CHAPTER TWENTY
Anna couldn’t remember being this happy—at least not in recent years. Of course she’d been delighted when Kayla found happiness with Sean, and the birth of their baby had filled her with joy. She’d also been excited and happy when Taylor stopping fighting Colt and let him love her the way she deserved. And last year when Brittany had returned home broken and battered, then lost her baby, well, she’d just been thrilled to death when Ashley Chase showed up and took an interest in her daughter.
They were all settled and happy now. Brittany had starred in Ashley’s new play and it had been a big hit. Taylor and Colt were both working hard but doing what they loved. His son Jamie was doing better at school and much happier than he’d been when he’d been living primarily with his mom.
Knowing her daughters were well loved freed Anna in a way she’d never been free before. She didn’t feel the least bit guilty falling in love and taking her share of happiness too. Paradise Cove had given them many blessings and she knew that her dead husband, Allen, would be smiling down from heaven at her now. She and the girls had lived his dream and were not just surviving, but thriving here in the Keys. They owed it all to him and his vision—he’d taken a risk buying this run down property and willing it to her and her daughters.
Anna and the girls had been hesitant about leaving their jobs, their friends, the familiarity of what they knew, but they’d made a pact to come to the Keys, fix the place up, and stick it out for a year. If they didn’t like it, they’d sell the place and go back home.
Paradise Cove became not only home, but a place of love. They’d saved Juanita, Miguel and their son Jose from drowning at sea, and Juanita from losing her baby. Her daughters found their husbands. This little humble resort in the Florida Keys was like a beacon of light, welcoming strangers, bringing them hope when there was none.
She would never leave it, and she hoped Kevin wouldn’t want to leave either.
Taking the chilled champagne into the bedroom, she handed it to him to pop the cork. She held two chilled flutes out for him to fill. “To Paradise Cove,” she said, smiling through a mist of tears.
He didn’t question her toast, but seemed to understand it. “To Paradise Cove.” The cork popped and he deftly filled the glasses without spilling a drop.
“And to my beautiful future bride.” He kissed her softly before they sipped.
“I love you, Kevin,” she told him, “and my tears are happy ones.”
“Then I should cry with you,” he took the glass from her hand and placed it on the table, then tugged her in his arms. “I love you so much. And I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you how much.”
She laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, cuddling into him. She stood on tiptoe and lifted her mouth to his. “Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t ever die.” And then she kissed him long and hard, and the champagne was forgotten.
They lay together, and it wasn’t until much later that he remembered the champagne and sipped it from her navel. Then he widened her legs and found another enjoyable spot to taste it from.
Anna giggled, and hit him over the head. “Bad boy. You are a naughty one.”
He looked up from what he was doing. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
“Not a chance in hell.” She reached out for her glass of champagne on the table next to her, and took a refreshing sip. “I’m enjoying myself all too much.”
“So am I.” He buried his head once more and didn’t come up for air until she convulsed and cried, and the tremors ended. Then he slid up next to her, put her head on his shoulder and finished his drink. “A man could get used to this.”
“What’s that?” she asked sleepily.
“To making love with you, drinking champagne. To being happy.”
“I could get used to it too.” Her hand slipped down his chest to his stomach, and then lower still. “I’m addicted to all three.”
And then she dove beneath the covers to prove it.
* * *
Nadine opened her eyes and looked at the man sleeping next to her. Jeremy was even more beautiful in sleep than he was awake. He had a small smile on his face as if he was enjoying a pleasant dream and she hoped she was the reason for it.
She needed to use the bathroom, but was hesitant to wake him. Instead, she turned on her side to admire his beauty. He was taller, broader, and darker than his brother, Michael. His thick hair waved about his ears, and was almost black. His eyebrows were thicker and darker too, and his nose was a tad longer and straighter. His mouth lush, full, more kissable.
Very gently, so as not to wake him, she slid a finger down his chest, feathering the curly dark hair that covered his nipples and led down to his midriff. She looked at his package too. It was very impressive and very pleasing.
She was willing herself not to touch it when it jumped.
Her eyes rose and met Jeremy’s. He was watching her with a smile.
“You caught me,” she said with an embarrassed laugh.
“See anything you like?” He pulled her into his arms, and flipped a leg over hers.
His thick bulge grew hard. “I’m feeling it,” she whispered huskily and kissed him, morning breath and all.
He deepened the kiss and his hand slid down to her mound, and he slipped a finger into her opening, finding her wet.
They were both breathing hard, their tongues darting in and out, doing what their bodies longed to do. After a few frustrating minutes of this, he pulled back the sheet that covered her and pushed her down on the pillow, kneeling over her.
His dark brown eyes slid down the length of her body, then settled on her face. “You are so beautiful, Nadine.” She had never seen Michael look at her the way his brother did now. As if she was something special and he unworthy of such a prize. It was the look of love, of an honest man who adored her and always would.
“Ditto back at you,” she said smiling, bringing his head down to hers. She kissed his eyes, his cheeks and then his mouth, giving herself completely in that kiss. “Make love to me?” she said urgently.
His erection was huge and she shifted her legs to give him access. She felt the warm wet tip of his penis nudge her soft folds and then she opened up welcoming him deep into her body, filling her whole.
He sunk into her, plunging in, then withdrawing and she moved to his rhythm, her knees holding him tight, her hips arched to take him deeper and deeper with every thrust.
Sweat made their bodies slick and slap against each other, and the friction and noise only drew more grunts from him and pleasurable sighs from her lips. Their mouths clung, their bodies arched and when they could hold out no longer, Nadine let out a soft cry and convulsed. As her contractions tightened around him, he let himself go, joining her in a climax that shook her world and wouldn’t let go.
He remained inside of her, and they rolled over side by side. He kissed her lips gently, looking into her eyes. Then he pulled away suddenly, and shot upright. “Holy shit.”
“What? Are you alright?”
“No. We didn’t wear a condom. Not last night or this morning. I should have asked. Are you on birth control?”
“I stopped about a year ago. I was having trouble with the pill, so we relied on condoms.” Her eyes looked into his. “I’m not worried. Are you?”
His eyes softened and his lips curved into a smile. “Not at all. I feel kind of honored that you’d take a chance on me.”
“I did and I will. Forever, if you want me to.” She turned her head so as not to look at him. If he didn’t want her, she didn’t know what she’d do. It would be far worse than Michael’s betrayal. She’d never recover.
“Is that a proposal?”
“It is if you want it to be.” She lifted her head and pointed her chin. “But you asked me first, don’t forget.”
“I did, and I accept. I want to marry you more than anything in the world.”
“Good, because I believe that all this craziness was God’s will–bringing me back to you.”
Before he could reply, there was a sharp knock on the door.
“Must be Juanita,” Nadine said, with a warm blush. “What will she think?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care. You just said you’d marry me.” He grinned like the young man she’d met so long ago. When their love was all shiny and new. “I’m going to marry you…and it’s about damn time.”
“Nadine? It’s me. Let me in!”
“Michael?” she squeaked, looking into Jeremy’s eyes.
He pushed off of her and grabbed his pants, putting them on.
“Yeah. Who else would it be? I want to talk this out. Open up.”
“I have nothing to say. Go away.” She gripped the pillow, watching Jeremy. What was he going to do? Leave her? Leave her for Michael. No!
Jeremy strode to the door and flung it wide. “Come in, little brother. It’s time you learned the truth.”
Michael marched in and saw Nadine lying in bed. Naked. Warmly flushed.
“What the fuck is going on?” he yelled, looking at his bride-to-be, and then his brother.
“I always loved her,” Jeremy said, “and she loves me.”
“Is that true?” Michael advanced toward her.
Her heart leapt with pride. Jeremy had declared his love, he was prepared to stay and fight for her. She pulled the sheet up to her neck, but kept her eyes on his. “Yes, Michael, it is true.” She sat up a little to make herself heard. “I didn’t realize it until I saw him again. I thought I loved you—I did, in a different way.” She looked at Jeremy and reached out a hand. “My heart belongs to Jeremy. It always has.”
“Why, you little bitch. Made me look like a sneaky cheat, while you and my brother were doing this behind my back.”
Jeremy pulled Michael’s arm and swung him around. His fist balled and then slammed into Michael’s face. “That’s for the pain you cost this woman, and for suggesting that she cheated with me.” He pulled his fist back and looked ready to use it again. “It never happened. Not until last night. You owe her an apology. And you owe me.”
“I don’t owe you anything. You’re welcome to the little whore.”
That was the last thing Michael said before he landed on the floor, holding his bloody nose.
Jeremy looked at Nadine, hearing her cries. “Forget him. He’s not worth your tears. Call Juanita and tell her to bring Miguel. There’s some crap in here that needs to be cleaned up.”
She slid from the bed and reached for her t-shirt.
“I’ll save you any embarrassment by leaving. But I’ll be back later to make sure he’s gone.”
“Where are you going?” Nadine stared from Jeremy to Michael, holding his nose. “I don’t want to be left alone with him.”
“If he dares to touch you, it’ll be the last thing he does.”
“Jeremy? Please?”
“Make the call. I have something important that needs to be done.”
And then he was gone.