CHAPTER 26

Nicole’s face froze. “Roman? W-why would he have anything to do with your case?”

“The night we found you, Harlan and his team went through the entire apartment to remove any trace that you had ever been there—including the Clarks Tower video—where you met with someone else. I’m guessing that’s when you bought the drugs Dana found in your purse.”

Nicole’s face turned crimson, but she would own up to her mistakes. She responded, sadness in her voice. “I was very desperate that night and in a lot of pain. But, yes. That is where I got them.”

Davis couldn’t help but touch her in an effort to ease her discomfort. He placed his hand on her thigh. “It happened. We can’t ignore it, but I have faith in you and your recovery.”

Nicole placed her hand on top of his. “Thank you.”

After being frozen in place, Davis slowly removed his hand. “Harlan also found out that Roman was a member of The Liberation of Shebet and was sent here to compromise me—through you.”

Nicole was horrified. “I-I don’t understand. I don’t know anything about your business, and even if I did, I would never have told him anything about it.”

“Roman was going to videotape you and him together. It was to be used to control me. If by some small miracle their money laundering scheme didn’t land me in prison, it was supposed to be a way to shut me up, to keep me from working with the Feds.” His voice was low. “Who doesn’t know that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you?”

His words warmed her heart. “But the money? It doesn’t make any sense. Why would he give the Angel Foundation ten million dollars?”

“They were trying to tie all of our investments to the Liberation—more insurance for them.”

They were silent. Then Nicole spoke. “Davis, I’ve said this a lot, but I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I put you in that situation. I wish I could take it all back.” So far, they had talked about everything, except for what really weighed on her mind and heart. Her voice trembled. “You may never forgive me for that night, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you.”

“You didn’t sleep with him.”

Nicole looked into his eyes. “What?”

“The video showed that you were passed out from the time he brought you into his apartment until we arrived. Whatever Roman’s plans were, he hadn’t executed them yet.”

Relief swept through her. “Thank, God.” Nicole pressed her lips together and briefly closed her eyes. “I know that wondering, and then watching that video couldn’t have been easy for you. I have barely been able to stand it. Again, I am so, so sorry for putting you in this position. I promise you it will never happen again.”

His own guilt was eating away at him. He had to tell her the truth. “For a while, I was so angry I couldn’t see straight. But I would have done it. I would have done anything to keep you and the kids safe. Fortunately, you give Braylee Hinsdale a few crumbs to work with, and she can make magic. Her team along with whatever shady characters Harlan works with were able to turn that situation around. Harlan found bank records and a few other things in Roman’s apartment. The money he donated to the Angel Foundation and the millions that were funneled into those offshore accounts were from the same source. Harlan and Braylee were able to trace the origin all the way back to the source of the money.” Davis gazed up at the sky. “The saying ‘follow the money’ has never been truer. Anyway, Braylee’s law firm did some kind of hocus pocus, and the charges were quietly dropped, and my assets have been unfrozen.”

“That’s . . . that’s incredible! We have our lives back.”

“Sort of. Chatham Industries stock ain’t worth much these days. We might have to downsize and put a few properties up for sale. I’m not as wealthy as I used to be. Not even close.”

“The island?” Nicole looked around. “Now that you’ve made our private paradise livable. I’m sure it would sell for a small fortune.”

Davis pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his elbows on them. He spoke quietly. “I could never sell this place.”

“If I had to, I could live with the memories. I never cared about the money, Davis.” Nicole reached for his hand and laced her fingers with his. “I only ever cared about the man. So, if I need to get a job to help put food on the table, I have no problem with that. I just need you to truly forgive me and give us a chance.”

“It’s not you that I can’t forgive.”

“Then if it’s not me, why are you holding back?”

“It’s me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt or be in this godforsaken mess!” Davis got up and walked over to the water’s edge. He looked out over the jet-black sea. If it weren’t for the twinkling stars and the moon, it would have been pitch black.

Nicole got up and stalked over to where he was. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Why do you do that? Why do you always take responsibility for everyone else’s actions? You can’t carry the entire world on your shoulders! I won’t let you carry my burden. I’m here because I couldn’t cope with my life, and I turned to drugs. That wasn’t on you. That was on me! Stop blaming yourself because you couldn’t save your parents.” His body stiffened, but Nicole wouldn’t let him go. She held on. “So, what. You didn’t have a lot of things that money could buy. But I bet you anything . . . your mom and dad didn’t care about that. Why? Because they were rich in the things that mattered—each other. Take it from me; I know the difference between being rich and poor. You also have to stop blaming yourself for what happened to Rayna.” At the mention of his dead sister’s name, Davis tried to squirm out of Nicole’s embrace; she continued to hold on tight. She would not let him go. “You were just a kid yourself. Release it, Davis. Let it all go. It’s too much for any one person to carry. And you know something else, it’s a miracle you weren’t in bed next to me at Serenity. If being a workaholic was a treatable disease, you would have been. That is how you’ve allowed yourself to cope all these years—by working yourself to death.”

He squeezed his eyes shut. “It’s not that simple. And you wouldn’t be so forgiving if you knew . . . everything.”

The hairs all over her body stood on end. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek into his back, steeling herself for whatever else that needed to be said. “To move forward, we’ve got to be honest. That means being completely honest. Tell me.”

Everything was quiet except for the musical sounds from the jungle and the small waves washing ashore. Nicole waited.

“I came into your life, and so many tragic things have happened.”

Nicole kissed the center of his back. “So many good ones too.”

“You were almost killed in a plane crash.”

She responded. “As were you, but it was the best thing to ever happen to me.”

“The Liberation of Shebet almost killed you . . . twice . . . because of me.”

Nicole had no idea where he was going with his confession but relaxed a little at his words. “There you go again, trying to take ownership of something that wasn’t your fault.” She attempted a little humor. “If we want to be accurate, they were trying to kill you, not me. I was collateral damage.”

“It doesn’t matter. You still ended up in the hospital, and . . .” His voice trailed off. “It was you that they targeted. You that they pushed down the escalator.” Davis stilled, waiting for the realization of his words to hit her.

Nicole relaxed her hold on his waist and dropped her arms to her side. Then she stepped back. “That was just an accident. That was nobody’s fault.”

Davis shook his head no. “When Harlan interrogated Roman, he admitted that the original plan was to send me a message through you. But, after he met you, he changed his mind and convinced the leaders of that organization that you could be more useful alive than dead. I was the target. That is why all of this is my fault. In order to make sure you and the kids stay safe, we can’t be together.”

Nicole stared at him for long moments without saying a word.

Davis hadn’t moved—hadn’t even breathed—waiting for her reaction anticipating her anger and hatred.

Finally, her words came. “I’m supposed to let you walk away from the kids and me over that?”

He didn’t get the reaction he thought. It surprised him. “It’s not safe to be around me.”

“Pieces of me would die a little every day without you.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I mean every single word. I know that just from being away from you these past three months.” She stepped up close and placed her hands flat on his chest while staring deeply into his emerald green eyes. “I meant it when I said I won’t let you run away from me, or yourself. I love you, Davis Chatham, and I plan to live a long and happy life with you—forever.”

He searched her eyes for the truth behind her words. Once he found it, he pulled her into his body and kissed her long and hard.

Nicole tore her lips away from his. Her voice was husky. “I’ve been dying to be with you.” She snaked her hands down into his shorts and held him in a firm grip then stroked his cock back and forth. Somehow, his shorts slid down to his feet. Davis was already crazy with desire; her touch was almost too much. Bits of pre-cum oozed out onto her fingers, and Nicole couldn’t wait to taste it. She dropped to her knees and darted her tongue out for a sample, but that wasn’t enough, so she licked the milky substance clean off before pulling him into her mouth.

Davis’s moans were getting louder as he wrapped her hair around his fist and pulled. It was taking a superhuman effort not to thrust forward into the back of her throat and make love to her mouth.

When Nicole gazed up into his face, the look of pure pleasure was worth everything. She opened her mouth wider and slowly pulled him inch by agonizing inch into her wet mouth. Her head began to move back and forth as she sucked the bulbous part of him. She swirled her tongue around the head and sucked at the opening. His legs started to shake, and he couldn’t stop himself from thrusting forward. Surprisingly, Nicole took all of him. To steady herself, she placed her hands on the sides of his hips as he rotated them.

Davis’s body had a mind of its own, and it took over. She felt so good that he pushed faster and faster. His intensity picked up hitting the back of her throat. He was going to erupt. His voice was strained. “I’m going to cum. I need to pull out.”

Nicole tightened her grip and continued to feast upon him. She was going to finish what she started. When the first bursts of liquid sprayed onto her tongue, Nicole took a deep breath through her nose and flattened her tongue. Moments later, Davis threw his head back and yelled out into the darkness. “Ahhhhhh . . .” He emptied himself completely, and Nicole swallowed every single drop.

Davis dropped to his knees. He was almost level with Nicole when he pulled her dress over her head and discovered she was completely naked underneath. Her beautiful body took his breath away. Gazing at her, Davis couldn’t get his shirt off fast enough.

Once they were completely undressed, Davis pushed Nicole onto her back. While what they had just experienced was incredible, it was nothing like the feeling of moving inside of her. He didn’t need any time more to recover. He was hard, thick, and ready to do some damage. Davis kissed her with a fierce urgency.

Nicole wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. She spread her legs wide as he positioned himself at her opening. She was desperate for him. “We’ve waited long enough.”

He hadn’t made love to his wife in months. It was impossible for him to get any harder. Nicole was laid out before him like a tasty treat.

“I want you so much,” he whispered into her ear.

Nicole had dreamed of this for so long that she grabbed his hip to urge him on. She ground into him, and this time there were no barriers.

Nicole was breathless and could barely speak. “I can’t wait any longer, Davis. Please make love to me.” He thrust deeply into Nicole. The pleasure for both of them was insane. Davis knew he wouldn’t be able to take his time especially when her body held on to him like a glove.

Once he was inside . . . their bodies took over. He pumped and thrust and thrust and pumped into her channel. Their lovemaking was so powerful that every time Davis plunged into her, her body lifted off the sand. Nicole screamed out his name over and over.

Davis felt his orgasm building, but he was praying he could hold out until she came. The sweat from their bodies was dripping all over.

Nicole tried her best to hold on. Moments later, her body exploded, and her muscles spasmed and clenched around him.

“Davis . . . I . . . oh . . . my . . . god. I’m coming!” Davis felt tighten around him, and, seconds later, he experienced the best release of his life.

Nicole was breathless as she lay in the crook of Davis’s arm.

He stroked her hair as he tried to catch his breath.

She sighed contentedly. “You know I was thinking.”

Davis remained nestled between her thighs. He hadn’t felt this carefree in years. “What about? Another amazing round with me?” His bit down lightly on the slope of her neck.

Nicole raised her knees up to his hips and moaned as she pressed her slick heat onto his hardness. “Definitely that, but I was thinking . . . I’m all for recreating our time on the island when we were stranded, but some things I can do without.”

He kissed her on the lips. “Like what?”

She mussed. “Like . . . I really don’t like sand in my ass. Can we go in the house and make love in the bed like civilized people?”

Davis threw his head back and roared with laughter. “I’ll make love to you whenever and wherever you want.”

Nicole pushed gently on his shoulder, and Davis moved getting up from off the ground. He was completely naked and unashamed to let it all hang out. He helped Nicole to her feet. She was completely naked too. Davis looked at her with a renewed hunger in his eyes.

There was a sparkle in her eyes and something else that hadn’t been present in a while—joy. “If we don’t hurry and get inside, we’re going to end up giving Akela and Raphael a freak show.”

Feeling lighter than he’d felt his entire life, Davis grinned. “Then you better run because I’m not sure if I can wait until we get to a bed.”

Nicole could see that he was serious and took off running across the beach in all her naked glory with Davis right on her heels.