Eight
Emily stretched along the crisp, cool sheets of the king-size bed. Early morning sunlight filtered in through the blinds. They’d forgotten to shut the blackout drapes last night and it was probably a good thing. She could have easily slept the day away. She’d never been more content than she felt right now.
Chance slept soundly beside her. For a moment she watched the even rise and fall of his wide chest with appreciation as memories of the previous night flooded her. The bright intensity of his gaze trained on her. The way he’d touched her. The glide of his mouth over her skin. His breath, hot in her ear. The words he’d spoken that filled her with so much tender emotion it was almost more than she could stand to hear. He’d bared his heart and soul to her. And she’d returned his grand gesture by saying absolutely nothing in return.
Her emotions were a tangled mess. Why did it feel so impossible to weed through them all? Of course she loved Chance. They’d been friends forever. He knew everything about her. And she knew everything about him. Except…that he’d turned down that job in Seattle. She reached out and let her fingertips wander the sculpted hills of muscles that covered his shoulder and chest. A job at a big department would have been a huge step in his career and he’d turned it down. For her.
Chance loved her. But she could she love him back in the way that he deserved?
She wanted to. Oh, man, she wanted to. When they’d fought yesterday, he’d been harsh with her. Everything he’d said had been true and his words had stung. But he hadn’t said anything that she hadn’t needed to hear. Emily needed a wakeup call. Chance knew that and he’d given it to her with both barrels. Total honesty. Chance deserved total honesty in return.
He stirred and let out a slow breath.
A flutter of anticipation gathered low in Emily’s stomach. She realized, as she watched him that over the past several months, that sensation had been growing and building in intensity every time she saw him, talked to him, texted him. Chance had been on her mind more times than not. He was always on her mind. She couldn’t wait to share her day with him, or blow off steam with him when her day hadn’t gone as planned. She wanted him to be the first person to hear her good news. She wanted him to share in her accomplishments.
She was in love with Chance. She’d always loved him, too.
“I love you,” she whispered into the quiet.
He rolled onto his side. Emily put her head down on the pillow and forced her eyes to shut. Admitting her love to a sleeping Chance was far easier than saying the words while he looked into her eyes. She wasn’t ready for that. Wasn’t ready to take the next step with him. There was still too much at stake if things didn’t work out. Her own fear wouldn’t allow her to trust in their relationship.
It could all go south and then she’d truly be alone.
Chance shifted on the bed. His clean, masculine scent carried to her nostrils and Emily drew in a slow, deep breath and held it in her lungs. The mattress shifted under his weight and she fought the urge to open her eyes. His mouth touched down on her bare shoulder, warm and wet. A chill danced over Emily’s skin and her stomach muscles clenched. His teeth grazed her skin and she swallowed down a moan.
Emily fought to stay still under his unhurried assault. His mouth explored every inch of her not covered by the sheet: her shoulder, neck, collarbone, one arm all the way to her wrist. He kissed each of her knuckles. And where his mouth had been, his fingertips followed. Tracing a path that blazed over Emily’s skin leaving her flushed and panting.
Chance’s breath was hot in Emily’s ear when he murmured, “I know you’re awake.”
She never could get anything over on him. Apparently her acting skills weren’t quite as good as she’d given herself credit for.
A slow smile spread across her lips. “I’m not,” she said. “I’m asleep.”
“Are you sure?”
The low growl of his voice sent chills dancing over Emily’s skin. His hand slid under the sheet to cup her breast. She sucked in a sharp breath as her heart kicked in to high gear. “Positive.”
Emily had worried that things would be awkward between them this morning. She felt absolutely silly for making that sort of assumption. In fact, waking up next to Chance seemed so right. As though this was where she was always supposed to be. There was nothing awkward about the way their naked bodies twined together under the sheet. Nothing uncomfortable about the way his hands wandered with familiarity over her body.
The time for playfulness passed as Chance continued to touch her. One eye cracked and then the other to find Chance watching her as his hands explored her body. Emily drew in a shuddering breath. Heat gathered in her limbs from the intensity of his expression. A slow smile spread across her lips and she said, “I think I’m awake now.”
Chance’s head dipped and he kissed the flesh between her breasts. “Good.”
For long moments the only sound in the villa was that of their racing breaths. Chance made love to her slowly, as though they were the only two people on earth and had all the time in the world to pleasure each other. He brought Emily to heights of passion that she didn’t think were possible. Wave after wave of intense sensation crashed over her. Her voice became ragged from her impassioned cries. Chance’s name burst from her lips and he swallowed the sounds of her passion as he put his mouth to hers.
In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Emily lay in the crook of Chance’s arm, her palm resting on his wide chest. She felt his heartbeat, strong and fast and she smiled. “That was quite the workout.”
Chance laughed. “It was. Give me a second and I’ll be ready for round two.”
Emily’s own husky laughter echoed in the quiet villa. Another round and she wouldn’t have a choice but to stay in bed all day and recuperate. In hindsight, she wished they’d never come here. Her own stubborn reluctance to let go had prompted her to drag Chance to the Casablanca Resort. She should have torn up the invitation like Chance told her to and let Brad fade off into her past. Then again, if she hadn’t come—if she hadn’t counted on Chance to be here whether—last night would never have happened. If anything good came from her stupid decision to confront Brad, it was this. She knew now without a doubt that Brad Harris was her past. A part of her life she’d never look back on. Emily’s future was right here with her nestled under the covers of the king-sized bed. She didn’t want to look back. From here on out, Emily vowed to only look forward.
Emily nuzzled closer to Chance. “If you want to stay in bed all day, I’m more than ready for round two.”
Chance rolled to his side and put his mouth to the sensitive skin below her ear. “That sounds perfect.”
Yes it did. Nothing could be more perfect.
#
The only good thing about tonight’s rehearsal dinner was knowing that this trip was almost over. In a little over twenty-four hours, Brad would be on his honeymoon, and Chance and Emily would be on a plane headed home. Hopefully to a new life together.
Chance tried to temper his optimism but damn it was tough. Especially when the past day and a half with Emily was everything he’d wanted and more. Things could change, though. Once they stepped off Mimosa Key, all bets were off. There would be no one to put a show on for. No more pretending. Emily could decide that their time on this island would be all they could have.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled anything so delicious!” Emily squeezed Chance’s hand as they walked down the beach to where the rest of the wedding party had begun to gather. “I’m starving.”
The caterer had really gone all-out and set up quite the elaborate spread. Tables had been set up along the beach as well as a long buffet that was piled with fruit, side dishes, and desserts. At the far end of the beach, a whole pig was being roasted over a spit. Chance’s stomach growled as he breathed in the scent of roasting pork. They’d worked up quite the appetite throughout the day. Chance was pretty sure he could eat the entire pig himself if they gave him the opportunity.
They continued to walk as curious eyes turned their way. Soon, the entire wedding party broke out into applause. Chance’s gut tightened as Emily leaned in close. “Looks like word of your heroism got around.”
Oh man. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate it, but helping people who were in trouble was something Chance didn’t do for accolades. The applause meant little in comparison to the satisfaction he got knowing that he’d been there for someone when they needed him. That he’d saved a life.
“Get over here and have a beer, man!” One of Brad’s groomsmen waved them over. He popped the cap off a bottle of Corona and handed it over.
“Thanks.” Chance looked around at the smiling faces before his gaze landed on Brad. Not everyone was interested in giving him a pat on the back it seemed. Brad’s eyes narrowed and his jaw squared as he folded his arms across his chest. The guy was getting married tomorrow for shit’s sake! It was a little late to have second thoughts—or regrets—when it came to Emily.
Jealous much?
Emily accepted a glass of champagne from one of the servers as she was drawn into conversation with a group of women. Chance recognized a couple of them, but he couldn’t remember their names to save his life. Man he was bad at this whole socializing thing…
“So what happened? We’ve got to hear the whole story.”
Chance turned his attention to the guy who’d handed him the beer. He was pretty sure his name was Steve. He recounted the story—though there wasn’t much to tell—but his mind couldn’t focus on the words coming out of his mouth. Emily had his undivided attention.
She was the most beautiful woman on the beach. Hell, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He wasn’t the only person whose interest she held, though. Chance caught Brad from the corner of his eye, slowly making his way toward the group of women. Amberly played hostess while Brad put on a convincing show of being an equally good host. He stopped and chatted, shook hands, joked around, and laughed. But his attention never strayed from Emily for too long.
Chance took a long pull from his bottle of Corona as he tried to quell the jealousy that rose up within him like a tide. It was going to be a long damned night.
A loud bell rung at the far end of the beach. A cheerful woman with a bright smile and flowing blond hair stepped up to address the group. “Okay, everyone! If the bride and groom would like to grab a plate and step up to the buffet, we’re ready to serve.”
Thank God. Brad’s expression fell but he recovered it quickly enough when Amberly sidled up to him and hooked her arm with his. He gave Emily one last look that she was thankfully oblivious to before heading to the buffet with his fiancée.
Emily found Chance as the rest of the guests queued up in the buffet line. She grabbed his hand and twined her fingers with his. “I’m just warning you,” Emily said with a smile, “I plan to do some serious damage to this buffet.”
The one thing Chance loved about their relationship was being himself with her. And she could be herself with him. If this had been an awkward first date, Emily might have picked through the food, too embarrassed to eat around him. That she could pile her plate without even an ounce of embarrassment put a smile on Chance’s face. “They’ll be lucky if there’s any food left for anyone else by the time we’re done,” he added.
Emily brought her free hand up for a high-five. They were perfect together. Friends and lovers, wasn’t that everyone’s relationship goal? Chance reached over and slapped his hand to hers. He didn’t let go. Instead, he held that hand too, and pulled her in for a slow kiss.
“I love you,” he murmured against her mouth.
She pulled back and said with a nervous laugh, “We’re holding up the line.”
She hadn’t said she loved him back and though Chance tried not to let it bother him, his stomach twisted into an anxious knot. If he pressured Emily, it would push her away. He could give her time and a little space if that’s what she needed. He just hoped she wouldn’t leave him in this state of limbo for long.
They grabbed two plates and loaded them up. Brad looked around, wanting to sit at the emptiest of the three on the beach, but before he could lead Emily away, Brad waved them over. “Chance, Emily! We saved you guys seats.”
Great. The more he tried to put distance between Brad and Emily, the harder Brad tried to shorten the gap. “Isn’t your table for the wedding party?” Chance asked. “We don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Everyone’s seated,” Brad said with a wide smile. Amberly didn’t look quite as thrilled at the invite. “There’s plenty of room.”
Chance looked over at Emily who answered with a shrug. It would be rude to turn the bride and groom down, wouldn’t it? Ugh. He hated being the bigger man.
They settled down at the table. Tyler, Brad’s brother and the best man, stood and raised his beer into the air. “I know that I’m supposed to make my big speech tomorrow, but I’m sort of a grand-stander, so I’m going to do this twice.” Laughter rumbled through the group. “Anyway, I want to thank my brother and his gorgeous bride-to-be for dragging us all out to this island. Best vacation ever, brother.”
“Definitely!” Someone added from one of the other tables.
“You guys know how to do a wedding right,” Tyler continued. “I’m going to head home sunburned, hung over, and happy as hell. So, on behalf of everyone here, I want to say thanks for a great time. To Brad and Amberly!”
Chance brought up his bottle along with everyone else and echoed the sentiment, “To Brad and Amberly,” before taking another long pull.
Brad stood. He brought his champagne glass up. “I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for coming. You all mean a lot to us and we’re glad you don’t hate us for making you spend your vacation budgets to hang out with us.”
Another round of laughter followed. Chance glanced Emily’s way to find her attention on Brad. It was the polite thing to do, but it still bothered him every time she so much as glanced his way. At this rate, it was going to take more than a couple of beers to get him through the night, that was for sure.
“Anyway, I want to make a toast of my own,” Brad said. “We’ve got a real life hero at the table with us tonight. He’s too modest to brag, so I’m going to do it for him. Way to go yesterday, Chance. Not only did you save someone’s life, you saved me from having to swim out for that last scavenger hunt flag. Here’s to you, buddy!”
Emily beamed. Her smile was so bright Chance found it hard to look away. He tried not to read too much into Brad’s toast—because they weren’t “buddies” by any stretch of the imagination, and he suspected Brad would rather eat a bag of nails than give him kudos—and focused instead on the woman beside him. She held her champagne flute high before bringing it to her full lips to drink.
Beautiful.
Chance was more determined than ever to make Emily his. Forever.