by Riley, Alexa
Just then three gunshots ring out and all the color drains from Sammy’s face.
“Fuck,” Liam mutters and he’s out the door. Sammy and I are close behind him, but Liam shouts over his shoulder as he runs. “You two stay back at the hotel.”
Sammy doesn’t listen and runs as fast as she can. I chase after both of them, unsure of what the hell is going on. The Red Din is just down the block, but I can already see a crowd of people ahead of us.
Liam barrels through the crowd, calling for Cyrus, and Sammy is hot on his heels. When I hear Sammy’s scream, it’s like a knife to my heart, and by the time I reach them they’re both standing over a body, watching people perform CPR on the prone figure. I run up to Sammy and grab her from behind just as she tries to lunge forward. When I glance down, I see Cyrus on the ground with his eyes closed.
Sirens blare in the distance and I’m thankful emergency services are on the way. But we’re a small island and there’s only a general hospital here. I doubt they’ve even seen a gunshot victim before. I’m in shock as all these thoughts cross my mind, but I can’t think about the reality of what I’m seeing. Cyrus is completely still as his chest is pressed, but I can’t see any blood.
Liam turns and blocks Sammy’s view and tries to get her to back up. “Let’s move back and give them some space,” he says quietly. “You need to sit down.”
“There’s no pulse,” paramedics working on Cyrus says.
“Don’t you dare fucking die on me!” Sammy shouts as she beats on Liam to get him out of the way. “Don’t you dare let him die! Goddamn you, Cyrus!”
She’s sobbing now as she screams, but the guys who were working on him sit back as the ambulance rolls in. Her words rip through the silence of everyone around us.
“Cyrus, don’t let go! Come back to me!” she screams as a sob like nothing I’ve ever heard comes out of her. “Don’t you leave me, Cyrus! You can’t leave me. I love you!”
Suddenly, Cyrus opens his eyes and sits up. The guys who were doing CPR on him try to cover their laughs. Cyrus looks around as Sammy suddenly realizes what’s happening.
“Well, it’s about damn time you admitted it,” Cyrus says, winking at her.
If he wasn’t dead before, he will be now. Sammy is going to murder him with her bare hands.
Epilogue
Nicole
Five years later…
I stand at the open doors of the balcony of our bedroom watching the sun rise as my husband sleeps in the bed behind me. The waves slowly wash up the beach. My hand runs down to my very pregnant stomach.
“Thank you, Grandpa. Grandma. You really did make sure I got everything I could ever want giving me a home here. I love you,” I whisper.
The last five years have been such a whirlwind. It really goes to show you how much life can change in an instant. It’s still hard to believe at times how happy I am. I didn't know this kind of happiness existed. It’s surreal.
The Mermaid has changed, too. At first, we decided to change tack on our marketing strategies for the Mermaid and it’s now booming. What’s also booming is my ability to make babies. With that, some things had to change once again. We renovated the hotel after that, taking over half the building for our family home.
While people were chomping at the bit to stay here once they found out about it, I was sad that we lost some of the normal regulars being booked up too much so we kind of slipped back to my old ways of doing things.
The whole less is more really hit home. At least for this part of our lives. The main resort is still busy as ever but we decided it didn't need to expand. Could it make more money if we did? Sure, but it wasn't about that for us. If you wanted to get a reservation over there, you needed to book ahead. It wasn't like we needed the money. We had more than we’d ever use. We lived a simple life and that’s the way we liked it. More so for Liam. He adjusted to the island with such ease. You would think he was born and raised here.
He enjoys the relaxed life more than he ever knew he would. I don’t think that man’s put on a suit in years. Even when he whisks me away for a weekend in the big city, everything is always casual. It warms me when he tells me how much his life has changed for the better. That he never knew how lonely he was until I entered his life. That he was working so hard so he didn't have to focus on anything else, because if he stopped for even a moment the loneliness would start to seep into his life. He doesn't have that problem anymore.
Even his mom moved out here and got her own little house. She and Liam got back to the roots of who they were before they both lost Liam’s father. I was thankful. At least our children would have one grandparent. I know how much mine meant to me and I’d hate for our kids to not get that kind of love. It is one of the sweetest the world has, how a grandparent loves their grandchildren.
“Don’t even think about it,” Liam grumbles from the bed, sitting up. I turn and smile at him.
“I wasn't going to go for a swim.” I smile and walk over to the bed. I’m in a bikini, but I didn't have plans to swim until he woke up. He doesn't like me going for swims in the ocean alone when I'm pregnant, which is pretty much all the time at this point.
He sits up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed. I step in between them. He kisses my belly. “My little girl waking you up early?” he asks before placing another kiss on my stomach.
“No,” I admit. “Just wanted to see the sun rise. We don’t have many warm days left. Soon the island will be all ours again.”
“My favorite time of year.” He pulls me down into his lap.
“Mine too,” I sigh. I’m glad our little girl will get here when the town is quiet. It’s going to be new having a little girl. All we've had so far are boys.
“You wanna swim?” he asks. “Before the boys all wake up?”
His big hand slides up my thigh. “Yeah.” I melt even more into him.
“Or do you want to cum instead?” He gives me a cocky smile while his finger slides under my swimsuit bottoms. I moan a little as he traces my clit.
“Why can’t I have both?” I pout playfully.
“You know you’re going to get both,” he groans as he turns us, putting me flat on my back on the soft blankets. He slides down my body, trailing kisses the whole way. My legs fall open for him.
“You wake me when you wake. You hear me, blondie?” he says against my pussy, having pulled my bikini bottom to the side.
“Yes,” I agree as he takes a long lick of me, knowing I’d agree to anything right now with his mouth between my legs. The man really does know how to get what he wants from me. From the first day he came into my life I’ve belonged to him. Hell, that’s probably a lie. I think I belonged to him even before that. He put me back together again. Took all the pain away and made me whole.
He eats at me. It doesn't take him long to have me coming undone for him. I go to pull him to me, but he dodges me and stands, smiling down at me so much love in his eyes.
“Inside me.” I reach out for him, but he grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet.
“I want you in the ocean. One last time before the water gets too cold.”
I nod in agreement, wanting that, too. I love making love in the ocean with him. He pulls on swim trunks before grabbing his watch and hitting the app to make sure the kids’ monitors are on if they wake up. Living so close to the ocean, you can never be too careful. We know if their bedroom doors open or if they make a sound. Liam installed the security system practically the minute we found out I was pregnant the first time.
I squeal as he picks me up and carries me into the ocean. The cool water hits my skin. I shift, wrapping my legs around his waist as he goes a little farther into the water.
Our mouths meet in a deep but sweet and soft kiss. We make love with our mouths. It isn't long before he’s pulling my bottoms to the side and sliding into me. I moan as he enters me, pulling my mouth from his to call out his name.
“That’s it, blondie. Give it to me,” he gr
unts as he thrusts in and out of me. My nails dig into him. Hanging on tight as the water moves around us, another orgasm fast approaching.
“I love you!” I cry out as my second orgasm of the morning hits me and shakes my body.
“I love you, too,” he growls before his mouth crashes down onto mine, kissing me again as we ride out our pleasure. When we pull back he keeps on holding me. I rest my head on his shoulder and try to catch my breath.
“I don’t think I can swim now.” I smile against his neck. “In fact, I don’t think I can move.”
“Good thing you don’t have to. I’ve got you. Always.” I kiss his neck, relaxing into my husband. The most perfect man in the world. At least he is for me. We fit. Belong.
“Ever think you’d be living in paradise one day when you were stuck in those stuffy boardrooms?” I tease.
“You’re my paradise. Wherever you are, as long as I have you in my arms, you’re my paradise. I love this place, but it's you. Always you.”
I kiss his neck again, loving that I’m his paradise.
THE END!
Her Paradise
by Alexa Riley
Cyrus Walsh met Sammy when she was too young for him. He left the island knowing that he’d wait for her…and he did. But now that he’s back, she isn’t giving an inch. Now he’s going to fight for what he wants, and that’s always been the same thing. Her.
Sammy watched Cyrus leave and it broke her heart. When he came back to the island years later she wasn’t ready to forgive him. But she feels an irresistible pull to him, no matter how hard she tries to fight it. Would giving in be so bad?
Warning: Her Paradise picks up right where His Paradise left off. Enjoy even more island adventures with this strong-willed sassy heroine and her alpha who just won’t let her go.
Prologue
Sammy… age 16
I snap a picture of myself in the mirror and text it to Nikki.
Me: Do I look like a woman?
She responds instantly.
Nikki: You’ve looked like a woman since your boobs came in last summer! LOL
I laugh. I hated my boobs when they first came in. All of a sudden, boys started to annoy the ever-loving crap out of me. Not to mention they all thought I was up for grabs since my brother shipped off and there was no one here to scare them.
Nikki: Make him some of your sprinkle cookies. He’ll fall in love with you at first bite *winky face*
Me: Oh, I’ve been baking ALL week.
It’s crazy how I’ve gone from not wanting attention to all to throwing myself at someone. Though Cyrus is not just someone. It’s been three long weeks since my brother’s been home on leave. He’s leaving in two days, but that’s not the problem. What’s gotten me so worked up is the friend he brought home with him. His Marine buddy who tagged along with him back to the island is everything I never knew I wanted in a man.
Cyrus. Even his name makes my stomach flutter. Since the moment he stepped out of the truck with my brother, Derick, I’d fallen head over heels in love. Each day he’s here it grows even worse. He’s sweet, funny and is so freaking nice I can’t stand it. He makes me feel things I probably shouldn't for someone his age, but I don’t care. He’s my one and I know it. I just have to tell him, let him know we’re supposed to be together. That I know he has to go back overseas, but I’m going to be here waiting for him when he’s done.
I adjust my bikini top to make sure my boobs aren't going to peek out. Living on an island, it’s normal for most of the town to run around in swimsuits. It can get crazy hot and you always end up in the water at some point or another.
Maybe it’s silly, but I’d sprung for an American flag bikini and it finally got here yesterday afternoon. It was my best friend Nikki's idea. She said I should try and look like the girl next door. All-American. I wasn’t really sure about cutting another inch off my jean shorts, but she thought it would get his attention. I don’t want him to think of me as some silly girl with a crush. I want him to see me as a woman who will wait forever just for him.
I put on some lip gloss then drop it and rush out of my room when I hear movement upstairs. Hurrying into the kitchen, I pretend like I’ve been here the whole time cooking. Moments later Cyrus walking into the room. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees me. I pretend like I don’t know he’s there for a few moments and hum to myself. Out of the corner of my eye I see he’s turning around like he’s about to leave. Crap.
“Hey, Cy,” I call out, making him stop. “Want me to make you some breakfast? I make killer French toast.”
He turns back around and his eyes lock with mine. I want him to look at me, at my body, but his eyes don’t go any lower than my chin.
“I already made the coffee.” I point towards the pot.
“Yeah, sure,” he finally says.
He steps into the dining room that’s connected to our open kitchen. He’s wearing low-slung sweats and nothing else. His chest and feet are bare, and his hair is an adorable mess. God, he’s so handsome and rugged. Nothing like the guys here on the island. Since he’s gotten here he hasn’t shaved, and there’s dark stubble on his chin. When I asked him about it he said it’s the only time they’re allowed to be unkempt, so he’s going with it.
“Give me a second.” He leaves the room and I hear him going up the stairs.
My shoulders drop when I hear the shower turn on. I go ahead and make the French toast and put some bacon in a skillet. A little bit later he comes strolling back into the room and grabs a cup of coffee. He’s fully dressed now and takes a seat at the breakfast bar.
“Did my brother come home last night?” I ask.
Cyrus’s cup of coffee stops before it meets his mouth. I can tell he doesn't want to answer me. I’m guessing because he doesn't want to lie. No, I bet he’s the kind of man that would never lie. He’s got too much honor.
I roll my eyes. “I know my brother, Cyrus. If he’s not coming home, it’s because he went home with a girl last night. It isn't something new. I just wasn't sure if I should make enough for him or not.”
“He's not here,” he says with a sigh.
I lean my hip up against the counter. “But you came home.” I bite my lip. “Early,” I add. He shrugs, taking a drink of his coffee. “You don’t like any of the women around here?” I raise an eyebrow.
He’ll never know how much I hate seeing him go out to the bars while I’m back here. It eats at me until he gets back. When they’ve gone out, Cyrus has always been back home before ten. Once I even heard him turn Derick down when my brother wanted a wingman. One night he stayed back and played Mario Kart with me. Another night I showed him some of the trails around here on the four wheelers.
“Not something I need to be focusing on right now. I’ve got a few more years in the service.”
“I was starting to think maybe you had a girl back home somewhere or something.” I walk over towards the stove and flip the bacon.
“Don’t really have a place I call home. But if I had a girl somewhere, that’s where I’d be. With her.” I look over my shoulder at him.
“But you don’t?” I push, just to make sure.
He shakes his head and I smile.
“Hard to believe a guy like you is single.” I make him a plate of food and take it over to him. Then I go and get him some milk, because you can’t have French toast without a cold glass of milk.
“Thank you. You have no idea how much I’m going to miss your cooking when I leave here.”
“Well then, you’ll just have to come back, won’t you? It will give you something to look forward to.”
“Yeah, something like that.” Our eyes stay locked for a moment before he looks away and begins to eat his breakfast.
“You know, I can start sending you packages, too, like I do Derick. I’m sure he’s stingy with the baked goods I send over.”
“Like a dog with a fuckin—” He cuts himself off. “Freaking bone.”
I laugh. “Cy, I grew up wi
th Derick. I can curse with the best of them.” I wink at him.
“I’m sure, but I don’t have to do it in front of you.”
I smile, oddly liking that he wants to be a gentleman around me. Growing up with just my dad and brother, things could get a little manly at times.
I make my own plate and go sit down next to him. “So you want me to send you stuff?” I ask again.
“I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It’s not a bother.”
He looks over at me, and this time he doesn’t look away. He’s so close, and I lean toward him and part my lips. He leans in, too, and my heart is beating out of my chest. He’s going to kiss me. My eyes close and I feel his breath against me.
But just then the screen door bangs open, making us both jump back. A few seconds later Derick comes strolling in, breaking the precious moment we’d almost shared.
“French toast,” he moans, and I jump off my chair. I try to mask all the feelings running through me and keep my head down.
“Here, have mine. I’ll make myself another plate,” I say hurriedly and busy myself in the kitchen.
“God, I love you, Sammy.” He plops down in the seat I just vacated.
I glance over at Cyrus, whose jaw is set hard. He looks mad.
“Who pissed in your Cheerios?” Derick asks him, but Cyrus ignores him. “And what the fuck are you wearing?” Derick barks, and I turn around to see he’s talking to me.
My face heats with embarrassment.
“Probably nothing worse than one of the barflies you took home last night,” I fire back. He opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off. “Keep it up and I’ll cut you off.”
One way to get to my brother is to take his food from him.
“You wouldn't do that to me. You love me too damn much.” He smiles.