by Tania Joyce
He closed his eyes and clutched the watch.
The clock on the wall ticked. Each second took an eternity.
The rolling waves took their sweet time to crash onto the shore beyond the dunes.
Her heart dared not beat, afraid it couldn’t take one more devastating blow.
He sucked in a deep breath and wiped his hand over his mouth. Shaking his head, sorrow rippled through his eyes.
Oh. My. God. I’ve lost him.
I’ve fucking lost him.
She sobbed, clutching at her chest. “Kyle. No. Don’t do this. I love you. You hear me? I. Fucking. Love. You.”
Before she could blink, he reached behind her neck and crushed his lips to hers. Her knees weakened under the force. Threading her fingers into his hair, she drew him closer, gripped him harder, kissed him deeper. His tongue lashed out to meet hers, fed on her like he was a starving animal. Each kiss sent an inferno coursing through her veins.
“Don’t scare me like that.” She whimpered against his lips, collapsing against his chest. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Closing her eyes, she breathed him in, forced life back into every cell in her body.
His breath skipped across her face. “You had me when you said you’ll never love someone as much as me. That I have your whole heart. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. You’ve had mine for a very long time. I’m so sorry. I thought I could walk away, but it’s impossible.”
“You’re a stubborn ass.” She stroked his cheek, ran her finger down the line of the scar she’d given him on his chin. The one when they were mucking around in his dad’s garage and she’s smacked him in the face with her guitar.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight, her head buried against his chest. He combed his fingers through her hair. “I’m so sorry about the wedding. It wasn’t you who changed; it was me. Everything grand sounded fun, but you were right. It wasn’t what I wanted. You never left the page; I did. Please forgive me.”
“Just say you’ll marry me.”
He fell to his knee and took her hand in his, ran his thumb over her engagement ring. “Gemma Lonsdale, without a crowd of people, just you and me, Hunt, Kara, Hayds and Lexi, on the beach, at sunset in Belize, will you please do me the biggest honor and become my wife?”
Tears blurred her vision, but not her mind. “Yes. Yes. Oh my God, Yes.”
He stood and planted a soul-reviving kiss against her lips. The taste of whiskey and spice lingered on his breath. Life and her love for him flooded through her veins.
After scooping her into his arms, he headed for the stairs. She hooked her legs around his waist, her need for him burning like fire in a furnace. Tilting her hips, she pressed her crotch hard into his groin. He groaned and tripped. Halfway up the staircase, they fell into a pile of arms and legs.
“Ow!” The stair rammed into her spine.
“Shit. Are you okay?” Kneeling on the step below her, he scanned her up and down.
“Yes.” She didn’t care about her back. She wanted him. “Here. Now.”
She ripped off his T-shirt and drank in his body. God, he was glorious. Every muscle, scar and piece of ink. He buried his face into her neck. Goosebumps darted across her skin as he kissed and licked and sucked. Every touch was like a new sensation, a heightened experience, just like it had been their first time together. She’d nearly lost him, but this . . . this was why they belonged together. Nobody had ever made her feel like this.
Wrapping her arms around him and drawing him closer, she trailed kisses across his shoulder and up the length of his throat. She drank in the faint smell of soap and the taste of the salty ocean on his skin. The soft groans coming from deep within his throat sent rapid-fire reverberations straight for her core. Her ache for him was growing. Clenching. Pulsing.
His hands caught the edge of her T-shirt and tore it over her head. “I love you so much.”
Snaking her hands around his neck, she wove her fingers into his short hair and tugged on it. Fair warning played in her breathy whispers. “Never think of leaving me again.”
“I promise. And you, never push me away again.”
“Deal.” Her heart beat with so much love for him her head spun. They’d struggled to admit their feelings for each other, took a chance and fell in love, and finally stopped their pasts causing problems. Lies had hindered them. Covering up their fears had caused a truckload of heartache. Now, the truth, trusting him and exposing the vulnerability in her heart paved a clear path forward.
His mouth and body molded to hers. The timber tread creaked as he moved. Making a line of kisses, he worked his way down her neck, over her collarbone. He nipped each breast through the lace of her bra, blew streams of hot air through to her nipples, hardening them into tight peaks. Damn, that’s good. Her little “mmm” of delight made him smile; she could feel it on his lips. Meandering lower, he kissed her tummy, the arch of her hip, down toward the top of her jeans. She circled her fingers through his hair, each strand slipping through her fingertips like soft cotton. He looked up at her; his bedroom eyes shimmered with a hungry glint. “Do you know what I want to do to you? Right here on the stairs?” Holding her gaze, he lowered his mouth between her legs and forced his breath through the seam of her jeans, setting her insides alight.
Oh, yes please.
She slid forward an inch. Giving him a devilish smile, she leaned back on her elbows. She lifted her butt and wiggled her hips. “While I’m sure you could make me come with my jeans on, I’d prefer you take them off.”
“Gladly.” Practiced fingers popped open the buttons of her fly. He tore the jeans from her legs quicker than a hot wax strip. He flung them in the air, and they caught on the handrail. Her panties and bra followed. So did the remainder of his clothes. He tore them off and kicked them down the steps.
The timber was cool beneath her bare butt, hard against her back. But all she cared about was the way Kyle hovered over her and scorched her with the heat from his naked body. All she ever needed was to be cocooned by his love.
His lips sought hers, warm and delicious. God, she wanted to touch him, taste him. Take away the hurt she’d caused. Skirting her hands down his side, she swept over the smooth skin of his hips, across his belly and downward to take hold of his cock. Rubbing the hot, velvety skin, she savored his murmurs against her ear. “I love you touching me,” he mumbled, his voice raspy. He thrust his cock through her hand, drove his hips forward. “But stop. I want to keep my promises.”
He grabbed her hand, entwined their fingers, and pinned it beside her on the step. His other hand skimmed over her blazing flesh and nestled between her legs. His fingers stroked and played and slipped between the folds of her skin before he dipped into her wetness. Her eyes fluttered closed and her head dropped back as he thumbed her clit. Round and round. Up and down. She grabbed onto a balustrade like it was a lifeline. A moan erupted deep in her throat. “Ohhh.”
Over their kisses, he murmured, “I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you. Love that you’re wet for me.”
With smoldering eyes, he wriggled down her body. His mouth nestled between her legs. Clutching the edge of the step, she dug her fingernails into the wood.
He drew his tongue up the length of her slit, licked and circled her clit, and set the motion on repeat. Oh, yes. The heat running through her core and up her spine had her melting through to the floor. Clutching onto his shoulders, she pulsed against his mouth. He lapped and nipped and sucked. His fingers swirled and teased. His touch made her body sing, rock like Bon Jovi, soar like Mariah Carey, scream like Metallica. He made oral an artform. Every nerve, charged with electricity, stood on end. Every part of her body throbbed and clenched. It wound higher and higher, tighter and tighter like a jack-in-the-box waiting to pop. He didn’t relent. With a firm flick of his tongue and a strum of his fingers inside her, she exploded. A kaleidoscope of color swirled behind her closed eyelids; tingles prickled her scalp. “Holy fuck.”
She clutch
ed his head between her thighs to stop him. A goofy grin of satisfaction played across his lips as he kissed the soft flesh on the inside of her leg.
She’d almost lost this. They were both fools. A tear slipped from her eye. No two people could love each other as much as they did. No two people had been through hell like they had. No two people deserved to be together more than they did. They’d come too close to throwing it away.
“Hey? You okay?” He crawled up and brushed his thumb across her cheek.
“Yeah.” Her heart raced like a roadster. “Just love you. Love the way you do it for me.”
He stood, pulled her to her feet and carried her up to their bed. “Good. Because a fuck load of make-up sex is calling.”
“Bring it.” She giggled as he tossed the covers aside.
Laying her down onto the soft pillows, he hovered over her. Edging his knees between hers, she drew him down. Flesh on flesh. Wisps of gold. Flashes of light. Stars burst behind her eyelids as he entered her.
He thrust and rocked. Deep, slow, languid. His eyes glimmered, capturing every beat of her heart. “Gem, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. No more mistakes. No more hurting. I just wanna love you forever.”
She drew the sheet over their bodies. She kissed him, made love to him. There was nothing they couldn’t survive together. Nothing could keep them apart. Being kidnapped and the aftermath of that ordeal had come close. But they’d prevailed. Always would. “Then there’s only one thing we can do.” She gave him her most wicked grin. “Let’s get married.”
Chapter 25
October sunshine sparked on the crystal waters surrounding the private island in Belize. Palm trees swayed in the gentle gusts of wind. White sand stretched along the edge of the water for a couple hundred yards before it hit a rocky outcrop, the white-railed jetty and the helipad. Kyle inhaled the salty air. It was the perfect setting.
He stood barefoot on the beach, the sun slowly dropping in the west, as he waited for Gemma to arrive. He glanced at his watch for the hundredth time. She was late. But only by one minute. His toes twitched in the sand.
Hunter and Hayden stood beside him dressed in beige linen suits that matched his. The top two buttons of their white button-down shirts hung open. It was too hot for ties and vests. Single red tulips pinned to their jackets wilted in the humidity. They had to have tulips. No other flower would do. The special delivery of Gemma’s favorite flower had been worth it, the smile on her face when they arrived this morning was priceless.
He glanced toward the main house off to the side beyond the stretch of lush green lawn. Still no sign of Gemma and the girls. No matter how many deep breaths he took, he couldn’t settle the butterflies skipping in his stomach.
Hunter wiped the perspiration from his forehead, tousled his fingers through his loose hair. “What is taking them so long? They crack the champagne without us?”
Hunter looked more nervous than Kyle felt. He patted Hunter on the shoulder. “Looks like you could do with another drink.” Having his two best friends by his side on his wedding day meant the world to him, brought a smile to his face.
As a team, he and Gemma had reset their original plan. Gemma had done an amazing job. After a few days to recoup at the beach house, she’d dived into re-planning the day. Her incredible idea still had his heart swelling with love, pride and astonishment. Today, they’d say their vows and sign their certificate. Today would be the official day they got married. Just like he’d wanted. They’d only lost a week of their three-week island vacation thanks to stalkers, breakups and heartache. Once their friends left tomorrow night, he and Gemma had the place to themselves for ten days. The perfect honeymoon.
“I’m fine. The few JD’s at lunchtime helped.” Hunter straightened the collar of his shirt. “Are you ready, bud?”
Kyle wiped his clammy palms on the back on his jacket. “Yep. I’ve been waiting for this day for over a year.”
“Good. Because here they come.” Hayden pointed toward the main house. With Lexi’s camera in hand, he snapped pictures of Lexi and Kara walking toward them. Their long, strapless blood-red dresses blew gently in the breeze. They held a small bouquet of red tulips in their hands. Their eyes sparkled like the sun’s rays on the ocean’s gentle waves.
“Sorry if these photos turn out to be shit,” Hayden mumbled from behind the lens. “Lexi’s the photographer, not me.”
Kyle grinned. He had every confidence some shots would be fine. While they’d help to capture the memories, he’d remember every moment, every second, of this day, for the rest of his life. The best thing was that there were no paparazzi, no fans, no crowd. A day out of the spotlight. Perfect. Just like Gemma wanted.
The girls stepped past another camera mounted on a tripod a few yards away that Lexi would operate by a remote and halted by him and the guys.
“She’s on her way.” Lexi smiled at Kyle as she relieved Hayden of her camera.
“Thanks.” Kyle ran his hands down the lapels of his jacket, fidgeted with his cuffs.
He looked back toward the house just in time to see Gemma appear at the top of the stairs. His breath hitched. From sixty yards away, she stole his heart all over again. She paused at the top step and glanced in his direction. Her sparkling smile hit him in the center of his chest, filled his heart with warmth.
In bare feet, she stepped onto the sand. Her hair was tied in a loose updo, flyaway strands danced in the breeze. Her dress . . . simply wow. Absolutely breathtaking. The long, slender cream-colored silk dress flowed over her petite frame, hugging her body like a second skin. Rhinestone straps draped sexily over her shoulders, matching her glittering eyes. A single diamond glinted at the hollow of her throat. Her gorgeous lips were the same color as the small bouquet of red tulips she clutched in her hands. He blinked away the tears pooling in his eyes. She was perfect. God, he was the luckiest man alive.
Her smile broadened with each step. She stopped beside him. Her eyes glistened. “Hi,” she whispered.
He took her hand, dipped down and kissed her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Hey.” Hunter thumped him on the shoulder. “No kissing until after the vows.”
Kyle grinned, unable to wipe the smile off his face.
“Let’s get started,” Hunter stepped in front of them. An I’m-the-coolest-celebrant-ever expression rippled across his face.
When Gemma suggested Hunter register as an officiant and conduct their wedding, Kyle nearly fell off his chair. He nearly died when Hunter agreed. Thanks to New York’s All Loved Up officiant registration website, Hunter had signed up to marry them.
Hunter cleared his throat, pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, and read. “Dear Kara, Lexi and Hayden. We’ve gathered here today to celebrate . . .” Hunter sniffled. “. . . the union of my two best friends, Kyle and Gemma . . .”
“Shit, man, are you crying already?” Kyle rubbed Hunter’s arm.
“No . . . now fuck off.” Hunter swatted Kyle’s hand away and drew his shoulders back. “I’m honored to stand here before you and do this, so shut up and let me continue.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. Please.” Kyle’s heart thudded harder than an auditorium full of feet-stomping fans as he looked down at Gemma. She hooked her arm around his waist and pressed in close. He was so in love with her it hurt. Hurt in such a good way.
“Since no one here objects to this union, let’s get down to business.” Hunter took a deep breath, swept his hair out of his eyes. “A ceremony of marriage is many things to different people—tradition, religion, a symbolic ritual. Not for us. We don’t believe in any of that shit. This ceremony marks a moment in time. This moment is not a start of something new; the seed for this love was planted back in high school. This moment in time is not to grow into something beautiful—that’s my girl, Kara. You all lucked out. Sucked in.” He winked and blew Kara a kiss.
Kyle shook his head and chuckled. Hunter was such a goof. He loved him to death.
“But Kyle and Gem have evolved over the years into something that is truly fabulous. Their love can only get stronger and better. This moment in time is not to create magic. They’ve already done that. Our string of global number-one hits prove that they’ve had chemistry for a very long, long time. Today is simply a requirement by the state of New York—and providing I get on a plane and hand your damn signed certificate into the Marriage Bureau within the designated timeframe—to declare you legally wed.”
Kyle leaned in and kissed Gemma on the temple. Today would always be so much more than that to him. This was the moment they bound their souls together forever in front of the universe. A celebration of how far they’d come and the promises for their future together. His dream come true.
Hunter flicked his page. “Kyle, do you come here of your own free will? To promise to love Gem every day for the rest of your life? Because if you don’t, I’ll beat the shit out of you.”
“Me too,” Hayden added, nudging Kyle in the elbow.
Kyle gazed into Gemma’s gorgeous green eyes. “I’ve been under her spell for so long, I lost any form of free will and sanity years ago. I love her like crazy. But for legal purposes, I say, I do.”
She bit her bottom lip but couldn’t hide her smile.
Hunter continued. “Gemma, do you come here of your own free will? To promise to love this douchebag for the rest of your life? Because if you don’t, I won’t be able to put up with his whiny ass.”
