38

BRICE

I've been awake for a couple of hours now, but I can't move. Or should I say I don't want to. Soleil is curled up on my side with one leg thrown over mine. Her hand rests on my chest and I absentmindedly run my fingers along the smooth skin of her arm.

I should have been productive in this time - gone for a swim and hit the gym. Instead, I'm reliving the memories of last night. I stare down at the brown skinned beauty trying to capture the details of her face – the thick shaped brows, the way the corner of her eyes tilt slightly upwards, her cute button nose, and full lips that are slightly parted.

My arm is curled around her and has gone numb as her personal pillow. I should probably wake her. We have a full day ahead of us. As uncomfortable as I am, her comfort keeps me still. It's a bit of paradox kind of like my feelings for her. Even with the spell broken, I'm more infatuated with her than I was before.

My mind wanders back to what I saw in her memory walk – making love to my wife who was carrying my child.

Why can't I remember?

Soleil's leg slides off mine. She shifts onto her back and lifts her arms in a deep stretch. The sheet slips down her body exposing her naked breasts. I bend down and suck on her nipple. She runs her fingers through my hair.

"I thought I was dreaming."

I release the delectable mound with a pop.

"About what?" I ask, looking up at her from my vantage point.

Her cheeks colour.

"Everything we did last night."

"We can do it again. Just as a reminder," I suggest running my tongue around her areola.

"No!" Soleil rolls over and gets up heading for the bathroom. "I need to freshen up."

I follow her in and grab my toothbrush whilst she's seated on the toilet.

"Brice! Do you mind?"

I look at her buck naked through the mirror and say, no before I start brushing.

She finishes and flushes then joins me at the sink to wash her hands. As she picks up her brush, I head over to the toilet to empty my blader and rid myself of morning wood.

"Seriously?" she spits. "We've been together for like two minutes and you're already getting too comfortable around me."

I shake off my dick and flush. As I walk past, I smack her naked ass which is now mine.

"You're my girlfriend now, remember."

Her lashes flutter like she's having trouble processing my words. I head back into the bedroom to get dressed.

"We're going for a hike and then a swim after. Breakfast should be ready. Let's go before it's all finished," I call out from the closet.

We get dressed and head to the main house. When we enter the kitchen its crowded. The boys are seated around the island where the food has been spread out and the girls are off to the side at the dining table. Baptiste, Louis, and Olivier heap more food onto their already full plates.

"Save some for us why don't you?"

I grab a plate and help myself.

"It's all about the gains, bro," says Olivier around a mouthful of food.

"Quelles sont tes manières?" scolds Didier. Where are your manners?

Olivier shoves an entire piece of French toast into his mouth and proceeds to say something unintelligible. I shake my head in amusement while Didier looks on in disgust.

"Look who's up. I didn't expect to see you two so early," says Hidde with a knowing grin.

Didier turns his attention away from his brother to me.

"Heard you had a late night." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

"I heard you're checking into a hotel," I counter.

"Nonsense. This is our second home, right Hidde." He elbows my cousin's side.

"Of course, we're all family here, right Soleil." My girl looks up and says a general good morning before returning to the businesses of filling her plate. "Relax. Take a seat unless you plan to eat while standing?"

Soleil takes the seat next to Hidde and I perch myself on the empty bar stool across from hers then dig in.

*

Despite the massive luggage full of clothes, Soleil didn't bring any activewear. We took a quick trip to the local mall and got some things before driving back to the house to pick up the girls.

We're driving in one car and Hidde is in another with the boys.

I look at Soleil riding shotgun and the way her cleavage is pushed up in the black sports bra that matches her black leggings. I almost cancelled the whole outing when I saw her come out in a little pair of pastel pink shorts. It must be a trend or something because Hailey, Jessica, and Antonella have on the exact same outfit in different colours similar to what she tried on at first. I think I saved her the embarrassment of looking like a clone.

I told her I was paying and that she could grab a few more items. I had her try them on first because I was not paying for anything that would get me in an altercation. While she was in the changing room, I made a few calls and set our evening plans in motion.

She was giving me the silent treatment with her arms folded and her bottom lip sticking out. I didn't understand how a girl could still be mad after shopping. Granted, it wasn't Paris but wasn't retail a form of therapy or some shit like that?

"Argh! I wish we'd planned this for the early morning. It's not even 11AM and it's already 30 degrees. I'll be as red as a tomato," Jessica complains.

"I'm going to get a good tan in. The tan lines will suck though. I have sunblock if you want," offers Antonella.

"What I want is to sip on a pina colada under a nice patch of shade."

"Yeah, I could also use a drink," concurs Hailey.

"Hey Soleil, is Chalondra joining us on this trip?" asks Jessica.

"No, she's on safari with her family."

"So, it's just you?"

"Yup!"

"And Brice?"

"Uh huh."

"Interesting. Anyway, there's a house party happening tomorrow – "

I tune her out. I was only paying attention because Soleil was talking and she said my name. Otherwise, Jessica never had anything of substance to say.

We arrive and park. An hour into the trek and the girls are lagging behind. I stay with them for Soleil's sake. We're already moving pretty slow when Soleil comes to a complete stop. She bends over and braces her knees for support.

"Common, we're almost there. Stand up, it will help you breathe easier," I coach.

"Isn't this... supposed to be... a holiday?" she says in staccato, out of breath and covered in a sheen of sweat.

"It is."

I move to stand in front of her and pick her hands up from her knees raising them above her head. I don't think I've seen Soleil on any sports teams. Otherwise she would know to place her hands behind her head when you're out of breath. It opens up the lungs and makes breathing easier.

"Why am I working so hard this early in the day? I should still be in bed."

The girl is funny. I would not constitute a hike as work, let alone at this pace.

"I'll be sure to remember that going forward. Right now, we're out on an adventure. Come on we're almost there."

I take her hand and drag her up the last few meters. The boys are clowning around taking silly pictures.

We've made it to the top and the view is spectacular. I would have carried her, but I didn't want to rob her of the high that comes with pushing past your breaking point. We stand as close to the edge as is safely possible overlooking the sea from the cliff's vantage.

"What do you think? Was it worth the effort?"

"Oh yeah. A once in a lifetime kind of view because I'm never going to do this again."

I wrap my arms around the midriff of her exposed waist. She leans back with her body weight using me as her personal leaning post.

"Let's head back down. I'm ready to get in the water and cool off!" says Louis already making his way down.

"My legs... I can't feel my legs" Soleil whines.

The descent is much easier than the hike up. We get back in the car and I open the sunroof and windows. I make the short drive to Central Beach tailing Hidde.

We get out and head to the meeting point and office located near the car park to get our equipment and put on our wet suits.

"I dunno if I'm going to get off the boat," says Soleil.

"Cummon, don't be a wuss," I tease her.

"You said we were going for a swim. You didn't mention anything about wild animals and being that far out."

"It's a well known tourist spot. We have a dive master with us and I'm a great swimmer in case you forgot."

"My cousin was bitten by a seal she tried to pet in Hout Bay."

"Nothing will happen to you on my watch."

I give her ass a tap and help her onto the boat. We launch off into the sea and cruise along the peninsula until we arrive at the seal colony of the Robberg nature reserve.

We see hundreds of the furry animals sunbathing on the rocks and bobbing in and out of the water amongst each other.

The dive master goes in first. We're not the only group on board. Some look like they're going to watch from the safety of the boat while those in their wet suits get in. Some even came with snorkelling gear.

Baptiste puts on his helmet attached to a GoPro and dives in. Even Hailey and Antonella get in. Jessica looks red and defeated as she sits under the cover of the boat with her shades on.

"Go ahead. I'll wait here," says Soleil.

"Are you sure?"

She nods her head and I let her be.

I dive in and I'm immediately surrounded by seals. They're like water dogs, quick and playful as they glide past us. I swim a bit further out and race against one under water. My vision is sharp especially in the daytime where the sunlight penetrates a good few meters into the water. There is no other wildlife around including fish as they would inevitably make for a quick meal in these parts.

I notice a few couples in the distance further away from the main colony and remember what the guide said about being careful around mates. They're in mating season and can get aggressive if one gets too close. I understand all too well considering how I feel when any male gets too close to Soleil. I guess I'm no better than a seal.

I swim back to the main group and pop up to check on Soleil. She's playing with her hair as the guide talks to the remaining passengers. I hope she's not missing out on this to avoid getting her hair wet. I consider shaving it off. I think she would look cute in a pixie cut.

"Isn't you little girlfriend joining us?" says Hailey. "Or what, can't she swim?"

I don't bother with the dig. She's been quite for the most part keeping to her clique.

"Who told you she was my girlfriend?"

I'd only asked her last night and hadn't told anyone about it.

"I just assumed with the way you've been attached at the hip."

"Whatever. If she doesn't want to come in, that's up to her."

A seal makes its way between us floating on its bag. I give the big guy a belly rub.

"They're really cute," says Hailey also giving it a rub.

"And clever! Do you mind driving the car back?"

"You're going to let me drive?"

She looks both shocked and excited all at once. That worries me. I'm not a fan of letting people touch my shit. Other than Tshepo and Hidde, no one drives my car unless they're a service like valet.

"You did pass your drivers, right? Your license isn't bought or anything like that?"

She splashes water at me in offence.

"Of course, I passed."

"Good. I need you to drive the girls back."

The same seal seems to like us as it circles back for more rubs.

"Aren't you coming back with us?"

"No, I have other plans."

"With Soleil?"

"Who else?"

"You don't have to be so rude. Do you like her?"

"You don't have to be so nosy. Yes, I do."

I hear a squeal and some splashing. I look in the direction of the commotion and notice Soleil making her way over to us.

"Look who decided to join us," I call out loud enough for her to hear.

Her hair is braided down in pigtails, and she seems to be avoiding a collision with the animals even though they pay her no mind as they swim past her or approach her for a whiff.

"As I said, once in a lifetime B. Once in a lifetime," she replies looking suspicious and apprehensive of the furry creatures.

Two hours later, we make our way back to the beach where we change and dry off. The guys are discussing where to go for lunch. I have other plans for us. We put our stuff in the car and I hand my keys over to Hailey.

"Where are we going?" Soleil asks when we leave the group behind.

She's dressed in a cute white jumpsuit with blue flowers on it – one of my earlier purchases.

"You'll see."

It's a surprise and cheesy if you ask me. I hope she likes it. After all the action of the day, this will be a good opportunity to unwind.

The private car I organised arrives and the driver opens the door for us. We get into the cool leather interior and enjoy the scenic drive along the coast. We arrive at a secluded beach where a quiet picnic has been set up.

"This looks amazing!"

When Soleil smiles, her whole face lights up. The wind whips around her curls that now rest a little past her shoulders after taking out the braids. For the first time today, she actually looks happy. Go figure.

"I was thinking we could relax, eat, and watch the sun set. Does that sound like a holiday escapade you're willing to undertake?"

"Yes! Some rest and relaxation. Finally!"

She flops down on the cushion, and I chuckle at how dramatic she can be. I settle in next to her picking up the bottle of chilled wine from the ice bucket. I pour each of us a glass. This day has been, dare I say, perfect.

2023 / 02 / 29

WC: 2 407

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Read ahead to Chapter 48!