by Nicole Casey
“Well, son.” I started, trying to formulate my thoughts. It was an interesting question. Was it actually possible to sum up that moment you thought they were the one for you?”
“I think it’s when you realize that someone is on the same wavelength as you. They make you happy, smile and laugh. But, more than that, they make you a better person.” I paused, surprised at my own insightfulness. “Perhaps the best way to put it is that you feel whole when you are with them; even if you didn’t realize you weren’t whole before.”
Shaun nodded at me, his face very serious. I struggled not to laugh as he attempted to take it all in. “So dad?” He asked again, I was used to this now. “Why are you and Kate no more; she made you a better person.”
I was shocked for a moment; what had Shaun seen that I had not?
“How do you mean?” I asked gently. “Well,” He replied. “She made you calmer and you were happy; I’ve never seen you that happy. You were also very kind to strangers.” As an afterthought, he added, “I liked it.”
Stunned I ruffled his hair again. “Thanks but sometimes it’s more complicated than that.” Now come on, let’s eat. With that I picked up the phone; this was definitely a take away night.
By the time the pizza arrived Shaun had his favorite program on. Not having the heart for an argument I simply let him have it on the couch next to me. The children’s channel on the television couldn’t hold my interest. My mind kept thinking about what Shaun had said. “Was he right?” I wondered; in that short space of time did Kate make me a better person? Well, she certainly made me a happier one.
“Shaun,” I asked cautiously, “Why do you think Kate didn’t like the necklace I picked out for her?” I paused, looking at him. “I mean, surely if she loves me then she would want any gift from me.” Shaun laughed. “I’ll have any gift.” He said, “Especially if it’s a toy.” He looked at me for a moment and I could see how much he looked like me. “I don’t think she likes expensive things.” His attention immediately returned to the television, leaving me to consider what he had said.
I had to concede he might have a point; Kate had said she had bad experiences in the past; what if they had all given her gifts in order to get something? With a jolt I suddenly saw how it looked to her. The gift was after our lovemaking; it was almost like payment. I hadn’t meant it that way but it had probably been received that way!
“Thanks son.” I said rising from the couch. Shaun smiled at me, “It’s just as well one of us is clever, isn’t it dad?” His cheeky grin melted my heart, as always.
I had nearly reached my phone when it rang. My heart raced. Maybe it was Kate! I scooped it off the side. “Hello?” I asked excitedly. “Hello, is that Mr. Live?” Came the reply. “Yes,” I responded. “Who is this?” The voice continued; “It’s Dr. Barrie. I have a patient in here that is delirious and keeps asking for you. Her ID says she is Kate Badurn.” He paused, allowing the information to sink in before asking. “Do you know her?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice sounding like it belonged to someone else. I crashed down onto the stool; “What happened?” Dr. Barrie replied; “She was in a car accident, nothing too serious but she has been heavily sedated all day; it’s the first time we have got any real information from her.”
“I’ll be right there, thank you Dr.” I could hear myself saying as I hung up. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as I turned towards the living room.
“Shaun,” I called. “Kate’s been in an accident, we have to go to the hospital.” Surprisingly Shaun was beside me in less than thirty seconds. She had really made an impression on him. “Are you okay dad?” He asked as I searched for keys and wallet; my mind still dazed.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Let’s go.”
The drive to the hospital was only fifteen minutes; Shaun kept me distracted. “It’s never too late dad, all the movies show the couple getting together at the end.” I nudged him playfully. “Okay, you old romantic.” I paused before adding, “Perhaps we should see how she is first.”
It was amazing how quickly we were escorted through to the right wing of the hospital. The doctor guided us into a small room. “She is stable at the moment with a broken leg, arm and a large bump on her head.” He said, his face still serious. I nodded, waiting for the ‘but’ to appear. “But,” the doctor continued. “The bump is of concern; she has some swelling and is not completely aware of her surroundings. If it doesn’t improve in the next few hours we will need to operate.”
“Can I see her?” I could hear myself asking, desperately hoping he would say yes.
“Yes,” the doctor said after a pause. “But.” He continued, “It might be best if your son stays in here for a minute while you go in.” I looked at Shaun. “Is that okay with you son?” I asked him cautiously. He nodded, “Don’t worry dad, I’ll wait here with the toys.” I should have known he would have noticed the toys straight away. “A nurse will be here if he needs anything.” The doctor said reassuringly.
Taking a deep breath, I gave Shaun a kiss on the head and headed for Kate’s room.
16
Kate
My eyes were struggling to focus, my leg appeared to be in a plaster and my head was throbbing. Slowly I turned my head; every movement sent a shooting pain through my skull. I was in a hospital room; there was no one else in sight and I didn’t know how I had got there.
At that moment the door opened and a doctor came in. Behind him was Simon. I gasped, sending another wave of pain through my head.
“How are you feeling?” Asked the doctor, watching carefully as I responded, “Better, I think but I don’t remember what happened.”
The doctor smiled, “At least you are coherent now.” He paused, “You stepped out in front of a car. You are lucky to be alive.” He paused again; “You’re in good hands and the memory will probably come back in the future. Don’t worry.”
With that he was gone, leaving Simon facing me and an awkward silence.
“What do you want now?” I managed to say, unfortunately in my weakened state I couldn’t make my tone hostile. “I might have forgotten the accident but I haven’t forgotten what you did.”
Simon nodded at me. “I’m sorry.” He said softly. I could see it was hard for him to say but I had to milk it.
“Pardon?” I asked.
“I’m sorry,” Simon said much louder this time.
He paused looking at me. “I understand, you don’t like expensive gifts and toys because you feel used or bought. But that’s not why I gave you the necklace.” He paused, his ice blue eyes boring into mine, pleading for me to believe him.
“I gave it to you because I was falling for you.” He stopped and cleared his throat. “I am falling for you,” he corrected himself. Simon continued before I could say anything. “My reaction to your rejection was extreme because I saw it as you being a gold digger. Of course you are not.”
For a moment I said nothing, hundreds of thoughts running through my head. Then I realized the only one that really mattered. “I’m sorry too.” I heard myself saying. “I over-reacted to your gift when I could have explained it better.” Simon chuckled, “Don’t worry, a seven-year-old explained it all to me.”
“Shaun?” I questioned, amazed and grateful. Simon nodded. “I think he is quite taken by you, but then, so am I.” I could feel the smile stretching across my face as I replied, “That’s good because I’m quite taken with you.”
Simon moved slowly round the bed, approaching me. Gently he took my hand. “I promise not to give you expensive gifts or see you as a gold digger, providing you promise to tell me if I am behaving that way.” He looked at me. I could feel the heat of his body again as I nodded, “I will, I promise.” I said. “But,” I continued. “You need to tell me if I am comparing you to the past men in my life. It won’t always be easy for me to accept that you are different.”
Simon laughed, “Deal.” He said as his lips closed gently onto mine. “I love you Kate.”
He murmured as our lips separated. “I know it’s early days, but when you know, you just know.” I smiled back at him. “I love you too Simon.” I murmured softly as my lips grazed against his. Suddenly I was feeling much better.
“Yeah!” Came a little voice, as Shaun bounced into the room. I winced as he leaped onto the bed, sending a shooting pain through my leg. “You know,” he said in his most serious voice. “I’m quite taken with you too.” I laughed as Simon looked at him, “How much of that were you listening to young man?” He questioned, pretending to be angry. Shaun just smiled, “Enough, just enough.”
I smiled too.
I hadn’t been looking for love or a family, but there was no doubt I had found both.
- End -
Shipwrecked in Love
A Billionaire Bad Boy Romance
Book Description
There’s no way I would fall for Adam Hargreaves. Ever.
Sure he’s hot, charming and drop dead gorgeous.
But any physical attraction that I might have for him goes up in smoke as soon as he opens his mouth. He’s just another cocky, arrogant playboy.
I can’t stand this kind, and this self-righteous billionaire is taking advantage of my younger brother just because he is kind and innocent. So I must do something to protect him from being hurt.
He thinks I’m easy, that I’m going to fall to my knees the same way other young girls do.
But he’s wrong.
I have dreams. I’m going places. The last thing I need is having to spend an extra minute with this annoying but incredibly sexy man.
Problem is, I’m already picturing him… between my sheets, my legs, his hands doing dirty things, and the worst is yet to come.
We are now stuck on his yacht in the middle of nowhere, and that’s when I hear his deep voice saying:
“Looks like we are going for a sail together, Jess. Just you and me.”
1
Adam
Blood was slowly trickling down my nose and onto my expensive silk shirt. I hated it when that happened.
The guy who had hit me was standing laughing at me while his friends congratulated him in Spanish. I hated that too. To be fair, there wasn’t a lot to like about this situation.
The red mist came down over me and I lost all control. Didn’t these idiots even know who I was?
I had only been in Buenos Aires for 3 days and this was my third argument with locals. If that wasn’t a sign that the city was filled with horrible people then I didn’t know what it was.
I couldn’t let these guys get away with hitting me. As a big guy of well over 6 foot who worked out in his private gym every day I could handle myself, even if taking on a group of guys on my own seemed a bit too ambitious.
I shouted the only Spanish insult I knew and it had the desired effect on them, as the group abruptly stopped celebrating and looked at me. The blood thundered round in my veins. Getting into fights and showing people that I was boss was what gave me my greatest pleasures in life lately.
I threw a chair that hit a guy square on the head. He staggered backwards and sent several glasses crashing to the ground. On the way out I would toss a few thousand pesos to the owner to pay for the damages and he would be happy.
The biggest, ugliest guy in the group stepped forward towards me. So, it was going to be a personal duel to settle it, was it? He was even bigger than me and looked almost as mean as I guessed I looked at that moment.
Just as I was about to launch into the attack, a strong hand held me back. Joe was there now. Joe Thompson, he was the guy who currently took on the role of looking after me. He was doing a good job, even if I didn’t admit it to him very often.
“What the Hell kept you, Joe? You left me here all alone with these savages.”
“Sorry, Adam. I was parking your car and I got lost on the way back. Do you need some help?”
“Go and get him, buddy.” I laughed as I took a couple of steps back towards my table. “He’s all yours.”
Joe didn’t complain, just like I knew he wouldn’t. Instead, he rushed in and sent the guy flying backwards.
I sat down with a fairly decent bottle of Argentine wine and lit up a cigar as the fight progressed. Joe was in trouble now as the guy got him in a headlock. I almost felt sorry for my little helper who was also currently my only friend in the world, but I had to admit that it was great entertainment.
It was only fair that I gave Joe a few pesos tonight to make up for the bruises he was going to have. God, this wine was actually awful but I forced myself to swallow the rest of the glass.
I must have spent tens of thousands of dollars on food and drink in the last few months but I couldn’t remember enjoying any of it. Life just seemed to lack flavor these days for some strange reason.
Ouch. That must have hurt. It was getting boring to watch now.
“Stop fighting! Paren de pelear!”
Every single person in the bar stopped what they were doing and turned around. Well, except me. I puffed slowly on my cigar and then looked round as coolly as I could (which was pretty damned cool, to be fair).
Wow. Who was that girl standing there with her hands on her hips and fire in her eyes? This night might get interesting after all.
“Joe. Get out of here.” She grabbed my friend and pulled him away from the gang while the others just stood and watched. It couldn’t be his girlfriend, could it? There was no way he could get a girl like that without my help but why else would someone in this city know who he was? I was the famous one here and no-one had even recognized me yet.
The two of them were arguing at the other end of the bar now while the guys we were fighting left the bar giving us dirty looks and what sounded like vague promises of finding us in the city at some other time. My cigar was raised in a cheerful salute that made them all shake their heads.
I took the opportunity to look the girl up and down very slowly without her noticing what I was doing. She was very, very attractive indeed, I had to confess.
In fact, upon closer inspection, she was exactly the kind of woman that I like best. Tall and slim but with curves in all of the right places, she looked a lot like the famous model that I had dumped a couple of months ago due to boredom.
Her long, blond hair tumbled down over her shoulders as she argued with Joe. It was the sort of wild and untamed yet attractive hair that I would have loved to run my fingers through.
I could see that she had an intense stare and a way of gesturing as she spoke that made watching her a real pleasure.
It was clear that she was wearing pretty cheap clothes but she made them look as good as fine as the most expensive designer gear. She had on a faded denim shirt and a pair of stone colored pants with several zipped pockets on them.
Going by her appearance I decided that she was probably a backpacker or some other sort of budget tourist visiting Argentina but how did she know Joe?
I strolled over to them as slowly and casually as I could manage. The truth was that I was longing to find out more about her. It was a long time since I had been so intrigued by a strange woman.
“Hey Joe, you never told me that you had such a beautiful friend in this part of the world.”
The girl turned to look at me. Her light blue eyes were shining wildly with an emotion that I couldn’t quite put my finger on but that put me on guard right away.
“Adam, this my sister, Jessie. Jessie, this is the great guy I told you about the other day.”
I took her hand up to my lips and kissed it. Well, I tried to kiss it at least. My lips had barely brushed her smooth, tanned skin when I felt the hand pull itself away, leaving me to kiss thin air.
I looked at her furiously. No woman had ever done that to me and I felt utterly humiliated.
“So you’re the famous, rich playboy that I have heard all about.” She looked down her nose at me as though I was a piece of trash rather than one of the planet’s richest and most eligible bachelors. Most sane women would have give
n anything to be there with me, so I was going to take a wild guess at her being clinically insane or playing hard to get. Very hard to get.
“The very same, Adam Hargraves. What about if we go back to my hotel for-“
“I want you to stay away from me and my brother. You rich people sicken me, taking advantage of kind-hearted people like Joe just because he is such a nice guy.”
“The only person taking advantage of anyone here is your delightful brother. I give him somewhere to stay and plenty to eat every day, no questions asked.”
“Just like you do with your dog, eh? What don’t you leave us both alone?”
“I’m a gentleman, Jessie. I would never normally dream of arguing with such a highly attractive lady but Joe is my friend.”
“Your nose is still bleeding.” She nodded curtly in the direction of my bloody nose.
I wiped the blood away with one of the monogrammed handkerchiefs that I always took away with me.
“That group over there didn’t show me any respect. They spilled my drink and I hate when that happens.”
“So why was it Joe that was fighting them instead of you, little rich boy?”
“Your brother is a brave and loyal friend.” I gave him a thump on the shoulder as a mark of respect and tried to ignore her rudeness, even though I could feel my anger levels rising.
“And you’re a cowardly weasel who uses other people.” Her eyes burned with passion as she spoke.
I let my eyes wander down to where she had left the top buttons of her faded denim shirt unbuttoned, showing a generous amount of cleavage that tempted me to pop open the rest of the button and discover more right there and then.
A hand quickly closed the buttons. I looked up and saw her glaring at me as though I was the worst person she had ever met. Maybe I was.
