by M R Field
“Make sure you get some photos with me before you go. I have my studio over there.” Anja points to the adjacent room to the side.
“Oh, cool. Can I check it out?”
“You sure can.” A smile slowly appears on her face, and I stand, making my way over to the
door. I’m not really sure I like the idea of a camera in my face, but if Letty wants it—.
“What the hell?” I’d completely forgotten what type of photographer she is. There is a
massive four-poster bed, with black crepe draping down the top falling between each post, matching the black and gold bedspread. A grey and black antique couch is in in the corner with various props on it—scarves, feather boas, and fake fur rugs. There is a small white armchair in the other corner.
“I can change the bedspread, too.” Anja appears next to me, her eyes alight with mischief. “Letty can be bending behind you with a whip if you like?”
I pull at the collar at my neck, thinking Letty doing anything to me would be pretty fucking hot. We spent last night talking. While Anja’s photo idea sounds fun, we don’t need an audience when we’re together again.
“Do couples really do that?” I ask stupidly, considering all the lace and frills on that couch.
“Absolutely. But we have nice candid shots, too. Here.” She reaches to the shelves near the door and hands me an album. “Take a look.”
I take the leather-bound book and walk over to the couch. What can it hurt? Couples looking at each other lying on a bed? Can’t be that bad, surely? She’s joking about the whips. Right?
A short while later, I’m mesmerised by what I’m seeing. Those pics are unbelievable and ballsy.
“Oh, you’re looking at her photos! How great are they?” Letty’s voice startles me, and I slam the book shut like an embarrassed schoolboy, but I’m not ashamed. Far from it. More like, enlightened, mentally calculating where I can buy Letty some of the black and red lace I’ve seen in the album. Holy fuck, those shots are hot.
I look up and see Letty wearing a black fitted, knee-length dress that has a frill across her bare shoulders, dipping low at her cleavage.
We spent the night talking but nothing too physical. As much as I wanted us to reconnect on all levels, I didn’t want to screw it up by smothering her. But in that dress, it’s making me regret not revisiting what was under it. What a fucking hot dress.
“Anja convinced me it was a good idea.” She pulls at the hem, leaning forward and showing me more of her delicious breasts, causing me to groan. She bites her lip, her curls swaying by her neck. “It is too much?”
“It makes me a bad person, but all I want to do is take you back to your room and make you miss your exhibition.” I shift the album to the side and stand, cupping her face. “You look amazing and so sexy. I want to kiss those cherry lips, but I won’t stop if I do.” I lean into her ear to whisper, “You’re in my room tonight, baby. Let’s see how messy I can make those lips.” She shivers, and I rub her hip. “I fucking loved those photos.”
I kiss under her ear before I help her get into her heavy coat. “Let’s go. It’s your night tonight.”
She twirls a scarf around her neck, and she couldn’t look anymore adorable if she tried. Get her to the gallery, stat.
She grabs my hand and says, “I loved those photos, too … great idea.”
She squeezes my hand and winks at me. I cough to cover my groan.
Odette and Anja are on our heels as we make our way to the gallery. I can’t wait to see her display.
Walking around the gallery, my chest is full of pride. If I’m honest, her art is among other high calibre pieces. I haven’t had to ask her what some of these pieces mean, as this time they seem to make more sense to me. I don’t feel like a disrespectful dumbarse.
“Oh my God, Cole,” she breathes next to me. “Did you see those white stickers? They’re on all of my pieces! People bought them!” Her cheeks are flushed, as her hand grips my hand tighter.
“Of course they are; they’re amazing.” I squeeze her lightly back. Her three pieces are copper panels, each with an image sketched in there. They hang side by side, showing the progression of the same figure within each frame. I thought her shells were impressive, but these are the next level up. “When did you do these?”
“That weekend you came over to my folks’ house,” she admits, turning into me to hide her face. “I was so frustrated, I spent that weekend taking it out on the metal sheets, then making the shells. They’re lucky they survived.”
I look at each piece, and they are of the same side profile, each face with a different emotion. The title of Lost Boy seems fitting. The first is of a young man, and with a smile on his face. The etching of a wave is behind him. It travels through each canvas becoming more turbulent toward the end. The second and third portraits are of the same man, but aged and with hard lines across his brow and jaw, showing his anger. There’s no sign of the youthful, happy guy at all.
“I was angry that the boy I grew up with was gone,” she admits, and my gut drops.
“I’m back, I promise.” I kiss her forehead and stare at each picture. Each etching is like a photograph. “They’re still amazing, and if anything, a little piece of immortality, telling me to never be that guy again.”
“I know.” She hesitates. “Did you sneak away and buy these?” She tenses at my side, but I’m quick to reassure her.
“Nope. I didn’t buy anything, tonight. Been here by your side the whole time.” She relaxes, taking a deep breath, and I continue, “The other ones in cabinets are sold, too. I just bought that painting over there, yesterday when I googled what was on display. I got in contact and made the purchase.” I indicate that vase of abstract tulips I know my mum will love.
“I can’t believe it.” Her free hand reaches her lips in bewilderment. “They like my work!”
“We love your work!” Henri, who I was introduced to before, approaches us. “I’m just sad I missed my chance to buy them.” He points to the canvases of me. “I want something like this in my home.”
“I can draw up some sketches,” Letty offers instantly, and Henri grins.
“Great. Then I’ll buy them and ship them over.”
Letty bites her lip as she shifts on her feet excitedly. “I’ll get onto it right away.”
“No.” Henri shakes his head. “Don’t rush perfection. Enjoy your time in our beautiful gallery, and we’ll talk later.” He reaches forward and holds out his hand. “It was a pleasure to have you come, Letty. I expect to see more of your work here.”
“Thanks,” she gushes as he nods at me and walks away.
“See? They love your work just as much as I do.” I grab her hand and she turns, throwing her arms around me, her chest jiggling, causing me to focus on her face. Fuck. Settle down, horn dog.
“I’m so happy!” she squeals, and I lean down to kiss her lips.
“I’m so proud of you.” I stare at her jubilant face and tell her, “Whatever you want to do with this, I’ll support you. If you don’t want to work for me anymore and want to do this, I’ll be your biggest advocate.” Her face softens, and I can’t wait any longer. I had this moment played out in my mind for later tonight by the harbour, but the words slip out. “I love you, Letty.”
“That was meant to be my line!” She jerks in surprise, but her grin turns into a playful frown, her mirth-filled eyes giving her away. “I was going to tell you when we were at dinner later.” She pulls out the broken shell from her clutch with I love you scratched in the inner shell. “Corny, I know, but I couldn’t help it.”
“Now that should be on display somewhere,” I declare, drawing her closer to me, ignoring the stares of those around us. “You can still have your moment if you want. I was going to tell you looking out at the harbour. You could pretend to find the shell in the sand.”
“While freezing our arses off?” She tilts her chin at me, and I realise what an idiotic idea that would’ve been.
; “We would’ve stuck together,” I joke. “Frozen our noses off.”
“I think I’d rather go have a moment in your hotel room to be honest.” A slow smile spreads across her cherry lips, and my skin heats. What this woman does to me....
My voice lowers. “I think I want to mess up your lipstick.”
We quickly look around the room, make eye contact with Odette, and point to the exit, hoping she understands that we’re leaving and that she doesn’t need to follow. Anja passes us, carrying two glasses of wine, and grins mischievously.
“Have fun, pets,” she sing-songs, and Letty giggles.
“Oh, we intend to.” I lean into her and say, “I think we’ll re-enact what that couple in ivory lace on the couch did.”
“And the one with the lace suspenders,” Letty offers, and I grunt, pulling her out with me faster, giving Anja a wave.
We barely make it through my hotel room door before pulling our clothes off. I proceed to use at least three different images for inspiration.
Later, in the early hours of morning, a sated Letty rolls over in our bed, showing me that I don’t need to rely on external inspiration. We’re pretty fucking spectacular all on our own.
Letty
Three months later
I tear my T-shirt over my head and throw it at my feet. Adrenaline prickles my skin as I run my finger along the strap laced around my neck and stare eagerly at Cole. With a naughty smile, he curls his fingers under the hem of his shirt and lifts it slowly up over his head, tossing it on the ground next to mine. I tuck my fingers into my shorts and push them down over my hips, bending to slide them to my feet. I kick them to where our clothes lie and take a moment to run my eyes over Cole’s body.
I like this game. Every ridge, every muscle, every inch of him sends heat all over my body, and my fingers itch to reach out and touch him. I want to run my tongue against his collarbone and let it travel over his chest, down his abdomen, to his hard—.
“If you keep staring at me, we won’t get to do this.” His voice is heavily laden with lust, and I’m almost tempted to say screw it all, or better yet, screw him.
“I’m down for that,” I challenge, putting a hand on my hip, puffing my chest out and enjoying the flare in his eyes. Breasts can make you get away with anything.
“Hold that thought.” His finger reaches up to my nose, and he taps it. “I want to do this.”
My chest deflates, and I nod.
“You want to take me the long or short way?” I bat my eyelashes to taunt him further.
He groans and adjusts his shorts.
I wink. “Let’s go the short way. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can do that thing with your tongue you did this morning after you flipped me over.”
“Oh, you liked that, did you? I can do that. After.”
“Are you ready?” I hold my hand out, and he flinches slightly. “We can go another day,” I offer, but he shakes his head.
“No way, I’m not backing out.” He moves from foot to foot, shaking his body, hands at his side. He jumps a few more times on the spot before adjusting his shorts again, turning his back to me. It’s not like I haven’t seen him undressed before, but I turn my head to the other side to give him some privacy, as he seems more scared than ever. Yet, this was his decision. I haven’t seen Cole this on edge for a long time. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.
“You sure?” I prod, and he moves his hand in the air with his thumb up for the all okay.
“I’m ready when you are,” I say quickly, to try to diffuse his nerves. “I can’t wait to see how the caves look. It’s been too long. I might find a shell for Mum.”
I turn and find him adjusting the pockets at his side. He smiles sheepishly at me. My brave man is trying to not look petrified at the thought of jumping off our cliff. His hand darts out, and he leans down to my lips.
“I love you. Let’s do this.” He pulls me toward the edge and gives my hand two squeezes.
“On the count of three…,” he says.
We stand at the edge, the swirls of the blue ocean clapping against the rock edges underneath us.
“One, two, … THREE!”
We launch into the air, Cole’s hand gripping mine, his scream roaring while I laugh hysterically as the euphoric rush soars through my veins. We fall deeper and deeper, crashing into the freezing waves.
“I can’t believe how long it’s been since we’ve done this,” I say as I lean against Cole’s side, sitting on the edge of the cave, our legs moving back and forward in the water. I wriggle my toes and giggle at how bright my toe polish looks.
“Too long.” His arm tightens around me and I turn my head, smiling into his eyes.
“I love you.” I kiss him softly. “Even if you still scream like a banshee when you leap off the cliff.”
“I like to think that I’m testing acoustics.” He tickles my ribs before shifting to stand up, making sure to keep his head bent so as not to hit his head. “Speaking of acoustics, let’s explore the caves.”
He holds his hand out for me to take, and I stand carefully to follow through. We step carefully against the rough surface, and I run my free hand over the curve of the wall, marvelling at the light coming through the other side. All the edges of the cave are illuminated as my fingers trace them. I need to sketch these surfaces. They are fascinating.
“Those were the best times of my childhood, exploring these caves with you,” Cole admits, as we walk around the small cave. My chest warms at the sentiment.
“Mine too.” I squeeze his hand. “It was our own private place. I never understood why Parker and Odette hated walking through here.”
“Because we talked about how cool they were and probably ignored them while we were little explorers.”
“Yeah, probably.” I grin. We continue to step carefully, moving toward the cave exit closest to the ocean front. The afternoon tide is beginning to rise, which sends a melancholic twinge in my stomach, as we’ll have to go home soon.
“So many times we lost track of time just being here,” Cole mutters, his face turning toward the side of the cave. “It was our own little world.”
“Sure was.” We stop at the edge of the cave and watch the horizon for a few moments. I pick up a few loose stones, and roll them around between my fingers.
“Bliss.” I close my eyes and breathe in the sea air, enjoying the breeze against my face. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect moment.”
“What’s that over there?” Cole shifts at my side, letting go of my hand. I open my eyes and watch him walk over to the back of the cave. He bends down and picks something up and turns, facing me, holding it up. My eyes widen. It’s a large abalone shell.
“Oh, wow!” I squeal, squeezing the stones in my hand. “Can I please see?”
Turning around quickly to the cool water, I toss the stones back into the ocean. I turn and startle, finding Cole directly behind me. He shifts the shell in his hand, and it makes a scraping noise.
“Oh no.” I grimace, “is it broken?”
I look at the edges and don’t see any damage until he shifts his thumb to something sparkling underneath.
His other hand reaches in and draws out a white-gold ring with a large diamond on it. My breath catches, my hand touching my chest. He bends down and places the shell on the ground, muttering, “So glad we got here before the tide got in. I was worried it’d wash my plan away.”
“Oh, my God,” I gush, “is that a…?”
“I was planning to be on one knee.” His eyes look to the scratchy rock face under our feet and back to me. “But I thought you wouldn’t mind.”
“Nope, not at all,” I utter quickly, clasping my hands together, trying but failing to remain composed.
“Leticia,” Cole begins, and my feet still their movement and I frown. He winks and mutters, “Just kidding.”
I roll my eyes as he chuckles.
“Letty, I loved you when I was too young to understand what love was. You
were always in my view. You’re all I see. I’d jump this cliff a thousand times over if it meant I was doing it by your side.”
My heart threatens to break out of my chest, as I feel the build-up of emotion in my throat. I don’t stop the tears that threaten to fall down my face. I let them cascade happily.
“Letty, will you please marry me?” His eyes stare straight into mine, and I jump on the spot, too excited to stand still and not caring that I might fall; I know he’ll catch me.
“Yes, of course I will!” I grab his face and kiss him, feeling the wet tears glide down my cheeks. He kisses me back, his smile against my lips.
“I love you so much,” I mumble against his lips.
Cole’s hand finds mine, and I feel him move the ring to my finger. I break away and look down at the ring. It’s gorgeous. A marquise-cut, surrounded by smaller diamonds that travel down the edges of the band. I turn my trembling hand from side to side, and it catches in the light. It sparkles, and my lip trembles.
“It’s beautiful.” My voice wavers, “it fits perfectly, too.”
“I may have borrowed one of your dress rings and hoped for the best,” he admits, and I chuckle.
“How’s that for your grand gesture?” He lifts my hand and kisses it. My knees buckle.
“You nailed it.” I curl my hand in his, and he stares down at the ring, smiling as I tilt it back and forth, the both of us watching the light catch it. “Was the ring in the cave?”
“No, my pocket. I panicked as we jumped off the cliff, as I didn’t check to see if there were any holes.”
I burst out laughing and wrap my arms around him, bringing his body against mine. “Any excuse to not admit you were scared about falling. What am I going to do with you?” I chuckle, enjoying the mirth in his gaze.
“Marry me and let me give you a great life.”
“Done.” His lips touch mine, and he kisses me tenderly.
I know I love this man as much he loves me. Every part of my soul wants a lifetime with him. As our lips touch, I know without a hesitation our future together will be wonderful.
