broken skin. “Sorry, my intention wasn’t to bite you,” he breathlessly apologised, running his fingertips across the deep indentation. “That’s probably going to scar.”
A wry smile appeared on my lips. “Think of it as payback for the sex wounds I gave you.”
“Fair trade I feel,” he murmured between each lazy pleasurable kiss.
The back of my sopping head flopped against the tiles. “You’re incredibly sneaky undressing without me noticing, aren’t you?” I coaxed, smiling up at him.
Jet-black brows shot up above mischievously sparkling dark eyes. “I know,” Ari crooned, as his semi-hard cock stirred, our mouths curving salaciously as he instinctively flexed his rounded buttocks.
“More?”
“More.”
Silently and slowly, Ari’s mouth lowered over mine. His languid kiss so skilful, it left me breathless to the point I began slipping into a space that allowed me to give myself over to him at last. Finally.
Chapter Four
Ari
I HAD SEEMINGLY MADE the right choice spiriting Teddy away to Sorrento, clearly so as I peered out at the vastness in front of me and slid my sunglasses over my eyes as the last biting rays of sunshine gradually lowered beyond the horizon. No blaring of horns or sirens and no phones shrilling with staff chattering in my ear, it was just Teddy, this picture-perfect environment, and me. My shielded gaze roamed, merely appreciating the ruggedness of the cliffs and the diamond reflection of the crystal-clear waters surrounding us. And as the gently cooling breeze drifted over my face, I couldn’t help but raise a broad smile: the day had so far turned out to be beautiful in every sense of the word.
Well, perhaps if Teddy learnt the importance of time, it may just end up perfect. I let out a small chuckle; that alone would be a miracle in itself.
I leisurely walked back through the open French doors of our hotel room and glanced at my watch, yelling out to her, “We need to get a move on, or we’ll miss our reservation.” Naturally, she was running behind thanks to a bout of vomiting, our afternoon of rough sex partially the contributing factor. We needed to learn the importance of restraint, but the probability of that ever happening would be zero on both parts.
“Couldn’t we just stay here and order in?” Teddy proposed, emerging from the bathroom, her hazel eyes optimistically glistening as she slid a lip-gloss into the white clutch clasped in her hand. “Staying in bed sounds so much more enticing…not to mention delicious…”
My case in point about restraint made. Now, it was up to me to show some.
I buried my hands in the silken tresses tumbling around her shoulders and dipped my head. The distinct flavour of strawberries coating her parted lips as my mouth brushed over hers evoking memories of that infamous lollypop. “No, we need to get out. That’s why we came away, remember?”
“I suppose so,” she hummed, trudging behind me for the short stroll downstairs.
I severely underestimated the meaning of a short stroll where Teddy was concerned. Besides reciting the history on the hotel’s grand architecture, she insisted we stop and admire every intricate detail along the way. We ought to have taken the lift. Nonetheless, she was in her element and denying her was virtually impossible, once again, displaying my ineptitude for restraint.
But no longer could I deny my growling stomach, or the call of an icy cold beer, and had to drag Teddy down the last few steps. A wide smile forming as we finally strolled into the crowded but jovial space of Salt where locals and tourists alike lined the bars and filled the restaurant’s tables patiently awaiting service. Their raised voices filled the voids, competing against the clatter of dishes and the live band currently playing a Cold Chisel rendition in the background. Water into wine if I wasn’t mistaken. By the time we eventually manoeuvred through the crowds and stepped outside through a set of widely opened bi-fold doors onto a balcony with views of the Peninsula, I was practically drooling from the scent of food alone.
Paving the way for us was our bubbly waitress, Joey, her brightened smile beaming as she attentively gestured to the sturdy metal and timber seats at our reserved table. “Can I get you both a drink to start?”
I swiftly ordered two, a Peroni for me and a ginger beer spritzer for Teddy.
“Will there be anything else, sir?”
“Just our drinks for now, please; we’ll order shortly thank you,” I firmly stated, dismissing her.
Giving me a dazzling smile, she immediately spun on the soles of her black Vans and efficiently returned a few minutes later with our drinks, placing them alongside the menus in front of us.
I glanced upwards, politely thanking her.
“No worries. Enjoy.” Clutching the tray to her side, she bounced around the rest of the tables collecting several empty glasses before heading back inside.
Lifting the Peroni to my lips, my gaze darted across the table to predominantly watch Teddy as she welcomingly sipped on her ginger beer. The only remedy it seemed that eased the constant bouts of morning sickness, and likewise, she’d be a lot happier once that stage had passed. As it stood, she was far too thin and needed to regain a few kilos, a concern I had stressed during our most recent therapy session. According to Teddy, though, my worry was unwarranted, a flippant response I found somewhat alarming.
“Look at the sky, Ari,” she suddenly said, ripping me away from my musings. “That sunset’s glorious.” Her excited gaze honed in on the colourfully warm hues of oranges and reds streaking across the evening sky. “It’s a pity you don’t see them like that in the city.”
My lips quirked mockingly. “They’re the same sunsets you know.”
With a roll of the eyes, she huffed, “I know... What I meant was smart arse, we don’t usually experience them the same because of the city skyline poking well above its measure.”
Another adjustment had been the caustic attitude due to her ever-changing moods. In addition to the teary and irritable manner during that last session, she had duly informed me: “It’s not my fault! It’s these damned hormones making me cranky!” To a certain degree, yes, they were at fault, but my rebuttal only sent me back to the doghouse yet again, as in my house for the night.
“I knew that’s what you meant; I was just checking.”
“Don’t be an arse.”
“And the list grows, from a caveman to an arse.” I chuckled, lifting the beer to my lips. “I’m moving up in the world.”
∞
Teddy
I BEGAN TO STIR as another glorious sunrise slowly crept out from behind the parting of white, fluffy clouds, indicating yet another resplendent day. What a pity we weren’t sticking around to enjoy it. But as I snuggled into my pillow and looked out, smiling to myself, my thoughts drifted to what had been a rather enjoyable weekend away anyway.
From
