by Lily Hayden
“So, we’re good?” She rose carefully to her feet, holding the snake tightly and falling into step with Noah.
“Uh huh.” He nodded. “You think I’m gonna chuck away a chance with the hottest, most intelligent, bravest woman I’ve ever met just because she hooked up with an ex before we got together?”
Taylor felt her heart balloon with happiness. With his words, he had confirmed everything she thought he was and if they weren’t juggling about sixty-pounds of dangerous animals between them, she would have thrown herself into his arms.
“Besides,” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked at her with a tenderness that made her legs feel weak. “The whole world has seen how great you look topless now. I’d be crazy to chuck that away, right?”
Life’s A Beach
Ella checked and re-checked her mirrors before reversing into the last space on the ocean front.
“You don’t need to do that.” Jason laughed good-naturedly. “That’s what the sensors are for.”
She ignored him, and he smiled lovingly at the concentration on her face as she manoeuvred the truck into the spot.
“When you can drive,” She turned to him, taking his bandaged hand carefully in hers and brushing her lips over his fingers. “You can reverse your way but seeing as I’ve driven the whole two days to get here and I’ll be the one undressing you later, you better keep that sexy mouth shut.”
Jason groaned with pleasure as her mouth lingered over his fingertips.
“Take me to that hotel now!” He joked before pulling her close with his good hand and kissing her deeply.
“Later.” She promised. “The others are here already. I’ve only got a few hours with them. I’ve got the rest of my life to ravish you.”
Jason watched appreciatively, as she hopped out of the truck, smoothing down her sun dress. She slipped her hand into his and together, they walked over to where her friends were waiting. The sun was already beginning to set along Miami Beach, but despite the long road trip, Ella was wide awake. She threw her arms around her friends, squeezing them tight to her.
Once introductions had been made, Jason, Armand and Noah tactfully slipped off to get better acquainted over some beers, leaving the friends together for the first time in ten weeks. With so much for them to share and so little time together, they shunned the idea of a noisy bar, opting instead to hop up onto the bed of the truck and watch the last few rays of daylight bathe the bay in streaks of rosy gold.
They watched the three men cross the road and disappear into a bar before turning to each other.
“You go first!” They all exclaimed simultaneously before bursting into fits of laughter.
“I’m so happy for you both.” Taylor sighed when everyone had had a chance to share their story.
Her heart felt full of lightness and joy at seeing her friends both so happy. She was almost sorry that her and Noah were heading out earlier than planned to Costa Rica as she would have loved to have spent a little bit longer getting to know the men who had captured her best friends’ hearts.
Almost.
“I bet you’ll be glad to escape the madness of the last few weeks!” Shauna said squeezing Taylor’s hand.
“It’s been a little challenging.” Taylor agreed. “I’m so lucky that Noah’s so chilled. There’ve been paparazzi everywhere in his hometown. I’m surprised one of them hasn’t ended up in a gator’s belly, the way they’ve been lurking around the swamp. It just made sense for us to get away sooner rather than later.”
“Costa Rica sounds amazing.” Ella enthralled. “And it’s a ‘proper’ job. I’m feeling a little guilty that I’m not looking right now, but I just want to be there for Jason while they’re rebuilding the auto-shop.”
“Technically, you’re working.” Taylor shook her head. “I’m following his businesses on social media and I know that amazing content could only be by one talented lady.”
Ella grinned bashfully, ducking her head behind a curtain of blonde hair. “It’s good to keep busy. He wants me to stick around and work for his business, but it’s something I want to think about.”
“I totally get that.” Shauna nodded as she dug in the cooler for three beers. “Armand is stepping up to take more of an executive role now Aaron is out of the picture, but I don’t really know if I want to jump into working for my boyfriend.”
“There’s all the time in the world to think about it.” Ella agreed, gratefully accepting a beer from her friend.
“God, listen to us now!” Taylor laughed as they clinked bottle necks. “Was it really only ten weeks ago that we had sworn off men?”
“Ah, but that was before we had a taste of what the Southern States had to offer!” Shauna winked.
“And, oh-my-God,” Ella echoed. “They’re hot down here!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lily Hayden lives in South Wales with four children, three cats, two dogs and a husband.
She is the author of Butterflies and The Village Online, as well as Project Terra under the pen name S.J Woods.
Follow Hayden Woods Creative on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for up-to-date news and releases.
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