Page 23 of The Perfect Escape
Once I was fully dressed, minus the slingback shoes I held in my hand, I headed back to the living room to find Davian. I still worried about how I was going to tell Davian the truth about my birth control situation, but decided that I only wanted to think about being with him and the future we would share together.
Taking in more of the beauty of Davian’s home, I reached the kitchen to find Mika busy preparing a lettuce salad while Davian was standing near the stove taste testing whatever was simmering in a stainless-steel pot. It was a touching scene as I continued to watch them before announcing my arrival. “Something smells amazing.”
Davian was the first to greet me by walking toward me with a spoonful of what appeared to be some sort of stew. Holding his other hand, palm up under the spoon, he brought it to my lips. I opened my mouth and allowed him to feed me. When the mixture of ingredients hit my tongue, something sweet yet spicy at the same time hit my tastebuds. It was delicious. “Oh, my God. This is amazing. What is it?”
“It is turtle stew, American style,” Mika interjected with a smile.
Just the thought of eating turtle stew didn’t sit well with me, especially given the turtles nesting on the beach. “I hope you are kidding, Mika.”
“I am. Davian would kill me if I ever made turtle stew. He is an avid supporter of saving turtles. It is conch, which is a sea snail and popular to the Caymanian people.”
I sucked in a deep breath, thankful Mika was joking with me. Looking over to Davian laughing, I wasn’t the least bit amused until Mika also laughed. They weren’t laughing at the statement, but the look on my face. Soon I was laughing with them, and all the tension from moments ago evaporated.
Davian came around the island that extended the length of the kitchen and walked up to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he kissed the top of my head. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t very nice.”
“It’s okay. It’s just that I really like turtles.
~16~
Reyna
After dinner, Davian led me through the glass sliding door that opened to the back patio and the beach. We took a seat on the built-in seating that surrounded a gas fire pit, and my sights were on the sun, which was setting in the distance. It was mesmerizing and I could swear I could hear the sun sizzle as it merged with the water until it disappeared, engulfed by the water.
It was only after the sky became dark that I diverted my attention to Davian, and his intense eyes that were staring back at me. Pushing aside a stray hair the warm breeze had caught, I tried to gauge what he was thinking. Could the feelings he had for me match the ones I had for him, but hadn’t yet confessed? Was he trying to read my thoughts, seeing the worry that was clearly written in my expression?
Avoiding any further eye contact, I moved closer and nuzzled against his chest with my back to him. Counting the stars above, Davian pulled me closer. “How long are you going to keep inside what’s bothering you?”
It was a reasonable question considering my attitude since dinner. I didn’t know where to begin or even if I was ready to share what was bothering me. The last thing I wanted was for Davian to worry. If I was pregnant, it would be his responsibility as much as mine. But I didn’t want to worry him before I knew for sure if I was. Evading his question, I changed the subject. “Who takes care of the turtles on the beach?”
Kissing the top of my head, he said, “I know what you are doing, princess, but I’ll bite. The stretch of the beach on my land is restricted; therefore, only the people under my employment can take care of them. I have a staff of veterinarians and medical professionals who see to their care.”
“I think it is amazing. A beautiful miracle. Have you ever seen an egg hatch?”
“I haven’t, but I get updates on the progress. Two to three months is a long time to be away from my businesses in the States. There are things that can only be done in person.”
I wasn’t sure how long we would stay in the Caymans, but it would be nice to remain here long enough for the eggs to hatch. It was ironic that the subject of the hatchlings entered my mind when I could face the possibility of a new addition as well. “Do you think they will hatch while we are here?”
“I will talk with the vet and find out for sure. I can’t promise anything, princess, but we will remain here until it is safe to go back to the States.”
“Until you find Rui?” I don’t know why I asked, since he was the reason we were here in the first place.
“Yes, and any other threats that would endanger you going back.”
Soaking in the warm breeze, Mika came through the patio door holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. Setting them on the small table, I debated on whether having wine in my state of uncertainty was a good idea. Looking up at her, I said, “I think I would prefer just a glass of water, if that is okay.”
“Of course, Miss Reyna.” Mika handed Davian the corkscrew with a smile before leaving us.
I adjusted my position so Davian could move to the edge of the couch to uncork the bottle of wine. My attention focused on Davian until Mika returned to the patio with a glass of water. As I accepted the glass from her, it felt awkward when Davian held up his glass of wine in a toast. “To a beautiful night.”
Davian slid back against the couch, pulling me near. I was thankful he didn’t question my choice of drink. Come tomorrow, I would talk to Mika and let her know what was going on. I was sure she knew of a market nearby where I could purchase a pregnancy test. I had to find out the truth once and for all.
∞
Davian had most of my things moved into the master bedroom while we were out on the patio. I wanted to protest, not because I didn’t want to be with him, but I was afraid of what would happen between us. When I slid under the covers, I rolled on my side so my back was toward his side of the bed. The bed dipped, and I felt the brush of his lips against my neck. As much as I wanted to feel him again, I had to be smart about what this could lead to. “Can you just hold me?”
Davian pulled me close, and guilt hit me when I felt the steely length of his cock pressed against my ass. It wasn’t long before I felt the warmth of his breath against my cheek and knew that in the silence, he had fallen asleep. Succumbing to my own exhaustion from the events that had taken place in the last twenty-four hours, I found myself in a deep slumber. Right now, this moment was how it was supposed to be, quiet, peaceful, with no turmoil lurking behind the shadows of the night.
My night of blissful sleep didn’t last long. My body jerked with images of Rui. Hearing the scream of panic, I realized it was my screams that filled the room. Terror and fear quickened my breath as I tried to calm myself from the nightmare that took over my body. I turned my head to where Davian was still fast asleep. My body was covered with moisture, which caused my silk nightgown to cling to my skin. I felt like I was on fire, so I grabbed the covers and threw them off before rising to my feet.
