by Sienna Snow
I should have kept walking but I was done with this.
I faced her again. “Why are you so fixated on me? This is a conversation you need to have with Jax.”
“My relationship with my son is none of your business.”
“That’s right, it’s not. Keep me out of it. Jax and I are trying to see where this goes. You can try all you want but it won’t scare me off.”
She smiled and lifted a brow as if she’d won. “It did before.”
There was no point in denying it when she was partly right. “It won’t again. I’ve learned from my mistakes. You seem to want me to make them over and over again.” I sighed.
“Do you really think he’ll marry you?”
“Yes, he will.” We both froze as Jax stepped from around the corner. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jax
“Jax.” My mother moved in my direction, but I sidestepped her, going toward Kai.
When I’d heard the words my mother was spewing at Kai, I wanted to step in and protect her from the venom. Then I realized Kai was holding her own.
I’d intervened when we were officially behind on the schedule Kai had set.
I stopped a foot from Kai, setting a hand on her waist before leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Raquel sent me out here to find you. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
I offered her my hand and she took it.
“I guess I’m on Raquel’s bad side.”
“Possibly.”
I walked her to the side door.
“We are not done here,” my mother said.
“Yes, Mother, we are. Safe travels.”
We entered the ballroom to cheers, as if we were the newlyweds.
“God, how late was I?”
“Five minutes, tops.”
Kiana tapped an imaginary watch on her wrist, making Kai blush.
She really was adorable when she was embarrassed.
“She’s never going to let me live it down.”
I helped Kai into her seat next to where Lina would sit.
“Save a dance for me.” I trailed my fingers over the back of her neck and felt her skin prickle with goose bumps.
“Definitely.”
The next two hours were filled with cheers, speeches, tears of happiness, and dinner.
When I finally got a chance to dance with Kai, all I wanted to do was find a quiet spot alone with her.
“Care to dance?” I asked Kai.
She looked over to the crowded dance floor. “Not really.” She threaded her fingers with mine. “I have a better idea. Are you up for an adventure?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go out the side so no one follows us. The last thing I want is anyone to find my favorite spot on the island.”
“This sounds interesting.”
She led me out of the ballroom, through the resort kitchens, and out to the service exit where a golf cart sat.
We climbed in and drove down a dark pathway that had me wondering how Kai could see anything. We remained silent until we reached a gate where she typed in a code and then placed her hand on a reader.
“This place must be exclusive for all this security.”
She smiled. “Very exclusive.”
After the gate opened, we followed a pathway illuminated by what I could only describe as looking like lightning bugs.
The Lykaioses had gone a bit crazy with the hidden tech on this patch of the island.
We parked in a sandy area near the far end of the beach closest to her bungalow and farthest away from the main resort.
“Come.” Kai jumped out of the golf cart. “No wait, first strip.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Get naked.” She kicked off her heels, throwing them on the seat and then reached behind her to unzip her dress.
“What about cameras? No one gets to see you naked but me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, caveman. No need to worry about anyone seeing my lady bits. I disabled the cameras when I punched in the code.”
She dropped her bridesmaid dress, letting it pool at her feet and exposing her naked breasts and tiny thong.
Fuck, she was breathtaking under the glow of the moonlight.
She picked up her gown and dropped it on the side of the cart.
“You’re still dressed.” She shimmied out of her underwear and placed it atop her dress.
“Are we going skinny-dipping?”
She gave me a wicked grin that made my cock jump. “Possibly.”
Swimming naked with Kai had been a fantasy of mine for as long as I could remember.
“Not sure if that’s such a good idea. The paparazzi have been circling the resort ever since news broke about all the high-profile celebrities arriving on the island.”
The idea of any of those fuckers getting a shot of her and the anger it caused helped me understand why people punched nosy papz in the face.
“This is private property with its own security. About three hundred feet from shore, there’s a sensor system disguised as buoys marking shallow water. If anyone crossed over them, a series of low-voltage lights will alert us.”
“How the hell do you know this?”
“Because this is my land. I bought it as part of my offer to move here. Kevin installed the security since he had to make sure his sister was protected.”
I stared at her. “So, am I understanding you correctly? You own the property we’re on and the bungalow you live in.”
“Yes. Does it make a difference that I only want you for your hot body and not your money?”
I glared at her. “I’ve never thought that.”
She walked over to my side of the golf cart and set her hand on my chest.
“I was kidding.” She lifted up and brushed a kiss on my jaw. “Bad joke.”
She slipped away before I could grab her.
“Are you going to get naked or not? You’ll want dry clothes to change back into.”
I quickly shucked my shoes and suit. I moved toward her.
Her gaze landed on my hard cock. She licked her lips, making me hold in a groan imagining her mouth wrapped around my cock.
“Swim now. Give me a blowjob later.”
“Grab the towels from the bag on the back seat and follow me.”
We took a surprisingly clear path down, dimly lit by strategically placed lights to a small cove with rocks all around.
Kai walked to the edge and looked over her shoulder. “Drop the towels and meet me on the other side.”
Before I could say anything, she dived in, disappearing for a few seconds and then popping up about fifty feet out and climbing out on the other side of the cove.
She squeezed the water from her hair and waved me over. “Jax, come on.”
I moved to the edge, setting the towels on a boulder, and jumped in. The water was clear, barely even a trace of salt, clean enough to drink. That was when I realized this was a natural freshwater pool, fed by the streams and rain on the island. It was separated from the ocean by the thin strip of land and rocks where Kai was standing now.
I’d heard about these freshwater pockets but most were on private land and inaccessible to the public. I could understand why. This was a private oasis I wouldn’t want to share.
I swam toward Kai and pulled myself up onto the ledge. Shaking the water from my face, I saw the silhouette of my yacht anchored in the distance and the reflection of light from the house I’d built for Kai on the ocean water.
How would she react when she learned I’d been near her from the time she’d moved to Bora Bora?
“Sit. It’s time we talked.” She pointed to a smooth rock, snapping my attention back to her.
I sat, and she immediately straddled me, the lips of her pussy dangerously close to my cock. The water may have cooled my arousal but having her heat pressed against me was too tempting.
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea. All coherent though
ts are moving south, and sex on a rocky ledge is probably not as comfortable as it may seem in our heads.” I tried to lift her off by the waist but she tightened her thighs around mine.
“I’m sure you have enough willpower to resist.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Then I suggest you stop wiggling on my dick.”
“Jax?” The amusement in her tone evaporated and grew serious, bringing my focus fully on her face.
“Yes, baby.”
“Are you sure you’ll be happy living here?”
I stared into her eyes. The uncertainty there made me want to shake her.
Cupping the back of her head, I drew her face to mine. “Absolutely certain.”
It was time to tell her how certain I was.
“I have a confession.” I ran a thumb over her lower lip. “Hopefully you won’t punch me in the gut for it.”
I glanced toward my ship, the Kailani.
“You mean about the fact you’re the reclusive billionaire who lives on his mega-yacht off the coast of this island? Or that you’re the man who’s building the house made of glass on the cliff over there?” She pointed toward the house.
I swallowed. Fuck, I was in trouble.
“How did you know?”
“I didn’t until you glanced in the direction of the ship and then the house. Only someone who knew the lay of the island and what was on it could spot things from here, especially with how dark it is.”
This had the potential to go very badly.
“Then I guess you know I’ve been here for a while now.”
She nodded and then rested her forehead against mine.
“Why did you wait so long?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome me or try to shoot me.”
She lifted her head. “I’m serious.”
“So am I. Losing you destroyed me inside. I was scared to make the same mistakes again, and if I didn’t know what I’d done, I couldn’t avoid them.”
She sighed. “I shouldn’t have left. I let my impulsive side dictate my decisions. So instead of confronting you about what was going on in our relationship, I ran. I hurt you. I hurt me. I’m sorry, Jax.”
“I’m sorry too.”
Tears glistened in her eyes.
“Don’t cry, love. We’re getting a second chance to get it right.”
“I promise not to run ever again.”
I smiled and drew her slowly to me for a light kiss. “Good. Then it will keep me from moving across the world again.”
A giggle escaped from her lips. “I can’t believe you up and moved from Sin City to the middle of the Pacific for me. I must really have you pussy-whipped.”
“Your pussy, as you put it, is a favorite place of mine, but it’s this.” I touched a finger over her forehead and then her heart. “And this, that holds me so tight. There’s no way for a man to get over you, Kailani Alexander.”
“I don’t want you to get over me. I’m pretty stuck on you too.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re marrying me and moving into that house I’m still trying to finish.”
She shook her head. “Didn’t I say to ask me when I can say yes?”
“I changed my mind. I’m not asking. It’s a given. Though marriage will come way before that house is ever done.”
She laughed. “Everything works on island time here. Plus, getting supplies to the middle of the Pacific takes a while.”
“Now I have one question for you.” I stood, lifting her up with me.
She gripped my shoulders. “What?”
“Do I fuck you when we get back to shore or in your bungalow?”
She dropped her legs from around my waist and slid down my still-aroused body.
“How about both?” she said before diving in and then popping out of the water halfway between where I stood and the opposite shore.
I smiled at the gorgeous, mercurial woman who held my heart and knew life would never be dull with her, even in paradise. But it had been worth every minute of getting here.
The End
Sneak Peek
Written In The Stars - Book 6
Continue Reading for a Sneak Peek.
Nora
"You're really moving back?" I ask, unable to help myself. The sun is still high in the sky, and I raise my hand to shield it from blinding me as the opposing team snaps the football. The stadium is buzzing with anticipation for the opening game of the season, but I’m still in shock from my brother’s revelation.
My brother, Owen, rolls his eyes. "I mean…why not? My football career died as soon as I blew out my knee. I stayed here to finish my degree then got sucked into a few opportunities but…."
My nephew, and Owen's son, Grady, pumps his fist into the air as the Red Hawks fumble the ball. He’s completely oblivious to the adult conversation we’re spouting, but he wouldn’t understand the weight of it even if he were listening. There’s just too much history for a little kid to comprehend, and I have to give Owen props for shielding him from it.
Owen joins in with his son’s whooping and hollering, although I'm not sure if it's for Grady's credit or if it's because he wants me to drop the subject.
Yeah. Not happening.
When the crowd calms down long enough for me to hear myself think, I press, "But what?"
"Drop it, Nora."
"Nope. No deal. You could move anywhere with Grady now that his mom is out of the picture. I want to know why you want to move back to New Hampshire? Does it have something to do with an old flame you ditched before going off to college by chance?"
"Will you give it a rest?" he mutters under his breath.
"No. I won't. For women everywhere, I refuse to let you hurt her again. It was bad enough witnessing it the first time. Can you imagine how awful she felt? I mean––"
"Seriously, Nora. Will you please stop?" It's the desperation in his eyes that gets me to snap my mouth shut. He feels just as shitty about the circumstances as Saylor, his ex, did when he broke up with her. I just wish I could understand why he did it in the first place, and why he would feel the need to face her again after all these years. I mean, he has a kid for Pete's sake. Still, the pain is rolling off him in waves at the memory of everything he let slip through his fingers, so I bite my tongue.
Fed up with me staring at him, Owen grabs his son's hand and tugs him out of the bleachers as the crowd cheers at the completion of a twenty-yard pass across the field.
Remembering his manners, Owen asks, “We’re going to get a hot dog or something. You want anything, Mama Two?”
“No, thanks. See you in a few.”
He disappears up the steps with his son in tow. He’ll be back. Then I’ll apologize for being overly protective of his ex and her feelings. After that, he’ll say it’s okay, and we’ll move on with life. But that doesn’t mean I won’t want a detailed update when he runs into her. And he will run into her.
What the hell is he thinking?
Lost in the comforting chaos surrounding me, I relax into my chair and watch the ball snap to our quarterback. I grew up in seats like this, cheering my brother on as he ran his way to the end zone over and over again. I still crave nachos and football jerseys every fall season and am grateful my brother was able to score us tickets to the first game of this season.
If only I hadn't scared him out of his seats with my meddling.
"Excuse me," a deep voice rumbles from the aisle. There's a soft slur to his voice that piques my curiosity. Looking up, I'm met with the richest brown eyes I've ever seen, even if they're a little glazed over from the caramel colored beverage in his hand. Just a hunch, but I don’t think it’s his first.
"Sorry, pre-gaming went a little longer than anticipated, but if I'd known I'd get to sit by a pretty little thing like you, I'd have cut it short,” he adds with a teasing grin. Normally, the comment would roll right off me, but it’s combined with that sexy smirk and an over-the-top wink that makes my insides tighten. I can't
help but laugh before standing up in my seat to let him scoot past me. A few more muscular bodies follow him, each just as bombed as the last while also equally attractive. They look older than the usual frat boys, so I'm going to assume they're fans of the game or are alumni coming to root for their team. Just like my brother and me.
Brown Eyes surprises me by stopping on my right, making his friends inch past him to get to their seats instead of him taking one further down.
Interesting.
Casually, I look up the stairs to see if my brother is coming back yet, but it’s empty. Once the final guy scoots past me, I sit back down and try to act normal. Try, being the key word. I feel like I'm about to break into a sweat just because a cute guy happened to sit next to me at a football game. I sit up a little straighter.
Don't you dare look at him, Nora.
Don't.
Even.
Think.
About.
It.
Cheeks blazing, I peek over at him. He's looking at me with a full-blown grin plastered across his handsome face. Chiseled jaw. Straight, white teeth. Smoldering smirk that could melt the pants off a nun. It’s a heady concoction.
I snap my attention back to the field. When I realize I'm holding my breath, my mouth forms a tiny 'o' shape before I let out the pent-up oxygen in my lungs. I take another peek. Yup. He's still looking at me. Still grinning. Still looking devilishly handsome.
And still driving me insane with his attention pointed directly at me instead of the game.
With a huff, I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance his way another time, only breaking eye contact when his cocky smirk almost makes me forget what I was going to say in the first place. "Is, uh…." Another peek. "Is there a problem?" I ask.
"No problem," he returns before tipping back his clear plastic cup and gulping down a bit more beer.
"Are you uh…you sure about that?" He's still staring at me with the whole cat-who-ate-the-canary look.
"Positive."
"Then why aren't you watching the game?"
"Because you're much more interesting to look at," he quips. "Can I ask you something?"
I can't help the awkward laugh that bubbles out of me before I mutter, "Sure. Ask away."