Page 57 of Love Beyond the Illusion
She lays her head against the passenger side window, looking exhausted and worn out.
“I got us a larger villa this time. The property manager, Faye, said a guest canceled their seven-night stay and offered it to us for the week.” I glance over to her. Piper’s hair is pulled back into a tight bun, but a few loose strands fly in the wind. “Still only one bed, though.”
“That’s fine. More space will be nice,” she replies, her words not matching the tone in her voice or the look on her face.
She’s silent most of the ride back to town. I hoped things would be more casual with us this time, but it seems to be business as usual.
Walking into the new villa, I can tell right away that it’s more like a luxury suite than an extra-large townhome. The kitchen is better suited for cooking, there’s a small office area right off the front entryway, and the living room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the private pool in the back.
Piper and I bring our luggage into the bedroom but stop abruptly in our tracks. Red rose petals are scattered in the shape of a heart covering the king-sized bed. A small card is placed directly in the middle. I rub my chin and then dare to peer into the bathroom. A heart-shaped jacuzzi tub with Mr. and Mrs. embroidered robes hanging from the hook on the wall. I reluctantly turn toward Piper. The color had drained from her face, and her eyes bore into the love nest we’d walked into.
I chuckle. “I forgot to tell you. This is the honeymoon suite.”
“Yes, you did forget to mention that important detail.” She zips her necklace back and forth.
“Honestly, I thought someone would have cleaned this up after the other couple canceled.”
“It’s fine. Everything is fine,” she repeats, unconvincingly and with a fake smile on her face. “It’s going to be just fine.”
Piper tries to avoid the romantic display at all costs. She starts to empty her suitcase, placing items in the dresser and hanging some in the closet. I noticed that she brought more clothes this time. I should probably be doing the same, but based on her body language, she wants some space.
As if the timing could not be better, my phone vibrates with a text alerting me that the grocery delivery has arrived and is waiting in the hotel lobby. Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I turn to Piper, buried in the closet, hanging up a semi-formal dress, presumably her choice for the Harvest Dinner this week. From what I can see, it’s navy, and I have no doubt she’ll look incredibly sexy in it.
“I need to head down to the lobby to grab our grocery order.”
She pops her head out. “What grocery store delivery?”
“I put in an order earlier this morning, so we’d have some food around here this week. You know, in case one of us wants to cook.”
“You cook?”
“I knowhowto cook.”
“Hmm.” She tilts her head to the side. “Alright.”
I take the complimentary golf cart down the hill, eventually passing the same villa we stayed in the last time she was here. Once I get to the lobby, Faye greets me from behind the front desk with a bright yellow watering can in her hand.
“Hello, Jack!”
“Hi, Faye. Thanks again for giving us that great suite for the week.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s no problem at all.” She moves from one plant to another, watering them as she goes. “I hope you and your girlfriend are settling in nicely.”
I nod, looping the bags in both hands while stacking them up my arms. “Yes, it’s beautiful,” I declare, walking toward the door.
“Oh, and did you like the nice surprise I left there for you?” She snickers. “I figured you two would enjoy it!”
I clamp my eyes shut and slowly turn to face her. “The rose petals were lovely.”
“Did she love them?”
“She was speechless. Thank you.” My shoulders bounce with internal laughter. The look on Piper’s face was worth the surprise. I don’t care at this point, and I like us acting as a couple. I don’t feel as uncomfortable about it as I did before.
“That’s so great to hear. Enjoy!”
Making my way back up the hill with the groceries in the back of the golf cart, I imagine what Piper could be thinking right now. I wonder if she’s upset that she had to come back because I am sure as hell not.
Seeing her this evening at the airport made my heart ache for her even more than it did when she was gone. And that short uniform skirt with legs for days.Fuck,I missed her legs. The urge to explore what’s between them grows stronger by the minute. I’ve convinced myself that some time away would lessen my agony, but if anything, it’s only made it worse.
