Before You Leave: A Romance Novel (12 page)

“You ok?” Sarah grabs my arm to hold me upright before I stumbled forward.

“I’m good. Must have got out of the bed too fast.”

“Hey what are you doing out of your slumber. You should be resting. I didn’t hear you guys coming.” Kieran takes two steps at a time stopping at the one before me.

“I wanted to say goodbye to Sarah at the door. Plus I really could be with a shower and needed to know where your towels are before you left.”

“I left them in your en suite last night. You’d fallen asleep by the time I came into the room with them. Come, I’m taking you back to your room.” Even with my protesting Kieran didn’t listen. Lifting me up in his arms he practically runs up the stairs and back into my room. I could hear Sarah laughing one of her deep laughs and it sounds good. Pushing the door open with his hip, he walks across the room without even being puffed out.

“Now can I trust you to rest until I get back? I promise I will be an hour at the most.” Leaning over where he has just placed me lying down, his hands rest on either side of my head. I could nearly taste the minty toothpaste from him.

“What if I get hungry though?”

“I will feed you when I get back.”

“Can I at least have a shower and get dressed while you’re gone?” His eyes roll from mine down to my lips that are now pressed tight together waiting for his answer. When they return back upwards a glint of mischief is shining on them.

“I quite like you in that t-shirt. But you probably could do with a shower. You do smell a little like a hospital.” Quickly he moves away before I bring my knee up towards him.

“Haha now, now. Be nice to the man that will be waiting on you hand and foot for the next few days.”

Leaving the room quickly, his scent is left in his haste. Lifting my top, I inhale Kieran. It has been a long time since the odour of a man has filled my lungs and it smells so good.

*****

After a glorious hot shower that massages my skin as I stood under it, I wrap myself in one of the white fluffy towels that Kieran left for me. Everything just feels right in this room. The gels to wash myself with have left my skin soft and moisturised. When I sit on the bed and brush my hair hardly a knot is left behind much to my delight. My head is still slightly sore after the severe migraine and although it’s not fuzzy any more, there is still a cloud hanging over me. Since the day I arrived on this little island, today is the first time I’ve feel relaxed about being here. Placing my suitcase on the bed, I unzip and pull out my bikini, shorts and vest top. A day by the pool has never felt as appealing as it does today. Dressing quickly, I tie up my damp hair into a high ponytail, slip on my flip-flops and tidy the bed before going back downstairs.

The air conditioning is hardly a hum but I can feel the slight cool breeze in the open plan room. Going into the kitchen I stand at the fridge, unsure if it’s ok to go through someone’s food or not. Is there some kind of rule about it when you are a visitor or guest? On the front of the dark black double doors there is a gap with a nozzle and flushed press buttons. Only little pictures of what each button represent are visible. I look around for a glass and on the island where Sarah’s soup was being served last night is a tumbler and a note left underneath. Lifting the glass I notice that my name is on top of the note. Picking it up, I read the neat writing:

Julia,

I knew you wouldn’t rest in bed so if you’re hungry I have left a fruit salad and natural yoghurt in the fridge (yes I made it). Please help yourself to any juice or even fresh water. My home is now officially yours, (while you are here, or otherwise I would have to change the deeds ha!),

Kieran.

p.s. your tablets are in a small container marked with your name beside the fridge. Please take amount stated.

I can feel the smile stretch across my lips. He really is taking this looking after me thing to heart. Folding the note, I slip it into my back pocket and open the fridge to find it fully stocked. Wow! Kieran either has a very big appetite or he has more guests coming! There is that pang of jealously again. I don’t know what is going on with me. There is no reason for it. This is his life, I have just interrupted and when he comes home we need to talk. It’s Thursday today and if he has plans then I need to find somewhere else to stay until my flight back home on Monday morning. Wiping my damp eyes I am grateful at least that Ryan made me get travel insurance that would cover for a year and pay for my delayed flight home. I didn’t expect it would be needed. But then again I didn’t expect to be here without him. Reaching in I take a bowl from the middle shelf with an array of fruit chopped up in it. Beside it is indeed the yoghurt in a container and marked with Kieran’s distinctive handwriting was the words
My Homemade Natural Yoghurt
. Pulling out the first draw I came to contain the cutlery. Does every house have them in the same place I ponder as I spoon out the yoghurt onto the fruit? Already my tummy is crying for the delicious looking food. Putting the tub back into the fridge, I head over to the patio door. Leaving my glass and bowl on a very small table I press the open button and slide the door back. Retrieving my glasses from my handbag that was left by the chair, I put them on with my hat and go out to take in the morning, sliding the door a little behind me. The front of Kieran’s property is shielded in the same way as the others. The hedgerow on either side gives it a very private feel with the gap at the front opening up onto the empty large pool. Pulling out a second chair, I prop my feet up on it while I savour every bite of my breakfast.

“Hello, how are you this morning Julia?” The man that we passed last night stands at the edge of the hedge wearing what looks like a pair of tiny speedos he really shouldn’t have on.

“Good morning.” I answer him back to be polite. I’m sure Kieran told me something about this guy but to the life of me I can’t remember.

“I’m just going for a swim. Would you like to join me?”

“Oh err I would love to,” I lied, “but I am just having my breakfast and swimming after a full stomach is not ideal is it?”

“No, you’re absolutely right. Why not pull your chair out by the pool? The sun is so much better there rather than the shade you are in?”

“I like the shade, thank you. Maybe later.”

“Is Kieran in then?”

I am tempted to tell him he is but it has been nearly an hour since he left and could show up any time.

“He has just popped out, I’d say he will be back in five minutes.”

“Maybe I should join you then?”

“And miss out on your swim? I’m sure I’ll still be here when you get dressed afterwards.” Hoping he’ll take the hint, I go back eating my breakfast, keeping my head down.

“I guess you’re right. Don’t want to miss the early morning exercise now do I? Takes dedication to look this good.”

Glad that my sunglasses are on; I close my eyes and wish he would leave. The brief look I had of his body wasn’t what I would call
good
but
I am sure he tries.

“Right, I see you are busy. Hopefully I will see you round the pool later.” He says as I wave my hand to say goodbye and within five seconds he has it held in his.

“Very smooth skin.” Lifting my hand up to his cheek, he rubs the side of his face with the back of my hand. I try and pull it free from him but his grip is too tight. The speedos he has on start straining from his increasing size within. In that instant he makes me feel dirty. Being eye level with his bulge is not helping the situation either.

“Please let my hand go.” My voice is crackling with temper, my half eaten breakfast churning in my stomach.

“But you asked for it. Didn’t you wave me over to you?”

“No I was waving goodbye.” My teeth grit together as my anger reaches the surface.

“Well, I will kiss your pretty mouth goodbye. That’s how it’s done here.” Leaning forward towards my face, I back away as far as I can in my chair and press my lips together to try and stop anything touching them.

The severe pull of my arm jolts me forward, I watch Kieran grab his neighbour with force and throw him in the pool.

“Next time you think before you go near Julia. I will cut your dick off you if you try that again you fecking perv.”

Kieran pulls out a chair from the table and looks at me.

“Didn’t I warn you last night about Mick?”

“I... I couldn’t remember, but don’t think for one second I asked him over. He was the one who approached me, grabbed my hand and forced himself on me.”

“He didn’t hurt you did he? When I came round the corner and saw him pushing himself onto you…it made me so mad!”

“He didn’t hurt me Kieran, you arrived before anything happened, thank god. It probably made you mad because he is a creep.”

“Let’s forget about him, I’ll make us some coffee and you can apply sun cream on yourself. I have a feeling you haven’t yet.”

“How do you know that?”

“I can smell sun cream a mile off and you are not wearing it.”

“And what else can you smell?”

“Well that is easy, I can smell freshly brewed coffee is coming up, I can also smell good food but it is a little early yet for that.”

“Kieran?”

“Yes Julia.”

“I’m not a fan of coffee, you don’t have any herbal tea do you?”

The laugh leaving Kieran’s mouth sounds so delightful. I’ve forgotten how much I have missed the sound of laughter and I don’t want him to stop. His deep chuckle is contagious like his smiles; I can’t help but join in with him.

“Why are we laughing?” I manage to say between breaths.

“Oh Julia you are so funny. I have never heard anyone ask for herbal tea before. Not over here anyway.”

“But I like herbal tea.”

Kieran holds his stomach as he bends over in the chair. “Will you stop, if anyone hears you!”

“What?”

“I’m sorry but I love coffee. Herbal tea just makes me want to pick you up and throw you in the pool, I would if that idiot wasn’t already in it.”

“I think I might have one in my bag, if Sarah packed them in for me. At least she wouldn’t have laughed at me.”

“Ok. ok I promise no more laughing. I guess you had to have a flaw somewhere.”

“Hey don’t be cheeky. Didn’t you know I am perfect in every way? Well perfectly broken anyway.”

Kieran gets up from his seat, scrapping it back with speed as he does so. Collecting my half eaten breakfast and glass he barely looks at me. What did I say that has made the atmosphere just changed? I start to get up to follow him in but he stands by my chair and stops me.

“You rest, I have a few phone calls to make. I will keep the door open and if Mick the Creep comes back shout for me. Ok?”

“Yes.” I tell him and turn the chair back towards the table. “Did Sarah’s flight leave ok?” I ask with my back turned.

“Yes, she said she’d text you when she lands.”

“Thank you for letting me stay.”

“You’re welcome, I won’t be long.”

I wanted to ask him about his guests that must be arriving but somehow, it just didn’t feel like the right time.

The smell of fresh bread wakes me from my nap. I must’ve dozed off in the chair while I waited for Kieran to come back to me. Stretching my body to rid of any aches from my position, I get up and walk into the apartment. Kieran greets me before I reach the kitchen, his arms laden down with food.

“Let me help you with that.” I approach him with my hands out to take something.

“I’m good, I was just bringing it outside to you.”

“Do you mind if I eat inside? My body aches a little from the chair.”

“Of course, how stupid of me. I should have taken out the lounger for you. At least it’s comfortable.”

“No need Kieran, really. I was getting too hot out there anyway even in the shade. It was time to come in.” I smile.

“Thank god you were still in the shade, otherwise I would’ve had to coat you in sun cream as you slept.” He says while I follow him back towards the kitchen propping myself up on the stall by the island, next to him. “I’ve made you a light lunch with the seaweed bread you enjoyed last night. It has been heated up in the oven to make it crisp.”

“Thank you. You really don’t need to do all of this. I’m quite capable of cooking.”

“But you’re my guest remember and if Sarah found out, I think I would need to emigrate.”

I take a bite out of the bread that I lightly butter. My taste buds jump for joy with the flavours and the dough melts in my mouth between the crunchy crusts. It isn’t until I finish two slices that I speak to him again.

“Kieran, I have been meaning to ask you something.” Not looking at him while I speak gives me the confidence to question him.

“My attention is all yours.” He says while swivelling on his stool to face me. I can feel my cheeks redden.

“This morning when I read your note and opened your humongous fridge, just to let you know, I would never have opened it if you hadn’t given me permission. Well for one person living on your own…do live here on your own?”

“Yes Julia, I do.”

“Oh ok, that wasn’t the question, just a thought. Anyway you have packed your fridge with a large amazing amount of food for just one and well I know men have an appetite but that much isn’t possible for even you. Have you got guests coming?” I blurt out in a rush.

“Guests, you are my guest haven’t I been telling you that?”

“No I mean were you meant to have guests coming before I arrived. Am I getting in the way of your plans?”

Kieran holds on to the cushion of my stool and turns me around to face him.

“Julia, you will never be in my way. Right now you are my plans. I went shopping yesterday when I left you at the hospital and didn’t know what you liked to eat. So I filled my basket with everything I could think off. It looks crazy I know but while you are here I want you to treat the place like your own.”

“I don’t want it to be like my home Kieran.”

“I mean for you to help yourself.”

“Thank you that’s really kind of you. It’s just my own home hasn’t felt like a home for a very long time.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Another day perhaps, it’s going to be tough going back to it. A lot of changes need to be made. The Julia that was dragged here has had enough of the way her life has been. I don’t think you would like that Julia.”

“Why don’t I be the judge of that? I like what I’ve seen so far.”

“Right now, if I let you into my past then you will show the pity face that most people do when they hear.”

“Well in that case, we will finish our food and then I’m going to take you out by the pool and guard you from any guy that tries to get near. Later I’ll put on a movie and popcorn, give you your meds then tuck you up in bed.”

“Well you seem to have everything planned out don’t you? Are you sure I’m not getting in the way of bigger and better things, like work?”

“Nope not this week and I work from home most days. Plus you are work, hard work too. So far I have rescued you falling from the plane, although you might not remember that one. Shouted at you to apply sun lotion in the correct way. Don’t look at me like that, who else was going to tell you to mind your skin?”

I close my mouth that I know was opened wide. No wonder I thought I recognised his voice when I heard him.

“And then the time when you tried to sneak away one night, plus keeping you company at two eateries although one I think, made you sick. My apologies for that. And let’s not mention the rescue at the beach, so I don’t think you are hard work sitting in my home eating my food. Not one bit.”

“Why were you always around? I mean why were you at the apartment the first time we got there. Did you follow us from the plane?”

“You sound mad at me.”

“Honestly, I feel a little exposed right now. Can you hear what you have just said?” My hands are shaking from the anger building up inside me from his confession.

“I had already explained all this to Sarah, please don’t make me do the same to you.”

I think back to what Sarah told me in the hospital, trust him she said. She trusted enough to leave me with him or did he string her a story for her to believe, to get me here.

“Kieran I think I should get a room somewhere else. I need some space right now.”

“But you can’t, the doctor said you need to be with someone.”

“If you don’t find somewhere for me, then I will. But I am leaving today.”

“Oh shit, god I am so useless at explaining things. This is not going as I hoped.”

“There is no need to explain,” I say while pushing my plate out of my reach and getting up from the stool. “I’m going to get my case.”

Rubbing his hands over his face he stands too and pushes his stool in with more force than necessary. “I’ll find you a place. Just give me a few minutes,” he informs me before walking out of the apartment, closing the door behind him. I watch him while he takes his phone out of his pocket and after pressing the screen, holds it up to his ear. Such an array of food he made for us both sits wasted on the counter. But he is in the wrong. Who in their right mind watches someone, stalks someone to the point that every day since arriving he has been there. Wait until I speak with Sarah, no way would she have agreed for me to stay here if she had known. No way. But she must have, didn’t she warn me against him, told me it was him that had tried to be a hero and look at him now. Still trying to be the hero. Something is not right and it’s making me nervous. The further I get from Kieran the Hero the clearer my head will be. I’m sure Sarah is thinking the same thing right now too, once that plane hits the ground and she has had time to think, I’m sure she will be in touch. I’ve read about men like him with headlines in the newspaper that don’t end well.

I meet him outside with my suitcase trailing behind me and I am unable to make eye contact. The anger that has built up thinking about what he has done makes me sick.

“I’ve got you into a hotel on the coast about five minutes away from the apartment you were staying in. It’s nothing grand but it’s the only place I could find at this time of the season.”

“Thank you.” I manage to say and wait for him to start walking.

“Will you at least let me explain? I really don’t want you to leave not knowing why.”

“Kieran I think you have said more than enough and like you said, you explained it all to Sarah. You had your chance and blew it. Can we just leave please?”

Kieran reaches out to take my case from me but I pull it out of his reach.