Chapter 18
I wake up alone in bed, stretch, and feel a little sore. Last night, after we got back to bed, we had sex again, and it was just as good. I smile like an idiot and call out.
“Lorenzo…”
“Coming,” I hear.
A moment later, he walks in carrying a breakfast tray.
“Good morning to the hottest girl on this island.”
He sets the tray on the bed and sits beside me. Smiling, he kisses me, and I kiss him back.
I start eating a delicious roll with ham and mozzarella and realize I’m starving. I take a sip of juice.
“Have you eaten already?” I ask.
“Yeah, I was starving. You wore me out.”
“Don’t be silly,” I say, embarrassed.
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.
“Don’t be embarrassed. What we did is natural between a man and a woman.”
“I know, but it’s new to me.”
“I’m going to take you out on the boat. Want to go?”
“Sure, but I don’t know if I’ll like it. I’ve never been on a boat before.”
“You will today.”
I finish breakfast and he picks up the tray.
“Let me take it.”
“No need. Get ready so we can go—I’m going to get dressed too.”
He leaves. I pick out a bikini and put it on, then throw on a beach cover-up and flip-flops. Lorenzo comes back in wearing shorts and a t-shirt and grabs a cap and sunglasses.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
We take the buggy to the beach and climb aboard the boat. As I step on, I feel a slight sway beneath my feet, as if the ground were alive.
The smell of sea air is strong and enveloping, and the breeze seems to dance between the pristine white leather seats. Everything gleams, from the metallic details to the control panels covered in buttons and blinking lights I couldn’t begin to understand.
I run my fingers along the polished wooden edge, feeling how cold and smooth it is, and catch myself smiling with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Lorenzo puts his hands on my waist to steady me.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just a little scared.”
“Relax, everything’s fine.”
“Lorenzo, I don’t know how to swim.”
He smiles.
“Lola, you’re not going in the water, okay?”
“What if I fall in?”
“I’ll save you. I’m here to protect you from everything.”
He leads me to a seat and has me sit down, then starts the boat and takes us out into the water. He cuts the engine and comes over to me, pulling me close.
“Come here, let’s enjoy this day.”
He puts on soft music, wraps his arms around me, and says:
“Let’s just take in the scenery together. Later we’ll have a picnic and soak up some sun.”
“Sounds perfect.”
And that’s exactly what we did—we spent the whole day together.
Late in the afternoon, we noticed a boat in the distance. Lorenzo looked through binoculars and said:
“Let’s head back. It’s going to get dark soon.”
“It’ll be a while before it gets dark.”
“Let’s go anyway. I’m tired.”
He starts the boat, and before long we’re back at the beach. We get off and head home.
I head in to take a shower, opting for warm water. I stand there letting the wonderful water cascade over my body and lose track of time. I don’t hear anything from Lorenzo, which is strange, but I stay in the shower as long as I need to relax.
When I come out, he’s not in the house. I go to the porch.
“Lorenzo… Lorenzo…”
I see him emerging from the trees.
“Lola, I’m here.” He waves as he walks toward me, shirtless, wearing only his shorts.
“What are you doing out there?” I ask, puzzled.
“I heard some weird noises.”
“Are you crazy? Going into the woods, and practically naked?”
“I’m checking on my property,” he says with a mischievous grin. “And I’m not naked, just shirtless.”
“Get in here, for God’s sake.” He comes inside and I follow him. “I got scared being here alone.”
“I’m here now, sweetheart. Relax.” He hugs me.
“Don’t leave me alone like that again,” I say, pouting.
“Okay. Come on, the food’s already here. I’m going to take a shower, then we’ll have dinner and go to bed. I’m exhausted today.”
We went to bed early that night and fell asleep almost instantly.