Minutes pass. Or hours. It’s just me and him, buried in each other.
“Did you mess up my skirt?” I know the answer, and his chuckle has me smiling all the more. There’s no way I’m wearing this in public.
“You brought clothes. Wear something new.” I turn around to face him with a beaming smile over my face. “Jesus, you needed that.”
“Yes, I did. Thank you.”
“You’re fucking welcome.”
* * *
After we arrive back at the resort, I head over to my own bungalow to change. Nate and I have been living in each other’s pockets, or rather his bed, for the majority of the last week. It’s suited us both. Hell, it’s been perfect. I got to see him every day and watch the diamonds. Not that the last matters too much.
But the longer I’m around Nate, the harder it is to keep things on a first name basis, certainly with those diamonds lying right next to us. I want to ask questions, like he does, and find out more about the man I’m sharing my body with.
A one-night stand with no strings is easy. This? Not so much. And his double standards piss me off. Why is it important for him to know about my life while not giving me the same courtesy?
My feet pace over the smooth wooden floor of the bungalow. I check over my go-bag in the wardrobe and replace a few of the items of clothing with some of the clothes I bought from the market today.
The black rucksack looks at odds to the line of dresses and other high-end clothes I’ve purchased since being on the island. The money I spend on clothes wouldn’t bother me so much if I got to keep them, but it’s the same each time I leave. I leave everything along with the place I’m moving from, ghosting out as if I was never there. And my time here is nearly up. A few more days and I’ll be back on a plane to another destination before I make the final journey back to Antwerp for a few weeks.
Leaving has never been a problem before. I’ve always resigned myself to the reality that I’ll never be able to stay in one place for long because of what I do but spending this amount of time with Nate has thrown a spotlight on the loneliness that’s been growing inside of me.
I sought my brother’s approval when I was younger, thinking he’d be the way to find the family I’ve always wanted, but he shows me time and time again how little he cares for me past what I can do for him. With Nate, it’s different. Hopeful even.
The long flowing tropical print dress still has the tags on, but I choose to change into it for the rest of the day. I grab my phone and double check my bag again before checking the walkways between the bungalows. There’s been no sign of anyone out of place. Nothing to tip me off that someone followed me here. But that doesn’t stop me from being vigilant. I’ve been in such a bubble with Nate, it would be easy to slip, and I can’t afford that. I finally head out towards his bungalow.
As I walk through the door, I banish all the sombre thoughts that have plagued my mind.
“Hey, where did you get to? I was looking forward to watching you swim across.” He comes over to me and plants a kiss on my lips. There’s a slight sheen to his skin like he’s been baking in the sun for too long.
“I didn’t want to get my dress wet. Why are you sweaty?”
“Workout.”
“Really? In this heat?” He’s been more than happy to laze about.
“And?”
“Nothing to do with the comment I made earlier?” I wiggle my brows at him. Seems he took my teasing to heart about lacking abs, not that he currently has any trouble in that department.
Just as I want to make another comment about Nate’s sudden interest in training, my phone chimes, followed by another, and then it starts to ring.
“I’ll just be a minute.” I know who it is. I don’t need to check the phone. Andreas always sends two messages before he calls. And it’s never a good thing when he does. “Hello.”
“Where the fuck are you? I’ve been home for a week now, and I’ve heard nothing from you.” He snaps the accusation at me.
I walk calmly from the open living room through to the back bedroom before responding.
“And since when have I ever had to check in with you?”
“Since you ran off with half my payment. Those diamonds aren’t for you, and I need them back.”
“Estúpido! You needed me for the diamonds. I delivered. It was your deal that ended in bullets flying and no other choice but to run. You were in your own fucking vehicle by the time I reached mine. No great concern there.” The panic from that night swells up inside of me. I dip my head around the doorjamb to check Nate is far from earshot, lowering my voice again.
“Look, hermanita, I’m sorry things got out of hand, but I want those diamonds back. You need to watch your back. Both sides want them. Are they safe?”
“Aretheysafe? What about me?”
