PARADISE COVE (PARADISE SERIES Book 1)

by Wilton, Patrice

  "Jim. Jim Watson."

  "Well, Jim Watson. It's nice to know you. I think I mighta had one too many."

  He laughed, and twirled her around. Just then she spotted a familiar face heading her way. He looked angry. She tried to spin back into Jim's eager arms, but Mr. Fast and Familiar snapped hold of her arm and tugged her into his.

  "What are you doing here?" Sean asked.

  "Dancing. What does it look like?" She turned her head and gave a weak smile to Jim, who stood dumbfounded on the dance floor. "You're interrupting my dance."

  "I'm going to do a hellova lot more than interrupt your dance."

  "Oh, yeah? Like what?"

  "Like this." He tugged her body close, put a hand behind her head and kissed her. Hard and deep.

  She pushed him away, and he guided her mouth back to his again. She would have fought him but she had no strength. No will. Like a limp doll made from putty.

  "Oh, why did you do that?" she asked. "I was here dancing. Having fun. Not missing you at all. Didn't even know you were gone. Not really."

  "Is that so?" His lips curved into a sexy smile.

  "Yup. That's so." Her insides hummed like a swarm of bees.

  "Liar." His hand was warm on her back. "How much have you been drinking?"

  "Not enough." She stood on his toe. Not on purpose, but because she swayed, her body making contact with his.

  "I should take you home." His voice was low. Thrilling. How could such simple words titillate her so?

  "What would you do to me?" she asked, suddenly breathless.

  "What would you have me do to you?" he whispered, his mouth against her neck.

  "Oh, you know. The usual." She gave a careless shrug which didn't fool him a bit.

  He chuckled, and she felt herself get wet. And it wasn't perspiration this time.

  "What's so funny?" She sniffed, tilting her nose in the air. "Why are you here?"

  "Because Taylor told me where you'd be." His eyes were on hers. Hot. Demanding. And arrogant as hell. Damn, it was sexy.

  "How did she know?" She could drown in his eyes. But if she drowned he would have to save her too. Like he did the others. She would be forever in his debt.

  "Perhaps you or Britt told her."

  "Maybe we did and maybe we didn't." She frowned. "Why did you go anyway?"

  "I thought you didn't know I was gone." He smiled again, and she either wanted to hit him, or kiss him. The second one had stronger appeal. She was weak. Tired and weak. Maybe just a little bit drunk.

  "I lied." She tried to clear her head. "So tell me. Why did you not only leave, but you stayed away for two whole days?" Her eyes welled and she brushed the tears away. Angry. Frustrated. What was the matter with her? Why was she having a meltdown? Now...in front of Sean. The jerk who didn't love her. The jerk who could just walk away anytime he liked. The jerk who would never, ever make a commitment to her, because he chose grief instead.

  "Oh, Kayla." He pulled her close, and tucked her head under his chin. She could feel his heart beating. Warm, and very much alive.

  "Don't, oh, Kayla me!" She pulled back just enough that she could look at him, but without breaking body contact. He felt too good to lose completely. Especially since she hadn't laid eyes on him for over forty-eight hours. It felt like forty-eight years. "I'm very angry with you."

  "Don't be. I missed you. I came back. I needed a little time alone. To think. Be alone with the stars." His hands roamed up and down her back, scattering her thoughts.

  She shook her head, tossing her hair over her shoulders. "You feel closer to Sara out there. Don't you?" She held her breath, half afraid of the answer, but knowing it just the same. She couldn't compete with that. His beloved lost daughter. Sara would win, hands down.

  "Yes, I do. Do you mind?"

  "Why should I mind?" She bit her bottom lip and stared at his chin.

  "I don't know, I just felt your body get tense." He kissed behind her ear, and then grazed her neck with his warm lips. "Don't resent her. Share me. I want you, Kayla. Right now."

  "That's not fair." Her body began to quiver in response.

  "I know, and I'm sorry. But it's true."

  "Well you can't have me. Not here." She looked around the crowded bar, her eyes searching for Brittany. There she was, dancing with Jim's buddy, oh what'shisname. She looked happy. Their bodies were close, and her hand was around his neck, her breasts against his chest, his hand on her rump.

  "I can't leave Brittany. Look at her. She'd be worried about me. Besides, she looks like she's enjoying herself."

  "I don't think she'd miss you if you left with me. Shall I ask?"

  "No! Don't do that. I came here to dance. I don't want to do whatever it is you're thinking about."

  "Your nipples are hard. I think they have a different idea."

  "What the hell do they know! They're just body parts." She put a hand over her chest and stepped away. "I should check on Brit. See if she wants to stay or go."

  "That's a good idea. You could leave her the car. I have mine."

  "I didn't say I was leaving with you."

  "What can I do to convince you that it's in your best interest?" He tugged her close, and she felt his need.

  "You could stop looking at me like I'm a piece of candy that you want to eat."

  He tossed his head back and laughed aloud, and she felt herself smiling too. She took his hand and pulled him along. "Come. You ask."

  Sean tapped Brittany on the shoulder. She pulled away and smiled dreamily. "Hi, Sean. Good to see you."

  "You too." His hand stroked Kayla low on the back. "We were thinking of heading home. You want to stay here, or come with us?"

  "I'm fine here." She glanced into Kayla's flushed face. "Leave me the car key. Put it in my purse."

  "Will do, but keep an eye on it, will you? You don't want it stolen." They had left their wallets at home, taking only a driver's license and one credit card, the rest cash.

  "Natch. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night." She smiled at Sean and Kayla, and squeezed her sister's hand.

  "You too. Be careful," she whispered, knowing that it was too late for that. Brittany knew what she wanted and would get it tonight.

  So would she.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Kayla didn't have a lot to say to Sean during the short drive home. Anticipation had her mouth dry, her nerve ends tingling with awareness. She squeezed her knees together tightly, fighting for control. She wanted him badly, but an explanation would be nice. After all a girl had to have some pride!

  He glanced at her and laid a hand on her knee. "You're awfully quiet. You still mad at me?"

  "Just a little," she heard herself say. "Why did you leave me? And where did you go?"

  "You know where. I needed to escape. You. Juanita and Miguel. Obligations." He shrugged. "Sounds weak. But it's the truth, and that's the one thing I can give you."

  "Well, that's something, isn't it?" She couldn't quite keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

  "I don't have much else to offer." He stared straight ahead, and she knew he felt bad. Suddenly she didn't care if she was on the short end of the stick. It didn't matter. She didn't want him hurting anymore than he already did. She knew what she was in for, and sharing whatever time together they had was her choice. Her choice, and she'd already made her mind up about that.

  She wanted to help him, to make a difference in his life. She wanted him. Period. For good. For bad. For whatever. She was a big girl and could handle what life threw her way. Practice had made her an expert.

  "It's alright," she told him, putting a hand over his on the steering wheel. "I'll take your honesty, and give you back mine. I want you. In bed and out. I care about you a lot, and I know that this is not forever, but that's okay. I'm good with it."

  He linked fingers with hers and brought her hand to his mouth. "I don't deserve you."

  "Yes. Actually you do." She smiled at him, her heart fluttering. He did things to her ins
ides that were both delicious and scary. It almost hurt, but it was a pleasurable pain.

  A minute later they pulled into the lane leading to Rhapsody, and for once she thought that cabin was aptly named. For if ever there was a man who could make beautiful music with his hands and his body, it was him.

  When he parked outside his cottage, she slid out of the car, tingling in some special places. Damn. He'd been gone two nights and she'd missed him completely. She'd filled her days with work, but her soul had been empty.

  He flung the door open, and with one hand on her back ushered her inside. "The way you're looking at me...God. It's driving me wild."

  "Then you know how I feel. I'm just so glad you're here." She knew that she shouldn't reveal so much. Better to play it cool. Besides, she didn't want anything from him that he couldn't give.

  His eyes didn't break contact with hers. "Kayla. I missed you too." He kissed her hard. His mouth was almost ferocious with need, as if he couldn't help himself anymore than she could. She put her hands around his neck, holding on, accepting the assault and eager for it.

  Their heated kisses lasted a long, long time, until she thought she'd die from lack of breath, and still she wouldn't stop. He slanted his mouth away from hers, sucking in oxygen like a drowning man. She gulped in air too, then she rose on her tiptoes and took his mouth once more.

  He back-stepped her into the bedroom, their lips still attached. If she had to die, this was certainly the way to go. She fell backwards onto the bed and he went down with her. They held on tight, kissing, rolling around, him on top, her on top, happy, just happy to be together, to share this magical moment, to accept it as a special gift that they would always remember. This one night, she would love this man with all her heart and then she'd let him go.

  "I want you so much," he murmured, his hand slipping under her dress. He lifted it to her hips and stroked the tender flesh of her inner thigh. "I don't know if I've ever met anyone as wonderful as you."

  She smiled, although it pained her to do so. "You don't have to say anything. Your actions are enough."

  "I want you to understand."

  "I do, my dear sweet Sean. I understand perfectly. Believe me, I want this too. It's enough."

  "But how can it be?" his voice was anguished. He pushed himself away to look into her eyes. "You deserve so much more."

  She kissed his shoulder and whispered, "It just is."

  "Kayla..." His eyes were troubled, and she wanted to ease his worries.

  "Stop talking." She touched his lips. "Kiss me instead."

  "If you're sure."

  At her nod he began by removing a piece of clothing, inch by inch. His movements were slow, his touches tender light caresses, making her ache deep inside. When she was naked under him, he glanced at her in the moonlight. "You are the most beautiful woman I know."

  She gave a weak smile, not wanting his flattery. What difference did words make when their time together was fleeting at best? She needed more of him, in the here and now. "Take off your clothes and show me."

  Doing as she asked, he tossed his aside, lay down beside her, and filled her completely. His shaft went deep, but it was so much more than physical. He touched her heart and she might never recover.

  She surrendered herself to him, accepting, giving, taking, and cried with pleasure. The night was long, and filled with a bittersweet joy laced with sorrow. One day he would be gone, but for tonight she had this.

  ***

  The following day, she pretended to keep busy but she kept making excuses to make little trips down to the cabins. Sean had decided to help Miguel paint, and he'd opted not to wear a shirt. Of course she'd seen his abs before, up close and personal, but having them on such magnificent display was unsettling.

  "Hi boys," she called out, bringing yet another pitcher of lemonade and fresh cookies. It was only eleven a.m. and this was her second trip.

  Sean waved at her from the ladder he was perched on, and Miguel didn't look up from the long brush he wielded like a master craftsman. So intensely was he into his work, you'd think she'd hired him to paint the Sistine Chapel.

  Raul came running over. "I'm so glad you're here. I'm sooooo thirsty," he said grabbing his paper cup. "Painting is hard work," he told her puffing out his chest. "But Papa said I'm doing good."

  "I should say you are." She filled his cup and handed him the biggest cookie. "A growing boy like you needs plenty of sustenance."

  "What's sust-a-nance?" His eyes crinkled into slits as he tried to sound out the foreign word.

  "It means something to fill your tummy." She smiled. "So eat up, and fill your cup when it's empty."

  Sean hoisted himself off the ladder, and walked toward her. "Boy, is this appreciated. I've gone through three bottles of water already this morning, and I haven't needed a bathroom break. Damn humidity sucks the fluid right out of you."

  She looked at his broad, tan chest and wanted to lick it. She stuck out a finger instead and flicked off some perspiration. "I know what you mean. The last few days my sisters and I helped prime the place." Pouring him a big glass full of tart lemonade, she watched him gulp it down, then refilled it. "I'll keep it coming as long as you don't think I'm a nuisance."

  He slid a hand around her waist, giving her a quick hug. "Not a chance of that."

  She nearly purred with delight and her insides began to hum. "I'm going to bring Juanita some lunch and then go to the store. Is there anything you'd like?"

  His eyes roamed over her and she flushed with warmth. "I think I've got all I can handle for the moment."

  She laughed. "I'll leave the tray here, and see you all later. Make sure Miguel drinks plenty, won't you?"

  "Yes, ma'am." He walked off, whistling a happy tune as he returned to work. She watched his back for as long as she could, and tried not to drool.

  "You like him, don't you," Raul said with a big grin. "I can tell."

  "I do like him, and I like you too." She ran a hand through his long dark hair, ruffling it affectionately. "Would you like us to cut your hair," she asked suddenly. "It would be cooler than having hair down to your shoulders."

  "Naw. It's fine." His eyes danced. "Like Tarzan."

  "You know Tarzan?" she asked. "Did you see movies back at home?"

  "Sometimes. Old movies mostly." He pointed at his chest and puffed it up. "Me Tarzan. You Jane." Doubling over, he laughed and laughed, then covered his mouth. Eyes big, he gaped at her, and his smile faded as though afraid he'd done something wrong.

  "Okay, Tarzan," she said, with a warm smile. "Time to go back to work."

  Relieved, he raced off, and she walked away smiling. Back at her own cottage she ran into Brittany. "Hey, how did your night go?" she asked, trying to gauge the expression on her sister's face.

  "Great! And yours?"

  "Ahhh...excellent." She laughed. "Enough on that subject. Will you be seeing this guy again? Hopefully he's the right age, I take it? No more college boys?"

  Brittany grinned. "He better be. I didn't ask, but yes. I will be seeing him again. Tonight." She stretched and yawned like a contented cat. "Marc Whelan. He's a stock broker and lives in Sarasota."

  "Sounds promising."

  Brit shrugged. "Not really. He's just here for a week. Came down for some big game fishing."

  "Well, I like the sound of Marc Whelan. And the smile he's put on your face."

  "He'll be leaving soon and then I'll probably never see him again."

  "Take it one day at a time." Kayla knew the odds were not in their favor, anymore than it was with her and Boston Sean. But it was possible if they both wanted it enough.

  "Brit, I was just going to take some lunch to Juanita and then run to the store. What are you and Taylor up to?"

  "Taylor is working the office. Mom's getting her mani-pedi."

  "Oh, good." She kicked off her sandals and hitched her butt on the kitchen stool leaning on the counter. "And you?"

  "I booked a massage. After the hard labor th
e last few days, my body needs some pampering." She made a face. "I want to be in good shape for tonight."

  "And so you should. Enjoy the massage. You deserve it." She jumped off the stool and opened up the fridge door, peering inside. What to make Juanita—salad, sandwich? Both?

  "What about you?" Brit put a hand on her hip and tilted her head. "You're the one always working."

  "I like to keep busy. Besides, Sean's helping out Miguel, and he's shirtless." She paused what she was doing, and looked up with a wicked smile. "I've made at least three trips down to the cottages so I can feast my eyes. He's got an amazing bod."

  Brittany snorted and put a hand over her mouth. "Well, I'm sure that makes your job a little more tolerable."

  "You bet it does. So don't feel the least bit sorry for me. I love my work. Especially today." She didn't need to add how relieved she was to have Sean back. That was a given. "Since you’re going out already, would you pick up for dinner when you're out? That'd save me a trip."

  "Sure. What would you like?"

  "It's for the guys. Fried chicken, pizza, Chinese? Something fast and easy. It doesn't matter."

  "You got it!" She picked up her bag, tossed it over her shoulder and headed for the door. "Enjoy your busy day."

  "You better believe I will." Kayla laughed and returned to the business of making lunch. Once she'd finished taking care of Juanita she'd be free to hang around the men, perhaps offer a hand. Or entice one to take a dip in the ocean and wash away the grime and sweat.

  The day and the endless night carried many tantalizing options for an opportunist like herself. And she planned to make good use of them.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  Juanita was lying on the couch watching TV when Kayla popped in. "Hola!" she called out, and struggled to sit up. Kayla rushed over to help her into a semi-prone position, and plumped the pillows behind her shoulders. She still looked too pale and thin, but her big brown eyes were bright and shining.

  "More food?" Juanita patted her extended tummy. "You're going to make me fat."