Chapter Four:
"You're sure you're okay?" Patrick asked the next morning after they got dressed. They had slept entwined together until the sun broke through the windows of the cabin.
He was anxious to see the house and she wanted to take a minute and pack everything up.
"Yeah," Robin said and smiled at him. "I have a headache from the bump, but otherwise I'm good."
They hadn't talked about what happened between them at all and neither one of them were about to broach the subject.
Why?
Neither knew.
"Okay. I'm going to head back to the house. If you aren't there in an hour, I'll send a search party for you."
She smiled.
"I promise. I just need a minute alone. I'll be there within an hour."
He sighed, not wanting to leave her, but knowing she was entitled to do what she wanted. He opened the door and smiled at the bright sun and beautiful day. Taking one last look at her, he left.
Robin watched him leave and turned to the fireplace, making sure the flames were totally out. She folded up the blanket and cleaned up the empty bottles of beer before she sat on the couch.
What the hell just happened?
She didn't do one night stands and she never did men who looked like that.
She really didn't know much about him and he was very vague about his career. What if he was a serial killer? What if she was falling into a trap?
Her phone buzzed and she smiled when she saw it was her mom with a text.
"You alive? Hurricane?"
She texted back that all was well and she would call later.
"Made any decisions yet?" her mom texted back.
Robin felt tears prick her eyes.
Not any good ones, she thought. She texted nothing yet.
She packed her bag and pulled on her halter top and shorts before she took another look at the room.
Maybe it had all been a dream?
XXXXX
Patrick was pulling the plywood off the windows after assessing the damage to the building. It appeared to be relatively okay, but one of the cabinets in the kitchen had opened and there was a mess of broken plates on the floor.
His mom was safe with his cousin and would be back the next day. The airports weren't flying out yet, so he knew Robin wouldn't be able to leave just yet. He was strangely excited about that.
He had a lot of pent up frustrations about what happened last night. It had been a long drought for him and he had never had sex with someone he barely knew. He figured people probably thought he did things like that all the time, but he didn't.
The issue was that he felt closer to her than he had to his long term relationships.
How was that even possible? He really knew nothing about her and he had lied to her face about himself.
So why did he want to see her again? Touch her? Love her?
Was it just a sexual attraction? Was he just horny?
He laughed to himself and looked out of the window, seeing her walking up the sandy beach, wearing a skimpy halter-top that did nothing to conceal her beautiful figure. Her hair was blowing all over her face and her long legs were gorgeous and a tad sunburned.
She walked towards the house, oblivious of his eyes and when he saw her fall in the sand, he didn't think. He raced out to her.
"Are you okay?" he reached her and went to pick her up.
She looked at him like he was crazy.
"Um, yeah. I decided to sit for a minute. The sand is hard to walk through."
He jumped back and turned red.
"Are you blushing?" she teased.
"No. I was just working on the house and I'm hot. Excuse me," he said and turned around to leave.
"Was there damage?" she called out.
Only to my pride, he thought.
"Just some broken dishes. I'm still removing the plywood. My mom will be back tomorrow and I want to have it cleaned up by then."
"Oh. Do you want some help? My flight was postponed until tomorrow."
He turned to her and crossed his arms.
"Why?"
"Because there was a hurricane and the airport is small," she teased.
"Nice. I meant why did you want to help me?"
She pursed her lips and was quiet.
"Well, because you and I are the only ones here and I thought I would help. It wasn't that strange of a suggestion, was it?"
He sighed.
"Of course not. I would love the help."
"Is it weird? Awkward? Are you embarrassed because you see me in the light and realized you made a mistake?" she smiled and walked towards him. "Because let me tell you, you are nothing like I imagined."
He laughed.
"Oh really? So you imagined me?" he followed.
"Well yeah," she said. "But I'm a writer and I always exaggerate things."
He forgot she was a writer.
"Wait, what did you exaggerate?"
She laughed and shook her head.
"You're too easy. Come on and let me help with the cleanup."
He laughed and adored the sparkle in her eyes. He was suddenly happy. Really happy she was there.
XXXXX
"I think that's it," Robin said as she swept up the final pieces of broken glass. "Your mom is going to have to get a whole new set of plates. Is there a place we can pick those up before she gets back?"
Patrick wiped his face and was surprised at her.
"Why? She'll be here tomorrow and can get them."
Robin smiled.
"Well she can, but I thought it might be upsetting to see the damage. I figured if we could fix it for her, she wouldn't worry."
"Oh, well I don't think anything is open yet," he said. Why didn't he think of that?
"Okay. I guess I'll go back to the cabin and grab the rest of my things. I'll stay in my room and just get out of your hair, okay? I can check out tomorrow."
"Oh, right. Sure."
She looked at him like she was trying to figure something out.
"What?" he asked.
"Why are you acting weird? If it bothers you that I'm here, I'll go back to the cabin for the night. I don't need to make you uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry. You do make me a little uncomfortable and I guess I'm struggling with that. I think what happened was a mistake," he said.
Her face fell and she nodded.
"Right. I'm sorry for that. I'll go," she didn't meet his gaze as she went to leave.
"No, Robin, wait," he said.
She stopped and turned to him, her tears falling. Damn her emotions.
"Oh God, are you crying?" he looked devastated.
She rolled her eyes and wiped her cheeks.
"I'm good. No worries. Excuse me," she went to leave when he reached for her hand.
"Will you let me explain? Please?"
She pulled her hand back and looked down.
"I don't need an explanation. It's not you, it's me. It was just a one night stand, you weren't that good. We're from two different worlds. Your boobs are too tiny," she looked at him. "Did I get it?"
He smiled and wiped the new tear that spilled over her cheek.
"First of all, no, you didn't. Second of all, who on earth would say that about your boobs?"
She crossed her arms and sighed.
"I think they are."
"I didn't think so. In fact, I found them to be quite amazing."
She sniffed and backed up.
"Look, I'm not looking for anything, okay? I'm good with leaving; I just didn't expect you to be all weird around me. I'll get over it and you don't need to worry. I'm good, okay? This mistake is on her way out."
He watched her leave and he felt the walls closing in around him.
What the fuck was wrong with him?
Robin walked back down the beach towards the cabin when her legs began to ache. She was way too hot and she knew that. Working in the hot house with him after walking on the sand wasn't smart and suddenly, the effects of the heat hit her, hard.
Panic filled her body as she stopped and sat down, taking a few deep breaths.
This doesn't mean anything. You're fine. Just relax.
She felt the tingling in her hands and she shook them, knowing this was a symptom of the heat and stress.
"You're okay," she said. "Just breathe."
The sun was beating down and it had to be almost 90 degrees. She needed to cool off, but she didn't know where to go. There was no way she was going back to the house, but the cabin was far away. Her stress was turning into panic, which was making her symptoms worse.
Fuck!
She felt her body cramping up and her panic was taking over. She needed to cool off. She made her way back towards the house, reluctantly, and had trouble walking. She felt her tears fall as she approached the house and fell again, her energy gone.
Patrick saw her walk back and he was so relieved. He had fucked up and he needed to explain. He was preparing a surprise and he was going to take it to the cabin when he saw her approaching. He waited and when she didn't come in, he went to the door, seeing her sitting in the sand.
He wasn't going to run out there like before. He knew she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
He waited and then got a little worried. She did have a pretty bad bump on her head.
He walked out and saw her look at him.
"I need some help," she said weakly, her body like a wet noodle.
"Shit," he said and raced to her. She could barely lift her head up and he didn't know what was wrong.
"I need to cool off. I need cold water."
"Okay," he said and picked her up easily. He went into the air conditioned room and placed her on his bed.
"Cold bath. Can you run a cold bath?" she asked him.
He had no idea what was going on, but he shook his head.
"I'm calling an ambulance."
"No. I'm okay," she went to get up and crumpled to the floor.
"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, his fears at the surface.
"I just need a cold shower. I just need to cool off, please help me into the shower."
He nodded and helped her into the tub. She sat there in her clothes and he turned on the water, helping her to cover herself with the cool liquid.
"Can you leave me alone? Please?" she said softly, her tears spilling over her cheeks.
He looked at her like she was crazy.
"I'll explain, I promise, but I need a minute."
"I'll be right outside the door. I'm not going anywhere else."
She nodded and he walked out.
Patrick paced in the room, a million thoughts running through his mind. What was wrong with her? What right did he have to know? Why would she even trust him after how he treated her?
He waited and worried.
Robin sat in the tub in the cold water in her clothes and was mortified. How was she going to explain this? What did this even mean? She never had such a reaction to heat like this and it scared the shit out of her.
She lay back and submerged her head under the water before sitting up, the water on her face and head felt wonderful.
She wished there was a way for her to get out of here and on a plane home without having to see Patrick again.
"Robin? Can I come in?" his deep voice invaded her thoughts.
Obviously a quick getaway wasn't possible.
"I'm okay. You can leave."
Would that work?
"Not until you come out," he replied.
Shit.
"Robin? Will you let me in? I'm worried."
She wiped her face and cursed herself. Could she die of embarrassment? She actually wished for it.
"You can come in."
Patrick opened the door and stepped into the large bathroom. He saw her in the tub, fully clothed, looking stunning.
"See? I'm okay, so you can go."
He sat down on the closed toilet seat and ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't agree. You're in a bathtub in cold water with your clothes on. You were unable to move a few minutes ago. I think we need to go to the hospital."
She let the water out of the tub and stood up.
"I'm good now, so I can head back to the cabin. I'm sorry to have ruined your afternoon."
"Robin, come on. You have to tell me what the hell is going on."
She looked for a towel as her clothes dripped with water and he handed her one as he walked out.
She dried her face and arms and walked out of the room, past him and to the door.
"You're seriously just leaving? What the hell is wrong with you?" he followed her.
Robin turned and faced him, her legs shaking a little, as her strength wasn't totally back.
"You said what happened was a mistake and I hear you. I'm not crazy and I'm not looking for something more than what happened. I just want to try and leave with a modicum of dignity."
Patrick saw her legs shaking and he realized he really did care. He wanted to help her. He needed to help her.
"I made dinner for us."
She blinked.
"What?"
"I wanted to apologize for what I said and I made dinner. I was going to find you when you collapsed on the beach."
She shivered in her wet clothes and wiped her eyes.
"I need to sit down."
He walked into the kitchen with her and she sat down.
"It's just you and me until tomorrow. My mom had just gone shopping and although the fridge was out, there was fresh fruit and vegetables and bread. I put a little something together and I would like to share it with you. I want to talk, nothing more."
"I need to put some dry clothes on," she said quietly.
He nodded.
"I'll get your bag from outside. Why don't you go in my bedroom and I'll be right there."
She eyed him and he smiled.
"With your bag, nothing more."
"Okay," she said and got up slowly, walking back to the room. Patrick grinned and ran outside to grab her bag. He went back to the bedroom and saw she was standing there, wiping her eyes.
"Here you go. I'll be in the kitchen when you're ready."
She turned and nodded.
"Thanks," she said softly, the light out in her eyes.
Patrick sighed and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Robin peeled her wet clothes off and wrapped the towel around her. She sat on his bed and sighed, her legs still shaking a little.
She was scared. This severe of a reaction hadn't happened before and it was paralyzing. She knew it was a combination of the stress from the night before and the head wound and the intense heat, but it really freaked her out.
She pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and walked into his bathroom, hanging up the towel and brushing her long wet hair. She winced at the bruise on her temple and sighed.
He deserved an explanation.
It was now or never.