Plans
"Well besides J.B.'s offer of work, wasn't Kate supposed to be getting back to you yesterday with a list of your commitments."
Marissa nodded. "Yeah. She sent a fax through."
"And?" Ryan asked.
Marissa shrugged again. "Do we have to do this right now? I just want to enjoy being here with you. I don't want to think about it."
"Ris. I enjoy being here with you just as much as you do." He stroked his hand gently up and down her arm finally entwining his fingers in hers. "You know that. And I want to do this as often as possible. But don't you see that's why we need to try to sort this out. It's not going to happen on its own. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. If you need to spend time in Europe, then the sooner we get it nailed down the sooner I can try and plan my commitments so that I can try to be there with you whenever possible."
Marissa knew what he was saying was right. She took a deep breath. "I know you're right. I guess it's just; I'm enjoying life here with you so much that I don't want to think about having to go back to my old one. Cause it's not looking great. The runway jobs for Fashion Week are locked in. There's no way I can move them."
"What about the other jobs?" Ryan asked.
"She doesn't think I have much hope of changing them but I have asked her to send me copies of the contracts. I thought I might ask Sandy to have a look. See what he thinks."
"Good idea. I'm sure he'll be happy to help."
"There are a couple of photo shoots that she is looking into moving maybe to New York if she can. She hopes to have some answers back early next week. In the meantime, I'll just have to wait and see."
"We'll have to wait." He corrected her. Just to reassure her that he was as vitally involved in all this as she was. Much as Ryan wanted her to make all her own plans, he also wanted her to know that he would fit in with her whenever he could. "If you give me the dates of Fashion Week then I'll make sure that I can be with you."
Marissa smiled thinking about Ryan and Fashion Week. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."
"What? You don't want me around?" He asked.
"Oh no. It's not that. I'd love to have you around. That's the problem. So would a lot of other people I imagine."
Ryan frowned. "Sorry, I don't understand?"
She realised that he had no idea about what she did or what it involved. "Well. It's just that … surprisingly enough, the majority, not all, but most, of the guys associated with the fashion industry are gay and most of the girls are straight. So taking someone like you along …" she smiled "Well it's like lambs to the slaughter. The girls are going to be after you. And given half a chance, so will the guys." She laughed imagining the effect Ryan would have on some of her friends. Male and female. "There's no doubt that you will be Mr. Popular. Actually I could probably get you some modelling work while we're over there if you want to keep yourself amused?"
"Thanks very much but no, I'd rather keep myself amused with you." He smiled.
"I'll do my best. But I do have a few friends that I want you to meet." She added and then gave a little shiver.
"I'll look forward to it. But come on, I can see you're starting to get cold. Let's go back to the house and see if you can practise amusing me?" he suggested.
Marissa took his hand and they made their way back along the beach. It was getting late in the afternoon and the sun was low in the sky.
"How about we open a bottle of wine and sit beside the pool and watch the sunset?" she asked.
Ryan looked at her and smiled. "Is watching the sunset anything like watching the sunrise? I know I like them." He replied thinking about their early morning in Miami.
"We'll have to see what we can do." She suggested.
---
They sat together in the fading light watching as the orange ball dipped into the ocean. Marissa was sitting between Ryan's legs as he lay back on the sun lounge beside the pool.
"I guess I should go and put some light's on." He said softly. For some reason sitting there in the dark watching the sunset he hadn't wanted to break the peaceful silence, even now choosing to do it as quietly as possible.
"Why? Can't we just sit here a while longer?" Marissa asked.
"Sure. I just thought you may have been getting hungry."
"No. I'm good for now." She sighed and moved back further against him to close the small gap between their bodies.
A few minutes passed and Marissa said. "How about a spa? I have that new bikini that I bought for last weekend and it's never even been wet." She added.
"Actually a spa sounds good. But I don't think you should get your new bikini wet. Then it wouldn't be new anymore." He replied.
Marissa turned slightly to look at the mischievous smile playing on his face. She couldn't help but smile in return. "And what do you suggest I wear if I don't wear my new bikini?"
"I don't see the need for you to wear anything." He suggested.
"And what about you?" Marissa asked.
"I thought I'd dress to match." He replied.
"Did you now?" she asked. She stood up and moved over to the side of the spa and dipped in her toe to feel the temperature. "It's nice." She commented as she stripped off her jacket and dropped it on the end of the sun lounge.
Ryan sat and watched as she continued to remove the rest of her clothes. He could feel his breathing deepen as he tried to keep himself calm but he was fighting a losing battle. The small glow of the light from the kitchen, all that he had to illuminate her outline as he watched the perfect form before him until it was naked.
"Are you coming?" Marissa asked as she moved to lower herself into the water.
"Definitely." Ryan replied as he quickly stripped and slid into the water with her. "In more ways than one. And if I have anything to do with it, so will you."
Marissa couldn't help but smile at his words as she closed the gap between them.
---
Sunday morning they were snuggled in bed when the phone rang disturbing them from their sleep.
Ryan rubbed his eyes briefly then reached for the phone with the same hand while pulling Marissa into a hug with the other. "Hello?"
"Chino? Where's Marissa?" Summer asked.
"Asleep. Like all normal people are at this time on a Sunday morning." He replied.
"Are you inferring that I'm not normal?"
"Well if the shoe fits? But can we do this some other time? I really need my beauty sleep." Ryan commented.
"Well don't take this as me disagreeing with your last statement … but … NO." Summer replied. "I need Marissa and I need her now."
Marissa, now fully awake, could hear Summer's voice through the phone. "Here, give it to me. What does she want?" she asked Ryan.
Ryan shrugged his shoulders but handed Marissa the phone nonetheless. "Didn't say." He replied and then promptly pulled Marissa closer to him as he nuzzled her neck; his hands slipping lower as they started to work their magic on her body.
"Ryan." She said trying to concentrate on the phone call and knowing that she had no hope if he was going to start playing with her.
"Coop?" Summer asked. "I don't even want to know what he's doing to you. Have you got clothes on?" Summer asked.
"Um. Do you want me to answer truthfully?" Marissa asked as she felt Ryan slip lower under the sheets.
"Um. In that case …" Summer thought for a moment. "… no."
"Well .. then … I …" Marissa started wishing that Summer would just get to the point so that she could concentrate on what Ryan was doing instead of trying (unsuccessfully) to ignore him.
"Actually. Forget I even asked. I don't know why you pair even bother. You may as well start up your own nudist colony or something." Summer suggested.
Marissa smiled. "As long as there are only two members, then maybe we will. But I'm sure you didn't call to ask about that. What did you want?"
"Well since you blew me off last weekend, when I wanted to look at wedding dresses, I was wondering if you might be able to spare me a couple of hours this morning; that is, if you can bear to tear yourself away from lover boy? I could pick you up and then we could meet back up with the boys at Sandy and Kirsten's for lunch."
Much as she didn't want to, Marissa knew that she owed Summer this one. She had put her off last weekend and then had refused to commit to a time whenever Summer had raised the question during the week. And how bad could it be anyhow? She loved shopping. She just needed to keep reminding herself of it. Just because she was shopping for her best friend's wedding dress and not her own shouldn't matter. She would just consider it research. It's not like the time would be totally wasted. "Sure."
"O kay." Summer replied. "I'll pick you up in half an hour."
"Better make it an hour." Marissa commented as she looked down at the naked Ryan under the sheets. "I haven't had breakfast yet."
"We can pick something up while we're out." Summer suggested. "There's a Starbucks on the way."
"I'm not talking about food." Marissa informed her friend.
"Ew. Gross. I don't know how you do it?" Summer stated, realising what appetite her friend was now talking about.
Marissa laughed. "You do realise you're starting to sound like Seth. But if you really need a step by step guide and want to come and watch sometime, well … I'd have to clear it with Ryan first, but I suppose ..."
Summer screamed as the implications of Marissa's words hit her. Marissa laughed out loud knowing that she had actually managed to render Summer speechless. There really was a first time for everything.
Ryan raised his head to look at her. He knew he was only hearing one side of the conversation but he was still puzzled nonetheless.
Marissa laughed again. "So do I gather from that, I've got an hour to satisfy myself?" she asked.
"FINE. Just make sure you're both fully clothed by the time I get there." Summer replied and hung up.