"You sure you have everything you need?" Maggie leaned against the doorway to Liza's bedroom, watching her best friend triumphantly close her suitcase, releasing the zipper with a satisfied yelp. "Did you leave any clothing here?" She chuckled.
"I just want to be prepared." Liza sat her two suitcases down on the floor by the door and flipped through her carry on. She had her passport, all her id's, money, phone, etc.. She also had a two page list of things to make sure she had with her, and she had gone through it twice.
"You know," Maggie started, rolling Liza's two suitcases out to the living room. "You could just go naked the entire time. It'd save you having to carry these things around."
"I could get behind that idea." Charles closed the front door behind him, grinning back at Maggie.
Liza stuck her head out of the bedroom door. "You two are spending way too much time together. Did you get the girls dropped off okay?"
"Yeah. It was a little rough. There were tears."
"Yours or theirs?" Liza arched an eyebrow at him, slightly amused.
"Mine." He said sheepishly. "But Pauline is happy to have them for a week. She's taking them to the Poconos with her parents for a little vacation next week. I promised we'd video chat them a couple of times. You all set?" He wheeled her suitcases over to the front door as she surveyed her room for one last time. She couldn't think of anything she was missing, and smiled as she closed the door.
Maggie came over and hugged her tightly, kissing her on the cheek. "Have fun. Be safe. Drink way too much and have a lot of hot dirty vacation sex, okay?" Liza rolled her eyes, but Charles came over to give Maggie a hug. "That's the plan." He whispered loudly in her ear, and they all broke out laughing.
"She's a bad influence on you. Or you on her. I'm not quite sure." Liza shook her head, laughing. "I'll text you when we land at Heathrow, okay?" She leaned in for another hug, squeezing tight.
"Fly safe, you two. And have fun. Now get out." She waved them out the door, watching as Charles picked up Liza's bags and carried them downstairs and out of sight. Liza paused at the top of the steps, turning to wink and blow a kiss at her best friend. And they were off.
Somewhere halfway over the Atlantic Liza awoke with a start. She blinked a few times, her eyes adjusting to the dimmed cabin light. A quick glance at the watch on Charles's wrist showed that it was about 1 A.M. EST. She turned her head to look at Charles, who was sleeping soundly next to her. He had surprised her again with first class tickets, and they were comfortably ensconced in a two person pod on the British Airways flight. By her calculations, they should land at Heathrow in about 3 hours, and only had a brief layover before boarding their final flight that would take them directly into Santorini.
She leaned her head back, gazing at Charles's serene face. He had a boyish look about him when he slept, his hair slightly mussed, his arm tucked up underneath him. She wondered what he was dreaming about. Her, possibly? She smiled at the thought.
The two weeks since her birthday had been mostly good, but they had had their first real fight the Sunday after her birthday. He had confessed to her over coffee that he had confronted Josh in his shop the night before, had warned him to stay away from Liza. She knew that he had been more upset about the kiss than he had let on, and had accused him of closing himself off, something she knew he did when he was upset. She had told him that she could handle Josh on her own, that she didn't need him stepping in on her behalf. She wasn't anyone's property, and she didn't need the two of them playing tug of war with her. She had taken off, claiming that Caitlin needed her to help pack up her stuff as she was leaving for Vassar later the next week. He didn't text or call her all day, but had been sitting on the apartment steps when she finally returned late in the evening. He had apologized, but insisted he would do the same thing time and time again, if he had to. He loved her, and he was going to protect her, defend her, whether she wanted him to or not. He knew she could handle herself, but that didn't mean that he would sit on the sidelines and let people take advantage of her. She had promised she would sit down with Josh after they returned from vacation and make it crystal clear to him that she only wanted to be friends, and if he couldn't promise to respect that, that she couldn't be in his life.
Liza reached down and spread out the blanket that was laying at the end of the bed, doing her best to cover both her and Charles. His feet still stuck out, as did hers. Their accommodations were luxurious in comparison to any flight she had ever taken before, but these pods definitely weren't meant for the tall. Smiling, she turned on her side and nuzzled herself against Charles, sighing contentedly as she felt his arm wrap protectively around her, even as he slept, like it was a reflex for him. Just like it was a reflex for her to tuck herself into his shoulder, resting her head just underneath his. They fit together like yin and yang. Like two pieces of a puzzle that had finally come together.
12 hours and one layover later, Charles and Liza stepped off of the plane onto the tarmac at the Santorini Airport. Liza squinted out into the distance, turning to take in the ocean behind them. Everything was so blue, so bright, that it took her eyes a moment to adjust. Charles had already slipped his Ray Bans onto his eyes and held Liza's sunglasses out to her, having fished them out of her carry on while she took in the landscape around them.
"Ready, my love?" He reached out to take her hand, feeling a sense of excitement come over him as she slipped her hand into his. Things had been a little tense between them since the whole Josh debacle. They had argued about it, and Liza had promised to put her foot down with Josh. He could tell that she didn't want to confront him, but she needed to. They couldn't properly move forward together if she was still dealing with an ex who couldn't get over her. They hadn't spoken about it since, but it still bothered him. He admitted to himself that he had maybe gone a little overboard with Liza's birthday, but it was the first of either of their birthdays that they were spending together, and he had wanted it to be special. And he thought they needed this trip. Just the two of them, no worries, no work, no kids, for an entire week. It was going to be fantastic.
They made their way through airport, easing through customs and collecting their luggage before heading outside to the parking lot, where a younger man was leaning against an idling SUV and holding a sign with 'Brooks' written across the front. He jumped to his feet when they crossed over to him. He couldn't be more than 19 or 20, Liza thought, shaking his hand as he introduced himself as Nikola.
"So," Liza said to Charles as they climbed in the back of the SUV, "are you going to tell me where exactly we are going? I'd like to know where to tell Maggie to look if I go missing and someone needs to find my body."
Charles chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and leaning over to kiss her forehead. "You'll find out in about 10 minutes. I promise you won't be disappointed." They fell silent for the next few minutes as Nikola navigated the narrow roads, chattering away in mixed English, pointing out different places along the route. The roads got narrower as they climbed uphill into the more populated area, the road winding back and forth, Nikola taking the sharp corners with the finely honed expertise of a native.
The SUV pulled up to stop in front of the steps of a whitewashed building. "The Volcano View Hotel", Liza read as she stepped out and looked up at the sign. Nikola unloaded the bags for them and carried them up the steps, Liza and Charles following, hand in hand. Liza felt giddy, the jetlag wearing off as the realization that they had finally made it settled in. Charles squeezed her hand, grinning at the excited look on her face.
He slipped a few bills to Nikola as they stepped into the reception area. The young man passed him a card with his contact information on it, telling him to call him if they needed a driver at all for the rest of the week.
"Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, welcome to the Volcano View Hotel." A carefully made up receptionist stood to greet them. Liza felt a little thrill when the girl assumed they were married, and looked up at Charles with a smirk when he didn't correct her. She handed them two key cards and waved over a bellboy, who took their bags and loaded them onto a hopper. "You're in one of our Grand Suites on Floor 3. Here's a list of some of the amenities that are offered within the hotel. You'll find menus for our in house restaurant and bar in your room, as well as a menu for the spa. My name is Amira, and my direct line here is also listed in your room. If you need anything at all, please feel free to reach out." She looked at Charles directly as she said this, batting her dark eyelashes. Oblivious, Charles smiled politely and passed Liza a keycard. He really had no idea the affect he had on women, Liza thought, as she slipped her arm through his with a pointed look at Amira as they followed their bellboy onto the elevator.
"She liked you." Liza commented as the elevator doors closed. Charles wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back to him so that her back rested against his chest. Leaning down, he nuzzled her neck, murmuring in her ear. "Well, why don't you tell her that divorced moms from New Jersey are more my style?" She grinned, a shiver going down her spine as she felt his breath on her neck. The hotel was air conditioned, but she suddenly felt very warm. The elevator doors sprung open onto the third floor, and they followed the bellboy down the hall.
"Ladies first" Charles gestured to her to open the door to the room. They were met with blast of cool air as she pushed the door open and practically skipped into the room.
"Oh my god. This is amazing!" She spun around the room, opening doors into the bathroom and the lounge area as Charles tipped the busboy and set their suitcases in the corner. He heard an audible gasp come from her as she opened the doors out onto the balcony. He stepped out behind her, taking in the view. It was ocean and sky as far as you could see, the two shades of crystalline blue meeting on the horizon. It was spectacular view of the Caldera, and the look on Liza's face told him that it was worth every penny he had spent. She turned to him, placing her hands on his chest and leaning in to plant a searing kiss on his lips. "I can't believe you did this for me."
Charles slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her flush against him. "You better believe it." He leaned down to kiss her again, all the tension and frustration he had been feeling dissipating into the 85 degree air.
Liza pulled away and walked back into the room, pushing open the curtains so that they could see the panoramic view of the Caldera and flopping onto the bed, sighing contentedly. She knew she should feel tired, but they had both slept quite a bit on the flights, and she wasn't really feeling the typical jetlag. She propped herself up on her elbows as she watched Charles pull some clothes and a toiletries bag out of his suitcase before stripping off his shirt.
"Whatchya doing?" She asked him playfully, nudging his leg with her toe. He catches her foot with his hand, pulling her to the edge of the bed while running his hand from her foot to the outside of her thigh. Liza sighs, closing her eyes for a moment, but they fly open as she feels his hand wrap around her wrist and pull her up to him.
"We're taking a shower." He leans down and kisses her neck before pulling back, his eyes dark, his face filled with desire.
"If you insist." Liza swallows hard, responding in a low whisper. Charles grabs her hand, pulling her into the bathroom, stopping them outside the glass shower door, reaching in to turn on the water.
"Get in there." He instructs her, pulling her shirt off for her and tossing it to the floor while reaching behind her to unfasten her bra. Quickly she slides her pants and underwear off and steps into the shower. She closes her eyes for a moment, letting the warm water run over her. Liza opens her eyes, just in time to see him slip off his black boxer briefs and step into the shower with her. What a sight to behold, she thinks, as she steps backward to allow the shower heat to spray him with droplets of water that do nothing but accentuate his strong, broad shoulders. The water glistens on his skin and trickles down his chest. Liza tries not to watch the droplets that are traveling down his chest, across his abdomen, but she can't help but let her eyes flick downward. A splash of water hits her face and she is shaken out of her train of thought.
"What are you thinking about, pretty girl?" He reaches up brush a strand of wet hair off of her forehead. Liza answers him by reaching up and pulling his head down into a soft, sensual kiss. Charles reaches down and easily picks her up, stepping forward and placing her against the shower wall as she wraps her legs around his hips. He trails kisses over her face and neck, his heart warming as he hears her giggle and toss her head back, trying to not get water in her eyes. He feels her place her hand on his face, guiding his lips to hers. The soft kiss awakens something in him, and he deepens it, consumed by a hunger for her. He needs her, and his arms grip her tighter as he presses her even harder against the stone wall of the shower. Her arms are around his neck as his lips melt into one and her tongue searches out his. Liza nips at his bottom lip with her teeth, encourages by the moan escaping deep from within Charles as he pushes against her again. She can feel him between her legs and an equally hungry moan escapes her.
Charles wills himself to slow down, lowering Liza to her own two feet. He plants another kiss on her lips before moving down her body, his teeth grazing her collarbone. He gently places soft kisses all over her breasts before getting on his knees, his mouth running all over her abdomen before lowering to the apex of her thighs. Liza cries out as she feels him, gripping his shoulder with one hand to keep from losing her balance and placing her other hand on the shower wall for support, arching her hips toward him, silently begging him not to stop.
"Baby, please…" She trails off, moaning in pleasure.
He pulls away from her for second, pausing to look up at her. He loves to see her come undone. "Shhhh….we're going to take it slow. Let me enjoy this view." He kisses her stomach, just above her bellybutton before lowering his head and continuing his ministrations on her until she cries out his name when he brings her over the edge.
She gasps as she feels him move suddenly, covering her right breast with his mouth. She moans as she feels his hands slide behind her and onto her ass, massaging and squeezing. Liza leans into him, gripping his bicep as she looks into his eyes. She feels one hand move to the front, sliding between her parted thighs. He trails his fingers over her, teasing her, as she bites her lip and closes her eyes. She moans as his fingers continue to search her. She can barely keep her knees from collapsing. She cries out his name again as he removes his hand and leans in to kiss her.
Liza rolls her head back, trying to regain her composure. Breathing heavily, she turns on the spot, pushing Charles back against the wall. Leaning in, she whispers in his ear "My turn" in a husky voice, and slides down onto her knees.
Before he can say anything, Liza wraps a hand around him, guiding him into her mouth. A moan escapes his lips and he leans his head back against the shower wall and closing his eyes, reaching out with one hand to grasp onto the built in shelf in the shower. He groans as he feels her take her tongue and trace him slowly, from base to tip. She uses her tongue to draw circles all over him, repeatedly. Charles can barely contain himself, and Liza smiles to herself as she hears him moaning, half spoken profanity escaping his lips. Profanity she only ever hears him use in the bedroom. She loves that she is the only one that gets to see him in such a state.
Liza responded to the noises he is emitting by forming a tight grip around him with her lips, moving her head back and forth and taking him deeper with each nod of her head. Charles reaches down with one hand, his fingers tangling in her mane of wet hair, causing her to take him in even deeper and faster. Liza braces herself against him using her hand on his thigh to slow his movements as she feels him start to tense and stiffen.
"Oh, fuck, Liza." He groans, rolling his head back as he releases, pulling himself out of her mouth. He reaches down to pull her back up to him, the pair both sighing contentedly. Liza pulls them back under the water so that they can rinse themselves off before reaching back to turn off the water.
Charles rests his head on her shoulder, whispering in her ear. "You're amazing, you know that?" Liza smiles to herself. She truly does love pleasing him. She loves the warm afterglow she gets when she sees him so satisfied, so uninhibited, so happy. He gets this boyish smile, the one where his dimples show, and she loves knowing that she is the reason behind it.
Charles grabs a towel and wraps it around his waist before reaching for a towel for Liza to wrap herself in. Liza looks back up at him after wrapping herself in the towel, giggling when she still sees that he is smiling.
"Are you laughing at me?" He tries to look stern, but fails miserably, which causes Liza to start giggling again. Charles breaks out into a grin, picking her up and crying her out of the bathroom, with her still giggling and squealing in his arms.
Needless to say, Charles and Liza didn't make it out of their suite their first night in Santorini. They spent their first few hours on the steamy Greek island in bed, making slow lazy love for several hours. They ordered a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board and settled onto the chaise lounge on the balcony, watching the sunset. It was the most magnificent sunset that Liza had ever seen, the rainbow of colors reflecting off of the ocean.
She had been mildly surprised when Charles had slipped out from his spot behind her, disappearing into their room for a moment before returning with a fancy black Canon camera she had never seen before and snapped several pictures of the landscape around them before turning the camera on Liza. She was even more surprised when he had told her that he was interested in photography, and was trying to get back into the habit. He had apparently taken a few photography classes at Princeton, but had never had much time for it after he began working for his father. They sat outside talking about their college years until the sky was black and glittering with stars, discussing their friends, their professors, the classes they loved and the ones they had despised, musing on what would have happened if they had met in college. It felt like a lifetime ago, for both of them. They finished off the wine and returned to their bed, their bodies joining a few more times before falling into a deep sleep in each other's arms.
***Part 2 coming very soon! I was going to publish their trip as one long chapter, but decided to break it up. Enjoy! Review appreciated, as always!