*****
Davis had barely gotten out of the shower the next morning when someone from the staff of Serenity called. “Davis.”
“Mr. Chatham, this is Rebecca Winn, the owner of Serenity.”
“Good morning. I was just about to contact you. My lawyer called last night to give me a heads-up about the press. I wanted to make sure we had a plan in place to ensure Nicole’s privacy and safety.”
“Serenity prides itself on giving our patients the best of care and providing a safe and private environment. Our job has been made more difficult because our gates have been inundated with several dozen journalists and photographers. We don’t have the workforce to handle this.”
“They are vultures. What do you suggest? What do you want me to do?”
“Mr. Chatham, I hate to have to do this, but Nicole will need to be relocated. The frenzy that is being caused by her being here is unfair to our other patients.”
“I figured you might suggest this. Where is your other facility? Where do you want to take her?”
“We don’t have another facility. Unfortunately, her treatment with Serenity will need to be cut short. You will have to find alternative accommodations.”
“She is two-thirds of the way finished! You are just going to kick her out?”
“An inpatient facility within the state might be difficult to find considering privacy is probably the most important factor in choosing where a patient goes to recover.”
“I’ve paid Serenity thousands of dollars. You can’t just kick Nicole out on her ass!”
“We understand your frustration, and are willing to provide you with a partial refund.”
“No. You’re going to have to do better than that or I will make sure everyone knows how shabbily Serenity has treated my wife.”
“Look, I’m sure we can come to some kind of resolution.”
“Nicole has about a month left of treatment, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Can you send whatever team of people that she interacts with daily to a private residence to finish her treatment?”
“That is highly unusual.”
“I don’t give a damn.”
“Is that what it’ll take to make all of this go away?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll make it happen.”
“I’ll be there to pick Nicole up within the hour.”
*****
True to his word, Davis arrived at Serenity within the hour. Mrs. Winn had not been lying. It was a zoo at the gate.
He waited for them to bring Nicole out. He heard her voice. “Davis?”
He turned to see her face. She was worried. “Are the kids okay? Is everything alright? They just told me I needed to pack all of my things.”
“The kids are fine. But there has been a security breach, and we need to get you moved.”
She nodded.
Davis reached for her hand. It was soft and delicate. An electricity passed between them that hadn’t been felt in a while. He didn’t know what to do with the feeling, so he ignored it. “We should go.”
The drive was made mostly in silence until Nicole broke it. “Where are we going?”
“I need to get you someplace private and safe.”
A small private airstrip came into to view. “We’re here.” When limo stopped, Davis got out of the car and came around to open her door. She got out with her arms wrapped around her body.
“How far away am I going to be?”
“Several thousand miles.”
“What? Where are you taking me?”
“To the island. Only . . . I’m not going.”
*****
Nicole was numb. She sat in her seat for hours as the luxury private jet flew her and a wellness team from Serenity to their island. This time, she was alone.
Her heart ached, but Dr. Carmen was right, whatever was going to happen with their marriage, Nicole would have to deal with it. She would pick up the pieces and move on. No longer did Nicole want to be defined by the past. No longer could she let who she was attached to define her as a person. She had a lot of work to do to get to where she wanted to be, but for her sake, and for the sake of her children, she would do it.
Chapter 23
Present Day . . . One Week to Go . . .
Nicole loved this place and always would. She hugged herself as she stood barefoot on the very spot where she and Davis had washed ashore over five years ago.
The sky still held the early morning orange glow, and the warm breeze caressed her skin. It blew through her hair and stroked her face. The sun still hadn’t fully come up but soon would. Here, time stood still. Here, she could catch her breath and breathe.
Nicole stared out at the sea as the waves gently rolled up and kissed the beach. Crazy how much things have changed over the past few weeks. Being on their private island had done more for her spirit than anything. It helped to cleanse her soul and change her perspective. Simply put, she was able to focus and see life more clearly. Although, somewhat nervous that in a week, she would be headed home and back to the real world. Her treatment would be finished. She would no longer have the solitude of the island as a safe haven. Still, she was ready. Visiting with her kids through the screen of her telephone or computer monitor wasn’t enough. Nicole hadn’t physically seen them in almost three months and missed them like crazy. She spoke softly into the wind. “One more week.”
“And then what?” A deep voice joined hers.
Nicole snapped her head around in surprise. “Davis?” She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t heard him come up. “When did you . . . how . . . what are you doing here?” To say that she was shocked would be an understatement.
Barefoot, Davis dug his toes into the sand. He stood next to her wearing soft linen-cotton pants, rolled up at the ankles, and a white t-shirt. “My plane got in late last night. You were already asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you.” He gazed out over the water with his hands stuffed deep into his pockets thinking about the first time he had seen Nicole on this very beach. She was soaked. Her hair clung to her face, and her clothes molded to her generous curves. She had never been more beautiful. He slowly looked in her direction. Today, Nicole didn’t look like his water nymph. But she was by no means less beautiful wearing a tank and cut-off shorts. It was simple and relaxed. Her unruly dark curls blew wildly around her face, and while she was clearly surprised to see him, her eyes held a calmness Davis hadn’t ever seen. While his anger had simmered, what bothered him most was that seeing Nicole in person hadn’t erased his warring emotions.
Nicole held her hair out of her face with her hands. “But why are you here? I’ve still got a week left of treatment.”
He looked back out over the sea and spoke quietly. “I know. I tried to stay away, but I couldn’t.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
Davis spoke as if he were talking to himself. He didn’t answer her question. “Everything for us started right on this island.”
It didn’t go unnoticed that he hadn’t responded, but Nicole let it go—for now. “Actually, it started with you being an asshole to me at that airport.”
“I wasn’t an asshole per se.” A slight smile tickled the edge of his lips. “I was preoccupied and having a bad day.”
“Davis, you were horrible to me.”
“Okay, maybe I wasn’t as charming as I am now, but I did make it up to you.” He widened his arms and turned in a half circle. “I saved your life on this very island. I should get credit for that.”
“I don’t exactly remember it that way.”
Davis raised an eyebrow. “How do you remember it?”
“We saved each other.”
Her words drew her to him, and when Davis turned their eyes met. His hands were feather light when he touched her cheek. Their back and forth banter vanished. “So, how did we get here?”
Nicole sighed. “Is there any wonder why two broken people would be drawn to each other?”
Nicole twisted her lips to the side and laughed a little. “We’re standing on a beach where I’m finishing treatment for a drug addiction. I would definitely say yes.”
“I’m glad you can joke about it.”
She shrugged. “What else can I do? I’m no longer ashamed, and I’m trying hard to get better every day. Not only do I want to be better . . .” She paused. “I want us to be better too. Is that why you’re here?”
Davis tried to choose his words carefully. “I want to do what’s best for all of us.” He threw his head back and closed his eyes. “I don’t know what that is. I came here because I want to find out.”
Nicole felt like she’d been punched in the gut. She looked down. “Oh.”
After a moment, with a gentle touch, Davis placed his hand on her shoulder. His words and his brain weren’t connecting. God, she feels good. He knew that common sense had to prevail. “Nicole, I love you, but sometimes love just isn’t enough. Sometimes, two people just are not good for each other.” Even as he said the words, all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms.
“I agree. Love on its own isn’t enough. But, if you do—still—want me. Then we can make our marriage better than it ever was before. But we have to want our marriage to work, and then we have to fight for it. I think we’re worth it.”
She sounded so confident. Still, regardless of what Nicole said, Davis never wanted to see her in a position like this again. He couldn’t help but feel partly responsible.
“Mrs. Chatham?” Someone called out to her.
Nicole turned back toward the house. Her therapist, Carmen, was standing on the wrap around porch, trying to get Nicole’s attention. Nicole yelled back, “I’ll be right there.” She turned to Davis. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. We like to do early morning sessions. Can we talk later?”
He nodded. “Of course.” Davis watched Nicole walk away. He wasn’t sure if he had the strength to let her go. In the end, he had to do what was best for her—and everyone.
Chapter 24
Other than the morning of Davis’s arrival, he and Nicole hadn’t spent very much time alone. Davis consciously made that decision. He didn’t want to interfere with her routine, and, if he were honest, he wasn’t ready to finish the conversation they started almost a week ago. But he couldn’t stand being away from her. Just knowing that Nicole was near, soothed him. However, he couldn’t use the excuse of not wanting to interfere with her recovery much longer. Nicole only had one more day left of treatment, which meant that he only had that amount a time to make some big decisions.
Davis was still conflicted about what to do about their relationship. He spent his days on the island taking long walks and thinking to the point of exhaustion. His mind was like a faucet and wouldn’t shut off. It was probably the first time since the plane crash that he had been away from everything and completely unplugged from the world. Jane was still running the business. When they did talk, it wasn’t about work; it was about DJ and Rayna since they were staying with her while he and Nicole were away. Teena had been a godsend and continued to take care of the kids at Jane’s home. Davis made sure to check-in at least once a day.
He hiked a path that led to the lagoon where he and Nicole had made love too many times to count. Davis had had it cleared but left some foliage for privacy. It held a special place in his heart. He stopped short when he spotted a half-naked Nicole sitting on the bank with her shapely legs swaying in the water. Warning bells were going off in his head. This is a bad idea, he thought, but couldn’t help himself from approaching her. He looked heavenward. How do You expect me to be rational when you’ve given me my water nymph back?
Nicole was lost in her own world.
Davis moved silently toward her. It was too bad the little red string-bikini she was wearing wasn’t silent. It spoke to his body loud and clear. The color complemented caramel skin that glowed from being in the South Pacific sun for the last month. Flashes of kissing every inch of her ran through his mind like a movie. Davis felt his cock jump at the thought of being inside her. It had been too long, but until they came to some decisions about their relationship, he had to keep his hands to himself. That was going to be one tall order. He adjusted himself inside his shorts, hoping she wouldn’t notice his excitement before announcing himself.
Davis cleared his throat. “Hey. I didn’t know you were out here.”
Her hair clung to her face and droplets of water rested on her long lashes. Her pouty, full lips gave way to a smile. “It’s one of my favorite places on the entire island. I’m sure you can imagine why.”
He couldn’t stop smiling like a fool. “Yeah. Mine too.” Davis moaned inwardly as he took a seat next to her. Her full breasts looked as if they were going to burst out of her bikini top. He would give his left kidney to taste one of those tightly pebbled buds. The blood in his body was all flowing to one place. He needed to get a handle on it quick, especially since he vowed to himself not to touch her.
She returned his smile with one of her own. “What’s that look for?”
“I didn’t expect to see an angel sitting in our lagoon.”
Nicole pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. “Angel, huh?” She hopped down into the water and waded over, sliding in-between his thighs. “Maybe I don’t want to be an angel. Maybe I want to be a little devilish.” Her hands started to slide up and down his legs getting closer to where Davis was now sporting a full hard-on. He captured her wrists before they made it to their destination. His voice was strained. “This is probably not a good idea.”
Her big round eyes looked up into his. He knew that look. The one where they were more green than brown. The one that said I need you and made him go batshit crazy. She was going to make this difficult. “C’mon, Nicole. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“The right thing would be for you to get down in this water with me and let me wrap my legs around your waist. And then for you to pound me so hard that by the time we’re finished neither of us will have the strength to move.”
Davis was having a hard time regulating his breathing. He rested his forehead on hers, then brought her hands up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You have no idea how much I want that too.”
“Then fuck me.”
“No.” He sucked in a breath, shocked by his self-control.
Nicole managed to break free of his grip and cupped his face in her hands. Her eyes were heated by lust and determination. “I’ve allowed you to hide from me all week. You’re my husband, and I’ve decided to fight for you. I know I messed up, but I won’t let you walk away from me. What we have is special.” Nicole moved in closer, pressing her body flush against Davis’s rock-hard chest. She stepped up onto her tip toes and slowly, ever so slowly, touched her lips to his. The kiss was mixed with hunger and desperation. She wouldn’t let up the pressure until Davis gave in.
He lost it. Davis gripped her waist and took over the kiss. All the months of dreaming about touching her came crashing down on him, breaking his resolve.
Nicole ran her hands all over his body. She kissed him back with everything she had inside.
Davis tore his lips away from hers.
It took a moment for Nicole’s brain to register what was happening. Their breathing was labored and uneven.
Davis could barely form words and was holding on to his restraint by a thread. “You make me want . . .” He was still trying to gain control of his mind and body. “Not like this. Not when so much is unresolved.”
Nicole placed her hands flat against his chest. She was terrified. Not because Davis was physically withholding himself, but because she couldn’t reach him emotionally—and she might never be able to. She was desperate. “You’re mine, Davis Chatham, and I’m yours. If that is the case, we have the rest of our lives to get it right. We don’t have to wait to make love. We can be together AND fix us.”
“You’re in recovery.”
“Ugggggghhh .
. . You can’t keep using that excuse. I will be in recovery for the rest of my life.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m done with treatment. I had my last session this morning, and everyone is packing up to head home. So, that excuse is no longer valid. We have problems, Davis. I know that . . . big ones.” Nicole pressed her sex into his hardness. “Let’s start over at a place that we both can agree is fantastic between us.”
“You won’t quit, will you?”
“No. I won’t. Like I said, we have our problems, but sex has never been one. Let’s start where we can agree because I believe we have the rest of our lives to resolve our differences. And guess what? When we fix those, there will be a hundred more to pop up.”
Davis released his hold and stepped away from her. “Nicole, you and I both know that I’m no good for you. I drove you to this place. We should head back.”
Nicole stared at him in disbelief. “Davis. That’s not true.”
He wouldn’t look at her. His voice was firm. “You and I both know it is. Look, I’m going back to the house. Are you coming?” He held his hand out to hers.
She didn’t take it. “I’m not going to let you do this.”
He dropped his arms. “I guess that would be a no. I’ll see you back at the house.”
Nicole watched him walk away—no—he was running away. He was doing a lot of that lately, and she planned to put a stop to it.
Chapter 25
This is my last night here on this island. I’m determined to convince my husband we have a chance.
There was a soft knock on her door. Nicole walked over and opened it just a crack. It was the housekeeper, Akela, who was also the cook that Davis hired for their stay. “Yes?”
She smiled. “Everything you asked for is all set.”
Nicole’s own smile spread across her face. “Great. So, the Serenity team made it to the airstrip okay?”
Fragments of Us (A Contemporary Broken Hearts Romance) (Book Book 2) Page 13