BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (32 page)

Nico laughed at her version of their arrangement.

“Belle is on her way back to LA.  I said
goodbye to her earlier.  You can let Mum and Dad know that everything is
fine here and I will call them tomorrow night.”

“Okay, you can expect Mum to cross examine you
tomorrow then.”

“Lucky me!”

Dinner was a repeat from lunch.  Nico ordered
some food from the house.  This time Carrie’s appetite wasn’t that
great.  She ate some of the pasta but didn’t clear it with her usual
gusto.  Her head beginning to ache.  She reluctantly took some
painkillers hoping it would ease. 

“I’m not leaving you Carrie, don’t worry I will
sleep next door but I don’t think you should be on your own tonight”

Despite feeling awful she didn’t protest.  “Ok
I’m going to go to bed; I think it might help me clear this head”

“I will take Beau for his last walk, I won’t be
far.  If you need me call the house and they will find me” She nodded and
retreated to the bed room.  She didn’t hear Nico return a short while
later, Beau still by his side.  He had brought an overnight bag along with
Beau’s water bowl and food.  Carrie was sleeping soundly; he left the lamp
on in the room and returned to reading emails.  Emails that filled the
inbox almost as quickly as he cleared them. 

One from Lea.  “I miss you baby, why won’t you
talk to me?  What have I done wrong?  I can’t get you at the office
or on your mobile?”  Delete.

He wasn’t getting into another situation with
Lea.  They briefly spoke a few nights before when he told her in no
uncertain terms that it was over.  She had used a friend’s mobile, without
their permission, to call him and he had made his position clear.  They
were over.  Had been for months when he discovered her fondness for the
white powder he found her using.  She begged him to stay with her whilst
she attended a discreet rehab program in England.  She accompanied him to
England for the Forest takeover and stayed on after the deal was closed. 
She was clean but she needed him and had swapped one dependency for
another.  He blamed himself for not seeing the signs but they hadn’t been
together as much as everyone thought.  Work commitments for them both
ensuring they wouldn’t be in the same country for long.  They saw each
other a few days a month, sometimes more, sometimes less.  He didn’t know
she had elaborated with his family that they were getting married.  It
wasn’t a subject they had ever discussed.  But his parents and sister thought
he was behaving like a real shit by dumping her so quick for Carrie.  He
wouldn’t betray Lea’s confidence and tell them the truth.  Let them think
his head was turned by Carrie, a fact he wouldn’t deny.  He admitted to
Belle that Carrie had captivated him.  He gave Carrie the space she needed
and slept in the other bedroom.  Her cries woke him.  Checking his
watch it was 03.14am.

Sitting upright in the bed, Carrie was screaming.
“No, no, no”

“Carrie, you’re okay, it’s just a bad dream,” he
held her as she sobbed.  Carries breathing slowly returned to
normal.  Nico brought her some water and tissues for her tears.

“You want to talk about it?”

Beau had also joined him and lay on the floor next
to her bed.  His tail swishing silently.

“It’s a dream I have had for months after Rob’s
death.  I’ve only had it once since coming to the Cape.  I was hoping
that they had gone away.”  She talked him through the simplicity of the
dream.  The routine of a normal working day and activities.

“I feel the force of the car as it spins round and
round before it crashes to a stop.  The sound of the car horn blaring and
all the glass.  The blood and my screams but I wasn’t even in the car when
the accident happened.  I was at a spa day of all things with my Mum and
Sister.”

Nico lay on the bed next to her on top of the
cover.  He held her close in his arms and she felt safe again.  “I
felt guilty that I hadn’t been with him, to say goodbye or comfort him. 
They told me afterwards that he felt no pain and I have to believe that. 
For months I tried to cope, went through the motions of grief.  Had some
counselling, went back to work hoping that would help but it didn’t.”  She
was rambling but he didn’t interrupt.  “I didn’t belong there anymore, I
guess it was part of the grief but I was so detached from everything. 
Belle to the rescue and a trip to Newquay.  When I was there a strange
thing happened to me.”  She told him about her meeting with the medium and
what she said.  “Let me show you something,”

She found the lighthouse book and her bag of
pennies.  Opened the little pouch and scattered the pennies on the bed
cover.  “For months I’ve found this everywhere at home and even when we
were out for dinner I slipped on one in the bathroom” Finding the book marked
pages she showed him the tiny butterflies.

“Do you think I am crazy?  My Mum thinks it’s
all a wild goose chase.  This is what brought me here to the Cape. 
Maybe I am crazy,”

“Carrie I don’t think you are crazy, I think you are
the strongest woman I know.  You are brave and funny but if it’s crazy
that made you come to the cape, well then it’s crazy that brought you into my
life.”

“When I went to Portland Head, I took some of Rob’s
ashes and scattered them there.  I had thought of doing that too at Bug
light but it didn’t feel right.  That’s why I wouldn’t give my bag up to
that guy,”

“Jeez Carrie, are you trying to give me a heart
attack?  That’s why you put yourself in danger?”

“Don’t be angry with me Nico, I couldn’t let him go
like that to be discarded as soon as my cards and cash were gone.”

“I’m not angry Carrie, I’m angry at the lowlife who
harmed you.  I’m angry at myself for upsetting you and putting you in that
situation in the first place.  If we hadn’t argued you wouldn’t have been
there at that time.”

“Nico what I have learnt is that there are no
coincidences in life and that something’s just happen.  He was in a bad
place, and if it wasn’t me then someone else was going to be mugged or
worse.  I could tell that much from his eyes.”

“He was crazed but I promise you that no one will
ever harm you again.”

“Stay with me Nico, I understand if you don’t want
to”

“Carrie, it will be torture not being able to make
love to you the way I want to but I will settle for holding you”

She could feel his naked legs against hers as they
spooned her butt rubbing against his groin.  Protected only by his boxers
and the material of her nightshirt.

“Hey, cut that out or there will be no sleep for
either of us”

She closed her eyes, trying to sleep as she could
feel is breath on her neck as he slept.  The residue of the dream
lingered.  There was one thing she hadn’t told him. 

In the last moments of the dream after she would
lift Rob’s head and see his bloodied dying face, but this time it was Nico who
she saw.

“You have had a great recovery from your injuries
Carrie.  I’m happy to say that you are fit to fly.  We will have the
paperwork written up confirming this for your travel arrangements.”

“Thank you Dr. Petersen.  I feel a million
times better.”

“Please do see your own physician when you get back
home.  You will get full use of your wrist within the next couple of weeks
but if there is any change, headaches or unexpected bouts of nausea I want you
to get this checked out.”

“I will thank you again”

Nico had accompanied her to the hospital for her
follow up appointment.  The bruising on her face had cleared to just a
yellow tinge that the wonders of make-up could disguise.  Her shoulder not
so quick but it was still on the mend.  The palms of her hand only had a
few scratches most had healed.  She had the occasional headache but
nothing to worry about.  The sea air and walks along the beach had helped
her recovery.  They had shared their early morning walk along with Beau to
start the day.  For the most Carrie had slept, ate and shared a platonic
bed with Nico.  There had been no more intimacy between them other than
kisses.  No more nightmares but Nico remained in her bed.  Had her
tale of butterflies, pennies and lighthouses scared him away? 

It was time to return home.

“Well?”

She smiled a sad smile which he immediately
understood the meaning behind.

“I’m okay; I got cleared for flying home”

He held her close, her head tucked under his chin.

“Okay, let’s talk about this later”

They had arranged to go out for lunch as apart from
visiting Terri at the Inn Carrie hadn’t gone further than the beach that last
week of recovery.  Endless hours she walked with Nico throwing sticks and
balls for Beau to play catch.  She had opened up more to him than anyone
about her grief for Rob and feeling so lost.  How detached she was from
her job and now on her sabbatical.  She felt her confidence had returned
as her healing continued.  She had refused Nico’s request to have dinner with
his parents, preferring their arrangement at the beach house.  Nico didn’t
challenge her too much as he didn’t want to intrude on their limited time
together.  He knew it was coming to an end.  That he was also needed
urgently in LA to get keep the project on track but he didn’t want to
acknowledge this.  Belle had said as much to Carrie the previous
evening.  “We need him here Carrie; sorry to say this darling because I
know you need him too”

“I understand Belle, really I do.  I expect
tomorrow that I will be given the all clear to fly home so he might be with you
sooner than you think”

“Are you still going home?”

“I have to Belle, I’ve got to get some perspective
on this, and I don’t know what happening between me and Nico”

Less than 24 hours later, she still felt the
same.  She could feel his reluctance to discuss what the Doctor had said
and let him distract her with talk of the Cape.

“My gramps would take me out on his sail boat and we
would spend hours, fishing and exploring.  Making camps and staying out in
the ‘wilderness’ until it was time to go home.  Gramps always had dogs and
we would take them with us.”

“It sounds like a fun time.  An idyllic
childhood”

“I wouldn’t say idyllic all of the time.  My
Dad was busy building an empire a complete workaholic and my Mom was busy being
on every charity board or worthy cause.   But yeah, I was lucky, I
really miss him.”

“I had a great childhood.  A protective older
sister who has always been there for me.  Parents who let me make my
mistakes but helped patch me up when things went wrong.  I’ve said before
my father has a big family so there is always a sense of belonging.  It’s
never quiet.  Plus Belle, who could forget to include my Auntie
Belle?  I have to say no sail boat though!”

The server returned and topped up their wine
glasses.  “A sail boat isn’t everything!”

“Nico, I’m going to book my flight home.  Thank
you for everything that you have done for me.  But I need to get back home
and you are needed in LA”

“The work can wait Carrie but do you have to go
now?  As soon as the doctor has deemed you fit to fly?”

“I do Nico, I’m not looking for excuses but my
sister does need me just now.  Things will be hectic at home and I can
help her.”

“I won’t try and change your mind but I hoped you
might want to see what happens with us”

“I’m not saying never Nico, I’m just saying not
now.  This feels too magical for me and there hasn’t been much of that
recently in my life,”

He stood up and pulled a few dollar bills from his
pocket.

“You want magic?  I want to fuck you.  We
are leaving now”

They made their way back to the beach house with
little conversation.  She could see Jay try to attract Nico’s attention in
the mirror but no words were exchanged.  The door to the beach house
closed firmly and Nico turned the lock.  Her bag dropped to the floor as
they pulled at clothes.  There was a clichéd buttons popping moment but
she was sure she saw one pop from Nico’s shirt and bounce on the floor. 
That was when the last coherent thought left her head.  They made it little
further than the living area.  Carrie bounding into the back of the high
winged chair.  Her hands gripping it as her body pressed forward. 
Shoes discarded along with her trousers.  “Take your clothes off, now” he
demanded raising her arms and pulling her top over her head.  She thought
she heard the tear as the delicate panties she wore ripped.  Naked her
back to him she heard the zipper of his trousers as it lowered and they fell to
the floor.  Skin to skin she felt his bare chest against her back. 
This was no gentle lovemaking.  It was raw and wild.  He bit at her
neck and she leant forward holding tighter onto the back of the chair. 
Hooking her up he had his hands on her waist as he balanced and pulled her onto
his hard length.  Her back against the flat of his stomach.  Plunging
again and again.  Her body welcomed him with her wetness she arched into
him with each feel of his cock.  “You are so fucking hot” His hand swept
lower and between her thighs.  Just a few brief touches of his fingers and
the ecstasy began.  She screamed his name.

The afternoon passed in a delicious haze alternating
in passion and gentleness. 

It was late when she woke and her body bore the
aches a different type.   Nico lay on the bed next to her. 
“Hungry?”

“Yes, for food.  As our lunch was
abandoned.” 

Nico laughed, “I will call for some food.  Club
sandwich sound okay?”

“Delicious, let me go for a quick shower first”

The powerful shower had steamed the bathroom almost
instantly.  The door misted over and Carrie gave a start as Nico opened
the door.  “Room for another?”

Carrie kissed him, pulled his head closer to her as
their kiss deepened “I think we can accommodate you”

She lathered the liquid soap into her hands and smoothed
it over his chest until the soap bubbled.  Teasing him with her strokes as
her hands lowered, occasionally skimming over the top of his groin and
thigh.  She could feel the muscles in his stomach tighten as she moved her
hand within a fraction of his growing hardness.  It pressed against her
belly as her hand trailed down to his buttock.  She kissed him again full
on the mouth her teeth gently nipping at his bottom lip.  He moved to pull
her closer and she shook her head.

“Let me”

Her hand moved delicately down his chest as she
slowly lowered to the floor of the shower and pressed Nico back to the tiles
out of the direction of the flow of the water.  Her hand gripped his cock
and pulled it towards her open mouth.

“Ah Carrie, what are you doing to me?”

“Oh Nico, I think you know exactly what I am doing”

Then she took him over the edge as her mouth covered
his erection.  Her hands cupping and stroking him as he filled her
mouth.   She moved her hands to behind his buttocks and her mouth
continued to work a magic of its own as his breath quickened.  He was so
close to coming when he looked down at her eyes gazing at him he
shattered. 

They both avoided discussing Carries return
home.  Instead they shared the sandwiches on the rug in front of the open
fire which Nico had lit.  Drank soda instead of wine. 

Carrie could hear the muffled sound of the vibrate
of Nico’s mobile.

“You better answer that”

“It can wait”

Within seconds the house phone to the beach house
rang.

“I guess that can’t”

Nico abandoned their picnic and answered the ringing
phone.  Carrie cleared the remnants of their meal as he took the call.

“What?” she heard him exclaim and gave him privacy
while she dressed in pyjamas feeling a little vulnerable in the dressing gown.

Nico was still on the call when she returned to the
living room. 

“I’m sorry Carrie, I have to go.  I need to fly
tonight to LA.  There was a fire during the fit out of the kitchen. 
That was the crisis management team.”

“Belle?”

“Is fine, no one has been hurt but I have to
go.  There are the authorities to deal with as well as trying to get the
project back on track.”

“Do you know what happened?”

“They think it was a gas leak but it’s not been
confirmed”

“Okay,” masking her disappointment, “What do you
need?”

She helped him gather his laptop whilst he dressed,
repacked his shaving kit and toiletries.  Familiar things she had done a
million times for Rob.

“Come with me”

“I can’t Nico; you know that’s not practical. You
have work to do, people who are depending on you to fix things.  Is it
okay to stay here until I get my flight?”

“Carrie did you think I was going to throw you out
as I go out the door?  Of course you can stay, let me get Robin to book
your flight okay,”

“Okay”

They kissed with a little desperation as if it would
be their last moment of intimacy together.  “I will call you tomorrow and
we can talk about us”

She nodded not trusting herself to speak. 

Despite her misgivings Carrie slept soundly. 
Her phone had messages from Nico.  He had tasked Robin with booking her
return flights.  She had an email from Robin with confirmation of a flight
the following day.  The same route as before but a shorter layover
time.  The tickets business class.  She had arranged for them to be
delivered to her that day.  Wow that was quick.  She began to pack
her things into the cases once she finally found them stored away.  The
gifts she had bought for her family and the beautiful dress she had worn to the
dance.  All seemed like a million years ago.  Nico’s tattered shirt,
now button less she had packed away too.  The scent of his aftershave
embedded in the material.  Something drew her to not place it in the
laundry hamper but to take it with her.  Nico had notified the sheriff’s department
of her pending return home.  They would contact her when there were any
further developments with her case.  She had declined to know any further
information on her attacker.  She just wanted to forget about it as
quickly as possible.  They told her he was in the county lock up and bail
had been set. 

Carrie carefully packed away her belongings for her
return journey then made a call to Monique to say their goodbyes.  No time
to meet as Monique was visiting family up state.  They promised to keep in
touch.  Carrie ended the call as there was a knock on the door. 
Expecting it to be her tickets or Jay to bring Beau for his walk it was Nico’s
mother who greeted her.

“Oh Mrs Devanti, I didn’t expect to see you”

“Clearly you didn’t” 

Taken aback by her tone, she held the door open as
her visitor pushed through. 

“Can I get you anything?”  Carrie offered.

“No, I see you’ve made yourself quite at home here,”

“It was very kind of your family to help during my
recuperation”

“My son was determined to offer our hospitality”

“It was much appreciated”

Mrs Devanti walked through the room her eyes taking
in every detail of the room.

“I’m sure it was”

Bristling at her tone Carrie replied, “What are you
implying?”

“Do you think you have landed a meal ticket with my
son as he is apparently besotted with you?  What can you offer him?”

“I really think my relationship with Nico is none of
your business.  I don’t have to explain myself.”

“Relationship? Is that what it is called?  You
hardly know each other.  You have baggage Carrie.  Baggage my son
does not require.  How much do we have to pay to see you off?”

Holding onto the same chair for support that
yesterday she had been holding in ecstasy.  Baggage?  Oh that one
hurt.  Her face masked the emotions she was feeling.  She walked over
to the door and held it open.