Page 27 of Ruin

We ate in silence as I took turns feeding Claire and then myself. Her emotions felt wild, quickly stirring back and forth in a secret battle within her. Our silence did not lift until the tiramisu arrived.

“Tiramisu is my favorite,” Claire said excitedly, now willingly opening her mouth with anticipation for every bite.

“You said tomorrow we’re going to the beach?” she asked.

“Yes. The beach,” I replied as the cocoa powder sprinkled dessert filled the spoon within my hand.

“The one with all the umbrellas?” Claire asked.

“God, no. Too many tourists. I am taking you to arguably the best beach in all of Scalea,” I responded.

“What’s it called?” she questioned with curiosity.

“Oh, so you can do your research and spoil my surprise. That is a no.” I laughed as she shrugged her shoulders in acceptance.

Once the final spoonful of tiramisu was gone, I stood and pulled Claire’s chair out with ease. The restaurant was nearly empty, and the music that once filled the air was now gone. My heart began to ache in anticipation of having to leave her side in the coming minutes.

As Claire’s hand sat within mine, we walked through the lobby, the only sound at this hour was the splashing and trickling of the grand fountain. Gone were the tourists, guests, and the daytime staff as the overnight receptionist stood quietly at his post.

As we approached Claire’s villa suite, I could feel her anxiety rising. I quickly pulled her body into mine. “I’m going to be a perfect gentleman, kiss you at your door, and see you tomorrow.”

“I…don’t understand…” she mumbled; her brows stitched together with confusion.

“I have tried my best to make my intentions perfectly clear,” I replied as I looked down at her, fighting every urge and desire that was clawing just below my calm surface.

“I mean, I’m not opposed…” she began.

I could feel disappointment and insecurity beginning to swirl within her. I scanned the garden, looking for any signs of life among the roses, before pressing her body up against her door with swift precision. She gasped at my movement as her head cradled into my hand, shielding it from the door.

I kissed her deeply with violent ferocity as her mumbles and moans filled my mouth until her knees buckled and I had to use my strength to keep her upright. I pulled my lips from hers as she stood there, mouth agape, begging for more.

“If you knew the things I would do to you…you’d be running,” I said slowly into her gaping mouth.

She inhaled sharply and opened her eyes—they were filled with both desire and dread.

I bit her bottom lip gently, before whispering like I was telling her a secret, “You are going to need to be fully rested before I get my hands on you.”

Claire blankly stared as I pulled her room key from her hand and pressed it against the lock. The mechanical whirring of the lock as it opened the door pulled her back into the moment.

“I guess this is goodnight then?” she asked as I pushed the door open, exposing the empty, dimly lit room.

“Unfortunately,” I said as I felt her body release from mine.

She bit her lip, giving me a sorrowful expression as she entered the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

As soon as I heard her sandals fall to the floor, I walked in silence to the next door. The room key from my pocket opened the door as the warm light of the string lights from the garden illuminated the pristine bed. I closed the door gently before making my way across the room.

My head rested against the crisp pillow as its feathers gently gave under the pressure. The walls of the villa suite were thick from the original stone walls that sat just behind the years of plaster. This space, this mere few feet of space between us, made my body ache.

Despite the density, I could hear every word of Claire’s conversation with her sister. Sarah’s voice boomed through the speaker just enough to provide clarity from my position.

“How’s Mr. Mysterious today?” Sarah quipped playfully.

Claire sighed deeply, her sweet voice whispering with uncertainty, “I mean, I cannot even begin. We went into town and, my God, the level of romance…. I just cannot.” Claire laughed, and I could practically feel her cheeks burning.

“Oh…do tell,” Sarah crooned, her voice muffled with the sounds of her chewing.

“He just…says things. Does things. It’s like a movie, I swear.” Claire paused, laughter flowing from her perfect lips. “We ate, we drank, we watched the sunset, and then he carried me through the streets in his arms.”