Page 12

The first rays of sunlight filtered through my curtain as a consciousness slowly crept in. My body hummed with the delicious ache of a night well spent—muscles I hadn’t used in forever reminding me of every moment, every touch. I smiled into my pillow, remembering the way his hands had mapped every inch of my skin like he was memorizing me. Even my lips still tingled from his passionate kisses.

This was a different soreness than my usual workout left behind. This was the kind that made me want to stretch like a satisfied cat or relive every moment. My thighs burned in the most pleasant way, and the slight tenderness of my breasts brought back flashes of his mouth, his teeth, his touch.

I reached across the sheets, seeking his warmth, but my hand met the cold cotton instead. My eyes snapped open, the peaceful aftermath of the night before quickly fading. The space beside me was empty, the sheets long since cool.

“B?” I called out, but only silence answered.

My heart skipped when I spotted the hotel stationery resting on the pillow beside me. With shaky fingers, I reached for the note, already knowing who had left it.

Thank you for showing me what peace feels like.

An ache tried to settle in my chest as I sat up in my tousled sheets. I wanted to crush the note and toss it away, but something in me wouldn’t allow me to. I knew I would never see this man again. I just didn’t prepare myself for it so soon. I inhaled and exhaled, then place the note on the side of my bed before slipping out.

My muscles cried out as I made my way into the bathroom to prepare myself for my last day in Fiji. I was going to make the best of it and hold my memories of a man who was practically like a dream close to my heart.

I reached into the shower and turned on the water. I tied my hair up into a ball on top of my head and then stepped beneath the hot water. I closed my eyes and allowed the tears I couldn’t let fall in bed to fall now. They would stay here. I had to move forward.

Once I finished showering, I brushed my teeth, and then got dressed in another sundress I had packed. I slipped on a pair of sandals before grabbing my keycard to use in the resort’s breakfast bar. I picked up my bag, deciding I would relax with a book on the beach for a while after eating breakfast.

When I was home, I rarely had enough time for reading, so I was going to take advantage of it today. I made sure my sunglasses were secured over my face as I made the trek down to grab breakfast. There was something in me that hoped I would come across Brodrick or at least see him in the distance. I also knew that wasn’t for the best. The damn man had left me high and dry without saying goodbye.

I smiled as the staff greeted me. I found a table near the open sliding doors that overlooked the beach. I placed my bag into my chair and then walked over to the buffet area to load my plate with fruit, sausages, eggs, and waffles. Once I was certain I had everything, I took my seat and placed my bag in the chair across from me.

I truly hoped I didn’t appear as if I wanted company because I didn’t. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer before digging in. I peered up briefly from my plate and noticed a few men in suits talking to the host. They appeared to be showing him flyers. The journalist in me made me pull my phone from my purse to take a few pictures of them.

I had this nagging feeling it wasn’t coincidental that these men showed up here just as Brodrick was leaving, so I discretely took the photo and then placed my phone back down onto the table. I continued eating as the same men in suits walked around, showing other patrons the flyer.

My heart raced the closer they got to me. It was beating so loud I felt as if I could hear it my damn self, but just before they got to my table, a manager walked inside and called them over. They looked as if they wanted to continue doing what they pleased, but obliged.

I didn’t know why I was so damn anxious. It couldn’t have anything to do with the sexy stranger I allowed to fuck me in every kind of way. I didn’t have that kind of luck. Not wanting to take the chance of anyone approaching me, I wrapped up my breakfast early, then headed back to my room.

I think it was time to call this trip quits. I came, I saw, and I damn well conquered my desire to just live. I grabbed my things and walked past the men in suits, who now that I was closer, I could tell were armed. Before I could look away, I caught the eye of the taller of the two men.

I could tell he appreciated the way I looked. It didn’t help that he winked at me. I scrunched up my face in disgust, not because he was an unattractive man, but anything after Brodrick felt lackluster. This man was definitely that.

I slipped my shades back on and made my trek back to my room. The first order of business would be to change the date on my return ticket and get the hell out of here. The way those men looked at me said more than I would address.

Once I got back inside, I took a seat, then my phone vibrated. I gripped my chest because, after walking past those men, I was a little jumpy. I glanced down at the screen to see Jim’s name, so I quickly answered before it went to voicemail.

“Please tell me you’re out there having the time of your life?” he asked.

I giggled. “Something like that, but I think it’s time to head back home now.”

“Uh huh, what happened?”

I paused my packing and took a deep breath before responding. “Nothing really, just the cliche. Girl meets fine ass man, then girl allows man to put her on to something she has been trying her hardest to experience. Only for the clock to strike twelve and it’s all over. Did I sum it up well enough?”

Jim chuckled. “Well, all I can say is you came, and you saw, but I have to ask the most important question of all.”

I rolled my eyes with a shake of my head. “What is it?”

“Was it worth it?”

I sat quietly for a moment, because I knew the answer without having to think about it. It was the main reason I was so sad to leave it all behind and go back to being the only person in my family not cared about. I was not ready to return to a life of being everyone’s last thought.

“Beyond worth it.” I smiled as I thought of the ways he made me feel in such a short time. I shook my head and looked down at the phone.

“Exactly! But by the way you’re acting, he must have had a big ole’ dick!”

I burst into laughter as Jim made noises. He got on my nerves so badly, but it made me appreciate my family’s screw up with him even more. At least I had another best friend out of the deal.

“Why are you so trifling? But all jokes aside, this trip was everything I needed.”

“See, that’s what I like to hear. Now, go make the best of your last day and pack up your shit. I’m lost without you,” he said dramatically.

I rolled my eyes, then laughed. “Right, well, since you miss me so much, can you pick me up from the airport tomorrow?” I asked.

I stood from the seat I took on the bed and nicked my heel. I quickly lifted my foot and turned around to see what I had stepped on. I leaned down and grabbed the watch peeking out from beneath the bed. It was Brodrick’s watch that I had watched him obsess over on more than one occasion. I was shocked he hadn’t turned around and came back for it. It almost made me feel like he left it intentionally, so I would find it.

“Girl, did you hear me?” Jim asked.

I finally tuned back in to what he was saying. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. I stepped on Brodrick’s watch. I’m shocked he would leave it behind.”

“Oh, girl, maybe he left it so he could talk to you again!”

I looked away from the watch, back to the phone in my hands, with my face scrunched up. “Uh, unless it has his phone number or address on the back, I highly doubt that.”

I turned over the watch in my hands and focused in on the inscription.

“To Knox - Stay Alive - VC.”

“Who the hell is Knox? You think maybe that’s a nickname?” I rattled off question after question.

“Skye, I don’t know this man. Did he give the vibe he wouldn’t share his real name with you?”

I ran my hand over the inscription as I thought back on the man I spent so much time with, and my heart raced at the thought. I felt crazy the way my emotions were bouncing around, but the thought that he gave me a fake ass name was pissing me off. I didn’t know why I felt it so deeply that his name was for sure the one on the back of the watch. He never felt like a Brodrick, but who was I tell that man it wasn’t his name.

“I’m sure he gave me a fake ass name. I’ve just had this nagging feeling that something in the water isn’t all clean.”

“Honey, you sure know how to pick ’em. Good thing this was just an island fling and you can move on when you get back home.

I nodded as if he could see me. I knew it was more so for my benefit. I was mad about all the secrets I felt he could hold, but just like Jim said, this wasn’t anything but an island fling. I needed to do good to remember that.

“I hear you. Well, I’m going to finish packing. I’m ready to get out of here. I’ll see you. I’ll send over my new itinerary once I have it. I’m definitely changing the time and date on this ticket.”

“See you soon, honey.”

I disconnected the call, then adjusted my flight to leave out by tonight. I tossed my phone onto the bed, along with the watch. After I called down to the front desk to arrange transportation to the airport, they let me know if I wanted to catch the next boat, I needed to be down to the front within thirty minutes. I continued packing as quickly as I could, then put on a pair of sweatpants with the matching top and jacket.

Once I was certain I had everything, I looked over at the bed at the lone military grade watch still lying there. I had every intention of leaving that damn thing behind, along with that note, but something in me wouldn’t allow it. I stepped away from my bags and grabbed the note from the nightstand, then the watch. I rotated the piece between my fingertips before slipping it onto my wrist.

I released a breath, then grabbed my things to make it to the boat in time. I turned to look back at the room once more.

“Moce, Fiji. You’ve been enlightening,” I said as I closed the door behind me.

THE AIRPORT

The driver took his damn sweet time to get me to the airport after the boat ride. Now, here I was rushing through the damn airport because of being in customs for a while. These damn folks always had a ton of questions, and I didn’t know why it seemed to be harder to get home than it was to get here.

Not to mention, since I left the hotel and made it to the airport, I had this constant sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was almost as if someone was watching me. I continued to convince myself there had to be because it seemed as if I picked the only day that an airport wasn’t bustling with tons of people. It was as if I had missed the memo to stay my ass at the resort.

But that feeling only made me want to get home more. I looked down at my phone to check my ticket to make sure I was heading toward the correct gate. If I found myself in the wrong area, I knew for a fact that I would burst into tears right here. I was feeling overwhelmed.

“Perfect,” I whispered aloud to myself as I dropped my phone.

I leaned down to pick it up, then walked toward the bathrooms to adjust myself. I felt a hand wrap around my mouth and pull me back into a dark hallway. My screams were muffled, and my heart raced erratically. I was going to be the next female snatched up and sold into the market.

The thought alone caused my fight or flight to kick in, and I damn sure hoped my ass won.