Chapter 16
1270 Words
Two weeks had passed by since Mayah, Adriano, Krista Carlos and Mateo arrived in Costa Rica. The group had come to a comfortable routine while settling in at Adriano’s villa. Adriano and Mayah had become closer in their relationship as did Krista and Carlos.
“Mayah, are you sure you don't want to come out with us? I know that you don't like water but you wont get over being scared of it if you don't try.” Krista had spent the past two hours trying to convince her sister to go with her to the pool or the beach. “Mayah...we are in paradise and you just want to stay in the house? You're coming out with us” she said throwing a two piece bathing suit at her.
“Krista, I cant do it...I just cant.” She tossed the bathing suit back at Krista. “I’m not going, I’m sorry but I’m not ready.”
“How about you come to the beach with us. You don't even have to get in the water.” She threw the bathing suit back at Mayah. “Come on...you cant stay cooped up forever. That was the whole point of Adriano talking dad into letting us leave the country.”
“Fine, I’ll go but I’m not getting anywhere near the water and I’m not wearing this.” She held up the two pieces with a frown.
“Why not Mayah? Are you going to wear jeans and a sweater to the beach?” She put her hands on her hips and glared at her.
“Kris, you know exactly why I cant.” She responded. Right when she went to toss back the suit to Krista, a knock came at the door.
“Princess?” Adriano called through the door.
“Come in Adriano.” She responded.
He poked his head in with a smile. “Princess...I was thinking that while everyone is at the beach, we can go sight seeing.”
“That wont work Adriano because Mayah’s coming to the beach with us,” Krista answered with a smile on her face. “You should come too so you can talk her into wearing the bathing suits you and Carlos went through all the trouble to buy for us.”
“Krista!” shrieked Mayah. “You know why I cant wear them.”
“Why cant you Princess?” He asked. He knew the answer but hasn't been able to bring himself to talk to Mayah about it. He didn't care whether she had scars or not, she was beautiful to him regardless. Seeing the doubt on Mayah’s face, he sat on the bed pulling her into the spot next to him.
“Because Adriano. I cant. I’m ugly! My body is ugly! Don't you guys get it? Marco destroyed my body...he destroyed me!” She cried as Adriano pulled her into a hug. “I cant just wear whatever I want…”
“Princess, that's where your wrong,” cooed Adriano as he rubbed her arm. “You can wear whatever you want.” He pulled out of the hug and lifted her head so she could meet his gaze. “You will wear whatever you want. He didn't destroy you or your body.” His tone was low and almost comforting.
“No, I cant.” she protested.
“Jesus Mayah, you have a killer body. You shouldn't hide it.” added Krista looking to Adriano for support.
“Yes I should. My body-” she started to say as she tried to turn her face away from him.
“Is beautiful.” interrupted Adriano cupping her chin, bringing her gaze back to his. He stared into her eyes for a few moments before Krista cleared her throat.
“I’m going to head to my room and change.” she stood up and walked out, closing the door to Mayah’s room leaving Adriano and Mayah alone.
Adriano waited a few moments for Mayah to collect herself before resuming their conversation. “Princess, I will never force you to do something you don't want to, or wear something you don't feel comfortable in...regardless of what happened to you-what he did to you will not change how I feel about you... I will always be with you to help you, to support you...to love you.” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Mayah, I’m yours until you order me away.” He leaned in closer to her face.
Mayah couldn't ignore how husky and labored his voice sounded. “Adriano-” She bit her lip trying to hide the nervousness she felt being this close to him. He rested his forehead on hers, leaving barely any space between their nose and mouth. He reached up stroking her cheek softly.
“You deserve to be loved Mayah. You deserve to be cherished. God Princess…”he growled. “I’ve kept my distance from you at Roach’s request but I cant anymore.” He closed the little space left between them and pulled Mayah into a deep passionate kiss followed by a short one, leaving them to catch their breath. Mayah buried her face in his chest while he gently stroked her hair as they sat in silence in each others embrace. Eventually they laid down on the bed still in each others arms before Adriano broke the silence. “Princess?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you okay?” he asked. He was a little worried that kissing her might have made her uncomfortable or worse.
“I'm okay.” she said quietly.
“I want you to let me know if I make you uncomfortable.. Or if I go too fast or too far.” He kissed the top of her head as he continued to stroke her hair.
She sat up, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Adriano...I’ve never been able to kiss someone voluntarily,” she admitted. “It was nice, thank you.” She smiled at him.
He sat up with a grin. “I’m glad you liked it.” He kissed her again and smiled. “Roach is going to kill me when he finds out.”
Mayah turned to look at him with a frown on her face. “Are you worried?” She remembered how furious Roach was when Kace tried to pursue her.
He smiled at her. “Princess, I would gladly let Roach kill me to be with you.”
She smiled to herself as she leaned into Adriano. “Adriano?” she said looking up at him. “Lets go to the beach.”
After standing up, he placed a kiss on to the top of her head. “I’ll be downstairs waiting.”
She watched as he close the door behind him before turning to the clothes Krista had brought in earlier. She picked up the bathing suit Krista had thrown to her earlier to wear.
Mayah took a deep breath and said out loud to herself. “Here goes nothing,” she said as she pulled her shirt off and walked over to the mirror. After changing into the bathing suit Krista had picked out for her, she took a step back to look at herself in the reflection. 'Lets go to the beach' she thought to herself with a smile.
- Writer
