STELLA
Afternoon sex with Luca had been magnificent, leaving Stella relaxed and satisfied. When they returned to the main deck to join the others, Chloe and Amber were still sunbathing with Desi and Vincenzo, seemingly oblivious to Stella and Luca having even left. Only Giovanni gave them a knowing wink as they slid back onto the daybed together.
They left Positano where they’d anchored in the bay for the best part of the day and berthed for the night further along the coast at the Marina d’Arechi. Stella’s good intentions of a quieter night were thwarted by an evening out drinking and eating at a restaurant on the quay before returning tipsy to The Silver Spirit. She refrained from more drinks on the deck and headed to her room instead.
Luca knocked on her door ten minutes later. After pinging Fern a quick message with a couple of photos of Positano, Stella switched off her phone, not wanting to be disturbed, even by Fern, and she certainly didn’t want to risk an unwanted message from Paul again. Luca proved to be a mighty fine distraction from her worries, seducing her slowly this time, enabling her to think of nothing else until sleep took over a couple of hours later.
* * *
The next day, they sailed back along the coast and anchored off the town of Amalfi to have lunch on shore before exploring its cobbled lanes and sun-drenched piazzettas. They returned to The Silver Spirit with the intention of having a siesta, although it was obvious from Luca’s wink and the way his hands teased up her sides that he meant to do rather more.
But Stella couldn’t leave it any longer to phone Fern. She’d replied to her message from the day before with a stunning photo of the art retreat’s Mediterranean garden and it sounded as if she was having fun, but Stella wanted to make sure before joining Luca. She whispered that she’d meet him in her room and retreated to the empty jacuzzi deck.
Worry gripped Stella as she pressed Fern’s number. She perched on the end of a sun lounger and gazed at the coastline zipping by as the phone rang. She should have called her yesterday, but then Luca had happened and all thoughts of anything else had vanished. She felt horribly guilty – a feeling that seemed to constantly follow her around when she thought about her friend.
‘Hey, Stella! I’ve been meaning to phone you, there just hasn’t been a chance.’
Relief flooded through her at how upbeat Fern sounded.
‘Same here; been thinking about you loads though. The photo’s gorgeous. You’ve been enjoying it there then?’
‘Oh, I love it. I can’t put into words how amazing this place is.’
The knot of tension in Stella’s chest loosened a little. ‘I’m so glad. So you’re not regretting staying?’
‘No, not at all. Don’t get me wrong, I miss you guys, but it’s been so good to be immersed in creativity.’
‘And the people are nice?’
‘Yeah, they’re mostly a lot older but lovely. Edith is… I don’t know, I feel like I’ve known her forever somehow. She’s easy to talk to. And the place itself – I thought where we were staying was grand. How are you getting on?’
‘It’s not the same without you, but…’ Stella laughed. ‘This yacht, this lifestyle, is just… wow.’
‘How are the Italians?’
‘Great. We’ve all been getting on very well.’ Stella bit her lip at the thought of Luca waiting for her below deck in her bed. Fern didn’t need to know that. ‘I’m on the jacuzzi deck at the moment.’
‘There’s a jacuzzi?’
‘Yeah, it’s quite something. We’re just sailing along the coast.’
‘Is it all as beautiful as Positano?’
‘I’ll send you more pics. It’s hard to describe the colours and the drama of these incredible places overlooking the sea. Makes me not want to leave.’
They were both quiet for a moment. Stella wondered if Fern was thinking the same thing, that leaving Capri and going home to reality almost felt too much to bear.
‘Where are you at the moment, anyway?’ Stella asked, breaking the silence.
‘In the garden. I’ve finished painting for the day. It’s been magical to just have time to myself, you know. To not have the distractions of home. I’ve had time to think. It’s been good for me.’
‘Good, I’m glad the time to yourself is helping.’
‘How’s Amber?’ Fern’s breezy tone changed to one filled with concern.
‘She’s absolutely fine, Fern. You don’t need to worry. She and Chloe are having the best time. Hard not to really.’
They chatted a bit longer without really saying anything. Even though Fern sounded as if she was happy, Stella was hesitant to lay it on too thick about how much of a good time she was having. After saying goodbye, she stayed sitting on the deck for a moment, watching the Amalfi Coast pass by, all vibrant greens and gleaming white villas. The Lottery win wasn’t her ticket to happiness, she knew that, but it was the kick-start she needed to turn her life on its head. She needed to right her wrongs. She needed to support the people she cared for and to follow her heart if she was to have any chance of real happiness. Right now, happiness was Luca naked in her bed… But the idea of returning to her life… Changes were coming; she just needed to be brave enough to see them through.