive skin. Slender arms and legs were flung across the bed, one leg pushed under a sheet. His heart was full and there was nothing else he wanted in his life, except her love. He was successful, rich, and owned a multitude of properties. He had travelled the world and mixed with the famous and high-fliers of the business world, but there had always been something missing. Evie brought him a contentment and happiness he had not found with anyone else.

When she opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes were green like the emerald depths of the rainforest. He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. Her arms reached out for him and she wriggled in close to his body, the towel he had wrapped around his waist coming loose so they lay naked together.

Their eyes met and his lips moved to her body. When she giggled and squirmed, he placed his leg gently over her body and whispered in her ear. ‘My heart has been empty without you. I love you.’

Her words were clear, and her eyes sparkled in the early morning light. ‘I love you too, Chris.’

Chapter Eighty-One

Bert was amused when Evie didn’t stick around for their regular afternoon drink after work. ‘Found yourself someone better to hang out with?’ he joked, giving her a wide grin. ‘You look happy, love. He’s a good fella.’

‘I know he is, Bert, and this is a completely different life for me. I’ll stay tomorrow and have a drink with you. Better still, I’ll get Chris to come too.’

She rushed back to Chris’s place as soon as she could, the old Datsun chugging up the hill and onto the verge. The car was leaking oil, so she didn’t want to park on the driveway. Chris insisted he was going to buy her a new car. ‘What’s the use of all this money if I don’t spend it? Usually, I don’t get excited when I buy something, but it’s so much fun buying something for you.’

As he flung the front door open and wrapped his arms around her, she wished she could spend every minute with him. She didn’t want to waste any more time. They tried to have afternoon tea and talk about the car but, as usual, they ended up in his bedroom. Evie had discovered what it felt like to have someone make love to her. Someone who wanted to feel pleasure together and take time, discover every part of each other’s body and then shower and sleep together after their lovemaking.

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