Moving on

Matt didn’t see Marsella the next day.

Well, he saw her, they just didn’t speak.

She was not at her usual morning sun spot so Matt had taken a long walk around the resort, half exploring the grounds and half looking for Marsella.

He would eventually catch a glimpse of her in the early afternoon walking with a man Matt assumed to be her husband. He kept his distance, suppressing the urge to try and catch just a glimpse of her gaze.

He saw Alicia at least a dozen times, which was barely a consolation. She was trying to rekindle last night’s brief romance but Matt wasn’t feeling it today. He was running out of time. When evening came around he loitered around the nicest of the restaurants on the resort and hoped he could at least see where Marsella was staying. He intended to follow her and her husband home and then... well, he wasn’t sure. He’d figure it out, though.

Sure enough, Marsella made an appearance. Her husband was with her along with three other women Matt hadn’t seen before. They were stunning, and young, and loud. Marsella outshone them all, of course, but was much more reserved as the party sat down to eat. Matt got himself a table for himself and, thankfully, he had a good view of her table and he could even see her face. It was something, at least.

Except that Marsella was obviously unhappy. He frowned as she focused on her wine and little else, hardly present for whatever raucous conversation was happening around her. Matt wanted to dash in and whisk her away but he knew that was just a pipe dream.

Matt watched Marsella at dinner, barely picking at his own. He was looking for an opportunity to talk to her, to waylay her by the bathroom and say something, but she didn’t move from her chair. After a long dinner they all left, stumbling out of the restaurant without even allowing Matt a mutual glance.

He quickly ducked out of the restaurant and followed Marsella and the other three people she was stuck with in hopes he could see where she was staying. He kept his distance, though anyone who bothered to look would see what he was up to. Matt was not a subtle man. Marsella’s husband was leading the group on an indecipherable path through the resort, loudly announcing that he was with four beautiful women almost constantly. Matt realized it was a victory lap after a few minutes and broke off the pursuit.

In all it seemed like a waste of a day.

That night Matt didn’t even bother to go out. He chose instead to lay in bed and wait to fall asleep, too frustrated to do much else. He would just have to be patient. That damned wizard wouldn’t have sent him here for an impossible task, would he?

—

The next day dawned just as beautifully as the previous two. Matt had gotten up early and was reclining on a chair at Marsella’s morning pool just after the sun appeared above the horizon.

Marsella appeared soon after, clad in a frilly black and pink bikini and quite dolled up. Matt saw her first and he smiled as she came into view. She looked incredible and Matt’s heart started to echo in his ears.

He waited until she selected a chair and reclined, putting on sunglasses underneath a wide-brimmed sun hat. He carefully made his way over to her and sat in the chair next to her.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” He said.

“Matt?” Marsella exclaimed, turning her head quickly toward him.

“Marsella,” he said with a smile.

She remained in her chair but she beamed, pulling her sunglasses down her nose and exposing her bright eyes for a moment, confirming it indeed was Matt next to her.

“It’s so good to see you,” she said with a happy tone.

“And you!” Matt said. “I missed you yesterday.”

Marsella reached across the gap between their chairs and touched his forearm. “I missed you, too. What have you been up to?”

“Just soaking up the sun, I guess,” he replied, “what about you? I hoped I’d see you here yesterday morning.”

Marsella’s smile faded. “I got busy. My husband... wanted to spend time with me.”

“That’s part of being married, I suppose.”

Marsella nodded, though not in agreement, and looked forward again. Cedric had been insufferable, like he was most mornings he was hungover, and kept her too close all day.

“Yes, I suppose so,” she said finally.

“Everything okay?” Matt asked, leaning forward to catch Marsella’s gaze.

“Of course,” Marsella lied, “I’m just enjoying another day in paradise as a happily married woman.”

Matt considered how to respond. It was in his best interests to drive the wedge between her and her husband even deeper, wasn’t it? Or would it patronize her and ruin his chances?

“Of course. You seem quite happy.”

“Do I?” Marsella said, looking over to Matt.

“You seemed happy the other night.”

“With you.”

“Yes. With me.”

“Does that not bother you?”

Marsella’s mood had quickly become sour. Matt sensed he had chosen his words poorly. He had to try and switch gears.

“Being around you doesn’t bother me,” he said.

“Even though I’m married?” Marsella quipped.

Matt hesitated. The words nearly escaped but he held back. Marsella noticed and demanded he speak.

“I might be bothered if you seemed all that interested in being married.”

Marsella looked away. She chewed on her tongue for a moment.

“Is it so obvious?” She asked.

“No, I just have a sense of these things, I guess,” Matt said.

“What gave it away?” Marsella asked with a sigh.

“It was a couple things. But especially that kiss...” Matt’s voice trailed off as he waited to see if he was allowed to bring up the moment.

Marsella looked back over to Matt. One corner of her mouth turned upward in a sly, almost unnoticeable smile.

“It was a good kiss,” she said.

“I hope it wasn’t our last,” Matt said.

“Yeah...” Marsella breathed. She looked out over the pool, mostly empty save for a few early risers. Of course it would be obvious to Matt that she was unhappy with her marriage. Why had she even asked? Because she was tense, yes, but it still seemed silly.

“What do you have going on today?” Marsella continued.

“Nothing,” Matt answered.

“Oh? Looks like we are in the same predicament,” she commented.

“That’s interesting,” Matt said, “I suppose that means we should stick together, then?”

Marsella smiled and stood. “Come on, walk with me.”

—

A few minutes later the pair reached the beach and their footsteps trailed through the surf as they walked aimlessly through the sand. When they reached it Marsella took Matt’s hand without a word, holding it gently as if they had always done so. Matt suppressed a chuckle, remaining casual despite his pounding heart.

Marsella took a long breath. “Well, Matt, you have me feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time.”

“I hope they’re good things,” he said.

“Maybe they are,” Marsella teased. “Maybe they aren’t.”

Matt squeezed her hand. “Well, I’m definitely feeling good things.”

Marsella leaned against Matt for a few strides but didn’t say anything. Sea spray splattered at their legs as they walked.

“You’ve got me forgetting I’m married,” Marsella said, practically a whisper.

“I don’t consider you a married woman,” Matt whispered back.

“You’re going to get us in trouble,” she whispered playfully, “if you keep this up.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Matt said.

Marsella was quiet for a long time, holding Matt’s hand tight while their feet kicked through the soft Caribbean sand.

“It’s best not to ask that question, Matt,” she said finally.

Matt was quiet now, too. The reality of the situation settled on the pair. Matt was committed to seeing this through, too much was riding on his ability to seal the deal with Marsella. He glanced down at her, eyes tracing her features. He didn’t expect to feel so much for her. He watched her for a moment: her hips swaying and long legs pressing into the sand. What was he supposed to say?

“I think it’s worth it, you know?”

“Do you, Matt? Do you?” Marsella stopped and whirled toward Matt, her tone angry and accusatory. “Do you think this is something simple? What do you think you can even—“

Marsella’s voice faltered and cracked.

“Fuck, Matt. This isn’t a game. Ced— my husband isn’t someone to mess with. If he knew what we were up to he’d—“

Matt kissed her. He grabbed her with both hands, fingers grasping at her hair, and pulled her into it, lips melting against her with a sharp intake of breath. She fell into his arms immediately, accepting his kiss. The wind whipped in from the sea and swirled around them. Marsella’s hair wrapped around them and Matt kissed her slow, almost too slow, withholding heat from Marsella’s greedy lips even as he gave her exactly what she needed.

They separated for just a moment and Matt’s hands fell to her shoulders and the down her slender arms.

“Wow,” Marsella whispered, eyes fluttering open, her lips still teasing against Matt’s.

Matt didn’t need to say anything. They quickly fell back into the kiss underneath the warm morning sun. Anxiety and fear faded away with each long, lingering kiss. Marsella held him tight, hands wandering across his back to his neck.

“Show me your room,” Marsella demanded softly.

This was the moment. It didn’t take a genius to notice. Matt could have her. She had offered it plainly, without reservation. But he hesitated. Doubt snaked into his head.

“Marsella...”

She cut him off with a kiss. “Just take me, Matt.”

“But that will be the end, won’t it?”

“It can’t go further,” Marsella said.

“I want... further...” Matt whispered.

Marsella’s heart hurt. She was giving him all she could. She had no freedom to offer and no future to promise. She only had this moment, right now, before her husband dragged her back into her life of subjugation and imprisonment.

“Matt...” she said, fighting back tears.

His fingers dug into her waist, knuckles white against her tan flesh. He wanted to promise her a life, or a way out, but they both knew it would be empty in the face of the overwhelming reality of their situation.

“Shhh,” she said softly, looking into his eyes, “just take me there. Nothing else has to matter.”

Matt couldn’t believe he was resisting. A beautiful woman wanted him. She was in his arms, completely his, but it wasn’t enough.

“It’s going to end in heartbreak no matter what,” she muttered, “we can at least control this moment, right?”

She was pleading. Matt heard it in her voice: desperate and longing and bitter. Desperate for something real. Longing for love. Bitter that she was denied these desires.

Matt kissed her one more time. He kissed her until her eyes closed and she sunk into his arms.

“We can control this moment,” he said, looking into Marsella’s wet eyes.

—

Marsella followed ten paces behind Matt, just in case her husband made a surprise appearance. Her heart raced in her chest, pounding loud and deliberate with heat and fear. Her defiance had been limited to small rebellions: faking pleasure and gossip behind Cedric’s back. This would be her greatest resistance, her secret that kept her sane just by the knowledge of its existence. Her hands shook. Nothing about her body language was casual. Her eyes darted around, hoping beyond hope she would make it unnoticed to Matt’s bungalow.

Every step made this decision more real. The window to change her mind was rapidly dwindling and Marsella let it pass. She was resolute. It felt like the first free decision she had ever made.

Matt reached the door and waited for her to catch up. She jumped into his arms and kissed him with tender passion, arms around his waist. He held her tight against him and slowly pulled her in through the door...