The boatman called them and Alyssa rushed after Nicholas, thankful that she didn’t need to think of a reply. It was the truth, she did want him as much as he wanted her. While his was just a physical desire, what Alyssa felt for him was deeper, more like an elemental need. Nicholas lived in every pore, every cell of her body and it was natural that she would desire him!
“Alyssa, give me your hand. What’s wrong with you? This is the second time you have zoned out!” he said, coming closer to her. It brought Alyssa out of her reverie and she caught his outstretched hand while he helped her into the boat. As they sat opposite one another, the boat surged ahead toward the first island nearest to them.
They first visited the Cockenoe Islands with its mile-long reef and extensive rookeries populated by egrets, Herons, and black cormorants. The cormorants’ guano, which left some rocks white, was so toxic that the area was almost barren.
“Touch nothing here. It’s so toxic to the trees that it kills them off after these birds nest in a spot for less than a year,” said Nicholas while Alyssa stared at the noisy birds with awe.
They visited the rest of the islands, Sprite Island, Goose Island, Betts Island, Chimon and Copps Island, Shea Island, Tavern Island, and finally landed on the largest one, Sheffield Island. There was a lot to see, and they toured the ten-room historic lighthouse and saw the Light Keeper’s Cottage.
“Hungry?” asked Nicholas as they walked around Rowayton Harbour.
“Yes, very. Let’s grab a bite at that restaurant,” she pointed out a cozy restaurant tucked away overlooking the sea. It wasn’t a seafood restaurant like the rest of them and they went inside to eat.
Post lunch, they walked the trails to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, a birding hot spot where they were allowed to use the telescope. It was a unique experience for both of them. They clicked a lot of pictures together and finally, Alyssa climbed on their boat to return to Oyster Island. Nicholas had gone to the nearby shop to buy some necessities for their stay and Alyssa waited patiently for him in the boat. It was the perfect opportunity for her to ask the boatman for his number.
“My family is planning a trip here. Can I have your number so that I can contact you when they decide?” she asked the boatman with a smile.
“Sure, ma’am. If I’m unavailable, I’ll send someone who is free. Please take down my number.” He dictated his number, and Alyssa saved it on her mobile phone. After two minutes Nicholas arrived with a lot of grocery items and they sped toward Oyster Island.
“What was the need for so much?” she asked Nicholas, eyeing the huge packet in his arms.
“Then agree to be mine and we can return tonight.” Alyssa rolled her eyes, but she was undecided about surrendering to a loveless marriage!
“You cannot start a relationship at the drop of a hat. You need to search your soul and understand whether you can live without one another. I need more time, Nicholas.”
“Fine then. Bid goodbye to your job and stay here on Oyster Island with me till you’re able to decide,” he said determinedly. Alyssa sighed and looked away. With the sun about to set far away on the horizon, the whole place was lit up in myriad hues of red and orange. It was truly a stunning and romantic atmosphere all around her, but she was worried. Should she give in to her heart and accept Nicholas in her life?
They reached the pier and sat down at the edge to watch the sunset. Afterward, they walked hand in hand towards the villa like a couple in love. Although they truly were a couple in love, they hardly were aware of it in reality!
“Will you let me attend Eva’s wedding tomorrow?” asked Alyssa, as she slumped onto the sofa.
“It’s in your hands, Alyssa. Accept my proposal, be mine, and you can do whatever you like.” Alyssa gaped at him, noting the seriousness in his tone. She had taken him lightly for so long, but it seemed he was dead serious about it.
“Seriously?” she croaked nervously.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life,” he said, walking backwards towards the kitchen, his gaze fixed upon her.
“Won’t you give me time to think?” she asked, holding his gaze.
“Haven’t you thought enough? What’s there to think about? It’s either a yes or a no. Either you want to be my girlfriend or don’t,” he added, turning around and going to the kitchen to keep the stuff he had bought. Alyssa sighed, wishing it was that easy!
The delicious aroma of freshly cooked sea bass hit her nose, and she went to the kitchen to take a peek. She saw Nicholas cooking dinner for the two of them while humming a tune. She went closer to check out.
“Stay right there or I’ll get distracted,” said Nicholas, stopping Alyssa in her tracks.
“I just came to help,” she said, feeling guilty that she hadn’t contributed in any way. “You don’t need to do it every time.”
“I don’t mind cooking for you, Alyssa. If you’re so desperate to help me, there are other ways,” he reminded her.
“Oh! What ways other than physical intimacy?” she asked outright.
“I didn’t mean that at all. I meant by washing the dishes, by doing the laundry, by entertaining us while I cooked,” he finished with a grin, but Alyssa somehow had the feeling that he was making it all up. He wanted to make love to her the most, despite his tall claims. Alyssa smiled and cut onions, tomatoes, and peppers first, followed by mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant to grill them.
“We make a nice team, don’t we?” said Nicholas, making her smile. They indeed looked like they had been married for years!
“I don’t love cooking as you do. I’m doing it only for you.” The words were out before she could hold them back. She could sense Nicholas’s jaw-dropped stare fixed upon her as she concentrated on her dish. Her cheeks flushed with color as she chided herself for being so blatant.
“It proves how much I mean to you.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. I’m just returning the favor since you’re doing most of the cooking just for me.” Her cheeks colored further when he raised an eyebrow and listened to her with disbelief.
“Oh, just that? I’m hurt,” he grinned, holding onto his heart. Alyssa rolled her eyes but smiled at seeing his playful mood. It made him so endearing that she wanted to grab him and kiss him at that moment. The veggie skewers were done and Nicholas’s sea bass chowder with smoked chorizo was also ready. They carried the smoking hot food to the table and sat down to eat a heavenly dinner.
All throughout the meal, Alyssa was dying to ask him to allow her a day off. She would attend Eva’s wedding and return to Oyster Island to him. She wondered how he didn’t need to attend the wedding being Maxwell’s best man! While Nicholas talked about their morning trip and about the time when he had visited the place with his brothers, Alyssa thought of ways to bring up the topic.
They cleaned up after dinner and she retired to the spare room despite Nicholas’s pleas. It was the only logical thing to do! She didn’t wish to land up on his bed and control her urges the whole night.
It was after midnight when she felt very ticklish and jumped off the bed. Was something crawling on her? All sleep left her, and she switched on the light just in time to see a mouse hiding under the bed!
She screamed with fright and ran out of the room for dear life, banging the door shut after her. The mouse could stay in the room, she wasn’t coming back to sleep on that bed.
Nicholas rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and opened his door to check. Alyssa collided with him and screamed more. “What the f*ck! Why are you screaming?” he groaned, holding her by her arms to straighten her.
“M-mouse! There was a mouse climbing over me, Nicholas. I can’t sleep in that room,” she squeaked as a gripping fear choked her throat. Nicholas blinked with disbelief and curbed the smile that was fighting to break out on his lips. He wanted to kiss the little mouse for helping him.
“I told you to sleep with me. Maybe they forgot to clean that room.” He led her towards the master bedroom while she clung to him for dear life!
They lay on the bed but Alyssa scooted close to him and wrapped her arms around his torso to sleep. “This is the way I want to sleep, Nicholas, every night, forever,” she murmured sleepily, closing her eyes to sleep. Nicholas’s heart skipped a beat, and he gazed at her happy face with awe.
“You will from tonight onwards.”