Tied to You

The Honeymoon

Our time in Bali is magical for me. When we finally walked into our villa—the presidential suite, no less—after a moderately long flight and transfer, I was fit to drop. Yet the moment I stood on the patio overlooking the Indian Ocean, my exhaustion lifted completely and poor Alex had to watch me squeal with excitement as I explored every corner of the suite. Luxurious is not an adequate description of the villa. I mean, there is a bar complete with a pool table and a grand piano, for heaven's sake. Once again, Alex insisted I take the master bedroom and I had only a moment of guilt before happily accepting and bouncing on the enormous bed like a five-year-old.

For the last few days, we have simply relaxed, enjoying our private infinity pool and even making use of the spa. In the short time my relationship with Alex has developed, I would actually go so far as to say that we are friends. Weird, I know, but when I agreed to marry him, the last thing I had expected was friendship. I have discovered that we have very similar tastes in books and movies and we have spent endless hours chatting about our favourite characters. Alex is also attempting to teach me chess, but I am hopeless and he keeps beating me in only a couple of moves; I have found that he is an excellent strategist. However, I did manage to hustle him at pool, much to his annoyance and my delight.

The villa is so self-contained we have barely set foot outside, but tomorrow, Alex has told me, he has a surprise in store for me. I am lying on one of the comfortable sunbeds on our private patio set high up on the cliff, gazing out at the sunrise, when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn my head to find Alex next to me, wordlessly holding out a mug of tea and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. This has become somewhat of a morning ritual, me rising with the dawn and him bringing a steaming brew for me and a coffee for himself while we watch the sunrise together in silence.

Not for the first time do I take the time to appreciate his beautiful body. Years of surfing, running and daily gym visits have honed his frame, giving him muscles in all the right places and a washboard stomach that you could bounce a penny off. The first time I saw him in swim shorts I nearly had a heart attack; never in my life had I been in the vicinity of such male perfection, and I was glad to already be in the pool so that he wouldn’t know how wet he made me. Lusting after Alex is definitely not part of our agreement, and each time I start to think about him in that way, I have to remind myself that he doesn't think that way about me. Yet each time he brushes my arm or plants one of his frequent kisses on my head, I have to stop my heart from beating a little faster and remind myself that Alex is just being affectionate and that things are purely platonic. But I guess that doesn't stop the daydreams…shit, I have this bad.

When the sun has finally made its way above the horizon, I go to stand and am instantly doubled over by a sharp pain streaking through my pelvis. I must have let out a squeak because instantly Alex is at my side asking me if I am okay.

"I'm fine," I gasp.

"Well, clearly you are not okay," Alex retorts, an eyebrow raised.

"It's just girl stuff, Alex. Nothing for you to worry about. Okay?" I try to straighten up again but am instantly hit with another bolt of pain, which has me crying out, and I actually feel dizzy. I have been on the pill for years to regulate my periods and ease the agonising cramps I get, and on the whole, it works. Well, apart from the odd occasion like this.

Before I can say anything else, Alex mutters "Bullshit" and sweeps me into his arms, carrying me through to my bedroom and laying me on the bed. The cramps are all-consuming now, running through my back and down my legs, and I find myself curling up into the foetal position, trying to breathe through the pain. I am not even aware that Alex had left the room until he is back, crouched down in front of me with a glass of water and a couple of painkillers in his hand, his eyes filled with concern. I accept them gratefully, hoping that they will ease the pain soon; I am not sure just how much more I can take. My eyes are closed as I try to focus on breathing…in and out…in and out. The bed dips behind me and the next thing that I feel are Alex's warm hands on my lower back, rubbing firm circles.

It takes about fifteen minutes for the painkillers to kick in and take the edge off the pain and I am finally able to uncurl myself from my position. With gentle hands, Alex helps me to roll over and then wipes the tears from my eyes. "Are you okay, Liv?" he asks.

"Getting there," I say softly. The pain is dull now, thrumming through my body like I have run a marathon, and I feel exhausted.

"Sorry, Alex. It's not normally like that. Just every once in a while…" I trail off, feeling embarrassed discussing 'women's things' with him.

"Don't apologise, Liv. Just rest now, okay? Those painkillers are probably going to knock you out, so close your eyes and let your body recover."

"Okay," I murmur as the sleepiness takes over and I succumb to black nothingness.

I wake to find my head groggy and feeling like it is stuffed with cotton wool, to find the sun has set and, miraculously, I am pain-free. I glance around to find Alex seated on a chair watching me intently, with the strangest look on his face. "Hey," I murmur, wondering if he has been in my room the entire time I have been asleep.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" Alex asks.

"Much better, thanks. A little woolly-headed but no cramps, thank god," I respond. My stomach lets out the loudest growl, making me laugh, and Alex quickly reaches out for the phone and requests for our dinner to be brought up immediately.

"Does everyone just do as you ask?" I joke, and Alex just shrugs in response. This is something I have teased him mercilessly about; when Alex Davenport says jump, people ask how high. Feeling hot and sticky with the humidity I tell Alex that I want to have a shower. The odd look returns to his face, but he just nods and leaves me to it.

*~*~*~*

The roar of the engines fills my ears and I grip the arms of my seat until my knuckles turn white. It is not that I am scared of flying per se, but I just don't like the feeling of take-offs and landings. Without a word, Alex takes my hand and gently strokes my skin with his thumb. The physical contact instantly soothes me and I close my eyes, directing my thoughts back to my surprise trip to the elephant sanctuary as a distraction.

We had left the resort before sunrise in a taxi, which had taken several hours to drive us up into the mountains. Driving past the rice paddies, I felt like I had been transported into another world and I had to remind myself that the luxury that Alex surrounds himself with is a dream for most.

Our day was spent interacting with the elephants at the safari park, washing a beautiful, and very patient, female, feeding the babies and watching the talent show. At dusk, we went on an elephant-back safari through the forest, where I found myself hanging on to Alex for dear life as I tried to get used to the elephant’s unusual gait. Upon our return, we ended up eating in the park's restaurant overlooking the lake with a view of the elephants getting ready for bed. It truly was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I find myself smiling at the memories.

"What are you thinking of?" Alex whispers in my ear, making me jump.

"Oh, I was just remembering our trip up to Taro to see the elephants. It was so awesome! I still can't thank you enough for that."

"I am just glad you enjoyed it." The plane has now levelled out and Alex has taken his hand back, and I suddenly feel bereft by the lack of his touch.

The rest of the journey is smooth, but gradually, I see a change in Alex as the hours wear on. He has mostly been silent, but as we come into land, his pensive expression becomes colder and colder. The descent into Heathrow is turbulent as bad weather lashes down on us and I find myself clutching the armrests once again. But this time Alex doesn't take my hand. Instead, I notice him grasping onto his own armrests in a vice-like hold. His jaw is locked and his eyes hooded, and all at once, I feel like I am sitting next to a complete stranger.