Between Us: A Vacation Romance (The Monroe Series Book 3)
Page 8
In forty-five minutes, happy hour begins by the pool with hors d'oeuvres.
I make my way to my room in a haze and when I open my door, disappointment crushes me to see that I'm by myself. I secretly hoped that Dean would want to share the room with me. Of course, had he done anything that presumptuous, I probably would've been mad. Now, I face the reality of my longing.
I miss him.
I love him, still. Even though I never wanted to call it that, clearly that's what this is. My heart wouldn’t hurt this much if my feelings were anything less than love. And before, I'd never been able to see how he could fit into my world. That is, until my talk with Garrett. I thought I had it all worked out. I was going to explain it to Dean, but he never gave me the chance. Not that I blame him.
Adding some extra curls to my hair and lipstick to my lips, I spend more time than normal getting myself ready. I hadn't planned on seeing Dean, but I'm glad I brought this cocktail dress with me. I hope he loves it.
Somehow, I survive happy hour and our first team-building exercise around the pool. Karen tries to make normal conversation, but I'm too distracted by Dean's presence. She asks if I’m okay. I simply wave her off and tell her it’s jetlag. It’s an excuse. The real reason I can’t focus is because I'm always looking for Dean, and when he makes eye contact with me, butterflies flutter to life in my belly.
We are reminded that group yoga is at eight in the morning before it gets too hot, and then, everyone is dismissed. Some people stay to mingle, others turn in. Karen is talking to Jay from accounting—she’s always been smitten with him. Me, I find my way to the fireplace by the pool where Dean has reserved a loveseat and set up wine and food on a cocktail table.
He’s standing, staring into the fire when I make my way over to him. He's so damn handsome. My pulse speeds up when I’m finally standing next to him. "Dean?"
Slowly, he turns and passes me a drink. "Hello, Giselle."
His voice is cordial, but there's something tense about his shoulders, arms, and face. I can feel it like a fist squeezing my heart. I did this to him. Now he has a need to protect himself in case nothing has changed between us.
What if he can’t forgive me for leaving him? What if he’s changed his mind about me? A jolt of fear and apprehension course through me. All I want to do is throw myself in his arms, same as always, but I don’t. "What have you done?" I ask, my admiration obvious.
There's a glimmer in his teal eyes and he takes a step closer to me. I can smell his bodywash, light and manly, and it makes my mouth water. “I did it for us, baby. I did it because I needed to find a way to fit into your life. If you still don’t want me, I have a big beautiful business to fall back on."
I nod and release the breath I was holding. "Let's go talk in my room."
Twenty
Dean
She wants me. Every cell in my body feels it. I swallow down a wave of excitement and do my best to keep calm.
Everything I've been working so hard for and all I've ever wanted is standing in front of me. I have to make the most of this.
"Sure," I say as I pick up the wine. She gets the food and we make our way to her suite.
“Is your name Dean or Jeremy?” she asks.
I give her a smirk. “My full name is Jeremy Dean Randall. But ever since I was a kid, my family has called me Dean, since my dad’s name is also Jeremy. It was easier this way. But for official business, I use my given name.”
"Ah. I see. Tell me about the business," she urges.
There's a gleam in her eyes and with it I feel taller, and stronger somehow. I get the sense that this is her idea of pillow talk. Seeing me confident and successful makes her want me more than normal. I’m not put off by this because I understand Giselle and how her brain works. She was brought up believing that success is security and that trumps everything else. I want her to know that I can take care of her, that I’ve got her back. And I think I’ve shown her. The excitement she’s feeling is completely mutual.
One thing is for sure; I need to talk fast because soon, I won't be able to talk at all. I’ve missed her too much. "So, after you left…"
"Sorry about that," she says, a frown on her face.
"Let's not worry about that now.”
“I tried calling you to work it out. I even booked a flight to come see you after this. And I had pages upon pages written down that I worked on, making a case for our relationship.” There’s real passion in her tone and I believe her.
“Giselle. I love that you did.” It warms my heart that she went to work for us to figure things out. “But, I decided to build the business, find my passion, and make it work. I needed more money to give you a sense of security. And I want to help you find more time to relax and unwind. And I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. It took all of my focus. That’s why I couldn’t answer your call. I hope that makes sense to you."
We get to her room and she pauses as she unlocks her door. "It does. And this is the perfect business for you."
We enter her room and I can't keep the dumb grin off my face. "I only planned on running one tour a month, but this kind of exploded. This is my fourth tour." I shrug because I honestly could never have dreamed that it would take off as quickly as it has.
Her dark eyes go wide, but not in disbelief. No, I've impressed her, and somehow, I feel as if my lungs can expand fuller and I can breathe with deeper, more satisfying breaths. "In two months?"
I nod. "Yeah."
The next thing I know, she is racing toward me, pressing her lips to mine. I pull her body to me, running my hands up and down her back. When her tongue strokes mine, my heart pounds hard against my ribs like she’s resuscitating me—as if it hasn’t been beating since she left me. My fingers grip the cool fabric of her dress and pull her flush against me, letting her feel how much I want this. She lets out a soft moan and from that sweet sound, I know she feels the same. This kiss was testing the attraction that clearly never went away. It's also a reconnection, but now it feels deeper than it ever has before.
She lifts the hem of my shirt and rips it off, over my head, breaking the kiss. It gives me a moment of clarity. Even though I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my life, I take the time to ask the question that's burning in my brain. "At the risk of pushing it, I need to know: is this going to be a one-time thing?" My breath is ragged when I release her and take a step back, desperate to know the answer. If she only wants me this once, I don’t know if I can put myself through the pain of having her again only to lose her.
She shakes her head and presses her body to mine once again, laying her hands on my chest. "No. I don't want this to be a one-time thing. I'm hoping we can make this long-term." She kisses my cheek. "Tell me more. Are you still a ski instructor?" She's biting her lip and I can see in her eyes that she's trying to make some important decisions.
"I don’t know. Now, that's not to say that I won't run ski trips. I have one planned for Aspen in November." I'm not sure with this new career of mine if I'm going to have time to teach others how to ski, but that doesn't mean I won't be skiing.
"And what are you doing for Thanksgiving?” she asks.
I cup her face with my hands. "I was hoping to go somewhere special with you."
“A working vacation?" she asks.
We still have some work to do. "If you want. Or it can just be us. I can afford it now."
She stands up on her tiptoes so we’re almost looking eye-to-eye. "Move in with me?” she asks in almost a whisper.
I can't help it, but I laugh. She has to be joking. But by the look in her eye, I realize she's serious. "Did you just tell me you love me?" I tease.
She drags her teeth along her bottom lip. "I think I did." She takes a long deep breath. "Because I know I do."
“Are you sure?” I ask.
The smile she was wearing falters for a moment. “Positive. In fact, I’ve been toying with the idea of moving to Vermont. Opening up my own firm.”
"Please talk before I do something crazy like…ask you to marry me or something," she stammers.
Now I know she's kidding and I chuckle. "That's my job. Look who's pushing now?"
A pink blush creeps across Giselle's cheeks. She’s so damn beautiful. "I've missed you. And you're making me believe we can actually make this work. I haven't dated anyone but you since July."
I look at her curiously.
"Before that, too. It has been just you for a long time, with the occasional hiccup." She collapses against my chest. "No one could ever touch you. That's what I found out. I'd accepted I was going to be single for life. And I’m sorry that I was so damn rigid and unwavering with you. My brothers always tell me that I’m too stubborn and set in my ways, like our father was. When I thought I’d lost you forever, I realized that I needed to change for you, too.”
I grab her chin so she's looking at me. Every word she's telling me has my heart beating at an unsteady rhythm, and my throat is growing thick. She's telling me everything I want to hear. Her hands are shaking, but her posture is open. This is it. What I've been waiting for. "It doesn’t matter where we live. I love you and want to be with you, too."
Her eyes fill with tears and her lower lip quivers. I close the distance between us and brush my lips against hers. "I want all of you, if you’ll have me."
"Only if you’ll have all of me,” I tell her.
We move to the bed and lie next to each other. I plan to show her just how much I love her and how excited I am for our future together.
Epilogue
Giselle
Four Years Later
"Can you hand me the big pink shovel?" Leah, my four-year-old niece, asks.
"Of course," I say, handing her the tool.
Camille taps the top of her pail and slowly slides it up over the sand. "I think this is the biggest castle we've ever made, baby." She looks adoringly at her daughter.
"I think so, too." Leah stands and takes off with the pail to fill it with water.
Just then, a wailing cry comes through the baby monitor sitting on the lounge chair next to Liza. "Donovan, can you go get Rory?" she asks. It appears their seven-month-old son woke up from his nap.
Donovan gets up off his chair and sets down his beer. He walks over to us and kisses Liza on the top of her head. "I'll go grab him and feed him a bottle."
"Thanks, hon. This sandcastle is serious business." Liza winks at him as he walks away.
It really is impressive. The ladies have been working on it for the last hour.
I love vacationing with my family on Monroe Cay. They are all special to me and it's been nice spending time with my niece and new nephew.
"When is Dean flying in?" Camille asks as she applies a coat of sunscreen to Leah's shoulders.
Looking down at my watch, my heart rate speeds up. "He should be here any minute." He's just finished a tour he had in Lake Tahoe.
"Yay! I can't wait to see Uncle Dean," Leah announces, clapping her hands together.
"I can't either." My heart warms hearing that my niece is so fond of my husband. He's a natural with children. And all of my family loves him.
Three months after Dean and I were reunited in Scottsdale, he moved in with me in New York. We still own his house in Vermont and visit it regularly. I absolutely fell in love with Vermont. Who knew that I'd enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing as much as I do? Dean really rubbed off on me. And he taught me what it means to take time for myself. Now, I utilize all of my vacation time and I enjoy every minute of it.
Six months after Dean moved in, he proposed on our first trip to Monroe Cay together.
It was a beautiful evening with all of my family around us. He got down on one knee at sunset on the beach holding a stunning solitaire diamond ring. A year later we had a small ceremony with friends and family in Vermont. It was perfect.
"Uncle Dean!” Leah squeals and runs away from our sandcastle masterpiece.
Turning, I see Dean and Garrett shaking hands, and Leah runs to him. Dean lifts her in the air and twirls her around. "Hey, kiddo."
When Leah's feet hit the ground, she takes Dean's hand and leads him toward the sand. "Look at what we made," she says with pride.
"This is amazing!" he says. "Hello, everyone." Dean looks around my family members.
Everyone greets Dean.
I stand and wipe my sandy hands off on my legs. Even after all this time, the butterflies swarm in my belly when I'm close to Dean.
He eyes me up and down my bikini-clad body and his eyes darken before he pulls me in close for a hug. We keep it PG in front of our niece, but I can't wait to be wrapped up with him again. "I missed you, baby."
"I missed you, too. How about you come with me?" I step back and take his hand in mine, raising my eyebrows.
He leans in close to me and whispers in my ear, "Would that be rude? I just got here."
"No. Everyone understands." My cheeks heat up. "We can catch up with them in a couple of hours for dinner."
"You don't have to ask me twice." He swings his arm around my shoulders and I put my hand in his, loving the feel of him next to me.
We make our way inside and find Donovan sitting in the living room giving Rory a bottle.
Dean makes his way over to him and he and Donovan shake hands. "Good to see you, man. How's the baby?" Dean runs his fingertip along Rory's cheek.
"The little porker is starving. He just woke up from his nap. How was your flight in?" Donovan asks. My heart warms seeing my little brother all snuggled up with his precious son.
"Uneventful. Happy to be here."
"Glad to hear it." Donovan takes the empty bottle and sets it on the couch next to him before he positions the baby over his shoulder to burp him.
"We'll catch up at dinner. I'm exhausted. Giselle and I are going to lie down for a nap," Dean tells him.
"Sounds good,” Donovan says, patting Rory’s back.
Dean and I make our way upstairs to our room and close the door behind us.
He pulls me in his arms, holding me close before he presses his mouth to mine. He smells like his clean masculine body wash and all Dean. My mouth waters.
Pulling back, I rest my hands on his chest. "I've got something to tell you." My heart hammers in my chest.
His fingers come up to stroke my hair as he studies my face. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes. It's great. I didn't get my period this month, so I took six pregnancy tests. They were all positive."
"You are? You're not kidding?" he stammers.
I shake my head. "Nope. I have a doctor’s appointment as soon as we get back home."
He lifts me up off my feet and spins me around before gently setting me back down. His eyes are wide, nearly bulging out of his head. "I'm going to be a father? And you're going to be a mother? We’re going to be parents?"
"We are." All of a sudden, tears sting the back of my eyes.
"Are you happy?" He cups my chin in his hand.
"Yes. These are happy tears. Are you?"
"No. I'm ecstatic. This is the best news, Giselle. We're going to have a family." His lips brush against mine.
I'm so relieved. We didn't exactly plan this, but I've been off the pill for about a year now because the hormones were starting to bother me. Dean and I decided that we weren't going to use condoms, but rather see where fate took us. "Thank you, Dean. I've never felt this content or fulfilled. I didn't realize my life could be like this. I owe it all to you."
"I feel the same about you," he says, bending over and lifting me up. He carries me to the bed, gently lays me down, and presses a kiss to my stomach. “And our baby.”
My heart and my life are finally full and it all began in this man's arms.
The End
***
Thank you for reading Between Us! I hope you enjoyed Giselle and Dean’s story. If you did, w
hy don’t you check out Falling For the Bad Boy, Summer Secrets Book One?
Jenna has only one goal this summer—to lose her V card. Cam, the newest bad boy, lifeguard on the Cape, seems to fit the bill. Too bad his goal is very different than hers. He’s looking for revenge.
Jenna Hutchins’ life has been easy breezy. Except, going to an all girls’ high school has prevented her from meeting a guy she’d like to lose her virginity to. And who wants to go to college a virgin? Certainly not her. That’s why Jenna’s mission this summer is to have sex. And not just with any guy. No. She wants a bad boy.
Cam Larsen’s family used to have money and affluence. When his father died suddenly, his business partner, Jason Hutchins, screwed his family over. They lost everything. Now Cam’s only goal is to make Jason pay. When Jenna, Jason’s daughter, shows interest in Cam, he doesn’t want to get close. He doesn’t want to hurt her because her father is a greedy, malicious bastard, but he will if he has to.
Not only are the days heating up, but so are things between Jenna and Cam. Will they both get what they want this summer, or will the price of revenge be so high that they both will have to pay? The cost, their hearts.
Grab your copy here.
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Acknowledgments
The Monroe siblings…what can I say about them? I loved each of them—especially Donovan. Writing his character came easy to me. Giselle, on the other hand…well, she caused me the most problems. But now that the series is over, I’m going to miss them! I truly hope that you enjoyed their stories.