Justin let out a burst of laughter and kneed onto the bed behind her. His hands gripped her hips, and his cock jumped for joy at the vision in front of him. "I have plenty of ideas." He tapped her hip, and she lay down, moving to her back. Justin waited until her legs flipped past him before he moved up her body. He stayed like that, on hands and knees, over her, watching her. The woman was beautiful and amazing...and his. "I love you."
He dropped to his elbows, hungry...no starving for the succulent treat beneath him. He tasted her lips, feasted on her tongue, devoured the feel of her skin against his fingers and mouth. Her bouquet became an irresistible song to his senses, combining to be the most intoxicating thing he'd ever encountered. A perfect blend of spice and sweetness with undertones of strength and joy, combined with the undeniable sex appeal that presented her as an alluring feast.
Her hands clenched his hair, pulling him back up to her. "Please, for God's sake, please Justin. Make love to me." Her breasts rose and fell with her panted gasps.
He lowered and drew close to her sex, his cock weeping at the wait he'd demanded of it. "Always, my love. Always."
He entered her, his cock gliding into her heat, eased by the desire that flowed from her. Her legs circled his hips, and he withdrew only to slide back home. Where he belonged. He tortured himself with long, languid strokes, taking his pleasure and watching her climb towards her own. He lifted his leg, shifting his position and thrust again. Danielle's head rolled from side to side. A soft moan and clenched fingers against his skin drove him on, his body took over. He couldn't stop, not now. Danielle shouted his name and begged him to go faster, deeper and harder. Her plea destroyed any attempt at control, and his body took over. Her legs squeezed hard around him. Her hips flexed, slamming herself against him as he drove into her. She shouted his name as she came and, within seconds, her name echoed around them as well. He thrust again and again, emptying himself inside her before he collapsed over her. Their bodies slid together, slick with sweat. Justin managed to roll and carry them both to their sides, still joined together. They lay like that for several minutes—just touching and relaxing in each other and simply being together.
"Thank you...for coming for me." Danielle's sleepy whisper brushed against his throat.
"I'll always come for you." Justin kissed her forehead and listened to her breathing. Slow and steady. Alive and well. Home. Justin closed his eyes and drifted away.
Chapter 30
Danielle glanced around the venue, and what a venue it was. The soft white fairy lights twinkled against the starlit sky. A warm, soft breeze made her skirt dance around her knees. The white sand to her right separated the soft lapping tide from the manufactured dance floor. She glanced around one last time to make sure the table arrangements were perfect. The wedding party would be here any minute. She and Justin had worked hard to make sure the reception would be perfect for Jewell and Zane. The couple had been married on a majestic old schooner with the entire family on board. The wedding photographer wanted several fun pictures of Jewell and Zane, so that gave Justin and Danielle enough time to get back to Joseph's...well, mansion...and check on the reception, since they were in charge.
She felt Justin come up behind her and smiled as he pulled her into his chest. "Joseph's estate is beautiful." Justin made a noise that sounded like an agreement as he kissed her neck. "The torches add just the right ambiance and separation." She lifted her hand and held him to her neck. A shiver of desire danced over her.
"How much time do we have?" His words rumbled from his chest to her back. The sexy growl sent another pulse of desire through her. The man just needed to breathe for her to want him. Like this? He was irresistible.
"Maybe ten minutes. Is the food ready?" She glanced over at the buffet. Justin had flown two chefs to Aruba to prepare the feast. They tried to cater to both Zane and Jewell's tastes. The buffet selections embodied Zane's healthy lifestyle. The dessert tables? All Jewell. A chocolate and caramel fountain, and a long table with two hundred pieces of handmade candy. Jewell and Zane forewent the cake and asked for cupcakes. They were the centerpieces of each table, decorated to look like flowers. The effect was stunning.
Justin groaned and stood up straight. "Yes. We have about five minutes before they bring it out." He grabbed her hand and guided her toward a palm tree that had been adorned with white fairy lights. She could see the whitewater of the gentle waves as they landed on the shore beyond. Justin turned, so his back was to the beach and dropped to one knee. He held a small light blue box in his hands. "I know this is already a done deal, and you beat me to the punch, but I was planning to do this before you asked me, so here it goes. My beautiful princess, even though I've already agreed to marry you, will you do me the honor of wearing my ring?"
Danielle gulped for air because Justin's words and actions were every little girl's dream. He stared up at her, a smile spread across his handsome face. He was her Prince Charming. He’d slain her dragons and brought her home safely. He conquered empires and was fearless in the face of adversity. He was perfect, and he was hers. She nodded, blinking back her tears. It didn't work. She wiped at one that fell down her cheek. "Yes, of course, I'll marry you."
He slipped the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger before he stood, and when he did, Danielle threw herself at him. They held each other, rocking back and forth, dancing to music only they could hear.
"Congratulations."
Danielle jumped back and swung around. Tall, dark and unsociable, better known as Justin's brother, Joseph, stood at the far corner of the dance floor, just inside the shadows.
"Thank you." Danielle smiled and wiped away another tear.
"You didn't stay on the ship?" Justin accepted the handshake and hug when his brother made it across to them.
"No, Blake had reached his limit. He takes after his mom when he's tired. Cranky. I brought him home. My staff here spoil him rotten, so I'm sure he's having a blast inside."
Justin nodded and glanced at Joseph. "Does Ember know you call her cranky?"
Joseph's eyebrows shot up. "Do I look suicidal to you?"
From the embrace of her fiancé’s arms, she watched the brothers, happy to know that Justin was here and trying to become a part of the family that he'd shunned for far too long. They had both talked with his therapist, alone and together. Justin knew he had issues to address about his father's death. But he, like so many others who had experienced such a trauma, was a work in progress. She'd stand with him every step of the way.
Danielle wouldn't have it any other way. She glanced down at the beautiful ring on her finger and then at the family that had started to stream in. Laughter, love, and happiness permeated the warm, sweet atmosphere. She glanced up at Justin as he turned his gaze towards her. She held his eyes and knew that her forever was with this man.
Epilogue
Drake hung back and leaned against one of the palm trees festooned with little white lights. Chief ambled over with his drink of choice, some fancy cognac that he'd learned to love while he was undercover as David Xavier. He cupped the snifter lovingly in his hand. Drake shook his head and chuckled. "You treat that shit like it was spun from gold."
"I believe it was. You have no idea how expensive it is. I get one bottle every three months from Gabriel. Having it here is an unexpected treat." Chief swirled the amber liquid under his nose before he took a sip.
"Damn, don't have an orgasm." Drake took a drink of his bourbon. Plain ole Maker's Mark. He didn't need the pomp and circumstance. But then again, he'd never figured Chief as needing it either. People change. He glanced around the reception. Damn, how people change.
"Where's Dixon?" Chief swept the crowd looking for Drake’s twin.
"Jason wanted to talk with him. Alone." Drake shrugged off the sense of unease the statement brought with it.
Chief cut him a quick glance asking a very clear, but silent question. Drake shook his head. "I have no idea."
Chief took a larger s
ip of his drink. His eyes gazed across the pool at his wife. He and Taty had married in front of a judge almost six months ago. They didn't tell anyone about it. Just went out and did it. It was typical of them. They were both intensely private.
"We are leaving from here and heading to Russia," Chief said as his eyes followed his woman. "Jewell believes she may have a lead in finding Taty’s sister."
"And if it turns out to be nothing?" Drake wasn't stupid, in fact, he was a certified genius. Chief was checking out of the complex for however long it took to track down the lead on his sister-in-law. Dixon was meeting with Jason. Alone. Fuck. Him. Standing.
"Then we say we did our best, and we are able to live with ourselves." Chief turned, giving him his full attention.
Reality slapped Drake in the face with a motherfucker of a left hook. He knew. Dixon was being pulled for an assignment. What, he could only guess. He slugged the remainder of his bourbon. Hell, he'd have to guess because nobody was telling him a damn thing and that pissed him off. He set his glass down on the tray of a waiter who was passing by and crossed his arms over his chest. His mind clicked off the moves that were happening and what counter moves he could employ before Chief was able to take a drink of his cognac.
"I won't let her go alone. We need someone at the Complex in charge of everything. The Shadows need you there to complete their portion. I don't know what mission Jason has for Dixon, but I can only assume it requires his skill set."
"The same exact fucking skillset I have." Drake gritted the response through his clenched teeth.
"No. There is a difference." Chief turned and looked at him. The deadly serious glint in the man's eyes told him he knew. Fuck, if Chief knew, Guardian knew.
Drake stared down his friend. "He doesn't deserve this."
"And yet, you and I both know that what happened haunts him. Let him try to find his solace. He should be allowed to have his peace. No matter how close you are, he is his own man. Jason will give him the option, but this path is for Dixon to walk—alone.”
Drake hung his head and clenched his eyes closed. It had happened so fucking long ago. Since then they'd lived to protect others. They'd sacrificed to make amends, but Drake knew how much the past weighed on his brother. He knew Chief was right, but that didn't mean he liked it.
"Your paths will diverge. You will both grow while you are apart. Jason will give him the option, but this is his decision, and if his pain is great enough, this path will be for Dixon to walk alone. A man must make his own journey to his destiny."
Drake hated every word out of Chief's mouth. Every word. He glanced up, knowing with some sixth sense when his twin stepped into the area. His brother met his eyes, and the pain and the resolve were easy to see. Drake shook his head in a silent denial of what he knew without being told. Dixon had accepted the assignment Jason had offered him. All because of misplaced guilt and years of regret. There was nothing Dixon could have done, but they'd had this argument too many times to count. Drake held his brother’s eyes as long as he could before he turned and walked off the manufactured floor onto the beach. He gazed out over the water and was immediately surrounded by people. Yet… he felt hollow and alone...and it was just the beginning.
The End
Also by Kris Michaels
Other Titles by Kris Michaels:
Titles in the Kings of Guardian Series:
Jacob, The Kings of Guardian - Book One
Joseph, The Kings of Guardian - Book Two
Adam, The Kings of Guardian - Book Three
Jason, The Kings of Guardian - Book Four
Jared, The Kings of Guardian - Book Five
Jasmine, The Kings of Guardian - Book Six
Chief, The Kings of Guardian - Book Seven
Jewell, The Kings of Guardian - Book Eight
Jade, The Kings of Guardian - Book Nine
Guardian Security Shadow World Series:
Anubis
The Everlight Series:
An Evidence of Magic
An Incident of Magic
Stand Alone Novel:
A Heart's Desire
Justin Page 21