Chapter Six

“I think I’m going to get your name embroidered on that hammock.” Orlando joked as the two enjoyed some lunch after their dip in the hot spring.

Anya laughed, “That’s not a bad idea, it’s a good thing there’s another one for you or we might have to fight.”

“Perish the thought.” He said with a grin, “So what were your plans for the afternoon?”

“Well I want to spend a good couple of hours reading a book I’ve been meaning to read and soaking up some sun. Then who knows…” Anya trailed off and bit into her lunch.

“Which book is it?” He asked.

She chuckled, “I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. It’s called ‘Lord of the Rings’.”

“I’m not familiar with that title you’ll have to tell me the story as you read.” He retorted with a smirk.

“So what are your plans for the afternoon?”

“Surfing…swimming…sleeping in the sun…surfing.” He sighed, “Have I said thanks for this opportunity yet?”

She smiled at him, “Once or twice but you are welcome to keep thanking me and your welcome. Apparently I needed it as badly as you did.”

“Apparently.” He smiled back at her. “I guess I’ll see you on the beach then.” He got up and finished the last of his lunch. “Let me do the dishes love.”

She let him take her plate and walk into the cabin. He’s a gentleman, clean and beautiful, honestly she really needed to get her mind out of the gutter or she’d jump the man. His need to walk around shirtless on a regular basis was not helping either. Shaking her head Anya got up and went to get ready for her day of reading.

Orlando watched her walk up the stairs to the loft level. He smiled to himself and thought ‘Miss Hips…beautiful figure on that woman. If she’s gonna call me Heaven I’ll call her Hips.’ He really was glad that he wasn’t going to be alone on this island and he was doubly glad that his company was this gorgeous woman. He was rapidly forgetting his old life, girlfriend included. It was dangerous territory that he was letting brain go to, because this island trip could hold many secrets yet to be revealed.

The next couple of days were much the same as the last. Anya would sleep on the hammock and wake up to a cup of coffee that Orlando would bring her before he went surfing. Then she would watch him surf as the sun came up. She’d go in and make breakfast then the two would discuss their views on various subjects keeping their personal life relatively hidden. At least Anya did, Orlando was a bit more free with his emotions than she was and she was finding this slightly unnerving because she was following suit and that could lead to emotions she wasn’t sure she wanted to face.

During an evening dip in the hot spring with plenty of wine and after extensive discussions about many things they’d already talked about Orlando finally broached a subject that had been bugging him, “Why do you sleep on the hammock?”

The question shocked her so she shot back, “Why do you care?”

“Because as comfortable as I’m sure it is I’ll bet your bed upstairs is better.” He replied calmly.

Anya took a sip of her wine, “I don’t want to be in a room that they created. That’s delving too close to them and honestly I’m afraid to go there.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to be afraid of a place they made especially for you Anya.” He said gently.

“They didn’t expect to be dead when I went there. I can’t go there Orlando.” She gulped refusing to cry, “It’ll just remind me of how alone I am.” Taking a last sip of her wine she exited the hot spring quickly trying to hide the tears that had forced their way down her face.

Orlando debated running after her or not. The protective side of him wanted to follow her and make damn sure she was okay. The logical side reasoned that she was a very independent woman who probably didn’t want him to interfere. He sat there for approximately five minutes when the protective side won out. He couldn’t help it he hated it when women cried.

He followed the route she had taken and found her standing at the top of the stairs to the loft staring at the closed door of her room. She was shivering from cold and seemed to be contemplating opening the door.

She knew he was there not because she heard him but because she just felt him watching her. She reached for the handle of the door hesitated a moment then turned the knob and stepped into the room. She turned on the light and for the first time took it in. She started at the right and traced her fingers over the abstract copy of one of her favourite paintings on one wall. It was of a mountain with the sun rising behind it. She hadn’t even noticed this the first night she had been in it. The room was simple in regards to the amount of furniture. A large double bed with a satin canopy was in the centre of the room and opposite the mural wall was an old dresser. It held one framed photo, Anya was afraid to go look at it.

He watched from the doorway afraid to even breathe let alone tell her he was there. She hadn’t looked at him but he was sure she knew. He had quickly stepped into his room and grabbed a zip up hoodie for her; she was still shivering as she padded silently across the room to take hold of the framed photo on the dresser. He waited, hardly breathing, as she fingered the image inside.

She stared at the image of herself and her parents at her high school graduation. She let a small smile play on her lips as she traced over their smiling faces. Her mother was hugging her from behind and her father had his arms wrapped around both women. He’d called the photo ‘the stacked Harts’. The tears were freely falling down her face as she thought of never being able to touch them again.

Like he knew she wouldn’t be able to stand there much longer he came up behind her and placed the hoodie on her shoulders, “Anya?” He whispered.

She didn’t care about image anymore. She couldn’t be strong anymore it was too much. Turning around she looked up at him the tears making her eyes shine. “They left me all alone.” She gasped the words as the sobs worked their way up her throat.

“Oh love.” He said gently as he took the frame out of her hand and placed it back on the dresser, “You aren’t alone.”

She couldn’t take it the sobs weren’t going to be ignored anymore, “Why!” She cried then found herself wrapping her arms around his neck burying her face in his shoulder.

He hated this part; he never knew exactly what do. He put an arm around her waist and in one move he held her in his arms. He carried her to the bed and sat down on it leaving her on his lap. Leaning up against the headboard he stroked her hair and softly whispered in her ear. “It’s all right love…that’s it just cry.”

Which is exactly what she did. She cried for what felt like years, finally she wiped her face on the sleeve of the hoodie that was still somewhat around her, “Sorry.” She mumbled, “I’m so sorry, you were supposed to be relaxing.”

He chuckled lightly and moved her face to look at him, “I’m relaxed Anya, trust me, I’ve never been more comfortable or relaxed in my whole life.”

Just then she realized exactly where she was and could feel his breath on her rather scantily clad body. She stood up quickly, putting her hands into the sleeves of the hoodie she inhaled deeply trying to regain some composure, “I’ve never cried like that.” She finally admitted.

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, “Really? Not even at their funeral?”

She shook her head, “I couldn’t everyone was watching, the media was there. I had to be the strong one.”

“Nobody would have found fault if you had cried Anya. They were your parents.”

“I know, I just…I was afraid that if I started I wouldn’t be able to stop.”

He stood up and put an arm around her waist. She laid her head on his shoulder and sniffed a bit. Laying his cheek on the top of her head he said, “It appears we’ve proved that you can.”

“I guess we have.” She conceded then shivered again, “Okay I need to change, how about we finish that bottle of wine on the beach by the fire pit?”

He smiled, “Sounds perfect I’ll meet you on the deck in fifteen minutes.”

She nodded, “Deal.” Keeping an arm around his waist she leaned in and kissed his cheek lightly her lips grazing the corner of his mouth, “Thanks.” She said softly.

He cleared his throat and fought the urge to kiss her properly, “Anytime.” He said then looked down at her and smiled again, “And I mean that.”

“I know you do.” She said then nodded towards the door, “Now go I’m not putting on a show here.”

“Darn.” He muttered more to himself than anyone as he left.

She heard him but pretended she didn’t, “This is getting dangerous.” She whispered to herself then went to find warm dry clothes.

Orlando had quickly changed into a dry pair of shorts and another zip up hoodie he had. He ran downstairs then out to the hot spring to grab the discarded wine and glasses. Upon his return he found Anya already spreading a large blanket on the beach. She’d already started the fire. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top; she’d kept the hoodie on enjoying its warmth. He handed her a full glass and sat down with her on the blanket. They didn’t say much else that night just sat close together and looked at all the stars in the sky. The fire burned out and yet they still sat there. Finally fatigue took them. He lay down first not really wanting to leave, she didn’t want to either so she followed and put her head on his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her to him. They fell asleep to the sound of waves lapping up onto the shore.

The warmth of the sun is what woke Anya up the next morning, that and the distinct feeling that someone was running their fingers through her hair. She didn’t even open her eyes, “How long have you been awake?”

He looked down at the top of her head and chuckled, “Don’t know, but I saw the sunrise so I’d guess around six.”

She groaned and slowly raised up so she could look down at him, “Are you insane?”

He smiled up at her, “Nope just couldn’t sleep.”

She moved away from him, “I’m sorry was I…”

“Not at all.” He put a hand to her arm to stop her from getting up, “I was just thinking, it was my brain that woke me up. You were quite welcome where you were.”

She blushed as she looked down and noticed the lines on his chest from where she had been sleeping on him, “You missed your morning surf.”

“That’s just cause I was waiting for you this time.” He sat up and yawned, “I think today is the day you find your feet again.”

She shook her head, “No I told you I haven’t surfed in years and my head is pounding…” She trailed off.

“That’s just cause you were crying so much last night.” He reasoned, “The best medicine for a pressure headache from crying is surfing. I read it in a book once.”

“No you didn’t.” She smiled a little.

“Maybe not but it made you smile.” He touched her lips then cleared his throat and stopped what he wanted to do. He stood up and offered her his hand; “You said I get a rain check so now I’m cashing it in.”

Finally relenting she took his offered hand, “You drive a hard bargain.”

“Why thank you.” He grinned, “You have five minutes, and then we must wax your board...” He trailed off, “Your surf board.”

She laughed, “Nasty thoughts in the morning.”

“Can you think of a better time?”

“No actually I can’t.” She laughed again, “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be right here.”

She scared herself because she believed him. Her mind was absolutely reeling; she’d never slept that well before. She’d fallen asleep in a man’s arms many times but it never made her feel like this and she certainly never woke up the following morning more content then when she had fallen asleep. ‘He has a girlfriend.’ She thought to herself, she was treading on thin ice here and she didn’t want to fall in.

‘I have a girlfriend.’ He thought to himself. ‘Kate.’ He’d lost count at the amount of times he’d woken up with Kate in his arms. He desperately tried to remember the amount of times she’d stayed there, she didn’t take a lot of time to rest with him. Before this he hadn’t noticed because he didn’t have a lot of time himself. Now he found he really enjoyed watching the sunrise with Anya in his arms, her breath on him was like nothing he’d ever felt before. This was dangerous territory they were crossing into and the problem was he didn’t know if he wanted to stop it.

The water was rather smooth when the two paddled out into the ocean. Anya turned her board around facing away from the sun, “Where’s the waves Mr. Heaven?”

“Behind you Miss Hips.”

“Hips huh?” She smirked before glancing behind her.

“Well Heaven was already taken.” He said before paddling with the wave that was coming upon them.

Twenty minutes later Anya had discarded her board and just consented to swimming. She insisted that she’d found her feet again, but she didn’t want to overdo it. Orlando paddled his board up to where she was he leaned down on the board, “You know I still don’t believe that standing twice constitutes overdoing it.”

“Tomorrow I promise I’ll be out here as long as you.” She said.

He raised an eyebrow at her, “Really?”

“Really.” She laughed then put her hand on his board and threw her leg over it so she was straddling the board facing him, “In the meantime mind if I borrow yours?”

He licked his lips and looked at her, “This is getting dangerous you know.” He leaned forward a bit.

She met him halfway and smiled. “I thought you liked dangerous.”

“I do it’s just…”

“No more talking.” She whispered and leaned in closer.

The wave took them both by surprise. When they surfaced they looked at each other and burst out laughing. “Sooo.” Orlando tilted his head to the side to look at her.

“Breakfast?” She asked

He nodded, “Sounds perfect.”

Anya was trying to busy herself with making breakfast. She couldn’t believe what she was letting herself do. Since when did she react on hormones like that? She hadn’t let her hormones rule her since a disastrous relationship with a boy band guy a few years back. She shook her head trying to keep him out of there, but it wasn’t working. She bit into a piece of fruit and licked the juice off her lips. A mere millimetre, if that damn wave hadn’t hit…maybe God was trying to prevent something. He does have a girlfriend; she was never the ‘other woman’ before, on principle…and she didn’t want to start now.

He watched her bustle around the kitchen. He licked his own lips when she had hers then promptly went outside to wait for her. He chastised himself for being a dirty man staring at this vulnerable woman and wanting to absolutely ravage her in the worst or probably best way. That wave had knocked some sense into him, if and that was a BIG if, this was going to be anything it had to be right. He was questioning now, more than before if he loved Kate. Either way she deserved better than a boyfriend shagging an available female while away from her.

The look they exchanged when she stepped onto the porch conveyed the same message. He nodded with a small smile, “I’ll get the coffee.”

“Put more sugar in mine this time.”

“Whatever you say your majesty.”

She laughed, “You’re the prince Master elf.”

“Ah that’s just acting love, there’s a difference you know.”

“If you say so.” She sat down on her hammock and popped a piece of fruit in her mouth, “Now get me my coffee.”

He saluted and headed back into the cabin, “If you don’t surf the whole time with me tomorrow you must get me coffee and I get your hammock!” He said when he returned.

“Fine.” She nodded, “Remember I take extra sugar.”

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