Page 50 of Desperate
Lookingover to the sleeping woman next to him all tucked into her first-class seatwrapped in his and her blanket. Gabriel couldn't help but smile when he thoughtof her excited face when he told her the good news.
Stretchingin his seat Gabriel stretched his feet out before him and relaxed deeper intohis seat. Turning back to Salene he blinked in surprise to see the familiarhoney brown eyes staring back at him in the opaque darkness.
"Ithought you were asleep sweetheart." Pushing some of the brown curls fromher face, he gave her a mischievous smile. "Or were you wanting tosecretly fool around, because if we use the blankets, I'm pretty sure I canslip…"
Pinchinghis arm she gave him a reproachful look through her silent laughter. "No Idon't, I just couldn't sleep. I guess I'm too excited."
Liftingthe arm rest between them, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled hercloser to him. Immediately her soft sweet body snuggled against him relishingin his body heat. It was a little habit he noticed she did at home too, Gabrielcalled it being a "heat vampire" not that either one minded in theleast. Actually, the cute little habit had him looking forward to the winter.
Thatmade him think. "Hey, so Christmas will be in a couple days when we getback," three days from when they landed to be exact. “Did you want to govisit your family?"
Instantlyhe could feel her tense up against him at the suggestion. Judging by the clueshe has picked up here and there regarding her siblings Gabriel was well awareit was a touchy subject.
"Ihadn't really thought about it." She said in a small voice against hisribs.
"Youknow, you're going to have to talk about this one day with me."
"Iknow," she moaned nuzzling deeper into his shirt. "But it's reallyjust so infuriating. It boils down to my older brother and older sister tryingto dictate everyone in the family and as usual my parents just let them. I toldmyself I wouldn't go back until I was super successful so I can rub it in thosetwo faces."
"Istill feel like I'm missing crucial details," he probed patiently.
Squirmingin frustration he felt her push at him to sit up in her own seat, he justtightened his grip keeping her in place. The squirming struggle against himeventually ended in a frustrated sigh.
"Fine,"she groaned. "When I first went off to college my parents wanted me to goto the same in-state universities my siblings went to. I told them respectfullynot a chance." Hearing the frustration in her voice he began to massagethe base of her skull, slowly he could feel her relax—slightly. "Everysince that those two jerks have taken it upon themselves to say something snideevery time I go back home and last time I blew up and then they blew up... OhGabriel I don't want to talk about it anymore. Not while we're going somewhereamazing. Can't we just deal with all of that when we come back?"
Thiswas the first time he heard her say "we" as if it were they insteadof just her were facing the problem. The deep satisfaction welled within him atthe subtle change of her pronoun. The old Gabriel would not have even havenoticed the slight shift in speech, however everything about him was differentwith Salene. Lately he found himself craving for any type of clues as to whereher head was that when it came to "them." On some points he felt likehe knew the woman one hundred percent, but when it came to the topic of thelongevity of their relationship Gabriel was at a loss.
Pullingher closer he told himself for the millionth time not to rush things, the lastthing he wanted was to scare her off.
"Ofcourse sweetheart," he obliged soothingly. "We will handle all thatlater."
***
Thishad to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. So beautiful in factSalene could happily die here. Everything was absolutely spectacular, theperfect seventy-five degree weather, the vibrant colors of the crystal water,and countless other postcard worthy sites. There room was a suite of dreams.Technically it was an over-water bungalow that had a private hammock over thewater, a mini dock to dive in and out of the ocean, and a glass floor forstaring at the tropical fish. They had been there only two full days now, andSalene had already pretty much exhausted all of the resort activities. Theysnorkeled the base of the dormant volcano, jet skied, and para-sailed.
Tonightthey were sitting at one of the many restaurants on the resort. This one wascompletely outside with only a thatch style roof to cover them. Sitting off inthe corner of the open-air restaurant Salene sat across from Gabriel listeningto one of his college stories. The bright moon filled the sky with a beautifulnocturnal glow almost making the candles at each table useless. Forking thelast bite of cake into his mouth, they both got up to go back to theirbungalow.
"It'sa pretty long walk back," she glanced suspiciously at the long pier likebridge that branched off to all the various bungalows. "I think I will popinto the hotel to pee."
GrinningGabriel laughed. "Yeah that is a pretty long walk, I would hate to see youbreak out running midway down in that pretty little dress."
Thepicture of her hiking up her lime green and white maxi dress displayedperfectly in their minds.
"YeahI bet you would." Salene laughed. "Be right back."
Themain part of the hotel that housed the lobby, restaurants, staff and etc wasalso done in an open-air design. White breezy modern furniture littered thefloor around the large glass bar that sat in the middle allowing the few boredcouples to drink and mingle with other couples. The bathroom was done in thesame design as the bathroom in their bungalow. Large white quartz infinitysinks while the rest of the bathroom was covered in various matching whitetiles.
Pullingopen the heavy door to the bathroom Salene began walking back towards the exitwhen she heard a familiar voice. Standing at the bar wearing a pair of whiteshorts and a blue shirt was Derek Cipriani. There were a few other faces sherecognized from Gabriel's office. Something felt off, she wasn't surprised tosee the other people but not Derek, she was more than positive Gabriel would'vewarned her Derek was coming.
Duckingbehind a large potted plant Salene watch covertly for Derek to turn back to thebar so she can make a quick dash for the door. Quick walking towards Gabrielwho gave her a quizzical look as she grabbed his hand and pulled him behind herdown the path.
"I'mglad you're just as eager as I am baby," he teased. "But sometimes Ijust want to cuddle you sex fiend. I'm starting to feel cheap."
Smilingat the joking pout to his tone Salene eyed the hotel and figured they were apretty good distance away. Slowing her pace she fell back a bit until she was ableto wrap the arm she was just pulling around her so they could walk slowly.
"Thankyou," he exclaimed exasperatedly. “Let's just enjoy the stars and soundsof the waves… All the way to that door and then at which point it is my turn tobe a sex fiend."
Salenegave a small laugh. "Umm let me ask you something," seeing that hewas giving her his full attention she continued, carefully. "I know yousaid your boss and coworkers are arriving today, I'm just curious is it anyoneI know?"
