Is this destiny?

~ Island in the Adriatic Sea ~

Aiden noticed that Sarah is waking up and he swiftly closed his laptop and settled next to her in the bed.

"Good morning, sunshine…" He greeted her with a bright smile as soon as she opened her eyes.

"Good morning, handsome…" She smiled drowsily and yawned while her eyes moved over the room.

Sarah reminded herself that they arrived here late last night after five super-romantic days in Greece which they spent hiking, swimming, and shopping between visiting temples and enjoying breathtaking views that only Greece can provide. Aiden took every opportunity to shower her with flowers, gifts and his absolute care and attention, and she should not have any reasons to complain.

Now they are on the island he gifted her for her birthday. It happened only two months ago, but so many things happened that it feels like forever.

After a round of unhurried stretching in the bed, Sarah looked at Aiden: "What did you plan for today?"

His face showed a surprise that she is willingly accepting his plans. "How do you know I have something planned?"

Sarah did her best not to roll her eyes at him.

"Because you always have something planned… and no matter what I want to do, you always tell me 'later' and we follow what you arranged. So, I might as well give up and go with whatever you have on your mind." Sarah didn't have any strength remaining to resist him. During last two weeks, he proved that any resistance is futile against his plans and her only option is to relax and go with the flow.

Aiden tilted his head and looked at her pouty lips with a smile. "That is because you have only one thing on your mind."

"That is not true!" Sarah paused and continued with a hint of guilt in her voice: "Can you blame me? It seems like forever since you touched me last time… and I have no idea what I did to deserve this rejection."

Aiden could hear sadness in her voice. She was not faking this.

"I'm not rejecting you." Aiden cradled her cheek with his palm and forced her to look at him. "Remember? We agreed to start over… It's just a small period of controlling our urges, and it will pay off at the end. When we cross that line, it will be so much more super special. We have our whole lives, there is no rush. Can you trust me on this one?"

Sarah grumpily nodded. It's not like she has a choice.

Looking at him, she can tell that he already showered and is ready for the day… just like any other previous day. How frustrating!

With a sour face she scooted out of the bed and went to take a shower. She gave up more than a week ago trying to get him in the shower with her anyway.

Sarah told herself that his reasoning makes sense and that the more they delay, the better it will be… And he is more than great with everything: he indulges her, pampers her, takes her places, makes her feel like she is the most important person in the world… but the furthest they go are hugs and kisses. It would not be this difficult if they didn't make love countless times before… She can't even remember last time they did it! Sarah groaned and banged her fist on the shower wall in frustration while warm water slid down her body.

Aiden listened to the sound of water running from the bathroom and held his face in his palms. It's not that he does not want to… but this is not the time. Sarah still has nightmares, and he wants to make sure they disappear completely, and her condition is stable before they proceed like nothing happened. Sarah is not aware that she has nightmares, and she does not understand torment he goes through every night while holding her frail body while she is shivering and weeping in his arms. Aiden can definitely see the progress. She is not trashing as much, and the duration is shorter, but nightmares are still there.

More than once he was on the verge of snapping and telling her everything, but next morning she looks at him with a smile on her face and eyes full of love… and that reminds him what matters. And what matters is Sarah.

Aiden got out of his thoughts when he saw her coming out of the bathroom.

"Come, let's have breakfast and then I want to show you something." Aiden smiled and held her hand while leading the way downstairs. "Toma is waiting to show us new storage. It was completed last week."

Sarah sighed and did her best to smile. Aiden is obviously making an effort for her, and she should not complain just because he refuses to make love with her.

Wouldn't most of the girls be delighted to get a treatment like this? To have a handsome and capable man who is willing to go above and beyond to make them happy while not demanding physical intimacy? And she could be one of those girls if she didn't meet him, and if she didn't experience how heavenly his embrace is, and how he knows to do just the right things to make her scream in ecstasy...

Sarah paused at the thought that it's Aiden's fault that she became like this, lecherous! She pinched his arm.

Aiden winced and looked at her with a mix of surprise and anger.

"What was that about?" He rubbed the spot where she pinched.

Sarah frowned. "It's your fault that my mind is full of lustful thoughts! And you are not taking responsibility!"

Aiden raised his eyebrows for a second before showing a wide smile. He pulled her close. "How can you say that I'm not taking responsibility? I'm going to marry you!"

"That is not what I meant!", Sarah squeezed through her teeth, ignoring his chuckles.

She can't believe that she labeled herself as someone with lustful thoughts. But what can she do? It is the truth.

"You said that we can start from wherever I want… but then you ended up deciding everything by yourself!" Sarah remembers that he even offered his wrists and said that he will not resist. And she is tempted to tie him up and have her way with him!

Aiden only smiled and kissed her temple not stopping his steps toward the kitchen.