Anita watched her for a few seconds then slowly nodded and handed the ticket back. "You're right. You should be the one to rip it up."
"I'm not going to rip it up."
"Because a part of you wants to go. Admit it."
"No."
"Admit it."
"I'm not going to admit to something that isn't true."
"Liar. Now admit it and I'll leave you alone."
Pamela opened her mouth to deny it then quickly snapped it shut again. She stared down at the ticket in her hand and wondered for the hundredth time what her problem was. Anita was right—this was just a vacation, not a marriage proposal. It wasn't even a prelude to a long-term relationship. It was just a vacation. Two weeks away. The shop wouldn't collapse if she was gone for two weeks.
So why was she putting up such a fight?
Because she was a coward. She didn't like change, didn't like things she couldn't control. But things were changing. She was changing. That was just a fact of life and without change, things would just stagnate and eventually rot away. As far as control...that was just an illusion. Something she convinced herself she had to make herself feel safe and secure. But what she felt for Bryan—there was no controlling that. She loved spending time with him. Enjoyed being with him. She had no idea where their relationship was going but, like him, she'd like to see where it took them.
And she couldn't do that unless she took the first real step outside her comfort zone—a step she could now admit she was afraid to take.
She didn't bother to hide her fears when she looked back at Anita. "What if I go and it turns out to be a huge mistake?"
"Then you pick yourself up and dust yourself off and move on. But what if you go and it turns out to be the best thing you've ever done? Are you willing to risk missing that chance?"
No. No, she wasn't.
She grabbed her tote bag from the desk, ignored the knowing smirk on Anita's face, and took the first big step out of her comfort zone.
Chapter Seventeen
Bryan glanced at his watch, wondering for the hundredth time what had possessed him to agree to meet Pamela here. He should have picked her up at her place, should have insisted on it. If he'd done that, there wouldn't be any chance that she'd change her mind.
Which was a lie. What would he have done if she decided to back out? Toss her over his shoulder and force her to go with him? Not likely.
He just needed a little more patience. There was still time. She would be here any minute.
He kept repeating that to himself over and over while willing the minute hand to stop its forward momentum. He could be as optimistic as he wanted to be but the fact of the matter was time was running out. If Pamela wasn't here in the next ten minutes, the chances were good that they'd miss their flight. And if that happened, there wouldn't be another one. Not for him, anyway, because he had no desire to go by himself.
He stopped his pacing long enough to study the knot of people coming in the main entrance. His gaze quickly skimmed each face, searching for Pamela's. Disappointment flared deep inside when he finally admitted the truth: she wasn't coming.
Dammit. He'd been so sure she would be here. Had hoped—
He cut that last thought short and hoisted his small duffle bag over his shoulder. He had no idea what would happen to his checked bags, if there was still time to get them back or if they'd go to Barbados without him. It didn't matter, not in the long run. It wasn't like he couldn't replace what was inside them. He should probably still check with someone from the airline, just in case.
"Bryan!"
He halted mid-step then slowly turned. Relief flooded him when he saw Pamela heading toward him, a brightly colored tote bag swinging from her shoulder. Her lips curled into a wide smile as she hurried toward him.
"I'm sorry I'm late. We hit traffic on the way down then there was a snack accident with one of the kids and a juice box and my phone and—"
Bryan silenced her with a deep kiss, one that left him a little breathless. "I'm just glad you're here. I thought you might have changed your mind."
"No. No mind changes, not anymore."
"Good." He caught her hand in his and led the way toward the security line. "Did you have any trouble getting your bags checked?"
"No, and it was just one bag."
"Just one? I'm impressed."
"You won't say that when you have to get it from baggage claim. I think I'm one pound under the weight limit."
Bryan laughed then pulled out his passport and ticket to show the agent. Pamela did the same then they were moving through the line, placing their personal belongings on the belt before walking through security.
Fifteen minutes later, they were seated at the gate, waiting for their group to be called for boarding. Bryan reached for Pamela's hand, took it in his and threaded their fingers together.
"What changed your mind?"
"About coming?"
"Yeah. When I saw you last week, I was positive you weren't going to join me."
"I almost didn't." She lowered her gaze and chewed on her lower lip before releasing a soft sigh and looking back at him. "But Anita helped me realize that I was confusing security with happiness. I figured maybe it was time I stopped worrying about the future and started focusing on the present."
"Remind me to bring something back for Anita as a thank you gift." He leaned closer, his voice pitched low so only Pamela could hear. "And thank you, for taking a chance."
Surprise and something else flared in Pamela's eyes. She started to say something but Bryan cut her off with a kiss. Soft. Gentle. Promising.
For now, that was enough. Everything else would come in time. And something told him it would definitely be worth the wait.
Epilogue
Two years later.
Pamela stood at the water's edge, the warm waters of the Caribbean washing over her feet. The setting sun painted the sky with blazing shades of oranges and pinks and purples, the colors vivid enough to take her breath away.
But not as much as the man standing beside her did.
"Do you think you'll regret it?"
Bryan shifted his gaze from the sunset to her, his green eyes made even brighter in the colorful light. "No, not at all."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
Pamela raised her glass of champagne and gently tapped it against Bryan's. "Then congratulations on your retirement, Mr. Torresi."
"And congratulations on yours, Mrs. Torresi."
A smile small teased the corners of her mouth as she took a sip of the bubbly champagne. The crisp flavor settled on her tongue with just the right amount of sweetness—but not nearly as sweet as hearing her husband call her by name.
This was their first time back to Barbados since that trip two years ago. A celebration of sorts. Well, more like several celebrations.
Bryan retired from coaching a month ago, ending his career with a championship win.
Pamela had finally learned how to balance security and happiness and while she was still part owner of the coffee shop, they were celebrating her quasi-retirement since she had stepped back from the daily management. Anita was more than capable of handling things, especially with Danny, of all people, as her lead manager.
And the biggest celebration of all, of course, was their wedding. It had been a small ceremony a month ago, right after Bryan announced his retirement. Life had taken a turn for both of them, leading them in an entirely new direction—but it was a path they were taking together.
Standing here now, gazing out at the dazzling sunset reflected off clear blue waters, hand-in-hand with her husband, Pamela realized she wouldn't have it any other way.
She turned to face Bryan, let everything she felt show in her gaze and saw the same reflected back at her from the depths of his eyes. It was all the security she needed, and the only thing that really mattered.
Love.
~ The End ~
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RULE BREAKER
New Orleans Bourdons Book 1
Meet the men of the New Orleans Bourdons! A brand-new hockey team is in town and their sizzling antics are turning up the heat. The ice won't be the only thing melting in this exciting new series from USA Today Bestselling author Lisa B. Kamps.
Rules were meant to be broken...
My life has been nothing but one crap-tastic cluster after another. Getting traded. Being sent to New Orleans. Enjoying a one-night stand—plus a little more—with Adelaide Landry.
How was I supposed to know the beauty with a body tailormade for sex was the daughter of my new hockey team's owner? The problem is, I'm not sure it would have made a difference if I had known. After all, I'm Nathan Shaw and I earned my reputation for being a rule breaker.
Only this time, I may have gone too far...
Turn the page for a sneak peek at Rule Breaker, the launch title in this sizzling new series, now available at your favorite vendor!
The numbers on the clock glowed an angry red in the dim light of the room, an annoying reminder that I was going to be late if I didn't get my ass in gear. Too damn bad. My ass would just have to be late because no way in hell was I moving right now, not when I was thirty seconds from finding heaven.
Again.
I curled one fist in the rumpled sheets of my bed then reached down with my other hand and cupped the curve of the woman's head as she kissed and licked her way down my stomach. Silky hair curled around my fingers and trailed across my skin and damn if the breath didn't catch in my chest. Close. She was so damn close. My body was already tensing in anticipation of that hot mouth wrapping around the hard length of my cock. Of feeling that wet tongue swirl around the tip before swiping along the length like she was in a hurry to lick her favorite ice cream cone before it melted in the ungodly heat and humidity of New Orleans.
I'd been here for two months already and didn't think I'd ever get used to the suffocating weather. I'd known the woman in my bed for three weeks and I was already addicted to her.
Her taste.
Her smell.
Her touch.
Everything about her.
The one-night stand with Addy hadn't stopped and I sure as hell wasn't complaining. She was the only ray of light in my otherwise fucked-up existence and I had no plans of calling it quits. Not anytime soon, anyway. Why the hell would I when both of us were looking for the same thing?
Fun.
Sex.
No commitments.
More sex.
Yeah, we definitely had that. When it came to sex, we were a perfect match. As far as everything else...
Not my concern. I knew as much about Addy as she knew about me—which was very little. There was no need to complicate things with the details, not when we were both focused on the same thing.
Fun.
Sex.
No commitments.
More sex.
Yeah, it worked for me.
I knew her first name. I knew she worked in some boutique clothing store somewhere here in the Quarter that sold some kind of funky-ass vampire or steampunk clothing or something else just as weird. I knew she liked spicy food and sweet drinks that snuck up on you.
And I knew she liked sex. Lots of hot, sweaty adventurous sex.
It was a match made in heaven—a heaven that I was five seconds away from attaining if her sweet little tongue ever found its mark. I tightened my hand in her hair and slowly rolled my hips in silent encouragement. No, I wasn't above begging, not when I'd already had a taste of the prize waiting for me. Addy turned her head, her dark eyes drifting toward mine. Our gazes met and damn if the slow smile spreading across her face didn't make my gut clench with anticipation. Then that dark gaze shot away from mine to land on the clock and any anticipation I may have felt evaporated when she jumped up.
"Oh hell, Nathan, you're going to be late." She rolled off the bed and scrambled for her clothes, her full breasts jiggling with each movement. I swallowed back the drool threatening to drip from the corner of my mouth—yeah, her breasts were that delectable—and reached for her.
"I can afford to be late."
"You told me you couldn't be." She slipped away before I could grab her and stepped into a tiny strip of lace that was supposed to be underwear. "You specifically told me to make sure you weren't late."
Had I? Maybe. But that had been more than two hours ago. My priorities had changed since then.
I propped up on one elbow and reached down, curled my hand around my cock and stroked. Long, hard. Slow. Addy's gaze dropped to watch, her eyes flaring with interest. Her sweet little tongue darted out and swiped across her lower lip and I swallowed back a groan, wishing that tongue was swiping across something else.
"Five minutes." My voice was low and rough, filled with unspoken promise. Dark eyes darted to mine and a teasing smile curled one corner of her mouth.
"Since when is five minutes ever enough for you?"
"There's a first time for everything."
Her gaze lowered to my hand, her eyes darkening with desire as she watched me stroke my cock. Her nipples grew to dark little points and she lightly swayed toward me. I didn't waste any time, just reached out and pulled her down on top of me, smothering her little squeal of surprise with my mouth. Her body melted against mine, all soft curves and hot flesh. Less than a minute later, I had a condom on and her underwear off and I was driving inside her. She moaned, the sound soft and low and so fucking hot, then pushed to her knees and took me in even deeper. Rocking against me. Riding me.
Driving me fucking insane.
I closed my hands around her full hips and bent my legs, digging my heels into the mattress as I drove into her. Hard. Fast. Deep. She was so fucking tight. So fucking hot and wet.
So fucking open. Watching the nuance of every expression flit across her face was a turn-on I'd never expected—and one I didn't think I'd ever grow tired of. Desire. Need. Demand. Satisfaction. Addy didn't hold back, never shied away from telling me what she wanted, never shied away from seeking her own pleasure.
Watching her now, with her head tilted back and her perfect teeth nibbling her full lower lip, was damn near enough to push me over the edge. I'd only been teasing when I told her five minutes—quickies weren't really my thing—but damn if I might not give in to the urge this one time.
Maybe.
But only if she joined me.
I lowered my hand and slid a finger along the tight bud of her clit, teasing her. Short little strokes at first, each rewarded with a sharp gasp. Then a little harder, adjusting the pressure each time she rocked her hips against me. I curled my other hand around her breast, flicked the hard point of one dark nipple with my thumbnail then kneaded the firm flesh. The reward was instantaneous—Addy threw her head back, the long cascade of thick hair teasing my bare flesh as she came apart, her sweet pussy convulsing around my cock. I sat up, pulled her head down to claim her mouth and pushed myself deeper inside her, driving into her until my own explosion left me weak and breathless.
We fell back to the bed, a tangle of arms and legs, the sound of harsh breathing echoing around us in the nearly empty room. I closed my eyes, only for a second, only to be rudely nudged awake.
"Nathan, you're late."
"Fuck it."
The bed dipped as Addy climbed over me, her bare feet hitting the wood floor with a dainty sound. "You told me to make sure you weren't going to be late. Come on, up you go."
I groaned then rolled to the side, peeled open one eye and glared at the clock. Blinked until the glare morphed into shock then vaulted from the bed with a loud oath. Five minutes had somehow turned into thirty and I had no fucking idea how.
I caught Addy by the shoulders, pressed a quick kiss against her mouth, then raced to the bathroom. The water didn't even have a chance to heat up before I was done with the shower and drying off with no more than a few swipes of a towel. Addy was still standing near my bed, dressed only in black leggings that hugged each luscious curve and black leather lace-up boots with a thick platform heel that brought the top of her head to my chin. Her hair fell in a long wave over her bare shoulder as she tilted her head to the side and watched me get dressed in a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. Thank God we didn't have to do the whole suit thing yet. Addy would probably have a dozen questions I wasn't ready to answer yet if she saw me dressed in a suit.
She pulled her bra on with a sexy little twist that had me staring again, then shrugged into a deep red blouse and quickly buttoned it. "Are you going to be in much trouble?"
"Nah. Don't worry about it." Yeah, I probably was, but I wasn't going to tell her that. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I'd been in trouble for breaking the rules—that was what had landed me down here in the first place. And knowing myself as well as I did, it sure as hell wouldn't be the last time.
I shoved my wallet into my back pocket and grabbed the keys off my dresser before hurrying to the front door. Addy was right behind me, putting her last earring in place before running her fingers through her thick mane. I held the door open for her, caught her mouth in another quick kiss then pulled the door closed with a loud click.
Playing It Cool: A York Bombers Hockey Romance (The York Bombers Book 8) Page 10
