Chapter 392

"This looks amazing. Let's eat this." Nora said, picking up some kind of pie. She grabbed some mixed fruit as well as a fork.

"Just eat the pie right out of the pie pan?" Christian asked.

"Yeah?" She said with a mouthful. He laughed and followed suit, stuffing his face with the best tasting peach pie he had ever had in his life.

She was adorable sitting there in his boxers and his white t-shirt. For a moment, he wished he was like any other man she had met. Just a regular guy, enjoying post coitus bliss with his new girl. He sighed.

"What time is it here?" She asked.

"The middle of the night, I'm certain." He said. She nodded.

"Hey." She said. "You know what would be really kick ass right now?"

"I have no idea what could be more kick ass than this day has already been but go ahead, let's hear it." He said with a smile.

"A cigarette." She said. He laughed.

"I know just where to find one, give me just a moment." He said.

He walked to the bedroom off the kitchen to find Derek asleep with a nudie magazine on his chest.

"Gross." He whispered. He saw the pack of cigarettes on the bedside table and absconded them as quietly as he could along with his lighter.

He came back to the kitchen, more than proud of himself.

"My hero." Nora said with a smile. They snuck out the front door and lit one. Christian coughed and gagged. He had never smoked before and had no idea why people would want to nearly vomit doing this.

Nora giggled. "Slow down." She said with smile. He did and when he felt the buzz from the nicotine, he then realized the answer to his why. It was glorious, a full belly and a smoke after what they spent all day doing. He looked up into the clear night sky and saw what looked like a shooting star. He made a wish.

Then, more shooting stars. "Christian! Look! It's like a meteor shower or something?" Nora said, clapping.

"It is a meteor shower." He said, looking up. They watched it, the twinkling, falling lights from the sky, shooting all around them, completely in awe. He put his arms around her and smiled. It was as if the heavens were telling them to remember this night, always. And they would.

*********************************

Then next day, they slept past noon. He had wanted to take her to Glasgow to see some things there but a storm had curtailed that plan.

After lunch, she got up and walked to where he was sitting, Derek was across the room, having tea.

"How about we check out the game barn here? I thought I saw table tennis when we came in?" Nora said with a smile. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed the back of his neck.

"If you keep that up, we are going to go upstairs and not come down until tomorrow." Christian said.

"I'm perfectly fine with that option as well." She whispered into his ear. He stirred in his jeans at the word tickling his ear. He stood up and picked her up and carried her upstairs. Derek shook his head in utter disgust.

"I feel awful. We leave tomorrow and the only tour I gave you has been the ocean and this room." Christian said, getting out of bed to shower.

"I said tour. I didn't specify what I was touring. Next time I'll just say "tour of your cock or tour of the actual city" that way there isn't so much confusion." She said with a laugh. He looked at her and sat on the bed, sullenly.

"What? What did I say?" She asked.

"Next time." He said softly.

"Oh." She said, nodding. He looked at her and realized what she was thinking wasn't what he meant.

"No. No that's not what I meant. I want to see you again. I need to see you again. It's just a little complicated. I have to talk to you about something. You see… "

"Christian, we have an issue. Can you come downstairs?" Derek interrupted.

"Yes of course." Christian said, putting on his clothes.

Nora nodded and told him to go and see what was the matter.

"What is the problem?" Christian asked.

"It's your brother. He is missing." Derek said.

"Missing? What do you mean?" Christian asked.

"He was at the castle in Italy and left the night before last to go to dinner with his some friends. No one has seen him since." Derek said.

"Can't mum look into it? Dylan?" Christian asked.

"We should head back. I can book a train ticket tonight." Derek said. An entire day early. He wanted to cherish every minute he had with Nora, not have to leave like this.

"Is this truly something we should be worried about? He's done this before." Christian said.

"His phone and wallet were found by a creek outside of town." Derek said. Christian nodded.

"I will let Nora know." He said. He went upstairs and explained that he had a family crisis and they would have to leave a day early.

"Can I help? What can I do?" She asked.

"Nothing. It's my brother. He does this sometimes. Like the boy who cried wolf. But we just never know, you know?" He said. He was devastated to have to leave.

"It's alright. I will get my things together." She said. She stood up and walked to her room.

"Dammit!" He said, frustrated.

The ride back on the train was quiet. Christian talked a little about his brother and the other incidences of him doing similar things. She talked about her sister and their differences. Christian liked talking to her. It was like they were old friends.

He hailed her a cab when they got back to London. He helped her in and handed her her bag.

"Thank you. For everything. I had an amazing time." She said with a sad smile.

"You are so lovely." He said. She nodded and closed the door. He tapped on the roof and watched her drive off, wondering if he would ever see her again.