Free Falling into Exposure by A. Zavarelli Page B

sustenance for what is no doubt going to be a very taxing day.”
     
    ***
     
    After breakfast, Gabriel told me apologetically that he had to make a business call. I shooed him upstairs and told him not to worry about it. I want to use the opportunity to explore the premises anyway.
    I slip into my bikini and throw Gabriel’s shirt back on over it. I’d normally be a little more reserved about traipsing around in a bikini, but I don’t have to worry about that with him. He’s seen me naked in all sorts of compromising positions and still seems to worship my body. I throw on a pair of flip flips and grab my camera from my bag, determined to have some good memories of this weekend with Gabriel.
    As I walk around outside, I snap photos of squirrels, the lush trees against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, and the water lapping at my feet as I test it out. Once I’m satisfied with the shots I’ve gotten in, I walk back to the deck to test out the hammock that lies out over the water.
    If there’s a graceful way to get on this thing, I don’t know what it is. I try to balance myself as I step onto the netting, taking several steps before I decide just plopping down is the best way to go about it.
    I nestle into the hammock, listening to the soft ripples beneath me. I don’t know what it is about being near water that’s so relaxing, but it is. It’s a beautiful day, warm and sunny with just a slight breeze, and I stretch out to enjoy it.
    I’m awoken from my blissful and all too short catnap by a cold shadow blocking the sun in front of me. My eyes open lazily to find Gabriel grinning down at me with a hungry expression.
    “Victoria,” he rumbles. “That bikini...”
    “Yes?” I smile up at him
    “I like it,” he says.
    I laugh and pat the empty space next to me. “Join me.”
    “You don’t have to ask me twice.” He pounces on top of me playfully, the hammock swaying beneath our weight.
    “This is so nice here,” I say. “I bet it’s beautiful in the winter.”
    He gazes down at me with hooded eyes. “I guess maybe we’ll find out together.”
    My stomach flips at his response because that’s seven months from now. I bury my face deep in his arm and hold him close, too lost for words. He strokes my back in long, lazy strokes, nearly lulling me back to sleep as we sway in the breeze.
    “Oh!” I bolt upright, remembering something. “I want to grab something in the house. Can you wait here for me?”
    He eyes me curiously before releasing me.
    “Hurry back please.”
    I run back inside and rummage through my bag until I find what I’m looking for. This is going to be the perfect opportunity to use it. But just as I’m about to leave, I think of something else. I search through my bag again, pulling out the blue tie I bought for him. I run the soft material through my hands while I debate how I can use this.
    Then inspiration hit me. In a moment of extraordinary confidence, I tear off my bikini top and slip the tie around my neck in a loose knot. I skip back out to the deck and freeze when I find him playing with my camera.
    “Um, what are you doing?” I ask nervously.
    He props himself up on his elbow and squints at me against the sun, a smile beaming across his face. “What are you wearing?”
    I look down and stroke my fingers over the tie. “It’s a gift. I thought this color would look nice on you, and… I thought I could make it memorable.”
    His eyes have that hooded look again, the one that I love.
    “That I’m sure you will, beautiful.”
    He glances back at the camera in his hand. “Did you take all these photos?”
    “Um yea,” I retort, a little sharper than I mean to.
    He doesn’t seem fazed.
    “Some of these are really amazing. Did you go to school for this?”
    I cringe at the question because I’m sure right about now he’s wondering why the hell I’m not doing something with my life.
    “No… not really.” I shuffle my feet. “I just learned on my own I