Ripples in the Rain

Chapter Twelve

The following hours passed by really slowly. I couldn't focus on anything while I spent time with James and his parents. After lunch, we went to the shops and bought some local handmade crafts for Catriona and Donald to take home to Scotland. Catriona bought a beautiful necklace and Donald bought a cute wooden sculpture. James was really close to his parents and his three sisters. He loved his family and his home country. His love really showed when you read his novels. They were usually set in Scotland and involved a family whose members started in turmoil and ended up happily united with each other.

While Catriona talked to me about how much she enjoyed being in the Hamptons and how perfect the weather had been, my mind drifted off to Oscar again. Would I be able to meet him on time? Should I even meet him? After all, I'd worked really hard to avoid him. Should I ruin everything I worked for this past year and a half? Nevertheless, Oscar admitted that he wasn't happy. He looked skinny and tired. I couldn't just waltz around town with James while Oscar was suffering. But I didn't want to hurt James either. He was my sunshine. He's a happy and kind person. And funny. Very funny. I adored his parents. We had a real chance to make it as a couple. Why was I sabotaging my only hope for long term happiness?

"A penny for your thoughts?" James asked.

"Oh, nothing important," I said. "Just wondering what I should cook for dinner tonight."

"Are you sure you don't want to join me and my parents tonight?"

"I'm sure," I said. "You guys should spend time on your own. And I'll see you all tomorrow morning."

After I said goodbye to James and his parents, I headed towards the Montauk Point Lightouse as fast as I could. I knew what I did was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself. I just wanted to see Oscar again. I wanted to feel his warm body on mine - even if it was going to be the last time. I turned my mobile phone off, making sure that I would have no disturbances.

When I saw him sitting on the bench, waiting for me, my heart swelled. He seemed very happy to see me. I ran into his open arms and gave him a long awaited hug. He ruffled my hair and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm so glad you could make it," he said.

"Do you really think I won't come?" I asked him.

"You have a new life now," he said. "And so do I, but I still want you in my life - in whatever capacity possible."

I looked up to him and smiled. "Even if it means having an affair with me?"

I shook my head and said, "You are a public figure, Oscar. That won't be possible."

He touched my chin lightly and said, "Anything is possible."

He lead me to a small picnic rug, laid on the grass behind a number of trees and asked me to lie down. I did exactly what he asked me to do.

"I've been waiting for this moment since the last time I saw you." He sat beside me, looked me over from top to bottom and then touched the bracelet on my hand.

"You're still wearing my Abuela's bracelet. That must mean something."

I sat up and kissed him gently. "Of course, you mean a lot to me."

He kissed me back, pressed his body onto mine and took off my dress. After not seeing him for more than a year, I suddenly felt embarrassed to be seen naked by him. I covered my body as much as I could. He pried my hands away and started kissing my shoulders, down to my chest and then my navel. I was completely aroused and immediately forgotten my shyness of revealing myself to him. I took off his shirt and was wet from seeing his body again. He was beautiful, even after losing weight and having more prominent ribcages, he still completely turned me on. He smelt familiar and I knew I'd be happy just smelling him and not doing anything else. I wanted to bottle that smell and take it with me.

We made love once, twice and a third time. Making love to him came very naturally. It was like we'd never been apart. When we finished, we were both exhausted but extremely satisfied. Oscar brought a little picnic basket which included a lovely bottle of wine and some hors d-o'uvres he bought from a local delicatessen. We both loved the mini salmon blinis and ate quite a lot of them. It had been three hours since I arrived and I was satiated in every possible way.

Oscar held my hand and said, "I don't want this to be the last time we meet."

"How are you going to explain this to Alana? Are you going to lie to her?"

He nodded. "I have no choice. I want to keep Stefan close to me. I'm actually quite a hands-on father."

I smiled. I could imagine him picking up his son from school or playing with him at the park.

"That's really nice to hear. But I don't like lying to James and my daughters."

I looked at his soulful dark eyes and said,"There is no future for us, is there?"

He squeezed my hand tight and said, "I will not give up on us, Pippa. I will find a way for us to be together." He added, "Just don't cut me off again. I won't survive the next time."

I touched his face gently and said, "I promise I won't."