CHAPTER SEVEN
Nadine met her friends outside the office where Anna waited for them. They all piled into the SUV, Nadine in front with Anna while the three girls shared the back.
“So how did your night go?” Melody asked with a teasing smile. “You were really a good sport last night when Mike threw you in the pool.”
“He does things like that.” Nadine shifted in the seat so she could talk to her friends. “He’s got a weird sense of humor. But I’m getting used to it.”
“Just as well since you’re marrying him in two days.” Melody twisted a lock of auburn hair around her finger.
Ashley studied her best friend as if trying to gauge her mood. But Nadine’s anger with Michael had melted with his first kiss.
“I can’t wait!” She released a happy laugh. “I’ve been engaged to him for six months and that’s long enough. I want the whole world to know that he’s married to me—that he’s my man.”
Jordan hooted. “That’s right.”
Nadine cringed a little, realizing she’d sounded unsure of herself, unsure of him. She knew a wedding band wouldn’t keep adoring female fans from kissing her husband in a moment of celebration. But of course he’d be faithful. Why would he have asked her to marry him if he had any desire to go to bed with someone else?
Although, she might have brought the idea of marriage up first. They were always apart and she’d mentioned once or twice that it would be nice if they could be together more—that’s when she’d given him his own key to her apartment. He hadn’t reciprocated, but since he kept a room at his parent’s place, that wasn’t a big surprise. She’d asked him how he felt about marriage, but he’d changed the subject, so she’d let it slide figuring that he preferred things casual. And then around Christmas, when they were out buying a tree for their apartment, he’d turned to her and said, “You should marry me.”
She’d nearly fallen on the ice, but he’d grabbed her in time and swung her around as snowflakes hit her face. “I mean it. Let’s do it. Let’s get married.” Christmas morning, while she was making him eggs Benedict for breakfast, he’d slipped a box on her plate, surprising her with a beautiful diamond engagement ring. It had been the first Christmas without her mother and a vulnerable time. Had Michael intuitively known that?
He could be a very sensitive and thoughtful man. Generous and kind hearted. She put the ring to her lips and kissed the diamond, making herself a promise. They would make their marriage work, be happy, and she’d do him proud. With that affirmation, she sat back to enjoy the view from the passenger window. The water was a bright and shiny blue, the sand white, and to add more beauty the beach was broken up by palm trees, bougainvillea, and mangrove bushes. On the far side of the road were businesses and strip malls, as well as restaurants and shops. It was a sweet place for a holiday, but she couldn’t imagine living in Paradise forever. Too remote from everything.
“Anna, it’s beautiful here, but do you ever get bored?”
“Not at all, dear. Running the cottages keeps me very busy, and I have my daughters here too.”
“I’m not sure where Michael and I will live once we get married. He thinks we should keep things as they are. My place in Baltimore when he’s not touring, and his parent’s during the winter months. Eventually, we might end up buying a place in Orlando so he can golf all year round.”
“That would be nice. Lots to do there.”
“I guess, although I wouldn’t be near Dad, or my friends.” She shot a look at Ashley and Jordon. “I’d miss you both.”
“We’d miss you too,” Ashley said, “but we’d come and visit you no matter where you live.”
Anna shot Nadine a glance. “Where you are doesn’t matter, if you’re with the right man.” She smiled and added, “I’m sure you’ll both be very happy.”
“I’m sure we will,” she said, willing it to be true. She wasn’t on the top of Michael’s priorities, but she could live with that.
“If you’re not, pass him along to me,” Melody said with a laugh. “You’re the luckiest woman in the world. Marrying super-hot Michael, not having to work anymore. Soon he’ll be winning all that prize money and endorsements will come his way. You’ll be living the high life, girl.”
“I guess you’re right,” she told them, “but I would marry him without all that. I’m afraid that this fame and fortune will just get in the way.” All she wanted was a space for the two of them to be together.
“Are you crazy? You’ll be able to buy a mansion someplace, maybe several! And hire maids to clean up after you.” Melody sighed. “Damn, that would be fun.”
Jordon tugged Nadine’s hair with a soft laugh. “You’ll be able to quit work and travel with him. That’s what you want, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“But what?” Melody gave her a light smack on the back of her head. “You’ll get to go to all the hotspots. Be on TV when he wins the next tournament,” she said, her green eyes shining.
“He doesn’t want me to quit.” Her gut churned. Saying it out loud made it hurt even worse. “Not yet. He says my paycheck is our job security. In case something happens.” Like what, she didn’t know…
Ashley leaned over and squeezed her shoulder. “That’s understandable. He’s new on tour. So maybe you can’t quit right away, but after a little while he’ll want you with him. Otherwise you two will hardly see each other.”
Jordon agreed. “Listen, if you get pregnant right away he’ll insist you quit your job. Then you can be with him. Or stay in your mansion with all your maids,” she said laughing, “until Junior pops out. Then you can bring him or her to the matches and everyone will make a big fuss of the two of you.”
“You guys are crazy, but I love you. I guess I have no reason to be worried—I know everything will work out. It’s just that we hardly see each other now, and I imagine the more successful he becomes, the tighter his schedule, and the less we will be together. Can’t imagine how I’ll get pregnant with all that.” She folded her arms in her lap and looked out the window. Her friends made it all sound so easy, like a fantasy world. Nadine was too realistic to let herself believe their schedules would change with a snap of her fingers. But a baby would be so nice. And it would help cement their relationship too.
Anna reached across the console to pat Nadine’s arm. “Nadine, why wait? If you really love him and want him forever, I agree with your friends. You might even get lucky on your honeymoon—or sooner,” she said with a girlish laugh. “Paradise Cove is a special place to unite couples, and hopefully your wedding night will be very special indeed.”
This fantasy picture everyone was painting for her slipped past her defenses. If a girl couldn’t dream big before her wedding, when the heck could she? Reality could damn well wait.
“Sure. Why not?” She closed her eyes for a second and then grinned wide. “In that case, we better do some serious drinking, bridesmaids. I won’t be able to once I’m pregnant.”
“Yeah!” Melody showed her the list of places she’d pulled up on her iPhone. “I’ve been doing some research—these are the hot spots.”
When they finally arrived at Duval Street, Anna pulled to the curb, and the girls hopped out. “Don’t worry about picking us up,” Nadine told her. “You’ve done so much already. We’ll Uber it back.”
“Carole’s making arrangements to have you picked up here. How is three o’clock? Does that give you enough time?”
“Sure. We’ll take in as much as we can. Thanks Anna.”
Key West was known as the best party town in the country so they didn’t waste time, starting at Sloppy Joe’s for a round of beers and a plate of nachos, then they continued down Duval to Margaritaville. They sang along to Jimmy Buffet music and drank their signature drinks and munched on shrimp tacos.
Feeling the effects of the drinks the girls paid their bill and left the building. They slipped in and out of some of the shops and bought a few cute items, t-shirts, bags, and some fun beachy jewelry. Nadine, being the practical one, insisted they’d better see Hemingway’s House before they left. Unfortunately there was a line and time was limited.
“Crap. I really wanted to see that,” she complained, “not sure when I’ll get back here again.”
Ashley linked an arm with hers. “Not to worry. There’s always a next time.”
“I’m only getting married once,” Nadine said. “Doubt if I’ll get back this way again.”
“You and Michael can come back,” Jordan suggested. “Have a second honeymoon. It’d be so romantic.”
“Unless Hemingway has a golf course inside his house, I doubt Michael would be bothered.” It wasn’t that he was purposely inattentive, he truly was oblivious.
“It’s part of the deal, Nadine,” Melody said. “God, I’m hot and thirsty—and I need a rest room.”
“Me too.” Ashley pointed. “Hey girls, we’re in luck. On the corner.”
The walk had been brutally hot, and they did need to use the facilities before a long drive back to the resort. They took refuge at the bar on the corner, The Green Parrot, ordering one last round of drinks. Nadine thought about Melody’s comment. Michael’s life would revolve around golf, but she’d reap the benefits too. It was all part of the package.
* * *
Anna drove straight to Kevin’s cabin and arrived at Harmony just before noon. As soon as she knocked on the door, he pulled her inside and took her into his arms. He’d pulled all the shades down but the cottage was not completely dark as a little light came through the cracks. She could see him well enough and that was all that mattered.
Their kiss said it all. They were hungry for each other and anything else that needed to be said could wait. He held her hand and walked her into his bedroom. The cover was pulled down, the pale blue sheets enticing. She saw a bottle of white wine chilling in an ice bucket next to two wine glasses.
“A drink?” Kevin asked.
Anna nodded, kicking off her shoes. “That would be nice. It was a long, thirsty drive.”
He smiled. “Thanks for doing that. It was very nice of you, and I’m sure the girls will have a great time.”
“They will, and so will we.” While he poured the drinks, she slid out of her skirt and pulled the Paradise Cove t-shirt over her head. She faced him wearing a lacy white bra and undies. Although sixty, she was not ashamed of her body, and proud of her own sexuality.
His eyes ran over her, and he licked his lips, making her hot.
“You are beautiful, Anna. And sexy as hell.”
She took the glass from his hand and clinked it with his. “Show me.”
They swiftly drank the first glass, and he put both glasses down, then kissed her long and hard. His hands were on her butt, pulling her up against him. She felt the hard ridge of his erection against her center, and nudged up against it. She was already wet and didn’t need any foreplay. Knowing the fishermen would be back soon, made this stolen hour a little more rushed than she’d liked, but no less exciting.
Still, they had to be careful not to get caught. She’d left her car just down the lane, between her cottage and his.
“Hurry, Kev. We don’t have a whole lot of time.”
He didn’t need anymore convincing. He stripped off his clothes and tossed them on a chair. Then he pushed her down on the bed and straddled her. He kissed her nipple over the lacy material and sucked hard. When she whimpered he pulled the bra down and cupped her breast, licking and sucking her nipples into hardened peaks.
“Take it off,” she demanded, “and get rid of my panties too.”
He did as she instructed, and she stroked him in reward.
His penis was erect, big, pink and swollen, and she bent her head to take him in her mouth. He allowed her to taste him, then he pulled her head back and kissed her hungrily. He spread her legs and, still kissing her, drove himself in deep. She wrapped her legs around his back.
Moaning her pleasure, she raised her hips to take him all the way, and he pulled in and out, in and out, going further with every entry. She all but cried.
She dug her nails into his back and wouldn’t let go. “Give it to me now.”
His fingers slid down between them and he found her clit and touched her as his hard cock frantically thrust inside of her, bringing them both over the edge and back.
He remained on top of her, smoothing the hair off her face, giving her gentle kisses everywhere. Her eyelids, her cheeks and chin, the corners of her mouth.
She giggled and caressed his strong back, letting her hands go lower and lower with every languid stroke. Then they cupped his fine ass and squeezed.
He kissed her mouth and began to move inside of her again. She didn’t think it was possible but she found herself getting turned on again, and his cock got firmer with every stroke. Then he rolled them both over, with Anna on top.
“Enjoy yourself,” he told her. Then he grinned, his eyes full of devilish delight. “Ride me like a cowboy.”
She laughed too. “Never knew a cowboy, but I’ll do my best.”
Anna was halfway to her second orgasm when she heard a knock on the door. They froze. Then the door opened and Juanita’s said, “Hello, Mr. Thomas. I’m here to clean your room.” The bedroom door was open and Anna put her hand on Kevin’s mouth. “Oh, shit! What do we do?”
Anna slid off him and made a grab for her clothes. Juanita was singing, and opening the blinds. She glanced down the hall. “Is anybody here?”
Kevin snorted, and in her haste, Anna knocked over one of the wine glasses next to the table. She was almost into her skirt when Juanita peeked in.
“Oh my! Oh, my! Miss Anna. What are you doing here?” Then her big round eyes got rounder, her cheeks turned pink, and she put her hand over her mouth. She backed down the hall. “I come back later. Much later.”
They heard the door slam behind her, looked at each other, and both of them started to laugh, and couldn’t stop.
“She won’t tell anyone,” Anna said, when she could draw enough breath to speak. She picked up the glass and refilled both, handing him one. “She’s totally loyal. Our secret is safe.”
“Oh, Anna. You should have seen your face. It was redder than hers.” He pulled her down, next to him on the bed. “I adore you.”
She looked into his eyes. “I adore you too.”
They sat making small talk, and finished the glass of wine, then Anna got dressed for real and she gave him one last kiss. Soft and sweet, almost chaste.
“Guys should be back from their fishing trip…hope I don’t run into anyone.” She pulled a brush from her handbag and ran it through her hair. “How do I look? Will I pass inspection?”
He gave her a lazy grin. “You have that freshly fucked look. Hopefully no one will notice.”
“Most likely they will think I’m too old for that, and will chalk it up to a hot flash.” She wrinkled her nose. “Little do they know.”
“I’ll see you later,” he said, getting out of bed and putting on a pair of swimming trunks. “Happy hour?”
“I can’t get any happier,” she told him in earnest.
He gave her a long look. “Know something? Neither can I.”
Anna really liked Kevin and for a second was saddened because this magic couldn’t last. After the wedding he’d go home to cold, windy Baltimore, and she’d stay in Paradise.
“I heard the girl’s conversation in the car this morning. I should warn you that your daughter is concerned about her life as a married woman to Michael. She’s afraid she’ll never see him if he’s traveling all the time, and he doesn’t want her to quit work.”
“That’ll change in time.” He pulled on a white tee over his blue trunks. “At least I hope it does, for her sake.”
“Her friends were suggesting she get pregnant right away. That might be a good solution, and it would give them both a strong, unbreakable bond.”
“You don’t think their love will do that?” he asked, his eyes serious. “It damn well should.”
“I expect it will,” she said carefully, trying to keep her feelings to herself. She didn’t like the guy, but it wasn’t her choice, now was it? “When he playfully tossed your daughter in the pool, I admired the way she handled the situation with maturity and humor.”
“You don’t like him?” he asked, a perceptive father. “You can tell me the truth.”
“If he becomes a world class golfer I’m afraid that he’ll turn into an even bigger prick.”
His lips curved, but his eyes didn’t smile. “I agree, but what can I do about it? His brother might be the better man, but that ship has sailed.”
“Not yet it hasn’t. Still a couple of day’s grace.” She should shut her mouth but when had she ever done that?
He looked thoughtful. “Too late. She’ll marry him for better or for worse.”
“Yes, her mind is made up,” she agreed. “She wants this magical wedding, and we will make it happen for her.”
“Of course. And he better be good to her, or else. I still have ties in the media department as a past journalist, and might be tempted to use them.”
“A reminder in the present wouldn’t hurt.” But Kevin was probably too much of a gentleman to speak with force.
He walked her to the door. “How are the girls getting back?”
“Uber.”
“Good. It’s too long of a drive for someone to pick them up. Especially you.” He dropped a kiss on her brow. “Wait one sec while I check if the coast is clear.” He opened the door and poked his head out. “Safe for the moment.” He turned to her. “I had a really good time.”
“Ditto that,” she glanced into his eyes as she brushed past him. “Very much so.”
“Anna…”
“Yes?” She halted, wondering what he wanted to say. Her heart began to beat fast. Did he feel the same things she did?
He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ll see you later.”
Of course he didn’t. It was much too soon for either of them to feel a thing. “I look forward to it,” she said hiding disappointment with a smile.