As I take in the beautiful scene before me; the blue sky and turquoise waters, I can’t help but think this is a perfect picture.
“Beautiful day,” Gabe says, almost as if he’s been reading my mind. “Couldn’t get any better than this.”
I sigh at his words. “It is.”
We sit in silence for a while, taking it all in.
“And to think,” he says, turning to me. “We almost fucked it all up.”
My heart sinks. I don’t need to ask him what he’s talking about — I obviously know. We have our own language, he and I.
“I don’t know what we were thinking,” he goes on. “We have an amazing life…a perfect family.”
Every single word cuts me to the core. We do.
We did.
I close my eyes, trying to calm myself. I’m breathing too fast again. The open skies seem to close in on me. The remorse is sending me into full panic mode.
I jump up. “I’m going to go watch them more closely,” I say, not quite looking at him.
“They’re fine.”
“I know. I just want to say ‘hi’”.
And with a heavy heart, I sink my feet into the hot sand.
It’s been said that there’s not too much to do on Pelee Island, but we manage to cram in quite a few activities, and more than a special moment or two.
We go canoeing in the marshes, all four of us tucked into bright red life jackets. My arms grow tired really quickly, and I remind myself I need to shape up. Gabe does most of the work. He doesn’t need much assistance — he’s all strength and stamina. I enjoy the view. And I’m not just talking about the marsh.
We eat at the wonderful Anchor & Wheel Inn, and check out the beautiful lighthouse and make our way to the sand spit at the southern tip of the island, and take in a gorgeous sunset. We don’t go for a tour of the famous Pelee Island Wineries because I know that’s not Gabe’s cup of tea. No, that would be more of a Weston thing, I can’t help but think.
The trip is bittersweet, filled with beautiful moments. I’m the only one who knows this will be our last trip together. And I struggle to keep up the pretense because it’s the least I can do for them.
Gabe and I have only had sex once. Still, it’s all I can think about on our last day. Because I know that soon, we’ll be back home and he’ll most likely leave me once he knows my secret.
This will probably our last chance to ever make love, I realize as I tuck myself in the crook of his arm, staring up at the wooden beams overhead. I trail my hand along his bare torso, warming the tip of my fingers against his hot skin.
Gabe takes my hand in his. “We’ve had a great week, haven’t we?” he asks. “I’m so glad we did this.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Me too,” I say, looking up at him. I sit up and press myself close against the length of his body, smothering him. I want to get as close as I can. I press my lips against his.
The sound of his laughter vibrates against my mouth. “You’re a frisky little bunny this week,” he breathes. “I like it when you can’t get enough of me.”
My hands are already working the tie of his checkered lounging pants. “I want to make love tonight,” I whisper against his ear. And as I explore further, I see he’s already willing and able.
He toys with the thin strap of my silk nightie. “What Mrs. Keates wants…she gets.”
He trails his finger along the embroidered flowers lining the neckline of my slip. “This is nice,” he whispers. “It’s almost a shame to take it off.”
I smile. “But I want you to.”
He drags his hand to the hem and slides it up against my thigh. “Me too. I absolutely want you naked,” he says with a cheeky smirk.
He pulls the nightie over my head. The sensation of the smooth silk is heavenly against my skin. He pulls me to him and takes my breast in his mouth. He’s gentle tonight. I feel my body warm at the feel of his wet tongue on me. I close my eyes and bury my face in his soft hair.
Familiarity is a wicked bitch — it makes you forget what you really love. I’d forgotten how much I desire him. I’ve taken him for granted.