Chapter 14 #2
So I take it from her and let myself in through the gate, moving slowly over to where the two of them have now separated so one of them can sit on its hind legs and look around him for any danger, keeping the both of them safe, I guess.
I get a strange little flutter in my chest as I see how focused these guys are on looking out for each other.
It’s not something me and my siblings have ever been any good at.
I’ve always just taken care of myself.
Dutifully, I bounce the colourful tail near the meerkat that’s not on guard duty and he takes up the challenge immediately, running in circles and almost cartwheeling whilst trying to grab hold of it with his paws and teeth.
I find myself starting to laugh as his brother joins him and we all play around for a bit, enjoying each other’s company in a way I never have before with animals.
Perhaps I should get myself a couple of meerkats for housemates once I get home.
Joke.
But in all seriousness, it’s going to feel pretty empty in my house with just me rattling around in it until it’s finally sold.
Unless I don’t go home.
Perhaps I should keep travelling round the world for the rest of my life?
But I know, as soon as I’ve thought this, that I wouldn’t want to do it alone.
My eyes are drawn to Chloe, who’s still pinned to the sofa by the sleeping kitten.
She glances up, as if sensing I’m looking for her, and smiles.
My heart turns over.
Jesus.
I really need to pull myself together, or I’m going to fuck things – and myself – up.
We’re just having fun. This isn’t going to turn into anything serious. She’s still too raw after her split with that arsehole.
‘You look like you’re having fun, counter to all your “I’m too cool for this” instincts,’ she calls over to me.
‘Yeah, okay, Dasher. You win, this is fun,’ I admit, flashing her a grin.
Her laugh is warm and full-throated.
‘I’m guessing this is the cheapest fun you’ve had in a while?’ she says.
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ I fire back, raising a suggestive eyebrow.
‘I hope you’re not calling me cheap,’ she says, but there’s levity to her voice.
I hold up my hand. ‘I wouldn’t dare. Not now you know how to cut me in two with a sword,’ I point out.
* * *
We spend another happy hour there, having first rabbits, then a miniature pig, of all things, put in our laps to stroke.
This has to be the weirdest afternoon I’ve ever spent, but it’s also one of the most fun.
From the looks of it, Chloe’s having the same experience as I am.
Which I’m glad about.
She deserves to be happy.
And I love how she challenges me. I love her fire – but also her compassion.
If there’s one thing Chloe could never be, it’s dull.
Unlike her fucking stooge of an ex.
I can image being with him must have drained the life out of her, to the point where she became so institutionalised, she couldn’t see how bad the relationship was for her.
Hopefully she’s beginning to see it now though. Now she’s had some time away from him.
With me.
When we’ve finally had our fill of petting the weird – and okay, wonderful – animals, we wash our hands, then pay for our session and put our shoes back on.
Leaving the café, we stroll back out onto the bustling streets of Kyoto.
‘You hungry?’ I ask her.
‘Ravenous.’
‘Want to get some food back at the hotel?’
‘Yeah, sure, I’d love to.’
* * *
We don’t order any food. We’re too busy ripping each other’s clothes off the moment we’ve stepped in through the door to my apartment.
There are no games this time. It’s just straight need driving us. And something else too. It also feels tender and loving this time as we move together in sync, our bodies melding into each other perfectly.
We’re a great fit.
Fuck, I’m going to miss this.
But is she?
I push away the question and force myself to focus on what’s happening in the room right now.
The smell of her. The sounds she’s making in the back of her throat as she gets close to orgasm.
The feel of her legs wrapped around me. The taste of her on my lips.
The sight of her beautiful face as it screws up in concentration.
The grip of her fingertips against my back when she finally comes beneath me as I thrust into her.
It’s not long till I’m coming too. Hard. All my senses overloaded with pleasure.
Afterwards we’re both a sweaty mess, but neither of us care as we cling to each other, coming down from our respective highs.
I finally slide out of her and peel myself away from her body, rolling onto the mattress alongside her.
Both of us are still breathing fast and I turn my head to look at her at the same time she looks round at me.
We stare at each other, almost like we’re surprised by how much we enjoyed that.
It just felt right.
I’m about to open my mouth to tell her how fucking great I think she is when she beats me to it by saying, ‘I’ve only got tonight here left then I’m heading back to Tokyo via the Studio Ghibli park before I fly home.’
I blink at her, momentarily confused by the sudden change in mood. ‘Oh, right. I can’t believe we’ve been here for nearly a week already,’ I say, turning away and running my hand over my hair.
‘Yeah, I know. The time’s gone too fast.’
The thought of her leaving is making my stomach sink.
I don’t want this to end. I want her to stay here, in my arms, in my bed until the end of time.
‘Hey. Wild idea,’ I say, turning back to catch her eye.
‘Don’t go home yet. Come travelling with me for another week.
Or longer, if you like. Everywhere I’ll be staying I’ll be paying a double room rate so it makes no difference to me.
I’ll also have a car to take us places so all the travel will be covered.
And I’ll ask my PA to call the airline and get your flight moved by a week.
She’s brilliant at getting those kind of things sorted and she’s twiddling her thumbs at the minute while I’m holidaying here. ’
My heart is racing at the idea of this. I’m excited about it.
But is she?
I’m amazed how nervous I feel, waiting for her answer.
She seems to think about this for a whole minute.
‘Well, I have to admit, these last few days with you have been a hell of a lot more fun than spending them either alone or in therapy bawling my eyes out, going over and over what I did wrong in order for my relationship to implode like it did,’ she says with a wry smile.
‘Glad to have been of service,’ I manage to joke, though I’m more intent on knowing what her answer to my suggestion is.
But instead of saying ‘Yes, great idea, I’d love to’, she goes quiet again and stares, unblinking, up at the ceiling.
‘So don’t go yet,’ I prompt, unable to help myself. ‘I think we have something good going here. Something we could explore more.’
‘Lots more fun to be had?’ she says quietly, but not in the excited, accepting way I’m hoping for.
I can’t work out where her head’s at.
She’s gone frustratingly insular all of a sudden.
‘So, what do you say? Will you stay on a bit longer?’ I ask, unable to stop myself from pushing it.
Before she can answer, my phone pings with a message.
The usually upbeat note sounds ominous in the quiet room. I have a horrible feeling I know who this is going to be from, and my pulse picks up as anxiety rises through my chest.
I frown at the phone but don’t move to pick it up.
‘Go ahead, check your message. Don’t mind me,’ Chloe says, her voice tinged with concern, seeming to sense the sudden tension that’s taken over my body.
I reach across for it with a thudding heart and glance at the banner, hoping I’m wrong.
I’m not. It’s another message from Katya.
Kit, please don’t ignore me. I have something really important to discuss with you. I’m—
Again, the rest of the banner is cut off.
Once again, the word pregnant flashes through my mind.
Jeez, please no. Not when things have the potential right now to go further with Chloe.
In a sudden moment of clarity, it hits me that I definitely wouldn’t want to hear from Katya that she’s pregnant, but I wouldn’t mind at all if it was Chloe telling me that.
In fact, I’d probably welcome it. It would be an adventure with her – of the best kind. Because she’s the best kind of person.
And I think now that fate pushed us back together for a reason.
Deciding not to look at the rest of the message, I dump my phone back on the nightstand, but Chloe is obviously suspicious about my behaviour because she looks at me quizzically.
‘Are you sure everything’s okay?’ she asks.
‘Yeah, fine.’ I reach for her and slide my hand into her hair, then lean in and kiss her hard on the mouth, but she stiffens under my touch.
My heart plummets.
Something’s changed.