Chapter 20 #2
Then it was off to the airport for a quick flight to Tobago.
She’d been mostly quiet during the car ride and subsequent flight, her usual liveliness subdued.
Already, he could tell she was eager for the getaway by the way her shoulders had lost some of their usual tension, but he could also see the tiredness in the way she blinked slowly.
“Why don’t you close your eyes and get some rest?” Aldrich encouraged her, his hand brushing hers lightly as if to reassure her it was okay to relax.
She yawned, her decline accompanied by a small shake of her head. “No way! Today is our day. I don’t want to miss a minute of it.”
Aldrich’s heart swelled at her words, a warmth spreading through him.
He was glad to hear her say that, even happier that he hadn’t given in to the temptation of scheduling a day where they stayed locked in the villa with their bodies intertwined.
As appealing as that was—and it was tempting—he was looking forward to the activities he’d planned with his woman.
She was going to love what he had in store for them on Trinidad’s sister island.
The sun rose during the flight, painting the sky in shades of orange, pink, and gold that streamed through the cabin windows.
“That’s incredibly beautiful,” she murmured, her head resting on his shoulder, her voice soft and a little drowsy.
Aldrich glanced down at her, his stomach tightening at the sight of her curled against him, her eyelashes fluttering as she watched the sunrise.
A surge of contentment mixed with something deeper, a quiet joy that came from knowing she was here with him, that she trusted him enough to share this moment.
He tightened his arm around her, pulling her a little closer, as if he could shield her from the world beyond this plane.
He had been so focused on making this day perfect that he hadn’t realised how much he needed it too—the simplicity of just being with her, away from the clamour of family and obligations.
The soft hum of the plane and the warmth of her body pressed against his created a cocoon where everything else faded.
For the first time in days, he could breathe.
The silence was pleasant, a comfortable quiet that wrapped around them like a shared blanket.
For the entire twenty minutes, their hands were intertwined, his thumb stroking hers gently in a rhythm that was as soothing as it was intimate.
Her head rested on his shoulder, her presence a warm, steady weight that made the moment feel like it belonged only to them.
Once the plane landed, they checked into the villa and changed into their swimwear.
The morning would start off nice and relaxed with a lazy swim in the infinity pool.
His plans were almost derailed, though, when he saw her in her one-piece swimsuit.
So simple, nothing overly revealing, but the orange looked perfect against her skin, the colour enhancing the warm tones of her honey-brown complexion in a way that made his throat go dry.
He had a plan for the day, though—anticipation was the name of the game—and he forced himself to focus on that instead of the way his pulse quickened at the sight of her.
The private chef prepared their meal poolside, then floated it out to them on a tray.
In Aldrich’s opinion, the villa could have done a better job of selecting staff.
Sorinah’s jaw dropped appreciatively for a moment when she first saw Chef Lucious, the chiselled Nubian man with perfect teeth gleaming against dark skin, his long locs and model-perfect features making him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine spread.
That’s what Aldrich got for focusing on the man’s credentials and the menu, he thought wryly, trying not to let his irritation show.
“What?” She’d shrugged and giggled, clearly amused by the expression on his face.
Aldrich huffed a small laugh, shaking his head as he tried to push the image of Chef Lucious out of his mind.
She was already gushing over the breakfast, especially the plantain-infused Belgian waffle she’d never had before, paired with artisanal smoked ham and fresh fruit the island was known for.
Obviously, she was mesmerized by the food, her excitement contagious as they snuck each other bites across the table.
The local Robusta coffee and fresh cold-pressed guava juice were also a hit.
“I didn’t know you guys had coffee on this island. It’s so good,” she praised, her eyes wide with surprise and delight.
The last bite of the meal he composed a perfect piece of waffle, ham, and papaya ginger, rum compote, offering it to her. She took it, her lips closing around the fork as she savoured the flavours.
Her sigh of contentment rushed through his body like a physical caress, her pleased smile leaving him weak in a way he hadn’t expected.
“I don’t think this makes up for the perfect bite you stole from me the night of the wedding,” she said, leaning over to kiss him, “but… this comes pretty damn close.”
Aldrich felt a rush of warmth at the kiss, the light tease in her voice melting him from the inside out.
He could still taste the hint of guava on her lips, could feel the softness of her mouth against his, and for a moment, he forgot about Chef Lucious, the villa, and even the carefully planned day ahead.
All he could focus on was her, the way she made him feel like every small moment was something extraordinary.
After their kiss, she shook her head. “That bite was almost as good.” She held up her fingers, displaying a small space.
“Dang, will you ever let the perfect bite go?” he groused playfully, his tone light but with a hint of exasperation.
She threw her head back and laughed. “Probably never but take the win here.”
“Okay, we are going to head out,” he announced once breakfast was cleared away.
“What? We aren’t staying here?” she asked, her eyebrows rising in surprise.
“Nope, I have the perfect day planned.”
“Why can’t the perfect day include staying here in the pool?” She pouted, though her eyes sparkled with humour.
“Cause you’ll get burnt and pruney from all that water. Let’s go, Kitten.”
She sulked, her bottom lip poked out, but took his hand as he helped her out of the pool, her fingers curling around his with a reluctant sigh.
“So, what should I wear for this outing?”
“Swimwear with a coverup is great.”
“Should I wear sneakers?” she inquired, her tone practical but curious.
“You can bring those along.”
Wisely, he gave her the room while she dressed, knowing they had a schedule to keep. He changed quickly in the other bedroom, his mind already racing ahead to the day he’d planned.
Of course, Sorinah looked stunning in the tropical, vibrant, wild-flowered two-piece swimsuit that accented all her best features.
He really considered himself one of God’s strongest soldiers when he determined they should stick to their schedule.
Thankfully, she put on her cover up, although the white cotton knee-length dress barely covered the sexiness beneath, clinging just enough to make his mouth go dry.
“Here, I got these for you,” he said, kneeling before her. Sorinah had been out with her sisters and mentioned she’d seen some sandals crafted in Trinidad. There had been so many to choose from, and they’d been short on time.
“I have to go back and pick some up,” she’d lamented.
Aldrich had gotten her a couple of pairs, and this dark tan open-toe sandal wrapped perfectly around her ankle.
Was there any part of her that didn’t look sexy? Her glittering French-manicured toes looked amazing, and the thought of sucking them into his mouth played in his mind, sending a rush of heat through him. God, he was gone for this woman.
Testing his will, he helped apply sunscreen to all the hard-to-reach spots, his fingers brushing her skin with a tenderness that belied the tension humming beneath the surface.
As they left the room, she asked, “Are you sure we can’t just stay in the villa and enjoy each other?” Her hand trailed down his pecs, her touch sending sparks through his system, lighting him up in ways that made focus difficult.
“Trust me, you’re gonna love what I have planned.”
Aldrich’s chest swelled with a mix of pride and anticipation as he led her out, his mind playing through all the activities the day held, designed to show her just how much she meant to him, to create memories that would linger long after the sunset.
He couldn’t wait to see her reaction to every surprise he’d arranged.
They viewed the Buccoo Reef from a glass-bottom boat, marvelling at the vibrant marine life before wading into the shallows.
Sorinah was completely in awe, her eyes wide and her expression full of wonder.
The mix of multi-coloured corals was vibrant, their hues seeming to glow beneath the clear water.
The marine life was spectacular, with so many schools of fish darting around them.
“Those are so colourful.” She pointed as a school of parrotfish hustled by, their bright blues and greens catching the sunlight.
“Oh my gosh, that was amazing! I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
Her smile was bright, lighting up her eyes and softening the lines of her face in a way that made Aldrich’s heart swell. He loved seeing her like this—open, joyful, and fully present in the moment.
They stopped for some coconut water and local fruit: the tangy-sweet orange flesh of chennet, the refreshing pommerac, and the tropical burst of pommecythère adding to the sensory delight of the moment.
Aldrich loved sharing things about his island with her.
It wasn’t just the food or the places. This was a part of who he was, and her appreciation of all the things he loved warmed his heart in a way he couldn’t explain.
It bound her to him in a deeper, almost intangible way, as if every shared experience added another thread to the connection between them.