Lei'd in Paradise: A Cupcakes Series Novella

by Bethany Lopez

Seven

  I woke up to the sun streaming through the window and love in my heart.

  I was in paradise with the man I loved, what could be better than that?

  I turned and snuggled into Bran, whose body put off heat like a low furnace, and sighed happily.

  “Good morning,” he rumbled, his voice even deeper from sleep.

  “Bonjour,” I replied with a giggle, then lost my breath when he rolled us over until he was on top, settled between my legs.

  “Carmen,” Bran said softly, his eyes searching mine.

  “Yes?”

  “Last night was great. Amazing. Sexy as hell,” he began as he caressed my cheek with his thumb. “And, I understand why you needed a little escape, a fling, but I’d really like it if for the rest of the trip we could be Bran and Carmen, rather than Bernard and Chloe.”

  “Okay,” I replied, feeling my cheeks reddening with embarrassment over not giving up the ruse.

  “Hey, I know that you were nervous coming here, and had some anxiety over us and where we are in our relationship, but I want to alleviate all of your fears.”

  “You do? How?” I asked, then it hit me and I said, “Lila … she called you, right?”

  Bran chuckled.

  “Of course she did, but don’t be upset with her. She was worried about you traveling over here alone without me knowing you were on the way. She also told me about the call you got and hearing some woman’s voice. She just wanted to make sure you were okay and that I wasn’t being a total fucking idiot. Her words.”

  I grinned.

  “I’m not mad at her, and I would have told you all of that myself, I just needed a little time to work through some of that anxiety … That’s when I came up with the fling idea.”

  “I’m really happy you did,” Bran said, pausing to brush his lips against mine. “I’m sorry about the call. I don’t know how I called you, and hung up, without realizing it. As for the woman, she’s a lawyer who was at the convention. I’m pretty sure she’s married, but it doesn’t really matter either way, because there’s only one woman I’m interested in.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I know you think I have it all together, and it may look like I do on the outside, but you know my past … my inside is still a work in progress. I’ve been through hell and come out the other side, and I feel like having you in my life is my reward for getting my shit together.”

  “You do?” I asked, my eyes filling.

  He kissed me again.

  “Carmen, I want way more than a fling with you, I’m in for the long haul. Call it exclusive, say you’re my girlfriend … all of it. I can’t wait to see what our future holds. I love all the pieces of you and hope you can love all the pieces of me.”

  “I can. I do. I’m in love with you, Branson Bernard Braswell.”

  Bran’s lips captured mine again, but this time it wasn’t quick. No, his kiss was long, deep and toe-curling.

  Slow caresses under the covers resulted in soft sighs and low moans.

  My legs parted wider, as my back bowed and my hips tilted up, allowing Bran to slide inside with beautifully torturous intention. He made love to me sweetly, our eyes catching between kisses and lingering thrusts.

  It was perfect. Gorgeous. And after we came down from the peak, I felt such love I thought I might burst.

  “Mmmm,” I managed, kissing Bran’s cheek before he rolled to his side and pulled me closer. I snuggled in and whispered, “La petite mort.”

  I felt Bran’s chuckle as I rested my cheek on his chest.

  “You know my middle name’s not Bernard, right?” he asked.

  “What is it?”

  “Nah-ah, I can’t give away all my secrets at once. You’ll have to stick around and find out,” Bran countered.

  I like the sound of that.

  “Okay, well, until that day comes, I’m calling you Triple B.”

  Bran groaned.

  “What about you, what’s your middle name?” he asked.

  I leaned back and looked up at him.

  “You won’t tell me yours but you expect me to dish?”

  He kissed the grin off my lips and said, “You don’t have to, I’m just curious.”

  I nodded and cozied back in.

  “I don’t have one,” I murmured against his chest.

  His wonderfully rock hard chest rumbled.

  “You don’t?”

  I shook my head.

  “No, it’s our tradition to take our maiden name as our middle name once we get married, so I don’t have one until that day comes.”

  “Ah, I see. That’s cool. At least you’ll always get to keep your maiden name then, I mean, if you decided to take your husband’s name … Not everyone does anymore.”

  “I would,” I told him. “I like tradition.”

  And as I burrowed into him, all I could think was how much I liked the sound of Carmen Santos Braswell.

  Eight

  After dozing back off like the lazy bums on vacation we were, we’d finally gotten up and gone down for breakfast and were getting ready to head out to the beach.

  Vacation was already my favorite thing, but vacationing with Bran was even better. He was considerate, funny, and constantly touching me. Holding my hand, brushing the hair off my shoulder, placing his hand on my knee during breakfast.

  He was seriously affectionate on vacation, and if I were a man I’d be walking around with a constant hard-on.

  It was situations like this that made me happy I was a woman, because there was no way I’d be able to hide a stiffy in my bikini bottoms. I was so turned on, I’d almost been disappointed when he’d agreed to my beach request rather than ravishing me as soon as we got back to the room.

  “Ready?” Bran asked, already by the door.

  “Yup,” I said, reluctantly grabbing my bag, going extra slow just in case he felt frisky.

  My phone rang.

  There was no name on the screen, but the read out said it was a local number, so I answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Carmen, Ku‘uipo, thank God you answered,” a frantic-sounding voice replied.

  “Mrs. Wilkes?” I asked, certain it was Cade’s mother, but unsure of why she’d be calling me.

  “Yes, Delilah gave me your number, I hope it’s okay that I’m calling. I’m not interrupting am I, I know how hard it is to get out of bed when you’re on vacation…”

  I felt my cheeks redden at her insinuation.

  I’d always thought Cade’s mom’s inappropriate talk and innuendos were hilarious, but I’d only ever heard them directed at Lila.

  It was a little different when she was inquiring about my sex life.

  “Uh, no, ma’am, you aren’t interrupting anything. What can I do for you?”

  “Oh dear, we got home a couple days ago, and found our sweet Boone has gone missing. Our neighbor was watching him, and the day before we got back, he disappeared. I kept thinking he’d come home, but he hasn’t. When Lila mentioned you were on island, I thought maybe you could help us find him … since you’re working with her now.”

  “Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that,” I replied, hating the worry I heard in her voice. “I don’t know what all I can do, but I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”

  “Thank you so much. Can you come by now? I’ll text you the address. And, make sure you bring your handsome man with you. I’ll make you both some lunch.”

  “Okay, I will. See you soon.”

  I hung up and turned to Bran, who was watching me, his expression curious.

  He and Cade weren’t exactly what you’d call, buddies. Actually, up until Cade and Lila’s wedding, they’d been closer to enemies than friends. When they were younger they’d been in a bar fight, and had hated each other ever since.

  Bran was raised in foster care, spent some time on the streets, and was addicted to pills in his late teens and early twenties. He’d started the fight with the much larger, more sober Cade in a biker bar and had go
tten his ass kicked. It was actually the wake-up call he’d needed and had been the first stop on the way to Bran changing his life for the better.

  Bran had apologized to Cade at the wedding, and they’d left things on good terms.

  That didn’t mean Bran was going to feel like hanging out with Cade’s parents.

  “Who was that?” he asked.

  “Mrs. Wilkes. She needs help finding her dog.”

  “Mrs….? You mean Wilkes’ mom?”

  “Yeah, hence, the last name Wilkes,” I joked, crossing to him and putting my arms around his waist.

  “Why would she be asking you to help find her dog? You don’t even live here.”

  I smiled at his baffled expression.

  “Well, Lila told her I was here, and she knows I work for Lila’s PI firm, so she thought I’d be able to help. She’s so sweet, I couldn’t say no. She’s Cade’s mom.”

  “I still don’t get it.”

  “She wants you to come too,” I told him, laughing when his eyes widened.

  “Why?”

  Having never had supportive parents of his own, Bran didn’t really know what to do with them. Especially Cade’s loud, loving, overbearing parents. He’d given them a wide berth at the wedding.

  “Because she’s nice, and she knows we’re here together. She’s going to make us lunch.”

  “Can’t I just stay here?” he asked, looking slightly panicked.

  “It’ll be fine,” I assured him. “I’ll make sure she keeps her hands off you.”

  “Her hands…?”

  “I’d really like you to go with me,” I murmured, going up on my tip-toes to kiss his lips.

  “Mmmmm, is this bribery?”

  “No, it wasn’t … but I can use bribery if it’s necessary,” I said sweetly.

  “How about we just say, you owe me one, and I’ll choose the payback at a later time.”

  “Deal. Yay!” I cried, jumping up and down in his arms.

  “Guess we’d better get dressed.”

  “I’ll just throw a dress over this. Hopefully we’ll still get a chance to go to the beach today.”

  Bran dropped a kiss on my lips and let me go.

  “Well, I’m going to put on clothes. Baggy, unflattering clothes,” Bran said wryly. “At the wedding Mrs. Wilkes told me I looked like sex in a suit and asked me to take my shirt off so she could see if my body was as hard as it looks.”

  I giggled.

  “But, you don’t own baggy unflattering clothes,” I reminded him.

  “Then we need to go shopping.”

  Nine

  We didn’t actually go shopping. Instead, Bran threw on some nice black shorts and a Polo shirt. Honestly, even if he was in a mumu, there was no denying the man was fit. And, gorgeous.

  He worked out religiously, ate healthy, and took care of himself. And it showed.

  “Thanks for coming with me,” I said as the car pulled up to the Wilkes’ house. “We won’t stay too long, I promise.”

  Cade’s parents’ place was a sweet little bungalow with palm trees, lush bushes, and tons of flowers surrounding it. There was an open pit with seating around it and you could hear waves crashing, so I knew we were close to the ocean.

  “Aloha,” Mrs. Wilkes said when she opened the door. “Carmen, Ku‘uipo, it’s so good to see you again. Thank you for coming.”

  “Of course, Mrs. Wilkes, I’m happy to help.”

  “Call me Mama,” she said, then turned to Bran and opened her arms wide. “Come here, you, give Mama a hug.”

  Bran looked at me, eyes wide.

  I shrugged and bit back a laugh.

  He stepped forward and gave her a quick pat on the back, then took four paces back.

  “Uh, hi,” Bran told her, shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “You gonna keep them outside all day, or invite them in?” I heard Cade’s dad call from inside.

  “Oh, sorry, I guess I got a little star struck by Mr. Braswell here … so handsome,” Mama said, then gestured into the house. “Please, come in.”

  Bran stepped behind me and put his hands on my hips, hiding behind me like a shield as we walked into the house.

  “Hi, Mr. Wilkes,” I said in greeting as we followed Mama into the kitchen.

  “Pops,” he replied, indicating that’s what I should call him. “How are you enjoying our island so far?”

  “Oh, well, I haven’t seen much of it yet, but what I have seen is beautiful.”

  Pops beamed at my response, obviously proud of his island.

  “How about you, Braswell?” he asked Bran.

  “I’ve spent most of my time in meetings, but I did get a chance to go for a run on Ali’i drive near Kona. It was breathtaking.”

  “Do you exercise a lot?” Pops asked, his expression full of interest.

  “Bran exercises every day. He even teaches self-defense to me and Lila sometimes,” I said, stepping closer to put my arm around Bran.

  “I do,” he agreed.

  “Well, after hanging with Cade and his brothers, I decided to get fit myself and I’ve set something up outside. Would you mind checking it out, maybe giving me a few pointers?”

  “Uh, yeah, sure,” Branson replied.

  “Great, follow me,” Pops said, and walked to the sliding glass door at the back of the house.

  Bran dropped a kiss on my head and followed him out.

  “So handsome,” Mama said, her eyes following Bran for a moment before turning back to me with a smile. “I see lots of babies in your future.”

  “Oh, no, we’re still pretty new,” I protested, even though her words caused a riot of flutters in my stomach.

  Babies with Bran sounds like a dream.

  “So, um, you said your dog is missing,” I began.

  “Oh, yes, my poor Boone,” Mama said, clutching her chest. “He always comes and goes as he pleases. He loves the beach, visiting the neighbors, and enjoys his independence. But, he always comes home to eat and give Mama some love. My neighbor, Susie, was watching him while we were away for the wedding, but he’s been missing for days now. It’s just not like him. I’m afraid he’s hurt, or worse.”

  She looked so upset I crossed to her and put my arm around her to give her comfort.

  “We’ll find him. Why don’t you take me to meet your neighbor and I’ll get started?”

  “Thank you, Carmen, you’re so sweet to help. I’m sure this isn’t how you were planning to spend your vacation.”

  “Don’t worry about it, I’m happy to help.”

  “Let me grab my slippers,” she said, giving my arm a pat before rushing out of the room.

  I crossed to the sliding glass door and was momentarily stunned.

  Their backyard was literally the ocean. There was a small expanse of grass, complete with a hammock hanging between two palm trees, which butted up to the same, which led to crystal-blue waters.

  It was breathtaking.

  I tore my gaze away from the spectacular view and looked to the left where Bran and Pops were standing.

  Branson was talking and Pops was taking in every word.

  I squinted, trying to see what was on the ground surrounding them. It looked like an old car tire, like from a Ford Tempo or something. There were also a few free weights, a hammer, and a ball of twine.

  “Okay, you ready?” Mama asked, coming up behind me.

  “Yup, sure am, but, uh, what exactly is Pops showing Bran?”

  Mama looked out the glass, then back at me and said, “Oh, that’s his new Crossfit area.”

  Ten

  “Susie … Susie!” Mrs. Wilkes called as we rounded the corner.

  Susie was on her knees, bent over gardening, and at the sound of Cade’s mom practically screaming, she whipped her head up so fast she lost her balance.

  “Oh … let me help you,” I said, hurrying over to help Susie to her feet.

  “Thank you, dear,” Susie breathed as she stood.

  She wiped the dirt of
f of her culottes and turned to us, dropping her spade on the ground.

  “Sorry, Susie, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mrs. Wilkes said, looking contrite. “This is my daughter-in-law Delilah’s friend Carmen. She’s helping me look for Boone.”

  I loved the pride in her voice when she talked about Lila. I was glad my friend was part of a loving family like Cade’s.

  “Oh, nice to meet you, dear. I’m so sorry about Boone. He showed up like clockwork the first few weeks, always on time for supper, and then, one day, he stopped coming back. I looked around and asked the neighbors, but no one has seen him. I’m just heartsick about the whole thing.”

  Poor Susie really did look devastated about Boone going missing on her watch.

  “When was the last time you saw him?” I asked, keeping my voice pleasant so as not to alarm her.

  “Well, I went to the Farmer’s Market that morning, which happens on Saturdays, and then sat outside while Boone ate his dinner that night. I told him goodnight when he wandered down the street. The Wilkeses came home Sunday night, and Boone never came back. So, it’s been about three days now. I hate to think of him … lost and alone.”

  Mrs. Wilkes let out a strangled noise at the thought, so I put a reassuring hand on her arm.

  “We’ll find him,” I said, really hoping it was the truth, then turned back to Susie and asked, “Is there anyone else you think I should talk to? Is there anyone else Boone likes to visit?”

  “Oh, yes, um, Fred, two doors down, and Mrs. Felix, who lives closest to the trees over there. Fred always gives Boone his leftover meet, and Mrs. Felix is always complaining about Boone digging up her garden.” Susie sniffed. “He’s never messed with mine, Mrs. Felix just likes to complain … about everything.”

  I bit back a smile at Susie’s obvious distain for Mrs. Felix and her garden, thanked her, and promised to let her know if we found Boone.

  “Do you know Fred and Mrs. Felix?” I asked Mama as we left Susie’s and walked next door.

  “Oh yeah, we know everyone in the neighborhood. Fred’s pretty cool. His wife died a few years ago and he doesn’t come out much anymore, but Mrs. Felix is a pill. I try to avoid her when at all possible.”