by Hazel Taylor
"I think he likes you, Tiffany." I could hear Paige splashing around in the water. Her transformation over the last few days had been amazing. “Donnie told me he caught you guys kissing the other night on the couch.”
After I managed to put my tongue back in my mouth, I turned away. It was very hard to do, though. “Is he a good guy? I mean there definitely is this attraction between us. I don’t know; somehow I just feel he might be the ONE, but we hardly know each other.”
“That’s the way it happened with Donnie and me. I mean, I wasn’t thinking about the ONE or marriage, but there was a knowing. It was a very fast relationship.”
“Was that a good thing?” I couldn’t help but steal another peek or two at his body.
“I don’t know, never really bothered to analyze it, it just happened. I don’t think there is a right or wrong when you’re talking about love.”
“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
“Absolutely.”
"Hmmm." I stole another glance and was met with his deep blue eyes. He knew I’d been staring. It made me blush, but he smiled and turned back to his workout.
“And by the looks of it, you’re in it.”
“In what?” Somehow, I had lost track of the conversation as I began to swim.
“Exactly.” Paige just giggled before lying on her back to watch the sky.
A few more days went by, Paige’s health and personality improving tenfold. Whether it was what I was doing or the female companionship I offered I couldn’t tell, but by the time we were set to leave a week later Paige was smiling from ear to ear, happy, healthy and enjoying being pregnant.
8
Jason
“I need to make a quick stop. It’s about thirty minutes west of here.”
“Okay. Where are we going?” Now that she was over her fear of flying, her excitement was evident as she looked around and talked.
“My place.”
“Your place?”
"Yup, I have a vacation hideaway. Donnie and I purchased them together a few years back."
“You have an island too?”
"It's not quite as exotic or big as his, since it's just me, but yes."
“Oh.” We flew in companionable silence for a bit as she looked around. That spark between us was becoming normal, exciting and electric but natural. Reaching over, I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips.
“So tell me about your family.”
"Well, as I told you before, my grandparents raised me after Mom passed. I never knew my dad; mom never spoke of him, but a few years back, my grandfather told me that my mom had loved my dad very much. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant he revealed he was in love with a waitress that worked at the local diner, and they were going to run off together. Mom never dated or married anyone else."
“He didn’t deserve her.”
"No, he didn't. Anyway, I am an only child. I graduated with honors and went to college for fitness and nutrition. I have a couple of cousins who live in Texas but other than that, it's just me now. My grandparents passed six months apart last year." Her hands that held the armrest and seemed to grip just a little tighter.
“I’m sorry.”
She just nodded. “You next.”
“Mom and Dad are retired and are currently traveling in Russia. I have an older brother, Oliver, who lives in Greece and a bunch of relatives scattered everywhere. My parents have been married for forty years now. Have you had a chance to travel?”
“I took a six-month road trip with my girlfriend Cassie out of high school. We traveled the whole West Coast and through the South. I went to Mexico with my grandparents and an old boyfriend and I went to Alaska once.”
“Nice. Anywhere you really want to go?” Listening to her voice was like music to my ears as I flipped switches and turned knobs and buttons.
“Everywhere. I don’t think there is anywhere I wouldn’t go. Except maybe the Arctic.”
“Paris?”
"Definitely.”
“What about you?”
“I visited Brazil last year and Argentina. Great places. My favorite destination is Scotland. I’ve been there four times. I have yet to visit Iceland, although my parents did, and they say it’s a must. Hobbies?”
She was looking out the window, but suddenly she flipped her bouncy curls, turning to face me. "I love to paint, garden and volunteer at the local animal shelter. I sometimes help with the local food pantry too. Oh, and I love boxing."
“Boxing?”
She was grinning from ear to ear. “Yup.”
“You’re joking, right? A yoga teacher and nutritionist who loves to garden and volunteer loves boxing matches?"
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. It’s just a surprise, that’s all.”
"Well, you can't judge a book by its cover.” She flicked my shoulder with her lime green fingernails. “If that was the case, nobody would ever be friends with you because their first impression would wreck it.”
“True, very true.” I started the descent to my landing strip; out of the corner of my eye I could see her clenching the armrests.
Tiffany
It was awe-inspiring. At first glance, it didn't seem like much, this tiny island covered with trees. A small beach jutted out on one side and the other held a tiny boat launch. The landing strip was on the opposite side of the house, which blended in perfectly with the landscape.
An expertly landscaped home peeked out from the trees. Its large windows overlooked the beach just as Donnie's did. It showcased a similar great room. While there was no pool outside, there was a tennis court to the left. Inside the house, the first floor offered a home theater room, a sauna and jacuzzi out back, an informal dining and living room, and a bathroom and laundry room as well as the kitchen. The upper level housed four generous bedrooms and two more bathrooms as well as another sitting room that overlooked the woods. The décor was rustic and earthen with stone, wood and even a live tree that came through the great room. What appeared to be a bunch of outbuildings clustered in the woods in the distance.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Thank you. The previous owner was an avid outdoorsman. I thought of knocking down and building something more modern, but I like the feel.”
“Oh, no, don’t ever knock it down. It’s gorgeous.”
He left my bags in the great room and pulled out a bottle of wine and glasses, handing me one filled.
“Here, try this.” He stood so close my body felt weak.
“I thought you had to check something?”
“I will in a moment. Let’s have a drink first.”
“What are we celebrating?”
"Nothing in particular. How about Paige's restored health and us meeting each other?"
I could only smile as we clinked glasses and I sipped the most delightfully fruity wine I’d ever tasted. Cherries with a hint of vanilla and touches of raspberry and beet. “This is delicious, where did you get it?”
“I own a vineyard; this is their signature wine.”
“Oh my, it has so much flavor. I love the cherry.”
Turning to the kitchen, he started rummaging through the bottom cabinets. “Wow, that is strange. Everything is a mess in here. When I was here two weeks ago it wasn’t this way.”
Heading over to the kitchen, I saw bags ripped open, food dumped, containers upside down. “I wonder what could have happened.”
“Probably some kind of critter, raccoon maybe.” He didn’t seem to be bothered by it. “Well, we will just make do with what I have on hand. There’s stuff in the freezer. I think I even have a bunch of chocolate chip cookies frozen in there.” He smiled at me between tastes of the wine.
Wandering around, I found a strange dark spatter by the back door. “Oh my, Jason, there is blood here.”
He looked a little alarmed. “Well, that’s strange. Stay here; I’ll look outside.” I watched as he scoured the back between the house and woo
ds, returning shortly after. “Strange, a couple drops of blood here and there but that’s it, nothing major. Poor critter must have gotten hurt.”
“I guess he knows how to open doors too?” I could see him tense, set down his wine and head back out, me hot on his heels.
We found blood drops in what looked like a trail to the other side of the island but then just as suddenly, they stopped. Running his hands through his hair, Jason turned to me. “I want you to stay inside until I figure this out.” When I nodded, he looked relieved. "Make yourself comfortable. I am off to check on some things in the hangar. I will be back in a few minutes. If you see anything, yell out the window, but stay inside." His voice seemed shaky as he spoke, then he gulped the rest of his wine and left.
I watched from the window as he went to a small airplane hangar off in the distance, entered, and closed the door. Sitting down, I tried to get cell service but found none, so out the door I went despite his warning.
The breeze blew my hair gently as I wandered across the sandy beach searching for service. Nothing. After about five minutes I gave up and headed back into the house. Another glass of wine was in order. Finally, after meandering around the house and finding nothing, I sipped some more of the decadent drink.
Finding a big canopied bed in a room with a view of the trees, I sat down, leaned against the pillows and scooted down a bit, making myself comfortable. I closed my eyes for what seemed like seconds, only to wake with lips pressed feverishly against mine. Opening my eyes, I was greeted by Jason hovering over me, his arms flexed and muscular, his eyes closed as he tasted my lips. Relieved, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be enveloped in the moment.
9
Jason
I knew I probably shouldn’t have, but the temptation was too great to resist. She slept softly on the canopy bed, her lips parted, just waiting to be kissed. Her features were relaxed, her arms sprawled above her head in surrender. Her legs still hung off the bed, but her shoes had slipped off.
I studied her in all her glorious beauty silently for a while before allowing my desire to reign. Creeping over her, I rested a palm on either side of her face and waited a moment to see if she would awaken. When she didn’t, I took the opportunity to caress her red curly hair with my fingers.
The silkiness of it heightened my senses, my need to explore more. My lips were burning to taste, touch, explore. I ran a finger smoothly over her cheek, but still nothing. “Tiffany.” When she finally began to stir, I decided it was time to awaken her fully.
Pressing my lips to hers, I tasted the remains of the wine she’d drunk. Mingled with the spearmint of her breath and the succulence of her full bottom lips, I felt lost. Swamped with desire and need, I deepened the kiss, feeling her stir.
I wasn’t sure what she was going to do. My desire was clear; she could have reacted in any number of ways. Thankfully, she wrapped her arms around my neck and returned the kiss with equal intensity.
It surprised me beyond measure, the intensity of her kiss. She quickly parted her lips to allow me to explore, a soft sigh escaping. I felt as though I was drowning, and she was the air I breathed, life itself. Turning on my back, I pulled her with me, not wanting to crush her small form.
Now with her atop me it left me the ability to touch and explore. Running my hands down her hair and sides, I found the inside of her shirt and caressed her back. Her skin was hot, making me burn. Her own hands had moved to explore my chest over my shirt.
I continued my journey, caressing her backside and legs, the sides of her waist, back up to mold to her breasts, which caused a tiny cry to escape her lips. She pulled her lips from mine, eyes filled with a desire that matched what I felt.
Quickly she tugged at my shirt, pulling it from my jeans. I waited as her eyes silently raked over my bare skin, causing knots to form in my stomach. When her eyes met mine again, she leaned over and tasted the skin on my chest and made her way back up to my lips to fuse them to mine.
Two could play that game. I removed her top with minimum effort and began tasting and teasing her into tiny whimpers. We wrestled like this for a long time, tasting, teasing, exploring and feeling.
When I had more than I could bear and we were both completely free of clothing, I entered her, causing a purr of delight to escape her lips. This drove me headlong reaching for the abyss of passion we both sought in each other's arms.
I watched as every movement, every touch heightened her pleasure as she sat atop me. She moved fluidly, matching the pace I set, her eyes closed and lips parted.
The sight of her heightened my senses. I could feel the cool breeze blowing in from the open window, taste the salt and sugar off her lips and skin, smell the scent that was uniquely her, and hear her soft noises as music made for my ears only.
By the time we reached that plateau, sweat was glistening on her skin, her red curly hair was a glorious tangled mass, and her breathing had increased to match my own. My ability to forestall the moment was lost; no more could I withstand as I carried us simultaneously over that edge into the fire beyond.
Time stopped for a moment as we lay entwined in each other’s arms, her head upon my chest. Ruby curls danced across my skin, making my nerve endings tingle. Her heart beat above mine, gently slowing with each breath.
I pretended to be asleep in hopes that she would be willing to stay wrapped in my arms.
“Oh, my Jason, I ah.” Turning her head, she tilted her face to greet mine, a glowing smile on her face.
Words were lost to me at the sight of her beauty, her passion, the moment. I could do nothing but kiss those full lips passionately. “Mi amor.”
Rolling over, she curled up beside me, pulling a blanket over us. She rested her head upon my chest and teased my skin by running her delicate fingers across my chest and belly.
10
Tiffany
“I have some bad news.”
"What?" I lay, head resting on his chest, running my fingers across his belly and finding it hard to believe I’d just made love to a guy that I barely knew on his island in the middle of the afternoon. It was so unbelievable I felt giddy from its headiness.
“Well, upon inspection of the plane in preparation to take you home, I discovered a faulty part. When I went to the hangar, I found I don’t have what I need to fix it.” His fingers caressed my arm as I snuggled closer.
“Well, how do we get the part? Do you have a boat or something?”
“I can order it but it will take about a week to get here.”
“A WEEK!” I sat up; I couldn’t help it. What was I going to do about my clients?
“I know, I have work waiting too.”
“You don’t even have cell service.”
“I do; I have an outbuilding on the other side of the island near the dock. Cell service is best on that side.” Gently he coaxed me to lie back down. “Besides, it will give us more time to spend together alone.” His lips slid across mine, tempting and inviting. I breathed in his scent as he pressed himself into me.
"Oh, goodness Jason…” The memory of the blood we’d found earlier returned to my thoughts.
Jason
After the time we’d spent earlier, I knew there was no way I was letting this woman go. I didn’t know how she was going to feel about it, but I had a week to carry out my plan.
My thoughts wandered back to the bloodstains we’d found earlier, but I wasn’t about to let some critter ruin my plans.
I took her over to the other side of the island so she could make some phone calls, then we returned home. That thought made me smile. Home. With Tiffany. Our home.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. “There are some movies over there if you want to watch something.”
“Okay.”
Quickly I hurried upstairs, taking her things with me, and set the stage for romance, filling the sunken tub with rose-scented bubble bath and lighting the candles, both of which I kept in the hangar just in case. I turned on the heater and laid out a b
unch of towels and washcloths along with some vanilla soap, shampoo, and conditioner I also kept on hand. Rummaging through her bag, I found a comfortable outfit and set it on the bed. Dimming the lights, I closed the door and headed back downstairs, a scarf she had in my hand.
“I have a surprise for you, but I need to blindfold you.” She looked hesitant. “I promise I will be a gentleman.”
“Okay, but no fifty shades business or I will be swimming to the next island in the dark.”
“Deal.” I tied the scarf around her eyes and helped her up the stairway, then down the hall to the master bedroom and bathroom. Untying the scarf, I let it fall from her face. "Your spa. I am going to make us something to eat while you relax, unwind and freshen up. Come down when you’re ready.”
She giggled like a schoolgirl and planted a warm, closed-mouth kiss on my lips. “Thank you. I am not even going to ask you how often you do this for women, or how you have all this stuff.”
“You don’t want to know. Thankfully that’s all in the past.” Caressing her smooth cheek with my fingers, I bit back the urge to join her, leaving her to relax.
11
Tiffany
Despite my reluctance, the days flew by fast. What was once an arrogant and obnoxious pilot now was a man who seemed to anticipate my every want and need, fulfilling it. From the first bubble bath and elaborate dinner that I didn’t even know he knew how to cook to the moonlit walk on the beach we took three nights later, it was heaven.
We had gone sailing, swum in the ocean, played tennis, watched old movies, cooked numerous meals, played volleyball and made love in every room of the house. Every night we soaked in the jacuzzi and every morning we sat in the sauna. I attempted to teach him yoga on the beach and he tried to teach me to fish. He showed me his hidden treehouse that he’d built himself from materials on the island, and I showed him how to rearrange furniture to create better flow or feng shui in a home.
