Page 13 of Stay Awhile
They then invited all of us to leave our tables and come into a circle as we all drank. I almost didn’t do the shit because I didn’t see this shit prepared, but then again, since I had been here, I hadn’t been as secure about everything I was consuming, anyway. So I let the shit slide yet again, dropping my guards for this woman to enjoy herself .
Once we had completed the ritual, we made our way back to our tables. Skye turned to face me, her full attention on me for the first time since we had come out here. I could feel her happiness radiating from her.
“This place is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Do you think the story about Princess Tagimoucia is true? Can you imagine falling so deeply in love with someone that you were willing to risk it all for them?” she asked question after question.
I knew that damn story was going to get her mind going. I wasn’t sure if it was true or not, but the shit seemed realistic to me. It gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes. Princess Tagimoucia was from a noble and powerful family in Fiji, while Matagali was a common man from a village. Despite the social differences and opposition from their families, they fell deeply in love with each other. Shit, they ran away together, just like Romeo andJuliet, into the high mountains so they could be together in secret. Ultimately, this couple didn’t end up together, which was different.
I shrugged. “It can be. I don’t know about the fact of her tears becoming a Tagimoucia flower, but I can definitely see how love can make you do crazy things. Then when reality hits, you decide to go in a different direction. Love can be like that, I imagine.”
Skye craned her head to the side with a lift of her brow. “You speak as if you’ve never experienced love before. Please tell me that’s not the case. We’ve all had a little puppy love in high school, at least. I think that’s some of the purest love, because all you had to give was your love and honesty,” she responded.
I didn’t know how to answer her question. There was something about this woman that it didn’t feel right lying to her. It was bad enough that she didn’t know my real name. I didn’t want the lies to continue to pile up. I didn’t even know why it mattered, especially since this would be our last night together.
“Nah, I haven’t. Love has never been within reach for someone like me, and I’ve been cool with that. I’m sure you’ve been in love a time or two. I never asked you if you had someone back home,” I said.
Skye smiled, then looked off into the distance before returning her attention back to me. “Yeah, I’ve loved, but love has never loved me without requirements.” I lifted my brow and then leaned back in my seat to give her time to get her thoughts together. “And, no to that last question. Can you imagine coming somewhere so beautiful by yourself? This trip was my way of finding the beauty in solitary,” she responded.
I didn’t like the sound of that. She didn’t give me the vibes of a woman who couldn’t be loved easily. Granted, I’d only known her for a day and a half, and I used the termknownloosely.
“I’ve been in solitary the majority of my life, and it’s something you never get used to. It becomes a lifestyle and youadjust. It’s cool to take some time for yourself, but I can tell by only knowing you for a short while that you deserve more than that. You weren’t made to be alone. Your vibe is unlike anything I have ever experienced before,” I told her.
I picked up my water and took a sip, then looked off. This conversation had gotten a lot deeper than I planned.
“Hey, you do know you’re not meant to be alone, either. Although I can tell you try really hard to make this your identity,” she said, then smiled.
I tried not to focus on her. I wasn’t used to anyone speaking life into me like that. I needed to change this subject and quick.
“Tell me about you. What did you leave behind to come here?” I asked.
At that question, her face brightened. Immediately, she spoke about her family and how she was the middle child. Also, how everyone around her was in a relationship and made it their life’s mission to play matchmaker for her. I could hear her frustration about it, but the love she felt for them was even more clear.
“Then there is my friend, Chyna. We got into it today, but she is the one person who has always thought of me when I didn’t think of myself. I have a newfound friend after a failed attempt at my family’s matchmaking. It’s how I ended up on this trip,” she said, changing the subject.
I could clearly tell she had no intent on speaking about the situation with her friend, and I had no intent on asking. I was not Oprah. I barely had advice about anything that didn’t have something to do with combat, which was why I was glad she didn’t mind taking direction of the conversation.
“How did that happen? Are you into women too? I mean, if you are, I’m not against it. Love is love.” I held my hands up in mock surrender.
Skye looked at me with wide eyes before bursting into laughter. I was confused as hell because I was damn sure I didn’t say anything funny.
“I don’t mean to laugh, but why did you automatically assume they tried to hook me up with a woman?” she asked.
“It’s a proactive time.”
Skye nodded in agreement. “Well, I appreciate a beautiful woman, but it was not a woman. It was a man that my brother-in-law was in the Navy with. Turns out he has the same taste in men as I do, and my brother-in-law was never privy to it. Mainly because Jim isn’t feminine at all and doesn’t flaunt what he likes, but he doesn’t hide it either. He is really cool, and he helped me book this trip.”
I nodded. “Well, at least got something out of the deal.”
“My point exactly. I love it. Now tell me something about you—” she started before the server walked back over.
“Can I clear this table for you?” he asked.
“Absolutely. Skye, you ready to head out?” I asked.
She looked around and noticed we were some of the last people to leave, so she nodded. I hadn’t realized how fast time had gone between the food, the show, conversation, and drinks.
I held my hand out in front of me as she walked in front of me. I was stuck on the extra sway of her hips. I think this woman was naturally sensual without trying. She had my dick on hard. I had to widen my stance briefly to adjust myself. I wasn’t trying to make her feel pressure or to think I was a pervert.
“Can you walk me back to my room?” she asked, peeking over her shoulder briefly.
