CHAPTER ONE
"My haunted lungs
Ghost in the sheets
I know if I'm haunting you
you must be haunting me"
ANA POV
I slowly untangle myself from Christian's sleeping form. We made love for a good two hours before we collapsed together on the king sized bed; a sweaty mess of tangled limbs and heavy breathing. It was only minutes before my husband drifted off into a deep sleep. I laid there for a few peaceful minutes with him, listening to his even breathing. I know that he probably didn't sleep well with my tossing and turning. No shit Sherlock. He worries about you.
I sit on the edge of the bed and take in his handsome face, his shaggy hair fanning the pillow in an almost comical way. I love you so much.
I want to spend the whole day in bed with my loving man, but I find myself agitated, and extremely restless. My nightmare is slowly slipping away, but the feelings are still pulling at my skin like needy children, demanding my attention. I slowly tiptoe over to the picture window and take in the warm morning sunlight as I grab a silk robe from the back of the desk chair.
We are in a resort on Grand Cayman Island. We were only supposed to stop here again for a quick stay so we could refuel our catamaran, and so the crew could get a few good night's sleep. I fell in love with the carefree spirit of the island. I also fell in love with the sunset walks along the beach, the heat, and the smile that never left my husband's face. So I decided to rent out an entire wing of the resort we were staying at for an extra week. The desk clerk looked at me like I was insane, but she quickly recovered when I insisted she call her manager.
I smile to myself at the memory and decide that what I really need is a cup of coffee and to check my emails while Christian is still sleeping peacefully. I try to avoid work when he's around. I don't want our marriage to be wrapped around my company, but naturally, I still need to know the happenings that are going on when I'm not there. Control freak… I shrug off my subconscious, and grab my laptop and a caramel mocha from the Mr. Coffee machine, before heading out the double doors and onto the balcony that overlooks the ocean.
I pick my favorite lounge chair that sits in the perfect amount of sunlight and shade. I open a few emails and reply to a few urgent questions before I decide a break is needed. I quickly peak in on my husband and find that he's barely moved. My forehead creases as my eyebrows come together in a frown. I know that he's so tired because my nightmares kept him up all night long. What a bitch. You should probably talk to a professional or something, Hun. I roll my eyes at my bitchy inner goddess and decide that I should let Christian sleep a little longer, before waking him up, so we can find something interesting to occupy the rest of the day.
It's nearly lunch time, and I decide that it must be five o'clock somewhere, so I might as well treat myself to a strawberry daiquiri. I sit back in my lounge chair, on the balcony, and soak in the warm sunrays and the fresh ocean breeze that rolls off the water. I feel at such peace here. It's hard to imagine that only a few months ago I was dealing with… difficult circumstances.
Difficult? That's the word you pick? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That was your personal Hell! I ignore my inner voice and sip my daiquiri. I don't want to think about Nathan Steele, Luke Sawyer or Taylor, right now. I'm supposed to be enjoying myself in heavenly bliss with my new husband. That would work well, the only problem is… You know that people are hiding things from you. You try to ignore it, but that's the reason your nightmares keep coming back every night. You KNOW something isn't right.
Again, the voice in my head chirps out the truth of what I'm really feeling. And again, I choose to ignore it, as I down the rest of my daiquiri. I order two more drinks before Christian joins me on the balcony with his sexy smirk and a soft, "Good morning, Beautiful."
I have a wonderful buzz and all of my dark thoughts are chased away by the miracle of a good drink. Or three.
My inner goddess rolls her eyes at me as I smile innocently at my husband, "How was your sleep?"
"It was great, I had this dream that we rented jet skis and went exploring." He smiles slightly at me. I rake my eyes over his shirtless, tanned upper body.
"I think we could definitely make that dream a reality." He laughs, and I smile in return. Little does he know, I'm dead serious about making that dream come true for him.
"I missed you though." His soft spoken admission pulls me from my thoughts as he saunters over to me, his eyes alight with desire. He stands with knees touching mine and he bends down, "Come back to bed with me." His voice is throaty and I find myself moaning and involuntarily leaning into his body.
There is nothing I love more than making love to my husband, but I find that the alcohol has made me restless to get out and find some sort of adventure. "We should go rent some jet skis!" I let out a bubbly laugh. Maybe you should have eaten more, light weight.
Christian's eyebrows pull together as he frowns. "Have you been drinking already?"
"Maybe a few." I smile ridiculously.
"Ana… you don't usually drink so much."
"I'm on vacation. I'm allowed to do what I want." My attempt at humor fails as my voice wavers slightly. I so do not want to have this stupid conversation right now.
Ever gallant, my other half pulls a foot stool in front of the lounge chair I am sitting on, so he can sit across from me. He takes my left hand in his and absentmindedly plays with my engagement and wedding bands. "What's bothering you lately, Baby? I'm worried about you."
He and I both, Doll. My heart breaks for what I am putting the love of my life through. I just don't know how to tell him that I feel like he's hiding something from me. That I can't let go of Nathan Steele and what he did to me because I feel like I don't know the whole truth. How do I openly accuse my husband that I feel he had something to do with my living nightmare's murder?
"I'm fine. It must be post-traumatic stress or something." I try to smile reassuringly.
"Anastasia, do you think I don't know you at all?" He raises one eyebrow, his voice low and challenging.
Called ya on it you lying bitch. Now, BE HONEST. "My heart pounds in my chest. "I just… I don't want you to think that I don't trust you or something… But I just feel like I don't know the whole truth about what happened to Nathan." I'm nervous and I'm rambling, the concerned look in his eyes, spurring me on.
He stares into my eyes for a minute, almost as if he is trying to gage my ability to handle what he has to say. Finally, he sighs deeply. "Look, I probably should have told you this sooner, but I thought you would hate me… Ana, I-"
There is a knock on the balcony door. "Hold that thought okay?" I say as I quickly get up and open the door for Steven, one of our new security guards. "What is it?" I say to him, a little too harsh.
"Sorry to interrupt Mr. and Mrs. Steele," his tone is brisk and business-like, "but there is a man in the lobby claiming to be Mr. Steele's father."
I'm not sure if it was the alcohol, the heat, or the conversation that Christian and I had been having, but my head started to swim. Nathan is back for me. Fear made my heart race in my chest. A cold sweat beaded to the surface of my skin. The last thing I heard before I fainted were Steven and Christian's shocked reactions. "Oh shit, Mrs. Steele!"
"Ana… Baby it's okay."
Author's Note:
I just wanted to say that I am completely overwhelmed by you all. You, my dear readers, are the reason why I find the inspiration and drive to follow this crazy dream of writing. I appreciate you all so very much and I cannot wait to keep writing for you. Please keep reviewing, they help to keep me motivated and honestly, they keep a smile on my face.
I am forever grateful.
Much Love. :)
