Page 26 of Surrender
“Before we begin our exciting ATV tour of Santorini, it’s essential that we go over some important safety rules.”
He gave us a rundown of the rules and regulations while everyone listened attentively. Several minutes passed before he was done… well, almost.
“One more thing – remember to stay hydrated! We’ll take breaks along the way, so make sure to drink plenty of water, especially in this warm weather. If anyone has any questions or concerns about the safety rules, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our goal is to have an enjoyable and safe ATV experience together. Any questions?”
Everyone shook their heads no.
“Alright, everyone! Let’s put on our helmets, start our engines, and begin our unforgettable ATV adventure through the stunning island of Santorini!”
We all selected an ATV and mounted them. Once everyone was settled, we took off for the tour. True to her word, Kachelle handled the vehicle with ease. I made up my mind right then to take her on a real ATV with mud and all just to see how she handled it.
As we traveled through the ATV path, we passed the traditional villages which looked like they’d been plucked from a travel magazine. We stopped briefly on the Black Beach, which was known for its striking black volcanic sand and crystal-clear waters. It was quite a sight to see.
I chuckled as Kachelle pulled a small bottle from her backpack and filled it with sand and a couple of tiny shells. Every place we stopped, she either collected something or had us taking pictures. I could tell she was big on capturing moments. I didn’t mind that. Most times, I was so busy living in the moment that I rarely captured them to appreciate the memory later.
The last stop on the tour before we headed back was one of the vineyards. Santorini was known for its wine production and I’d discovered that my wife loved a good wine. When they offered us a sample she didn’t hesitate to take one and finish off mine.
“You’ll have to tell me your favorite wine so I can make sure we always have it,” I said as we climbed back on the ATV.
“Alright now. You start spoiling me, you’re gonna have to keep me spoiled.”
“Ain’t no problem with that.”
She blushed as she leaned in to kiss me. “Thank you for this. It was fun. I got some really great pictures.”
“You never have to thank me for anything I do for you. All you ever have to do is ask love.”
We shared a sensual kiss before returning to the group and mounting our ATVs to finish out the tour. I wasn’t sure what the rest of this honeymoon would bring, but hopefully, it was the starting point in the adventure we’d share for the rest of our lives.
Santorini was an absolutely beautiful country.
The past couple of days, Jacob and I had explored so many parts of it and indulged in so much of the culture. Aside from the ATV tour, we’d gone back to the vineyards, we’d spent ample time on the beaches, and we’d gone shopping in Fira, the capital and main shopping center.
At night, we ventured off to see what the nightlife would bring. I loved dancing, so we hit many of the bars and nightclubs, staying out until the wee hours of the morning. The locals were so friendly. At one point during a night out, an older gentleman who looked about seventy and his wife approached our table just as we sat down to catch our breaths.
“Excuse me,” he said with a smile. He bowed respectfully. “My name is Ermis and this is my wife, Cora. We were just saying what a beautiful couple you two are.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Is this your first trip to the island?”
“Actually, it’s our honeymoon,” Jacob answered.
Cora beamed with excitement. “Oh, that’s beautiful! Congratulations to you two!”
“Thank you,” Jacob and I said in unison.
Ermis reached for my hand. “May I dance with your beautiful bride? In our culture, we celebrate weddings by letting the bride take the lead and show off her dancing skills. Your wife has quite the rhythm.”
Jacob nodded in agreement. “She’s certainly danced circles around me all night. If she’s okay with it, be my guest.”
I smiled as I slipped my hand in his. “I’d love to dance with you Mr. Ermis.”
He was all smiles as he led me to the dance floor. I looked back to see Cora reaching for Jacob’s hand. He happily obliged her. When I say, they gave us a run for our money that night! We must have danced to about four songs with them before they got ready to leave. To say they were up in age, they moved very limber.
Mr. Ermis told me they went dancing every Friday night and had been doing so for the last forty years. I couldn’t help but smile as we watched them leave. I aspired to have a long-lasting marriage where I could still have fun with my husband doing the things we both loved.
When I pictured a honeymoon, this wasn’t in the cards. He committed to making one of my dreams come true without ever knowing me. In my eyes, it was a true testament of his character.