Breaking our kiss, I said, “Let me go.”
“Never.”
“Please, let me suck it.”
Collin laughed and let go, I slid down his body and sank to my knees. The water came to the tops of my shoulders, the ends of my hair floated around me.
My hand wrapped around the base of his cock, my tongue licked up the shaft, circling the head. I took the head into my mouth, pausing to circle it with my lips and tongue before taking as much of it into my mouth as I could, his taste flooding me with raw desire.
The coarse sand scraped against my knees as I wiggled and moved and the waves bobbed with my head on his cock, the occasional wave knocking into my head. Collin knotted his fingers through my hair, slowing my speed and pushing his dick deeper until I could take no more.
His balls drew up against his body, and he pulled me away. I protested but he pulled me up by my armpits and half dragged me along as I pawed at his dick. My reluctance to move caused us both to tumble in the shallows, both of us landing with a thud against the edge of the shore.
“It’s like that, is it?”
Before I could respond his hands were on mine, our fingers knitted together and he held them beside my head. His lips were on mine, parting my mouth and sucking my bottom lip.
My walls flooded and my pussy was wetter than the whole fucking ocean. I moaned through his mouth, wanting more. He forced my legs wider and pushed his tip against my entrance. I waited, but he held it there, teasing me. I knew what he wanted and I pulled my mouth away from his.
“Please.”
“Please what?”
“Make me scream.” Before I finished saying the last word, his cock drove into my wet pussy.
The ocean waves ebbed and flowed around our bodies. Collin thrust into me, bringing me higher and higher until my body seized with tension and teetered on the edge of the abyss.
Everything washed away, the beach, the island, the world. For that moment we were the only two things in existence.
“Collin!” I screamed and writhed, digging my body deeper into the sand.
Wave after wave of the most intense orgasm I’d ever experienced crashed through my body.
“Collin!” I screamed again, my throat raw from the word ripping through it.
“Fuck,” he said, filling me with his seed.
He rolled off me, and we lay on our backs side by side looking up at the stars.
“That wasn’t how I’d anticipated things would go,” he said.
“Was that bad?”
He laughed. “Fuck, no. I’m not complaining.”
We fell into silence but without the distraction of each other, the waves swamping our bodies was too much. Collin stood and took my hand, pulling me up. My legs threatened not to hold me but he put his arm around me for support.
* * *
He grabbed his clothes from the beach, and we recovered my dress from the dining table. God knows what happened to my panties. Naked, we walked through a gate, giving me the first look of his house.
“This is crazy,” I said.
“What is?”
“The size of your house. It’s insane.”
“It’s not as big as my place in France.”
“You have a house in France?” I blurted.
“I have several houses. But the one in France is the biggest, it’s a chateau in Provence.”
I shook my head and laughed.
We skirted a large pool and Collin opened the near invisible glass sliding door for me. I craned my head to see in the rooms we passed as I followed him.
“Babe, I’ll give you a tour in the morning,” he said.
I followed him into a large bedroom furnished in a modern Scandinavian design. Collin scooped me off my feet and laid me on the bed and flopped down beside me. He laid on his side and pulled me tight against him.
“Baby, this is where I want you. Where I need you.”
“Good. This is exactly where I need to be.”
“I missed you, those whole seven years.”
Before, those words would’ve brought me to tears, to fill me with pain for what we had lost. But now, I don’t know, that wound has healed and the words have lost their power. Now is about right now. About the present and the future. The past is done and gone.
“You never told me the story of your tattoo.”
“There’s no story.”
“Of course there’s a story. You got it in Sydney, but why? And why that design? Just because it’s Irish?”
“It’s a Celtic sailor’s knot.”
“What’s that?”
“Sailors used to make them when they were at sea and missing the woman they loved. It’s two ropes woven together, like the two people.”
My brow creased, struggling to understand his point.
“So who were you missing?”
He gave me a playful shove. “You, baby, I was missing you. And I just kept adding and adding to it over the years, until it got this big.”
I didn’t need to ask him why he didn’t just phone me. All those discussions were done for good. Instead the news warmed my heart. He’d missed me as much as I missed him. That’s all that mattered.
Collin
Having Jenny back at my side, in my life for good dissolved half my anxiety of the day.
Daniel still hadn’t called. What the fuck was taking the paternity test results so long? I told them I didn’t care about the money, that I wanted the results fast, whatever the cost.
And fifteen hours later still no word about either the results or the reason for the delay.
Jenny’s breathing slowed in a steady pattern. At least she’d managed to fall asleep.
What would I do if Blake turned out to be the father? I’d been so focused on Jenny all day that I hadn’t considered the outcome of the test. Now I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I might lose Harlan in the morning.
Being careful not to wake her, I got out of bed and walked to Harlan’s room. He was asleep on his belly, his legs folded under him and his bottom up in the air. I placed my hand on his back.
He didn’t stir, so I slid my other hand under his body and slowly picked him up. I nestled him against my shoulder and carried him back to my room, laying him on the bed between Jenny and me.
With the two people I loved both with me, I relaxed and fell asleep.
* * *
“Oh my God,” Jenny said. His voice brought me out of my shallow sleep.
I opened my eyes to see her running a finger over Harlan’s little body. He reached his hand to grab her finger.
“Morning,” I said, putting my hand on top of hers.
“I take it this is Harlan. He’s adorable.” Her smile lit up the room as she played with Harlan’s little hands and feet.
“He is.”
“Dada.” Harlan turned his head to me and let go of Jenny’s hand to grab mine.
“Hey, big guy. Are you hungry?”
“Bana.”
I got up and pulled on some shorts.
“I don’t even have any clothes,” Jenny said.
“Where’s your dress from last night?”
“In a wrinkled heap on the floor. Plus my underwear went missing on the beach and I didn’t have a bra to begin with.”
“I’ll get the hotel to send your stuff over. In the meantime maybe Liv has something you can borrow.”
“Who’s that?”
“The nanny. I’ll go find her and send her to you. Here, wear my bathrobe in the meantime.” I passed Jenny my cotton robe from the ensuite.
My phone rang and I retrieved it from my bedside table. Daniel’s name appeared on the screen, my gut wrenched.
“Yeah, did you get the result?”
“Hello to you too,” Daniel said.
“I can’t wait, just tell me already.”
“Are you ready for this?” I didn’t like the tone of his voice, my skin prickled with the anticipation.
“Blake’s the dad. He’s coming to get Har
lan in an hour.”
I sank to the bed, the phone dropped to the floor and I buried my face in my hands. This could not be happening. Within seconds Jenny was at my side, her arm around my shoulders.
My nostrils flared and my insides filled with rage, and the need to break shit. Like Blake’s face.
“I love you,” Jenny squeezed my shoulders. “It’s so unfair. It’s awful and horrible and painful and everything else, but I’m here for you. I’d do anything for you.” She rested her head on me, her tears trickled down my back.
“I only have an hour,” I said, not taking my face from my hands.
“Shit, that’s cruel.”
“It is. I’m going to send Liv with him, so he has someone he knows. And I’m going to pay for her. I wish I could fire him, but I need to make sure he has a job so Harlan’s taken care of.” Asshole.
“That’s amazing. You’re amazing.”
I straightened my body and twisted to look at her. At the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.
“Just when I think it’s not possible you make me love you even more. I love you, baby.”
“I love you. We’ll get through this. Together.”
I wiped the tear from her cheek and kissed her.
Epilogue
Five weeks later…
“I can’t believe this place,” I said, entering through the double doors.
“It’s perfect,” Collin said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to settle down in.”
Collin put his arm around me and swung me around in the huge wood-paneled entrance hall.
“Stop it,” I said, laughing.
He tugged my hand and we walked deeper into his new house. Only three streets away from Abbie’s house, it was a supersized house like all the other mansions in the exclusive gated community.
It proved Collin really did intend to settle down for good, once and for all. Not that I’d ever doubted him, not after Hawaii.
“Hold on, I want to show you the best bit.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ll see. Patience.”
I followed him into the dining room, my heart stopped when I stepped through the door. Candles flickered on the table in the otherwise dark room. We’d already eaten dinner at Dish, but Collin insisted we didn’t have dessert. Now I knew why. Set side by side, two plates held an assortment of my favorite desserts. Chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, lemon meringue pie and mini cherry cheesecakes.
Collin’s mouth lit up in the biggest smile I’d seen on him since before Blake took Harlan. Something was up. Open mouthed, my heart pounded in my ears while I waited for him to speak.
“I thought we’d have dessert here,” he said, pulling me into him.
“It looks delicious.”
“Baby, I thought I’d do this after dessert, but I can’t wait any longer.” Collin smoothed my hair away from my face and took my hands in his. Our eyes locked. “I need you in my life. I want this to be your house as much as mine. Move in with me. Marry me.”
I flung my arms around him, blinking back the tears in my eyes and swallowing the lump to speak. “Oh God, yes. A million times yes.”
Our mouths met in a crushing kiss as we pulled at each other’s clothes. We forgot all about dessert. We scrambled down the hall, leaving a trail of clothing. When we reached the grand staircase, Collin swept me off the floor and carried me up the steps in his arms. He laid me on the bed, and made such sweet love to me that I cried when I orgasmed.
Afterwards, I lay in his arms in the black leather bed. Collin lifted his arm off me and jumped out of bed.
“What’s going on? Where are you going?”
“I forgot something, wait here.” He said as he jogged through the bedroom door.
We could have it in my hometown in Maine. An outdoor wedding next fall, right when the trees glowed in reds and oranges. Or here in Chicago, in a hotel. Maybe the Four Seasons since we have a connection to it. Neither seemed right; I decided I’d have to consider more.
Collin rushed through the door, not stopping until he’d flopped back on the bed. He flicked on the crystal bedside lamp.
“I meant to give you this in the dining room, but you distracted me,” he said with a wide, perfect smile that creased around his piercing eyes.
My hand shook as I took the little box.
“It’s different. If you don’t like it we can change it.”
I flicked my eyes from the box up to Collin and back to the box. Whatever type of ring he’d chosen was what I’d want. The fact that it was from him mattered more than the actual type and style. I opened the box.
At first I didn’t understand, I’d never seen anything like it before. The huge solitaire in a platinum setting was gorgeous, but what was it?
“It’s a yellow diamond, I chose it to match your eyes. But if you’d prefer a traditional diamond, we can change it.”
“No, I love it. It’s beautiful. And so thoughtful.” The box dropped out of my hand, landing on the bed as I’d hugged him.
Collin picked up the box and took out the ring. I offered him my left hand, and he slid the perfectly sized ring onto my finger.
“Let’s see,” he said, lifting my hand to my face. “Not quite as beautiful as your eyes, but close.”
“I love you.”
He brought his head close to mine and cupped my cheek. Our lips connected in a closed mouth kiss. And another before our lips parted and we sleepily kissed.
Exhausted from a long day at work, followed by an incredible evening full of surprises, we snuggled together. My eyes shut and I drifted.
“Shit,” I said bolting up.
“What?”
“I can’t stay here. I need to go to the home to get my pills.”
Collin remained silent, his breathing heavy. In the filtered light from outside, I could see him looking up at me. He tugged on my arm, pulling me back down to the bed.
I leaned into him, our chests pressed together, and he put his lips close to my ear and in a low voice said, “What do you think about not taking them anymore?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, thought I’m sure I knew.
“You know what I mean. Stop taking them, don’t use anything. I know what you want most, and I want to give that to you. It’s what I want too.”
My eyes welled with tears. I swallowed and asked, “How did you know?”
“Your mom told me.”
Why am I not surprised? But for once, her meddling brought me to this conversation right now. My breath quickened as the situation sank in. “If you’re sure.”
“More sure than I’ve ever been of anything.”
“I love you,” I said kissing him.
“I love you too.
I laid back down beside him and closed my eyes, imagining the future with Collin in this house.
* * *
“Daniel.” Collin’s voice woke me the following morning.
“No fucking way,” he said into the phone as he bolted out of bed.
I sat up, watching him for a signal. He tossed the phone down on his pillow.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Blake. He’s decided he doesn’t want Harlan after all. Said it cramps his lifestyle too much.”
“Oh my God,” I said, jumping out of bed and pulling on my clothes from last night.
“Yeah, according to Liv he hasn’t even seen him in a week.”
“Sounds like he’s as good a parent as Raylene.”
“Guess they were a match made in heaven.”
“Can you get him back?”
“Daniel’s already arranging the papers for a full adoption by me. It’ll take months to finalize, but in the meantime Harlan’s going to live here. Liv’s bringing him here. She’s already on her way.”
“Already? That’s so fast.” I shook my head and closed my eyes, clearing my head. Yesterday morning I went to work single and living in a one-bedroom apartment. Today, I woke up engaged, living in a man
sion, and soon to be living with a baby.
Collin brushed the back of his hand down my cheek and pulled me close to him.
“Baby, this is a big thing, I understand if your answer is no.”
“What? I’m not going anywhere if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I love you.” He stroked my hair before pulling back, his eyes locking on mine. “How do feel about being a joint adoptive parent?”
“What? Holy fuck. Are you serious?” It hadn’t even occurred to me. When I fell asleep last night, I’d never in a million years have guessed I’d wake up and become a mother. But I planned to spend the rest of my life with Collin. And I didn’t just want to be Harlan’s stepmother.
“You don’t have to decide now. Think about it.”
“There’s nothing to think about.” I looked up at him, my chin trembling. “Harlan needs a mommy.”
I fell into him, resting my head against his strong chest.
* * *
Five months later…
“You look stunning,” Abbie said, handing me my bouquet.
Butterflies flapped like crazy in my tummy and I thought I’d throw up, though I don’t know if they were from nerves or the remains of morning sickness.
We hadn’t told anyone about the pregnancy yet. We’d only just found out, and six weeks was too soon. I knew I should tell Abbie, and I felt guilty I hadn’t, but we didn’t want to tempt fate.
Strands of “The Wedding March” played by the string quartet ticked my ears and set off the butterflies again.
“Ready, sweetheart?” My father asked, putting his arm out for me to take.
I looped my arm through his, taking deep breaths to try to calm myself. Sam walked out first, followed by Marla and Abbie. Each of them wore summery, pale orange bridesmaid dresses. I loved them, and they looked even better with the gentle breeze billowing their skirts.
Collin had flown Sarah Burton from London to Chicago to design them along with my wedding dress. I loved my dress even more than theirs, a strapless satin and lace dress that suited a beach setting.
Billionaire's Secret: The Complete Series Page 48
