Ray tossed a paper clip on his desk. “How’s her pregnancy going?”
Tyler smiled. “So far, so good. She’s feeling a lot better about it since she did that DNA test.”
Ray lifted a brow. “What DNA test?”
Tyler eased down in the chair across from Ray’s desk. “Marie was adopted and never knew her biological parents. One of her stepsisters, who was probably jealous of Marie being added to the household, used to tease her while growing up that Marie’s mother had some sort of blood disease, which meant there was a good chance our baby would have it. Marie had decided never to have children, although she’s been tested and all the results were negative. She refused to take any chances.”
“What made her change her mind?”
“That DNA test. The results not only broke down her ethnicity but it also gives you a health profile. It turned out her stepsister had lied. There is no blood disease in either her father’s or mother’s families. The company also lets people opt in to being contacted by distant relatives, if they’re open to it, but she didn’t have any hits on that. Still, just knowing she didn’t have to worry about any genetic disease has been such a relief.”
Ray sat up in his chair. “But it’s possible to sometimes track down relatives based on this DNA test?”
“Yes.”
Ray began thinking. If he took that test, would it be possible for them to track down some of his relatives who might remember him? Did he truly want to know anything about his past now? Drawing in a deep breath, he knew that he did. He couldn’t have the unknown always hanging over his head forever. Especially if he truly wanted to have a future with Ashley.
Future with Ashley?
Where on earth had that thought come from? He couldn’t have a future with anyone if he was truly a married man. What if he found out he was?
At least he would know. Hell, it could be like Dr. Martin said and his wife could have moved on with her life. But if there were children, he would want to get to know them, regardless if he remembered them or not.
And if he discovered he was a free man, then he would ardently pursue Ashley like he wanted to. He would continue to give her time to get over her dead husband but he felt she was doing that now.
“Tyler, could you give me the name of the company that did this test for Marie?”
If Tyler found his request odd, he didn’t show it. “Sure. I don’t have it on me but I can call you with that information when I get home. It takes four to five weeks for the results to come back.”
Ray nodded. That would be right before Ashley would be leaving at the end of the summer. It would be nice if he could discover something about his past before she left.
He didn’t want to get his hopes up too much but the thought filled him with a type of joy he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thanks. I’d appreciate it.”
* * *
ASHLEY PULLED HER luggage behind her as she entered her place back in Catalina Cove. Glad to be home. She smiled at how she thought of this place as her home. While in Hardeeville, she had been antsy to get back here because this was where Ray was.
She’d had a great time with Emmie, Suzanne and Kim. They had wanted to know everything. Of course, there were details that even her close friends didn’t need to know, and she’d deliberately skipped over certain things. They kept saying again and again how happy she looked. Even her parents had said the same thing.
And speaking of her parents, it seemed that for her father to finally get a backbone was the best thing that could ever happen to her parents. After Imogene’s anger had worn off, it seemed she liked the new Samuel. Ashley wondered if perhaps her mother had deliberately been pushing her father over the years into taking control because she was tired of exerting hers. Ashley figured that was one thing she’d never know.
All she knew was that when she’d dined with them last night it had been the most pleasant experience she’d had with them in a long time. Even when her father had announced their decision to move back to Kansas permanently in about six months, her mother hadn’t protested. This time it had been Ashley’s jaw that had dropped.
She headed straight to her bedroom. The last time she’d slept in this bed, Ray had been there with her. All night. She still got sensuous quivers whenever she remembered that night in vivid detail. She’d missed him. It hadn’t mattered that she’d talked to him every night before getting in bed. She’d missed him just the same.
Deciding to unpack later, she moved to glance out the window and drew in a deep breath. She’d missed waking up to this view the last four days. She wondered if Ray was serious when he said he was interested in buying this place. She could envision him here and waking up in that bed without her.
No, she refused to see that. She had to believe he was beginning to feel for her what she already felt for him. She had to believe it was more than just two people sleeping together for him. She had to believe that.
Moving away from the window, she headed for the bathroom to take a shower. She had received a text message from Ray that morning before she’d left for the airport, inviting her to dinner. She’d texted him back that she would love to dine with him this evening. His response indicated he would pick her up at seven, but he hadn’t said where they would be going. Honestly, it didn’t matter as long as they were together. But knowing would have helped. Then she wouldn’t have to wonder what to wear. She figured, when in doubt, wear a cute sundress and carry a jacket. That way she could dress it up or dress it down.
She had finished putting on her clothes and was about to apply lipstick when she heard the knock on her door. She glanced at the clock. It was seven exactly. Ray believed in being on time. Deciding to wait on the lipstick, she left her bedroom and headed toward the door, already feeling jolts of sexual energy rushing through her.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed to the door. “Who is it?”
“Ray.”
She unlocked it and then said, “You can open it and come in.” If she opened the door she would be tempted to throw herself in his arms the moment she saw him. Letting him do it would give her time to compose herself.
She took a step back and watched how the door slowly opened, first exposing a masculine thigh in gray dress slacks, and it only got better from there. By the time he stepped over the threshold, she was all but drooling. There was just something about a good-looking man, in good-looking clothes, who smelled good.
And good old Ray Sullivan was looking at her like he thought she was good, too. Good enough to eat. Naughty her, but she hoped he kept that thought.
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it with his hands shoved into the pockets of his slacks. She wondered if he knew that position made it quite obvious he wanted her. An erection didn’t lie, especially not one the size of his.
“I missed you, Ashley.”
She tilted her head to better look at him. “We talked every night.”
“And?”
“Wasn’t that enough?” she asked, wondering if they were actually going to leave here tonight. From the way they were looking at each other, there was a good chance they wouldn’t.
“No, that wasn’t enough. I could look at you every day and talk to you every hour and it still wouldn’t be enough.”
She wondered if he knew his words had a meaning she wasn’t sure he wanted to make. But she knew in the bottom of her heart he had made them honestly. Deciding not to ask him to clarify, she asked, “What time is our dinner reservation and where are we going?”
He glanced at his watch. “Eight at Cagney Place. And you look gorgeous, by the way.”
She smiled, pleased with his compliment. “And you look pretty dashing yourself.”
“Do I?”
“Yes, Ray Sullivan, you do.”
She watched as he slowly moved away from the door and started walking toward her. “I told myself
I wouldn’t kiss you.”
“Why?”
“I might not be able to stop,” he said easily. “Haven’t you noticed that when it comes to kissing you, I don’t have much control?”
Yes, she’d noticed, but she wasn’t bothered by it since she hadn’t any control while kissing him back. “Have I ever complained?”
“No, but we do need to make it to dinner on time,” he pointed out.
“Ever heard of a quickie?” she asked boldly and then downplayed a blush. After all, this was her husband and she was free to do with him whatever she liked.
“Yes, I’ve heard of quickies. Not sure if I’ve ever participated in any.”
He had. Numerous times. She could certainly attest to that. Most she’d orchestrated for not only his benefit but also for hers. “Then let me show you how it’s done.”
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered his mouth to hers.
* * *
THE MOMENT THEIR lips touched, Ray was a goner. Like kerosene being thrown on an already lit fire. Whatever she was doing with her tongue was driving him mad with desire. He took as much of her mouth torturing his as he could, then snatched his away.
Before he could draw in his next breath, she’d reached out, unzipped his pants and had his erected shaft in her hand. Swiftly maneuvering him against the closed door, she seemed to pounce on him like a cat and enfolded her legs around his waist. Instinctively, he cupped her bottom to balance her.
In a breathless whisper she said, “On birth control and safe. No reason to think you aren’t, too.”
That was all she said before tilting her body against his erection and sliding it inside of her. The mechanics of how she’d accomplished such a thing so easily without removing her panties vanished from his mind when, after arching her back, she began pummeling her body back and forth onto him, stopping just inches shy of disconnecting their bodies, before battering down on him again.
Her movements were precise and measured and he almost became weak in the knees. Hell, he’d never felt anything like this before, being skin to skin with her. The very thought that there wasn’t a latex shield between them sent heat rushing to every part of him. He could feel her heat, her wetness, the way her inner muscles were clamping down hard on him. Right now she was the dominant one and he was at her mercy. Each time she thumped down, her chest would press against him, and he could feel her nipples through her dress.
Her eyes locked with his were hot and intense. He loved the way her hair hung to her shoulders, sweeping around her face with the movement of their bodies, almost in perfect sync. It was as if their bodies were dancing, the rhythm defined, the tempo indescribably sensual.
He felt himself get harder and harder inside of her. Bigger and bigger. Yet she was handling him a whole hell of a lot better than he was handling her. He started to tremble and released a guttural groan. “I can’t hold on much longer.”
“Then let go. I won’t until you do,” she said.
Her words were like a catalyst, and suddenly every muscle in his body seemed to explode, but what he concentrated on the most was the shaft buried deep inside of her. He felt the moment it detonated, and could imagine flooding her womb with his semen.
Jesus, it was too much when she began moving faster and harder and then, precipitously, let out a scream as her body cascaded into a multitude of spasms. Her arms tightened around his neck and his grip tightened more on her bottom. She called his name over and over before lifting her head and crushing her mouth down on his. The moment her tongue slid inside his mouth, he captured it with his and began mating with it greedily. He loved the taste of her. Loved her scent. Loved every single thing about her. He loved...
He was snatched back to reality when she broke off the kiss. In a way he was glad. He didn’t love her because he couldn’t. He didn’t have that right.
She stared at him and the most beautiful smile touched her lips. He was certain if he allowed it, Ashley would forever mess with his ever-loving mind.
“Did you enjoy that, Mr. Sullivan?” she asked when he slowly slid her down his body to stand back on her feet.
He watched her straighten her dress. Although he couldn’t remember a thing from his past, he was certain he’d never done anything remotely this insane. “Yes, I definitely enjoyed it.” Too damn much, he thought, tucking his manhood back inside and zipping his pants.
“Good. So now you know how it’s done. I’m ready to leave for dinner now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“WELCOME TO MY HOME, Ashley.”
Ashley smiled up at Kaegan. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Hey, don’t I get a welcome, too?” Ray asked, grinning.
“No, because your welcome is automatic. In fact, I’m depending on you to show her around. I’ve got cooking duties tonight.”
Ray rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t take a lot of time to boil seafood, Kaegan.”
“No, but tonight I decided to grill as well. When you finish showing Ashley around, you know how to find your way to the party house.”
When Kaegan walked off, Ashley glanced over at Ray. “The party house?”
Ray laughed. “Yes, one of the rooms on this floor is a corridor that leads to another building where he hosts his parties.”
She nodded. “He gives a lot of them?”
“Not really. When he does entertain, it’s mostly for his employees. He likes rewarding them when they break records, reach milestones or if the company gets a big deal.”
“That’s a good incentive,” she said.
“Yes, it is. Don’t get me wrong. He still gives good bonuses as well. If it weren’t for his bonuses, I would never have saved up enough to start the boat touring company.”
Ashley glanced around when they moved toward the staircase. “This house is humongous. You actually stayed here for six months before getting on your feet?” He’d told her how Kaegan had not only hired him but had given him a roof over his head when he first came to Catalina Cove.
“No. Kaegan hadn’t built this house yet. We lived next door in his parents’ home, which has since been torn down. It was much smaller with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. About the size of my place now and it’s where Kaegan lived through his childhood. But all this is Chambray land. Land that Kaegan’s ancestors lived on and took care of.”
“Well, he certainly has a beautiful home here on the bayou. And I thought I had a beautiful view to wake up to every morning.”
“You do have a beautiful view. Kaegan just has the bayou in his front yard.”
Ashley knew what Ray meant. On the drive over, he’d shared that living on the bayou with Kaegan during that time had been a real adventure. He’d also told her how many cans of repellent he’d purchased over those six months because of the mosquitoes. That was why Kaegan had several lit mosquito torches lining the area.
As Ray showed her around, she thought Kaegan’s home was beautiful. Ray mentioned that, due to the possibility of hurricanes, Kaegan had built a home that could withstand up to four-hundred-mile-an-hour winds and the tilt of the foundation, that wasn’t even noticeable, was a deterrence to flooding.
She thought the place was huge for just one man but figured Kaegan was looking to the future when he would settle down and have a family. When she walked out on the huge screened-in patio, she was surprised to see Bryce. She figured Bryce would be the last person who would attend one of Kaegan’s parties and said as much to Ray.
He smiled. “Kaegan invites her on a dare and she shows up, I guess as a matter of principle. Then they ignore each other all night. Although I don’t know what happened to break them up, they seem to have a love-hate relationship that neither will address. I think there is hurt on both sides.”
Ashley couldn’t help wondering what had torn Kaegan and Bryce up. Why were they fighting hard to pretend neith
er existed when—if anyone watched them for any period of time—it was clearly obvious they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other?
“There’s Sawyer and Vashti,” Ray said, leading her over to the couple, who stood talking to two men.
Vashti introduced the men as Isaac Elloran, a divorcé, and Vaughn Miller. Both had grown up in the cove and were classmates of Kaegan, Bryce and Vashti’s. Isaac had moved back to town a couple of months ago, and Vaughn had moved back close to two years ago. Ashley thought Isaac and Vaughn were nice guys who seemed glad to be back living in the cove.
A few other people came to join them then, and Vashti made more introductions.
The food was good and there was plenty of it. Tents were set up outside where huge buckets of seafood—blue crabs, shrimp, crawfish and lobster—were being served, as well as grilled spare ribs. Ray and Ashley joined Sawyer and Vashti at a table with several other couples.
There was dancing and Ray took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Devon had always been a great dancer and it seemed Ray was as well. He admitted he didn’t know why and figured he must have danced a lot in his other life because he liked doing it. He also admitted he hadn’t danced in front of a group before now.
Ashley was glad Ray was shedding some of his inhibitions, and she wanted to believe she had something to do with it. Vashti certainly thought so. Twice, she’d pulled Ashley aside and said she was seeing a different Ray. One who was beginning to make peace with himself.
He had spent the night with her last night after bringing her home from dinner at Cagney Place. They’d made love all night, as if making up for the time they’d been apart. They’d even shared breakfast together that morning before he left to go home to get ready for work.
“Now that you’re back, would you be interested in a boat ride this coming Sunday?” he asked as he took her around the dance floor for a slow number. She loved being held in his arms this way. Reminded her of old times.
“Yes, I’d love to. Thanks for inviting me.”
Forget Me Not Page 23
