by L. A. Fiore
His hand moved down my body, his eyes followed his hand. He touched my scar, ran his finger down the length of it and then he kissed it, before running his tongue along it. He moved back up my body, grabbed my hair, pulled my head back and looked into my eyes. “I want forever.”
Before I could draw a breath, his kissed me. Not hard, not rough, but slow, like it was the first time. He nibbled at the corner of my mouth, ran his tongue along my lower lip. He pulled back, brushed his thumb over my cheek, and then he was kissing me again, deeper, longer. I moaned, parted my lips, my hands moved to his chest, moving down and around, over his ass. He kissed me breathless, before he lifted me and walked across the room. He pulled my jeans and panties off, before he drew me close, and climbed onto the bed. He lowered me back onto it, ran his hands up my arms, lifting them over my head. I felt the cold metal on my wrists. “Oh god,” I whimpered. After cuffing me to the headboard, he moved his hands down my body, his mouth followed. He played with my breasts and tongued my nipples, sucking me into his mouth, before kissing lower. He lingered on my scar for a bit, before continuing south, kissing his way down. He inhaled deeply, looked up at me, his fingers digging into my hips to lift me to his mouth. He pushed his tongue into me, and I cried out, but he didn’t linger. He moved back up my body, laced his fingers in my hair, his other hand moving between our bodies. He entered me slowly. “I want your smiles.” He sank in deeper. “I want your tears.” I bit back the moan, as he filled me. “I want the happy and the sad.” He sank in deep, then groaned. “I want your kisses and your orgasms, every day for the next hundred years.”
I wrapped my legs around his waist to hold him deep inside me, my words spoken softly, as I vowed, “I’m yours forever.”
He kissed me long and hard, then he spent the night taking and giving kisses and orgasms.
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” Kade asked.
He sold the penthouse, but not his estate, because we’d be back to visit. We packed up our things and were moving to Antigua. Salem was in the carrier next to us on the plane. He wasn’t happy.
“Yes, I’m sure. I want this, you and me, the island, you in faded jeans and bare feet. When I think of my life of leisure, that’s where I see us.”
He kissed me hard and fast. “That’s where I see us, too.” He took my hand, played with his ring. “Two weeks.”
We were getting married in two weeks. Invites had been sent; airfare handled for all of our friends and loved ones. My dress was among my things, a lace mermaid dress with an open back. It was simple and elegant. I couldn’t wait for Kade to see me in it, couldn’t wait for him to take me out of it, because we’d be starting our lives as husband and wife.
We arrived in Antigua, drove to the docks, took the waiting boat, and when the house came into view, the memories came flooding back. Those days we spent here had been the best of my life, and now, here we were, making this island home. Kade helped me from the boat, holding Salem’s carrier. He reached for my hand, but I was studying the house. “It’s bigger.”
“I’ve made a few changes.”
“When?” I asked.
I felt him go tense and knew the answer. “I wanted our life here, so I made it a home.”
He started up the dock; I didn’t follow him. He looked back. I whispered, “Wherever you are is home.”
With his free arm, he pulled me close and kissed me. “And you are mine.”
We shared a moment, before I said, “Show me what you’ve done.”
We walked up the backyard, and I noticed the porch was now screened in.
“That’s new.”
“For Salem. He can enjoy the outside, without going outside.”
I turned into him. “You thought of Salem.”
“Of course, but it’ll also come in handy for kids.”
Love moved through me at the thought of kids with this man.
We stepped inside, and it really was like coming home. Kade let Salem out of his carrier. He immediately started exploring. Kade pulled me to the kitchen. He’d added more counter space, a bigger stove and fridge. Ceiling fans stirred the tropical air. “This is beautiful.”
“Several new counters to fuck you on.”
I felt those words, but said to him, “You didn’t really have that in mind when you designed it.” But seeing the devilish look on his beautiful face, he absolutely had it in mind. He showed me the two new guest suites and another room, just off the master bedroom. A nursery. I had thought to wait for kids, but seeing the home he’d made for us, for our family, maybe we shouldn’t wait.
He then pulled me into our bedroom. The one wall had been removed, and French doors, three sets of them, opened to a private patio with a wading pool. Tropical plants enclosed the little paradise, like a secret garden. The room was all light and airy, but it was the bed that had my full attention.
It was massive, covered in pillows, sitting under a ceiling fan, but it was the rings attached to the frame, four of them that had heat pooling between my legs. Kade stepped up to one. “Had them added just for you.”
I reached for my shirt and pulled it over my head. “I think we need to try them out.”
I was on my back, arms bound, and Kade was kneeling between my legs, his cock driving into me with deep hard thrusts, his eyes on where we were connected. I moaned, my body jerking from how hard he was fucking me. “Don’t stop.” My head dropped back, another moan ripped from my throat. His finger moved to my clit, his groans and the sound of our skin smacking together had me struggling against my restraints because I wanted to touch him, even loving being unable to.
“Yes, oh, oh, yes, fuck…Kade!”
“That’s it, Baby, fuck, you feel so fucking good.” He moved deeper and faster until he came, his voice raw when he groaned his release.
He didn’t move, didn’t pull out. His breathing was more like hard pants, as he looked his fill. “Fucking love how you look.” He brushed his thumb over my nipple. “Don’t need you bound, but I love you letting me bind you.”
“Don’t need to be bound, but I love being bound for you.”
He didn’t respond with words but brushed his thumb over my other nipple, down my body, over my scar, until he reached between us. He touched my clit, sank in deeper, before he brought it to my mouth, ran it over my lower lip, then pressed the tip between my lips to meet my tongue. I tasted us. He then brought that same thumb to his lips and licked our taste off. He pulled out of me, reached over and undid my wrists, then pulled me up against him, chest to chest, heart to heart. No words were spoken, but none were needed. Then he kissed my nose. “I need to feed you.”
“Maybe we can try out the new counter.”
His smile was breathtaking. “You read my mind.”
I stood looking at myself in the mirror. My wedding dress was perfect, hugging my figure and just brushing the floor. I was going barefoot. My hair was swept up in a knot; I wore a little mascara and lip-gloss, but with my tan, I didn’t really need makeup. The only jewelry I wore was my ring. I was getting married today. A day I dreamt about, a day that almost didn’t come.
There was a knock before Gregory Enzi stepped into my room. He’d been to see me in the hospital, but we hadn’t really talked, not about that night. He didn’t come closer, just stood by the door. “I said it that night, you remind me of her. What you did for me, and for her, exposing the truth behind her death…” He closed the distance, his focus intense. “I’m in your debt. You ever need anything, absolutely anything, I’m a phone call away.” He studied me before he whispered, “You look beautiful.” He touched my cheek. “Congratulations.”
He walked out of the room before I could respond, but a smile touched my lips, because maybe they were both now at peace.
“Hey, Partner.”
“Zac.” I met him halfway for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He lowered his head, looked up and grinned. “I think I could be tempted to retire here.”
“You are getting up there in years. You should seriously think about it.”
“I’m only thirty-six, three years older than you.”
I grinned.
“You look happy,” he said.
“I was always happy, but with Kade, it’s just a different kind of happy.”
“Well, it’s a good look on you. I won’t keep you, a line is forming out there.” He kissed my cheek. “Enjoy the moment, savor it, Molly. It took a lot for you both to get here.”
God, I missed him. “I will.” He started for the door. “Zac.”
“Yeah.”
“You should really think about retiring here.”
He flashed me a smile. “I intend to.”
Ethan walked in. Zac and he shook hands. “You’re looking good. How you feeling?” Zac asked.
“I’m doing good. Thanks, Man.”
“Good luck with your maid of honor duties,” Zac teased.
“Man of honor,” Ethan said, trying to sound stern, but not pulling it off. Zac chuckled, looked back at me, winked and disappeared out the door.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married today.” My focus shifted from the door to Ethan. He was wearing linen pants and a white shirt, so different from his all black look. He looked incredible. “And that you live here, though, I understand the appeal because this place is amazing.”
I was determined to get those closest to us to move out here, too. Not immediately, but some day, all of us together again. I’d really like that. “You should think about moving here.”
“It’s crossed my mind,” he said
“Yeah? There’s a hospital on the island. You and Sandy, sun, sand.”
Sandy was the nurse who’d cared for him when he’d been shot. He no longer had women coming and going because he’d found the one. “We’ll definitely think about it because she’s loving this place.” He glanced at his watch. “Man of honor duties. Ten minutes,” he said, then added more softly, “You look beautiful, Molly.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I said. “Thanks for being my man of honor.”
“Thanks for asking me.” The door opened, my mom peeked her head in. “I’ll see you out there,” he said as he kissed me, and then kissed my mom, before he disappeared out the door.
“Oh Molly. There has never been a more beautiful bride.” She touched a strand of hair that had fallen from my knot. “I don’t have to ask if you’re happy because I can see you are. I’ve never seen you so happy. And that man out there would move heaven and earth for you. He would pull down the moon if you wanted it. Hold on with both hands, Molly. Life is a rollercoaster, as you well know, but the ride is so much sweeter when you have someone to ride it with.”
I started to cry; she did, too. Then we hugged. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
Dad walked into the room. He kissed Mom, before she left, then turned his attention on me.
“You’re not my little girl anymore.”
I felt a new wave of tears burning my eyes. “I’ll always be your little girl.”
“You’ve grown into a beautiful, strong woman. It’s not easy for a father to give his daughter away because there is no man who will ever be good enough for her, but Kade is as close as a man can come.”
“Oh, Dad.” The tears fell again.
“I love you, Molly.”
“I love you.”
Dad wiped at his eyes, then offered his arm. “We should go. Your future husband is getting impatient.”
I reached for my bouquet of white peonies and took his arm.
The wedding was on our beach. White chairs were setup right on the sand. Dad and I reached the patio; my heart was like a jackhammer behind my ribs. We stepped outside, the steel drum music started. People stood. I didn’t see anyone but Kade. Standing at the end of the aisle, he was dressed in a linen suit and white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his feet were bare. The breeze off the water stirred his hair; those eyes I loved were burning into mine. The distance closed, and then he was there, taking my hand from my dad, holding it so tightly in his. I didn’t hear the words from the minister, I didn’t remember saying my vows, but I remembered slipping my ring on his finger, remembered him slipping his ring on mine, and then he framed my face with his hands. In that moment, it was just the two of us, the world faded.
“Every breath, every beat…yours forever,” he whispered.
“Forever,” I whispered back.
And then, my husband kissed me.
It was late. Our friends and family had all retired to the hotel. As soon as the guests left, Kade brought me to our bed and fucked me hard and fast and then loved me slow and gentle.
We were in the kitchen. Salem was on the counter eating some grilled fish we put aside for him. I was in Kade’s shirt, on the counter, drinking a lava flow. Kade was in sweats feeding me grapes. I couldn’t stop looking at his hand and the ring, a simple platinum band.
I touched it. “I love this,” I said, my gaze lifting. “Mine.”
He kissed me, ran his tongue over my lips, and then reached for my hand that wore his rings, the diamond and a simple platinum band. He kissed them. “Mine.”
“That first day when I walked into your office, did you think we’d find ourselves here?”
“On some level, yeah.” He walked to a drawer and pulled something out. It was my business card.
“You kept it?” My heart did a long slow roll.
“You left my office, and I felt like I’d just been in a hit and run.” He dropped his hands on the counter on either side of me. “Two objects in motion.” He moved between my legs, grabbed my ass and yanked me to him. “Pulled together by fate.” He kissed me. “Stirring heat.” His tongue ran down my neck “And all that friction.” He laced his fingers through my hair. “And love, so much fucking love.” He dragged his thumb across my lips. “You crashed into me and gave me forever.” He lifted me from the counter, headed for our bedroom, and whispered, “Starting now.”
Epilogue
Molly...Three years later
Kade and I took the first year of our marriage to travel. We traveled to Egypt to see the pyramids, Europe to visit castles and Daytona where Kade got to drive the five hundred in a car he borrowed from William Bryon. We visited Montenegro a few times a year, but we didn’t stay in Kade’s hotel. We preferred an Inn, not far from where Kade grew up. He bought the land, offered them some capital, but the rest was handled by the employee-owned staff, an authentic taste of Montenegro. It was one of my favorite places to visit.
Mom and Dad finally got their European vacation, spending a month right after Kade and I got married in Montenegro, and now, they returned every year. We dove an old ship off the coast of Cancun, The Isabella, and learned that not only was there a beautiful but tragic love story about the captain and his wife, but that the two, who found it, had their own version of a fairy tale, a treasure hunter and real-life, modern day pirate. They lived in the Caribbean somewhere and locals say sometimes you see their ship, a massive sailing yacht with an honest-to-god Jolly Roger flag waving from the one mast. I scanned the horizon for them often. Maybe one day, I’d see them.
After that year, Kade and I realized we needed to work, and so, two years ago, we both found jobs on the island.
Kade walked into the bedroom, a mug of coffee in his hand. Salem was with him, jumping up on the bed to rub against my side. I scratched behind his ears.
“Time to get up, Baby. We’ve got work.” He settled on the bed, kissed me long and deep, then handed me my coffee. “Decaf,” he said, his hand moving to my flat stomach.
I was pregnant. We just found out. Kade was already working on the nursery.
He kisse
d me again, nipped at my lower lip, those gray eyes staring into mine. “Ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later, we were walking down our dock to the skiff. We motored to the mainland, docked. Kade helped me from the boat, kept my hand as we walked the pier to the shack called Molly’s. There were already fifteen little kids in their bathing suits and floatation devices waiting. I had commented that day on how I’d love to take little kids snorkeling, and my husband didn’t just remember, but made it happen. We were open four hours a day every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We didn’t need the money, used what little we charged to put back into the business, it was the joy of seeing their happy faces as they explored the unknown that was so rewarding.
“Are you ready to see Nemo?” I asked.
A resounding cheer followed.
“This is Mr. Kade. He’s a great teacher, so let’s listen, as he shows you what you need to know about swimming with the fish.”
A hand flew into the air. “Yes, Sweetheart.”
“I heard my mommy talking, and she wanted to know if Mr. Kade gave private instruction.”
I bit my lip to hold back the laugh and looked at Kade. It wasn’t the first time. For a kids’ excursion, there were a lot of mommies who watched from the sidelines. Kade’s focus moved to those women when he said, “No.”
I lowered my head and chuckled.
I loved watching Kade with the kids, knew he was going to be an amazing father. He had so much patience, and he didn’t talk down to them. It was like they were his board of directors, just smaller and cuter. When he was comfortable that they were ready, we put our snorkels on, and for the next hour, enjoyed their faces as they got a glimpse into life under the sea. When the hour was over, our happy customers gifted us with smiles and waves.
After the last group finished, Kade and I were cleaning the equipment. I put the snorkel I’d just cleaned back in the shack, my eyes falling on Kade, whose back was to me. He only wore jeans and tees on the island, no shoes. I loved him in suits, but I loved his new look, too, because it was his choice. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
