Risking the Crown

by Violet Paige

  “Package for Cole Thomas. Can you sign for it, miss?” A delivery driver stepped into the office.

  “Sure. Where do I sign?”

  He handed me the electronic keypad and pointed to the bottom square. I scribbled my name on the screen.

  “Have a nice day.” He handed me a legal-size packet.

  I flipped it over in my hands. The return label was from Texas State. Last night when I asked Cole what his future plans were he balked at the questions. As much as I wanted to steam the seal open, I placed the package on the corner of the desk.

  Cole poked his head in the door. “I’m back with tons of ice. Anything going on?”

  “Actually, you have a delivery.” I reached for the envelope and held it out to him.

  “Cool.” He grabbed the mail from me and darted out the door. “I’ve gotta throw the ice in the cooler. Grayson’s going to try to help.” He rolled his eyes. Half the ice would probably end up on the sidewalk.

  “But—” He was gone before I could ask about the contents of the mystery package.

  I sat in the chair. After our guests arrived, I would ask him what Texas State had sent him and fill him in on Ryan’s homecoming, but for now, he had a broken icemaker to worry about.

  I handed the young couple their palm tree key. “Enjoy your stay at the Dune Scape.”

  “Oh, we will.” The boyfriend winked at his girlfriend, and she giggled.

  “And don’t forget about the luau tomorrow night. It’s going to be the biggest party on the island.”

  His hand clutched at her back pocket as they walked out of the office. They weren’t the first couple I had checked in today, but they were the last guests scheduled to arrive.

  I collapsed in the chair. It was ten o’clock at night, and between running back and forth to the guest rooms, checking people in, and answering the phone about luau details, I hadn’t sat down once.

  Cole had been on his feet all day too. Just as I had predicted, we didn’t see each other except in passing. The lights were out in room fourteen, the girls in room twenty thought they heard a mouse, and a toilet lever had broken in room eight. Cole was running nonstop. More than likely, this is how he would spend the rest of the month. Although, without someone in the office, I didn’t know how he was going to take care of the check-in and checkout part.

  I turned off the lights and locked the office door behind me. I walked over the boardwalk and over the dunes. I liked this route to the small beach house.

  The key gave way in the lock and I pushed the door open.

  There was a light on in the kitchen counter. Cole wasn’t in the living room. I peeked in the bedroom we had set up for Grayson. He was sleeping, clutching a ragged bear to his chest. I pressed a kiss on his forehead.

  I walked along the hallway.

  “Cole?” I whispered his name again. “Cole?”

  I stopped next to the bed when I heard his heavy snoring.

  There he was, completely dressed, tool belt and all, fast asleep on our bed. So much for a night of romance and hot nakedness. I tiptoed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. I didn’t want to wake him by dragging out my bags, so I opted to take off my clothes and sleep in my underwear. He wouldn’t see them in his sleep, but he did like these pink ones.

  I peeled the sheet back and slid into the space next to him. Instinctively, he pulled me in the crook of his arm and relaxed into his heavy breathing pattern. I smiled. I had a new addition to my mantra: Warm beaches. Sun in my face. Salt breeze in my hair. Wrapped in Cole’s arms.

  29

  Cole

  “Hey, sleepyhead.” I sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Hey.” Kaitlyn rubbed her eyes.

  “Did you climb in bed like that last night?” I removed the sheet from her tits and folded it just below her navel. She was wearing cute pink panties. My cock twitched.

  I growled. She looked delicious.

  “Mmm-hmm. Someone was snoring.”

  “I guess I was worn out. Once I got Grayson down I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Sorry I left you like that.” I squeezed her breast, lingering over the softest part.

  “Can I make it up to you?” I slipped my other hand under the sheet and tugged on her thigh, spreading her legs.

  She tried to sit forward, but I pushed her back.

  “No, I meant, really make it up to you.” My mouth descended to her stomach. “But you’ll have to be extra quiet now that we have a little boy watching cartoons, and I have about ten minutes before I have to go fix the dryer.”

  I smiled devilishly, and then forced her other leg to the side. “You know these are my favorite.”

  She nodded, watching my every move. “Did you lock the bedroom door?” she asked.

  “I did. He has milk and his train show.”

  I kissed along the rim of her panties, pulling them back to expose her slice of heaven.

  I drew a long lick between her folds. Kaitlyn moaned.

  “Be quiet,” I warned. My cock was hard. I liked this. Driving her crazy. Making her do what I wanted.

  I peeled the panties down her legs and off her ankles.

  “Show me how much you want this,” I taunted.

  She twisted her nipples in her hands. Her eyes, lusty and wild, landed on mine.

  “Open up, baby,” I demanded.

  She spread her legs and I growled.

  Her clit glistened as I settled between her legs, licking and lapping. I thrust my tongue inside her velvet walls. She panted and squirmed. Her hips ground into my face, but I didn’t let up. I wanted her to come hard and fast. I didn’t have much time.

  “Cole.” She was losing control.

  I pressed my elbows into her thighs to keep her legs spread. I dipped in and out of her pussy. Drinking her in.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “I. Can’t. Be. Quiet.”

  I grinned, watching her come undone. I sucked hard on her clit as my fingers pumped in and out of her. Her juices flowed as her orgasm hit.

  Her muffled cries filled my ears. Her body stilled and I sat back.

  “Damn, girl.”

  She giggled. “Are you sure you have to leave?” She pouted. “I want more.” Her eyes were on my cock.

  She had no idea how much I wanted more.

  “Later,” I promised.

  Finding ways to be together was ultimately more complicated with Grayson around, but I just had to get creative. I had to remember to lock the doors. I had to make sure there was background noise.

  And when I could, I needed to use sitters like Lisa.

  Being a single dad didn’t mean I couldn’t have more Kaitlyn. There were more logistics to figure out.

  “Baby, I’ll see you at the office. I’m taking Grayson with me. Lisa is coming over to pick him up for a few hours so we can get ready for the party.”

  She smiled. “And then?” She climbed toward me like a sex panther.

  “You know exactly what I’ll do then.” I hopped off the bed. I had to leave this bedroom or she’d trap me in the sheets the rest of the day.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  I unlocked the door and checked the hallway. Time to work.

  30

  Kaitlyn

  “Where do you want all these flowers, Kaitlyn?” Cal called from the tailgate of his truck. He and Lance were loaded down with more cast-off wedding decorations.

  Sasha had dug deeper into her mother’s storage building and found a luau themed wedding box. I only wished I had time to snap a picture of the guys in their cowboy hats and tropical flowers.

  “Can you guys drape them on the edges of the pool fence?” I was trying to help the DJ with the sound system. I pointed to the entrance gate to the pool.

  “We’re not decorators, but we’ll give it a try.” Cal clumsily started twisting the purple and orange silk flowers along the railing.

  Sasha was in a deep conversation with Hank about the food. We were keeping it simple with
some barbecue and an assortment of finger foods. People weren’t really coming for the food, but it wouldn’t be a true luau without a roasted pig on the menu.

  I had put everything on my credit card—a minor detailed I hadn’t yet discussed with Cole. I told him I would take care of everything and it wasn’t important enough to bother him with deposit funds. Hank was floating us the kegs until I could pay him back after the luau.

  I watched my new friends scurrying around, putting the finishing touches on the party. The Dune Scape guests had already started emerging from their rooms. We had been able to corral them on the beach most of the day, but now that the DJ had arrived, they were ready to be a part of the action.

  “Sasha, I’m going to get changed and I’ll be right back. Do you have everything under control?” My question was mostly rhetorical.

  “I could throw a wedding in my sleep—it’s hereditary.” She laughed and I thought I saw a look of panic flash across Cal’s face. “Go get ready. We’ve got this.”

  “You’re the best. Oh, and can you light the tiki torches?” I noticed there were twenty more in place than when we started setting up.

  “Yes, ma’am. Go.” She shooed me with her hand.

  I hugged her and jogged to the beach house. The day in the sun had created more than one perspiration stain on my shirt, and I was ready to change into something more girly.

  Cole had given me a sliver of the sliding closet. I didn’t have much, so it was one time when a little closet space was more than enough. I pulled the dress I had chosen for the luau from the garment bag and held it up. Shower first, then dress I reminded myself. I didn’t want any traces of the day’s clean up and party prep on it.

  I stepped into the cool shower. My shoulders were slightly pink from the sun. No amount of sunscreen could stop the sun in Texas. The water felt good. I emerged from the shower feeling silky smooth and more like a tropical flower and less like a cactus.

  I pulled my hair into a twist and clipped a big pink flower on the side. Lisa had ordered all kinds of luau accessories for Tassels Surf Shop when she heard about the party. I pulled the yellow dress over my hips and reached behind to zip it to the middle of my back. My feet slid into the sandals I had bought the first day.

  I laid the Hawaiian shirt on the bed that Lisa said was for Cole. He hadn’t exactly agreed to wear it, but in the spirit of the party, he might surprise me. He still wasn’t back from the mainland maintenance run. He had fixed the icemaker and the main dryer only to be plagued with two air conditioners that had gone out. He promised they were simple fixes but he had easily been gone three hours. I checked my phone for the time. Fifteen minutes until show time.

  I headed to the party.

  “Don’t you look like a ray of sunshine?” Hank greeted me in the parking lot.

  “Thanks, Hank.” I hugged the bartender. “Wow, it looks like a real luau out here.”

  “I can’t say that I’ve ever been to Hawaii, but yeah, you put something real special together for Cole.” He beamed at me like a proud parent.

  “Have you seen him anywhere?” I searched the group mulling behind the food and beer table.

  “Not yet. But he’ll be here. Sometimes the mainland has traffic.”

  “Traffic, huh?” I knew Hank was trying to reassure me.

  “Look at you, Carolina.” Cal and Lance had returned from a quick shower. They looked clean-shaven.

  “You both look handsome.” I eyed the Texas boys in their Hawaiian shirts, boots, and cowboy hats.

  “We try.” Cal put his arm around me. “Where’s Cole?”

  “Air conditioners went out. He had to make a parts run so the guests don’t spontaneously combust.” I tried to keep my voice peppy, but I was starting to worry he hadn’t returned.

  “Darlin’, he’ll be back soon.” Lance put his arm around my other shoulder. “In the meantime, can we get you something to drink?” Lance was acting extra sweet.

  It crossed my mind that Amber had told him about the scene I made at Peabody’s when I spilled my drink and ran. I should probably have been more embarrassed than I was.

  “A beer would be awesome. Thanks, Lance.” Was it just last Saturday he had tried to get me a drink at the bonfire?

  “Thanks.” I sipped on the coconut rum through the straw.

  Lance shifted on his feet. “Kaitlyn, I wanted to talk to you about Amber.”

  My cheeks turned a bright crimson. “You don’t have to do that, Lance. She and Cole seem to be working things out for Grayson. That’s what’s important.”

  “I’m not the best uncle, or babysitter. But I’m here if he needs me.”

  “Have you told him that?” I asked.

  He hung his head. “I’ve always taken her side.”

  “That’s what a good brother does.” I smiled.

  “Yeah, but I see that Cole has always put Grayson first. Amber hasn’t. She puts Amber first. This damn poetry trip proves it.”

  I squeezed his arm. “I know Cole would appreciate your help. I’ll let you tell him. And Grayson would love hanging out with his uncle.”

  “Thanks.” He hugged me.

  Sasha opened the gate at the top of steps for me. “Whoa, look at you. Has Cole seen you all dressed in yellow?”

  I blushed. “Not yet. He isn’t here.” I searched the parking lot for his truck. “I thought he’d be back by now.”

  “He’ll be here. He’s not going to miss the luau.” She turned to show me the pool. “What do you think? It was a last minute idea that I borrowed from my mom.”

  I looked at the floating candles dotting the surface of the water. “Sasha, it’s beautiful. You definitely have the wedding planner gene. This looks amazing.”

  “Good. I thought you might like it, and it’s romantic. You should lure Cole up here for a little one-on-one time.” She winked. “Now we just need some people.” She pulled one of the silk flowers from the garland and tucked it behind her ear.

  Other than a few Dune Scape guests, no one else had arrived. I know being fashionably late was still a common party practice, but I had hoped more people would have begun to trickle in.

  “What if no one shows?” I had a prickly feeling that had attacked the back of my neck.

  “Don’t be silly. People love parties this time of year. This island is one big party. You’ll have people. They’re just extremely nocturnal—the later, the better.”

  “I hope you’re right. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll tell Cole. He trusted me to do this. I promised him it would keep the Dunes afloat for a few months.”

  “Hey, he did not put the fate of the Dunes in your hands. He knows what he’s dealing with here. What you did for him is incredible. It shows how much you care. He knows that.”

  God I wanted that to be true. I’d do anything for that man. And his son.

  Before I could ask her what she thought about our situation, Cal whisked Sasha up from behind and planted a kiss on her mouth.

  “Cal, save some of that for later. I’m in the middle of serious girl talk.” She slapped him on the butt. “You ok, Kaitlyn?”

  “Yes, absolutely. You two go dance or something.”

  I smiled and watched as they wandered to dance floor. I envied how Sasha approached her relationship. She didn’t let anything get in the way of her and Cal—not the age difference, not their friends, and not even her own heart. She was smart.

  From my view on the lounge chair, I watched as the luau guests started arriving. A stretch SUV pulled into the parking lot and I lost count after the fifteenth person climbed from the vehicle. The DJ cranked the music, and I felt the energy swirling around me. In ten minutes, the Dunes turned into a revolving parking lot for taxicabs and shuttles. The guest continued to arrive.

  I took another sip of my coconut drink, and straightened my dress. The party had started and I couldn’t sit up here all night thinking about Cole. I walked down to the ticket entrance. We had opted for wristbands to tag all the paid
party guests. Mindy and Tara were behind the table collecting money and looping fluorescent bands around outstretched wrists.

  It really had all come together. If only Cole was here to see it.

  “Do you two need any help?” I asked over the bass from the speakers.

  “No, I think we’re ok. We’ve got the best spot in the house. We get to talk to the hot guys before they even make it to the dance floor.” Tara giggled. “And I get the extra pleasure of leing them.”

  Mindy gave me a more reassuring look. “Don’t worry, Kaitlyn. I’ll make her behave and keep her from running off with any of your guests.” She yanked a handful of leis from Tara, and placed them back on the table.

  “Really, they can lei themselves. You don’t have to be so touchy-touchy, Tara.”

  They seemed comfortable with their banter, like sisters. “Thanks, girls. Let me know if you need a break or something.”

  Confident Mindy and Tara would take care of the money table, I refilled my cup and walked toward the boardwalk. Last week, Cole had convinced me to walk with him to see a star display he promised I wouldn’t forget. I smiled, knowing I didn’t remember a single star from that night, but would always remember that first kiss.

  The couple I had checked in last night slid past me, walking hand in hand for an early night stroll on the beach. I think they were from Maryland, but with all the check-ins yesterday, I couldn’t keep everyone straight.

  “I thought that was you up here, babe.” As soon as I heard his voice, my chest hardened. It used to make me smile.

  I spun around the best I could in my sandals. “What in the hell are you doing here, Branch?”

  He was wearing a smirk and a pink polo. He had popped the collar. “It’s a party.” He downed the rest of whatever was in his cup.