Cheaters (completed)

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

After my attempt at surfing and our romantic kissing session on the beach, we're back inside. Travis helps me out of my bikini as we enter his shower to clean off the sand and warm up. Naked and standing before him, I feel a burning sensation on my tattoo. I cover my tattoo with my hand but Travis moves it away to take a better look.
"Come here, you are shivering and you need to clean this up." Always willing to look after me, Travis places me right under the shower spray. It feels like rain rather than the typical shower. It pours softly against my hair and skin.
"What about yours?" I ask.
"I'm all good, sweetheart. Is it too hot?" The way he says sweetheart makes me feel like I'm the most precious person in his world.
"No, it could be warmer."
He adjusts the water temperature. Now it's perfect. God, I feel so good. With my eyes closed, I take in the warmth needing my body to go back to its natural temperature.
"Better now?"
"Yes," I whisper.
Leaving him out of the water is selfish and I don't want to be like that so I pull him to me, front to front. Both of his hands reach for mine and our fingers entwined. I see the hesitation in his eyes and feel his fingers touching my naked finger.
"I took it off."
"Why?" The question vibrates on my lips as he kisses me.
I kiss him back, of course. "Many reasons."
More kisses...
"I didn't want to lose it while we were out in the ocean."
"Where is it?"
"In your room."
"You said many reasons."
"I did. Now I'm going to explain myself the best way I can without crying." I take few seconds to make sure I'm ready to tell Travis what is going on. "After my shower this morning, I got a call from my best friend, Chanel. We live in the same building and she caught Justin with a woman. Again. I told him we were over on the phone and Chanel took care of making him pack his things. We're done."
"Jesus, Willow. All day you acted like nothing was going on. Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I couldn't. Still, now, it takes everything in me not to cry."
"I don't care if you cry, are you okay?" His hands come to my cheeks, our eyes locked on each other.
"I don't know if I'm okay or not but I want to enjoy my time with you." I need his smile, kisses and happy mood. It helps me keep my head up.
"Our time is coming to an end soon." I don't want to hear it.
"I know." My eyes get soaked with tears. Don't cry, Will.
"We have the power to do what we please, Willow." He says squeezing shower gel from the bottle into his hand. "If you want to see me again. I'll make damn sure that my schedule is free next weekend. I'll make you my priority." His hand glides on my body as he washes me with his masculine body wash.
Finding the right words is hard. I don't know what to say. "Travis."
"If you want time to figure out what you want, I won't stand in your way." He helps me rinse the soap off.
"Can we just live in the now? Enjoy this moment and worry about the future later."
He nods. "Absolutely. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be pushy."
I squeeze his hand. "I know. I can't make any promises about the future, neither can you but this, right here, is perfect."
He doesn't say anything but he looks at me in a way that words aren't needed. There is so much chemistry going on between us. I try to keep my distance but the pull is too strong. Even with Justin, it wasn't as strong as it is now. It says a lot about Travis and I.
After only a few days with Travis, my life has changed so much I don't recognize myself. Spending time with another man is something I never expected. I slept with him, had sex with him and want to do it again. Maybe this is what life had planned for me after all. Who knows?
"Okay, I'll give you some space to clean up," I say stepping out of the shower before he can stop me. It has gotten too intense in the shower. His touch all over my body as he cleaned me up, the proximity between us, while I love it, it became too much for me to handle.
I wrap myself and my hair in a towel and walk over to my luggage. I get dressed without wasting time. Things have to slow down a little. I put on my grey t-shirt and three quarter yoga pants that I had packed in case I wanted to visit the gym at the hotel. Let's just say I have no plan to hit the gym but I want to be comfortable.
Sitting outside on the back porch and watching people walking by or throwing a ball, I attempt to free my mind from my previous concerns. Thinking about nothing but the present and how relaxed I am over here. It feels like a real vacations and I love it. It's hard to believe that he lives here. Everything about this place is perfect.
It's a matter of time before Travis meets me here.
When he does, it's without a shirt on and holding the tattoo ointment in his hand.  "I think you should put some on your tattoo as well."
"Definitely." I take the ointment and press on the tube to get a small amount on the tip of my index finger. I lift my top high enough to get full access and apply the ointment of the crusty tattoo.
"Are you hungry now?"
Now that I think about food. "I am."
"Here or out?"
"I don't feel like changing my outfit. I'm being lazy."
Travis looks at me from my head to my toe. "You have nothing to worry about. Out we go. I know the perfect place."
Is he serious? "Travis, let me change."
"No, you are perfect the way you are." Putting on a baby blue t-shirt, he then grabs his keys and goes to the sliding door. "Come on."
"Okay." Wet hair, no makeup on, I leave his porch unsure about my natural look. We walk through the house to get to the garage. Two nice cars sit in there, an SUV and a sports car. Lucky guy!
"Which one?"
I shrug. "A car is a car, we'll get to our destination regardless."
He laughs. "You are not into cars, I get it."
I shake my head. "I can tell they are both nice cars but that's it."
"We'll take the Lotus." While he unlocks the door with the remote, he gets to my door and opens it for me.
"Charming, Mr. Linscott."
"Always." He says flashing me a smile.
Leather seat hugging my back, good music pleasing my ears and wind coming from the opened window drying my hair, this is a good life. My head leans on the seat, while my eyes are too busy exploring and making memories for when I'm gone.
"Everything okay?" His question gets me out of my bubble.
"Yeah, I'm all good, enjoying the vibe of Malibu." It's a lot different than New York. In fact, it has nothing to do with the Big Apple. The stress level seems to be pretty much absent here. Surfers, beachgoers, it's all about taking life the easy way.
"Here we are. You are going to be amazed. Best tuna ever in here." Parking the car, I notice bystanders looking at the car with surprise.
I chuckle at their reaction. "Why are they looking at you like that?"
"Mrs. A car is a car, my car is an amazing machine."
"It looks great but what is it? Why are they drooling?" I laugh. Cars aren't my thing, never were.
"A Lotus Elise."
I don't think I've ever heard that name before. "I guess I've learned something today. Lotus Elise." I repeat. "Would you let me drive it?"
He frowns a little around the eyes. "Maybe."
I'm a good driver, I just don't have any interest in cars.
"It isn't a no." I smile.
Smiling back, Travis gets out of the car and walks to my door. "I'll let you drive it home if you want."
I chuckle uncertain if driving his luxurious car in a city I don't know is a good idea. New York, I wouldn't hesitate a second. The truth is that I'm used to the drivers of New York.
As if we are an official couple, Travis presses his lips on mine before locking our fingers together. "I'm famished." He adds.
I wonder if it's for food or... me. Both probably.
The restaurant is by the beach, of course. Little white candles sit in the middle of the tables. Surfboards are screwed to the walls with what looks like surfers memorabilia. "No wonder why you like this place so much."
"It's one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat around here."
Travis nods to the waitress and picks a table away from the other clients. By the railing of the terrace separating the beach and restaurant, again, we have a beautiful view. I love this place.
Before leaving his place, I wasn't happy to eat out but now, I'm pleased and excited about their menu. A beautiful way to spend quality time over dinner with Travis. I have no idea what I'll have for dinner but right now, that's okay. I'm feeling great despite my day and that's all that matters.