ESPRESSO / CHAPTER III

beneath the sheets

''Good morning everyone!''

''Morning,'' Sienna groaned.

She flung Cabbage up into the air. Ciaran caught the toy in his hands before smothering her face with it, laughing as she struggled for a moment before aggressively batting the bunny out of his grip.

''Right, let's just get the juicy stuff out of the way — who kissed last night?''

''Yeah!'' Jessica oohed, sitting up straight beside Ayo. ''Who was kissing last night?''

''I think it were pretty obvious,'' Trey shrugged.

Ellie nodded her head, sparing him a bashful glance. ''Yeah.''

''Wil, how was your sleep last night, mate?''

''Yeah, really nice, mate.''

''Any smooching?''

He didn't offer them an answer, turning to the side and settling his gaze on one of the boy's messy wardrobes. Lucy remained quiet beside him, fighting back a grin.

''Good answer, that's all we need.''

One by one, the Islanders heaved themselves from the comfort of the pristine white sheets to start getting ready for the day. After a pit-stop in the bathroom and dressing room, Sienna made her way to the kitchen in search of coffee.

There was a singular machine in the corner of the counter top; seemed slightly inconvenient for the sheer amount of people in one villa, but the Thorpe girl supposed that production had spent most of their budget on hiring Joey.

She fiddled with the coffee machine to no avail, going as far as to whack it with a wooden spoon. 

''Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,'' Ciaran joked, appearing out of thin air.

She jumped, having been pulled out of her own thoughts by the sound of his raspy voice. He was leaning against the kitchen island, arms crossed so tight his biceps were bulging, and Sienna swore she almost forgot how to breathe.

''I can't get this stupid thing to work,'' she huffed, turning her attention back to the dilemma. 

''Here, let me,'' he offered.

With the press of a single button, the machine began to whir with life. 

''What the fuck?''

''It must've been my magic touch.''

''Nah, you just clicked the ❛on❜ button, mate,'' Sean interrupted, passing by with Emma in tow.

Ciaran made a point to ignore him, turning to Sienna with a smirk. ''What drink would you like, m'lady?''

She pretended to think, tapping her finger against her chin. ''Hmm . . . espresso, please. With a dash of cinnamon.''

''Coming right up.''

They chatted about life back home as he helped make her drink — or, rather, just made it himself. Sienna had learned more about Wales and rugby in those five minutes than she ever had in her life, and it would've been a bore on any other occasion, yet there was something about Ciaran's voice that made her love to listen.

''D'you wanna go for a chat, Sienna?''

The Thorpe girl looked over at Wil, nodding as she took the mug from Ciaran. ''Thank you, kind sir. Nice slippers, by the way.''

He couldn't decipher whether or not she was taking the piss, as the two were already walking in the direction of the daybeds.

Sienna propped herself up on her elbow, stuffing a pink pillow in the gap between her arm and the side of her torso. Wil copied her movements, laying on his side to get a better look at the blonde girl.

''How are you?''

''I'm good, thanks. And you?''

''Yeah, good. Just thought I'd pull you for a chat since we didn't get to speak much yesterday, especially not after the game.''

''It were mental, weren't it?''

''The kiss we had was.''

Sienna shot him a smirk, resting her Miu Miu sunglasses on the top of her head. ''D'you think?''

''Definitely.''

''So, what's your situation with Uma saying, then?''

''My feelings for Uma won't change,'' he answered honestly. ''In this position, it's just about me seeing if I'm gonna build a better connection with someone else in the same amount of time.''

''I hear that. In that case, who've you got your eye on?''

''You are a bit of me, I won't lie, that's why I pulled you. Other than that, me and Lucy are getting on well. What about you, then? Any of the boys manage to make an impression yet?''

''Sean and Joey both have, although not in the way you're thinking. I'd definitely say at the minute I'm leaning towards Ciaran, but you're not too far off.''

''Hopefully I'll be able to catch up by tonight,'' he flirted, knocking his knee against hers. ''Maybe then we can recreate yesterdays kiss, only this time it'll be just us two.''

''If you play your cards right, who knows what could happen.''

They chatted for a while as Sienna soaked up the sun, lying flat on her back beside Wil's sleeping form. Both Ciaran and Lucy shot odd looks in their direction, yet neither of them were brave enough to actually say anything; it was only the second day, after all — far too soon to let jealousy start creeping in.

Eventually, she got bored and restless, seeking refuge at the shady fire pit. Diamanté, Ruby, and Ellie were already sat there, gossiping away as per usual.

''Sienna, you're gonna wanna hear this!''

''All right, girls? What have I missed?''

''I think I like Sean,'' Diamanté confessed.

''Yuck.''

''Do you?''

''Oh, for fuck's sake!'' Ruby exclaimed, burying her head in her hands. ''I really like him.''

The two blonde's side-eyed each other. If there was one thing they would agree on, it was that they didn't see the appeal about the self-proclaimed ❛Candyman❜.

''The more we chat, the more I think we've actually got in common,'' the brunette continued.

''We had a talk over there,'' the shorter girl explained, pointing to the den. ''He was just, like, ❛oh, yeah, I think you'd be a bit better in my bed❜.''

''Shut up! Did he actually?''

''Yeah.''

''That's muggy.''

Sienna bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. ''Him trying to guess every girl's sweet should've been enough of an ick, girls. Sorry not sorry.''

''Shall I just sleep on the floor and let youse crack on, then?''

Diamanté rolled her eyes, pulling a face. ''I'm not being funny, guys, I'm just letting you know from now—''

''Listen, I don't care if he wants to get to know you.''

''Yeah, that's not the issue.''

''Just don't mug me off. Don't make me look like a mug, babe.''

They bitched about the situation some more, and before anyone even knew it, it was time to get ready for the second night in the villa.

Sienna headed inside first, finding a space in the madness that permanently resided in the dressing room to start curling her hair.

''Are we excited for tonight?'' Jessica asked no one in particular, brushing through her brows.

''Yeah, I'm so excited,'' Lucy giggled.

''You gonna chat to Wil?''

''Yeah.''

''Good on you, girl!''

''I'm surprised,'' Diamanté hummed, searching for a socket. ''I thought it was closed off.''

''So did everyone with Ciaran,'' Ellie pointed out. ''And guess what? He still hasn't shut down Sienna, or anyone else for that matter.''

''Yeah, I can't lie, Nicole's gonna be raging.''

''What's everyone's plan of action for tonight, then?'' Ruby wondered, curiously glancing around at the girls.

Diamanté started sniggering to herself, refusing to look at the brunette. ''I think we have the same plan, girl.''

''What's your plan?''

''Sean-y boy!''

''Oh, really?'' Emma gasped, having been tucked away with Konnor for most of the day, and therefore out of the loop. ''Plot twist!''

''It is, isn't it?''

They soon filed out of the dressing room, ready for another night in ❛paradise❜. Everyone dotted themselves all around the villa, mostly in their own pairs and began to crack on.

Sienna and Wil sat on the beanbags, sipping on their drinks. His eyes racked over the lacy black number she was wearing, which looked more like nightwear than anything else; it left little to the imagination.

''You look lush tonight.''

''Thank you. You scrub up well, I suppose.''

He laughed at her comment, scooching his seat closer to the girl. It was a silent night unlike most, everyone hushed away in their own conversations, and so all that could be heard was the peaceful lull of crickets.

''How are you feeling tonight?''

''Good, yeah. And you?''

''Me too. I just thought I'd take the chance to speak to you and see where your heads at, y'know?''

Sienna nodded, her eyes momentarily trailing over to Ciaran who sat in his own in the den. She had a good view of the Welsh boy, but was unsure if he could see her over the pots and plants placed around the seating areas.

''I'm just sort of seeing where things go, me. I won't lie, Ciaran has caught my eye, but I dunno if I'm just wasting my time. He has said he's closed off, obviously, but I think we both know that hardly ever stops a boy from moving mad.''

''Well, as a lad, I can for a fact tell you that if you want him you could probably have him. But as someone who wants to crack on with you, I might be selfish and tell you to stay away from him.''

''Like you've been staying away from Lucy?'' She joked, rubbing her glossy lips together. ''This is Love Island, babe. You can never put all your eggs in one basket, can you?''

''Nah, I guess not. Still, I think I've made my intentions clear . . . ''

''Oh, really? Enlighten me, then.''

''Right now, my intention is to kiss you.''

''So, what are you waiting for?''

Wil smirked, taking his chance to kiss Sienna. 

It was wicked, it was sensual; a wild frenzy of lust and sin. He snaked his arm around her back as she placed one on his shoulder, deepening the kiss passionately.

Her mind went completely blank until the thud of loud footsteps storming away brought her back to reality. They were followed by gasps, which upon further investigation, had come from Joey and Sean, stood gawking in the kitchen.

''That was nice,'' Wil hummed, leaning away as he toyed with a strand of her hair. ''Better than in the challenge, I'd say.''

''I'd say you might be right.''

It seemed a chain reaction had been set off for the rest of the night. Ayo had taken Jess to the terrace, Sean was all over Diamanté after cutting off Ruby, and Lucy was attempting to keep her composure in the bathroom that night as her and Sienna brushed their teeth side-by-side.

Ciaran was eerily silent as he got into bed, an air of anger radiating off of him that Sienna couldn't help but noticed as she fluffed her pillow.

Ruby had a similar aura about her as she entered the bedroom, thrusting her water bottle in Sean's direction.

''Well, you're in with her—''

''I didn't actually have the chance to speak to—''

''No, that's fine—''

''Joey's going on the daybed,'' Emma interrupted; she was always the one who put a stop to any bickering.

''Come, Rubes,'' Sienna called, waving her over to the bed to the right of hers. ''You nabbed a good place, none of us on this side snore.''

''I might not hear snoring, but who knows what other sounds will be coming out of your bed tonight.''

Sienna's eyes widened as she spared a glance at Ciaran, who muttered something under his breath. She brushed it off, grabbing Cabbage from her bedside table and getting ready to settle down.

Within a minute the lights were out, signalling everyone to say their goodnights. Majority of the Islanders went quiet straight away, save for Sean and Diamanté who were snogging away.

''What's wrong with you?''

''Nothing,'' Ciaran replied, his Welsh accent thicker than usual.

Despite the darkness, Sienna rolled her eyes. She spun herself around to face him, only to be met with his broad back.

''Ciaran.''

''What?''

''Stop being stupid.''

He heaved a sigh, reluctantly turning over to face her. His face was barely visible, but she could clearly see his deep-set eyes boring into her confused gaze.

They lay like that for a few seconds before he licked his lips, opening his mouth to speak.

''There's something Joey said earlier tonight that has got me thinking.''

''So, he's speaking sense for once,'' she snorted. ''That's new.''

''My thoughts exactly. Anyway, he basically said that he's not gonna do anything that could risk him and Jessy. He really likes the girl, and that's why he's not been his usual self when it comes to girls.''

''Right . . . ''

''Basically, what I'm saying is, I've enjoyed the time I've spent with Nicole. Really, I have. But then I think to myself, if she was the right one for me, then why am I having these thoughts that I shouldn't be having?''

''Thoughts? Thoughts about what?''

''You.''

Sienna's breath caught in her throat. She felt him shuffle closer; the space between them now was very slim, and it made her heart beat like it had never before.

''Ciaran—''

''You don't have to say or do anything, not now. I just thought I should let you know where my heads at. I didn't want you thinking I was shutting you down 'cos I wasn't interested, since I am, I just didn't really know how to go about it. The last thing I want to do is hurt Nicole's feelings, but I have to stay true to myself and fulfill the entire reason I came on to the show.''

Sienna said nothing.

Instead, she did the only thing she could think of doing, and kissed him.

This kiss was nothing like the one in the challenge, definitely not. And it didn't compare to the one with Wil, either.

Butterflies floated through her being, dancing between her ribs and fluttering away at her heart. It was in that moment, she realised, no one else's lips could compare to the feeling that his brought her.

He was the first to pull away, catching his breath as they simply stared at each other, soaking in the moment.

He was also the first to lean back in, more certain this time, with a thirst that only she could quench. Her kisses were addictive, and he couldn't imagine ever having to go without again.

The next morning rolled around way faster than either of them had wanted it to. Ciaran was in a significantly better mood than before, putting on his sunglasses with a certain vigour and clapping his hands together.

''Right, guys! Who's looking forward to another day in paradise?''

''You sound like a dad on holiday,'' Sienna groaned, using Cabbage to shield her eyes from the bright white light.

''Glad to see you're not grumpy today, Ciaran,'' Jess commented. ''Any kisses last night, anyone?''

''No comment,'' Diamanté smirked, shifting closer towards Sean.

''A few cuddles, maybe,'' Wil shrugged, seemingly wanted to get as far away from Lucy in that moment as possible.

''Yeah, just a little cuddle,'' Konnor agreed.

Joey barreled through the door to the bedroom, drowning in a hoodie that was at least three sizes to big for him. It wouldn't have been Jessy's, obviously, so Sienna could only assume he borrowed it from Ayo.

''Morning, everyone!''

''Morning Joey! Sleep well?''

''Yeah, I slept well. It was nice, just chilling out there on me own, to be fair.''

Like clockwork, the first thing Sienna did every morning was pick out a bikini. After brushing her teeth, doing her skincare, and fighting with the coffee machine, of course — that thing was so temperamental!

The tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood up when Ciaran approached her in the kitchen, a small smile adorning his otherwise serious expression.

''Can we talk?''

The Thorpe girl nodded wordlessly, only piping up as he led her across the lawn into a direction she'd never dared venture towards before.

''Where exactly are we going?''

''Somewhere private.''

The Hideaway looked less like a nice hotel room, and more like a sex dungeon.

The walls were a bright burgundy, with a gold headboard above the bed of the same tiled texture. There was a bed that took up most of the space, with pillows every shade of red stacked up on top of it. Right opposite there was a huge mirror, which she assumed was part of a strategic placement.

Sienna's stomach did an odd sort of flip as she followed Ciaran even further in, beyond the bedroom and through a door that led to an extravagant garden.

They silently took a seat on the large swing, leaning back the assortment of cushions. It gave a perfect view of the hot tub, which steamed and bubbled invitingly if not for the blazing Spanish sun burning in the sky.

''How are you feeling?'' He asked, glancing at her nervously. ''About last night, I mean.''

''I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous,'' she admitted. ''I know it's literally Love Island, but I've never took anyone serious, so . . . the whole ❛feelings❜ thing is still sort of new to me.''

Ciaran nodded understandingly, taking a deep breath.

''Look, I meant everything I said yesterday. I don't want you to think that I'm playing about just 'cos we're in Casa, because that's not what it is. Not from my side, anyway.''

''No, one hundred percent I'm feeling the same. I've got to ask, though . . . what's your plan of action?''

He ran a veiny hand through his curly hair, which was still a slight mess from last night's activities.

''I do want to continue exploring things with you, Sienna. Like I said, Nicole is a lovely girl and I hate that this will probably hurt her, but I've got to stay true to myself.''

She nodded, fiddling with the soft ends of her ashy blonde hair.

''It's just a difficult situation, isn't it? On the outside I'd never step on another girl's toes, but in here, you've got to go for what you want regardless of anything else. I just feel shit, 'cos I'd never want to be the reason for another girl's sadness, y'know?''

''Yeah . . . I mean, I don't know how much longer we have left in here, but I do know that I don't want it to be cut short.''

''Me neither,'' she admitted, biting her lip nervously. ''Is that the only reason you were in a mood yesterday? About this whole thing, I mean?''

Ciaran's face darkened, although he did his best to hide it as he met Sienna's hazel eyes. He was in a couple with a whole other girl, for God's sake — it wasn't his place to start crying about her kissing someone else.

''I saw you and Wil last night. I think everyone did, actually. It made me feel sick, watching you two, but I'm glad it gave me the kick that I needed to be straightforward and honest with you.''

Sienna pursed her lips, slightly embarrassed yet relieved at the same time; he didn't hold the kiss against her, which although the bare minimum, she appreciated greatly.

''Looking back on it . . . probably wasn't my finest moment, I'll admit.''

''You're right, it wasn't. The kisses in bed made up for it, though.''

He was back to being his cheeky self. She couldn't help but let out a sweet laugh that made his stomach flip with an odd sort of glee.

''I think . . . '' Ciaran began. ''I might need a reminder of what they felt like. Just in case, of course.''

''Well, who am I to deny you?''

They leaned forward in sync; it wasn't long before they were both lost in the moment.

Her manicured hands carded through his hair as he gripped at her waist, unable to get enough of her. Their moans and groans mingled together as everything else seemed to fade away, irrelevant and unimportant as they occupied themselves with each other, and each other only.

Sienna was glad she hadn't been wearing makeup that morning. There were no messy smudges to fix before they rejoined all the other Islanders, except for fixing her hair by readjusting the sunglasses on top of her head.

They had come back just in time to hear Konnor's shouts as he grabbed his phone, almost tipping right off the edge of the sun lounger he was standing on.

''Boys, tonight there will be a recoupling in which you must decide whether you want to remain coupled up with your girl who has been living in Casa Amor or recouple with one of the new girls. #ChoiceIsYours.''