Chapter 20 #3
“You are going to have to change out of your sandals,” he instructed as they reached their next destination, his tone gentle but firm.
She poked out her lower lip. “But I love my sandals.” Sorinah tapped her feet together. “They are so gorgeous.”
“They are, and you look amazing in them, but they will do you no good on the hike.”
It was like watching a needle scratch a record as her face dropped.
“Hike? I don’t wanna hike in this tropical paradise.” Her brow furrowed.
“It’s a baby hike, and the payoff is totally worth it.”
“But I don’t wanna,” Sorinah insisted.
“Are you saying no to a minor challenge? I promise you’ll be there before you know it!”
“It better be worth it,” she threatened, narrowing her eyes, though he could see the spark of curiosity in them.
He helped her into the shoes he’d brought along to protect her feet, kneeling in front of her with a small smile. He held her hand as he guided her the short distance, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and greenery.
Sorinah gasped as the twin falls came into view, their cascading waters framed by lush greenery and the soft mist rising from the pool below.
“Okay, that is spectacular. Totally worth it.”
They frolicked in the pool of water that the falls flowed into, the cool spray kissing their skin and the sound of laughter mingling with the rush of the water. Aldrich watched her with affection as she splashed and grinned, her hair damp and curling.
“You must be hungry. Let’s go get some lunch,” he said, his voice soft, his gaze never leaving her face.
Aldrich’s feelings were a mix of pride, joy, and a deep sense of contentment.
Sharing this part of himself with her, his home, his culture, the little things that made him who he was, felt like giving her a piece of his heart.
Her delight in the reef, her playful resistance to the hike, and her eventual awe at the falls were all moments he wanted to tuck away and remember forever.
Every smile, every gasp of wonder, every small touch of her hand in his made him feel like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
He drove to a beachside restaurant and then walked along the white sand as their lunch was prepared, the sound of waves providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
The blue crab and dumpling, and lobster were the stars of the meal, simmered in a rich and spicy, coconut-curry sauce, served alongside hearty, doughy dumplings that were perfect for soaking up the flavourful gravy.
The aroma of the curry mingled with the salty sea air, heightening his anticipation for the meal and the rest of the day.
They had a light dinner of steamed fish, Accra, and ground provisions with sautéed dasheen leaves, the earthy flavors of the meal complementing the freshness of the ocean breeze.
They rode horses on the beach, the steady rhythm of the horses’ hooves on the sand and the feel of Sorinah’s laughter in the air adding to the magic of the moment.
Then they watched sea turtles retreat into the ocean as the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple, the colours reflecting in her amber eyes as she turned to him with a soft smile.
By the time they arrived back at the villa, all he wanted to do was slowly and thoroughly make love to Sorinah, his body thrumming with the buildup of the day’s intimacy, the shared laughter, the quiet moments, the way her hand had fit so naturally in his.
They showered separately, his promise of a massage hanging in the air like a whispered tease.
Sorinah took her time in the rainforest-like shower, the sound of the water and the faint scent of her shampoo wafting through the air as he prepared the room.
He lit the candles that the staff, long gone for the evening, had set out.
They had also left oils, lotions, and towels, everything arranged for the perfect end to a wonderful night.
Aldrich searched through his bag with an overwhelming sense of dread, his stomach dropping as his fingers failed to find what he was looking for.
Shit! He growled under his breath, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut.
He had forgotten the condoms. After an entire day of building up anticipation, of wanting her so badly it had been a sweet ache in his chest, this felt like a cruel joke.
“Shit! Shit!” he growled again, raking a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Sorinah asked, her voice full of concern.
Aldrich’s emotions were a tangled mess. Frustration, longing, and a sharp edge of panic.
He wanted her so much it was almost painful, and the thought of this perfect moment slipping away because of his oversight made him feel some kind of way.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, knowing he had to explain but hating the idea of disappointing her.
His body still hummed with desire, but now it was laced with a thread of uncertainty, his earlier confidence faltering in the face of this unexpected hurdle.