Risking the Crown

by Violet Paige

  One of the border patrol officers waved us through the gate and into Mexico. I hadn’t meant to grab Cole’s hand, but I needed some extra reassurance.

  “Kaitlyn, it’s going to be fine, but we don’t have to have dinner here. I can turn around and we can find another restaurant.” He eyed me across the truck.

  My comfort level was being tested, and I was considering admitting that I had wimped out and needed the security of American soil under my cute black heels.

  “But—if I turn around, you won’t get to see the surprise I have for you.” Cole smiled.

  “What’s the surprise?” I was curious to see what the no-wine-and-roses guy had planned.

  “You are just going to have to trust me. I promise I’ll take care of you. Besides, with your right hook you’re a one-woman combat machine.”

  I giggled. The self-defense classes my father had bought for me last year had paid off.

  “I want my surprise.” I settled into the seat.

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.” I knew I was safe with Cole.

  “All right, then. We’re already here.” Cole parked the truck behind a ruddy red brick building.

  The sun had dipped behind the buildings of the border town, but not before throwing an orange hue on everything around us. I waited while Cole jogged around the front of the truck to get my door.

  I caught a hint of his cologne as he helped me step down from the truck. My stomach was instantly in butterfly knots when he smiled.

  “Ready?” He offered his arm.

  I nodded and tucked my hand through the crook of his arm.

  Cole led me to a towering wooden fence. He knocked several times before an older woman cracked the gate enough to see us standing there. I kicked myself for not taking Spanish in high school or college. She and Cole were having an extensive conversation, and other than the words table and water, I couldn’t pick up much of the exchange. Why did I insist on learning German?

  We walked into a courtyard. In the center was a bistro table, draped with a colorful tablecloth. Cole walked over and pulled out a chair.

  “Is this for us?” I looked around at the mini-courtyard flanked with tropical plants.

  “It is.” He stood by the chair, waiting for me to sit.

  I looked up and saw lights strung across the table, forming an X overhead. The woman who had let us in returned to the table with a pitcher.

  “Are you going to sit?” Cole asked, and nodded at the chair.

  “Oh yeah, sorry.” I eased myself into the chair, and Cole walked to the other side of the table. “Everything is so beautiful. I feel like I’m in a movie. And I can’t believe I’m here with Cole Thomas.”

  “Believe it.” He filled the empty glasses on the table from the pitcher and handed one to me. “This is the best Sangria you’ll ever have in Mexico.”

  I sipped the fruity wine. “Wow. It’s good.”

  Minutes later, our hostess walked in with a platter of nachos loaded with fresh avocados. I was used to mashed-up guacamole, but the slices were perfect. She nodded to Cole before exiting through the slatted swinging doors. I could tell by the sounds coming from the building’s entrance that beyond those doors there were other customers. It sounded like a restaurant.

  “Ok, how did you pull all of this off?” I twirled an orange around in my glass. “We have our own private patio?”

  “I wanted to do something special for you to say thank you. I never would have had the Dunes ready for tomorrow if you didn’t offer to help.”

  “Thank you for the thank you, but you know I wanted to help. I didn’t expect anything in return.”

  “I know you didn’t, but I wanted to do this. Besides, seeing you in that dress is worth it.”

  I blushed. How could he do that to me so easily?

  “You’re all booked up through the end of next month. I think the Dunes is going to do great once the word gets out that it’s open again and it has running water.” I laughed. “Plus, throwing an awesome party isn’t going to hurt your reputation with the grads. Everyone is going to love it.”

  “I think Pops would be proud I pulled this off.”

  “I wish I could have met your grandfather.”

  “He was a character, but he gave me everything he had. The man never met a stranger, or at least he didn’t let people be strangers.” Cole paused. “I miss him.”

  I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “He would definitely be proud of what you’ve done with the Dunes. Most people would have given up or sold it at the first offer that came along.”

  “I guess I’m stubborn.” He sipped the sangria.

  “Stubborn and loyal—those aren’t bad things.”

  His eyes darted to the table. “Loyal. Right.”

  “Cole, don’t do that. I know what you’re thinking.”

  His blue eyes lifted. “And what’s that?”

  “You’re thinking about Ryan. You are loyal to him. He’ll understand this.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about your brother tonight.”

  “But we have to—”

  “No.” His voice was firm.

  I sighed.

  “Ok. So the Dunes. Do you know what you’re going to do next? Will you finish your engineering program?”

  “How do you know about that?” Cole withdrew his hand.

  I wasn’t sure if I had touched on a nerve that was better left alone, but I wanted to know what his plans were. “Lots of little birds on the island told me you were in grad school. I want to hear more about it.”

  He laughed. “If I go into all the engineering stuff, I think I’ll bore you to death.”

  “Try me. I’m a good listener.” I wanted to know the kinds of things that appealed to Cole. He was naturally gifted in fixing things, but I could tell he didn’t like it.

  His military career was over. And he was a single dad. He had to have a passion other than motel.

  He leaned across the table. “Ok, my concentration is in composite material development.”

  He might have well just started speaking in Spanish again. But, I prodded him to continue.

  I sipped the sangria. “Composite materials? Ok.”

  “I picked up a lot in the Corps. I was cross-trained. So when Amber had Grayson I knew I needed to get back to school. I couldn’t be hired sniper and I didn’t want any of the government contract jobs.”

  “Why not?”

  He shook his head. “Those guys are gone more than guys on deployment. It wasn’t worth it with a new baby.”

  I tried to picture Cole holding an infant. It made him instantly hotter.

  “Anyway, I signed up for a design class and one of the professors sort of took me under his wing and introduced me to composite material design. Basically, we try to find ways to use the best materials that create the most energy, cost the least, and work. I saw a lot of programs like that in the Middle East. Work the most out of the little you have.”

  I smiled. “Sounds a lot like Dune Scape.”

  “Yeah, but on a different level.”

  I was impressed.

  “It’s kind of like a puzzle. I like trying new materials together to see what happens.”

  “Like what kind of things?” I asked, liking the way his eyes lit up when he talked about engineering.

  “I’ve been focusing on the composite of wind turbines. There are some grants in the works to start a wind power program for the island. I thought I could stay in South Padre and work for the company who lands the grant. It would be the perfect fit.” He lifted the sangria. “I can run the Dunes on the side. I can Grayson in a preschool. I think it will work.”

  “It does sound perfect for you.” I tried to imagine Cole concentrating on blueprints and windmill specs instead of busted shower parts. “It had to be hard to put something on hold that you’re so interested in to take care of your grandfather. That couldn’t have been easy.”

  Cole exhaled. “No, but
I wouldn’t change it. He needed me. I can work on that program anytime.”

  I edged closer to the table. “But will you? Are you going to finish it?”

  “You have lots of questions tonight. What about you? What are you going to do with all of those accounting skills? What happens now?”

  If he had asked me a week ago, my answer would have been the standard cookie cutter one I gave everybody about applying for jobs in business and waiting a year or two before entering the MBA program. Tonight, staring into Cole’s eyes under the string of lights made, all the realities of life back home fade into the farthest parts of my mind.

  I couldn’t imagine anything other than spending my life with him and Grayson.

  “I—uh—I haven’t sorted it out yet.” I dodged his doubtful stare.

  “I guess that makes two of us.” He finished his sangria.

  The mariachi music from the restaurant filtered onto the patio. It was soft and slow. Cole stood from the table and walked toward me with his hand extended.

  “Dance with me?”

  “But you don’t dance.”

  “Your dress has convinced me to make an exception.” He winked, pulling me from my seat and spinning me into his arms.

  I gasped as my body collided with his, and he pressed his hand into the small of my back. He had been holding out on me—he could dance. I searched his face for an explanation, but he laughed and spun me again before aligning his frame against mine.

  We swayed to the distant music. With every second that passed, our dance form diminished until we were so tightly wrapped around each other that I could feel Cole’s heart beating against my cheek.

  “Cole?”

  “Mmm-hmm?” He held on a little tighter.

  “Can we stay here like this and forget everything else on the other side of the border?” I wasn’t being completely silly. Maybe I could live in a border town.

  “For now we can, darlin’. For now.”

  I closed my eyes and bit back the words that were on my tongue. I wanted tomorrow to be the farthest place from us. As long as Cole held me, maybe the rest of the world would stop turning.

  27

  Cole

  “You ok over there? You’re awfully quiet and I’m usually the quiet one,” I prodded.

  Kaitlyn squeezed my hand. “Yeah. I’m good.”

  I ran my hand along the outer line of her thigh. “Good, because I have plans for you and that dress when we get home.”

  “What about Lisa?” she asked. “Is she staying late?”

  “Don’t worry. I told you I took care of everything. Tonight you’re mine.”

  She bit her lip. I wanted to pull the truck over on the side of the road and take her in the backseat.

  But I was a patient man.

  I pulled into the parking lot and parked in front of Kaitlyn’s room. The TV flickered in the window on the other side of the parking lot. I had paid Lisa to stay the night with Grayson. I didn’t give a shit if she knew what I had planned.

  I was nearby if Grayson needed anything.

  I opened the door and led Kaitlyn inside. I locked the door.

  “Tonight was amazing.” Her eyes lit up when I walked toward her.

  “It was. And it’s about to get even better.”

  “Oh yeah?” she teased.

  I nodded. I pulled her hair as I tugged her lips against my mouth.

  She moaned as my tongue slipped along hers. My hands ran under the black dress and cupped her ass. God, how I loved her ass. I loved her tits. I loved her hips.

  I loved every part of her body.

  Kaitlyn stepped out of my arms. I watched in awe as she pulled the dress over her head. I sat on the bed and threw my boots across the room and dumped my clothes on the floor.

  “Come here,” I ordered her.

  She took small steps and straddled me, her knees sinking into the mattress.

  I hissed, feeling how wet she was through her panties. The fabric grazed my cock. I wanted to bury myself inside her all night. I wanted to root myself home. Claim her over and over.

  Her lips burned mine with a wild kiss.

  “Fuck, baby,” I growled.

  Her hand moved between us as she slid the panties to the side. Her hips rocked forward.

  “Kaitlyn,” I groaned, but there was no holding me back. I thrust inside her. My cock needed her pussy, like I needed air to breathe.

  Her head rocked back as her tits pointed forward. I clutched her lower back, taking a tit in my mouth. I sucked until she whimpered.

  “You feel good like this,” she whispered. “I hate condoms.”

  She slid up and down my shaft, like a damn porn star.

  “Fuck. I’m going to have to pull out.”

  “Don’t.” She sank hard on me and I hissed. “You never asked, but I’m on birth control. I have an IUD. I want to feel you, Cole,” she begged.

  I closed my eyes. She was also a fucking temptress. Nothing felt as good as this. Bare pussy squeezing my dick. It was fucking everything.

  I was putting a lot of faith in her. I’d been lied to before. But I looked in Kaitlyn’s eyes. She didn’t have the eyes of a liar. I knew this girl. I knew her heart. I knew her soul. And damn it, I knew every precious curve of her body.

  “Please. Fuck me like this. Please, Cole.” Her hips had taken on a primal rhythm. Her tits bounced in my face and I wasn’t going to stop.

  I grabbed her and rolled her under me. I had to feel this. I had to feel her. I pulled out, ripping the panties in half to get to her pussy.

  She moaned and looked in my eyes.

  I drove into her with relentless strokes, burying myself so that my balls hit her ass.

  “Oh God,” she cried.

  “You want to be fucked like this?” I dared.

  “God, yes. You feel so good.”

  It was like a blinding darkness folded over us. I fucked her like I was taking my last breaths. I wanted to drown. I wanted nothing but this girl.

  My lips met hers as I pounded into her and she started to tremble.

  “Ohh.” Her nails dug into my back and I knew she was coming.

  I pushed deep inside her as my release hit her walls. It flowed freely, filling her. Claiming her. Making Kaitlyn mine forever.

  28

  Kaitlyn

  Somewhere on the floor, my phone was ringing. I rolled to the side, searching for Cole, but he was already out of bed. I knew he had to leave last night to stay with Grayson. He wouldn’t want him to wake up without him there.

  I swept my crumpled black dress to the side to reveal my phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Honey, you have not called me in three days or returned any of my voicemails. Your father and I were about to book tickets to come looking for you.” My mother’s voice on the other end of the phone was frantic.

  “Hi. Sorry.”

  “Hi? That’s it? What is going on with you, Kaitlyn?” She sounded irritated. “You have always been my responsible child, not the one I worry about. That job is reserved for your brother.”

  “Mom, calm down.” I sat up and wrapped the sheet around my chest. I was about to tell her I’d been with Cole the entire time, but he and I hadn’t established the guidelines yet.

  “Ok, well I feel much better now that you picked up your phone. I need to tell you some news.”

  “What’s going on?” I ran my fingers through my hair.

  “We got a call.”

  “Ok.” I waited for details. “What kind of call?” I asked.

  “Ryan’s coming home.”

  “What?” I blinked. “That’s awesome. Oh my God. He’s ok, right? When?”

  “Yes. Yes. He’s fine. He’ll be here in a few days. I don’t know how long he can stay. But you’ll want to be here.”

  I nodded. “Of course I want to be there.”

  And then I remembered where I was and what I’d be leaving. My stomach spun with nausea. Leaving was the last thing I wanted to do.

/>   Would it ruin everything?

  “I’m going to try to plan a party. Maybe invite some of Ryan’s friends. We could do a barbecue here at the house.”

  “He’d like that.”

  “I know you’re on vacation, but could you help me with the guest list? I don’t know all his friends. I’m going to call Cole later today.”

  My belly lurched. “Cole?”

  “It might be too much for him to fly up here, but he is Ryan’s best friend.”

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  “Let me take care of that one, Mom. And I’ll text you a list after I take a shower.”

  She sighed. “Thank you. That’s a huge help.”

  If I wasn’t spiraling I’d think it was funny I was starting a low-level party planning business on the side.

  “We’ll see you in a few days, hon.”

  “Bye, Mom.” I tossed my phone on the bed and slid under the covers.

  We had to face this whether we wanted to or not. Ryan was coming home.

  I stepped into the shower and let the water run through my hair. The trial size bottles of shampoo I bought were close to empty—just one more sign my vacation was almost over. My heart sank.

  “Kaitlyn?” Cole called through the bathroom door.

  “I’m in the shower.” God, I couldn’t tell him now.

  He opened the door. “I’ve got to go buy some bags of ice. The ice machine went out last night and everything melted.”

  “Can you fix it?”

  “Not by the time everyone checks in, but the bags should hold them over until it’s running again. I’ll be back in a few.” He closed the door. “I’ve got Grayson with me.”

  “Ok,” I called.

  The door popped back open and Cole stuck his head in. “For the record, I would pin you up against that shower wall if I didn’t have to fix the ice machine.”

  I giggled. “Bye.”

  “Bye.” He winked before closing the door behind him.

  T-minus seven hours and counting. I sipped my coffee in the office and skimmed the checklist I had made for today. I performed a test run on the card reader I purchased for my phone. Cole couldn’t keep using carbon paper to run credit cards. The keys were secure in the box on their heavy palm tree key chains. Sasha had printed extra flyers for the luau on the Wave Oasis’s copier when no one was looking. I wanted to make sure every guest had at least two copies so they could share with their friends. So much was hinging on the party tomorrow night.