Page 68 of Something Old

“Mas.” I whisper, unsure of what will come out of my mouth next. Turning a little in his embrace I look into his eyes. I want to read them. I want to see what I can see in his gaze. I bite my lower lip. All I see is honesty. I see his pain, his desperation. It reflects my own back towards me.

I reach my hand up and touch his face.

I have never seen him being vulnerable and in this moment, he is more beautiful than ever before. Is heart is open, and he’s taking a risk on me.

I lean forward, pressing my lips against his.

The kiss is slow and tender. I feel his hands wrapping around the back of my neck as he presses his mouth harder against mine.

It feels perfect. Intimate. Beautiful.

We kiss for ages, alone on the beach, listening to the waves as they lap against the sand in the dark.

Then I lean back and smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you to want me.” I whisper.

“I’ve always wanted you. I was just too much of an idiot to know it. But when I think back - every moment with you - it was so obvious right from the start. From that kiss.”

And in that moment, I know I love him - and I will take another risk on him. I will risk it over and over again - because he means everything to me, and I can’t stop my heart from feeling the way he makes me feel.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Masaccio

We sit on the beach for ages. I don’t want to let her go. I can’t believe it took me this long to see the truth of it all. How beautiful her soul is - how perfect she is for me.

When the music from way down the other side of the beach goes quiet, I know the beach bar has closed. It’s late.

“Let’s go back to the villa and cuddle.” I say, standing up and lifting her in my arms. I carry her, cradled against my chest, across the sand. She snuggles her face into my neck.

“You smell so good.” She mumbles.

I look down at her, then kiss the top of her head.

Back in the villa I undress her, just enjoying how beautiful she is.

Then I lift her into the bed and wrap the blankets around her before I climb in next to her.

She lets out a deep yawn. I am also exhausted. The emotional toil of confusion - her tears - the relief of finding out the truth afterwards - it’s enough to send me into a deep sleep.

I pull her back against my chest, her body curved perfectly against mine.

She wiggles against me, and I grin.

She really does feel amazing.

Letting out a soft sigh she closes her eyes, so do I, and we both drift off to a very peaceful sleep with the sound of the ocean singing to us in our dreams.

In the morning, I wake up wondering if I dreamt everything. But in my arms, sleeping peacefully, is the most beautiful girl in the world.

I smile as I pull her close to me, her head resting on my chest.

She stirs and mumbles in her sleep.

Then opens her eyes and sits up in shock.

“Hey. It’s ok. It was just a dream—” I say, pulling her back down.

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