44. Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Felix
I t felt like the last few days had flown by and there was nothing I could do to freeze time. It was Alisha’s last day today before she’d hop on a plane tomorrow, putting thousands of miles between us.
But there were lots of good things happening in my life: my trial at the ski school was going very well, my mentor was especially pleased with my efforts and I’d passed all my training. I was now working toward my level two ski instructor qualification. In a couple of weeks, I’d be ready to teach.
Aunt Brenna was slowly rekindling her relationship with her sister, they’d met a few times over the last few days. Mira, on the other hand, was still not ready. She was hard to crack but we didn’t want to force her. When the time was right, she’d meet her. That didn’t mean she didn’t ask about her though.
I couldn’t believe these last two weeks and how much had happened. How much my heart had thawed. At the beginning, I had been frosty with most people and refused to let people in. Now, I was thriving. Everything was finally looking up for me. Did it sound too good to be true? Perhaps, but I didn’t care. It was a life I’d always craved and I’d treasure it.
After my training, I would take Alisha down some slopes because I wanted her to keep her learning fresh. She clearly loved it, the triumphant smiles she’d give me when she took off her skis and then jumped into my arms for endless kisses. Just yesterday, we visited the Christmas markets and Alisha had gazed at the handmade ornaments available on display. We also dived into some seasonal treats and drank some warm mulled wine. It was perfect.
We also had gone ice skating and I’d never seen Alisha laugh as hard as she did when the two of us fell over in unison on the ice. We were lucky not to break a bone or end up seriously injured. My heart only swelled more with love for her when she took my hand in hers and brought it to her lips, the world slipping away from us as we stared into each other’s eyes. Into each other’s souls.
To end the perfect day, we went back to mine and made cookies. Flour had ended up everywhere but we weren’t phased. With one look in her eyes after tidying up, I knew what she wanted. She didn’t have to communicate as her body language spoke for her. She very quickly ended up in my bed, clothes scattered on my bedroom floor and then I was inside her, where I belonged.
The love making as well had been intense, watching her crumble underneath me as she met her orgasm and then me following shortly after. We’d made love in many positions and then exchanged sweet declarations of how much we meant to one another. I still hadn’t told her yet though. The three words that were on the tip of my tongue. Itching to be spilled. I wanted to pour my soul out to Alisha, for her to know that she was it for me. That for me, this wasn’t just a two-week romance.
Tonight, Alisha was going to take us out for a romantic dinner just outside of Ischgl. We had a few hours though before that, so I was currently with my twin cousins. They convinced me to go grab a beer with them and catch up. We were drinking our second round of beers and playing foosball. Currently, I was winning against Elias whilst Jakob was cheering me on.
The bar was quite lively at four o’clock but it was a level of loudness I was comfortable with. Jakob patted me on the shoulder, as it was now his turn to play against me. I’d already won against Elias who didn’t look too happy about it.
Oh well, he’d have to get over it.
“How’s that gorgeous girlfriend of yours?” Jakob asked me as he grabbed the handles to start twisting them, knocking the mini ball in my direction.
Girlfriend . I hadn’t exactly called Alisha that but maybe that’s who she was to me now.
“He scores!” Elias shouted, raising one fist in the air. Jakob had managed to score a goal.
“She’s good. You two met anyone yet?” I was determined to win this round so kept my eyes firmly on the prize.
“Nope, don’t want to settle down just yet. Loving the single life,” Jakob replied and then looked at this twin who was nodding in agreement.
“Gotta find the right person, there’s no one here I like anyway,” Elias said. Maybe that was because he slept with quite a few women and didn’t want anything else. He was a good looking man and had plenty going for him. I supposed the only turn off was that he spent his weekends playing video games with Jakob and hanging around in bars.
“Do you want to get married one day?” I asked them both. I’d never actually asked them that before but now I was curious. For me, marriage was the end goal.
“Well, after seeing what happened with you and your ex. Maybe not. Sorry to be harsh, Felix. But that’s the truth,” Elias replied first.
“Elias! That is a bit harsh!” Jakob scolded his twin who murmured an apology to me. It didn’t sting me like it would have done months ago. I was over that situation now.
“Don’t worry. I won’t cry about it.” I winked at my twin cousins, who let out a sigh of relief and then resumed talking to me.
“Anyway my point is I have to really meet someone who’s like me, for me to change my mind,” Elias said. I didn’t share this ideal, what was unique about me and Alisha was that we had different ideas and opinions but we respected one another. We listened and didn’t judge. We were so in tune to one another, maybe to others it was sickening. But to me, it was heaven.
The music in the bar changed to something more soulful and a few people started to dance in the middle of the floor. I didn’t mind Austrian bars, it was very rare for fights to happen and most people wanted to have a good time with friends and partners.
“He’s got a point.” Jakob pretty much agreed with anything his brother said, the two were joined at the hip. There was not much else I could say to change their minds about relationships so they would just have to discover real love themselves. Aunt Brenna had wanted me to try and give them a push but if they didn’t listen to her, then of course they wouldn’t to me. They were stubborn like their mother.
“If you marry this girl, I want to be the best man this time,” Elias announced and this caused a rumble of laughter to erupt from my chest. He could be cheeky at the best of times but he sure did make me laugh.
Jakob obviously won this round and it was my turn to buy the next round of beers. It was nice to spend time with family but I couldn’t wait for later this evening.
***
I was waiting patiently for Alisha, as she was getting dressed. I drummed my fingers on my knee and glanced around the room. It had been the perfect choice of accommodation for the girls and from what I’d worked out, not too expensive either. The host seemed friendly enough and said they were always welcome back.
I stopped drumming my fingers when my girl walked into the room, looking absolutely breathtaking. I felt as though my heart was in my mouth as I looked at her, and I mean really looked at her.
Alisha was wearing a dark green cocktail dress, with small frills at the bottom. It fit her body snugly and cinched at her curves. Her legs looked toned and on her feet were a pair of pair block heels with straps. Her long hair was tied up into a loose bun, adorned with a small rhinestone hair vine.
“Wow,” I breathed but wanted to say so much more to her.
“Do I look okay?” Alisha held her hands in front of her and tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. Her lips were painted a dark red and this colour definitely suited her.
“You are so beautiful. I am lost for words, sweetheart.” I took her in my arms and wanted to hold her here forever, to never let her go, but tomorrow afternoon, I’d have to. And I knew I’d go home and collapse into my bed, which smelled of her and held many memories. I knew she wouldn’t want me to wallow though, to carry on living my life and enjoying myself out here in Ischgl. But how could I when she wouldn’t be here to share memories with me?
“And you look so gorgeous too, Mr Bauer. Look at that bowtie.” Alisha touched it, giving it a gentle pull. It was a fake one though, because I hadn’t quite mastered tying up a real one.
“Wanted to look my best for you,” I told her, my lips gently touching her smooth forehead. I inhaled her scent, trying to savour her in any way I could. Cherries as always.
“You always look handsome, Felix. Ready to go?” Alisha slipped her petite hand into mine and led us toward the door.
“So, do I get a hint where you are taking me tonight?” I asked her as we got into my car. She would enter the details into the satnav and asked me not to look.
Once she coded in the details, the satnav indicated that it would take about a twenty minute drive. Alisha had a mischievous look on her face as she buckled in her seat belt and said nothing more as I backed out of the driveway, turning my car to face the main road.
“So no hints at all, sweetheart?” I wondered if she’d let up during the journey but she shook her head vigorously.
“Nope. Just wait and see, Felix.” Alisha at this moment wasn’t easy to read but she must have had something up her sleeve. Whatever it was, I was excited and a romantic night with her was what I needed.
“What’s Ophelia up to tonight?” I’d noticed her friend hadn’t been around and Alisha chewed her lip before answering.
“She’s…with Mira I think. They wanted to go to the markets again. Ophelia loves antiques but I told her not to buy anything too massive otherwise it won’t fit in her suitcase.” I loved it when she rambled, especially when she was nervous. I could tell she was as her voice was slightly shaky.
“Oh, very nice. I’m sure they’ll bring you back something,” I said, keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel. The satnav announced to make a left in about five minutes. I didn’t recognise the route.
“Yeah.” Alisha smirked as if she knew more than she was letting on. What was she hiding? I so wanted in but I’d shut my mouth for now and be prepared for whatever she had planned.
That’s what I loved about this woman, she was unpredictable but had a pure heart and the best of intentions.