Chapter Thirty-Nine
Maya
The past three weeks have been the best weeks of my life, there hasn’t been a minute I haven’t loved.
We have visited towns, explored beaches, done water sports and ate the most amazing meals.
The amount of food I have consumed is obscene but I have loved every minute.
My skin is glowing from all the sunbathing I’ve done at every opportunity.
I could certainly get used to this kind of life.
The plan for today is to do absolutely nothing, Jenson has promised to do a barbecue for us all as long as we sort the sides to go with it.
So that means another shopping trip. It sounds crazy to get excited over going to a supermarket but the ones over here are so good!
They are more like department stores that stock everything, including gorgeous Spanish sun dresses.
Naturally Fallon and I jumped at the chance to go shopping.
“We’re going to come too,” Gracie says, motioning to her and Blair. “I want to see what other goodies I can find.”
“Ha, that’s exactly why I want to go too,” Fallon laughs.
“And me,” I add in. We’re all so alike. “Lucy? Are you coming too?”
“Erm, no I think I will hang out by the pool. You all go and have fun,” She replies, but her eyes drift towards outside. Who is she wanting to spend more time with? It can’t be Max or Tommy, and surely not Jenson. She must have a thing for Samuel.
Samuel is the only one who doesn’t come out to guard us everywhere we go, he finds it better to be based here for the internet as most of his side of things is done online.
I don’t think I have ever seen them talk, never mind flirt or even make eye contact. The nosey bitch in me needs to find out. In all the years I’ve known Lucy I have never seen her with anyone, of course, that could be because she lives away most of the time.
“Are we ready to go?” Fallon asks.
“Yes!” I say excitedly. Who would have known that doing something as mundane as shopping would excite me so much. I dread the day I have to go back to England, hopefully they find Jake before then.
We enter the supermarket and stick together as a group.
That’s the only downside to my new life; I can’t do anything alone and although I love it here, there is nothing better than home.
I am an extroverted, introvert. I love being around people but I also love to be by myself.
I really miss my cabin, being on my own and reading a book on the back porch as the river flows by.
“Should we go upstairs to the clothes first? There is a dress I had my eye on last time we came,” Gracie says, delight shining in her eyes.
In less than twenty minutes our arms are loaded up with clothes to try on, all of us excited at what we have found. Just as I close the curtain my phone buzzes in my pocket showing an incoming call from my mum. Urgh, I can’t keep ignoring her in case there is something really wrong this time.
“Hi mum,” I answer begrudgingly.
“Oh thank god, Maya. Where are you?” She says, her tone high pitched.
“I’m abroad, enjoying some time away with Tommy and my friends. Is everything okay?”
“No, I’m not okay. Where have you gone? Why haven’t you answered my calls? Why wouldn’t you tell me you were leaving the country?” She shrieks down the phone. So much so that I have to hold the phone away from my ear. What am I even meant to answer first?
“I’m at Tommy’s villa in Spain and for the other two questions, we didn’t exactly end on the best of terms last time I saw you,” I answer honestly.
“I am your mother! Don’t be so ridiculous, I can’t believe you have left the country with that… that abuser. Come home right now, you can stay with me.” Oh yeah, because she wants to keep me safe. Next joke.
“Listen, I don’t have time for this. I told you I love Tommy, if you can’t get used to it, we’re done,” I say flatly. My compassion for this woman left a very long time ago, it’s just boring now.
She starts to yell abuse down the phone but instead of listening I just click off the call. She calls back almost instantly so I reject that one too and put my phone on mute. I should never have answered her call, all it’s done is put me in a foul mood.
“Maymay!” Gracie shouts. “Come on we want to see your first outfit.”
I haven’t even undressed yet, never mind put anything else on.
“Give me a sec,” I call as I quickly try on the dress I had been thinking about.
Instantly my mood lifts. I feel amazing in it, it’s sexy but classy, the hem touches the floor and the top covers most of my boobs, but the back, the back is fully open, all the way to my tail bone. I know for a fact Tommy would love to see me in this dress and I feel so good in it too.
I walk out of the changing room and all the girls mouths drop open.
“You have to get that dress!” Fallon states. “You look incredible.”
“Yes, get it… so I can lend it,” Blair winks.
“Babes, you look beautiful,” Gracie adds smiling at me.
I laugh. “I guess I’m getting it then.”
We continue to try on our outfits before we decide on our choices and finish the food shop, the real reason we came here.
By the time we’re back at the villa, the men are showered and stood by the grill. Jenson is preparing it for the meat we just picked up. As there is no plan of going anywhere tonight, us girls go and wash up, get our comfy clothes on and start making the salads and sides.
I’m just finishing making some potato wedges when hands curl around my waist. I jump at first, still not over the last time someone touched me unexpectedly but relax as soon as he leans in and whispers softly in my ear.
“It’s only me, baby.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth my body melts against him. I have become so accustomed to being around him twenty four seven that it feels strange being away from him. I thought I might get sick of him after being stuck by his side for so long but if anything my love just grows stronger.
“Hey, I missed you today,” I say as I tilt my head to the side, seeking out those delicious lips of his.
He doesn’t make me wait, his lips coming down on mine without missing a beat. A small moan of pleasure bubbles out of my throat and his lips turn up into a smile at my reaction.
“I love the noises you make,” He says possessively as he grips my middle, pulling me in tight.
“Only for you,” I whisper. “Now, help me set the table for dinner.” I instruct him playfully as I spin out of his hold.
“Will you two stop groping each other in the kitchen. We have to actually eat this food you know.” Blair rolls her eyes.
It doesn’t take long before we’re all sat around the table together like the big happy family we are.
Family may be blood, but these guys are the ones that chose to be here, for me.
Well… and to be in the sunshine too. We’re around the back of the villa in an area that’s set up next to the pool overlooking the cliffs and sea.
If you look over to the right you can see the twinkling lights of the closest village, the view is breathtaking.
The trays of food covering the table smell delicious, all kinds of meats seasoned to perfection.
I pour everyone a glass of sangria that Lucy made earlier, it tastes more like moonshine she made it that strong.
Once everyone has a glass Tommy pushes his chair back and stands at the head of the table.
“I want to say something quickly before we all dig into this gorgeous feast Jenson and the girls have put together,” He starts.
Max theatrically does a drum roll on the table. “Speech, speech, speech!” he shouts, making us all chuckle.
“As I was saying.” He rolls his eyes jokingly before continuing.
“Thank you so much for making the effort to be here and making the past few weeks so much fun. After all the shit that’s been happening recently I think this is exactly what we all needed, especially you boys.
” He motions over to the security gang. “Thank you for being here. I see you more as friends, even though I still pay you to get shit done,” We all laugh at that.
Then he raises his glass and we all follow suit, “To us, and enjoying life to the fullest!”
Everyone drinks then cheers along with him. I feel like a groupie the way I’m looking at him. I love this man so bloody much. How could I ever repay him for everything he has done for me through the years? Hopefully the fact he has my heart is enough.