Page 32 of Hurt to Love
“Morning, sunshine.” He nodded down to the steaming bowl on the table. “Porridge and pastries today. Eat up. You’re gonna need the energy.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. My way of asking what the energy was needed for.
“We’re going out for the day.” He rubbed his hands together and gave me his boyish smirk.
It didn’t help to quell my fears and a punch of dread hit my gut. Maybe I wasn’t as relaxed as I thought.
“Oh, don’t worry, Wends. We aren’t going out-out.” He rolled his eyes theatrically and turned to face the patio doors. “We’re going out on the boat today.”
I’d never been on a boat before. Did he even know how to drive that thing?
“I’ve absolutely no idea how to drive that thing,” he said, reading my mind for the millionth time. “I rang Luca yesterday and he knows a guy with a license who can take it out for us. It’ll be something different to do for the day, get you out of this house. We can take a look around and maybe do a bit of swimming. You do know how to swim, don’t you?”
I went to nod, but in all honesty I couldn’t focus my mind. The idea of another stranger coming into our bubble was freaking me out.
“Of course you can swim.” He answered his own question, tutting at himself. “You wouldn’t be wading out into the waves every chance you get if you couldn’t.” He bit into a croissant and then gave me that cheeky boyish grin again. “I could go and buy a sailor’s outfit to wear if it’ll help sway you?”
Picturing Cill dressed up as Popeye made me giggle. I’m not sure that was the sailor he had in mind.
“I’m more of a Jack Sparrow though.” He laughed to himself.
I swear this man was in my head.
“So, what d’ya say? Are you gonna let me be your fairy godfather today and take you out of this house? You need to start getting out and living life again.” He lowered his head and gave me his puppy dog eyes. That look on him always made my tummy flip. “I’ll tell you what, if it’s a yes, give me a smile. If it’s a no, gimme a backflip. Can’t say fairer than that.”
I couldn’t hold back my laugh. He was the best medicine I’d had so far; he always knew how to bring me out of a slump. I didn’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t have my daily dose of Cill.
“A smile and a laugh, now that’s a definite yes in my books. Eat up, beautiful. I want to get out there and enjoy this morning sun.”
Beautiful.
I don’t think anyone had ever called me that, not even my parents. Certainly not a man like him. Did he really think I was beautiful? Or was he using the word like any other, with no thought to its meaning? Words were sacred to me; surely he knew that?
I tried to stop myself from overthinking every damn thing and ate my breakfast. But every time I glanced his way, he was watching me with a puzzled look on his face. I realised then that he might have a good read on me, but I had absolutely no clue what he was thinking. He was still as much of an enigma to me as he was that first night we met. Realising that didn’t sit well with me, I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what he was thinking.
I left the kitchen and went back up to my room to get myself ready for a day on the sea. After my many trips into the water, Vee had bought me a few bikinis and a one-piece bathing suit, but I never wore them. I always preferred going in fully clothed. I decided I’d put my one-piece on this time though, under the short blue playsuit Ryley had packed in her suitcase for me. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail and headed back down to the living area. When I got there, I saw the patio doors were open, and Cill was outside talking to an older man with a long grey beard. He must’ve been our captain for the day. When he turned to face me, I could’ve sworn that Cill took a deep breath in. Was he nervous?
“Hey, come and meet Gus.” He waved me over. “He’s gonna be our driver.”
“Captain,” Gus corrected, and held his hand out for me to shake.
I took it. I didn’t want Gus to think I was a freak, refusing to shake his hand. Another little step and another little victory for me.
“So, what’s the plan today, Cap?”
“There’s a spot just off the coast that’s pretty good for dolphin watching, if you like? There’s no guarantee we’ll see any today, but it’s one of the best spots around this way to try and see them.” Gus stroked his beard and glanced out to the sea as if he expected to see the dolphins jump up for him in recognition.
“Can we swim with them?” Cill’s eyes sparkled. He was in his element.
“It’s not advisable. Wild dolphins carry disease and it could pose as a health threat for you and them.” Gus really knew his stuff. “Not to mention the government sees it as harassment. We don’t wanna get any fines today.”
“We don’t wanna get any injuries today either. I think we’ve had enough pain to deal with.” Cill smiled, but I could tell he was disappointed. “Can we swim at all? I mean, if the dolphins are gonna see us as some kind of hostile intruder, will we have to stay on-board?”
“Of course not. I’ll take you to a good spot to swim. I know these waters better than I know the land. I’m gonna head down to do my standard checks before we set sail. Come and join me whenever you’re ready,” Gus said, and headed off down to the jetty to start preparations for our day.
We both stood, silently watching him leave, then Cill turned to pick up a rucksack that lay on the floor nearby. He’d changed out of his signature jeans and replaced them with black swimming shorts and a T-shirt. He topped off his cool look with a pair of aviator sunglasses resting on his head.
“I would’ve gone full-onBaywatchon your ass and worn my red swimming trunks, but I thought it might be too much for our first date.” He smirked, securing the rucksack on his back.
