I'Ve Got You

by Louise Forster

  Lexie stood and, smiling, looked her up and down. ‘You are going to rock Kabe’s world … and Dan’s.’

  ‘I don’t want to rock Dan’s, but you definitely will in that dress. Is it silk?’ Belle asked running her hands over the fabric. ‘You know, the brother you wanted?’

  ‘Don’t be silly.’ Lexie grinned. She twirled and her little dress of red, blue, yellow and green splashes on a white background shimmered. The kick-out hem stopped above the knee. It fit snugly around her waist, moulded her breasts in a deep-cut V, and finished halter-style around her neck.

  ‘Come on, beautiful, let’s go.’ Belle smiled. ‘We have to pick Kabe up on the way.’

  ‘Go ahead. Marilyn’s changing and I told her I’d wait. She won’t be long.’ Lexie looked her up and down again and giggled. ‘You won’t get out of Kabe’s place, ever. I’ll have to slide food under the door, you’ll have to live off spaghetti noodles, wafer biscuits, and maybe the odd licorice strap.’

  Belle laughed, remembering how she and Lexie saved their pocket money to buy licorice when they were kids. ‘I doubt it,’ she said, but her heart tripped. ‘See you at dinner.’ She kissed Lexie on the cheek and, back straight, headed for Kabe’s wing on the other side of a small courtyard. She opened the door and called out as she walked in. ‘I’m back, are you ready?’

  ‘Are you kidding me?’ he said, from the lounge room. He turned off the TV, swung off the couch, took one step towards her and stopped. ‘Fuck me!’

  ‘What?’ she looked down at her dress. ‘I knew this was wrong. Too skimpy, too short, and look,’ she turned around, and head over her shoulder pointed out the obvious, ‘no back.’

  As he prowled towards her, his mouth eased into a quirky lopsided grin. And he took his time, taking her in from head to toe and back up again.

  ‘Oh my …’ Belle whispered, seeing the wicked gleam in his eyes.

  Standing directly in front of her now, his hands slowly caressed her arms all the way up and over her shoulders, the pads of his finger pressing into her flesh as he stroked down her bare back.

  ‘You’re not really hungry, are you?’ He kissed her left cheek, moving to the corner of her mouth, then her chin, then worked his way around to her opposite temple, while his fingers made lazy patterns on her skin, dipping lower with every pass.

  ‘What are you driving at?’ Belle panted.

  ‘Let’s stay here and fool around, you in this dress …’ He tugged her into him and brought his mouth down on hers, hard, hungry. He was a masterful kisser, in control and just enough tongue to make her tingle. His mouth moved to her neck, nipping, licking. ‘Hmm, you make me hungry,’ Kabe hummed against her skin.

  Belle leaned deeper into him. ‘Oh God, yes,’ Belle whispered back.

  A loud knock on the door made them both flinch and Kabe curse.

  ‘Come on you two, I know you’re in there,’ Lexie sang out.

  Then his mother’s voice, ‘Are you sure, Lexie? I bet they left ages ago.’

  ‘I think your Pop has the right idea,’ Kabe whispered. ‘An island with a no-go zone sounds good right now.’

  ‘Is it safe to go out or do you need a moment?’ Belle asked, looking at his groin.

  With Belle in front of him and his arm around her waist, he propelled her forward saying, ‘I’m good, let’s go.’

  She laughed. ‘I see you’re not taking any chances.’

  ‘Nope.’ He opened the door just as Lexie was about to pound on it again.

  ‘You were in there,’ Marilyn accused.

  ‘Yep,’ Kabe began, ‘I was admiring Belle’s backless red dress … then she attacked me and I couldn’t get away.’ He gave all three women a wicked smile, complete with sexy dimples, and a wink. Belle elbowed him in the ribs.

  Marilyn quirked an eyebrow and gave him a who’re-you-trying-to-kid look. ‘Of course Belle did, she’s such a slip of a thing, she’d overpower you any day of the week.’

  *

  Belle sipped her Kahlua liqueur and enjoyed the flickering candlelight reflected off Kabe’s tanned skin. With his chin lowered, his dark eyes fixed on her, and sporting a blatant, sexy smile, Kabe sent blood racing to Belle’s erogenous zones—switching them on, snap-snap-snap, mouth, nipples, pelvis.

  Ooh, she thought, clenching her thighs while her mind screamed, take me! He’d been toying with her all through dinner, and now with everyone gone, and without trying, he was upping the ante.

  As if he could read her thoughts, Kabe extended his hand and asked pointedly, ‘You ready?’

  ‘Hmm?’ His baritone, rumbling voice, coupled with his question, led to all manner of imagery, all extremely hot.

  ‘Belle?’ Kabe tugged at her hand.

  ‘Oh … ready? Sure, where’re we going?’ Belle asked as they headed away from the houses.

  He took her through the garden and out to a rocky outcrop overlooking the jetty. Tiny lights twinkled on distant Islands and from a few boats anchored off the coast for the night.

  ‘Come here, sit for a while,’ Kabe said, leading her to a patch of short grass.

  Belle sank down and gazed out to sea while Kabe made himself comfortable beside her. He didn’t touch her. Nor did he put an arm around her as she expected he would, and wished he would.

  Time went by and nothing happened.

  Kabe lay down, arms behind his head. ‘Try this,’ he said, ‘It almost feels as if the sky could fall on you.’

  ‘Great,’ she said, a touch of humour in her voice, ‘I’ve always wondered what that felt like.’

  ‘Just relax and go with it.’ Kabe settled back. Not long after, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his chest take on a rhythmic movement, and Belle wondered if he had fallen asleep. She turned to look at him, and saw his eyes were open. ‘What?’ he said, ‘You thought I was asleep? Hmm?’

  ‘Well, maybe.’

  ‘How could I with you right here. Watch the sky, Babe.’

  Belle lay quietly on the grass gazing up at the Milky Way and bright nearby stars.

  And there it was, the feeling Kabe was alluding to—it hit her; holding her breath, she hoped the sensation would linger.

  ‘You okay?’ Kabe turned on his side, and propped himself up on an elbow to look at her.

  ‘No,’ she said, her voice barely a whisper. ‘I’m not. I feel smaller than a grain of sand and I just had the feeling the universe moved without me.’ She felt that was the perfect description of what she had just experienced. She turned her head towards him. ‘Thanks for sharing this with me; it’s unbelievable … magic.’

  A thoughtful smile curved his mouth. ‘My pleasure. This place, right here, is why I wanted to buy the land, and why I …’ he petered out, and slipped his hand around her neck and up into her hair. Slowly, his gaze drifted over her face as if scanning something he’d never seen before, but really liked the look of. ‘Belle …’ he murmured, his tone serious. A flutter erupted in her stomach of what was to come; what was he intending to say? ‘Sometimes you baffle me,’ he whispered, ‘and I love it. At the same time, you’re not a game player, or a schemer. You’re Belle, straight up and … I love the way you are.’

  ‘Oh my God … Kabe!’ He hadn’t said I love you exactly, but it was close enough that it blew her away. She gave a nervous giggle. She would be ‘straight up’ with him as soon as the moment presented itself, and she didn’t care who said it first … properly.

  His strong fingers cupped her face and his eyes dipped to her mouth. Belle knew what that meant and she couldn’t wait. His mouth landed on hers, hot, strong, and hungry. He teased her lips with the tip of his tongue before sliding in to play with hers. His throaty moan hit the sweet spot between her thighs, already aching with need. The lush grass beneath her and the black velvet starry sky faded away. All that remained were his mouth, his broad protective shoulders and his hands.

  He pulled away; his beautiful eyes focused on hers, searching, penetrating. ‘I want you,’ he whispered, ‘right here, ri
ght now, under the stars.’

  She grabbed his hair, lifted herself up to meet his mouth and kissed him breathless.

  Chapter 10

  Belle woke to the sun streaming into Kabe’s bedroom. She turned around to see him sprawled beside her under a sheet that barely covered him. Her heart filled with an ache so beautiful that she thought she would cry. How could she be this lucky? Tears welled, yet the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile. She itched to kiss him, but she didn’t want to disturb his peace so instead she carefully started to climb out of bed. His arm came out wide, hooked her around the waist, and pulled her into his hard, warm body. ‘Going somewhere?’ he asked, voice husky with sleep. ‘Thought you’d be tired, you had another night of bad dreams.’ He held her closer. ‘ ’S all right, we’ll work it out.’

  ‘Oh, sorry. I’m fine now. Need the bathroom … pee, shower, teeth, clothes. Need coffee and food.’

  ‘Hmm.’ His sleepy eyes focused on her breasts, and he licked his lips provocatively. Her nipples immediately went hard and pebbly. She covered them with her hands. ‘Uh-uh …’ Kabe pushed himself up, slipped one arm around her back, the other under her knees, and shifted them off the bed. With Belle tucked firmly to his chest, he strode into the bathroom.

  ‘What’re you doing?’ Belle flung an arm around his neck, the other rested on his hard pecs.

  He eased her down onto the tiles and turned the shower on. ‘I’m going to wash you and then you’re going to wash me,’ he murmured into her neck then gently nipped her earlobe. ‘I’m going to touch every inch of your magnificent body. Then I’m going to taste you, make sure you’re wet for me and then … I’m going to fuck you real slow until you cry out my name.’

  A full body shiver slithered through Belle and she tightened her hold on his neck. Oh yeah, judging by the grin on his face, he hadn’t missed her reaction. He pulled her under the warm water cascading from the enormous shower-rose. Good to his word he started shampooing her hair, massaging her scalp and neck. Then, hands flat, fingers splayed, he soaped Belle’s entire body, slipping, sliding over her skin. She raised her arms and turned for him, her bones melting gloriously. She rinsed and his beautiful hands slid down and dipped in between her legs, gentle fingers slipped into the folds, making lazy circles over her sex while his mouth covered a nipple, sucking it hard. She gripped his shoulders, arched her back and her hips bucked against his fingers.

  ‘Kabe …’ her voice urgent, her orgasm building.

  He heard her plea, let go of her nipple, and went down on his knees; mouth and tongue on her clit, he slid two fingers inside, eased them out, and pushed in harder, keeping up a rhythm, driving her to the brink.

  Panting, Belle gripped his hair. ‘Kabe … Kabe … I’m …’ Hips grinding against his mouth and tongue, she came long and hard, so exquisite that her legs trembled and she had no strength to stand. Instantly, Kabe was up and, hands under her bottom, he lifted her over his throbbing cock.

  ‘Fuck, I love everything about you.’ He took her mouth and eased her down his shaft, filling her.

  ‘Harder,’ Belle whispered against his neck, sinking her teeth into him just hard enough to make a point.

  ‘Fuck! I felt that right in my …’ He gripped her hair and pulled her back. ‘Look at me, Babe …’ he groaned into her mouth. She did as he asked and her breath caught with the passion she saw in his face. ‘Fuck,’ he growled, ‘I’m there.’ He thrust in and stayed. Belle felt his orgasm pulsing inside her, and it was beautiful.

  *

  A breakfast spread awaited them out on the main patio. Dan had left a note beside the morning newspapers: If anyone wants eggs and bacon fry-up, holler, I’m in the kitchen.

  Other than Dan, they were the only ones up and about. Belle enjoyed the peaceful surroundings as Kabe carried their plates of pancakes, yogurt and berries to the table, while she brought the juice.

  ‘I’m in heaven,’ she said, looking out at the magnificent vista from under the dappled shade of the pergola.

  ‘Good to hear.’ Kabe leaned over and kissed her; he tasted of sweet berries.

  Belle wondered what had happened to Lexie and Dan. Marilyn was most likely resting after a few hectic days away and a late night. She shrugged and sipped her coffee.

  ‘Fuck!’ Kabe growled. ‘Jesus!’ He stared at page three of the Whitsunday Gazette.

  Belle hurriedly opened the Luna Bay News. On the first page, it showed a photo of Kabe kissing her outside the lingerie shop. The caption stated, The Damsel Hunter SAVED! Underneath in smaller print: In Distress? Libellous lies followed about Kabe saving her, just to get his hands on Butterfly Island: An island that should surely go to a more worthy company, such as Eagle Ray Resorts, known for their conscientious involvement in looking after the environment. The same Eagle Ray Ms Belle Fabrini once worked for. Is there a conflict of interest? Is she playing one against the other? One fact is sure, Mr Travers’ fiancée plays hard.’

  Belle screwed up the paper and let out a scream. ‘I’ve never been his girlfriend let alone his bloody fiancée!’

  Kabe shoved his chair back and gathered her in his arms, holding her tight. She began to shake; she hated that she was falling apart over these vicious lies.

  Kabe cupped her face, and growled, ‘They’re not going to use you to get to me. Doing that, they’ve just bought themselves a load of grief.’

  Marilyn walked into the main patio wearing a flowing, colourful silk caftan. ‘Good heavens, what’s going on?’

  ‘The papers,’ Kabe motioned with a sideways nod.

  ‘Not the usual rubbish.’ Marilyn reached across the table for a paper and sank into a padded chair. ‘What’ve they got?’ she asked no one in particular as she began to scan the pages. Her expression soon set in grim, determined lines. Disgusted, she threw the paper aside just as Kabe brought her a coffee. Marilyn thanked him. Staring out to sea, perhaps considering their options, she quietly took a sip, and then, with care lowered her cup to its saucer. Awestruck, Belle watched as Marilyn controlled her rage before swinging her focus back to them. Slowly, and with great deliberation, she continued, ‘They still haven’t learnt anything from their last fiasco, when Greg Travers tried to get hold of White Sails. I bet you anything, Eagle Ray are behind this, and whatever’s going on with Mario. So far, he’s outwitted them.’ A crafty smile played on her elegant face, and Belle thought she’d never want to be on the wrong side of Marilyn Hunter. ‘But we won’t let them!’ Her tone was determined, her face fierce with a look that would surely make the strongest man buckle at the knees.

  ‘Good morning,’ Lexie called cheerily, as she walked in from the garden.

  ‘Hi all,’ from Dan as he came out of the kitchen, his plate stacked with bacon, eggs and toast. He scanned everyone at the table and asked. ‘Who died?’

  ‘What’s going on?’ Lexie wanted to know. Marilyn handed them the newspapers. ‘Oh shit!’ Lexie turned the pages. ‘Shit!’

  ‘Fuck!’ Dan’s whisper was venomous, as he crumpled the paper and looked straight at Kabe. ‘Not letting them get away with this—are you?’

  ‘No, mate,’ Kabe growled.

  ‘Okay,’ Marilyn announced, ‘I’m going to ring our solicitor, Barry Ainsworth, and get him to contact the paper. He can officially state, if they don’t retract the photos and defamatory text we will sue and that will cost them. I know it feels like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted,’ Marilyn said to Belle, ‘And I’m afraid we’ll have to confront Greg Travers.’ She re-read a section of the article. ‘It says here, Greg Travers claims Kabe Hunter lodged a plan for a resort on Butterfly Island. It’s waiting for an okay from council. I won’t read the rest, it’s all slander.’ She smiled, one of those half smiles with an accompanying deadly look that meant she was going to relish payback. ‘Meanwhile, we have to put our heads together and come up with a comprehensive plan to expose them all.’

  ‘I think we should include Pop,’ Belle told them. ‘We’re seeing him today
anyway.’

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Marilyn said. ‘And I’m still coming along. Except now as someone with legal expertise. Mario is still the unknown in all this. I think he’s been living under a pressure for too long. The sooner we find out what he’s hiding the better.’

  ‘What about your parents?’ Kabe asked Belle.

  She turned to Lexie. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘There’s no point in getting them all worked up. I say talk to them after we have all the facts, and a plan.’

  ‘I agree,’ Belle said to Kabe.

  ‘I’ll get food organised,’ Dan said, wolfing down a sandwich of bacon and eggs as he jogged into the kitchen.

  ‘Belle, Lexie, pack a few essentials for an overnight stay,’ Kabe said and turned to his mother. ‘Mum, bring a jacket or something.’

  ‘Honestly, sweetheart, I’m not a child, next thing I know you’ll be asking if I need to use the loo before we leave.’

  He gave her a pained, contrite expression and said, ‘Sorry, do you?’

  Marilyn laughed and gave him the finger.

  Belle snort-giggled and, head down, ate her pancakes. Lexie roared laughing and moved off to help herself to breakfast.

  They’d almost finished breakfast when Dan came out; eyes big, brows raised, he said with a backward nod to Kabe, ‘There’s a radio call for you.’

  ‘Thanks, Dan.’ Kabe pushed back his chair, and disappeared into the house.

  Dan went back into the kitchen and came back juggling a couple of camp coolers and a huge basket. He set them down on the patio near the path leading down to the jetty.

  Belle glanced at Lexie and Marilyn. ‘Anyone besides me feeling nervous?’

  Before they could answer, Kabe jogged out of the shadows. ‘That was Mario.’ He hitched a thumb towards the house. ‘He’s had visitors.’