Page 18 of Awake in Cheshire Bay
“But we don’t have time.” And I wanted him, wanted him with every morsel of my being but I my brain refused to shut down and let my wanton emotions take over.
“We have all the time in the world.”
I lowered my forehead and rested it on his shoulders. There was no way this was real. Another guy likely wouldn’t have stopped. Would’ve carried on regardless. It wouldn’t have been the first time. My words were as breathless with disbelief. “You can’t be real.”
Seriously, what guy was patient enough to stop? None in recent memory. Whether I wanted it or not, I was going to get it because that had been what I’d teased him with.
He rubbed my back. “I real. You real.”
I captured his face between my hands, and firmly planted a heartfelt kiss on his lips, trying to rev up the carnal desire once more. However, it failed to arrive, and in its wake, there was only one path I could take. “I should go home now and leave you be.”
He shook his head. “No, please, to stay. We talk. We walk. We visit Sheshire Bay. Do not go.”
I was grossly uncomfortable, mainly with myself. Desperately, I wanted to cave into the rush of sexual attractions, instead I proved how much a prude I was. However, that as it was, I wasn’t ready to let him go just yet, and walking around my lovely village was the perfect idea. Maybe he’d enjoy it so much, he’d come back for another visit.
“Can I go home to change first?”
A hint of a side smile formed. “Ja.”
Antonio rose and flipped his suitcase on the bed, unzipping and throwing it open. It was packed with such skill, I assumed he travelled a lot. He retrieved a few things and disappeared into the bathroom.
I was such a fool. Why couldn’t I give into this guy? He was so sweet and genuine, I should be able to give him my body, but my mind wouldn’t shut up. Was there a pill I could take to stop the thoughts and allow me to give into the carnal desires?
I hung my head. If there was, then it wouldn’t be me and it would be no different than plying myself with alcohol or weed. No, if the right guy for me were to truly come around, my mind would know it as much as my body and there would be no fighting.
Someday, maybe.
But despite the want, it couldn’t – it wouldn’t – be with a guy I’d just met, and not with a guy who’s leaving in the morning. Even if he was a dream come true. The nightmare will always follow.
Chapter Seven
Because guys are lucky that way, Antonio emerged from the bathroom fresh and squeaky clean and smelling spicy all within the span of ten minutes. If that. I was sure most of it was having the shower run long enough for hot water to emerge.
Closing out of my messages app, I glanced up from my phone as he emerged.
“Had sand hair.” He laughed, and my heart pitter-pattered with it.
“Yeah, side effect of falling on the beach.” My hand went to the back of my head and tousled a bit, watching in horror as part of the beach fell to the industrial carpet. “I guess I need to shower too.”
“You take us there. I wait.”
“You sure?”
“Ja.” He grabbed a jacket, which was a smart move as the cool and damp October air had the power to chill a person to the bone if they weren’t expecting it. A warmer layer would fight that off.
“Alright, let’s go.” I slipped into my shoes and stuffed my socks into my purse as I pulled out my keys.
Down the stairs we went, his hand moving from the small of my back to holding my hand. It happened so quickly, I didn’t see it coming but I wasn’t complaining either. We got to my truck and Antonio opened the driver door for me, pausing to stare into my eyes and trail a finger over my cheek. He leaned forward and grazed my forehead with a soft kiss before pulling back and sauntering over to his side. That smirk on his face was going to be my undoing. And maybe that was his plan.
As I pulled the truck out of its spot, I spotted Sorcha leaning against the stairwell, taking us both in. The sight of her slight scowl unsettled me, but I tried to pay it no attention. Antonio hadn’t seen her, and if he did, he wasn’t making it obvious.
We pulled up to my place and the parking lot was full, which was promising, it meant my pub was having a good night. I drove around to the back of the building and parked in the only open spot thanks to the sign reading ‘management only’.
“My place is a tad messy, so forgive me. I wasn’t expecting company when I went to work this morning.”
Man, what a day. I’d totally lost track of what time it was.
Antonio followed behind as we ascended the metal grate stairwell up to a door, offset from a wrap around patio. Years ago, I’d purchased the sizeable home and converted it into a full pub on the main floor and sound-proofed the second level to turn it into a nice two-bedroom suite, with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean from the patio. It was money well spent, and because the pub did well, I managed to make the final mortgage payment last month. Amber’s Ale was all mine.