Recaptured Dreams (26 page)

“Exactly.” He squeezed her hand. “You saved me that summer, and now I do my best by saving others. Helping as much as I can. The notebook always reminded me of that…of you. And now I see, even though you
are
different, Sophia, you’re still the same on the inside.”

Tears pricked Sophia’s eyes. She had saved him, just as he had saved her. Lifestyles and society rungs aside, they belonged together. Forever.

The morning sun was muted through the curtains as they lay entangled in the sheets on the bed.

“Last day,” Xavier whispered as he tugged Sophia close and kissed her cheek.

“Yeah.” She tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder. “It’s sad. I’ve really enjoyed it here. With you.”

He gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled as he pressed his lips to her temple.

“What are we going to do when I have to go back home?”

He dipped his head to look at her face. “Don’t worry about that now. Let’s focus on today first. We have somewhere special to go.” His lips formed a quick, playful smile.

“You know best,” she said lightheartedly as she rose out of bed. She stretched, and the caress of his fingertips along her skin made her fight the urge to lie back down. Walking toward the bathroom, she felt his eyes on her, watching every stride with male appreciation.

As she showered, she thought about how much she had missed during the years spent apart from Xavier. There were still more questions than answers, and a part of her wanted to have the same memories he had of their young relationship. She wanted to know how it felt. And yet it seemed as though everything she’d been missing was sitting in the next room, waiting to fulfill any future need she might have. She was ready to give herself to him for the rest of her life.

Pulling the towel off her head, Sophia brushed her hair and quickly dressed in jeans and a warm sweater. Yes, she could just continue on that wonderful path and cherish all the memories that were yet to come. Even if she never got her memory back, Xavier would always be there, holding her and loving her. She just hoped he understood there were parts of her she might never retrieve.

Walking down to the kitchen, Sophia crossed its threshold—and there he was, her love, standing proud as he looked out the window. His hair glistened, and his eyes were bright as the morning sky. He looked delectable in his dark-wash jeans and long-sleeved, snug-fitting red knit shirt.

“Hey,” she said.

He smiled when he turned and saw her. “Hey to you, too.”

Before she could take a step toward him, he was there, his arms curling around her possessively as he captured her lips with a warm and enticing kiss. Her body instantly ignited, longing for more. His familiar, sweet honey scent engulfed her, making her whole in places she’d never thought she could be.

“You look beautiful this morning.” His words came out with a growl. “I had to give you a proper good-morning kiss.”

The words were so innocent. So simple, so easy.

“I’ll be sure to remind you to kiss me, should you ever forget.” She drew him in for another kiss. Memories or not, she had Xavier now.

When their lips parted, Xavier’s hunger flared. “We better go before we get preoccupied.”

She laughed carelessly as he brushed his fingers across her cheek, and the sound filled him with the joy he had missed for so many years. He would never get enough of her. An eternity would never be enough.

Yet, as he led her to the car and watched her frame slide down into the seat, he knew they had too much time to make up for. Damn her mother. But he couldn’t think about that now. By the end of the day, Sophia would be his for the rest of their lives.

After a rather far drive, the car was flanked on both sides by thick green pine trees and tall barren oaks. The road became narrower, winding through the dense brush.

“Ah, Westfall Park,” Xavier said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. He rubbed his hand on the inside of Sophia’s thigh and gave her a wicked smile. “This is the one place I’ve been dying to show you.”

Sophia arched her brow at him. “Is that so?”

He nodded as his grin widened. “That’s so.” He raked his gaze over her arms and legs. He had wanted to do this for a long time. “The weather’s not the best, but we’ll make do.”

Xavier parked the car next to a small pebbled path. He helped Sophia out of the car and put both hands on her hips before going in for another passionate kiss. His hand caressed the side of her face as he moved away, the glint of longing in her eyes making him satisfied in all the right ways. He popped the trunk and lifted out a blanket and a basket.

“Are you warm enough with that jacket?”

Sophia zipped up her fleece. “Yes. And if not, I’ve got you, right?”

Her mischievous grin made Xavier chuckle. “This way,” he said, pulling her toward the path.

Tall trees were all around them, and bright beams of sun slanted through the empty limbs. The dense surroundings staved off any cold wind, keeping Xavier warmer than expected. He held Sophia close with his free arm, never once breaking contact. Her face as they walked amused him. She looked excited, anxious, and simply glowing. They hiked for almost fifteen minutes before Xavier stopped in the middle of the gravel path.

Xavier leaned over and kissed her nose. “Are you okay?”

“Um, yeah. I guess I’m just confused.”

He laughed and took her by the hand. “This is where we go off-road.” He pursed his lips and looked down at her flats. “I probably should have told you to wear boots for this.”

“For what?”

“We’re going that way.” He pointed toward the thick woods. Nothing but condensed trees and wiry underbrush stood before them.

“In there?”

He tugged her close and nuzzled his cheek next to hers. “Don’t you trust me?” His breath washed over the sensitive lobe of her ear.

She trembled. “Yes.”

“Come on, then.” He directed her into the darkness of the trees. “Let me show you something you’ll wish you could remember.”

It didn’t take long hiking through the thick gloom of the forest before they stepped into a clearing. The trees retreated into the distance, and a large field rolled with mounds of tall grass that always remained surprisingly green, even in late winter. The clearing stopped about fifty yards in front of them where the grass met the line of sky. There were no trees along the far edge. Yellow Easter lilies already in bloom dotted the area in clusters. The sun shone down from overhead, making the entire area bright and warm. Sophia angled her head to the light and let it warm her face.

“It’s beautiful,” she said as she smiled at Xavier.

“It’s better in the summer,” he commented. “But no matter the time of year, you are far more beautiful than this could ever be.”

Sophia would have sunk into a boneless heap right then had Xavier not enclosed his strong arm around her waist and led her further along. She could hear the sound of rushing water getting closer with each step they took. As they made their way to the edge of the clearing, the chilly wind kicked up, and she smelled the salt air of the sea.

“Close your eyes.”

She obeyed with total trust, yet her heart thundered like an elephant stampede in her chest. She heard Xavier shuffle around and drop the items he carried. His warm hands slid into hers as he dragged her close to his body. They took several more steps together and came to a stop on what felt like a jumble of rocks.

“Open your eyes, Sophia, and see the first place we made love.”

Again, she obeyed. To her left was the clearing they had just walked through. And to her right…
Oh my goodness
. A waterfall streamed down the granite face of a tall rocky cliff. Thick brown moss clung to the jagged edges. The water poured through the hills and valleys of glistening rocks, down a hundred feet to the ocean. The sun beat rays of color through the water, arcing from the surface into a flawless rainbow.

She turned to Xavier, who was watching her curiously.

“Words can’t describe what I feel right now,” she said in a quivering tone. From the top of her head to the tip of her toes, her body shivered uncontrollably. But panic replaced excitement when her body churned from the inside out, and she couldn’t stop the trembling. When her eyes met Xavier’s, he gathered her close.

“Are you okay? Is it too cold?”

She put her hand to her head to shake off the feeling. “No…no. I’m fine. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” He led her to the quilt he had laid out on the tall grass. “Sit down and rest.”

He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Her head fell to the side, and she inhaled his scent. The feeling still didn’t fade. She felt like she’d just run a marathon. And she was still shaking.

“I’m tired,” she said, her voice uneasy.

Xavier tucked her closer and kissed the top of her head. His heart pounded against her ear, and she could hear his deep breath. Sophia slipped her arms around him and closed her eyes. It felt good to relax beneath his strength, to let his warmth and love cloak her.

Yet she shuddered at the light that flashed behind her closed eyes like a movie in her head—a fast-motion reel of memories and pictures, long-forgotten bits and pieces of her past:

“I think I’m pregnant,” she told Xavier as he lay back in the grass at the clearing.

He jolted upright, his eyes wide. “Are you sure?”

She shrugged, her unease making her voice shake. “I took a test.” She held it up. “Positive.”

He cradled her in his arms. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” He breathed heavily against her neck. “I promise to take care of you.”

She sobbed against him. “Maybe the test is wrong. It happens.”

He hugged her tighter. She could feel the concern swallowing them both. And she could barely contain her own fear.

His breath rushed out, but he didn’t loosen his comforting grip. His voice was low and steady. “If it’s positive, we’ll work it out no matter what. I won’t leave you, Sophia. I love you.”

She sighed. “It’s not that…it’s my parents. My mother won’t understand.” Her sobs returned, stronger this time. “She’ll be so angry.”