by A. M. Kusi
Ethan took his time, making good on his promise and worshiping every inch of her with his hands. His mouth found hers again and their tongues locked in a sensual dance, becoming urgent. She needed him more than she’d thought humanly possible. Energy crackled between them, intense and potent. His scorching touch building the storm of awareness that spun through her, and she ignited. Her thunderous heartbeat rumbled in her chest as lights glimmered and flashed behind her eyelids.
His hand moved to her thighs and she opened for him, inviting him inside the deepest parts of her soul. She begged him to dive in and fill her up. His fingers quickly found her most sensitive spot, swirling just the right way. Before long, she cried out, holding on to him as her first orgasm rocked through her body. She focused on the obsidian eyes staring back at her with lust and love and everything in between. Isa experienced every heightened sensation as they zapped and quaked through her body: his mouth on hers; his taste in her mouth. She breathed in as he exhaled. Gooseflesh prickled her limbs; her erect nipples were against his hard chest; he groaned as her wetness seeped over him. Every sensation was compounded and magnified.
“I missed your moans. Let me hear you. Tell me how much you love this,” he said.
“So much. I need you inside me right now,” she begged.
Ethan didn’t hesitate. He slid between her folds in quick, hard thrusts as she cried out, another orgasm rocking through her body. She clenched her walls around him while his hand still swirled over her clit.
“Ethan,” she cried.
“Yes, my love. I’m all yours,” he promised as he rocked her body harder, rhythmically drowning and breathing life into her all at once. Breaking and saving her. Conquering and freeing her. Isa closed her eyes, feeling the edge of the cliff drawing near, spellbound with the love saturating every cell of her body.
“Look at me. I want to watch you come this time,” he commanded.
Isa obeyed, forcing her eyes open to keep her gaze on his. The movement was hypnotic. Their breaths synced. Their heartbeats were one. The pressure built, and she knew it was only a matter of time.
“Come with me,” she demanded.
His expression focused intently on her. She saw her reflection in his eyes. She was powerful and beautiful. Loved and whole. She was chosen. She saw her tomorrow, her future, and her forever in his eyes. Lightning and thunder crashed and rocked her body as she flew off the cliff, embracing the leap of faith, knowing he would catch her. A waterfall cascading with erotic chaos.
His whole body tensed, emptying inside of her, and they came together as one. Two separate beings shattering together, reborn as a single soul.
Epilogue
Two years later
Isa watched the snowflakes fall outside the frosted window of The Orchard Inn. Ethan had driven them up the mountain in time to beat the blizzard that howled outside. She sipped her coconut milk hot chocolate that Ella had made her. It was rich and sweet, flavored with peppermint, just the way she liked it.
Two familiar warm arms wrapped around her from behind as Ethan placed his hands tenderly against her stomach that had not yet begun to show. He kissed the nape of her neck, sending gooseflesh down her arms and legs. His touch always had that effect on her.
“My love,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Yes?” she asked, loving the way she felt in his arms.
“The kids are ready to open their Christmas Eve gift.”
She turned and kissed his lips, tasting the apple pie moonshine mixed with cinnamon on his mouth. “Let’s not keep them waiting then.”
Ethan smiled and took her hand, leading her into the large event room that River and Ella had decorated for their combined family Christmas with a large tree and wreaths of greenery. The fireplace roared in the corner, providing them with a cozy warmth as holiday music played in the background.
All their friends were sitting around in a circle. River and Ella had their eighteen-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, entertained with the wrapping paper from her gift.
“Like this, Mac.” River demonstrated, ripping a piece towards her.
Jax had his arm wrapped around Harper who was nursing their newest addition, Owen. Mila, now nearly three years old, was lovingly planting kisses on her little brother’s head.
Eight-year-old Joy was patiently waiting, holding the gifts she had made to pass out. Next to her, two-and-a-half-year-old Max was being held by Esther while she chatted to Sandra Parker, River and Harper’s mother. David Parker was taking a video with his phone of the kids, while Phillip also took pictures, capturing the extended family and friends’ shared holiday. Jax’s parents, Olive and Clive Harris, were lovingly watching their grandchildren with content smiles on their faces.
Isa sat in the empty space next to Joy as Ethan went under the tree to collect the rest of the gifts. Everyone got to open one present on Christmas Eve; it was a tradition they had started the year before when they’d celebrated the holiday together at River’s suggestion.
Isa watched as everyone opened their one special item. Thank-yous were exchanged. They laughed and smiled, obviously happy to be sharing in the moment together. A small piece of Isa wished her family could have been more like Ethan’s and River’s.
At least she had a closer relationship with her brother now than she had before. They had met before she came up to Vermont to exchange gifts over lunch. He’d stepped into his uncle role with Joy and Max when Ethan officially adopted them. Liam had paid for a lawyer to fight her case against Griffin. Her brother had anonymously leaked the evidence that put both her father and Griffin away in prison for embezzlement, fraud, and a whole host of criminal activity that she had no idea about.
Liam released her trust, but she decided to keep going with her painting. She had several gallery shows planned, and could make a nice living for herself on her own. Rather, she’d chosen to invest the funds for her future with Ethan and the kids.
Her mother had reached out after her own accounts were frozen and confiscated by the FBI. The relationship Isa had with Marie would never be what she wanted, and keeping her at a distance was best for her own mental health. Maybe their bond could be more in the future. Probably not.
Isa felt a warm kiss on her cheek, bringing her back to the present. Ethan stood next to her, getting everyone’s attention.
“I would like to be the first one to say how thankful I am that we can all gather together with our friends and family. I just want to give an official thank you to all of you who decided to meddle in my and Isa’s lives two years ago. It was a good idea. You gave me the best gift I ever could have asked for,” he said, looking in her eyes and smiling. “It started out as pretend. We faked being in love so well we began to believe it ourselves. All it took was a concussion to seal the deal.”
Everyone laughed. She smiled, remembering how far she had come as her heart sped up. Maybe Ethan was going to finally propose? Tears welled in her eyes, as he continued.
“Isa Grayson, I remember you told me you didn’t believe in commitment. That true love wouldn’t happen for most people, including you. Though I disagree with you, I respect you enough to not ask you for something you’re not ready to give. So, regretfully, I won’t ask you to marry me and allow me to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me.” Ethan sat down next to her.
The room was quiet, and she felt a surge of disappointment and rejection. Had Ethan just done that to embarrass her in front of her friends? Why would he still think she wasn’t ready for commitment? Hadn’t the last two years proved anything to him? They were having a baby together, goddamn it!
Joy tapped on her shoulder. Isa turned to her, fighting back tears that threatened to spill.
“I’ll ask you instead!” Joy handed her a box in messily wrapped red paper. “Will you marry Uncle Ethan?”
Isa’s heart stopped. Her breath stuck in her throat
as she blinked twice, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She turned to Ethan as he smirked.
“You . . .” She choked, the tears falling down her face.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her. “You have been with me through the hardest moments in my life. You stuck by my side and showed me love and friendship when I needed it most. Isa, my love, my masterpiece, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”
It felt like the ground around her was shaking and shifting as an earthquake of relief and happiness burst from the fault line of her heart.
Isa nodded as she pulled away enough to look into his handsome face. “Yes!”
Joy opened the box and handed her a beautiful square-cut diamond ring on a silver band.
“It’s perfect. I love you. I mean, I was about to leave you after that performance.” She laughed and everyone in the room broke their silence by joining her. “But I love you, Ethan Appiah, with all my heart. With every piece of me.”
He wrapped his hands around her face, pulling her to his mouth like she was everything to him—his gravity. She kissed him back as happy tears fell down her cheeks, a cleansing rain. Desire whipped inside the cavity of her chest, spinning and thrashing in a mix of love and lust, gratitude and hope.
As the wind howled outside and blew flurries of snow, she knew nothing would compare to the blizzard that had blown through her defenses, devastating, conquering, and claiming her heart for all eternity.
Ethan truly was her perfect storm.
THE END
Now, turn the page for a sneak peek of a FREE bonus novella for The Orchard Inn Romance series, Here to Stay, (Natasha and Liam’s story) right now.
Sneak Peek of Bonus Novella - Here to Stay
Chapter 1
Liam Grayson checked his sleek watch as he parked his red Ferrari in the parking lot of a pediatrician’s office. He drank the last sip of his warm coffee before getting out of the car and locking it, using the key fob over his shoulder.
If anyone had told him he would be a thirty-one-year-old bachelor on his way to a pediatrician’s office to babysit, he would have laughed in their face. His father would call him a pussy if he could see him now. Good thing dear ol’ Dad was in prison. Liam didn’t regret sending him there for one second. The way Daniel Grayson had treated his sister, Isa, because she’d happened to fall in love with a man from Africa had been despicable. But that wasn’t the worst of his sins by a long shot.
Liam pushed through the doors to the office. His younger sister was waiting with her two-month-old daughter in her arms.
“Hey, Liam.” His sister’s dark blue eyes lit up. Isa waved with her free hand.
Before he could respond, Joy and Max shouted, “Uncle Liam!” in unison and ran over to give him a hug. Isa and her husband, Ethan, had adopted the siblings after his sister and brother-in-law died in a tragic car accident.
“Hey, guys,” Liam said, ruffling his hand over three-year-old Max’s head. The little boy’s brown eyes gazed at him like he was a superhero. The problem was, Liam was no hero.
“Hey, little man, I think you grew a few inches since I last saw you.”
Max puffed out his chest proudly.
“Joy, there’s something different about you.” His hand rested on his chin, pretending to be deep in thought as she smiled at him shyly.
“You got your hair done.” He guessed finally.
“Yeah, Mama Isa did it for me.”
He turned to his sister, impressed.
She smiled and nodded. “I’m learning. Ethan’s mom is teaching me.”
Liam dug in his pocket and pulled out two lollipops which he handed to the kids, who accepted them hungrily before they went off to play.
He took the open seat next to his sister and reached out for little Sophia. The baby was a perfect mix of her Ghanaian father and her mother’s Mediterranean heritage. A few curls piled on the very center of her otherwise bald head. Her eyes were dark blue, just like her mama’s.
“She smells so good,” he said.
“You wouldn’t have said that fifteen minutes ago.” Isa laughed. “It was all up her back.”
Liam scrunched his face. “I don’t need to hear about her bowel movements.” He handed the baby back to her mother.
His sister smiled. “Just wait until you’re a dad.”
Her words sent a thousand tiny daggers through his heart. She didn’t know that he could never have that. He had loved someone long ago, and he’d fucked it up. All for the very man who he once idolized and now hated with everything in him. Trying to make up for the dark sins of the past. Jacob’s face flashed in his mind. Gone was his memory of the lively child, replaced with his vision of his lifeless body.
“How is Ethan doing?” He changed the subject.
“Great! He’s at a soccer tournament with Jax and the rest of the league. I really appreciate you coming to help keep an eye on the kids while I take Sophia in for her checkup.”
“What are uncles for?” He winked.
A door opened to his back, sending a gust of cool air across his back. His hair stood on end, and an overpowering hum took over his body. He pulled his phone from his pocket to see if it was vibrating, but it wasn’t.
“Natasha Nelson?” a voice called from behind him.
The name sent a shiver of awareness through him. His guts twisted into a thousand intricate knots. He froze, holding his breath, waiting to hear the voice that answered.
“Yes?”
It was her. The very woman who’d changed his life. His ears rang as his heart pounded in his chest. Moments and memories flashed in his mind like colorful butterflies. His chest ached, the pain as fresh as the day he’d walked away. He stood, his eyes needing to confirm what his ears were hearing.
She leaned over the counter, looking at some paperwork. Her curly hair was trimmed neatly above her shoulders in a loose Afro. The cream silk dress that cinched around the curve of her hips accentuated her features in all the best ways: both feminine and professional. What struck Liam was the little hand that held on to the side of her dress. A boy—a few shades lighter than his mother’s skin. His hair was longer than his mothers, past his shoulders. He looked straight at Liam. His piercing golden eyes were a sucker punch to the chest.
Liam was propelled forward, his veins burning with something foreign. He reached them the minute she looked up. Shock covered her beautiful features as her gaze met his.
“Tasha?” he asked, begging the mirage to tell him this wasn’t a dream.
Her expression quickly morphed into anger as she pulled the little boy closer, protectively. “What are you doing here?” she asked him accusatorially.
He motioned to a wide-eyed and curious Isa over his shoulder. “I’m here with my sister.” He looked back at the boy and squatted to the kid’s eye level. “Hey, buddy, I’m Liam. What’s your name?”
“Hey, that’s my middle name! My first name is Carter. I’m not supposed to talk to strangers though. Right, Mommy?” he asked Natasha.
“Right. Especially this one,” she said, stiffening.
Before Liam had a chance to respond, Isa walked over. “Hey, Natasha. You know my brother?”
Natasha forced a smile. “Hello, Isa. Nice to see you. Yes, we’ve met. I’ll have to talk to you later. We need to get this guy to camp before I go back to the office.” She pushed past them without a second glance towards Liam.
His eyes were glued to their backs, watching in disbelief as he called after them, “How old are you, Carter?”
Natasha walked faster, but the little boy turned and proudly proclaimed, “Eight and a half!”
They disappeared out of the reception area hand in hand.
His heart splintered as his mind raced, thinking back to all the times they had been together. She was the only woman he’d ever slept with wi
thout a condom, and it had only happened once. His last selfish attempt at connecting with her before he’d torn their worlds apart. The day before he’d broken it off with her.
Natasha had a son who was the spitting image of him as a boy.
“How do you know Natasha?” Isa asked, pulling him out of his trance.
“How do you know her?” he asked.
A triangle formed between her eyebrows as she answered, “I’ve gone into the office a few times with Harper to see Jax. Natasha works with him at Parker Consulting Inc. She is chief executive consultant there.”
Liam’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest. The woman he loved was living in Boston, and she had a kid. There was no doubt in his mind—Liam had a son.
Why hadn’t she told him?
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Thank you
Thank you for reading Her Perfect Storm. We hope you are emotionally satisfied with Isa and Ethan’s love story. If you enjoyed reading this novel, please consider leaving a review on your favorite retailer and share it with your friends and family.
Also, you can start reading books 1 and 2 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series right now!
River and Ella in The Orchard Inn (Book 1).
Jax and Harper in Conflict of Interest (Book 2).
Thank you again for reading Her Perfect Storm!
Cheers,
Ash and Marcus.
About A. M. Kusi
A. M. Kusi is the pen name of a wife-and-husband team, Ash and Marcus Kusi. We enjoy writing romance novels that are inspired by our experiences as an interracial/multiethnic couple.
