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He’d come back for me, and we were together.
I let those few thoughts swirl around my head as I breathed in the fresh, salty smell of the sea. Then with one hand holding my hat on top of my head I took off up the beach, running for all I was worth, forcibly holding in a childish squeal of joy.
My family’s property was at the other end of the beach. Close enough for me to be comforted by its presence, but far enough away to keep my husband happy.
The beach was completely empty, except for the birds that were swooping and soaring on the warm breeze that always seemed to be held captive within our beach’s confines.
My heart was full to bursting.
The further I walked, the larger my family’s villa grew. I slowed my pace down to take in everything I’d remembered or forgotten about my family home. Removing my sunglasses for a few seconds, I studied the terrace. Finding no movement, I continued on to the place I hadn’t even realised I was travelling to. Finally, I came to where I knew the opening was to the path which led up to the villa and in a state of euphoria, I picked up a beautiful pink coloured shell that caught my eye. I placed the shell on the rock at the bottom as I paid homage to the place that would always have part of my heart.
I was certain that at least one of my brothers would be at home, but reluctantly I stopped myself from going further, understanding that I didn’t have the time to visit today. A reminder that I was a De Luca first and foremost.
Turning away, I walked to the water’s edge and let the warm swirl of the liquid play with my feet as I wound my way home and back to my husband. With the soft, billowing fabric of the white maxi-dress I’d chosen to wear threatening to be soaked by the sea, I grabbed at the broderie anglaise fabric and lifted my dress up, exposing my bare feet.
Halfway back, instinct and a feeling of nostalgia had me looking at the rock I used to sit on when Salvatore came to visit me.
Resting on the top of the rock was a small package, one which without a doubt had not been there when I walked past about fifteen minutes before. I pulled my glasses to the end of my nose and in the gap I’d created between them and the brim of my hat, I studied the area around the rock and found nothing. Turning around on the spot I took in the beach around me, but again found nothing.
I can feel you.
I knew he was somewhere, even if I had no idea where.
‘Salvatore.’ I called out his name in earnest, but all I heard in reply was his name returning to me on the breeze.
I knew he’d make his presence known when he wanted. Smiling and shaking my head a little, I walked towards the present I knew he’d left for me. Bending down, I slowly unwrapped the neatly folded greaseproof paper. As soon as I parted the folds, the smell of the cookies inside found my nostrils.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered and looking up the steep cliffs I smiled, knowing that somewhere out there he was watching my every movement.
The thought of him being there, watching me, thrilled me.
Keeping up my part of the game I was now sure he was playing, I picked up a single cookie and took a bite. I didn’t need to fake the pleasure eating it gave me. I was convinced his nonna’s cookie recipe could be sold, they were that delicious. Slowly, and savouring every mouthful, I consumed the mouth-watering goodness and picked up a second.
Deciding to play my own version of the game I was convinced I was embroiled in, I picked up the small package and still eating I walked out towards the water’s edge. And there I stood nibbling on the cookie as I waited for him.
Until finally, the second cookie had been demolished and still he hadn’t appeared.
With all my senses trained on finding him, my breathing quickened as adrenalin began to rush through my system.
In anticipation I stood and waited, watching some small fishing boats in the distance.
The incoming tide caught the bottom of my dress, making it cling to my sand covered feet and ankles, but rather than caring as I had previously, all I could do was to stand stock still and focus all my senses on finding him.
Because without him, there was nothing. I shrugged slightly at my own thoughts and continued to wait.
At last, a huge arm wrapped itself around my waist. As I was pulled up against his hard body, my feet lifted away from the ground and I leant my head back onto his chest in relief.
‘Caught you, little bird.’ His deep voice reverberated through me as his other arm came around me and his breath caressed the shell of my ear. With him twirling me around on the spot, I let his laughter and sheer joy of having me in his arms feed my soul.
‘So you have, Mr De Luca,’ I agreed. ‘And now you have me… just what are you planning on doing to me?’ I teased.
No answer came in the form of words, only an untamed growl left his lips.
In one swift movement, Salvatore changed his hold on me, swung me up high into his arms, and was walking us back to where the rocks and the cliff met the beach.
Behind a clutch of rocks, close to the edge of the sand, he lay me down and that’s where his gentleness ended.
Standing above me and narrowing his eyes as he focussed, he looked down at me; his prey, his prize, his.
