Page 87 of Don Caselli

The air smelled like fresh air and morning when I stepped out the truck. The front of the villa was all stone, perked high in the mountains of Soufriere, it looked like it had been carved into the mountain. One side opened completely to the view and the world. No walls constricting it, just open air and that amazing view.

We were so high up that my ears popped as we came up the mountain, and I felt like I could reach up and touch a cloud if Iwanted. The mountains rose from the water, their peaks kissing the clouds. Below them, the waves shimmered like diamonds in a jewelry store. It was so quiet up here. The kind of quiet that made you feel like time had stopped.

I felt Landon’s arm wrap around me as he kissed my temple. “You like?”

My words refused to come out because I had so much going on at the same time. “Is this even a question? Thank you for this, Don.”

He spun me around and peered down into my eyes. “Landon.”

I hugged him tightly, as I felt his body melt against mine. “Mine.” I stared into his eyes, and he smirked.

“Yeah?” he mocked me.

“Uh huh.”

He took my hand, and we entered the villa. Inside was a blend of modern but still keeping the raw island roots. The dark wooden floors, hand-carved furniture, and white linen curtains blew in the wind with the doors opened, exposing the beautiful infinity pool, with the water softly rippling. It was calling me to come jump into it, and I wanted to desperately.

“Welcome home, Mr. Caselli. I’ve made some fresh passion fruit juice for you and your guests.” An older woman came from the kitchen carrying a tray of juice.

We all took one and sipped it slowly. Well, not me, because I guzzled my entire cup and then went for a second one. She explained that she was our cook for the week and then introduced us to the housekeeping staff.

The staff gathered our bags, handling everything without needing any of our input. Landon scooped my hand into his, as he led me upstairs to where we would be staying. The moment he opened the door; I forgot how to use my lungs.

It wasn’t just a room; this was like we had been transported to another world.

The two-story bedroom was filled with seduction, but peace, too. It had endless blue stretching beyond the open glass doors. The massive bed, draped in white linen, was perfectly centered, facing that view. The balcony flowed around toward the pool we had passed downstairs. The ocean glistened in the distance, like it was welcoming us and letting us know this week would be one to remember.

I stood there in silence, holding my juice and too overwhelmed to speak or take another sip. The clouds moved slowly, and the longer I remained here, it felt like they moved faster. A reminder that if you sat still every once in a while, you noticed just how the world moved. Landon came behind me, his hands sliding around my waist, and his lips brushing against my ear.

“All for you, Pooh.” His voice was low, steady, and certain.

Like he would do it all again just to see this reaction from me. My reaction filled his soul, making him happy because he had made me happy. “Baby, this is amazing… like I cannot even speak because this feels fake.”

He kissed my lips softly and then held my chin. “Bleu, I always wanna keep you on your toes. Never want that smile to leave your face and see the world with you.”

I blushed as I looked away, back at that view that continued to steal my breath away. Landon turned me back toward his view. “I wanna know you, Bleu… really know you. The world knows Navy Bleu. I’m trying to be the only person that knows Bleu.”

“That means letting me in to know who you are, too, Landon. I want to know you, explain this world you are in. It’s more than money for me; I don’t ever want anyone else to tell me something about you that I don’t know.”

He cocked his head back and licked his lips. “I know how to fuck.”

“That you do.” I ran my hand around the waist of his sweatpants and looked up at him, my body wanting to feel him inside of me.

He yawned, as I continued to mess with the strings on his sweats. “Take a nap with me.”

“Should have slept on the jet… you wanna be working.”

“Gotta make sure business remains handled.” He kissed my cheek, and then went out onto the balcony, taking in the same view I was so smitten with.

On the balcony, there was a day bed that faced the water. It was already made up for us, and had decorative towels shaped like animals sitting on it, as the wind pushed the bed slightly. Don stood there staring out at the view, lost in his thoughts as I came behind and wrapped my arms around him.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Could stare at this forever and never get tired.” His hands came down and rubbed mine, as I laid my head on his back.

“Yeah, I feel the same way.”

The quietness surrounded us as we listened to the waves and wind, while being in our own head. As I was about to speak, he grabbed me up and tossed me over his shoulder as I laughed.

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