When I look at you

Goodbyes

Rowan's POV:

For the second time in a long time I had the best night sleep. Something about Lara's presence calms me and I know what people will say or at least I can imagine. But I don't care, I never have. That kind of attitude has got me to where I am today. I know what I felt towards her, I wanted to protect her and keep her safe, she seemed so innocent. I loved her but she wasn't ready for a relationship yet, she needed to experience life for herself then she could choose if she still wanted to be with me, heaven knows I wanted to be with her.

 It was 8:30 by the time I had woken up. I felt the warm breath of sunlight across my eyelids coaxing me awake. I opened my eyes to see Lara safely in my arms, cuddled my face into her hair, her scent calming me as she smelled like a mix of lavender and my shampoo. I couldn't help but stare at her face, it was so cute nestled in the pillow as she breathed in deep breaths.

I snuggled back down so that I my chin rested on top of her head. We must have kay there for a few minutes longer before I saw her begin to stir.

"Good morning angel"

She purred then murmured a good morning while freeing her arms from the duvet and stretching them upwards. I couldn't help but place a kiss on her lips which caused a little smile to grace her lips.

"How long have you been awake?" Lara asked.

"Only 10 or so minutes. But we will have to start packing for New York, the plane is leaving at 3"

With that Lara hopped out of bed throwing back the covers and ran to the balcony opening the French doors.

"I want to savor this view before we leave" she said while gazing out onto the ocean. I strode towards the open doors so that I was standing behind her, my body pressed against her back. I circled my arms around her and kissed her shoulder.

We decided we would head downstairs for breakfast as Lara wanted to spend a little more time with Grace before we left as well as saying goodbye to Alice. I know I should be glad that her and my sister are getting along so well but I couldn't help the prang of jealousy that I she didn't want to spend more time with me. I must have let my jealousy show on my face as when we left the room Lara nudged me in the side.

"Hey, don't be annoyed, I just want to see Grace and say good bye. I am going to be seeing you all the time in New York" she said while lacing her fingers into mine.

"I am not annoyed" Lara raised her eyebrows and pursed he lips in disbelief. "Fine, maybe I am a bit jealous, I want to spend time with you. But I know I am being irrational; I just can't help it"

I couldn't lie to her; it was like she knew everything already. I smiled she threw her head back in a laugh.

"Come on, I want to eat some breakfast before it gets cold"

Once we were down in the lobby, we turned right heading into the dining area, when someone started to shout Lara's name. I scanned the people in the reception area to see where the voice was coining from and saw a Blonde-haired man with his hand waving in the air at the front desk.

"Tom!" Lara shouted, unlacing our fingers and walking towards him. I stood there motionless for a while, my thoughts going at 100 miles an hour. Who was he? How does she know him? Does she like him? How long has she known him? I clenched my fists and strode after her counting each step I took hoping it would calm me down. What was I doing? I have never acted like this before; I am being utterly ridiculous acting like some alpha male who's marked his territory. By the time I reached them they had already exchanged greetings and were discussing what Tom was doing here. I had manged to calm myself and was now standing next to Lara. I couldn't help the arm that I snaked around her back, tucking her into my side.

"Oh Rowan this is Tom, he is Julia's ex-boyfriend" Lara said as Tom extended out his hand and started to shake mine.

"Tom this is Rowan he is my..."

"Boyfriend" I interjected as I gripped Tom's hand and held his gaze.

"Nice to meet you Rowan, what a strong grip you have there" Tom said with a belittling chuckle. I continued to stare at Tom who continued to glance at Lara who stood there blissfully unaware of the true affect she has on people.

Lara let out a cough as she started to shift her weight from foot to foot. The last thing I had wanted to do was make her uncomfortable and that was exactly what I had done. Yet I couldn't help the prang of jealously I felt and the gut feeling that Tom wasn't entirely trustworthy.

"Well it was really nice to see you again Tom, but I have to go say goodbye to a few people before heading off to New York"

"we'll see each other again I am sure of it" Tom said with a ridiculous smile plastered over his face. I only glared at him not caring what he thought of me, there was just something about him that I didn't like. We each said our goodbyes and we watched Tom head up the stairs to the rooms when I felt a nudge in my side.

"Was that really necessary?" questioned Lara with a pointed glare.

"What?"