Coming to kneel in front of me, he assessed me with his knowing eyes. I loved when Gael wore his jeans and button up dress shirts. “Talk to me, sweetheart. You look upset.”
I played with the fringe of the wrap I wore around my sweater and skirt in the brisk air. “You remember me telling you about my father.”
“Yes, he killed himself when you were younger.” Silently, I added because I wasn’t enough to Gael’s words.
The black fringe danced about between my fingers as I rolled it. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I heard you talking to your mom about the firework show this morning.” I glanced up and Gael furrowed his brow as he tried to connect the dots. He stayed silent. Focusing on the ocean, I continued, “I was at my bedroom window watching a firework show that the neighbors were putting on. During one of the huge fireworks that have several big ones that go off in intermittent spurts, a gunshot rang out through our house that for a second sounded like a firework. I ran down the hall to my father’s room and found him dead. The fireworks kept going off and I flinched at each boom. To this day, they terrify me. When they start tonight, I’ll excuse myself and it’ll be fine.”
It was hard admitting something that showed how broken I was. My Aunt Leelyn always told me, we’re all broken. It’s a matter of learning how to deal with the cracks we have.
The waves continued to crash against the shore. Gael placed his hands on mine, which caused me to look back at him. “We’ll stay here. I’m not subjecting you to something like that.”
“No, I don’t want you to miss it. It’s a tradition for you guys. I’ll be okay. I’ve had to attend events that had fireworks through the years. I simply excuse myself, hide somewhere and put my headphones on.” That was one thing Harris never questioned me on. In the last year, we’d attended numerous events with some sort of fireworks and he’d always made sure to give me plenty of time to get somewhere before they started. It was one of the only compassionate things that had remained intact as he slowly lost himself to greed. However, it was probably because he didn’t want me having a breakdown in front of his guests.
The look on Gael’s face told me what he thought. I intercepted him before he spoke, “Gael, you’re not missing it.”
He stood. “Ashlin, I don’t want to put you in that type of a situation and I’m not going without you.” There was resolve in his voice. He treated me as if we were already one person and I loved him all the more for it. He truly cared for me and I was his priority. Gael was always showing me what love really was.
Following suit, I got up from my chair. “Gael, I’m going. This is a family tradition. I want to be part of it.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, Gael looked distressed. “Okay. We’ll figure it out. But, I’ll be with you when it starts. We’ll be somewhere safe. I’ll think of something.”
“That sounds perfect.”
The clambake had finished. Everyone gathered back on the beach to visit and talk. A few of us were cleaning up the last of the dishes. Fireworks were supposed to start in an hour. Acutely aware of the time, I knew I’d head back up to the house in forty-five minutes.
“Ashlin, darling, can you get two bottles of wine from the kitchen?” Erica called from the deck.
Walking into the house to dispose of some plates, I called back, “Sure.”
Since we’d been here a couple of days ago for Thanksgiving, the house had completely transformed. Christmas decorations hung from every surface. The tree glistened, adorned with lights and tinsel. Christmas carols played low on the speakers throughout the house. Gael’s parents’ home was magical. A home that felt like a loving family.
Grabbing the bottles of wine, I brought it to the back deck. “I can carry these down.”
Erica gave me a loving look as she grabbed some glasses. “Perfect. I can’t wait for you to see the fireworks. They’re beautiful as they fall over the water. It’s mine and Gael’s favorite part of the evening.”
The thought of seeing the show made me queasy, but I pushed it aside. With all that had come to pass with Harris, I wasn’t ready to give all the details of my past. “I bet it’s lovely.”
“Oh, it is.”
Erica was bundled up as we walked down the steps. The air was chilly but not unbearable. However, I didn’t plan on moving far away from the bon fire when we did take our seats.
Making it down to the beach, the fire warmed me. I sat in a chair and watched Gael talk with his childhood friends from across the flames. He’d glance back to me and give me his charismatic smile. They were all good people and I enjoyed being around them. Conversation with his mother’s friends was easy.
Cocooning myself in the warmth of the friendships that surrounded me, I hoped that one day I’d be permanently part of this family. Someday. Being with Gael’s parents was easy and I’d love to be their daughter. Someday. There was that word again. With the time I had spent with them, they already felt like the parents I never had.
Idly, I wondered if this was the same feeling Sophia had with Daniel’s parents. There were so many unanswered questions when it came to her story. Gael’s family only had recipes and a few names, but nothing of dates and specifics.
Next week, I planned on trying to see if there was anything else I could find. If it wasn’t in Aunt Leelyn’s genealogy, I’m not sure the information was out there with how thorough she was.
Gael’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. “Ladies, I’m going to take Ashlin for a quick stroll on the beach.”
One of Gael’s girl cousins sighed sweetly. Erica spoke from a few seats away, “You two have fun. Enjoy the show.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
People waved good-bye as I stood. Looking at my watch, I noticed that forty-five minutes had come and gone in a flash. My heart raced. Taking hold of Gael’s hand, I followed him. Quickly, I whispered, “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. But it’s the best place I can think of to drown out the noise. We’ll walk a bit and then turn back.”
Walking down the beach until what I assumed was far enough to not get any attention, Gael turned back up to the row of houses and we briskly made our way back. Looking at my clock, we had five minutes.
“Well make it, Ashlin.”
“Okay.” My voice sounded worried. I knew I wouldn’t die, but when I heard fireworks, the memories came back stronger, more intense and vivid.
Climbing the steps to the house, we entered and I followed Gael back toward his parents’ bedroom. Before we got there, he opened a door I had never been behind in the hallway. A small room was inside the door.
There was a small loveseat with a chest on the other side. “This is my parents’ storm room. It has insulation so we shouldn’t hear much from outside.”
Gael hit a button as the first firework exploded; I shuddered and moved to the opposite corner of the room. I am okay. I am okay. Gael’s here. The past is the past. A metal door slid shut, drowning out the rest of the noise. Gael turned toward me and a need came over me. A need to drive away all the ickiness that tried to drown me.
The same must have happened to Gael as he rushed to me, pinning my arms above my head. Ravishing my lips, I gave myself over to him—surrendering all that I had.
Releasing me, Gael dragged my sweater over my head. I finished the job for him. A support tank top was underneath that allowed me to go braless. Impatient, Gael ripped the fabric, baring my breasts to him.
A hard suck engulfed my nipple. Pleasure-pain shot through me. Gael had never been this rough and it turned me on in a different way. Attention from his mouth moved to my other nipple. My winter skirt was lifted above my hips and Gael’s fingers touched me through my panties. I ground my hand into him, needing the friction as all other thoughts were swept aside. Taking the fabric, he tore the skimpy panties from my body.
A cool breath blew and the beaded tip of my breast hardened. “I’m about to fuck you, Ashlin.”
A low rhythmic pulsing in my core had me crazed for satisfa
ction. I was only able to manage a breathy reply, “Please.”
The want was at an all-time high.
Hoisting me up, my back slammed against the back cinder blocked wall. In the next instance, Gael impaled me. I screamed out as I stretched to accommodate the size of his dick. The heady combination of pleasure-pain only had me needing more.
My boots were still on and I hooked them around his ass as he held mine. Intertwining my fingers through Gael’s soft hair, I brought him to my neck. Pulling out, he slammed back inside me. Exquisite didn’t cover all the erotic feelings within me.
“More, Gael. Harder.”
His lips found my neck. My body held on for the ride as I was sent to heaven screaming Gael’s name. Collapsing against the wall, Gael’s guttural moan had me clinching down on him and he called out, “Shit!”
Stumbling back while still buried inside me, he brought us to the couch. Our chests heaved and I leaned my head down on his shoulders, trying to catch my breath.
I moved and the friction felt so good that I kept going. “That’s right, sweetheart.”
One of my hands traveled down toward my clit as I continued to ride Gael’s still stiff dick. Waves of pleasure trembled through my core. All of the pent-up anticipation from tonight found its way out. Arching my back, I kept up the pace and took my free hand to tickle my nipples with feather light touches that had them feeling heavy with desire.
“Faster, Ashlin. Holy hell you look hot!”
I complied and bore down on Gael as I rode him. “So good!”
Gael’s hands came to my hips, forcing them to go faster. My fingers were wet as they pushed harder against my pleasure spot. I neared the black abyss of euphoria. Close. So close. In a single movement, Gael thrusted hard within me and I cried out. Alive and free my body fell as I collapsed on Gael’s chest.
He stood still holding me while buried inside. “Hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. I’m taking you from behind.”
Disengaging our bodies, Gael draped me over the arm of the couch. Exhausted and exhilarated, my body went limp. The tip of Gael’s dick breached my entrance before pushing all the way in. Still in a numbed haze of euphoria, his strokes only added to my delight. Fingertips dug into my hips as Gael rammed into me hard, fast, and relentless until he found his release.
“Fuck, Ashlin. Fuck!” He collapsed on me. Pulling out, he picked me up and brought us back to the couch. I laid on top of him while our breaths slowed, bathing in pleasure coursing through my body.
As I came back to reality, I remembered why we were in here. There were no distinct booms going off outside. “I’d say you definitely took my mind off of what was going on.”
As I glanced down, I saw how we were still dressed. I giggled. “If anyone saw us right now—“
The rumble of Gael’s laugh had me laughing harder. “I’d say that this defines a moment of passion. We’ll get you a new top. I couldn’t wait to get inside you.”
“I liked it.”
Stroking my back, Gael closed his eyes. “Well then, we’ll definitely be repeating this fuckfest.”
“Why Gael, you’ve turned crude during this little fuckfest as you called it.”
We both laughed. He looked down at me deviously. “I think it turned you on.”
“It did.” I kissed his jaw and turned serious. “Thank you for taking my mind off of it all. I love you, Gael.”
“You’re my life, Ashlin. I love you, too.”
The thought of fireworks still made me sick to my stomach, but if I was wrapped in Gael’s arms I think I could face them.
IT WAS TWO weeks until Christmas. The holidays were in full swing as wreaths hung from all the lampposts through the city. The trees dangled with twinkle lights. This year, Christmas had a new meaning to me. It was one of hopes, dreams, and beginnings.
The Christmas Ball, where Gael was to be the auctioneer, was supposed to be happening tonight. However, starting late last night, we had been under a hurricane warning which was unseasonable for this time of year. Hurricane Peggy had been on a path to hit higher north. It had shifted slightly and now we were supposed to get hit by the outskirts of the storm.
The town was abuzz with preparations. Stores were sold out of the essentials. Shelters were opening up across the city. Most of the businesses, including Gael’s restaurant, were closing early due to the potential storm.
Whether or not we were still going to the ball was a toss-up as it had not been cancelled yet. To be on the safe side, I was getting ready for tonight while Gael kept an eye on the weather. Having been through hurricanes as a child growing up here, I knew the drill.
Running the blush along my cheekbone, I saw Sophia’s journal in the corner of my eye. The ending of her story still had me baffled. Over the last couple of weeks, I had tried to find any additional information on Daniel, Sophia, Annabelle, or Devlin. Daniel had been reported among the dead in an old telegram I had found to the shipping company in North Carolina. That was all I could find.
There was no additional information in Aunt Leelyn’s research for the three generations prior to Sophia. I’d even spent hours going through all her old books. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
After going to the building that housed the Savannah historical records for research, I’d found there had been a fire between Sophia and Annabelle’s time, eliminating everything—including historical information from Daniel’s side of the family. I’d assumed the telegram from North Carolina had come after.
There were some sporadic records during that time, but all from other states. I’d racked my brain on how to figure out what happened to Sophia to no avail. Her story felt incomplete to me. I needed more.
I remembered back to a conversation that Gael and I had at dinner one night this week.
I huffed out a frustrated sigh from the bar. “Gael, I don’t get it. There has to be something else that happened with Daniel. Otherwise, how would you have come to exist?”
This was the question that had plagued me when I couldn’t get my mind off of the story.
Gael moved about the kitchen with ease. I’d offered to help, but Gael had wanted to wait on me. It always warmed my heart and I never took it for granted.
Plus, after our near disaster making oatmeal on the stove this week, I believed he was slowly realizing how inept my kitchen potential was. Before that, he’d taught me how to boil eggs. I was terrible at the shelling part. Absolutely terrible.
Putting a few more spices into the ravioli, Gael thought. “I don’t know. Back then, they didn’t have birth control. Think about how fast Sophia got pregnant from Daniel and Devlin. From the sounds of it, I don’t think Daniel was a virgin. There’s a chance a grandbaby no one knew about popped up after.”
“Could be, I guess. Why did that stupid building have to burn with all the records I need? Ugh!” I took another sip of my wine and willed an idea to form on how to find more information. Nothing came. A plate of homemade ravioli was placed before me. “Oh, that smells delicious. My taste buds are seriously thankful that I found a chef to date.”
Gael took a seat beside me. “This chef is thankful he found you. And you successfully made oatmeal in a pan this week.”
I laughed. “Um, no. You successfully caught it in time before I boiled oatmeal all over the place.”
Gael had been insistent that oatmeal was so easy to make, he could sit at the bar and instruct me. Needless to say, the exact opposite was true.
“We’ll find your specialty.” Gael winked at me as he ground parmesan cheese onto his food after I declined.
Taking a bite, I pointed to the microwave, insinuating what my specialty was. Gael shook his head and simply said, “No.”
I snickered and he gave me an amused look as we continued to talk about our day.
Daniel accidentally getting someone by the name of Colett pregnant and not knowing about it, prior to Sophia, was the only thing that made sense. It was the ending I was giving them. Hopefully, Daniel’s parents got
to enjoy the grandbaby.
I pictured Sophia bringing Annabelle over and maybe the little ones had been friends. The parents would have been elated to have a piece of Daniel back in their life, maybe even Sophia, though it would’ve been hard seeing Daniel’s child with someone else. All those thoughts were as close as I could come to giving this saga closure.
Really, it was me who needed closure or my search would be never ending until I did—for me. What had started off as a journey from my Aunt Leelyn’s death to hold on to her, had become part of me in so many ways I hadn’t even realized until it was over.
At least the world had given Sophia happiness and love again, though it’d never be the same as Daniel’s. Like me, she’d been given a second chance to live. Life moves on. Finally, I was ready to let their story rest and fully embrace my own.
Embracing my future, was I ready to give Gael the answer to the question he’d asked me this morning? Needless to say, Gael had shocked me as I thought back to our conversation.
We were in bed as daylight broke. Our naked limbs were entwined. Goose bumps trailed in the wake of Gael’s fingers running along my arms.
“Morning, sweetheart.”
I snuggled in closer, not wanting to leave the warmth of our bed. “Morning.”
This was one of my favorite parts of the day before all the hustle and bustle started. There was true peace in these moments.
“Ashlin?” His voice will still raspy, adding a deeper tone that had me running my leg down his.
“Yes.”
His arm tightened around me. “Move in with me, Ashlin. I know we stay together almost every night, but I don’t want to wonder anymore. I want to know we’re going to be together every night.”
Frozen. I was frozen and not able to speak. I tried, but it felt like cotton filled my mouth. I loved Gael. Loved him with my whole heart, but I was scared to move in with someone again. Losing myself was not an option. The last person I’d lived with had ended in disaster. Thinking the same thing could happen to Gael and I, had me feeling dizzy.
“Umm … can I have a little while to think about it? This is a big step for me. There’s umm … a lot to think about.”
Predestined Hearts Page 26