The room is dark now. It must be close to midnight. I can't remember if there is a clock nearby or not. I can't see much, only the vague outline of the overstuffed couch stands out in this unfamiliar room. The darkness threatens to suffocate me. I stir, and my bare leg brushes against his. I can't help but smile, remembering our arrival to this remote bungalow nestled among the green of Kauai.

The plane had touched down just as the sun began sinking into the ocean. The scent of orchids had surrounded me briefly as a lei was placed around my neck. The sky had been streaked with colors. Like a rainbow. Alex was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

He whisked me off to this remote little house just as soon as we found our bags. We are close enough to the beach that I can smell the salt, and are surrounded by trees and vegetation on all sides. Somehow Alex managed to get a Jeep Wrangler, since the only way to get here was a rough, rutted dirt road. He still hasn't told me how he did all this.

The complete darkness itches inside of me. Finally, I kick off the sheets, get up and carefully step over our luggage to the window. I fight with the thick curtains for a few seconds and tug them open a few inches. Moonlight streams through, causing me to blink. I can't help taking a quick peek out the window, just to reassure myself that I'm really here. And, sure enough, I can see the white gleam of moonlight on the water, very faintly, but it's there.

Alex rolls over while I am tiptoeing back to the bed. "Whazza matter?" His words are an almost indistinguishable rumble.

"Nothing," I whisper, sliding down onto the bed next to him. His arm slides around my waist possessively and I have to kiss his lips - just once - before he returns to Wonderland.

**

Soft, featherlight kisses on my left shoulder wake me. I flick one eye open. Sunlight is streaming in the room.

"Aloha wau ia oe," Alex whispers. I roll over to face him and his eyes are shining. His fingertips graze my cheek.

"What does that mean?" I ask. I prop my head on one elbow.

"It means 'I love you.'"

My heart flutters and I feel my chin tremble. I can't help the tears that spring to my eyes, though I try to blink them away. Alex watches my face closely.

"I love you too, Alex."

His eyes light up. "I know."

My chin tilts towards him and he smiles just before he kisses me.

**

Our days pass quickly in a blur of sea and land and lovemaking, and then suddenly it is our last night on the island. Alex builds a driftwood fire on the beach, just before sunset, and we sit close together under a blanket. We watch the glorious colors paint the sky, and the stars begin to come out.

Alex jumps up and holds out his hand to me. "Dance with me," he says. I laugh and allow him to pull me to my feet.

"There's no music!" I protest. He swings me out away from him and then pulls me close.

"You can't hear it?" he teases me. His arms tighten around my waist and I tilt my head back to look into his face.

"This is like a fantasy, Alex. Dancing barefoot on the beach with you." I hug him closer and a smile tugs at my lips. I remember another fantasy of long ago.

"Thank you for inviting me," I say quietly. I can practically hear his eyebrows furrowing up like they do when he's puzzling over something. And he hugs me closer for a second when he understands.

"My pleasure." I have to smile into his shoulder. He goes on. "I've been watching you for quite some time now. I know all the ins and outs of you." He pauses. "I would know what's on your mind but all the world is spinning round and round inside my head tonight." He kisses that spot right underneath my ear and my knees go weak.

"You really think of me?" I ask, delighted that I know the answer.

"Constantly," he whispers in my hair. And chuckles. That's not in the script. "I think that underneath that beautiful exterior is an even more beautiful interior. But I know that not too many people get to see that interior, do they?"

"No, they don't."

"You can show me."

Giddiness wells up inside of me, as he dips me backwards for a kiss. Being with Alex makes me free. He smiles his tender smile and pulls me back upright.

The sun sinks completely below the horizon and I sigh into Alex's shoulder. "I can't believe it's almost over," I complain softly. "We have to go back tomorrow."

"But we have forever ahead of us," he reminds me.

I smile into the bare skin of his neck. "Aloha wau ia oe," I murmur. "Forever."

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