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His voice was thick when he spoke. ‘I have no intention of it,’ he promised. ‘How do you feel?’
‘How do you think?’ she whispered.
He reached out for her hand but she stepped backwards. ‘Please, don’t,’ she said softly. ‘I...’ What? What could she say? ‘I just want to forget today ever happened.’
‘I’m sorry to say that is not possible. At least, not for me.’
She groaned, mortification chewing through her.
‘Come and eat something.’
‘No, thank you.’
‘You will feel better in the morning if you go to bed with food in your stomach.’
‘Please,’ she said sharply. ‘It was two glasses of wine. I’m hardly hungover. I just need privacy.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Eat something and I will leave you alone.’
‘Are you bribing me with food?’
He shrugged. ‘It is your choice.’
Her stomach twisted. She was actually hungry. ‘Okay,’ she said ungratefully. ‘Fine.’
He turned on his heel and walked towards the front of the cabin, holding the door open for her.
The night was as balmy as it was beautiful. A thick blanket of stars danced overhead, and the sky was as dark as an inkpot. Streaks of cloud ran like frail fingers towards the moon.
‘Here.’ He handed her a plate and she looked at it with an unimpressed frown.
‘Crackers?’
‘Just something light.’
She wrinkled her nose but, truth be told, she wasn’t sure she could stomach anything else. She sat down and curled her knees under her chin, biting into a biscuit while her eyes roamed the ocean.
She ate, and silence surrounded them but for the occasional sound of a night bird and the throbbing of the ocean. Once the plate was emptied, she stood again.
‘I’m going to bed. Unless you have any objections?’
‘Not a one,’ he replied. ‘Sweet dreams, cara.’
The words followed her all the way down the hallway, mocking her.
She’d have sweet dreams, all right, and they both knew who’d be starring in them.
* * *
The air smelled different when she woke.
The light had changed too.
Her room felt thick and damp. She turned over in bed, angling her body towards the window. It had blown open during the night and mist had burst in, wrapping around her.
‘Lightning,’ she said to herself, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
It was raining heavily, the sound of it falling on the roof adding to the depth of the ocean’s thunder. A tremor of emotion built inside of her. Thunderstorms had always stirred strong feelings in her, even as a girl.
