Chapter 12
A hand-printed note had been slipped under her door in the night. Meet me at the beach at eleven. Lucas
Thoughts of Lucas had consumed her last thoughts before she’d dozed off. He seeped back into her groggy mind before the sun rose.
She read and reread his note. Finally, a formal date? He showed her no romantic interest at all which crushed her because he was her every waking thought. Even though she was leaving…
She rushed to get ready and had her blanket neatly sprawled out on the beach by ten forty-five in the morning. Lucas arrived, grunted a greeting, laid out his own blanket and closed his eyes.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
He kept his eyes shut and shook his head.
“Do you want to talk about it?” She laced her fingers between his.
He squeezed her hand and opened his caramel brown eyes to stare at her. Electricity passed between them—an intensity than made her body pulse and sizzle. With his hand in hers and his gaze focused on her face, they could have been anywhere on heaven or earth—Lucas made her feel like she was the most important person alive. And she loved it.
“Nothing I can’t worry about after you leave. Right now, I’d rather think about you, Cali.” Passion encased his words. He ran a hand through her hair and let his thumb trail down her cheek.
His voice rumbled in her mind like the waves and his touch sent shocks of electricity through her entire body. The hell if she wanted to go back to her ho-hum life in Wisconsin. She didn’t know if she’d be able to leave Mal Pais. Or Lucas.
“How about a swim?” He helped her to her feet and they spent an hour frolicking in the waves, chasing each other, laughing, and chatting. For as far as the eye could see, they were the only two people on this stretch of beach.
Finally, they settled back on their towels and waited for the sun to peek through the passing clouds. Their skin smelled of salt after their dip in the warm midday surf. The roar of the ocean was becoming a hindrance. She wanted to memorize his voice in case today was the last day she heard it.
A blue morpho butterfly landed on her stomach. Its wings were Caribbean blue. She held still while it slowly opened and closed them. With its wings open, she saw all of life’s opportunities to choose from. And when its wings gently touched, she realized the many doors people close to direct their lives down one path or another. Live, Calise. Don’t have regrets. It’s time to take a chance, her mind urged.
“It’s so beautiful here. Everything from this butterfly, to the beach and the jungle.”
Palm trees fanned out behind them on the beach. This desolate Eden was theirs alone if for only today. The trees rustled with the wind, and the waves far out at sea picked up.
“I guess I love it.”
She couldn’t read this guy even though she desperately wanted to. “Do you have someone special in your life?” Please allude in some way to me.
“I did. Once. It didn’t work out.”
She rolled over on her side and propped her head in her hand. “Are you still looking?”
“God, no!” He opened his eyes and blocked the sun with his hand. He looked right at her. “I mean, I…I’m sorry, Cali. I have bad karma following me I guess. I wouldn’t want to drag someone down with me. Someone like you who has such a rosy view of the world. Go home and forget this whole trip.”
“Rosy? Me?” she laughed. “I said it’s beautiful here. I don’t want to go home. My life isn’t rosy in Wisconsin. I have to deal with the fact that although I’m not crazy, what I’ve been sensing all my life is really angels and demons. I have to help my brother whose crazy wife bailed on her marriage to pay off some old debt. My mother is a hovering, controlling busybody in my life and to top it off, I took the worst mistake of a boring retail pharmacy job right out of college to appease my uncle. I’ve had a whole one serious boyfriend and am actually… completely… lonely.”
She traced a circle in the sand with her finger. Why would she disclose her whole existence to someone she’d just met? Someone who talked so little about himself that she found herself talking to fill the void. Saying things she could barely admit in her own head.
His hand covered hers. “I’m lonely, too. Getting to know you this week has been the brightest point in my life, and I don’t want you to leave, but I know the only place you’ll be safe is far away from me.”
She swallowed. He had read her mind.
He lay down on his back and closed his eyes. “Cali, you know when you hear a song for the first time, and you kind of ingest it? You can’t possibly know right away that it will be one of your favorite songs for the rest of your life. A classic.”
“Yeah.” She hoped he was going somewhere good with this.
“That first listen,” he continued, “you pick up a little of the melody and some lyrics that catch you. But when the song ends, you have to hear it again because you want to memorize all the words and sing along. After you hear it a few times and learn the words inside and out, then you begin to let the melody seep inside you. Next thing you know, you’ve completely digested the song and find yourself humming it while you are doing nothing, like shaving or driving your car. Finally, the song becomes so ingrained it becomes a part of you. Forever. You can recall it and it’s with you whenever you need it. Am I making any sense?”
She nodded, blinking back the tears fighting to fall from her eyes.
“Cali, I don’t want you to go back because you’re my favorite song.”
****
Lucas backed away from her. He’d said too much. She was so innocent, and his life was so miserable. He wanted to tell her everything, but why? Tomorrow she would be gone. Tomorrow she would be safe.
When does a parent tell a child about the real world and have them leave their childhood fantasies behind? Do people wake up one day and say to their kid, “There is no Easter Bunny, no Santa. All people aren’t good. The world is full of hate and fear and destruction. And by the way, there are demons everywhere you turn. Careful, dear.” Maybe it’d be better never to have a child of his own. No one deserved to have their reality crash in around them. Yet somehow, this is a typical rite of passage for young children, to learn adults’ clandestine lies.
He vowed not to ruin Cali. He could let himself get a little closer. But he couldn’t kiss her and risk her becoming a seer. Besides, he only had to be strong one more night, and then she was gone. He hoped she would forget all about what Carmen told her, that she would push it to the back of her mind and forget Mal Pais. And forget him.
Even with what Carmen told her, this beautiful woman only sensed, but couldn’t see the angels and demons that surrounded her. At every dangerous turn. Fighting each other for control and marshalling their forces against each other. Wouldn’t it have been better for her not to know anything? How wonderful to be in the dark about reality. If they were in the dark together, would they have met, hung out, got drunk, and talked about music? Had sex and fallen in love?
He stopped right there.
Never again would he shatter someone’s world with the curse he could pass on. So why couldn’t he walk away from her? Why did five minutes alone with her make his day worthwhile—his life worthwhile? His heart told him these short interactions would sustain him after she was gone from his life.
Every reason his mind gave him to walk away from her was shot down by his heart which pounded out the overriding thought that they only had one more night—then he had to let her go. Which was the right thing to do, for her safety. His heart and body would have to deal the aftermath of anguish. If he let this go any further, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to maintain control. Every ounce of him wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her and not stop.
She closed her eyes and moved closer to him.
His sharp mind clicked into gear and he forced himself to back away. “I…I can’t kiss you, Cali.”
She popped open her eyes. “After everything you just said? Why not, silly? You already kissed me on the beach giving me CPR, didn’t you?” She stroked his cheek gently and brushed the hair out of his eyes.
He ached to touch her. To feel her lips on his.
Wait. His brain processed her last statement. True, he wasn’t thinking clearly that day he pulled her out of the water. He had given her mouth-to-mouth that day! And that same day, she’d warned him to stay away from Anna. She knew what Anna was before their lips met.
He. Could. Kiss her.
He leapt to his feet and pulled her up with him. “You’re right! Let’s go dancing. I have to work for a few hours at the restaurant tonight. Meet me after my shift? Carmen booked a salsa band to thank the locals for their help with the fire.” He hugged her tight and savored her scent. If he could kiss her before she left, he’d do it right.
“Are you busy until then?” Calise asked. “There’s one other thing I wanted to do.”
“What is it?”
****
“I can’t believe I agreed to this,” Lucas stood at the precipice about to jump. He helped adjust her helmet and pulled to check that she was definitely secure in her harness. Even in a hair-mashing helmet and harness, this girl was damn hot.
“My friend Ellen loved zip-lining. Next time we talk, I have to tell her something better than my surfing story.” She jumped from the wooden platform built into the jungle canopy, skimming the treetops with her feet and slowing herself to land safely at the next stand. She cupped her hands and turned to him. “C’mon scaredy-cat, it’s not that hard!”
For one day, he would let himself get lost in her. He told himself the demons were long gone, Alejandro had some master plan by keeping Anna there, and Cali would leave tomorrow and be safe. He straightened up. Tonight, he would concentrate on her. He would let her make him laugh, again and again. He would let it sustain him when he needed it most.
He jumped and the jungle whizzed by below him. Wind whistled past his face. The sensation of flying overtook him, and he leaned back to gain more speed before slowing to meet Cali at the second platform. “Damn, that was amazing.” He gave her a little hug and loved the way her body molded to his.
“Play out this scenario with me,” she said. They huddled together in a tree stand awaiting their next jump. “I sense a demon, or an angel, for that matter. What do you suggest I do?”
“Deny. Deny. Deny,” he advised. “Turn and walk away, never give them a second glance. Never let on you know anything. Demons want anyone who could interfere with the havoc they create, dead. Angels won’t acknowledge you; they want to be transparent. Remember that gas main explosion in San Jose last week?”
“Demons?” she whispered.
He nodded. “People would never leave their homes if they really knew what was happening all around them and who was responsible.”
“¿Están listos?” their guide called from the next stand.
She gave him a thumb up and jumped. Cali was fearless, and it scared Lucas to death. With the first jump behind him, he launched himself into flight over the canopy and met Cali again on the next platform. “Doesn’t all this bother you?”
“I feel like, in some way, I’ve always known. Now, I want to do something about it.”
“Like what?” He didn’t want to know.
“Fight them. One at a time. I hate that evil explodes through our world because of them. I could commit myself to fight them without question.”
Lucas sighed. “No. Don’t even think you can fight them. They can throw an illusion at you that’ll make you think you’re insane. The only way to fight an illusion is to calm yourself from the deepest point inside of you. I can’t always do it, and I’ve been practicing my whole life.”
“Regular people never see their illusions? When your aunt’s cousin was murdered, I thought I saw a pair of red eyes in the bushes.”
“The demon can control when and if you see the illusions,” Lucas said.
“But you, as a seer, don’t get that option, do you? You see everything?”
“Yeah.”
Calise turned him to face her. “Please, Lucas. I hate it when people tell me ‘You can’t.’ I wish I was a seer, I’d be twice as safe. And don’t tell me I can’t handle it. Rather, show me how to handle it.”
Lucas was stumped. He didn’t doubt her. This woman didn’t need him or anyone else. She accepted truths he’d been hiding behind his whole life. His father fell completely apart when his mom died. That’s what he thought their love was based on: needing each other. Lucas didn’t want to bring anyone into his world again only to watch them fall apart from what they saw. Or worse, take the chance that the one person who finally understood him would be killed because of him. She didn’t need him at all. “I don’t want this for you. Go home and forget about me. You don’t need me to screw up your life.”
“That’s just it, Lucas. I don’t need you, but I sure as hell want you.” She kissed him on the cheek and jumped.
He watched her brush the tree tops with her sneakers. Cali was different—stronger than Lucas or his parents. Her unwavering belief in her convictions made him think that even if she was a seer and Lucas couldn’t be with her, she’d be fine. He didn’t know how he would make it through one day without her in his life.
But she’d planted a seed in his mind. She would be safer on her own as a seer and I could make that happen.
He jumped.
****
After zip lining, Calise took her time at the bungalow primping. She savored her blissful outdoor shower letting the water pour over her, relishing every cool drop. It didn’t matter that minutes after exiting the shower, the heat of the jungle would prickle her skin with its own scent and she was helpless to stop it. Her hair and body smelled like a mixture of her strawberry shampoo and lavender body lotion. But men didn’t notice those things anyway.
I only hope Lucas thinks I’m good enough to eat.
She brushed her hair until it shone. She took her time putting on makeup. Usually she never cared too much about how she looked, but tonight, she was nervous that her smoky eye shadow was too heavy on one side or the other or that lipstick would be on her teeth when she talked to him. Light foundation. Dust of powder. Dab of blush. At least she tried her best to remember all the tricks she’d learned in college.
The jungle sang its evening song through the open window. The incessant drone of crickets, faraway howl of monkeys passing by, birds that hooted, cheeped, and twittered to each other. She unpacked the one dress she brought with her to Costa Rica in case she met Raul. She did meet Raul, his name just turned out to be Lucas.
The silky, teal dress was off the department store rack, but she liked to think she rocked it. She ripped the tags off. Although she’d worn it many times, they’d all been in the comfort of her living room. Tonight was definitely the night. Spaghetti straps with a v-neck front and lower than low cowl neck back. It fit her like a glove until it hit her waist where it gave her room to swing. The above-the-knee length showed off her now tan legs. She put on flip-flops to walk to the restaurant and put her sling-back black sandals in her purse.
I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, she promised herself, and possibly as happy.
A sadness hit her. She wanted tonight to be special, she wanted it to end here with pancakes in her bed tomorrow morning, but yet, she wanted more…
Is Lucas the one?
Soul mate seemed to her such overused fluff. People got married because they were attracted to each other, at one point, were compatible beyond three dates, or because they would make the right kind of father or mother, or came from the right kind of family. Her parents loved each other, but really, how much would they give up for each other?
If my soul mate was introduced to me, would I be happy being married to him? Three steps back: first have Lucas see me in the teal dress, second have him kiss me when I’m not unconscious, and third, worry about whether he’s my soul mate.
****
After one final hair and makeup check, Calise closed the door to her bungalow for her last night in Costa Rica and stepped out into the evening air. Disquiet overtook her. The weather had radically changed in the last hour or so. No animals chirped, howled, or skittered in the underbrush. No wind blew through the trees. She looked up at the sky which had turned menacing gray with overcast.
Ron rushed around relocating anything not bolted down.
“What’s going on?”
The look in his eyes caused her to panic. “Hurakan, the one-legged approaches.”
Was she supposed to understand this cryptic nonsense? “What are you talking about? Is a storm coming in?” She edged closer to see if his pupils were dilated. Who knew what he’d been smoking since Anna went missing.
Ron relaxed his posture and focused on her. “Yes. You can call it a storm. The wind has changed, and he’s heading this way. I’ll stop by with provisions.”
Then he rushed off.
Okay…
Her heart thumped in her chest. Ron had lost his marbles. She hurried to the restaurant to ask Lucas what was really going on.
Carmen’s cozy restaurant was packed with patrons enjoying the live music and oblivious to the weather. Candles flickered madly on each table and the smattering of year round Christmas lights provided their one of a kind setting. The Elvis laden juke box was given respite tonight by a three-man salsa band.
By the time she secured herself a table and a mojito, the wind full out gusted around her. Carmen’s staff appeared unfazed by the storm which calmed Calise’s nerves only slightly. The crowded dance floor held dozens of locals who moved in a synchronous rhythm.
She overheard patrons at the next table who gripped their napkins in a battle against the wind, talking about a hurricane blowing though and how it might last for a while.
Freaking hurricane?
Calise didn’t have the hurricane classification system in her knowledge vault, but anything even called a hurricane couldn’t be good. She flagged her waitress to ask what she knew about the impending storm. She brushed it off with, “Don’t worry about it, sweetie. Just some wind and rain. We get it all the time.”
Not helpful.
“I hear Lucas is cooking up something special for you, missy. On behalf of the entire staff, we are jealous.” She winked and sashayed away.
Lucas was back by the oven and caught her eye from time to time. With sweaty palms and a heart trying to thump out of her chest, Calise felt the beginnings of vicious fear hitting her, just like she felt right before the wave knocked her off the surfboard.
He came over to her. Standing tall and smiling over her with dreamy scents rising off the plates he held in his hands.
All will be well.
He gently set down the plates. “I brought you a little of everything. This is a pizza with poached pears, chicken, and roasted potatoes. That’s guacamole with salsa fresca folded into it and some fresh tortilla chips. I didn’t know what else you might want, so I also brought a little of the tuna catch of the day. I grilled it with peanut sauce and those are candied figs. When you’re done, I’ll bring you the mango cheesecake.”
Wow.
He leaned over and his lips brushed her ear as he said, “You look beautiful.”
A warm rush worked its way up her cheeks. “Thanks. For everything.”
“Anytime,” he said. “I’d planned on eating with you, but Carlos called in sick and it’s crazy busy…”
“No worries. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll be over as soon as it slows down.” He winked and returned to the kitchen.
She picked up her napkin and wiped the corners of her mouth. She was drooling, and not over the food. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself then took her time to savor each scrumptious bite. She sipped another mojito and chatted with Carmen who was wholly unconcerned by the weather, until the restaurant finally slowed down at ten o’clock. The wind howled, and lightning flashed through the clouds over the ocean. Something nasty was definitely blowing in, but she vowed not to let it put a damper on her night.
After his shift, Lucas refilled her drink and sat down at the table. Rhythmic, powerful salsa music competed with nature’s wind and roaring surf duet.
“Do you salsa?”
I’ll freaking learn right here and now if need be. “Kind of,” Calise tilted her head to act cocky, but figured he saw through her.
“Let’s dance. I think Carmen is having them play this song for us.” He flashed an exasperated look at Carmen who was chatting with two waitresses by the chalkboard which listed the daily specials. The metal chair creaked when he pushed it back and came around the table to help Calise up. Carmen and the waitresses stared at them until he shot them a look that made them scatter.
In a quiet corner of the dance floor, he held out his arms looking at Calise like she was the Christmas present he’d always wanted but thought he’d never get. She melted under the spell of Costa Rica and Lucas, the music and the mojitos. Once she took his hands he pulled her close, placing one hand around her waist and one on her shoulder. His movements were fluid, practiced, and sensual while Calise feared hers were clumsy, wrong, and a turn-off.
Slowly, they started to move together. When she finally got close enough to his neck to smell him, she inhaled hay, salt, tequila, and rain, and realized she wanted his scent at her disposal for the rest of her life.
Perfection.
He turned her around and swung her out. The next time he pulled her in, one of his legs went between hers to get them closer and she felt his desire. His eyes ventured downwards and his thumb followed the line to her chest. Warm fingers lingered on her skin. His hand slid up and wrapped tenderly around her neck. Moving closer to her, he rested his head on her shoulder. A low rustic, almost purr escaped his lips. He nestled against her hair and neck.
They danced for what seemed like minutes, not long enough, but what was probably really about an hour, then took a mojito break and sat down to rest.
“Cali, what are you doing to me tonight?”
“Me to you? More like you to me.”
“I can’t be with you. I’m afraid I would hurt you somehow.” He looked down at his drink.
Well, at least he’s alluding to s-e-x. Step in the right direction.
“But we can be close, right? Dancing doesn’t seem to hurt me.” She was confused. Did he mean he’d hurt her physically?
They’d been so deep in conversation that Calise was surprised when she looked around and realized only Carmen was still at the bar, sweeping up.
“I guess it’s pretty late, huh?” She still needed to pack, but wondered what she could say or do to get him to come back to her bungalow. Then Carmen came through for her. The band packed up. On her way out, Carmen punched in one last song on the jukebox. Elvis… “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Carmen waved good-night and switched off the last light. All that remained was the candle burning at their table. The sporadic flashes of lightning from out at sea would be their guide home. Carmen slipped out.
Lucas never stopped staring at her, and she devoured his attention. She wouldn’t let him leave her tonight. He blew out the candle and stood up. “I’ll make sure you get home safely.”
She nodded and took his hand. Outside the restaurant, Gotzone stood waiting, nickering softly.
Who is this horse? Fury? Waiting around for his master all day?
Calise didn’t care.
He stopped and brought his lips down to meet hers. At first, he only brushed his over hers. Then their lips met and the union sent waves of pleasure from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “Gotzone bow,” he asked. The horse descended, and she climbed on first. Gotzone knew his way to the Howler Monkey Resort.
She was in heaven with this man here on earth. Was any of this magic possible? She thought she could still hear Elvis echoing on the wind when they reached her bungalow. He flung the door open then picked her up so her legs wrapped around his waist. Not wanting to say, do, or even think anything that would make him pause, Calise closed her eyes and hugged him tight while he carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and crawled on top of her. Two fingers pulled a stray hair off her face and traced her jaw line.
“You are so absolutely beautiful,” he murmured, shaking his head at this revelation. “Te quiero, mi canción.” I want you, my song.
“I want you, Lucas. You won’t hurt me, I promise. I’ll be fine. I can handle your size or whatever it is you think will hurt me.”
He stopped and squinted. Then a small smirk came across his face. He rolled onto the pillow next to her. “You think, that I think, I’m…my size will hurt you? I wish that’s what it was. No, the last person I was with became a seer and went crazy after we were together. It was my fault. I can transfer the sight if we…” He turned away.
What he said made no sense. “I’m of sound mind and body. Besides, I have access to tons of pharmaceuticals if you make me lose my mind.”
He turned back toward her. Not amused. “No, I won’t let what haunts me, haunt you.”
He still made no sense. “Can you kiss me again?”
“I…before, when I kissed you. Or mouth-to-mouth or whatever. You’re fine? You haven’t seen or felt anything odd? I won’t change you. I won’t hurt you.” His eyes bored into her with a ferocity that made Calise want this man to protect her tonight and forever. The bed vibrated, and Calise realized his whole body was trembling. He looked away.
She lifted his hand and kissed it. “Shh, I’m fine. I’m better than fine. Please trust me. Please trust being with me.” Calise turned his head with her fingertips forcing him to look at her. His eyes were wild from the battle no doubt raging in his mind. She couldn’t stop touching him. Her fingers traced his face, and he let her nails work their way down his chest. She massaged his arm and ran her fingers through his hair. His trembling got worse. “Quiet your mind and tell me what your heart says.”
“I shut my heart down years ago, Cali. It’s much safer. Listening to my mind is what’s kept me alive.”
Her heart broke for the solitude with which he’d lived his life. No one really knew him and she wouldn’t rest until he let her in. She stared into the depths of his eyes and pressed a hand over his heart. He blinked and she watched his walls crumble before her eyes. His body relaxed into hers, his pupils dilated and the guarded look he’d always regarded her with switched in one moment. She stared into her own eyes; the eyes of her perfect other half.
Her soul mate.
Intensity radiated from him. She’d always known him. He’d always been with her. Every decision and every moment had guided their lives to be right here. Right now.
If only she could open his heart to her, as she had opened hers to him.
Moving closer, she cradled his face in her hands. His body convulsed. She kissed him softly and he allowed it. A hand wrapped around her head and fingers intertwined in her hair. Their kiss deepened, his tongue danced next to hers in perfect rhythm, like they had practiced this dance for a lifetime.
Rolling waves of electricity ran through her body. Their passion grew, and the kissing became desperate. A necessity. A fight against their precious time.
He rolled her over on the bed, and the weight of his body practically made Calise come undone. Pulling her to a standing position, he lifted off her teal dress, leaving only a lacy black slip. She watched his eyes scan her body with pleasure. Pulling her closer, he kissed her again. She let her tongue dance into his mouth but he pulled back. “You have to promise me, if you see or feel anything that isn’t normal, you will tell me immediately. Promise me!”
She nodded helplessly and tugged at his t-shirt. He took it off and they rolled on the bed again. Nuzzling his chest, she inhaled deeply and savored his scent. Between being pressed up against him dancing all night and the horse ride home, she was so very, very ready. Her core was moist and aching for him, her breasts tingled. Her breathing was so ragged she had to concentrate to get enough air.
His control was phenomenal. He took his sweet time sliding her slip off, letting his fingertips send waves of pleasure up her legs, then her waist, then her arms. In a smooth motion, he ripped her thong off with one hand. She tried to tug at his jeans. He shook his head and slid between her legs while she laid back on the bed. Arching her back when his mouth hit her pearl, she reached for the bed post with one hand and ran the other through his hair.
He flicked at her with his tongue then stopped and let her back down the hill a bit, only to start again on the uphill journey to her peak. He entered her with his fingers leaving Calise lost to him. She cried out his name, begging for more. Lucas’s face was glazed over with his own pleasure.
She moaned with each cresting wave of pleasure rippling from her core. Her body rocked with his teasing tongue. Before she exploded, she wrapped her legs around his back. “Don’t stop,” she moaned.
They swayed in synchronous perfection until she hit her summit—a state of transcendental separation as if her body drifted into the cosmos.
Her cradled her as her crescendo subsided and she lay panting on the bed.
When she found the energy to open her eyes again, there he was, looking at her, lying on his side, with his elbow bent holding his head. He beamed like a boy who got an A+ in school.
What is higher than an A+? Because that’s the grade I want to give him.
He hopped off the bed and carried her naked, outside to the balcony. He brought a blanket and wrapped it around the two of them, interlaced his fingers in hers, and they stared out into the night sky over the ocean.
“Looks like the storm might be worse than we thought.” His voice carried genuine worry.
“Can it be your turn now?” she asked expectantly.
“Not tonight, Cali. Tonight is all about you.” He pressed into her backside, and immediately she ached for him all over again. She turned around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
“I’m fine. Nothing funny or weird happened. See, I’m still sane and I want to be with you more than anything. I can’t ever remember wanting anything as much as I want you right now.”
“I won’t do that to you—”
“We can use protection. If not tonight, when? I might never see you again. All I can think about is how I never want to be apart from you. I’ll tell you if I feel anything transferred.”
“I…” His eyes started to get a little wild, and they darted around looking at nothing but the trees. The insects were dead silent, and she couldn’t hear any animals. They watched the trees sway with the wind and heard the ocean crash repeatedly.
“Cali, I…”
Enough was enough. She pushed him back into the cottage toward her bed. He lay down and watched her. She reached up to undo his buckle. He stopped her.
“I’m sorry, Cali. Good-bye.” He stood up, grabbed his shirt, kissed her on the forehead, and walked out her door.