Page 13 of Second Chance Summer

And we hold each other.

We pant for breath and hold each other as sensations render us both too weak to do anything else but lie here spent and completely sated. I’m so drained, so fractured, I can hardly move my weight off her, but I’m no quitter. I know I’m heavy on her, so I summon the feeling back into my legs and move, pulling her into my arms. And then I lie here and think about this only being a temporary vacation fling between us when I want it to be so much more. I want it to be forever like it was supposed to be in the first place. Why can’t we have that? We owe it to ourselves, don’t we?

Chapter 5

I stand outside on the balcony, enjoying the fresh morning air after being tucked inside Hendrick’s arms last night. I think about how my body caved and stretched for him. I could never be this way with another man. The love he gives me is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Perhaps I’m too needy. Too greedy for him that I want all of his time when he’s trying his best to provide for us.

Nah…

That’s not it. It can’t be. I used to think that was it, but it’s not entirely. I didn’t get married to be single. I want a connection just like the one we had in the beginning.

Strong chocolate arms close around me from behind. I close my eyes with the breeze in my hair and place my hands on his forearms.

“Good morning,” he says next to my ear.

Aftershocks from last night rock my core at the sound of his voice, coupled with the warmth of his breath touching my neck.

“Good morning.”

“You know we have breakfast with Akuna.”

I chuckle. “Stop calling her that before I accidentally call her that when I see her.”

“The names are similar.”

“They’re not,” I say, turning around to look at him. I kiss him on the lips and say, “We better get dressed. You know she hates it when we’re late.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“And don’t forget to play along. She needs to know nothing about this.”

“Got it,” I tell her. “But I don’t know if I can handle you acting like you don’t like me.”

I smile and say, “I’ll make it up to you.”

* * *

We step into the little café just down the street that’s somehow still a part of the resort. This is our first time here, but by the smell of things, I’m sure it won’t be our last. When I first walked in, I saw a woman with a plate of French toast with bananas, blueberries, and cream. Yep, I know what I’m eating for breakfast! Hendrick gets that and the egg breakfast. Dr. Makalua gets a chia bowl topped with strawberries and almonds.

As we wait for our food, she wastes no time getting right down to business when she takes out two small notebooks and two pens, handing them to us. She says, “It’s Thursday. I thought we’d start the day by doing an activity you did at the beginning of this journey. I want you each to write down three things you like about each other.”

I glance up at Hendrick with a sneaky grin on my face. The thing about this time is, I could totally sing Hendrick’s praises and the doctor wouldn’t have a clue that we planned this. Or, I could be truthful and Hendrick wouldn’t know if I’m being real or putting on a façade. I suppose it doesn’t matter – just as long as we get through this breakfast.

I click the pen open and start my list.

I like the way he had me begging for mercy last night.

I had to grin to myself about that one.

I like the way he kisses me.

Hmm…do I keep that one, or is it all about me and not him?

Okay….