Seeing a weather-beaten sailor cleaning out his yacht on the opposite side of the pier, she cut the engine and called out, ‘Excuse me!’ The man peered at her over his shoulder, did a double take, straightened and eyed Belle with a bemused expression. ‘Oh, Mr Johnson, would you mind giving me a hand, please?’ she asked politely.
‘Sure, Belle, only if you call me Trev,’ he smiled, ‘I saw your photo on the news the other night and in this mornin’s paper.’
Oh God, Belle silently groaned. He caught the line she threw and secured it to a mooring pile.
‘Mario’s boat looks in good nick after that big blow. He’s damned lucky.’
‘Um … yeah, lucky. Thanks for your help.’
He eyed her appreciatively and grinned, grey eyes sparkling in his brown wrinkled face. ‘Any time, darlin’. It’s not just because Kabe Hunter put the word out around town to treat you and Lexie with respect either. But we didn’t need remindin’; we’ve known you all too long. And despite what they’ve read in the damn paper, most folk around town reckon Greg’s a moron and someone should’ve kicked his skinny arse out of town long ago. Shifty little shit, if you’ll excuse me language.’
Something akin to pride surged through Belle. ‘Wait a minute, you’re saying Kabe told people in town that Lexie and I were coming in to shop and could they please be civil?’
‘Look, we would’ve done it anyway. We’re nice people in this town … mostly.’ His leathery face crinkled with a wide grin, then he turned his gnarly hands back to the task of sorting rope and tackle. ‘Good bloke, Kabe, to be doin’ that. Don’tcha reckon?’
All Belle could manage was a nod and a weak smile. Despite her wrath, a warm feeling curled through her belly, the result of Kabe’s thoughtfulness, one of the many reasons she loved him. She heaved a sigh, tucked the launch keys in her pocket and clambered off the boat onto the timber jetty.
‘Thanks, Trev.’
‘Anytime, sweetheart.’ He waved and she strode towards the town centre.
Head up, Belle hurried to the small regional office of Eagle Ray Resorts. The moment she saw their logo, her stomach knotted. Before entering, she programmed her phone to record and slipped it in the pocket of her shorts. Hand cupped over her eyes, Belle could see the empty reception area through the shopfront windows. Heart thumping, she pushed the heavy door open and headed straight for Greg’s office. Seeing his arrogant face and posture, her rage returned like a thunderstorm. She didn’t miss Greg’s shocked expression, which faded almost as quickly as it had appeared. In a blink, his look became crafty. He lifted his feet off the desk and quickly ended his phone call.
‘Hello, Belle, what brings you here? Lost your way, or finally come to your senses?’
She couldn’t stop the growl in her throat. Her eyes narrowed in on him and she hoped they reflected what she thought of him. The lowlife piece of scum.
‘I’m here to tell you that if you don’t get the papers to retract what they said about Kabe and me, I will give them a statement about what really happened between us. You know what I’m talking about, you scheming cockroach!’
He gave her a smarmy grin. ‘You’re distraught. I keep saying you’re not well. You should see someone.’
‘That won’t work anymore, you bastard!’ she hissed. ‘You put something in my drink—the wine was a lot stronger, it tasted stronger. Somehow you added more alcohol to get me drunk—fast!’
‘That’s your word against mine and seeing as you’re not of sound mind …’ She reached across the desk and slapped him so hard his head flipped sideways and her fingers stung with the impact.
‘How dare you imply anything about me—’ Shaking with pent-up rage, she rounded the desk and grabbed his crisp white shirt at the throat. ‘Retract the lies you had the paper put out—or else,’ she said menacingly. The moment his cologne hit her nose, she gagged. Images of him looming over her on the bed, his hands on her, his … his … she couldn’t bear it and dug her nails into the flesh at his throat.
She saw his eyes flick over her shoulder; next thing she knew his hands were on her waist and he said, ‘Belle, darling, we’re not on Vanuatu now! We can’t have sex in the office, on my desk!’
She shoved him with all the strength she had. ‘Ugh! You make me want to vomit!’
Greg fell into his chair, which flipped back and landed on the floor with him still sitting in it. She went after him and found that, in her rage, she had the strength to haul him up by his shirt, let one hand go, brought her fist back and punched him in the face with everything she had, yelling, ‘You raped me!’
Culpability flashed across Greg’s face. It was fleeting, but she didn’t miss it.
‘That’s a lie—you asked me in and—’ The coward stood with his forearms protecting his face. ‘It’s your fault your baby died!’
She felt chilled to the bone—as if her blood had turned to ice, and her thumping heart was pumping it through her body. Shaking, she knew his fiendish accusation wasn’t true, yet his flagrant lie inflicted the worst kind of pain. She felt her mouth tremble and couldn’t stop the tears that ran freely down her face. Registering his smarmy expression, she realised he clearly thought he’d broken her spirit. He couldn’t be more wrong. She was not going to let this violator get away with what he’d done to her. She sucked in a breath, rekindling the blaze of her fury. Playing the sobbing, broken woman she rounded the desk. Greg relaxed enough to give her a sickening grin. Seething, she curled her hand into a fist and, lightning fast, punched him in the gut, yelling, ‘You drugged me and you raped me!’ Greg doubled over, retching as he tried to suck air back into his lungs.
A familiar voice roared behind her. ‘Belle!’
In a rage, she swung around; Kabe’s presence filled the doorway. Right behind him were her grandfather, Lexie, Marilyn and Dan.
Undeterred, she turned back to face Greg. ‘You’d better talk and fast.’ She shoved him hard. He backed against the wall. ‘Admit what you did to me! Say it!’ Greg, hemmed in by Belle and the desk, had nowhere to go. She picked up a glass paperweight, hefted it ready to throw it at his head and, elbow bent, brought her arm back.
Before she could hurl the thing, Kabe gathered her in and started to pull her back. Screaming for him to let her go, she struggled and fought to get free. She managed to wriggle her arm out from under his, then let fly with the heavy paperweight. It smashed against the wall, raining glass shards over Greg’s head.
Greg crumpled to the floor, arms up to protect his face like the coward he was. Belle swung a leg out and kicked Greg in the groin. His loud groan made her growl with satisfaction. Kabe bent, put an arm under her thighs, lifted her up over his shoulder and took her away before she did any damage to herself.
‘Put me down—I want to kill him! I don’t care if I get charged for assault! Put me down!’ she yelled, thumping Kabe’s back.
‘Hold her,’ Kabe ground out, as he handed her over to Dan.
Belle’s back was planted against Dan’s front, his strong arms wrapped around her waist and upper chest. She wanted to inflict a hell of a lot more damage, but damn it, she wasn’t going anywhere.
‘Let me go!’ she screamed. ‘He has to admit what he did—and retract everything he said about you and me! But mostly he … he …’ Belle fought against Dan’s grip, all the while struggling to hold back a sob crawling up from somewhere deep; her mouth trembled and her throat was closing up.
‘It’s okay now. You’re okay,’ Lexie comforted.
‘Darlin’,’ her grandfather soothed.
Too busy watching Kabe confront Greg, Belle barely noticed Marilyn was stroking her hair. ‘Kabe, please don’t!’ Glancing at the others huddled around her, Belle pleaded, ‘Please, tell him to stop.’
‘I’m not stoppin’ anythin’,’ Dan said in a tone threatening he might join in.
‘Kabe!’ Marilyn tried but there was no response.
*
Fists clenched, Kabe rounded the desk.
Greg, still holding his crotch, tried to back away. Kabe grabbed him by the throat, shoved him harder against the wall and growled in his face, ‘You’re a fucked-up ugly mongrel.’
‘I can’t breathe …’ Greg whined.
‘You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as Belle. You drugged and raped her, you piece of shit!’ Ignoring the pleas behind him, Kabe tightened his grip and, teeth clenched, he snarled, ‘I really want beat you to a pulp.’ Greg clawed at Kabe’s wrist. ‘You come anywhere near Belle again, I’ll take you apart, piece by piece, and then I’ll rip your fucking dick off and stuff it down your fucking throat.’
‘Threat?’ Greg squeezed out.
Kabe could see a hint of fear in his eyes, yet at the same time, the arrogant bastard was challenging him. He dug his fingers into Greg’s throat. It would be so easy to crush his windpipe. He watched his face slowly turn purple. ‘You can bank on it! I will hunt you down with proof. The inmates are gonna toy with you, pretty boy. They love nothing better than fresh meat,’ he growled again, and when Greg’s eyes no longer showed arrogance or resistance, only fear, he reluctantly released his grip and turned to go.
Clutching his throat, Greg wheezed, ‘You’ll pay for this.’
That did it—Kabe’s fist landed in Greg’s stomach; gasping for air, Greg slid down the wall and crumpled to the floor. Kabe stepped away, shook his shoulders and forced calm back into his body, which was damned difficult, but he didn’t want to make it worse for Belle, so he shoved a lid on his wrath. Once he had control, he turned and gave Dan a look. Dan let go of Belle, and she hurried into Kabe’s open arms. He held her tightly and walked her out into the sunshine. Not until he felt her body settle did he place his hands on either side of her face and, scanning her eyes compassionately, murmur with pride, ‘Babe, you opened the last box, all the bad shit … you faced it … it’s done. No more nightmares.’ He kissed her mouth, firm, impassioned, and took the sob that left her throat. He pulled back just far enough to see her. ‘You’re one hell of a woman.’
Tears pooled in Belle’s eyes, but she simply nodded and whispered in his ear, ‘Kiss me again and drive all his lies out of my mind.’
He smiled, then he slowly closed his eyes and claimed her mouth.
Another set of arms wrapped around Belle. ‘Lexie,’ he whispered. Then another, ‘Pop.’ Then ‘Mum, Dan.’ A group hug and Kabe made sure Belle soaked up their love.
*
A week later:
With a swift kiss to his mouth, Belle left Kabe in the communal living room, while he talked with Dan about bookings for The Ondine and the Geminis. Tourists were returning to Luna Bay, which meant White Sails was going to be busy.
Barefoot, Belle padded to their unit and bedroom, hoping she had enough time to get ready with her ‘tease me’ lingerie. She showered, brushed her teeth, cleaned her face and reapplied her make-up, using kohl to give her eyes a sexy, smoky look, and a red, almost translucent, lip gloss to make her mouth look wet and pouty. Happy with her saucy image, she pulled out the lingerie she’d hidden in her undies drawer. She stepped into the sexy, red stretch lace, trimmed with black bows, adjusting the bra top for comfort. The piece was designed in such a way that a cut-out heart shape exposed her bottom.
She heard Kabe’s bare feet on her timber floor heading her way. Excitement surged through her, and she quickly ducked into the walk-in robe, closing the door.
‘Belle?’ he called out.
‘I’m just in here sorting out my laundry. I’ll be right out, go have a shower.’
‘Come in with me?’ he asked, which sounded more like a demand, but a nice one. And she knew where that would lead, and sure enough … ‘I want to soap you up, rinse you off, and then I want to lick you all over and make you scream my name when you come. Fuck that’s so hot, Babe, seriously.’
She covered her mouth or he might hear her squeaky whimper as heat hit her at all the right places, making her squirm. Kabe tried to open the door, jiggling the handle. Belle had expected he’d try this so she’d shoved a suitcase under the handle.
‘What’s going on?’
‘Laundry, there’s a lot of it and I’ve lost my favourite shortie nightie. You know, the one you like. Go shower, I had mine while you were talking shop,’ she called out through the door.
‘Okay, but you’re missing out.’
Belle could almost see his frown of disappointment. ‘Aw, I’ll make it up to you … I promise,’ she said, and noisily moved about some bags and boxes, pretending to search.
‘Hmm,’ came out like a groan. ‘But I don’t see what’s so fascinating about laundry, or your nightie, I’m only going to take it off.’
‘That’s why I’m trying to find it,’ she giggled.
‘Babe …’ Kabe muttered.
Ear to the door, Belle waited, listening. She heard the shower start, edged the door open and tiptoed around to her side of the bed. She mussed her hair to give it that I’ve-just-had-wild-sex-and-I’m-ready-for-more look, arranged all the pillows behind her, and forced her body to relax. She raised one leg slightly and left the other straight, and hoped she wouldn’t burst out laughing with her naïve attempts at a seductive pose. The secrecy of getting ready, and near exposure, made the anticipation even more tantalising. Her nipples peaked; her belly swirled with a delicious heat.
And then the bathroom door opened. Head down adjusting his towel, Kabe took a step into the room, then stood still. Belle knew he’d sensed something. Slowly moving his head, his eyes came up to scan her legs, her hips, her breasts … and the moment they touched her face, she unconsciously licked her lips.
‘Fuck,’ he rumbled, drinking her in from head to toe and back. Eyes glinting, he dropped the towel and slowly sauntered towards her.
Belle gazed at his fantastic, manly attributes; her mouth parted and she licked her lips, she couldn’t wait to wrap her mouth around him.
‘Hmm.’ His voice was deep and sensuous. He stood directly in front of her now. ‘This is one hell of a tease.’ He gave her a wicked grin.
‘Don’t move,’ she purred, pushed herself up onto all fours, and moved to lie on her stomach across the bed, her mouth right where she wanted it, in front of his magnificent cock.
‘How can you ask me that when I’m looking at your beautiful heart-shaped arse. I’m in awe of whoever designed this delectable bit of lace. I want to sink my fingers in those cheeks … Hmm … lick them, bite them, and …’
She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and licked the tip.
‘Aaargh.’ Kabe’s voice sounding rough, hot, sent a thrill through her. He smoothed her hair back and looked down to see what she was doing.
Belle smiled up at him, loving that she was able to give him this erotic turn-on. She licked the tip and slipped the silken head into her mouth, taking him in, sucking, licking, driving him to the edge; looking up, she saw that he was watching her, intently.
‘Love your mouth, love your tongue on my cock.’ His hands slid into her hair at her temples, fingers holding on tightly, his thigh muscles flexing. ‘Jesus, enough—enough! Gotta feel that arse.’ Then he was on the bed, moving up her side, his hands were just where he said he wanted them, skimming over her bottom. She looked over her shoulder to catch him bending down and his mouth was on her arse, kissing, nipping, hands squeezing, while he made noises of pleasure. Squirming her hips, wriggling her bum, Belle loved every second of his touch. And then it was gone and just as suddenly his hands were under her arms and she was flipped onto her back with Kabe on top. Using his knees, he spread her legs and moved in, his erection pressing into her belly. Hands to the mattress, he held his weight off her chest and kissed the valley between her breasts; pressing his face into her cleavage, he murmured, ‘Man, your skin, so soft,’ he said, voice muffled. He took a slow, deep breath. ‘Better still, you smell fucking great.’ He came up, eyes dark, heated with bad-boy cheek. ‘Taking this off will be fun.’
Tingling all over, Belle whispered, ‘Really?’
‘Ooh yeah. Love this, but love you naked more.’
He dipped closer to cup her face and then took her waiting mouth, his tongue moving in to play with hers and boy he was so good at this. She loved the feel of him, the taste of him.
He pulled the bra top down and tongue-kissed along her jaw to her ear, down her neck to her nipple, sucking it, teasing it with his tongue. His free hand slid down from her breast to her ribs, stretching down her belly straight to her sex. The moment he reached his target, he sucked her nipple, hard.
Belle arched her back, crying out, ‘Kabe!’
Fingers probing as if trying to find a way to open his gift, he pulled the gusset aside and found her. ‘You’re so wet,’ he said, as if in awe of what he had cupped in his hand. ‘Fuck, I need all of you.’
‘Oh … yes, Kabe, hurry.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t be beaten. Is there a secret password?’ he asked, tugging at the lace between her legs.
Belle lifted her face to his and whispered, ‘Pull all the bows and it will open and fall away.’
She started at the top. Kabe’s fingers curled around her wrists and pulled them above her head onto her pillow, and holding them there, he murmured, ‘Uh-uh, this is my present and I’m doing the unwrapping.’
Oh, my God!
‘Promise me, hold onto the pillow and do not let go,’ he ordered; hungry eyes not leaving hers, he waited for her answer.
‘Okay, I won’t move a muscle.’
He chuckled. ‘We’ll see.’
She felt his fingers at her cleavage pulling the first bow. Then he swept his hands over the swell of her breasts and, sliding the lace down, he brushed the back of his fingers over her nipples. Belle sucked in a breath, at the excruciating, yet exquisite feelings, which intensified with every drawn-out moment. Kabe was going to take his time and make her squirm. All Belle could do was pant and enjoy the ride.
Slowly, he pulled the bow at her waist. She watched him as he followed the movement of his hand stroking over her navel. His tongue toyed with her bellybutton ring while he continued to stroke her belly, her hips, then going down to skim just above her pubic bone. She felt his mouth touch her there, trailing kisses along the lace’s edge.
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