Forever and a Day (55 page)

Gazing out over the white sand and out to the long lagoon, she thought of her Mystery man. She knew she was growing too attached to him but she could not help herself… and when he talked about his wife the pit in her tummy deepened. From the moment she saw him at the audition she felt something, it was new but familiar at the same time. It made no sense, no other guy had made her feel like he did. She looked down at the sand between her toes and shook her head. She was trying hard to be good... “Fuck!” she called out and kicked at the sand. “So not fair…” She mumbled.

With a sigh, she hoped he would be home soon. She looked up at the sky and saw the first star of the night. She made a silly wish, kissed her finger tips and blew it towards the star, as her hand dropped something far out in the distant water caught her eye. Squinting, she saw it was a boat. Squinting harder, her heart dropped into her belly. Two people were on the boat, Xander found somebody…

“So much for my wish.” She grumbled sadly. Squinting at the distant boat, she watched as it slowly made its way closer. Halo pushed herself upright and using her walking stick, she slowly walked to the shore.

With her heart sinking further, she brought her arm up and gave them a wave. As they came closer, she squinted again and saw that something was amiss. Whoever was in front of the boat was very pale.

They were still at least 200 yards out when Halo realized that the person in front was not a person, but an animal. “A goat!” She exclaimed aloud. Her heart jumped when she finally recognized Xander in the back paddling away with his goat sitting contentedly up front. She waved to him excitedly again and he waved back.

Soon he was jumping out of the boat and pushing it up on the beach. He ran up to her and gave her a big hug.

She was happy again, with his arms around her, “I missed you!” She said exclaimed as she gave him a huge hug back.

“Hey, I missed you too! I brought you a friend!” He laughed. “What are you doing out here?”

“I decided to come out for a bit and wait for you or the flare.” She shot him a big smile.

“Thank you, you made the last leg home much easier. My arms were ready to fall off until I saw you!” He chuckled.

“I’ll give you a massage later.” She offered and slowly walked up to the boat and the goat bleated at her.

“I better get her out!” Xander laughed and reached in and lifted her out. He untied her legs and let her stand up. “We can’t let her roam here, we need to keep her penned up or tied up.”

“Xander is she just fat or pregnant? Were there more?” Halo asked.

“Well, it’s either that or she’s very gassy! And yes, I counted sixteen. She was having a hard time. Besides, when she gives birth and if she is around males, her milk will sour. When her kids gets weaned we can keep milking her. Goat milk is good! Hell! I might be able to make cheese!” Xander laughed.

Halo’s eyes popped open wide, “Really? You can do that?”

“Yes, I think I can. Time will tell! Hey I have lots to tell you…”

“Did you find anyone?” She asked tentatively.

“Yes, a Mr. Samson Pelekue.”

Halo held her breath as he continued.

“He passed on some time ago. Hey let’s head up and get the goat tied up and watered. Then I’ll tell you all.”

“Of course!”

“Here hold her a moment please.” Xander said handing Halo the lead. He went back to the boat and grabbed the frying pan and came back then took the lead from Halo. “After you, my lady.”

Halo saw sand in the frying pan and looked up at her Mystery man, “Gonna fry up some sandcakes?” Halo giggled.

“I hope you like omelets…” He shot her a sidelong glance.

“Oh! Yes!” Halo replied.

As they came up to the first copse of trees and greenery close to the camp, Xander tied up the goat as she excitedly began chomping away at all the greenery surrounding her, the little stub of her tail wagging rapidly.

“Hey, you should name her.” He chuckled.

“Me? Oh! Lemme think…” She replied and began biting her lower lip.

Xander chuckled, “I think I’ll call the male at the other island, Eric, after my agent.”

“Uh oh. Don’t like him much?” Halo giggled.

“No, we are friends, but I feel it’s appropriate. Any ideas for her?” Xander nodded back towards the white goat.

“Well… it’s not very imaginative, but I think I’ll call her Billie Jean. Ok?”

Xander bowed his head, “Then Billie Jean it is.”

Halo settled down in the tent and patted the blanket next to her, “You look exhausted, come lay down for a while.”

“I should get dinner going before I fall asleep.” Xander joked.

She continued patting the place next to her, “Come relax a bit and take a little nap. I’ll rub your back, I think I owe you one or two.”

“Uh, well I was supposed to do you… I mean, give you a massage!” He blushed and sat down next to her. He saw her eyebrow arch high at his remark, “I’m really sweaty…”

“Oh, like that matters. Take off your shirt already.” She ordered.

Xander did as he was told, knowing he should just go make dinner and be done with it, but he was too tired to even resist at this point.

“Lay down.” She ordered and he laid himself out on the blanketed tent floor with a sigh. He closed his eyes and smelled baby oil. Her hands began rubbing at his shoulders and he was instantly in heaven. She was kneading away at his stiff shoulder muscles and the feeling was marvelous. His thoughts drifted to her hands touching him, he so loved the feeling when they touched. Drifting off towards sleep, he pushed the nagging thoughts of Evie away and how angry she would be right about now if she knew what was going on. He tried to concentrate and stay awake and enjoy Halo’s fingers digging in and loosening his taut and tired muscles but his resistance was futile and was quickly fast asleep.

She heard his breathing deepen signaling that he was out. She eased up on the deep massaging, as her hands were sore and tired. Instead, she began gently running her hands softly across his broad strong shoulders, then down his back. Closing her eyes, she relished the contact with him as she continued to gently caress his skin with her fingertips. Feeling her naughty bits warm, caused her to pause for the briefest of moments. She wondered how he would respond if she began getting friskier with him.

Sexy thoughts of turning him over and straddling him raced through her mind. Kneeling at his side, she squeezed her knees together and the pressure sent a wave of pleasure through her. The thought of him being inside her while she kissed his full lips caused her to gasp quietly as her breath caught in her throat.

Looking down she found her fingers had found their way under the back of his waistband and were caressing the upper part of his muscular bum. With a start, she pulled her hands away and set them in her lap with a forlorn sigh.

“So unfair…” she whispered to herself.

She laid down next to him and decided to let him rest awhile before she woke him to make their dinner.

Halo woke up with herself wrapped around Xander, who was still fast asleep on his back. The dim golden light from the sunrise brushed over his handsome stubbled face. She so yearned to place a discreet kiss on those sexy lips.

She thought about his wife and with it came the familiar sinking feeling in her insides. Sure, Evie may have taken care of him but she doubted she loved her husband. From what she gleaned from Xander, it really sounded like she treated him like a possession, a child even. Did Evie even enjoy being with him? Her perception was that they did not have sex much. He certainly was not lacking as every morning she was relentlessly teased by his erection as he slept. She briefly wondered if Xander was not good in bed. With a small shake of her head, she dismissed it. She bet herself that he knew his way around a woman due to her experience with his wonderful massages.

She wrapped her leg around his and got as close as she could. He would be getting up soon and once again, he would be off for the day on the other island, only to come back exhausted. He would tiredly make them dinner, begging off her help and would collapse in their tent and be fast asleep even before she could offer up conversation.

She continued to pester him about what he was doing for days on end over there, he would just smile and tell her, ‘you’ll see’. He told her about having to bury the poor man. He had brought back the picture of his wife and showed her before he buried it with him. They both silently understood that since Samson Pelekue was not buried before they landed here, that this island must not be visited. For her it gave her hope for an opportunity to win his heart and make him hers.

Then there were the times when he spoke about Athena, the hurt in his eyes was so apparent and made her guilt pile up for wanting her father to stay here with her. She knew that he was keeping himself busy to keep the distance between them. She would watch his eyes, but by the way he looked at her she knew there was something deep in there concerning her. Not knowing how deep and what exactly he felt for her was maddening. What was making it worse was that these past few days he began bringing beautiful flowers home for her. She wished desperately JJ were here to help keep her sanity… she could hear JJ’s voice telling her, ‘he’s a married man’. So unfair, she thought as she watched him sleep.

Soon she saw his eyes flutter open, they were so green and deep she wanted to just get lost in them.

He turned to her with a smile and covered his mouth with his hand, “Good morning, beautiful.”

She gave him her biggest smile, “Right back at you, handsome.” She watched him roll his eyes at her and smile. “I think I want you to stay right here today, I’m too comfortable for you to go.”

“Yes, it’s nice…” Xander said trailing off.

“Can you at least come back a little earlier? I’m getting lonely without you.” Halo offered a compromise.

“Sure! I’m sorry, I’m not trying to ignore you, really.”

“Oh Xander, I know…” She smiled a sad little smile for him and she pushed the urge away to climb on top of him and feel his manhood she knew was hard under the blanket.

“I’ll only be gone half a day, is that ok?” He offered.

“Yes!” She replied and propped herself up on her elbow and began circling his chest with her finger happily.

“Halo, did you just wake up too?” Xander asked with a chuckle.

“Um, no… I’ve been awake for a bit, why?”

“Uh… well you always look so gorgeous…” He mumbled. “Sorry.”

“Why thank you, no need to be sorry.” She laughed. “Why be sorry?” She asked in afterthought.

“You must hear it all the time, from famous people to followers on Twitter and stuff…”

Halo laughed good naturedly, “I think I’ve heard it a time or two, but when it comes from you it’s more meaningful.”

“Oh…” Xander replied and segued quickly, “Uh, you hungry?”

He made to get up but she pushed him back with her hand, “Will you let me help today?” She asked.

“Are you up to it?”

“Of course.” She said stated proudly.

He began roll over and get up. On a whim, she casually let her hand glide down his chest past his taut abs. She felt the muscles quiver ticklishly under her fingers. She stopped with the sudden realization that he was ticklish and suppressed the urge to dig into his belly and hear him laugh.

With his back to her he turned his head and smiled, “Be right back.” Then he was out of the tent leaving her to watch him walk away.

She sat up and reached for her brush and began running it through her thick golden hair. About the time she got it up in a ponytail, he came ambling back with the blanket over him. She watched as he began working on getting a fire started. She surrounding herself with her red blanket, walked out and sat down by him.

“So what’s for breakfast?” She asked.

“Pretty much some fruit, breadfruit and leftover fish. Sorry…” He gave her a pained look.

“Stop being sorry all the time!” She jested at him, “I can’t believe how well you are providing for us.”

“It’s not me, it’s Mr. Pelekue. Without him it would be mostly fish and coconuts.” He wrinkled his nose at her then smiled.

“Well, my thanks to both of you.” She rubbed his arm affectionately, “Are you leaving soon?”

“Uh, yes. I will try and hurry, it’s quite the paddle over there and back. I’m making a sail for the outrigger…”

“Oh? Is that what you are doing over there?” Halo asked excitedly.

Xander turned and looked at her and raised his eyebrows up and down at her, “You’ll see!”

“Xander! C’mon already you’ve been at this for more than a week! I’m dying to know, can I at least have a hint?” She stuck her lower lip out and batted her eyelashes at him.

“Oh my God. Don’t do that!” He laughed.

“Mr. Superman, whatever do you mean?”

“Superman, again? Well if that’s the case, you are my kryptonite, especially with that look!”

“You mean this one?” She pulled her scrunchie out of her hair letting it fall around her face with a shake of her head. She dipped her head slightly, looked up at him with her blue eyes open wide in desire. She relaxed her mouth, letting her lips part slightly. She then turned her head slightly and stared deeply into his eyes then bit her lower lip gently with her teeth.

Xander swallowed hard and did his best to look away, but could not, “Oh hell…” He said hoarsely.

She blew him a little kiss and whispered seductively, “Kryptonite…” She saw his face flush and it made her insides all warm. Let him think about that while he is away, she giggled inwardly.

“Yeah…”

“Xander, you are going to catch your cape on fire.” She pointed at the edge of his red blanket that was near the flames.

“Oh shit!” He yelped looking from her to the blanket pulling it clear. Looking back to her with a wan smile, she began pulling her hair back into its ponytail. “See!” He chuckled.

“Yes, I did.” She look into his eyes then smug feeling overcame her, knowing she got to him.

After they were finished eating she insisted on cleaning up. She shooed him off to hurry up and get ready so he could come home sooner. She watched him gather up his bag and place some food and water in it.

She looked up at him, “I’ll work some more on the palm thatching, I think I’m getting the hang of it.” She kept silent on how much the thatching cramped and hurt her fingers, and figured she would get used to it.

“Thank you Halo.” He surprised her by leaning down close to her, she hoped he was going to give her a goodbye kiss. Instead, he turned his head at the last moment and gave her a gentle hug. As he began pulling away, she stopped his face with her hands and quickly gave his cheek a kiss then let him go with a smile. It was his turn to be surprised and she shrugged at him, “Couldn’t resist.” She explained and shooed him off with her hands.

Xander’s heart hammered in his chest as he felt her soft lips on his cheek once again. What was it with her lips? He slept with her on him all night, but hell… her lips on his skin sent him over the edge. He played it as cool as he could have. Sitting in the outrigger and paddling to the opposite island, he played back the feeling of her lips against his cheek, it simply felt fantastic but he could not let on. Not for a minute or else his resolve would crumble. Then he thought about her sexy look at him and he groaned aloud, “Yeah, kryptonite for sure.”

He pulled the outrigger up on the distant island’s beach and turned it around for the next trip back. He had been making several runs most days, doing his best to skirt northward incase Halo was sitting on the beach waiting for him again. His surprise for her was nearly done, and he thanked Samson Pelekue every day for his foresight.

He walked up to the water tower and quickly opened the water valve to let the trough fill up. Earlier he had found that Samson had devised a way to divert the water from the cliff top over his hut and have it drain into the water tower. He repaired it and with the two nights of rain the water was nearly up to the overfill spout.

Getting a load of dried bamboo up on his shoulder, he began his trek back to the outrigger. When he got to it, he tied up his bundle on the newly shored up pontoon supports. With a grunt and heavy push he got the outrigger out into the water and rolled in and began his paddling back to Halo’s Island.

It was midafternoon and Halo was sitting in the sand at the beach landing for the outrigger. She thought of JJ and her parents as she waited for Xander. Every day she said a little prayer for JJ, her parents and JJ’s mother. She wished Athena to be well and to stay strong and not forget her father. She could not bring herself to wish much for his wife, as she finally realized what the pit in her stomach was. It was something she had never really felt: Jealousy. She could not help it, so instead of denying it she attempted to deal with it. Nevertheless, she felt his wife did not deserve him, and at times, she wondered that about herself as well.

Staring off into the lagoon, she thought about him and his daughter. By his words and his emotions she knew he doted on her. He had told her he did his best to resist being wrapped around Athena’s little finger but voiced his doubts about it with a laugh. She smiled at the memory then turned her thoughts to him. She had met many men in her life and they all paled in comparison to her Mystery man. She had all but given up on trying to remember where she knew him from. With a little laugh, she wondered if they knew each other in a past life. Maybe they were married… thinking of that, she wondered if Xander could handle her schedule back in the world or even being called, Mr. Halo Raines by the media. She winced at that thought.