never got close to anyone. I don’t know why, I’ve had a pretty perfect life really; but I could never bring myself to commit in anyway to another person. I thought I was sick or something.” He pauses, still not meeting me gaze, I stay silent for fear that any interruption might stop him in his tracks, “My family tease me about it and to begin with it was all just a big joke, but my friends all started to settle down and I tried, I really tried, but I just couldn’t trust them; just couldn’t bring myself to let my guard down, so eventually I just gave up trying. And then you came along.” He finally looks up at me shyly.
“You changed everything, when I first saw you I just wanted you, but then the more time I’ve spent with you, the more I can’t stand being away from you. I’ve never pined for anyone until I met you; even right now I miss you, I actually miss you, I can’t get enough of you, I want you in my arms every minute of every day.”
Fresh tears start to fall again, as he lifts me into his lap and wipes them from my face. In my head I’m screaming out loud,‘I love you, I love you Carlos. It was love at first sight’ but the words won’t form in my throat, instead I lean in, locking my lips with his, hoping he will sense my unspoken words.
It’s gone 14.00 by the time we get back to the resort, as soon as we step into the lobby we are approached by the head of security who gives Carlos a more detailed run down of the mornings events since we’ve been away. He speaks in Spanish so I don’t understand and Carlos does not reveal anything after, so I trust that it’s something I do not want to know.
We walk hand in hand out towards the apartments, but as I turn to head to my room, he stops, “I was thinking, after all this, maybe you would move into my place?” he asks, suddenly seeming so unsure of himself.
“Really?” I’m taken aback, “but I’ve never even been there? I was starting to think you didn’t really live here?” I tease, making him smile.
“Well I do, so what do you think?”
“I think that would be perfect, I just need to pack up my things though” I say, turning again towards my room, I find myself stopped by his hold still.
“There’s no need, Mari has already done it and had it delivered to my place” he says, with a sly grin.
“What? But you didn’t even know I’d agree to it?”
“I know, I’m sorry, but after what happened to you, I wasn’t planning on giving you a choice” he says tenderly, wrapping me in his arms.
“Well when you put it like that…..” moving to tip toes I give him a lighthearted smooch, formally sealing the deal.
His home is behind the guest blocks, shielded from view by a line of tall trees, the front of the house facing away from the resort. It is a modest house on two levels, with a balcony leading out from one of the upstairs rooms. Sand coloured walls, with a terracotta tiled roof and a patio area to the left side of the building.
“Do you share this with anyone?” I ask, assuming he lives with some of the staff.
“Nope, just little old me, apart from my family, you will be the first other person to step foot in the place.”
I smile inwardly, a warmth spreading through me, knowing how huge this must be for him, and it’s all just for me.
He opens the door, letting me proceed into the house first, the room is vast, with an open kitchen at the far end. It is typically Mexican with a bright red tiled floor and yellow walls adorned with various colourful wall hangings and paintings.
The furniture is a stark contrast however, very minimal and cold, the walls invite you in to a warm family home, but the furniture warns you not to make yourself comfortable.
The kitchen is equally sparse, black shiny cupboards, with smooth surfaces and no discernible way of opening them. A harsh, stainless steel sink sits amongst black marble surfaces, clear from any clutter.
“What do you think?” he asks, before I’ve quite formulated my thoughts on the place.
“Erm…..it’s…..different” is the best I can manage.
His face falls “You don’t like it, do you?”
I instantly regret it and attempt to