“Good morning, beautiful." He kissed her on the forehead. "You wore me out last night."
I'll try and take it easier on you today." She sat up, sprawling her naked legs across his torso. Her plump lips grazed his neck. "Ready for round two?" she whispered in his ear.
The light shone in behind her, almost making her look angelic on top of him. He could stay there forever staring at her, but he had plans. He stroked her cheek. "We should be getting up.”
“What, no more sex?” She pulled back and pouted.
“Oh, there’s plenty of time for that later, but I have something special planned.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Ok, I'm intrigued.”
“It's a surprise. Go get cleaned up. We’ll grab some brunch first.”
Tori showered and dressed as quickly as possible. She came out wearing a thin white dress. Her shoulder-length hair was in a low ponytail with that a sexy, little straw fedora.
As she moved closer, he could make out the red lines of her bikini under the sheer fabric. He whistled, appreciating the view. “God. You’re so damn sexy.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her.
She returned the embrace then pulled back. “Ready?” She walked to the chair where she’d left her shoulder bag. “Mind leading me? The cane draws a lot of attention that I don’t want to deal with.” She put on her aviators. “I want to stay incognito.” She gave a playful smile and held out her hand, waiting for him to grab it.
“Babe, cane or no cane, you still will attract the attention of everyone in the room, especially wearing that,” he admired, "but it will be my pleasure.” He kissed her as she grabbed his bicep.
“Am I dressed inappropriately for brunch?”
“No way. I appreciate that you’re mildly slutty.”
When they arrived, the server ushered them to a table on the deck outside with a spectacular view of the ocean. Scott took her hand and placed it on the back of the chair. Scott was right; the young man couldn't keep his eyes off Tori as he read them the specials and took their order.
“So,” Tori piped up, "any hints on where we’re headed?" She placed her napkin on her lap.
“Nope.” He folded his hands in front of him. “I told you it was a surprise.”
She let out a sigh. “Well, then tell me about this place. Describe it to me in detail. I want to picture it in my head.” She rested her chin lazily on her hand.
“We are sitting on a covered deck surrounded by palm trees and tropical greenery. Then, if you follow the white sand out about twenty yards, you have the shore. The water is so clear that you can see to the bottom, and the sky is a light blue, like the color of your eyes.”
She smiled, the corner of her mouth twitching when she did it. That was her tell. She was holding back. "Sounds breathtaking. I want to feel the sand in my toes. Promise to take me out there later?"
“I promise.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
Scott glanced at his watch after they finished breakfast. “We have a little time, let’s take a longer route.” Instead of heading right on the paved path to the bungalow, he took a left and went toward the shore. He stopped where the path ended. “Take off your sandals.”
“Can you get your leg wet?" Tori removed her shoes and tossed them in her bag. Scott threw his in there, as well.
“Yeah, it’s the blade.” He wore that one because he knew it would be better in the sand for traction. “As long as we don’t go too deep, we’re good." He held her hand and led her out to where the water was lapping over their feet.
She let out a pleasant sigh, digging her toes deep into the sand. "That feels so good."
“You enjoying this?”
“Immensely." She turned toward him and frowned. “Why the sudden droop in your voice?”
He looked out toward the spectacular view that she couldn't see, and his heart shattered. He paused for a moment, considering his words. "I’ve been planning this trip for months. I wanted to make sure you’re having a good time.” He gently stroked his thumb across the top of her knuckles.
Her mouth curled further downward, seeing right through his words.
“Just because I can't see the view doesn't mean that I won’t still find the beauty in it.” She let go of his hand and reached toward his face. "Close your eyes." She gently pressed down on his eyelids. “No peeking,” she charged. “Ok, now take a deep breath.”
He sucked in the salty air. “Now tell me what you see.”
“The inside of my eyelids.” He laughed and she poked him in the stomach.
“Stop.” She giggled. "Seriously. Go deeper. What do your other senses tell you?"
“Ok.” He shook his shoulders to regain his composure. "I hear the water and the waves."
“Right, that one’s easy. Listen more, and you can distinguish the depth of them. For instance, listen to the ones lapping over our feet. The salt water makes almost a little sizzle as it streams across the sand and pulls back out. Farther out, you can hear the roar of the louder ones across the expanse.”
He listened. It was spectacular, and he’d never noticed that before. “I hear it.”
“Now what do you feel?”
“Sand in my toes, the ones I have left, at least.” He smirked and Tori chuckled, too. “Water wrapping around my ankle.”
She filled in the rest for him. “The sun is still in the east, not risen to the center. It's warmer to my right than to my left. The wind is blowing from the north. It carries the scent of the ocean, the salt, the fish. It's clean and fresh. The cool mist of the ocean prickles my skin.”
He opened his eyes and looked at her, soaking it all in. She was seeing the beauty of it, just in her own way.
She gave him a faint smile. “I hate being blind. Some days, I miss seeing so much my heart aches. I miss color and beauty and ugly, but dwelling on that will do me no good, so I’m trying hard to find the beauty in life in other ways.”
They continued their walk, hand in hand, quietly for a few moments. “I was in a really bad place for the first few months, once reality of permanent blindness set in. There were days I wished I died, I longed for it. I contemplated things.” This was everything he’d suspected but the way she said “things” caused a chill to run up his spine. “Things that terrify me now to think about, but I decided I want to live, and can live, even without sight. My question is, can you?”
“What do you mean?” Scott’s heart stopped a bit at the question and how candid she was being. Tori didn’t usually talk this openly. “If anyone knows what it’s like to live with a disability, it’s me.”
“Scott, this is different than missing a leg.”
He couldn’t argue because he knew it was true.
“I don’t want to diminish your struggles, but in the world of disabilities, mine is more crippling, and you know it. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d give both my legs to have my sight back, but that’s never going to happen. Ever.”
“It doesn’t matter Tori—”
“I know you say it doesn't bother you, but I can see it does, Scott.”
“Tori, it’s not like that… I just…” I just need to grieve it, as well. She hadn’t let him do that with her. She shut him out for all those months.
“Scott. It will become a bitch to deal with. It’ll invade every aspect of our lives. How many times over the past several days have you been protecting me from myself? How much of our time was spent teaching me the room, describing obstacles, making sure things were picked up before we could chill? You haven't even been around me on one of my bad days yet—the days I'm pissed off and bitter. The days where I smack into a door, and people gawk and whisper.”
“As if I’ve never had that,” he huffed. Scott was used to strangers ogling his prosthetic over the years.
“Let me finish.” She let out a huge sigh, stopped, and turned toward him. “My heart wants you. I’m trying hard to give it to you.” She lifted her hand to his cheek and rubbed her
fingers across his lips, leaning in and gently kissing him. “I need you to consider it all. If it becomes too much, I understand. I’m giving you a get out of jail free card. I want you to realize what you’re getting into with me.”
Scott didn't need to think about it. “Tori, I’ve loved you for ten years now. I want all of you—every bit. The good and the bad, because, babe, with you, there’s too much damn good to let you slip through my fingers.” He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in close to his face. “I want a life with you. I know it's going to be challenging, but hell, you should know more than anyone, I have the grit and sense of humor to tackle it.” He held her cheek and kissed her deeply. "Not to mention, if I let you go, I’d be throwing away a lifetime of the most mind-blowing sex imaginable. What kind of idiot would turn that down?”
She grinned. “Fucking is one thing we do extremely well.”
“Damn straight.” He looked at his watch. “You ready for my little surprise?”
“Absolutely.”
They made a run back to their bungalow for Scott to grab another prosthetic, then headed to the opposite side of the resort, walking into the enclosed area where their trainers would meet them for his little adventure he had planned. A young lady and man came out to meet Scott and Tori. Both were dressed in wetsuits, dripping with water.
“Hi. You must be Scott and Tori.” The short, young, blond girl addressed Scott first, shaking his hand. “I’m Anna, and this is Neil. We’ll be your trainers for your swim today.”
“Nice to meet you.” Tori said, still confused about what they were about to do.
“We’ll just need get you into your wetsuits, then we can introduce you to our buddies Kiki and Lalo.” Anna explained.
“Buddies?” Tori’s eyebrow raised.
Scott smiled and grinned at Neil. “I kept it a surprise. I guess we can tell her now.” He nodded to them.
“Kiki and Lalo are our dolphins here at the resort research center. We’re going to let you get up close and personal with them,” Neil explained.
Tori beamed. “Oh, how fun!”
“Tori, I’ll show you into the locker room and get you fitted for your wetsuit.” Anna took Tori’s arm. “Scott will go with Neil.”
Neil looked over at Scott. “Nice hardware you’ve got there.” Neil nodded to the artificial swim leg Scott was holding. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty badass. Check it out.” Scott held it up to show Neil. “It’s not for public issue yet, still a prototype I’m the guinea pig on. It’s a silicone exterior with the stiffer parts made of recycled polypropylene.” It looked like something out of a science fiction movie. The back was slightly open, allowing for water directional flow, with bands leading down to a flexible ankle, attaching to a fin. “It has some drag issues, but it’s better than anything else I’ve tried so far, and it at least lets me support my weight and stand in the water.”
“Sweet.” Neil handed it back to Scott. “Let’s get it on and try it out.”
Both parties came out a few moments later, dressed and ready for their swim. Anna held Tori’s arm and instructed her. “There are three steps until you’re in the shallow end of the pool. It extends about three/four feet out and fairly wide across. Careful, because there’s a big drop-off right after that.”
Tori got in and Scott followed. The water was warm and came up about waist deep. Anna held both Tori’s hands to steady her. Scott rubbed her back to reassure her he was right there.
“Kiki is our youngest dolphin,” Neil began. “She was the first baby born here at the preserve.” He made a signal, summoning Kiki over. Kiki came charging in the direction of Neil's voice and swam close, splashing water all over them.
Tori squealed. “She is very playful and a little stubborn,” Neil added.
Anna shouted a command at Kiki, and she did a flip, spraying them once again. “Good girl, Kiki.” She tossed her a fish and patted Kiki on the head as the dolphin rubbed her legs. “Each of you may feed and pet her if you like.” She held the bucket to Scott first. He grabbed a fish and tossed it to Kiki. Scott palmed another fish and slapped it into Tori's hand, and she grimaced. He chuckled inwardly, knowing full well fish freaked her out.
Neil chimed in, “Just hold out the fish, and she’ll take it. She's gentle, I promise.”
Tori did as instructed. Kiki brushed against her and took the treat from her, Neil placed Tori’s left hand on the Dolphin’s head. “Try and avoid her blow hole and her eyes.”
“Oh wow!” Tori bubbled with excitement. “She's so soft, not slimy or anything. It feels like a hard-boiled egg.” Scott pet the dolphin. Kiki rolled over, exposing her belly, enjoying all the attention.
“Ok, Tori, I want you to hold both your hands out, palms facing up toward the sky,” Neil instructed her. “Kiki dance,” he commanded. Kiki placed both her flippers on Tori's hands.
“Oh my God. That's fantastic!” Tori squealed and scrunched her nose in a cute smile. Scott’s heart warmed watching her.
“Why don't you try, Scott?” Anna asked as Kiki made a circle around her.
“Ok.” Scott held his palms out and gave the order. Kiki ignored him, swam back over to Tori, and brushed against her legs.
Tori held her palms out again and forcefully said, “Kiki dance.” The dolphin did as commanded. They all laughed at her stubborn refusal to do anything for Scott.
“I think she likes you a bit more, Tori,” Anna teased.
“She's feisty like me.”
Scott smirked and crossed his arms. “She's just jealous of my fin,” he scoffed.
A few moments later, they called for their other dolphin, Lalo, to come over, and they learned a few more of the commands the trainers had taught the Dolphins. Lalo was gentle and took to Scott.
“At least you like me, don't you, Lalo?” Scott rubbed her on her backside and leaned down toward her face. Lalo pushed her nose up to Scott's face and gave him a peck on the lips. “She kissed me,” he boasted to Tori. “You may have some competition here for my affection.”
Neil grinned at Scott. “Ok, Tori, you try and kiss Kiki. She seems to like you a lot.”
“She wouldn't be the first girl to like me,” Tori chimed playfully, which caused Neil and Anna to smile and blush. Scott rolled his eyes at Tori’s lack of tact. His woman had no shame whatsoever. Tori bent down and placed her hand on Kiki’s head. Neil gave the command, and Kiki kissed Tori.
“All right,” Anna chimed in. "You ready for your swim?"
Neil opted to go with Tori since she was not as strong of a swimmer as Scott was. Once out in the deep, they were instructed on how to hold on to the fins and straddle them without hurting the Dolphins.
With the command to go and one fell swoop, they were raised up out of the water and swam on the Dolphins backside to the beach.
The trainers came over and helped them get back on their feet.
“The force and rush of the power was amazing!” Tori beamed from ear to ear. She had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen, and he was so damn glad he put that grin on her face.
They posed for a photo with the dolphins as the last part of the adventure.
They walked hand in hand toward the bungalow. “That was unbelievable.” Tori stopped and faced Scott, pushing her wet hair out of her face.
“I’m glad you liked it.” He swung her hands in his. “It was fun, wasn't it?”
“It was more than fun. It was an experience of a lifetime. That's the most fun I've had since…” Tears of joy welled in her eyes. “Thank you,” she mustered to say.
He kissed her. “Anything for you, gorgeous.”
Footsteps shuffled, rolling wheels whizzed past her, and flight announcements blared over the loudspeaker. Tori grew dizzy from the sensory overload as they waited in the long line. It was Sunday, and the airport was a zoo with everyone heading home from their weekend travels.
“Next!” The agent called.
“We’re
up.” Scott nudged Tori. She already had her cane in one hand, carry-on strapped on her shoulder, and her ID and boarding pass in her other hand. She knew there was an extra-long line of passengers behind her, which made beads of sweat stick to her skin.
Scott and Tori walked to the counter.
“Boarding pass and ID?” The lady at the counter said gruffly. Tori could tell from her tone she must be having a rough day. Scott went first, then Tori handed over her items. The agent let out a hmmmpph as she inspected Tori’s documents.
“Is there a problem?” Tori asked.
“Why do you have a driver’s license if you’re blind?” the agent snorted.
“Well, it's the last form of identification I had before I lost my vision.” Tori gritted her teeth. “I’ve never had an issue with it in the past,” Tori said as if she’d taken dozens of flights since she lost her vision and was a pro. This was only her second trip, but this lady didn’t know that.
“Why didn’t you ask for disabled assistance through the line?”
“It’s my right as a visually impaired person to determine what level of assistance I need,” Tori bit.
“You don't look blind. You look perfectly normal,” the lady said smugly.
Tori's cheeks grew hot, but she tried to keep her composure. "That's because I am normal. I just can't see,” she spat back, lifting her aviators to the top of her head. That should do the trick. “I don’t know what you expect a blind person to look like, lady. Want to examine my eyes to be certain? See how my pupils don’t react to light?”
The woman was quiet for a beat.
“Fine,” she finally huffed.
“Tori, she’s holding your documents. You need to grab them,” Scott whispered to her.
Tori held out her hand as the lady placed her ID and boarding pass in her hand. Tori yanked them from her.
Scott grabbed Tori’s arm, pulling her over to the scanner line. The bucket clanked to the metal in front of her.
Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One) Page 28
