Chapter 52
52
L ying on Alex's chest, his skin was warm, searingly so, its heat enveloping Leslie like a cocoon. The drum of his heartbeat was a soothing metronome against her ear.
"That... that was incredible," Leslie murmured, her words barely a whisper.
Her confession elicited a low chuckle from Alex, the reverberation tickling against her cheek, causing a soft smile to play on her lips. "Incredible times infinity, Sunshine," he replied.
His fingers played a gentle dance up and down her spine, tracing the ridges with an affectionate familiarity. She nestled further into his arms.
Her eyes began to droop, the events of the night finally catching up with her. As sleep beckoned her, she tightened her hold on Alex, her fingers gripping his skin as if trying to anchor herself to him.
As if some part of her already knew that this connection to him was soon going to end.
The first rays of morning sunlight peeked through the windows. Unlike how Alex normally woke, alert and energized, this was a soft awakening, one as delicate as the woman lying beside him. He blinked open his eyes and stared at Leslie, her body soft and relaxed against him. Her breath was rhythmic and soothing, her beauty so dazzling it brought a slow smile to his lips.
He felt good. Not just physically, with the satisfying ache of spent passion resonating through his muscles, but emotionally too. It was a feeling that chased away the shadows that usually lurked at the edges of his consciousness, banishing the ghosts of his past.
Leaning in, he pressed a gentle kiss to Leslie's neck, tasting the salty sweet residue of the previous night on her skin. "Good morning," he whispered. His fingers traced a slow path down her arm, a tactile hello that was as intimate as it was comforting.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. Her smile was sleepy and content, a mirror of what he was feeling. "Good morning," she murmured back.
"You okay?" Alex asked.
"I'm more than okay, Alex," she said. Her hand reached up to gently caress his stubbled cheek, a simple touch that seemed to communicate a thousand words. Yet, after she lowered her hand and they lay in silence for a few minutes, Alex sensed a change in her.
She stiffened, and her gaze seemed suddenly distant.
He leaned back slightly, using one hand to gently lift her chin so he could peer into her eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft but firm.
Her eyes, normally vibrant and brimming with emotions, avoided his, fixating on a distant point in the room. “Nothing’s wrong, exactly. But I was thinking of something. And debating whether I should share it.”
“Something bad?”
“No. At least, I’ve never thought so.”
He frowned. “You can trust me, Leslie.”
“Oh, I know, Alex. It’s just…you shared so much of yourself, including that you were interested in BDSM in college and how your sexual needs changed after…well, after everything that happened. I feel like I want to share how I got to the place that you ran into me at the sex club with David.”
“Baby, you don’t have to explain anything to me. A lot of people are intrigued by kink. It just takes time to home in on what they want.”
She nodded. “That might be true, but I think I’ve known what I wanted even before you did, Alex.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“When I was a teenager, I… I used to see the woman next door engaging in BDSM. I used to fantasize about it. So my interest in bondage, being flogged, it didn’t start just because I knew you were into it.”
There was no judgement in his eyes, but they nonetheless blazed intensely. “How old were you?”
“Fifteen.”
Fuck .
“Did they know you were watching?”
“Sometimes.”
Double fuck . “They shouldn’t have—”
“I know it was inappropriate. But I’m fine, Alex. Just a little…twisted, I guess.”
Alex was relieved that what she’d seen hadn’t traumatized her but he didn’t like how she’d called herself twisted. "Leslie," he said, "There's nothing twisted about your interests, now or back then. Nothing at all. They're a part of you, and you..." he paused, reaching out to brush a loose lock of hair behind her ear, "...you're perfect. Just the way you are."
His words hung in the air before she smiled. “Thank you, Alex.”
A sudden thought flitted across his mind. A conversation he’d had about giving her what she needed when it was time. He remembered the last time he’d been in this area, four months ago after Father Alessio had told him he was dying and asked Alex to come see him. He’d ventured out on his own, to the local villages, even to those across the lake. He’d also done some shopping, and stumbled across a store that had exactly what he needed.
"Leslie, I’d like to take you somewhere."
"Where?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
"That's a surprise.”
“Another surprise?” she teased. “You’ve given me plenty. Though what we did in this room last night – it was my favorite.”
“Mine, too. But don’t cast your vote just yet. Come on. Put on something comfortable."
As she scampered off to get ready, he reached for his backpack, his mind already running through what they might need for their surprise adventure.
An hour later, they pulled up at the edge of a forest of trees. Turning off the car engine, he turned to Leslie. "Well, we’re here," he said, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Let's go."
As they set off into the lush undergrowth, the air was alive with the chatter of birds, their songs playing a merry tune that echoed through the green expanse. Alex led the way.
The forest was dense with a vast variety of plant life. Green ferns unfurled their delicate fronds, reaching towards the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Thick clumps of wild mint grew underfoot, their fresh scent released with every step they took. The underbrush was a mixture of violets, nettles, and thistles, painting the forest floor in a carpet of varied hues.
Every now and then, the sight of a small animal would catch his eye and he’d nudge Leslie to look—a squirrel darting up a tree, a family of quails skittering through the underbrush, a lone deer grazing in a sunlit glade.
Finally, they emerged into an open space Nestled at the edge of, a crystal-clear lake with a small building that rented boats. The sunlight danced on the surface of the water, casting a myriad of dazzling reflections that flickered like stars in a daytime sky.
"Wow," Leslie breathed out beside him, her eyes wide in awe as she took in the sight. "I can't believe we couldn't see this until we got through the trees."
"The best surprises are often hidden, aren't they?"
She looked at him askance. “Very true.”
They headed into the weathered boat rental shack nestled amongst the trees. A friendly old man greeted them. Alex rented a small sailboat painted a bright blue that matched the clear Italian sky overhead.
"You know how to sail?" Leslie asked.
He smiled. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Setting his backpack down, he began preparing the boat with practiced ease. His hands moved methodically, securing the ropes, adjusting the sails, and ensuring that everything was in order. As he worked, he was acutely aware of Leslie's gaze on him.
Soon, they were on the water, the wind playing with Leslie’s hair. The sight of her relaxed form lounging on the deck of the boat was a picture of perfect peacefulness he'd store in his memory forever.
As they glided over the water, Alex found himself pointing out landmarks to Leslie. A grand castle perched atop a distant hill, its stony walls basking in the sunlight, rich with centuries of history. Other sailboats like theirs, sails billowing in the wind, their colorful hulls dotting the lake like splashes of paint on a canvas. The luxurious mansions lining the shore, an elegant spectacle of Italian architecture nestled amidst the lush greenery.
Leslie turned to him, her eyes sparkling with delight as she took in the breathtaking views. "This is an incredible surprise, Alex. What made you think of it?”
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. As to what made me think of it, that’s still part of the surprise.”
“Wow. You’re spoiling me.”
“I’d do it forever, if I could.”
At his words, Leslie’s expression closed off a little.
Shit. Why had he said that?
Why had he reminded her—reminded them both—that despite everything, despite the way he’d taken her virginity last night, he still couldn’t accept that Leslie could be his forever.
He continued sailing, and thankfully, the sadness seemed to leave Leslie.
As midday approached, Alex guided their sailboat towards a small village on the far side of the lake. The quintessential Italian town was a charming blend of cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and trailing vines of ivy, giving it a timeless allure that fit seamlessly into the picturesque landscape.
After docking the boat with practiced ease, Alex held out his hand to Leslie. The warmth of her fingers was a sweet contrast to the cool breeze drifting from the lake.
The narrow, winding streets of the village led them to a small waterfront restaurant, nestled between two vibrantly colored buildings. The eatery was a quaint establishment with a mere ten tables, and Alex made sure they secured one right by the windows.
The view was stunning. Their table overlooked the lake, its surface shimmering under the sun, and the sight of sailboats scattered across the vast expanse of water was nothing short of breathtaking. As they settled down, Leslie's hand still securely nestled in his, Alex could not help but marvel at the perfection of the moment.
A sense of peace washed over him as he ordered their lunch, basking in the simplicity of the moment. Here, in this small Italian village, with Leslie by his side, the world outside seemed to blur, its sharp edges softened by the gentle lull of the lake and the affectionate squeeze of Leslie's hand in his.
Even as the day unfolded and the sun moved across the sky, Alex found himself wishing he could slow the moment, capture it, and tuck it away for the darker times. Because in that instant, sharing a quiet lunch with Leslie, everything felt right, everything felt as it should be.