Olivia
Her mind flashed back to last night. The way he held her.
His eyes never leaving hers as they moved over one another.
Wave after wave rising up inside her, filling every inch until she couldn’t hold back any longer.
Her body ached with the memory of it: the most raw and messy yet perfect night of her life.
Jacob took a deep breath in and turned over. The side of his face fell directly into the stream of honeyed sunshine that bathed the entire room. How beautiful he looked. How peaceful. She couldn’t help but steal another glance at his sleeping face.
‘If you’re checking to see if I’m alive, don’t worry.’ He began to stir. ‘You may have exhausted me last night, but you didn’t kill me.’
face away. But it was too late. Before she had the chance, Jacob was wide-eyed and awake, staring right back at her.
‘You look so cute when you blush.’
‘I’m not blushing.’
‘Must be the light then.’ He took a finger and stroked her cheek gently. ‘Did you sleep OK? I wasn’t keeping you awake with my snoring, was I?’
Only for an hour and a half.
‘No, you didn’t make a sound.’
‘That’s good. And how many times did you wake up to check I was still breathing?’
‘Once …’ She snuggled down deeper into the covers. ‘Or maybe three times.’
‘Ha! I knew it.’ He smirked, casually throwing his arm across her side. ‘Hoping that you wouldn’t have to wake up and do the whole awkward, “I’m sorry, Jacob. I had such a nice time last night, but if you ever come near me again, I’ll kill you” conversation? I guess it would
be easier if I was dead.’
‘Of course not.’ She tentatively reached her hand to his. ‘And please don’t say that.’
‘Sorry.’ He tilted his head closer to hers, the memory of his kisses making her lips tingle with anticipation. ‘I didn’t mean it like that.’
Olivia’s heart grew larger in her chest, as he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
‘So, you wouldn’t be totally repulsed if I asked to kiss you again? Even though I haven’t done my very thorough and hygienic teeth-cleaning-with-the-finger routine?’
Olivia rolled her eyes, whilst pushing her hips forward into him. The combination of exasperation and desire was a totally new sensation for her. ‘I guess I’ll allow it.’
‘How kind of you.’ He smiled and then kissed her very gently on the mouth.
Her insides instantly liquified, and she was surprised when they finally pulled apart that she was still, in fact, a solid object.
‘Now, tell me, what’s on the agenda for today, Miss Jackson? Because I’d be foolish to think that you don’t already have a plan that I’m going to have to try and squeeze myself into.’
‘Funny you should say that …’ She began to play nervously with the edge of the sheet. ‘But I realized this morning—’
‘When you were subtly checking me out.’
‘Stop that.’
‘Sorry.’ He wound his fingers through hers. ‘Carry on. You realized this morning that …?’
‘That today is my last full day. I leave tomorrow morning.’
A look passed across Jacob’s face, so quickly that Olivia was unable to catch it before it disappeared.
‘Tomorrow? What time?’
‘Early.’
He turned over on to his back, his expression still unreadable.
‘Wow, that’s gone quickly.’
‘I know.’ For someone who had been counting down the days until she left, the imminent prospect of going home suddenly felt wrong. ‘I can’t believe it.’
‘How’s that for timing, hey?’ He gave a small, slightly sad laugh.
‘Yeah …’ A weight seemed to pull on her. ‘Thanks, Universe.’
Neither spoke for a while, both content to lie next to each
other, hands intertwined, swimming in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until Olivia’s faithful alarm sounded that both seemed to jolt back into action.
‘Look.’ Jacob twisted to face her. ‘I imagine there’s quite a lot you want to get done today, and having someone as incredibly enthusiastic and distracting as myself around probably isn’t the best idea.’
‘You are very distracting.’
Especially when half-naked.
She decided to keep that last thought to herself.
‘I don’t have much to do. I said I’d see Cece, maybe go and explore a market for the afternoon, and then I need to pack.’
‘Sounds busy to me.’ Jacob brought their hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. ‘How about you spend the day doing your thing, and then you meet me for dinner later on the beach? A little farewell celebration?’
His words took her by surprise. A celebration? Why would he want to celebrate
her leaving?
‘I could do dinner.’
‘Perfect! In that case’ – he dropped her hand and pulled back the covers – ‘I’d better get myself together.’
He sprang out of the bed and began dressing hastily. Olivia stayed where she was, trying desperately not to beg him to hide away in the little cabin with her for ever. There was crazy and then there was downright insane.
‘OK, but you don’t need to leave straight away. Cece doesn’t finish teaching for ages.’
‘Yes, but’ – he leant across the bed and planted a kiss on her cheek – ‘I’ve got to plan! Because if there’s one thing I know about you, Olivia Jackson, it’s that you appreciate a plan.’
She went to kiss his lips but was too late. He’d already pulled away.
‘Shall we say seven o’clock on the beach?’
‘Uh-huh.’ She tried not to let the rejection sting too much. ‘I’ll be there.’
He opened the front door, the sun drenching him in golden light. He looked otherworldly, almost angelic, except for the mischievous grin that had appeared on his face. ‘Good, because I promise you, you will not want to miss this.’
‘No.’ She smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. ‘I don’t think I will.’
*
How had twelve hours passed so quickly? One minute Olivia was leisurely making her way to meet Cece, enjoying the thought of a slow, delicious breakfast where she knew, of course, that her friend would demand to hear about every single second of her day with Jacob.
And the next, she was only half packed, face half done, rushing to the beach to meet Jacob for dinner.
Maybe time did operate differently out here. Because there was no way on earth she would have let this happen back home.
Home.
The word sat heavy on her chest. The thought of leaving and the mixed emotions it brought with it had been haunting her all day. Was she ready to leave? Most definitely. But was she happy about it? Not entirely.
‘Wow. You look …’ Jacob faltered as Olivia hurried towards him.
Overdone?
Ridiculous?
She pulled at the dress she’d bought from the market earlier that afternoon.
It wasn’t anything fancy, just your standard floral-patterned summer dress, but Cece had insisted that frayed denim shorts and an old white T-shirt were not going to cut it for the evening’s events.
Because of the time, she’d only managed to apply a little bit of make-up, quickly twisting her hair so that it fell in loose waves down her back.
It wasn’t much, but apparently the transformation was shocking.
‘… you look lovely,’ he finished, pulling her in for a hug.
‘Thank you.’
Olivia turned her head as Jacob leant in for a kiss. Their faces knocked together clumsily.
‘God, I’m sorry,’ she bumbled.
‘No, it was my fault, I went in without warning.’
The verbose, confident Jacob seemed to have been replaced by a rather shy, unsure version.
‘It’s OK.’
Jacob clenched his fists and gave a long exhale, shuddering, as though shaking himself from his thoughts. ‘I guess I’m just not very good at being nervous.’
His admission made her tummy flip.
‘The
Jacob Green, nervous? Surely not.’
‘Apparently so.’ He brought his face down to hers and kissed her in the most deliciously delicate way. ‘Doing that helps though.’
Olivia felt herself relax as he held her tighter, the sudden confidence reflected in their kisses; faster, hungrier, with greater intensity.
‘Woah there.’ She pulled away. ‘We can’t do that here.’
His dark eyes bored into hers. ‘Why not?’
‘Because if we carry on any longer, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop at just kissing.’
Olivia heard the soft moan escape under his breath, which did nothing to quell the desire that was rising up inside her.
‘Come on.’ She took his hand in hers. ‘Let’s go eat.’
‘Do we have to?’
‘Yes!’ She gripped him tightly. ‘But you have to lead the way because I don’t know where we’re going, remember?’
‘OK, OK.’ He steadied himself, rolling his shoulders back and leading them down the beach.
‘No mopeds in sight.’ She grinned. ‘This is a good start.’
‘Yeah, I thought it was best we left that as a one-time experience.’
A little boy sped past them on a push bike, quickly followed by his rather exhausted-looking dad.
‘Because let’s be honest, even that kid is going faster than you were.’
‘Hey!’ Olivia gasped. ‘In my defence
, that was my first time ever on a moped, and I had a sick patient with me. I had to drive carefully.’
Jacob’s jaw fell wide open. ‘Don’t you dare use me as an excuse. If anything, the adrenaline rush would have helped keep me alert. Riding with you was like being rocked to sleep in a pram.’
‘You are such a shit, you know that?’ Olivia tried to free her hand from his, but Jacob held on tighter, lifting it to his mouth and kissing it.
‘It’s so sweet when you compliment me like that.’
‘What can I say? I’m too kind.’
The further they walked along the beach, the quieter it became. Save for a few dedicated sun worshippers, they seemed to be the only people not crowded into a restaurant or a bar. Olivia’s stomach rumbled impatiently.
‘Can I ask where we’re going for dinner yet, or are you still keeping it under wraps?’
Jacob stopped still. ‘Well, Miss Jackson, funny you should say that, because if you’d care to look right there’ – he pointed ahead – ‘then you’ll find our table for the evening.’
Olivia followed the direction of his finger.
‘You’re joking, right?’
She looked back to Jacob.
He couldn’t be serious.
‘Nope.’
‘That? That right there?’
She was looking at a large white-cloth table positioned in the sand, midway between the ocean and a bustling seaside restaurant. Hundreds of tea lights had been placed around it, twinkling like hidden jewels in the sand. Rose petals, scarlet red and mother of pearl pink, lay scattered in between.
‘The very one.’
‘But—’
‘Come on, I’m getting hungry.’ Jacob pulled them closer. ‘Ah look, there’s my guy now!’
A rather compact-looking man, with a shining bald head and a beaming face, came rushing out to greet them.
‘Mr and Mrs Jackson!’ he called eagerly.
Olivia snapped her head around so quickly her neck jarred. ‘What did he just call us?’
‘About that …’ Jacob kept his eyes forward, face fixed with a smile, ‘I may
have told them we were celebrating our first week as a married couple.’
‘You told them what
?’
‘That we’re newlyweds. Hence all the fancy decorations.’
‘Jacob!’
‘What? I wanted it to be special.’
‘So you lied?’
‘I used my imagination.’
‘You are unbelievable.’
‘Look, I understand you being annoyed at me, but don’t take it out on poor Vish.’ Jacob gestured to the jolly man standing by the table. ‘He’s made a real effort for us.’
‘Yes, I can see that,’ she growled.
‘Mr and Mrs Jackson!’ the man greeted them again. ‘So lovely to see you, and congratulations again on getting married.’
‘Thank you, Vish.’ Jacob shook the man’s hand firmly. ‘The table looks stunning, thank you so much.’
‘Only the best for our happy couple.’
Olivia blushed at the lie.
‘Now please, please, take a seat, and one of our waiters will be over to take your drinks order.’
‘Perfect.’ Jacob held out a chair for Olivia. ‘After you, madam.’
‘Don’t you mean, my darling wife
?’
‘Yes, that too.’ He sat down opposite her, the twinkle in his treacle eyes shining especially bright. ‘Did you like the fact I used your surname? Very progressive of me.’
Jacob’s audacity was mind-blowing but, as Olivia took in the view, the ocean only metres ahead of them, the flames of the candles winking at them in the breeze, she had to admit it was a special set-up.
‘I cannot
believe you did this.’
‘Are you happy I did though?’
‘Maybe … just a little bit.’
‘Good, because I get the impression that you’re a very difficult woman to please.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘Really?’
‘Having high standards is not a bad thing.’ She bristled.
‘I never said it was.’
‘Excuse me, sir, madam.’ A younger but dourer-looking waiter appeared at their side. ‘Can I get you anything to drink? Some wine, perhaps?’
‘We’ll have two bottles of water.’ Jacob looked at Olivia. ‘One still and one sparkling?’
‘Please,’ she confirmed.
‘And …’ He paused, eyeing the thick, leather-bound drinks menu. ‘A bottle of champagne.’
‘What?
’ Olivia hissed.
‘You’re right.’ He nodded, turning back to the waiter. ‘Make that two. Thank you very much.’
‘Excellent. I’ll be back shortly with your drinks.’
‘Jacob, what are you doing? You can’t do that.’
‘Why not?’ He leant forward. ‘This is a celebration, right? And I only accept the highest of standards
when it comes to my celebrations …’
Olivia shook her head in disbelief. Once again, she felt as though she was dreaming, as if at any moment someone would shake her awake and pop the beautiful bubble she’d found herself in. With him. Her dark-eyed Peter Pan.
Except he wasn’t make-believe.
He was real.
And Olivia wasn’t sure she was ready to let him go just yet.