35

BRICE

I'm at the boarding gate waiting for Soleil with flowers in hand but she's late. We've been communicating over the phone daily - calls, videos, texts, you name it. I just want to know where she is and what she's doing every moment of every day. I've been looking forward to seeing her since leaving her with Hidde a couple of days ago.

He's also the reason why I'm here. When he showed up at the beach house after dropping Soleil off, we got into it. He was concerned about her well-being and my intentions. I asked him if he wanted her and instead of answering my question, he accused me of being insecure.

ME of all people.

I'm rich, handsome, have all my mental faculties in order as I ascending to my physical peak.

He then pointed out that even though the aforementioned may be true, my relationships weren't great, and my relationship with Soleil - abysmal. He went on to relay their in-car conversation and highlighted my shortcomings. He got on my nerves so bad, I had to admit that I did like her despite my actions showing otherwise.

Apparently, you're supposed to ask a girl out, court her, get to know her, and demonstrate consistent affection. I had never done that before. I had never been on the receiving end of that exchange either. How could I give something I didn't have? If I had a "love language" it would be sex and money.

I was once deeply in love with her - in our past life. I may not have said it then either but I showed her. Clearly, I had my work cut out for me if I was going to make her believe she was mine - always has been and always will be. My heart had claimed her.

"Sir, we've held off as long as we can. We'd be happy to have you on the next available flight which departs in an hour. However, we must now close the boarding gate or risk delaying other flights," said the flight attendant I'd bribed.

"Give me ten more minutes."

I try Soleil's phone again. It rings before going to voicemail. Damnit.

Her last message came an hour and a half ago when she told me she was on the way. Did something happen to her? Was she in an accident?

Shit! I walk over to the trashcan and dump the flowers. I need to get her address. I'm driving over to her house. I'd rather find her home because she changed her mind than dead on the road. I scroll my call log and find Hidde's name a few rows down.

The phone rings a few times before he picks up.

"Aren't you supposed to be enjoying your flight and wooing your paramour?"

"I haven't left yet."

"Why not? What happened?"

"She didn't show up. Send me her address."

"Brice, I think you need to - "

I don't hear the rest of what he says because I see Soleil running through the terminal heading in my direction. I hang up relieved. My mood instantly changes. I swear, this girl is my bipolar switch.

"I'm here! I'm here! Sorry, I'm late! I didn't think you'd wait and was about to purchase another ticket when they told me to come through," she rushes out, breathless.

"Thank your boyfriend, Miss" says the flight attendant as she checks her boarding pass.

"Brice?"

She looks shocked to see me. She didn't even notice me. I walk over to the counter and feel like a moron for tossing the flowers. I don't plan on digging them out. I'll buy her a fresh bouquet when we land.

"The one and only," I murmur dryly.

"Please go through. We are quite late," ushers the attendant with a hint of annoyance.

I take her hand in mine, and we board the plane at last. I bumped her ticket up to first class so we're closer to the front. I let her have the window seat. Once the plane has leveled off and we're at cruising altitude, she turns to speak to me.

"Brice, what are you doing here? I thought you were gonna pick me up from the airport on the other side?"

Two days had been long enough. I wasn't going to wait a few more excruciating hours.

"I missed you and didn't want you to travel alone."

Her eyes soften and she looks away shyly, a smile playing on her full lips. She turns to face me again.

"You could have done that thing you do and got us the beach house like that," she snaps her fingers for effect.

"And risk you getting sick again? No thanks."

"I was drunk."

"Then no more drinking for you."

She's right. I could have used my power to port us but I wanted to spend time with her. I want to treat her like the princess she is - my princess.

*

We arrive at the airport 5 hours later after stopping in Cape Town catching a connecting flight to Plettenburg Bay. I haul Soleil's luggage in the back as she holds on to the flowers I got her during the 2 hour layover. It looks like she's packed for a whole month instead of a week's vacation. I wouldn't mind if she decided to extend her stay. I open the door of my jeep for her and get in, opening the sunroof as we merge onto the freeway.

The drive to the beach house is short and we should arrive in under 15 minutes.

Soleil is in full holiday mode with her seat reclined back and her feet up on the dash. I trail my gaze along the lines of her body that's wrapped in a flowery sundress. She lifts her shades pushing her hair back in the process as the wind whips her hair all around her.

She looks at me and I stare back.

"What?" I finally ask, returning my gaze back to the road.

"You're... different."

"How so?"

"You're being nice, dare I say sweet."

"Do you want me to revert?"

She shakes her head no.

The salty air becomes more distinct when I off-ramp and merge onto the winding road with the beach on my left and the rocky hillside on my right. Soleil slips off her sandals and moves towards the middle, standing through the sunroof.

"This view is amazing!"

"Yes, it is."

I love the way this dress wraps around her frame and hugs the curve of her ass. I slow down, lean over, and take a bite of her apple bottom.

"Seriously?!" she yelps moving her rear out of reach as she glares down at me.

"I couldn't resist. Amazing view." I wink at her.

She rolls her eyes but the smile on her face persists as she retakes her seat. We pull up to the gate. I key in the code and drive in. We get out and I roll her oversized bag down a concealed path that leads to the entrance of the cottage. With the boys over along with Hailey and a couple of her friends, it's a full house and I want us to have some privacy.

I give her a quick tour of the lounge, kitchen, and guest bathroom after dropping her bags off in our suite. The place is dark and cozy shrouded by trees, bushes, and vines making it naturally cooler. Unlike the main house, I decided on dark wood and a cool grey for the interior with accents of blue.

"I've booked us a table for dinner at 6 PM. Come on, I'll give you a tour of the main house."

I lead her out to the pool where Louis and Baptiste are laid out on the deck chairs.

"Soleil, c'est un plaisir de vous revoir," greets Louis. Nice to see you again.

"Bonjour!" she greets back.

I think Baptiste may be passed out behind his glasses. He hasn't moved an inch.

As we make our way through the main house, all I hear is arguing along with the raised volume of a game coming from the speakers. When we enter the TV room we find Hidde and Didier playing FIFA on screen with Olivier giving advice as if he were a coach on the sidelines.

"Kids! We're home!" I shout over the noise.

No one gives us a second glance. They're glued to the screen like zombies in another world.

I walk Soleil through the six-bedroom, six bathroom, beachfront home. When we return downstairs the ruckus has died down and the TV room has been abandoned. We walk out to the patio to find the boys setting up the grill and bringing out the meat.

"Where are Hailey and Co?" I ask.

I thought I would have run into her at some point but it doesn't look like she's here.

"They went to the mall," supplies Hidde. "Hey, Soleil. I see you finally made it."

"Without a minute to spare. I thought I'd missed my flight."

"You are a sight for sore eyes," says Didier, walking over to her and kissing her on each cheek.

"Aren't you charming?"

"Reculer." I warn. Back off.

"Calme toi. J'ai une petite amie." Relax, I have a girlfriend.

"Whatever." Didier can be annoying. "Do you want to go for a swim?" I ask Soleil.

"Sure."

We head back to the cottage to change. Soleil opens her overflowing suitcase digging around for a bathing suit. I take off my tee, kick off my shoes and shorts heading for my closet. I find a pair of trunks and slip them on. I return to the main bedroom to find Soleil headed for the bathroom with a few items in hand.

"There's no need to be shy. Nothing I haven't seen before," I call after her.

She ignores me, slamming and locking the door behind her.

"Meet me outside."

"Alright, B!"

I walk out of the sliding doors and break out into a sprint before I dive in. I glide under water to the other side then complete a lap back. Soleil emerges in a pink one-piece and an oversized floppy hat.

She sits on the edge of the deep end with her legs submerged to the shin. I swim over to her and rest my arms on her thighs.

"Are you going to sit there looking pretty or come in?"

"I don't want to get my hair wet."

"It's not that deep."

I wade backward into the water and drop down to stand at the bottom in demonstration. My hands stick out. It's about 2m.

"Brice, you're tall. I'd definitely get my hair wet." She stands up and walks over to the shallow end where the steps are located. "Can I trust you not to do something stupid?"

That sounds like a trick question.

"I won't get your hair wet," I say instead.

She removes her hat and drops it onto an empty sunbed. After wrapping her hair in a high bum, she climbs in and swims breaststroke coming over to me. I grab a hold of her waist and she wraps her legs around my midsection, her arms circle my neck.

"Relax. I've got you."

"Last time I was in a large body of water with you, you tried to drown me."

"That's in the past. Let bygones be bygones."

I squeeze her ass and hike her a little higher as I wade around the pool on my back. My gaze trails her body from her perky tits to her slim waist. Even though she's covered, the swimsuit leaves little to the imagination. Her brown eyes narrow at me as if she can read the dirty thoughts running through my mind.

"Where are we going for dinner?" she asks, adjusting herself atop of me.

"It's a surprise."

I right myself and lean into her. She closes the distance and brushes her lips against mine. I deepen the kiss teasing her tongue with my own. I push her up against the wall for purchase and caress the outline of her nipples through the elastane material.

Olivier clears his throat obnoxiously and Soleil breaks the kiss looking a bit embarrassed. I swear, annoying must be a gene that runs in the DuPont family.

"Sorry to interrupt. Just need to find out if we should count you two for dinner."

"No, we're going out."

"Cool, no problem." He rubs the back of his neck nervously. "We want to play a game of polo. Do you mind?"

"Up for a game?" I ask Soleil. "You'd be my first pick," I cajole.

"Nah ah. I'm not taking any chances." She pecks my lips, turns around, and lifts herself out of the water giving me a magnificent view of her ass. I'm not the only one checking her out. Olivier is practically drooling.

I pull his leg and he flounders, fighting to regain his balance but eventually loses and falls in. Serves him right.

SOLEIL

I can't walk away fast enough when I feel like I'm being watched. I definitely know Brice is checking me out but I don't think he's the only one. My ass swallows the material of my costume with every step I take. All of a sudden it feels much smaller than when I first tried it on.

I walk back over to my suitcase in the bedroom I'll be sharing with Brice. I'm both nervous and excited for tonight. The emotions are a heady cocktail. I pull out a couple of dresses, skirts, and shorts trying to figure out what to wear.

I think this is a date. He hasn't said so but dinner, the flowers, the first class seats... The man is buttering me up. Hopefully, the other shoe isn't about to drop. He's still handsy but romantic in his own way. He hasn't stopped touching me and held my hand throughout the day even when he was giving me a tour of the house - not to mention the kiss. He's a good kisser. Just thinking about how heated things were getting in the pool makes my toes curl.

Getting the injection doesn't seem like such a bad idea, huh?

I shake the thought off. I do not plan on sleeping with Brice anytime soon. I decide on a strapless, knee-length, yellow dress that hugs my waist to my hips before flaring out. I'll pair it with strappy, black sandals and a black handbag.

I head to the bathroom for a quick rinse in the shower to wash off the chlorine. To avoid looking ashy, I moisturise. I slip on the dress before I head back in to get started on my hair. I style it in a half up, half down do, pulling a few strands out to frame my face. I redefine a few curls with the hot iron.

I apply BB cream to even out my face. It's hot and I want to keep my makeup light so I apply a coat of mascara, eye liner, and gloss.

"Soleil, are you ready?" I hear Brice call out on the other side of the door.

"Almost!"

I fluff out my hair and spray on some perfume. I spin in a final check. I think I look cute.

I walk out and find Brice on his phone. He's dressed in camel-coloured chinos, matching loafers, and a white button-up with the top two buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up. He looks effortlessly sexy.

"You look... ravishing," he says when he finally looks up. He walks up to me and kisses the pulse on my neck. "Let's go before I change my mind."

My mouth is suddenly dry. I simply nod my head then quickly slip on my shoes and grab my bag.

*

We arrive at a busy seafront restaurant called Ocean's Watch. We're led to an upstairs balcony where a table for two with a spectacular view awaits us. Brice pulls out my chair for me before taking his seat.

The waiter sits down our menus, fills our glasses with water, and gives us a few minutes before taking our order. It's mostly seafood on offer, however my appetite is ridiculous and I'm in the mood for beef. Their selection in this regard is meager. I shouldn't be surprised.

I peer over the menu at Brice who's on his phone again. He catches me staring and winks.

"See something you like?" he teases.

"Hmm possibly."

I return my attention to the food on offer despite acting thirsty.

"Tell me what you want."

"I think I'll have the Wagyu burger and fries."

"This place is known for the seafood."

"I see that. What are you ordering?"

"The Platter for 1."

I look for the listed item and read a variety of dishes including calamari, shrimp, prawns, crab legs, and oysters served with a side of rice, vegetables, or roast potatoes. Damn, that's a lot of food. It also sounds good.

"I'll taste some of yours."

"We could order the Platter for 2."

"It's just a taste, Brice."

I give him my best puppy dog eyes. What can I say? I'm set on that burger.

The waiter returns to take our order. I reach for my water looking at Brice over the rim. I can't figure him out, this sudden change in him has thrown me for a loop. He stares back at me not saying a thing.

"What do you want?" I finally ask.

"To apologise."

"What?"

I almost choke on the water and have to put my glass down. Is this an apology dinner?

"I'm not good at expressing how I feel - scratch that. I don't think I've ever felt this way and it's confusing. I may have confused you too in the process. I want you and I apologise if I made you feel like I didn't although I don't see how that could have been misconstrued."

Okay, so he wants me wants me? Just to be sure...

"You want me? As in..."

"My lover. My paramour. My girlfriend. I want to be your boyfriend."

He stresses the last word in a condescending tone.

"Why do you say it like that? The boyfriend part that is."

Because you kept throwing in my face that Mark was your boyfriend because of how he treated you.

I heave a sigh. What a night. Anytime I try to think back on it, the secondhand embarrassment has me cringing hard enough to forget.

"I don't remember saying that."

"How convenient."

"I accept your apology."

"And?"

"Let's see how the rest of the night goes."

It hasn't even been 24 hours. I need to spend more time with this version of Brice before I give in. But so far so good.

2024 | 02 | 24

WC 3023

Dedicating this chapter to:

gabyporpaginas 🌸

Dany1Lopes 💮

angelofwar19🏵

LadybugMela 🌹

Isalaine_lainy 💐

Speakingof_Amaris 🥀

qual1es2mi3nombre 🌺

lifespringoil 🌻

StrangeFridays 🌷

Greenpepsi21 🌼

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

May your path be paved with flowers this 2024

I tried to tag more of you but your usernames weren't popping up :/

CHAPTER 36 & 37 are open and free to read ahead on REAM!