Before You Leave: A Romance Novel Read online

  “You done well. It was crazy.”

  “I haven’t done that for a while. It was fun.”

  “You need a job?”

  “Haha don’t tempt me.”

  “No joke, I pay well.”

  “I have to go home soon. But I could help out if you are stuck until then.”

  “Cook very sick, and Kieran no answer.”

  “Does Kieran work here?”

  “Only when I need him. He is a good boss.”

  “Is he your boss?”

  “Very good one.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know, so he owns this cafe.”

  “This and more. He is a very busy man but fair.”

  “And he didn’t answer his phone?”

  “He must be out sailing. He always sails when he needs to think.”

  “Where is his yacht?” My curiosity is on overdrive.

  “The Marina, you cannot miss it. It is very large.”

  “So why does he live in an apartment surrounded by others if he is such a business man?”

  “Kieran likes to keep things simple.”

  “What do you mean by simple?”

  “First you eat and then I will talk.”

  With the rush when I entered the cafe, I totally forgot how hungry I am. Getting up from his seat he leaves to go back to the kitchen. I clear the tables that have become vacant, going behind the counter to tidy up the menus and cutlery. The smell of grilled bacon coming from the kitchen makes my mouth water.

  A group of five walk inside from the mid-morning sun. Sitting them down at a table by the air-conditioning, I hand them the menus and leave them to decide what they would like. Pablo comes out of the kitchen carrying two plates laden down with a full breakfast on both. Placing them on the table we were sitting at, he tells me to sit.

  “But we have customers, I will sit soon.” I tell him.

  “I serve, you eat.”

  “But yours will go cold.”

  “No not mine, you sit.”

  I do what I am told and leave him with the customers. Filling up a cup with hot water, I take a tea bag from my bag behind the counter and put it in before sitting at the table. The plate is over filled with sausages, bacon, eggs and tinned plum tomatoes with a rack of toast on the side. I really hope he doesn’t think I can finish off all of it and eat the other plateful.

  Buttering the slice of toast, I dip it into the tomato juice. The soggy corner drips on the plate as I bite down letting it dissolve into my mouth before I swallow.

  I don’t need to turn around to know the person who has just entered the cafe. I can feel his presence and recognise his aftershave. I try to keep my eyes focused on a spot on the floor and keep chewing.

  “Hello Julia” Kieran takes the seat in front of the other plate opposite me.

  “Kieran.”

  “I thought I would join you for brunch.” He says while picking up the knife and fork and start cutting the bacon.

  “I think you will find that isn’t your food.”

  Holding the fork mid-air he points it at me.

  “I think you will find it is.”

  “Pablo made that for himself, he will be back in a minute.”

  Stabbing the thin sausage in the middle, he lifts it up to his mouth and takes a bite out of the end.

  “Not as nice as Denny sausages back home but I am planning to change that.”

  “Kieran what do you want?”

  “You.”

  With my knife and fork now left balancing at the side of my plate, I blow the top of my tea and then sip it a little. The soothing acquired taste flows down my throat while my mind is in a panic.

  “Ok that was a bit strong. I should rephrase that. I would like your company, at least until you leave.” He quickly recovers.

  I don’t know if he can see the disappointed on my face as he stares at me waiting for an answer. Putting the cup down I take a large breath in before slowly letting it out, calming my nerves that are making my hands shake.

  “Ok Kieran, I think this is a good time to put all of our cards on the table.”

  Leaning across, Kieran takes my hand into his. “Not here. Finish eating and then we will talk, I promise. But the food is getting cold and I am starving.”

  “Where then?”

  “I know a quiet spot but first eat.” He orders me with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

  After just eating the toast, an egg and a slice of bacon I push my plate away from me.

  “Are you finished?” Kieran looks up from his plate from under his lashes, his dark eyes piercing.

  “I’m full.” I confess to him. “I’m going to help Pablo while you’re finishing. He might need me.” Pushing the chair back, I take my plate and cup and head towards the kitchen. Just as I pass Kieran I stop and turn to him. He looks up and again I feel butterflies dancing inside of me.

  “Your hair looks very windswept.” Putting his knife down, he uses his fingers to brush the slight curls back that have fallen over his forehead, still focusing on me.

  “Better?”

  “Yes, much better.” I answer him with a smile that this time is genuine.

  Pablo thanks me for all my help as I leave and tries to hand me money for my work. I bluntly refuse much to his annoyance. Kieran and I walk in step with each other stopping at a moped on the side of the pavement.

  “Is this yours?” I ask him in wonder that it could be.

  “It is. Have you been on one before?”

  “Not a moped I haven’t. Didn’t think this would be your thing.”

  “There are lots you don’t know about me, yet. Here put this on.” Taking an open-faced helmet out of the back box, Kieran hands it over to me. “Why?” I ask him as I take the helmet from him.

  “Because I want to take you somewhere for us to talk.” Without any more questions, I put it on; Kieran unclips a similar one from the handlebars and does the same. Throwing his long leg over the seat he slides forward and rolls it off the stand.

  “Jump on, don’t worry I have it steady.” He explains to me as his biceps strain in his shirt while he keeps it steady. I try to look as skilful as Kieran did but my yellow dress rides up more than it should as I sit behind him. Turning at the waist he looks at my predicament and gives a little laugh.

  “Nice underwear.” He smirks as I push him slightly on his arm to make him turn around. When he does so, I slide up behind him to stop anyone else viewing what he had just seen.

  Holding on to the white cotton t-shirt he is wearing, the bike flows smoothly around the small village. The route Kieran takes isn’t one I have ventured on yet with its narrow roads and white washed houses. The further we go the fewer houses I see and the land is vast for such a small island.

  Burnt brown and dusty.

  Kieran rides around an acute bend slowly. We both lean into the corner and I slide further against him, breathing in his aftershave that I’ve grown attached too. Resting my head on his back I entwine my fingers around the front of him, holding on to him tighter as we straighten up again. Watching the coastline disappear, we drive for another while before Kieran starts to slow down. The automatic gates we drive up to open as we approach and I sit upright taking notice of my surroundings. A white stonewall borders the entrance opening up to the garden. There is a pebbled walkway surrounding plants that I have seen growing near other houses; I’m guessing ideal for the sunny climate. The driveway is short and Kieran pulls up under the canopy at the front of the building. Switching off the engine, he waits for me to climb off before he puts the bike on the stand and dismounts it with ease. I unclasp my helmet and take it off.

  “Are we visiting someone?” I ask in a whisper so no one can hear us.

  “Kind of, you wanted to talk. Well this M’lady,” he says while bowing and using his hand to present the house to me, “is my home.”

  Standing upright again, I can feel his eyes watching me, waiting for my response.

  “Yours?”

  “
Yes, mine.”

  “Bu…but what about the apartment?” I’m not fully understanding what he is telling me, this villa with electric gates and well, I haven’t even seen what is around the back but from here it looks amazing.

  “The apartment I usually rent out, it was empty for a few days so that is why we could stay there.” I know I am staring and I know my mouth is ajar. More questions, more uncertainty rears its ugly head.

  “So you lied to us, I mean why not bring us straight here or was that never the plan, to let us see the real you.”

  I can see his chest expand as he inhales deeply. Taking a step closer, he exhales and takes my hand enclosing it in his.

  “Julia, look around you. This place is far from any amenities. I didn’t think Sarah or you would be impressed if I brought you here first. No shops, no wifi, the phone reception isn’t that reliable and it is further from the airport. It was bad enough I had to leave you that hour yesterday when I took Sarah for her flight.”

  “So why now?”

  “You wanted to talk and well, I thought somewhere we couldn’t be disturbed would be ideal. I can take you back if you want?” Kieran licks his bottom lip, something I’ve noticed he does when he is unsure of how I’m going to react. I take my hand and fold my arms across my chest. Going back would be the best thing to ask him to do. It would be the sensible thing, the Julia thing to do, but I don’t want to be that person anymore, and I don’t want to keep running.

  “I’ll stay. You’re right, we do need to talk.” I eventually tell him, putting him out of his misery.

  Tiny lines form at the edge of his eyes making his face softer than usual as a large smile beams on his face.

  “We best go in then.” Taking a key from his key ring he unlocks the door, holding up a finger to tell me to wait. Entering I can hear him pressing some buttons while a beeping is sounded. The noise shuts off and he guides me into his house.

  Stepping onto the shining tiles on the floor, the entrance hall is more spectacular than his apartment. The marble effect flooring with its sandy colouring compliments the white washed walls and paintings hanging on the walls bringing colour into the room.

  “Kieran, this is beautiful.” I manage to say as I follow him towards the back of house passing a staircase I have only seen in dream magazines. Guiding my hand along the end of the banister, the marble is cool to touch even at this time of the day. Kieran enters into the large kitchen that opens up to the garden.

  “Is that a pool?”

  “It is. Nearly every house has one.”

  “Kieran your house is stunning.”

  “I know, you’ve already told me.” Kieran winks and then stops to open a large door, “I would offer you a glass of wine but you’re on tablets from the doctor so how about an ice cold fruit cocktail?” He asks while looking into the fridge that was hiding as a cupboard.

  “Please.”

  “Pop your butt up on that stool there and watch this genius at work.”

  I sit up on the stool that he pointed to and rest my elbows on the counter opposite him, waiting for the show to begin. Watching Kieran bend into the fridge, the long shorts he is wearing shape his backside nicely. I can feel my cheeks go red, unable to believe I just had that thought. Filling his arms with an array of different fruit and tubs he eventually kicks the door closed. Balancing the items in his arms, he reaches the island between us and let them tumble on to the counter.

  “Right just a few more items.”

  “I did have a very filling brunch not long ago.” I remind him.

  “I know but this will be a healthy boost. This drink,” he says while picking up an orange in his hand to show me, stopping midway to feel my cheek with the back of his hand. “Hey are you hot, your face looks very red? Wait here I’ll turn up the air-conditioning.”

  “No, no its fine must have been the journey here.” I lie.

  “Are you sure you’re ok? You are still recovering you know.”

  “I’m well, now go on genius.” I say as cringe at the thought of my blushing.

  “Right as I was saying, hold on what was I saying?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh, his humour is contagious.

  “You were saying you needed a few more items.” I answer once I catch my breath.

  “Gold star to the gorgeous woman at the counter.” He says while raising his eyebrows in unison.

  There is no escape; I know my cheeks are burning so much that even Aloe Vera couldn’t cool them.

  “Oh Julia, you blush.” I try and cover my face to stop him staring at me but he holds onto my wrists and gently lowers my arms back onto the counter. “Don’t hide, I like it.”

  Kieran’s brown eyes bore into mine and something stirs between us giving me butterflies again, confusing me. I blink several times in hope he looks away but he doesn’t. Reaching up he touches my heated cheek with the back of his cool hand and this time I lean my head onto it. Gently he brushes his hand to the back of my neck.

  “What are you hiding?” Kieran asks with his soothing tone.

  I bite my lip to stop the tears that I know want to escape. “My life.” I manage to answer.

  “Will you tell me about it?” His deep brown eyes show concern in them and at that precise moment, I know I will tell him everything. Nodding, he reaches over with his lean body and brushes his lips over my closed mouth.

  “Sorry I just couldn’t resist doing that.” He confesses and turns away from me back to the fridge.

  Touching my mouth with the tip of my finger, I want to keep the kiss embedded on my lips. Kieran turns around with a yoghurt pot in his hands and I quickly move my hand away.

  “Did I press too hard on you, oh god I’m sorry.” He asks and looks closer at my mouth.

  “No, no I err I was just putting on some gloss.”

  “Really? You don’t look like a gloss girl and I didn’t taste any from you.”

  “Maybe it is a very clever lip gloss, a non-tasting one.”

  “Hmm not sure about that, I am pretty good at tasting lips.”

  “Oh,” my heart feels heavier from those few words he dispelled.

  “Can I taste them again, for research purposes of course?” He asks leaning on the counter with his elbows.

  “Maybe you should try someone else’s, they might have much nicer gloss than me.” I reply backing away a little.

  “You’re not jealous are you?”

  “Kieran I hardly know you. Do you think it would be best if this fruit cocktail is made quickly and we can find somewhere to talk?”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry again. I shouldn’t have kissed you. It was very ungentlemanly of me. It won’t happen again.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  Kieran backs away and starts squeezing the oranges to put the juice into the blender. Cutting up the strawberries he throws in with the blueberries and a few spoonfuls of Greek yoghurt before putting on the lid. Pressing the button, the blender wheezes the ingredients together and it makes a purple shade of liquid. Taking out two tall glasses from a cabinet, Kieran fills them both and then pops in a straw. It isn’t until he places one in front of me that he speaks again.

  “A fresh fruit cocktail for you made by this genius. Now it’s time to talk.”

  Walking around the counter, he puts his hand out for me to take. With the glass in one hand and Kieran’s in the other I allow him to guide me to the large patio doors. Unlocking one, Kieran lets go of me while drawing back the doors back into a concertina effect. As each of the screens fold into the other it leaves the patio exposed. Coming over to where I’m standing, he takes my hand again and leads me to the outdoor seats. The wicker-framed chairs are thickly cushioned and when I sit down, I want to stay there forever, sinking comfortably in the seat.

  Sitting opposite me, Kieran places his glass on the low wooden table between us. I take a long suck on the straw; my cheeks go inwards in doing so. With my mouth full of delicious cool flavours, Kieran watches me with intent.
It takes me two swallows to empty my mouth and still his eyes pierce me.

  “It’s the way I drink, I love letting the flavours mix in my mouth first, to taste.” I explain quickly, shrugging my shoulder as I do.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do that before.”

  “I don’t think I’ve had anyone stare at me while I drink before.”

  “I could watch you do that all day.”

  “So you can laugh?”

  “Of course not, why would I laugh at such a cute thing you do?”

  This time I fight the heat rising on my cheeks as I answer him, “Because Ryan hated me doing it.” In that instant as the words left my mouth I feel like I am betraying Ryan. Speaking about the flaws he picked out on me in the past year. He too thought it was a cute habit I had until a few months before our engagement. In the end I had to consciously change my ways around him. Today I didn’t think and slipped back into my old ways.

  “I’m not Ryan and I think it’s sweet you can be relaxed enough in my company to be yourself.” Kieran tries to reassure me.

  “I’m sure that would change if I was around you too long.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Just because.”

  “I am not going to pretend I know what you mean but I do think we need to be honest with each other.”

  “Why do you want honesty? I mean in a few days’ time I’ll be gone, you’ll be doing whatever Kieran does and our lives will go on.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I don’t think it’s what I want but the fact is it’s going to happen.”

  “And what if I told you I want more than that, that I want you.”

  “Don’t say things you don’t mean Kieran. I told you, my life is complicated.”

  “And mine isn’t?” Keeping his voice low as he says the words.

  Taking another mouthful of the fruit drink I absorb what he says. Letting it filter through my thoughts I look out towards the pool. The lights are lit underneath the surface even though it is the middle of the day. It looks so inviting and I would love nothing more than to jump in and stop talking. I have to do this so we can both move on.