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Maybe he's right about that. Sometimes I feel like an idiot, the way I've been behaving since I came to this island. But other times, I'm sure this is exactly what I've needed for a long, long time. Heirani Motu has changed my life.
Craig reclaims my hand, leading me out into the little cove.
We wander through the palm trees and past mangroves, casually swinging our joined hands while we admire the magical atmosphere that this island has woven around us. Craig spots a coconut tree and releases my hand to rush over there. I hurry after him.
He slaps his palm on the tree's trunk. "How about a little coconut milk to refresh you?"
"The coconuts are way up there." I point straight up. "Don't think it's a wise plan to climb that high."
"Who said I was going to climb up there? I'll shake it down."
"That won't work."
He slaps the trunk again, then plants both palms on its surface and begins to push. Nothing happens, naturally. He pushes harder. Still nothing. The leaves don't even shiver.
"Give it up, He-Man. You can't get a coconut that way."
He flattens his lips and studies the tree, with his hands on his hips. I can hear him clucking his tongue, something he often does while he's working out a problem. At last, he gives up and steps away from the tree.
Then he runs at it full speed and leaps up.
And he falls right back down.
"I told you, Craig, you won't get a coconut out of that tree. It's at least thirty feet tall."
He bows his head, hands on his hips, and sighs. After a moment, he marches over to me. "I surrender. No coconuts for us today. Let's go look at that red tree instead."
"I doubt you can get a coconut from that one. I saw a picture of a tree like that in the welcome packet, and it was called a flame tree."
"Fascinating." He surveys our surroundings. "Maybe we should go back to the waterfall. Don't want to get lost out here."
"Sounds like an excellent idea. We don't want to become the subjects of a massive manhunt."
I'm just grateful that he gave up on trying to shake a coconut out of a tree. What on earth got into him today? I don't care if he can achieve silly feats of machismo. That's not why I married him in the first place, and it certainly wouldn't be a reason for me to tie the knot with him again.
Am I considering that idea? Not sure.
By the time we reach the waterfall, I'm already starting to feel hungry. We had walked quite a distance. That must have used up a lot of calories. We've just squeezed through the narrowest part of the hidden passage and emerged into the space behind the thundering cascade.
Craig turns toward me.
His expression tells me everything I need to know. He wants to kiss me. Maybe he wants more than that too. My pulse speeds up, and a tingle of excitement sweeps over me from head to toe. My breaths have grown shallower, as if I can't pull in enough oxygen because the anticipation has left me breathless. I do feel that way. The thrill of what will come next has transfixed me.
Craig slides his arms around my waist and tugs me close. Our bodies meet just as he seals his lips over mine.
How can this be so exciting? I've kissed him countless times in the past, yet the feel of his lips pressed to mine, here in this moment, feels as electrifying as the very first time we kissed. My lids close. My body slackens. We revel in the sensual delight of tasting and teasing each other, and when he slides one hand down to my bottom, I know I'm lost.
After a few minutes of kissing, we peel our bodies away from each other and hurry out from under the waterfall to leap into the pool. That's the only way to get back on dry land. Craig hoists himself up and onto the bank, then grasps my hands to help me up. We're drenched again, but neither of us cares. Hand in hand, we make our way back to the resort proper. The clock above the front desk tells us we spent about two hours exploring the hidden wonders behind the waterfall.
It didn't feel like that long. I could've spent days in that secret sanctuary with Craig, and I wouldn't have minded at all. In fact, I might love to live there with him. The thought stops me, but only for a moment. Yes, I might want to live with him, anywhere in the world.
"Are you okay, Vanessa?"
I look at Craig and smile. "I've never felt better."
"Neither have I. What should we do until dinner?"
That simple question shouldn't turn me on, but it does. I'm getting some naughty ideas. "Care to join me in my suite? I still have that bag of goodies."
