Page 114 of Never Tell Secrets

Did I want that? A tiny part of me did, the last remaining part that didn’t trust Alfie. The rest of me knew where it belonged.

“I’d like to stay.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I like it out here.” I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“What about Keira?”

“I called her already, she’s fine. Maia too.” That wasn’t strictly true, my best friend wasn’t fine but she didn’t need me tonight. I had a feeling that she was being more understanding about my relationship with Alfie because of her own situation with Damien.

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure. Would you actually have taken me back if I’d asked?”

“Of course.” He looked down, meeting my questioning gaze. “I’m not lying.”

“I know and I’m wondering why.”

“I don’t need to.” He gave a relaxed sigh, gazing out at the endless ocean. “I figured it out, Lo.”

“What?”

“This. How to be with you. Just…be with you. I feel like I’m flying.” His gaze returned to me, warm and happy. “It’s not like before. Back then, it was like being stuck in quicksand and you were my lifeline but in trying to save myself I was dragging you down with me. Killing you. But now, I’m out of the quicksand. I get to live, in the light, with you. And it’s easy, it’s so fucking easy. I don't need to lie, or manipulate, or play games. I don’t even need to fuck you. I’m just calm.”

I felt a sheen of tears gather over my eyes. “Alfie…”

Our gazes locked, mine dipping to his mouth for just a moment. My mouth watered with need for him and the way his grip tightened on my waist told me he was feeling it too. But he didn’t make a move, he let me decide when I was ready.

Slowly, I reached up a hand, cupping his handsome face. The face I’d taken the time to memorise once in my own bed.

We were disturbed by a rattling of plates and the sound of footsteps. A moment later, we were greeted by two waiters and a stunning steak dinner.

I stifled a laugh but a look at the tick in Alfie’s jaw told me he most definitely wasn’t amused. For all of his change, a piece of the old Alfie was still in there and I wouldn’t have him any other way.

Alfie and I ate and drank until we couldn’t move. Finally, we sprawled out on sun cushions as large as a king size bed. He pulled a plush blanket over us as the cool night set in and the stars shone overhead.

Sometimes we lay in warm silence, other times we talked about silly things that would mean nothing to an onlooker but filled in so many important gaps for us.

We were staring up at the sky, my hands safely cocooned in his when he gave me a gentle squeeze. “It’s late.”

“Ten more minutes,” I whispered. I didn’t want to move, didn’t want to break the perfect bubble around us.

“Come on, Lo. If we stay, you’ll fall asleep here.”

“I don’t see the problem.”

“Problem is that I will have to either leave you out here which isn’t going to happen, carry you to bed which bends the rules too much or spend the night here with you which bends the rules all the way. I’m not letting you spiral over that in the morning.” He kicked the blanket off us and I let him pull me to my feet with a groan.

His hand in mine, he led me back to my cabin. I sat on the bed, exhausted, and he bent and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lo.”

I gave him a dreamy smile as he headed for the door.

“Can you stay?” The words spilled out of my mouth without thought but as they hung in the air, I realised I didn’t regret them. I wanted Alfie in my bed tonight and I wasn’t afraid. His eyes widened, hope deep there. “I don’t mean…I’m not ready to dothat, but can you just stay? With me?” My heart hammered in my chest as he approached the bed. He tilted my chin, scrutinising me.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, suddenly I’d never been more sure of anything. “Yes.” I breathed, my pulse racing as he lifted his shirt over his head, “Alfie…”