by Amber Page
“You are amazing,” he whispered, then kissed a burning path down her neck, past her shoulder and around her breasts, imprinting the feel of them on his mouth.
She whimpered and pulled on his swim trunks.
“Not yet,” he said, laying her back on the sand.
He wanted to claim every part of her for his own. Spreading her legs, he kissed his way up to her warm, hot center. Gently he nibbled at her sensitive folds, loving the way she tasted. Wanting more, he dove in to suck and tease. In no time at all her legs wrapped themselves around his head and he lost himself in her intoxicating scent as she came against his mouth.
“That’s my girl,” he said, then moved up her body, worshiping every inch of her with his kisses.
When he came close enough she grabbed at his shirt, sliding it over his head. He let her, then slid his swim trunks off.
“In. Now,” she said.
He did as she asked, groaning when she closed around him. He’d never met a woman who fit him so perfectly, so deliciously. It was as if she was made for him.
Jessie smiled up at him and bucked her hips. “What are you waiting for?”
He grinned. “I thought I’d just hang out for a while and enjoy the view.”
“Didn’t you see the ‘No Loitering’ sign? If you want me to keep you around, you’ve got to work harder than that.”
He laughed and twisted his hips to bump against her sensitive spots. “How’s that?”
She gasped. “That’s more like it.”
He began moving slowly, enjoying the play of emotions on her face as she gave herself over to desire. Eventually, though, she grew restless and her hips came up to meet his.
“Still. Not. Working. Hard. Enough,” she gasped.
He laughed. “Impatient, are we?”
She nodded.
“As you wish, my love.”
He slammed into her, fast and hard, the fire in his own body burning ever hotter as she got closer and closer to the edge. Finally her head dropped back and she gave herself to her orgasm, screaming his name. When her muscles clenched around him his own orgasm roared through him, made stronger by the love that bubbled in his veins.
For better or worse, she was his. He just had to prove to her it was for better.
CHAPTER NINE
THEIR REMAINING HOURS passed quickly, and almost before she could believe it was possible Jessie found herself seated in first class, watching the island she loved so much drop out of sight as the airplane climbed above the clouds.
She sighed, silently promising herself to visit Paradise again soon.
Nick squeezed her hand and smiled. “Aren’t you glad I upgraded us?”
As the flight attendant came by with heated towels and cold champagne Jessie had to admit it was nice. “It’s definitely a fitting end to a wonderful trip.”
“The first trip of many.”
“Maybe,” she answered.
Nick frowned at her, but stayed silent.
She thought about apologizing, but despite what they’d said last night she wasn’t sure where their relationship was going—or even if they would have one. She knew she had feelings for him. Big feelings that she had no idea how to process. But she also knew that there were big obstacles in their way.
Cancer. She might have it. Might be dying of it. And if that was the case …
She pictured Nick driving her to doctor’s appointments and caring for her when chemotherapy made her too weak to do it herself. The thought soothed her. It would be nice not to have to go through that alone.
Unbidden, an image of her father from the months after her mother’s death appeared in her mind. Stooped. Gray. Lifeless.
She could never put Nick through that.
Not for the first time she sent a prayer winging … somewhere. Maybe to her mother’s ears. She’d give anything to have the biopsy come out negative.
Nick reached over to squeeze her knee. “Penny for your thoughts?”
He’d have to pay a lot more than that before she told him what she was thinking.
“Oh, I was just trying to figure out a game plan. For when we get home. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Does your game plan include me?”
The squint around his eyes gave away how tense he was about the subject.
“Sure.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed as she watched. Time to turn the tables.
“What’s your game plan? How are you going to get your dad off my back?”
He gave her a long, slow smile. “Well, you could still sell Roar to me. That would do the trick.”
Her mouth dropped open. Surely he wasn’t serious. “You are kidding, right?”
He grinned. “Mostly. Although it would be nice.”
She glared at him.
He sighed. “Don’t worry, I have other ideas. I’ve got to make some phone calls before I can tell you about them, though.”
Jessie took a deep breath. There was something she needed to know if there was going to be any hope for them. “Nick?”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you so determined to stick with Thornton & Co.? You have an amazing reputation. If you cut your losses and went out on your own you’d make a killing.”
He scowled. “I have to.”
That was so not an answer. “Why?”
He looked at her and sighed. “I promised my grandpa, okay? He never wanted my father to run it. Knew he didn’t have what it takes to manage an agency of that size. So he made me swear that I’d take over for him at the earliest possible opportunity—and that I wouldn’t let him destroy it.”
Jessie blinked. “And is he? Destroying it?”
“Well, he sold shares in it to investors. And they want to sell it to some giant conglomerate. So … yes. And I’d never forgive myself if that happened.”
Jessie squeezed his hand. “Damn, I wish I had asked you that a long time ago. Everything makes a lot more sense now.”
He smiled sadly. “Well, now you know.”
That she did. And now she knew she had to find a way to help him. But she was too damn tired to think. She couldn’t stop the yawn that cracked her jaw open.
Nick smiled. “Enough about business. You need to rest. Want to see another reason why first class is so great?”
She nodded.
“Watch.”
He pushed a button and both their seats moved backward into a fully reclining position.
“This is almost as comfy as a bed!’ she said.
“It sure is. And you can use me as your pillow.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. She scooted next to him and curled up against his chest.
He kissed the back of her head. “Sweet dreams.”
She was asleep before she could answer.
Jessie slept for the entire flight. When she came to, the plane was already beginning its descent.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Nick said.
She yawned and smiled. “Hi, yourself. I think that was the best nap I’ve ever had.”
“You’re welcome. Think I should consider a career as a professional pillow?”
“Nope. I’d like to keep you as my little secret. I don’t like to share my pillows. Cooties, you know.”
He nodded, a serious expression on his face. “Right. Pillow cooties can be very contagious.”
“All electronic devices, including mobile phones, can now be turned on,” the flight attendant’s voice crackled over the intercom. “But please stay in your seats until the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off.”
Nick sighed. “I guess we can’t put off re-entering the real world any longer.”
Jessie reached under her seat for her purse and her phone. “I guess not.”
“Wait,” Nick said as her finger hovered over the power button. She paused, and he planted a kiss full of tenderness and longing on her lips.
“What was that for?”
“To thank you for the wonderful weekend. You are an amazing w
oman, Jessie.”
Her heart swelled. It had definitely been one she’d never forget. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“You bet.” His expression turned serious. “But, Jessie … I think we’d better go our separate ways after the plane lands. It’d be best if we kept things on the down-low until after I get things with my father straightened out.”
Jessie’s smile faded. They weren’t even off the plane yet and he was already thinking about hiding their romance. That stung.
Not wanting him to see how upset she was, she smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
He smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”
As soon as the flight attendant opened the door she grabbed her bag and fled. Unfortunately Nick followed, so she pretended to be deeply entranced by her phone until they got to the baggage carousel. Not surprisingly Bob was waiting for them when they got there, Jessie’s hot pink overnighter in his hand.
“Hi, Bob! I’ll take that from you,” she said, reaching for the suitcase handle.
“Won’t you be traveling back into the city with us?”
“No, I think it would be best if I get there under my own power. I know Nick’s dad is expecting him at the office, and I don’t want to take you out of your way.”
Bob looked at Nick, who nodded. “She’s right.”
Bob shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Jessie kept the smile plastered to her face as she turned to Nick. “Thank you for the lovely weekend!” She stuck out her hand for him to shake, hoping he would kiss her instead. But he pumped it up and down, a funny look on his face.
“I’ll call you.”
“Please do. After you get things figured out with your dad.”
“I will. By Wednesday at the latest.”
She nodded. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
Then she strode off, not waiting to hear his reply. Better for him to think she didn’t need him than for him to see how hurt she was.
With luck, by the time she saw him on Wednesday he’d have things under control and she … she wouldn’t have a cancer diagnosis.
Please, let them have a little luck this week.
“You ready?” Gloria asked as the car stopped in front of the cinderblock building that housed her doctor’s office.
“No.”
“Well, are you going to get out? Because the meter’s running.”
Jessie looked at Gloria and blinked, not understanding what she meant. Bob didn’t have a meter. Then she remembered where she was—in a cab. Not Nick’s limo.
“Right. Of course.”
Jessie opened the door and forced herself to move. Once she was out, she stood stock-still, not wanting to go another step closer to her own personal hall of doom.
Gloria squeezed her arm. “It’s going to be okay. No matter what the doctor says, it’s going to be okay. I’m here for you.”
Jessie nodded. “I know.”
“Good. Then let’s go!”
“I can’t,” Jessie whispered.
“Yes, you can. Here, I’ll help.”
Gloria grabbed her arm and pulled, towing Jessie behind her as she headed for the glass doors. Jessie followed, eventually convincing her legs to move under their own steam, but still not letting go of Gloria’s hand.
She held it until they reached the thirty-fifth floor, home to the New York Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy Center.
“Here we are.” Gloria smiled, but her voice shook.
Jessie nodded. “Yep.”
“We’ve got to go in. You need to know what the doctor has to say.”
“I know.”
Gloria huffed. “So let’s go.”
Jessie looked at her, feeling helpless. “My knees are locked. I can’t move.”
Gloria gave her a gentle shove and she was off and running—or at least moving. She walked stiffly through the big oak door, not bothering to smile when the receptionist greeted her. Although the waiting room was just as uncomfortable today as it had been last week she didn’t mind. In fact, she would be happy to stay there forever if it meant she didn’t have to find out what her doctor had to say.
“Jessica Owens?”
Crap. They didn’t seem to be running behind today.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Gloria asked.
Jessie nodded silently. Hand in hand, they followed the nurse back to the doctor’s office. The small woman was already seated behind her desk when they got there, looking serious and wan in her white coat.
“Jessie! Gloria! It’s good to see you! Have a seat, ladies.”
Jessie sat. “What did you find out, Dr. Davies?”
The doctor sighed. “Jessie, before I start, I want you to promise to hear me out before you react, okay?”
Her heart plummeted. “It’s cancer, isn’t it?”
Dr. Davies nodded. “It is. But—and this is important—it’s in Stage One. It’s a contained lump and it hasn’t spread—it hasn’t even reached your lymph nodes.”
Tears burned at the back of her throat. “But it’s cancer?” she whispered.
“Yes, but Jessie, listen to me. Stage One cancer has a one hundred percent survival rate. You’re going to be fine.”
Jessie tried to listen, but a crazy voice in her head was chanting. “Cancer. Cancer. Cancer. You’re going to die of cancer.”
Jessie saw Gloria looking at her. Saw the concern in her face. But she couldn’t do anything to reassure her. Couldn’t even move her lips.
Gloria took control of the conversation. “What are our options?”
“We’ll need to do surgery. I’d recommend a lumpectomy, but that’s up to Jessie to decide …”
Their voices faded into the background as Jessie’s mind replayed the last weeks of her mother’s life for her.
She relived the day she’d come home from the doctor’s office with her diagnosis and broken down in her father’s arms. Saw her being wheeled away into surgery, a brave smile on her face as she waved to her daughters. Watched as she pulled clumps of hair from her head, tears pouring down her face. Felt the unbearable waves of agony when her dad had turned to her from where he was curled up against her mother’s too still, too skinny body and said, “She’s gone.”
“I don’t want to die,” she heard herself wail. “Please don’t let me die!”
Gloria’s arms were around her in an instant. “You’re not dying, Jessie. You’re going to be fine. It’s all going to be fine.”
“I don’t believe you!” the crazy person who had control of her voice shrieked. “I have cancer! It’s not fine!”
Voices murmured over her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I can’t get through to her,” Gloria was saying.
“Perhaps a mild sedative?” someone else said.
Suddenly the doctor was there. “Jessie. I’m going to give you a shot. Just something to help you calm down.”
She felt a pinch, and then darkness reached up to cradle her.
When Jessie came to she was lying on a gurney in a bright white exam room. Gloria was sitting slumped in the room’s one chair, head thrown back, eyes closed. Jessie’s body felt sore, as if she’d been fighting with giants in her sleep. Her mouth was dry. So dry. Looking around, she saw a sink on the other side of the room, a short stack of paper cups at the ready.
She had to get one of those.
She tried to sit up, but her head spun. Groaning, she fell back against the pillow.
Gloria’s eyes snapped open. “Jessie! You’re up! How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been trampled by a pack of hungry lions. I was going to get a drink, but apparently my body’s not ready to move yet.”
Gloria scrambled up out of her chair. “I’ll get it for you.”
A moment later Jessie heard water running, then Gloria was pushing a small cup into her hand. “Here. Drink this.”
She propped herself up on one elbow and drank it. It eased down her throat, making her feel more alive with every swallow.
�
��What happened to me back there?”
“You don’t remember?”
Jessie shook her head. “I remember I freaked out. I just don’t know why. It was like some incoherent stranger took over my brain.”
Gloria frowned. “Dr. Davies said the trauma probably just tripped something in your brain. Kind of like a panic attack.”
“Oh.”
“Are you better now?”
Jessie thought about it for a second. Tried on the words cancer patient. Nothing happened. Thankfully, the irrational fear seemed to have played itself out.
“Yeah. I think so. But I didn’t hear a thing about my treatment options.”
“Don’t worry about it. Dr. Davies said we could talk about it in a couple days—when you’re feeling better. The important thing to remember is that you’re going to be okay.”
“All right. You know what would make me feel better right now?”
“What?”
Nick, she thought to herself. “A hot fudge sundae,” she said out loud.
“That’s the sister I know and love,” Gloria said. “Off to Rachel’s we go! We can handle anything with hot fudge in our bellies.”
“Nick! How wonderful to see you,” said a white-haired man as Nick walked through the double doors into the wood-paneled office.
Nick grinned, glad to see the Santa Claus lookalike who had been his family’s lawyer for as long as he could remember. “Thanks for fitting me in, Peter.”
“Nonsense. I always have time for you, my boy. Please, have a seat!”
Once they were seated in the red leather chairs arranged in front of the lawyer’s crackling fireplace, Peter got a serious expression on his face. “There. Now, why don’t you tell me what can I help you with? Do you need to have a prenuptial agreement drawn up?”
Nick blanched. “No, not today, Peter. I have a question about Thornton & Co.”
“Ah, I see.” Peter laced his fingers on his protruding stomach. “What is it that you want to know?”
“Well, I know that according to the terms of my grandfather’s will the CEO title automatically becomes mine at the age of forty. Is there any way to speed that process along?”
