“You deserve the best. And, not to toot my own horn, I am a good man. In my eyes, I’m the best man for you.”
Amber’s heart softened. Jason’s confidence and sense of humor were in full effect. She couldn’t resist his charm or his sincerity.
“You are so crazy,” Amber stated, chuckling.
“Crazy in love with you.” Jason started singing off-key the words to Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”.
Some of the other people in the restaurant started looking in their direction.
Amber couldn’t stop giggling. “Jason, you’re getting an audience, so you might want to turn it down a notch or two.”
“See, you got me singing and things. You don’t want me to start begging and singing a Robin Thicke song, do you?” Jason asked. He then began singing “Lost Without You”.
“Okay. I forgive you,” Amber blurted, in between laughing at her no-singing husband.
“Good thing too. Because I got plenty more songs I can think of to sing if you don’t.”
Jason opened his mouth, but Amber placed her hand over his lips. “Don’t, baby. Leave the singing to the professionals. Or better yet, just sing to me in private.”
Jason kissed the opening of her hand right before she moved it.
“You won’t regret it, Amber. Since we’re here, let’s explore. Let’s make this beautiful place our honeymoon adventure.”
Amber closed her eyes for a few seconds and then opened them. She allowed herself to release her past. Jason was her present, and she hoped he would be an important part of her future.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Amber was still obligated to complete her work on the documentary. Jason tagged along and learned more about the Melanesian culture. The people were beautiful inside and out. He would never forget this trip as long as he lived.
Two nights ago, he and Amber had attended the wrap party to mark the end of the shooting of the documentary. The following day, Jason enlisted George’s help to find a romantic place to take Amber. He recommended the Tavanipupu Private Island Resort.
George flew them there, and after two days of nothing but pure bliss, Jason felt like he was in paradise on earth. Words could not describe the beauty of the beaches and the wooded areas filled with coconut trees.
The water in the lagoons wasn’t filled with moss like in some places, but was a pretty turquoise blue.
Jason and Amber held hands as they walked along the shores.
Under a makeshift hut were two people with two tables waiting for them.
Jason looked at Amber. “I thought we both could use a professional massage.”
“You thought of everything.” Amber squeezed his hand.
An hour later, after their full-body massages, they continued their walk along the shores.
They stopped and kissed under the backdrop of the sunset.
“Thank you for giving me…us another chance,” Jason said as they walked back towards the resort.
“Why should my characters be the only ones experiencing love?” Amber responded.
A few hours later, they were enjoying a fresh lobster dinner with a sample of other local seafood.
After Jason paid for dinner, and instead of going back to their room, Jason suggested they take one last stroll on the island.
“I want to show you something,” he told Amber.
Jason led Amber to a private section of the beach. It was not a place that people would normally come. He’d paid a tour guide a sizable advance to make their last night on the islands a memorable one.
When they were close to their destination, Amber asked, “What is this?”
Jason led her closer. In front of them, on the beach, surrounded by nothing but sand and ocean water, was a queen-size bed with white chiffon acting as a covering. Candles were lit and surrounded it, giving it a romantic ambience.
“I wanted our last night to be special,” Jason turned and said.
“I don’t know what to say,” Amber responded.
Jason and Amber faced each other. Jason cupped Amber’s face with his hand and kissed her. The cool ocean breeze was not enough to cool off the heat radiating between Jason and Amber.
Jason eased Amber’s dress off her shoulder. It fell to the ground. He picked her up and placed her on top of the soft white comforter. He planted kisses all over her body. She moaned in pleasure when he touched her pleasure spot with his tongue.
“Let it out. No one’s around to hear us,” Jason said as he looked up into her eyes from between her legs while she watched.
Amber leaned her head back as Jason flickered his tongue back and forth on her clit.
“Ooooh, Jason,” Amber moaned over and over as her legs gripped his neck.
Jason didn’t stop. Her moans excited him. He sucked on her G-spot until her entire body shook with pleasure. He welcomed the juices that flowed out of her body and into his mouth. She was his, and he was marking his territory.
Amber’s legs wouldn’t stop shaking. Jason eased up, still fully dressed. Amber needed to change that fact. She assisted him in removing his clothes. Her body ached to feel him inside of her. She leaned back and welcomed him in with her legs raised wide and on his shoulders.
Amber came with each stroke. Jason was making her lose her mind because the orgasms wouldn’t stop coming. “Ooooh, yes,” she screamed.
“Amber, baby. Mmm, you feel so good,” Jason moaned.
He went deeper and deeper, making her whole body feel as if it was going to explode with pleasure.
Jason flipped her over and entered her from the back. She bit her bottom lip as he cupped her breasts. Pure ecstasy was the only way to describe the feeling she was now experiencing. Jason yelled, sounding like a wolf, as he released his seed into her body.
They collapsed on top of the bed. They got under the covers, and Jason wrapped his arms around her until she fell asleep.
The sun beaming through the chiffon curtains of the bed greeted her. Jason was still asleep, snoring.
She gently nudged him with her hand.
“Jason, wake up. It’s daylight. We’d better get dressed before someone ventures out this way.”
Jason held her closer and snuggled with her. “Don’t worry. This is a secluded area.”
“I know, but just in case. Come on, baby.”
Jason sleepily got out from under the covers. She watched his naked bottom as he located their clothes.
Last night she hadn’t cared about being naked on the beach, but in the daylight, she was modest. She got dressed under the covers.
Jason laughed at her, but she didn’t care. She didn’t want some stranger taking pictures of her and sharing them on the Internet.
“Laugh all you want to. When I see your naked pictures in a viral video, don’t come complaining to me.”
Jason posed in different positions. “They can look, but all of this belongs to you.”
Amber blushed. Jason had a way of making her feel special. She was glad she’d decided to give them a real try at this marriage. If things didn’t work out, then it wouldn’t be because she didn’t try.
Epilogue
The sound of the crying baby could be heard from the doorway. Sean, Charlotte’s husband, opened the front door. He was holding a baby bottle in one of his hands.
“Come on in. As you can tell, Junior is hungry.”
Jason and Amber walked inside. Jason held a big blue gift bag with ribbons. After Jason closed the door, they followed Sean up the stairs.
The cries of the baby got louder. Charlotte was lying in her bed, with a purple satin robe on, holding her newborn son.
Sean reached for the baby and took him from Charlotte. “I’ll feed him and give you a chance to catch up.” Sean placed the bottle in his son’s mouth and went to sit in a chair on the other side of the room.
“Have a seat,” Charlotte said.
Jason moved two chairs near Charlotte. Amber sat in one and he sat in the other.
“Sorry I wasn’t here to witness Junior’s birth,” Jason said.
“I missed you, but I’m glad to see your trip resulted in you two ironing out your differences,” she said.
Jason smiled. Amber nodded her head in agreement.
“I want to apologize to you for thinking bad things about you,” Amber said.
“Girl, no apology needed. You have to be a special woman to deal with knucklehead here.”
They both laughed. Jason didn’t. “I don’t think I like being the punch line to your jokes.”
“Do you think I care?” Charlotte responded.
“Hey, the baby’s going to sleep,” Sean said from the other side of the room.
Charlotte whispered, “Amber, if you need help controlling this one, you got my number.”
Amber looked at Jason. “I got Jason under control. But if by chance I do need some backup, I’ll call you.” Amber winked her eye.
“I feel like I’m being double-teamed here.” Jason pretended to be offended.
Amber grabbed her stomach. “Where’s your bathroom?” she asked.
“Use the master one. It’s right through there.” Charlotte pointed.
“I wonder what’s going on with her. For the last few days, she’s being dealing with a stomachache,” Jason said.
“You don’t say.” Charlotte twitched her mouth.
“What do you think is wrong with her?” Jason asked.
“Ask her,” Charlotte suggested.
“She doesn’t know either.”
Jason shared with Charlotte the symptoms Amber was experiencing.
Amber returned and sat down. Her face looked flushed.
“Baby, you don’t look okay.” Jason touched her forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”
Amber looked at Charlotte. She then looked at Jason. “I have something to tell you.”
Jason noticed Sean placing the baby in the bassinet near their bed.
“Amber, what’s going on?” Jason asked.
Amber placed Jason’s hand on her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
Jason opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out of it.
Sean hit him on the back. “Congratulations, man.”
“Thank you,” Jason said, barely above a whisper.
“Jason, are you all right?” Amber looked at him with concern. “I know we’re just getting used to being married, so I wasn’t sure how you were going to take the news.”
“How long have you known?”
“I took a test this morning. I was just thinking of the right time to tell you.”
Jason jumped out of his seat. “I’m going to be a father.”
The baby woke up crying.
“I’m sorry. I’m just so excited.” Jason pulled Amber out of her seat and twirled her around. “I’d better stop. It may hurt the baby.”
“Jason, I’ll be fine.”
Sean held Sean Junior to quiet him. Charlotte sniffled. “I’m so happy for you. Now our children can grow up together.”
Jason and Amber left shortly after she told him the baby news.
Later on that night, while holding Amber in his arms, Jason said, “Out of all of the things I’ve accomplished in life, marrying you has been my greatest joy. I love you, Amber.” He kissed her forehead.
“I love you too, baby,” she responded as she laid her head on his chest.
Jason squeezed Amber. He couldn’t stop smiling. He had gone from being a happy bachelor to a happily married man who was on the brink of becoming a father. He’d played his life by many rules, but he found out with love, there are no rules.
About the Author
Shelia M. Goss is a screenwriter and the Essence magazine and Dallas Morning News best-selling author of over twenty-one novels, including Secret Relations, Secret Liaisons, Secrets Uncovered, The Bad Twin, Star Struck, V.I.P., Her Invisible Husband, The Commitment Plan, The Joneses, The Aftermath, etc. Shelia has received many accolades for her books over the years, including being a 2012 and 2014 Emma Awards finalist for two of her romance novels. Library Journal named The Joneses as one of the best books of 2014. In June 2015, she received the AAMBC Literary Award for Romance Author of the Year. A speaker at literary conferences across the country, Shelia also works closely with librarians, supporting literacy and increasing awareness via workshops for adults and teens.
You can learn more about Shelia at:
Website: www.sheliagoss.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shelia.goss
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sheliamgoss
Look for these titles by Shelia M. Goss
Now Available:
The Women in Hollywood
Secret Relations
Secret Liaisons
Secrets Uncovered
Coming Soon:
The Men in Hollywood
Reality of Love
Don’t miss the other titles in Shelia M. Goss’ The Women in Hollywood Series!
Business and pleasure don’t mix…until emotion enters the scene.
Women in Hollywood, Book 1
Charlotte Richards didn’t get to be one of Hollywood’s top talent managers by dating her clients. When it comes to her career, her heart is not part of the contract—no matter how enticing the star.
From the moment she steps into Sean Maxwell’s fabulous home, though, the cool, professional persona she’s worked so hard to build threatens to melt in desire hotter than Sean’s sexy R&B lyrics.
Sean’s attraction to Charlotte is nothing new, at least not to him. He fell for her the moment he spotted her at a celebrity gala years ago. Now, with his old manager kicked to the curb, it’s the perfect time to bring her into his life.
The sparks between them blow Sean’s plan to take things slow right off the charts. And his determination to win her runs into overtime when the ghosts of his past threaten to destroy their one chance at love.
Warning: Contains a reformed playboy determined to do things right this time, and a career woman equally determined to keep her eyes off his sexy-as-sin body. Oh well, their intentions were honorable…
She’s his fantasy leading lady…if he can convince her love can be their reality.
Women in Hollywood, Book 2
When aspiring screenwriter Mona Johnson landed a job as assistant to one of Hollywood’s most sought-after movie producers, she planned to use the experience to build her career. She never expected her match made in online-dating heaven to be her boss.
Romance with Terrance Beckham is out of the question. She knows his history. He’s not the commitment type.
His quest to find real love in real time coming up empty, Terrance goes incognito in the virtual world to take his famous name and large bank account out of the equation. Then he discovers the online chat room handle of Ms. Perfect is attached to the woman who brings him coffee.
Disclosing his identity will have to be handled delicately if they’re to face their mutual attraction without preconceived notions. But before they can build a bridge to happiness, they’ll have to overcome obstacles—some labeled “ex”, and others labeled “mom”—that could drive a permanent wedge between them.
Warning: If this book were a movie, the Motion Picture Association of America would give it an R rating for nudity, frank language, and graphic sex. You’re welcome.
A hot one-night stand could lead to a once-in-a-lifetime chance at love.
Women in Hollywood, Book 3
As the producer of one of TV’s highest-rated shows, Kem Phillips has a knack for creating the perfect leading man. But love in real life? No thanks. She has no interest in repeating her mother’s mistakes.
> Thank goodness the star of her newest project is discreet. No one knows about the one-night stand they indulged in at her best friend’s wedding. He’s also a gentleman who always seems to be there when she’s in a jam.
Brent McKenzie has had his share of memorable moments, but that night with Kem is as fresh and hot in his mind as if it was yesterday. He’d love to be the man who comes to her rescue in all possible ways—if she’d let him.
When an emergency call sends Kem racing home to Louisiana, she goes against her better judgment and accepts Brent’s offer to go with her. Yet as everything she thought was true about her past crumbles, is his emotional support something solid to lean on…or a crutch she dare not trust?
Warning: Contains not-safe-for-prime-time sex scenes, an actor who is a real-life hero, and a woman who needs a little convincing that dreams can come true.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Rules of Love
Copyright © 2016 by Shelia M. Goss
ISBN: 978-1-61923-447-5
Edited by Latoya Smith
Cover by Angela Waters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: June 2016
www.samhainpublishing.com
Rules of Love Page 14
