Page 46 of Influence

Laya slept peacefully beside me, her features relaxed in slumber. Her head rested against my shoulder while the constant hum of the engines and the gentle vibrations of the cabin lulled her into a deeper sleep.

As the sun rose, the clouds glowed with vibrant strokes of gold and crimson, setting the sky ablaze. Sunlight danced across the airplane wing, a gentle morning kiss that stirred my senses, whispering of the day’s potential. I could hardly contain my excitement to share the sanctuary nestled in my heart, a place I cherished more than any other.

The weariness from yesterday’s whirlwind wedding celebrations clung to us like a second skin. I still felt the echoes of laughter lingering in my ears. I remembered the moment Ihad lifted Laya from the limousine, her weary frame snuggling into my arms as I carried her toward the plane. A soft yawn escaped her lips, her eyelids drooping heavily from sleep. As soon as she settled beside me, the soothing hum of the engine wrapped around her, coaxing her back into slumber.

I couldn’t completely ignore the truth. I was partly to blame. I recalled those early hours when we lost ourselves in each other’s company, seizing precious moments until the night slipped away.

In those serene, passionate moments, I cherished every aspect of her. Despite only getting a brief hour of sleep, I became absorbed in the memories of our bond and the lingering guilt of having taken away her precious rest.

I found myself captivated by the curve of her jaw and the steady rhythm of her breathing. The memories of the reception resurfaced in my mind. Laya and her sisters relaxed, their hair flowing free as they engaged with the local villagers, exchanging stories and creating an atmosphere filled with joy and connection. The sound of cheerful conversations and shared moments lingered long after the event had ended.

I recalled how seamlessly they blended in, children raced about, and elders clapped to the traditional melodies. I had nearly invited everyone from our small town, excluding only a few who could dampen our happiness. By avoiding these negative influences, especially my bitter brothers, I fostered an atmosphere for authentic celebration, highlighted by the lively dances of the Vitalis sisters and toasts that resounded like stars in the night sky.

Yet, underneath all the happiness, a dull ache persisted—the sorrow of absence. I missed my mother and sister, Cora. I could picture them joining in a spontaneous dance or lost in conversations with Laya’s sisters, their presence harmonizing effortlessly with the evening’s affection. This absence pulledat my heart, reminding me of unfulfilled obligations and prompting me to consider whether I had done enough to protect my brothers from the harsh echoes of our past.

A heavy sigh escaped me as I grappled with a tangle of regret, guilt, and lingering shame. I could almost feel my father’s firm hand on my head and hear his deep, stern lectures urging me to set aside my vulnerability as if I were a child sulking in a corner. He had always been as solid and unyielding as a mountain, and his stoicism was something I had once hoped to emulate. But when I saw the soft light in Laya’s eyes as I allowed my feelings to show, I realized that strength and tenderness could coexist.

Over the weeks we shared, Laya steadily tore down the barriers encasing my heart. Each lingering gaze and tender touch carved small fissures in my defenses. In her eyes, there was a sense of connection that I had long shielded myself from. As our moments together grew, the walls I had built around my emotions began to crumble, revealing a vulnerability I had kept hidden for so long. Each brief encounter brought forth an increasing recognition of my need for closeness, inviting new feelings that began to take root within me, inviting both the thrill and fear of genuine connection.

Few individuals managed to inflict pain while also providing healing. With part of my family gone, only Laya had opened a door I had tightly shut. This risk coursed through my veins, terrifying me more than any decision I’d ever faced in a boardroom.

As the plane’s wheels made contact with the tarmac of my secluded airstrip, my gaze remained fixed on Laya. I recalled the moment she walked down the aisle, each step radiating strength and an enchanting vulnerability that left me speechless.

I recalled the priest’s memorable pronouncement during the ceremony, as Avra placed crowns upon us, elevating our union to a higher realm. In that moment, my heart’s door creaked opena bit more, and the kiss we exchanged ignited a strong resolve—a silent vow to safeguard her at all costs.

The day marked a fresh start and whispered a bold declaration to the world. With a firm resolve swelling, I vowed to shield Laya from any shadows that threatened her peace. Every flicker of possible danger ignited a fierce instinct, a silent promise echoing in my heart—that I would do anything, even if it meant standing against my own kin.

As the jet slowed and settled into the hangar, Laya stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open like delicate petals. She blinked, absorbing the tranquility enveloping us. The dawn of a new day was upon us, and her sleepy gaze held unspoken secrets and shared dreams—a vow I was committed to fulfilling with every thrum of my renewed heart.

“Are we here?” she asked, her voice still wrapped in the lingering haze of slumber.

I inhaled deep, dislodging the weight of old memories.

Looking down at Laya, I managed a flirtatious grin. “Yes, beauty. Welcome to paradise,” I replied warmly. “Ready to explore?”

She leaned in, her movement graceful, and pressed a tender kiss against my lips. The touch sent a surge of electricity racing through me, igniting a raw desire that surged straight to my cock. Just hours earlier, I had lost myself in her arms, yet that primal hunger still gnawed at me, demanding more.

“I can hardly remember boarding the plane,” she murmured, crinkling her nose with a touch of bemusement and wonder.

“That’s because I fucked you silly, wife.” I gave her a mischievous grin.

Her eyes, partially concealed by dark lashes, burned with an alluring intensity as she fixed her gaze on mine.

“Yes, you did,” she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. “I can still feel you dripping out of my pussy.”

Listening to that sweet mouth use raw, unfiltered things awakened a blaze of desire that roared through every fiber of my being.

The urge to fuck her right here and now grew by the second.

As if seeing my reaction, she pursed her lips and continued, “I still haven’t figured out a wedding gift for you. Surely, you want more than just unlimited sex.”

I sighed at her challenge, taking a moment to reflect on the underlying significance of her teasing.

I held her hand, met her gaze, and said, “Actually, you’re right. I do want something else.”

“Tell me,” she insisted, her movements a mix of impish flirtation and earnestness.

“I want to spend the next few days on this island with you, enjoying the time of our lives. I want to make love beneath the whispers of ancient trees, indulge in luxurious food and exotic cocktails, laugh until our sides ache, and truly get to know every contour of each other’s souls. And I want to share my favorite place on earth with you, a sacred island woven into the fabric of my childhood. My parents brought me here, and I spent my youth wandering through its enchanted woods, exploring every vibrant nook and hidden cranny.”

---