Secret Passions (Secret Series Romance Novels)

by Sanders, Jill

  Walking into the bathroom he started the bathwater, making sure to add some of the bath salts he’d bought her from a local shop. Then he walked into the next room and when he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at her hands, he pulled her to her feet. Her eyes were dull and red-rimmed from all the crying. Her face was a little pale and her hair was a tangled mess. He wanted to gather her up and kiss away the pain.

  “I thought...I thought he...” She started to sniffle.

  “Shh, I know. We both did. I’ve drawn you a bath. Come on, I’d like to clean these cuts on your hands.”

  She looked down, and he could tell she’d long forgotten about the small pebbles embedded into her skin. She nodded her head and when they entered the bathroom, he helped her undress, taking care when he noticed her knees were also cut.

  When she stepped into the tub, steam rose from the water and she hissed at the warmth.

  “Too hot?”

  “No, it’s fine.” She sank into the water, and he watched as she ducked her head under. She ran her hands through her hair, scrubbing her scalp before surfacing.

  He walked over to the cabinets, looking for something to help clean her palms. Finding a new pair of tweezers, he grabbed a small container of Neosporin from the shelf and a small hand towel off the rack. He moved a stool beside the bath tub and gently took her hand.

  “Relax. I’ll try to be as gentle as I can.” He set to work, removing the small rocks from her skin. By the time he was done with one hand, she looked completely relaxed floating in the water. Her hair was fanned out around her face and her eyes were closed. Since her other hand was across her body, she had to sit up as he worked on her left palm.

  “I’m sorry about your dad. I didn’t understand everything he said near the end, but from what I could gather he didn’t mean you any harm?”

  “No, he came here to make sure I was happy. Only to see if I was happy.” Her voice hitched, and she closed her eyes on the pain.

  “I’m sorry.” The realization that her father had not been the evil person he’d assumed made him feel even worse.

  “He saved me. He stepped in front of the bullet. If it wasn’t for him...”

  “Shh.” He gathered her up in a light hug, getting his shirt wet and not caring.

  “Mitch, I’m getting you wet,” she said a few seconds later.

  “I don’t care. All that matters is that you’re safe. I don’t know what I would have done.” He shook his head, stopping himself. “Here.” He stood and grabbed a towel, holding it up for her to walk into.

  They walked into the bedroom. “Are you hungry?” When she shook her head no, he walked over to the window and stood, looking out at the darkness.

  “I meant to tell you sooner.” He turned back towards her. She sat with her hair dripping wet, holding the towel closed with her hands clinched to her chest.

  He walked over and knelt before her. “Sannidhi Rangan, I love you more than life itself. I don’t know what I would do without you. I’ve never trusted someone as much as I trust you with these words, with my heart. I love you.”

  She lifted her hand and touched his face.

  “I love you, too, Mitchell Kovich. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you over five years ago. I’ve dreamed of being with you, of starting a life with you, since that first night.”

  She smiled down at him. “I could never imagine my life without you.”

  He smiled up at her. “You will never have to.”

  The next morning they spent a good deal of time cleaning the house, preparing to leave. Sandi had insisted that they leave it cleaner than when they had arrived. His fingers and back said he’d worked hard enough to get it there, and the place seemed to shine. Sandi had packed up all their new items in bags. It took several trips to get all her artwork out to the car. The canvases filled the entire back seat.

  “I hope we can come here again. I think I could spend my whole life here and not feel like I’ve captured the beauty completely.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her, enjoying the feel of her melting into his arms. Just then his cell phone rang.

  Looking at the number, he stepped away and answered. Five minutes later he walked back over to her.

  “The authorities are sending your father and cousin’s bodies back home for burial. Since they were here under diplomatic immunity, there is a huge pile of paperwork and legal tape they have to go through. But they think they have enough from us. They just wanted to let us know that we’re clear to head back home.” He smiled. “I guess since we have their permission, we can leave now.”

  She nodded. “Mitchell, I’d like to go back and visit my mother. Maybe help her bury my father.”

  He smiled and pulled her close. “I think a trip to India is just what we need. I’ll arrange everything when we get back.”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to going home.”

  The car ride back to the city seemed to go faster than the trip up to Maine had. The leaves had all fallen and when they reached Boston, a light dusting of snow was actually falling.

  As she listened to the wipers cleaning the flakes from the windshield, she imagined what life would be like a year from now. They hadn’t talked about marriage, but knew that was the path she wanted to take with him. Looking over at him as he drove, she smiled and thought about what their children would look like and wondered how many they would have.

  “Four.” She said out loud, shocking herself. He turned and looked at her and she blushed, turning her head towards the window.

  “Four what?”

  “Nothing.” She laughed nervously.

  “Oh, no. You don’t get to play that game. Come on. Spill. Four what?”

  She turned back to him. “Fine, I was thinking about our future. Do you want kids?”

  He choked a little. “Well,” he said recovering. “Sure. I haven’t really thought about it.” He tilted his head and stole glances at her as he drove. “Four, huh?”

  She nodded her head, biting her bottom lip.

  “I could do four.” He smiled at her. “I guess we’re going to need a bigger place, though. Maybe someplace away from the city.”

  “That would be wonderful.”

  “We’d need at least five bedrooms, plus an office and a larger studio for your art.” He was thinking now. She could see his eyebrows crinkle. “Someplace by the water. I never did get to take you out on the water this time. Plus, I’ve been thinking, since it’s just your mother back home, how would you feel about bringing her back with us? I could see about getting her a green card. I know someone with connections.” He smiled.

  Sandi realized that if she hadn’t already given him her heart, he would have stolen it, just then. Tears came to her eyes and she nodded her head.

  Mitchell’s phone rang shortly after they arrived back at his place. When he saw the name, he immediately answered it.

  “What?” He was shocked. “What do you mean he’s been shot?”

  Sandi walked over to him and held onto his arm, looking at his face for answers. Mitchell’s body began to shake.

  “How bad?” He shook his head. “No, we can be there soon.” He hung up. “That was Ric. Ethan’s been shot. He was protecting a senator’s daughter, the one he was with in Brazil. I guess something went south and he’s been shot. He’s in a hospital in Austin.”

  “Let’s go. We’re already packed.” She looked up at him. “After all, we both owe him so much.

  It took him a while on the phone to set everything up, but finally, an hour after arriving, they were in a cab on the way to the airport. Images of his friend, injured, flashed through his mind. Maybe it was everything that had happened in the last few weeks finally catching up with him, but he felt weary.

  Then Sandi reached over and took his hand in hers. He traced the small bandages that covered the wounds on her palms and when she smiled at him, he knew everything was going to be ok
ay.

  When they arrived at the hospital in Austin, Ethan was propped up on the bed smiling across the room at a dark haired woman who looked very annoyed.

  “Mitchell! Sandi! Come on in. Welcome to the party.” He shook Mitchell’s hand. Sandi smiled as she walked over and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

  “You’re okay?” she asked.

  “This?” He nodded to the bandages over his chest. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve had worse.”

  “So he keeps saying,” the woman in the corner said, walking over to them. “I’m Ann Rhodes.”

  Sandi and Mitch shook her hand.

  “How’s it going with you two? Did you find out anything about your dad?” Ethan asked Sandi.

  An hour later, after they had caught Ethan and Ann up on her family matters, they stood around ready to leave.

  “You don’t have to rush off,” Ethan said, holding Ann’s hand.

  “We’re heading to India. We found Sandi's passport and our flight leaves in a few hours anyway. Sandi wanted to be there to help bury her father. You know, be there for her mother.”

  Ethan nodded his head. “Thanks for coming over to check up on me. As you can see, I’m on the mend.” He smiled up at Ann.

  Sandi stood there holding Mitchell's hand as a couple walked into the room. The woman was small with long dark hair, the man tall and blond and holding a wiggling little girl.

  “Ethan?” The woman walked over and hugged Ethan lightly.

  “Rob, Ric. There’s my Rose,” Ethan said when the little girl held her arms out. “Sorry, baby, I think daddy better hold onto you for now.” Then Ethan turned and smiled. “Sandi, this is my sister Roberta and my brother-in-law, Ric Derby. They got here earlier today.”

  Sandi stood there and realized she was finally meeting the last man who had risked everything for her freedom. Looking at the woman, she knew that Roberta was the cop her uncle, Anish’s father, had shot, five years ago.

  “I’m sorry.” The words escaped her mouth as she shook Ric’s hand. He laughed and Roberta smiled.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.” He pulled his wife into his arm. “If things hadn’t gone the way they had, I would have never met the woman I love, and we wouldn’t have this little beauty.” He kissed his daughter’s cheek.

  Sandi smiled as Mitch stepped forward and shook his friend’s hand. “Ric, it’s good to see you.”

  “You, too. I hear you’ve had some excitement the last few weeks.” Ric handed his daughter off to Roberta who walked over and sat next to Ethan.

  Mitchell laughed and pulled Sandi to his side. “Nothing that wasn’t worth the outcome.

  Epilogue

  Sandi stood on the shore and looked out across the calm waters. She’d never imagined she’d be so happy. Her supplies were back at her studio since today was not for painting. Instead she stood there watching the water lap at the sand, and when Mitchell walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, she smiled.

  “Well? What do you think?” He pulled her around so she looked up at him.

  Stepping back, Sandi scanned the shore. Large dark rocks lined the little beach. Tall hills rolled with grass that swayed in the warm breeze. She could imagine the scene in every season and knew that she could easily paint it all. Then she looked up towards the large house and could just make out the second floor balcony and the green roof of the massive place. It was a bigger town just down the shore from Carter's place, but it would do nicely.

  “It’s perfect. I can imagine raising our children here, painting here.” She turned to Mitchell again. “Living here with you for the rest of our lives.”

  “Then it’s settled. It’s ours.” He smiled down at her. “There is one last bit of business we’ve yet to discuss.” He pulled out a small box from his jacket.

  She held her breath as he opened the box, and she looked down at the large emerald ring.

  “It matches your eyes.” She smiled as she took the ring between her fingers.

  “Is that a yes?” He smiled.

  “You’ve known my answer for over a year.” She smiled at him. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll live in this beautiful house with you, raise four children, and live happily ever after.” He laughed and spun her around, kissing her until they were both breathless.

  Secret Identity

  Eve is at the top of her career. She's about to finally make partner in her best friends’ ad agency, a business she's poured her life into the last few years. But one small business trip with her boss could change her entire life and might just make everything she's worked hard for disappear in a flash.

  Carter has had a hidden thing for Eve ever since he could remember. Just because she's smarter than him doesn't mean he'll let her know it. When a unique opportunity arises, he can’t help but take the chance he's been waiting for to make her happy. As long as she doesn't find out what he's up to.

  About the Author

  Jill Sanders survived 80′s pop music, and life as an identical twin in a chaotic family of nine. A feat by any standard! She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, relocating to Colorado for college and a successful IT career at IBM in Boulder.

  Narrowly escaping before all creativity was squashed, she jumped at the chance to trade the mundane world of computers for the sexy, exciting world of her own imagination. She now lives in charming rural Texas writing wonderful novels such as the Pride series.

  Her debut novel, Finding Pride, was shortlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards 2013, and has since climbed to #1 on Amazon Bestsellers – Contemporary Romance & Romantic Suspense. Each Pride Series novel has spent time on bestseller lists for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. Watch out New York Times, here she comes!