The Falling of Hope (The Falling Series, Book 3), page 28
“How did you cope with the trauma of something so horrific?”
“My art.” She smiles.
Ian’s eyes convey an understanding she thinks only he could show her.
“You came here all by yourself. That seems like a big step for someone who’s been through something so terrifying.”
Grace skims her hand over the top of the water and lets out a nervous chuckle. “You’d think. It’s taken me a couple years and a divorce to get where I am now. I honestly haven’t thought about being alone and vulnerable since I lived in Napa. The day I left Ben, something changed inside me. I don’t ever want to be weak again. I refuse. Coming on this trip has only allowed me to grow stronger.” She leans her head onto Ian’s shoulder. “I’m just fine being alone. I actually enjoy it. I’ve had this huge villa to myself all this time, and not once did I jump at the old place creaking at night.”
“I’m proud of you, Grace. You’ve overcome so much. I admire you. You’re the strongest women I know.”
Grace laughs, tugs Ian’s arm, and forces him into the water. “I’ll show you just how strong I am.”
Sorrento…
When they arrive, the sun melts into the Tyrrhenian Sea, coating the landscape in a soft orange hue. Ian arranged for a car to pick them up at the Naples airport and transport them to the villa he rented in Sorrento, a town located on the edge of the sea.
After a short drive, Ian and Grace get their first glimpse of the elegant home. The villa, sitting high atop the hills of Sorrento, is a typical Mediterranean-style, white structure with vibrant lime and orange shutters and a wide deck that looks over the village. The driver brings all of their bags in as they look around.
“This is really nice,” Grace says, as she opens the shutters and walks onto the expansive deck.
Below her, the lights of the village glitter, filling the night sky with specks of light, and a glow that hovers over the town.
“I picked it because of this view. Wait until you see it in daylight. I can’t imagine that pictures did it justice.” Ian walks back inside and tips the driver before he shuts the front door.
“Let’s pick our rooms,” he says, walking down the hall as Grace trails behind him.
He stands in the middle of a huge room. “You can have the master,” he says as he turns to smile at her.
“I’m just tagging along. You take it.”
“It has a Jacuzzi tub. You take it.”
Grace shakes her head and laughs. “Fine. I’m only giving in because I know you’re too much of a gentleman to take it yourself.”
“You’re right,” he says, leaving her standing alone in the room.
Minutes later, he returns with her luggage.
“Do you smell the sea air? It’s amazing,” she says as she lays across the soft, fluffy bed.
“I can already tell I’m going to dig this place.”
She pats the bed while lying on her back. He lies down next to her with his arms folded across his chest.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Ian. This is a dream come true.”
“Not a problem at all. Now I don’t have to be alone.”
“I thought that’s why you came to Italy in the first place.”
“It is, but ever since I ran into you, I don’t want to be by myself anymore. I’m glad you’re here. I think I would’ve regretted my choice of going on vacation alone after a few days. I probably would’ve flown home after a week.”
She rolls onto her side and lays her head on his stomach.
He brushes his hand over her hair. “Is this okay?”
“It feels good. Don’t stop.”
Minutes pass with him raking his fingers through her hair before he speaks. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she says as she snuggles her head against him, breathing in his intoxicating aroma.
“Good, because I have a surprise. Can you be ready in about thirty minutes?”
“A surprise?” she asks, excitement building inside her.
“Wear something nice. Thirty minutes, okay?” He rises from the bed and leaves the room.
Unsure about his comment of how nice she should get dressed, Grace chooses a dress that is not overly formal, but nice enough to wear to an upscale restaurant. She ties her hair up in an intricate braid and wears soft colors on her eyes, lips, and cheeks.
“Ian, I’m ready,” she calls, looking out of the doors that lead to the balcony.
“Wow,” he says as he comes up behind her. Taking her by her arms, he extends them and runs his eyes over her. Her strapless dress gathers around her breasts, a gold belt ties under her bosom and the dress flows to the floor. “You look like a Greek goddess.”
“You look very handsome. Nice suit.”
“And you look fucking incredible,” he says, taking her hand and leading her to the front door. “My travel agent arranged for a rental car so we’ll go in that.”
At the car, Ian opens the door for Grace and then heads to the driver’s side.
Anticipation builds in Grace’s stomach as Ian navigates the narrow, winding road to the sea.
“This is it,” he says, parking the car near a dock. He hops out and, once again, opens the passenger-side door.
They walk down a dimly lit dock until they reach a large catamaran.
A man standing on the dock tips his hat when they approach. “Mr. Taylor or Mr. Branson?
“Taylor,” Ian says, and shakes the man’s hand.
“Welcome, sir. We have another couple coming then we will set sail.”
Ian helps Grace onto the boat and they take a seat on the deck at a table for two.
“You’re full of surprises,” Grace comments, unable to control the grin spreading across her face.
“I thought a dinner cruise would be the perfect way to spend our first night in Sorrento, and I heard the food is really good. We’ll cruise around the bay and get a great view of the city.”
They dine on the deck of the sailboat with only two other couples. A candle that sits on top of their table flickers and the lights around the harbor twinkle in the distance.
“That was fantastic,” Grace says, as she takes the last bite of her dinner.
“Mine was really good, too.”
A waiter clears their table and scrapes breadcrumbs from the tablecloth.
A band made up of three musicians arrives on deck and plays a soft, romantic song. The couple sitting closest to Grace and Ian rise from their seats and begin to dance on the area of the deck no doubt set up for dancing. Grace looks at Ian and he seems embarrassed.
“This is very romantic,” she says, an eyebrow raised.
“I didn’t mean for it to be,” he replies, his Adam’s apple bobbing and eyes filled with concern.
“Are you saying you don’t want to dance with me, Ian Taylor?”
Ian clears his throat, his voice slightly trembling. “I would freakin’ love it if I could dance with you…if you want to, that is.”
Nerves twist her stomach into knots as Grace rises from her chair and reaches out for his hand to lead him to the dance floor. As soon as their feet hit the center, she wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his chest. Pulling her closer to him, they sway to the music.
Looking up, she stares into his vivid blue eyes. Without hesitation, she removes her arm from his waist and slides her hand behind his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling him into a kiss. At first, his lips are stiff, but he catches up to her in seconds and lifts her up off the dance floor in his arms as their tongues glide over each other. Emotional fireworks burst inside her heart when her lips glide over his, the hair on his chin tickling hers.
Setting her down, he breaks away from the kiss, and grabs her shoulders, staring with utter disbelief, his mouth wide open in awe, and a heaving chest. All she can do is smile. Kissing him is the answer to the question she has tried so hard to answer, for so long. He is the missing piece of the puzzle. All the doubt and confusion she has faced, gone. Everything becomes clear looking into his eyes, which well up with tears.
“Grace?” he asks, winded.
Putting her finger on his lips to silence his hesitation, she leans up to kiss him again. He pulls her body tight against his and she falls into a dreamlike state as they stand on the deck of the catamaran. The fragrance of him and the sea, the rich sound of Italian folk music singing in her ears, and the moonlight caressing her skin completely fulfill her senses. She has waited a lifetime for this kiss, for this moment. It is unlike any past kiss they have shared. The moment seems to last forever.
~ ~ ~
To hold her in his arms, arms that ached for her over the years, to feel her breath on his neck when she nuzzles close, causes a volcano of emotions to erupt within him. The pulse of her heart beating in time with his sends chills over his arms. It is as if a light emanates from her smile and warms his body, bringing him back to life. Her lips press against his again and he cannot help lacing his fingers through her long blonde hair, tugging her head closer. The music and the rocking of the boat disappear around him.
A rush of fear comes over him, and he pulls away from their kiss. With hands on each of her shoulders, he steadies her. “Grace—”
“Don’t even think about stopping this, Ian.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but cannot find the words to articulate the feelings in his heart. The emotions awaken all that he lost since the day he lost her.
“Don’t look at me like that. Why are you looking at me like that?”
He sees fear in her large eyes. “Oh, Gracie, I…are you sure?”
She nods, biting her bottom lip. “I can’t explain what’s going on or how I feel. All I know is I want to kiss you. I want you to hold me. Every time I’m with you, my thoughts become clearer and I’m content. After that kiss, I know exactly what I want. Don’t question what you’re feeling. We’ve done that too many times.”
Ian nods, then grabs her waist and thrusts her against him. One hand leaves her hip and runs over her face. He stares into her eyes knowing they have caught the attention of the other passengers on the catamaran. “I never thought I’d have you in my arms again.” He moves his fingers under her chin and rubs his thumb over her bottom lip. “Or kiss these lips.” Bending down, he presses his lips to hers, sliding his tongue into her mouth. His chest aches with the love he kept buried deep inside when she runs her long fingers under his hair and wraps them around his neck. She cannot seem to get enough of him and her feelings could not mirror his more than they appear to right now.
Running his hand over her body, her curves fill his soul with a sense of familiarity. Breaking away, he kisses along her jaw line until he reaches the spot beneath her ear, on her neck, that drives her crazy. A whimper comes from her parted lips and the need to taste her again engulfs him. Moving his lips back to hers, he absorbs them.
A new song echoes through the crisp, salty sea air, which triggers Ian to rock Grace in time with the melody. Grace ends the kiss, letting her hands drop to his back where she runs them over him. Her head lands softly on his chest and he cradles it with his hand.
“This is the most romantic dinner cruise I’ve ever had in my life,” she whispers.
Ian wraps his arms around her heaving her nearer. He cannot put together the words that would come close to expressing how it feels to have her in his embrace again, so he remains quiet, taking in the moment it seems he spent a lifetime visualizing.
They dance, their bodies tight against one another, not speaking, through two more songs. Waiters walk across the deck with tall glasses of champagne and catch Ian’s attention.
“Do you like champagne?”
“Yeah,” she says, breathy.
Her glazed eyes and whimsical tone relax him. “Would you like to go back to the table and have a glass? They’re serving dessert, too.”
Grace exhales. “That means I can’t be this close to you.”
Ian takes her chin between his fingers and places a peck on her mouth. “I’m not going anywhere. Come on.” He leads her to the table. Before she has a chance, he pulls her chair out then scoots her to the table.
They make it just in time for the waiter to serve chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling champagne for Grace.
Through the rest of the cruise, they only share a few words, Ian too caught up in staring into her eyes and still at a loss for the right words. Grace also stays quiet, but wears a smile that reaches her eyes over her face.
After dinner, they enter the villa hand-in-hand, Ian still reveling in the fact that Grace kissed him.
Letting go of his grasp, Grace walks down the hall. “I’m going to change into something more comfortable,” she says with a hint of reluctance in her voice.
Ian watches her turn the corner before going to the kitchen and looking through the basket his travel agent sent to him to pull out a bottle of wine. Astonishment overtakes him that Grace kissed him, and he is unsure of what is in store for them. Searching through the cupboards for wine glasses, he finds them and takes the bottle of wine, a bottle of water for himself, and two glasses out to the veranda. As he paces back and forth, he strips himself of the jacket and dress shirt he wore to dinner, throwing them over a lounge chair.
“Why are you pacing?” Grace says, walking onto the balcony in a pair of sweats and a tank top.
“Do you want some wine?” he asks as he walks over to the table avoiding her question.
“Ian,” she says, stopping him from reaching the table and grabbing him by the arm. “What’s wrong?”
He stops and looks down into her eyes, the urge to kiss her overpowering him. Taking her into his arms, he presses his lips to her warm ones. Her hands pass around his back and she uses them to pull him closer.
Looking up, she smiles. “Everything feels right when I’m in your arms.”
Letting out an exasperated breath, he tugs her tighter. She lays her head against his chest and takes a deep breath.
“I haven’t felt this complete in years. All my fears about you floated away like a rushing tide the moment I kissed you.” She sighs.
“Let me get you some wine.”
“Will you be okay?”
He kisses the top of her head, appreciation for her concern overtaking him. “I’m fine. I’ve got my trusty ol’ water.” Pouring the wine, he notices his hand shakes. His nerves wind tight with optimism and doubt. He turns to find her standing in the same spot, her finger hooked on her bottom lip and eyes running over his frame. “Let’s sit over there.” He points to a cushy, oversized lounge chair.
They lie together on the soft, cushioned lounge chair on the veranda for hours, kissing, drinking wine, and eating some chocolates from the basket they received. With her lying between his legs, he feeds her sweets and caresses her arms, back, and hair.
“I love you, Ian. I don’t care if this moves fast.”
He shakes his head in disbelief. “I love you, too. I never stopped. I never ever stopped!”
“I’ve always had a love for you. Even on my wedding day, I thought about you. I’ve never told anyone that.”
“You looked beautiful that day.”
“What?” she asks, sitting up and turning to look at him, shock draping over her face.
“I was there. I watched you get married.”
Her hand rushes to her chest and she clutches it. “You were there?”
Dropping his head, embarrassment wins the battle playing out among all his emotions. “I went there. I could see you from where I was standing. I was in the vineyard.”
“Oh, Ian. I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you to watch. How did you know when and where it was?”
“I found the invitation at Jaden’s. I was planning on stopping the wedding.” He chuckles from shame.
“I wish you had.”
“I should’ve, but I knew that you weren’t ready for me to show up in your life. I wanted you to be happy and my God, did you look happy.”
Grace takes her place back on Ian’s chest, grabs his arms, and wraps them around her like a blanket. “I was happy, but if you had come running in, begging me to stop, I would’ve left with you in a hot second. I know that sounds terrible, but let’s face the facts, Ian. I can never say no to you. My heart belonged to you the minute I first saw you.”
“I’m sorry you were hurt. You didn’t deserve to be treated the way Ben treated you, but I’m so fucking glad that you aren’t married anymore.”
“Me, too. Ben was not who he pretended to be…I guess I should say who he tried to be. He did try. My gut told me he was too perfect and I didn’t believe myself. I ignored my own intuition.”
“What does your gut tell you about me?” he asks, drawing her face around so he can look into her eyes.
“It tells me that with you is where I’m meant to be. That this confusing time of wondering what my life was missing…all along it was you.”
She turns her body and hangs her legs over his and the side of the chair. Leading her chin to his face, he brings her lips to meet his. Kissing her tenderly he pulls her on top of him. “I’ve known since the day I left Paris all those years ago that you were what was missing in my life. The second I walked away from you that day in the airport, I missed you, and the void I’ve had in my life since has been so freakin’ unbearable. When I heard you were divorced, I couldn’t help dreaming that one day we would be back together, but I honestly never thought you would forgive me.”
“It’s not a matter of forgiving you. It’s that I can’t help loving you. There’s nothing to forgive, Ian. Our last breakup was my fault. Not yours. If anyone should be concerned about forgiveness, it’s me. I’m the one who didn’t trust you to—”
He interrupts her before she can continue. “I’ll never be anything but honest with you. You can trust me. You can trust in us. I’ll never take the chance of losing you again.”
