Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
CARA
It was our last day together, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect start. Vera had woken me up with the softest kiss, and we were walking hand-in-hand down the beautiful beach, preparing for the sunrise, as I had every morning since we arrived.
I had to admit I was nervous to get back to the real world. I didn’t know what would happen between us, but I hoped nothing would change except how often we saw each other.
We were taking things slow, even though we’d already slept together and were technically living together until tomorrow.
I didn’t want to have any serious talks about what would happen or what we wanted to happen.
Honestly, I still wasn’t so sure where I wanted us to go, but I wanted the chance to figure it out.
“Are you excited to get back home? I bet you’ll be happy to get back to work, huh?” Vera asked as we were approaching my favorite spot on the beach. I loved to climb the giant rock and just sit there, feeling the breeze on my skin and smelling the salt water.
“I am. It’s so beautiful here, and it’s been the experience of a lifetime, but I miss my own bed.
And Eloise has been a pain. She’s refused to update me on anything work related unless it’s a true emergency.
I haven’t heard a peep from her all week!
I trust her, and you’ve been very good at distracting me, but now that we’re talking about it, I’m anxious again. ”
She squeezed our joined hands and smiled. “Of course you are. You like to be in control, which is good since you are the boss. At least at your own company.” She winked and I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile.
“Do I need to show you who’s really in control again? Because if you’re having memory loss, I’d be more than happy to help with that.”
“Ay dios mío, princesa. You can’t say things like that to me. We are too far from the villa, and I don’t think you’d enjoy sex on the beach.” She pulled me closer and kissed me so hard, cupping the side of my face.
I melted into the kiss, seriously considering it. While I wasn’t one for public exposure like my friends, when she kissed me or touched me, all bets were off.
Against my protest, she backed away and smiled. Her and that damn smile is what got me into trouble the first time. And look at where I was now? Considering sex on the beach in Bali!
And if I was in charge, it was only because she let me be. But when she looked like that, had that voice, those arms, and could steal my breath, who was I to complain? Letting her be in charge had done nothing but good things for me so far.
“Anyway, I know you’re right. And no news is good news. I’ll set up a meeting tomorrow.”
“After you rest.” she demanded.
I smiled, playfully rolling my eyes. “Yes, ma’am. After I rest. Are you coming over to rest with me?” I asked.
As much as I craved my alone time, I’d gotten used to having Vera in my space, and it was going to be weird without her.
She shook her head, taking my hand again.
“No, darling. You need to rest and get back to your normal routine, as do I. I need to go see my abuela and brothers. I also need to do laundry and rest up. We’ve been together for a week straight.
As much as I’d love nothing more than to spend more time with you, it’s good to have some space so we don’t get sick of each other. ”
I frowned. “You think you’ll get sick of me?”
She stopped us and turned toward me, caressing the side of my face with one hand and wrapping her other around my waist. “Oh, princesa. I’ll never get sick of you.
But I think you might get sick of me. It took me this long to get you and I don’t want you going anywhere.
” She kissed my nose and we continued our walk.
After kissing and watching the sunrise, we’d go to a cute little cafe for breakfast. On our way there, I spoke softly. “I don’t want to get sick of you.”
She turned toward me. “I don’t want you to either.”
“You’ve been so patient with me and so kind, even when I treated you wrongly. You could have anyone you want. I mean for starters, look at you.”
She laughed, but I continued. “I’m serious. You are absolutely gorgeous. You have the kindest heart of anyone I know, and I respect the hell out of you.”
“Cara, please know something. I don’t want just anyone, okay?
I want you. I can be as patient as I need to be with you, but please understand that I’m not going anywhere.
I’m not going to get sick of you. I’m not going to learn something about you and just leave, I’m not going to be unfaithful to you.
And I’m not going to lie to you. You already know how I feel about you, and that won’t change. ”
I smiled and reached up to place a kiss on her lips. “Can I buy you breakfast?” I asked, knowing what her answer would be.
“You can try, but I can’t promise I’ll let you.”
Spoiler alert, she didn’t let me pay with money, but I did pay her back in other ways.
We had spent the entire day in our room and our robes. Drea and Blair had left this morning, and our flight was early tomorrow morning. We’d all joined them in their room to say goodbye, and had decided to do our own things for the rest of the day.
We’d barely gotten out of bed and had ordered room service for any meals. We’d just finished another round and I got up to take a shower, my legs still a little shaky.
“Okay, I’m going to take a shower before you try to go again and I can’t move. It’s getting late and you’ve exhausted me,” I said in between breaths.
She chuckled, looking smug. “I didn’t hear you complaining earlier. But I can help you if you’re too tired.”
I groaned. She was trying to kill me. We’d already gone four times since this morning. “You’d like that wouldn’t you? I think I can manage just fine.”
She pouted and stood on her knees, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back to her. “I’d like a lot of things from you.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” I asked, already regretting that decision. If I didn’t back away, I’d never get in the shower.
She lifted my chin up and her smile was pure want. “Bésame, princesa.” Fuck the shower. I could take one before our flight.
I did as she said and leaned in, practically fusing our bodies together. I knew it was a mistake as soon as our lips touched. She wrapped her hands around my back and turned me so I was lying on the bed.
“Cheater,” I breathed.
“I’m sorry. You wanted to take a shower, right?” she said in between kisses. On my neck, on my chest, on my nipple.
“Fuck!” I moaned when she circled it with her tongue. I thrusted my hips into her, needing more. “It’s okay. I can take a shower later, just… Please don’t stop.”
She kissed lower and I moaned when she placed my legs on her shoulders. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
A few hours later, I finally made it into the shower with Vera’s help. She carried me into the bathroom and I was so thankful there was a bench to sit on. I didn’t think my legs would hold me. She washed my hair and got me out of there without any more sex.
I didn’t think I’d ever be able to have sex again. How had I come harder every time? I didn’t think I had anything left to give, but if she wanted to go again, I probably would’ve let her.
It was like I shook a bottle of champagne and finally opened it. Everything just kept coming out. The need for her I kept inside and tried to forget erupted, and now that it was out, there was nothing to do but let it keep going.
Now that I’d admitted my feelings for her and my need for her, they wouldn’t go away and that was how we ended up with her literally carrying me to bed from the shower.
She dried me off and put my robe on, kissing my forehead before brushing my hair. “Vera, honey. I can move some ligaments, you know? I’m not paralyzed.”
She laughed. “Maybe we should go again. If I didn’t do a good job.”
I turned around and smiled at her. “Oh you did a good job, I’m sore and tired and so relaxed.”
“Bien. Either way, you’re my princesa and I want to take care of you.” She continued to brush my hair and I let her. What was I supposed to say to that? She wanted to do something for me, so I let her, as if she hadn’t done enough for me already.
We decided to keep the robes on and sit on the patio with a glass of champagne. I wanted to watch the sunset, but I wanted to be comfortable and not go anywhere. Vera fully supported that idea and insisted we cuddle up on the patio.
We were currently sitting with my legs in her lap and she was giving me the best foot massage I’d ever gotten.
“What are you thinking about over there?” she asked. I had the biggest smile on my face and my eyes were closed, head tilted back and completely feeling blissed out.
“Just how amazing this trip has turned out to be. I don’t want to go back home, yet. My house is a little lonely, you know? Maybe I should get a dog or something.” I shrugged
It was true. The entire trip had been perfect, and I’d gotten used to falling asleep and waking up next to Vera.
I didn’t think it was even close to time to ask her to move in, but the thought had crossed my mind.
I knew it would be different than vacation living together, and I didn’t think I was really ready for that. But I was tempted.
She smiled. “You should. They’re a lot of responsibility, but I think you can handle it.
You have a home office that looks amazing now.
You’re welcome, by the way. So you can be home when they need you.
And I could also keep you company. I’m not a dog but I can be one if that’s what you’re into. ” She winked.
I wrinkled my nose and shook my head. “Hard pass. But I do like the idea of you on all fours.” I busted out into laughter when she widened her eyes.
After that, we just sat there for a little while, drinking our champagne and spending time together. It was so nice, but for some reason I started thinking about my family.
Spending time with Vera’s abuela and having her always talking about her family, it made me miss them more and more.
“Hey,” she said softly. “Come here.” She helped me sit up and I snuggled closer to her. “What’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours? I can see your thoughts going a million miles a minute and you look far away.”
I gave a sad smile. “Sorry. I was just thinking about how much I miss my parents. We talk every week, but it’s just not the same, you know? They’re on the other side of the country and it’s not as easy as I’d like it to be to go visit them.”
She squeezed me and kissed the top of my head, causing me to close my eyes and just feel her embrace mixing with the evening breeze.
I was in big trouble. The feelings I’d tried to hide away and pretend didn’t exist were growing stronger and stronger.
The more time I spent with her and the more things she said or did, the more I found myself wanting to be around her all the time.
She’d come into my life and completely changed how I viewed the world.
Until that moment, I hadn’t regretted leaving that morning.
Now, I’d wished I’d stayed to see what could’ve happened.
“I’m sorry, princesa. Where are they now?”
“They live in Maine. My mom is a traveling nurse, and my dad is a truck driver. He got a job offer there ten years ago, and has stayed ever since. I wanted to plan a trip out there for Christmas, but we’ll see.”
“Wow. That is far. Hopefully you can make it out there. I’m glad you still keep in touch, though. I don’t know what I’d do if my brothers or abuela lived that far.”
I absolutely loved that family was a priority for her. It was super important to have a support system, especially being a queer woman and working in a man’s field. Truthfully, I loved a lot of things about her.
We continued talking about our family dynamics and she told me about how her abuela got sick when she was in high school. She admitted to dropping out to take care of her, but when things got better she went to get her GED and got some on the job training.
“I’m incredibly proud of you. You stepped up for your family. Then you didn’t quit and went back to continue your education and better yourself. That is amazing, Vera.” I leaned over to kiss her, wanting her to believe me.
When we parted, she smiled, pushing my robe off my shoulder and placing a soft kiss there. I shuttered and she pulled away, teasing me.
“It looks like your robe is having trouble staying on. Let’s go inside and I’ll fix that for you.”
She stood up and took my hand, not giving me a chance to say no. As if I would’ve anyway.