by Sandy James
“An island? You can rent a whole island?”
“Fuckin’ A,” Addie replied with a smirk.
“I said be reasonable,” Chelsea said.
For once, Ethan didn’t give a damn what something cost. To have a whole island to themselves? That would be… “Amazing, Addie. Good work.”
“It’s all the way in the Keys,” Addie said. “You’re looking at a twenty-hour drive, but I think I might be able to get you there faster. Working on a private plane, something that reporters couldn’t track. Let me keep working on it. You two ready to go in the morning?”
“Yep,” Ethan replied.
“Absolutely,” Chelsea added.
“Then I’m on it.” Addie hurried back to the office. “Pack your swimsuits.”
“A whole island,” Chelsea said, a bit breathless. “Peace and quiet.”
“No press. No social media. No Chuck’s bullshit.” Pulling her close again, he nuzzled her neck, loving the soft sighs she gave him in response. “I can’t wait to get you alone.”
She just hummed and tilted her head, giving him more of the soft skin of her neck.
Nibbling and licking, he couldn’t help but think that despite what Chuck had put them through, one good thing could come out of it. He and Chelsea would have a chance to be completely alone. With an entire island to themselves.
This was going to be epic.
Chapter Twenty
Who’s Mary Todd?” Ethan asked Chelsea as they approached the forty-something woman holding a tablet with that name.
With her brown hair pulled into a severe bun and dressed in a navy-blue suit, the woman looked the consummate professional.
Who wears a suit in the Keys?
“I’m Mary Todd,” Chelsea replied.
He turned a skeptical gaze her direction. “Pardon?”
“Addie always uses names of former First Ladies when she reserves stuff for me.”
He chuckled as they went to the woman in the suit.
“I’m Mary,” Chelsea said.
The widened eyes followed by a full-blown smile on the lady’s face told Chelsea she’d been recognized. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be a problem, especially in light of what Will had said about lying low. Addie had surely paid this person well for her silence.
“I’m Sharon. Nice to meet you, Ms. …Todd. I’m going to take you and your guest to the house.” She glanced at the bags they carried. “Need to wait for more luggage?”
“No, thanks,” Chelsea replied. “We’re good.” She inclined her head at Ethan. “This is Abe.” Then she tossed him a silly grin, hoping he got the joke.
“Hi, Abe. Since we’re all ready, let’s go!” Sharon led the way, talking over her shoulder. “Won’t take long to get to the house.”
Chelsea was pleased to see Ethan had a bemused smile on his face. “How long?” she asked Sharon.
“Only a fifteen-minute drive to the dock,” she replied. “Then about twenty minutes in the boat.”
“Boat?” He chuckled. “Never thought I’d be staying someplace that was only accessible by water.”
Sharon led them to a black Expedition. After she opened the back so they could store their bags, she crawled behind the wheel while Ethan and Chelsea got in the backseat. The whole drive, she chatted about the house and the amenities on their island getaway. Great beach. Swimming pool. Hot tub.
The place sounded amazing. Addie could work miracles.
“Once you get there,” Sharon said, “you won’t have to leave unless you want to. The kitchen is fully stocked. Plenty to eat, drink, whatever. There are a few nice bars and restaurants not far from the dock. I’ll leave my card and if you want to come back across, just text or call. I’ll have a ride for you in a jiffy.”
The boat was what Chelsea would’ve expected people used to waterski, something she’d never had the chance to do. It was tied to a small dock and she was surprised that Ethan seemed so at ease with helping release the tie-ups and even keeping an eye on Sharon as she started the motor and sent them flying through the water toward the small island in the distance.
The closer they drew to the island, the more Chelsea relaxed. Everything around her was beautiful. The rolling water. The swaying palm trees. The scent of salt water. As the tension left her body, she began to realize that she’d been under a lot of pressure lately. Between the loss of her father, the stress of the last year’s packed concert schedule, and her budding relationship with Ethan, she’d gone through the ringer.
This vacation was exactly what she needed—what they needed. And to be able to share time with the man she’d grown to love while they were out of the ever-intrusive eyes of the press?
Paradise.
* * *
Ethan held out his hand, happy to see Chelsea’s beaming smile as she stepped off the boat. She was so beautiful, he couldn’t help but give her a quick kiss before turning her loose so he could grab the bags that Sharon was passing him. Once their luggage was resting on the dock, he helped Sharon out as well.
Still chattering on about the house’s many amenities, she led them inside. All he wanted was for her to wrap it up and get gone. They could explore things on their own and he had something else he wanted to concentrate on.
Chelsea.
“And here’s the key,” Sharon finally said, with a slight chuckle as she held out a keychain. “Not that you’ll need it. This place is all yours. Anyone wanting to bug you can only get here by boat.”
Ethan took the key, nodding at Sharon. When he saw Addie again, she was due a huge hug and a present. Perfume, maybe? Not only had she found them the perfect place, she’d arranged for the kitchen to be stuffed full of groceries so he and Chelsea wouldn’t have to leave the island until they headed to the wedding.
Chelsea was staring at her cell and frowning. “No service?”
With a shake of her head, Sharon said, “But there’s wireless by satellite. The password’s on the kitchen counter. Once you’re signed in, you can use that for calls as well. If there’s anything else you need”—she plucked a card from her pocket and handed it to Chelsea—“just call or text.”
“I think we’re good,” Ethan said with a glance to Chelsea.
She nodded. “Need any help with the boat?”
With a dismissive wave, Sharon said, “Not necessary. Please contact me if I can help in any way. I’ll see myself out.”
Finally alone with Chelsea, he had to resist the urge to toss her over his shoulder like a sack of grain and march immediately into the bedroom. “Wanna look around some more?”
The seductive smile she gave him made his insides tighten. “I want to see the bedroom. And I want to see you. Naked.” The sultry tone of her voice when straight to his groin.
Exactly the invitation he’d needed. Before another moment went by, he had her in his embrace and his mouth captured hers. He drank her in, tasting the sweetness of her mouth by plunging his tongue inside. When she grabbed his lip gently between her teeth and tugged, he growled deep in his chest and pulled her harder against him.
She coiled her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair as she ground her pelvis against his erection.
Ethan gripped her hips and lifted, pleased and relieved she knew what he wanted. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and still kissing her, he carried her down the hall to the master bedroom. The only notice he gave of the room was that there was a king-sized bed, which was exactly where he was heading.
He dropped her back against the mattress, following her down, careful to brace his weight on his elbows. While he wanted desperately to start removing her clothes, he couldn’t seem to stop kissing her.
Everything about her—about this—was different. Normally, he viewed foreplay as a necessary means to a pleasant end. Except now, he wasn’t in a hurry. In fact, he was enjoying the anticipation, savoring each stroke of her hands against his back, his hips, his ass.
Finally tearing his mouth away, Ethan kissed his way across her s
oft cheek to her ear, where he ran his tongue around the delicate shell. Then he licked the warm skin of her neck, nibbling as he slid his hand between their bodies to find the buttons of her silk blouse.
Easing himself to his side, he watched her face as he opened each pearl button. The way her cheeks flushed and her breathing hitched made his own breath catch. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
She lifted her hand to brush the back of her knuckles against his face. “And you’re so damn handsome. What did I do to deserve you?”
A chuckle slipped out. “Since that was supposed to be a compliment, I won’t tell you that you must’ve fucked up something royal to get stuck with me.” After the last button was undone, he slipped his hand under the silk to caress one of her full breasts. “I want you, Chelsea.”
She covered his hand against her breast with her own and rubbed it in a circle. “I’m yours, Ethan.”
Relishing the words, he kissed her again, a lazy exchange of stroking tongues that made fire shoot to his cock. She moved restlessly as she tried to tug his shirt out of his waistband. The shirt was being stubborn.
Ethan smiled at her as he stood and jerked his shirt over his head. “I need to get the condoms.”
“By all means…”
He hurried to grab the box he’d left in his bag down the hall.
* * *
Chelsea smiled at the speed of his exit, his enthusiasm matched hers perfectly. To move things along, she got up, pulled back the covers, and then kicked off her shoes. She’d slipped off her pink top and was draping it over the chest at the foot of the big bed when Ethan came back, holding some condoms.
“How many did you bring?” she asked with a wink when she saw the large box.
His eyes raked her from head to toe, settling on her lacy bra. “Seeing you looking like that? Probably not enough.”
“Flatterer.” She crooked her finger, calling him closer.
After tossing the box on the night table, he came to stand in front of her, their bodies close to touching. He cupped her face in his hands and gazed down at her.
The tenderness there made tears sting her eyes. Then he slowly lowered his head until their lips met. A gentle kiss that he ended to look into her eyes again. “Let me make love to you.”
A smile bloomed as she nodded. A gasp followed as he swept her into his arms and carried her back to the bed.
Ethan unzipped her jeans, and she helped him remove them. Soon, they were tossed on the floor as he worked on getting his own pants off.
Staring was in order. When she’d held him, she’d felt the ropy muscles, but to see them paraded in front of her was almost too much to take in. Thick biceps, sinewy forearms, even a real six-pack. It was all she could do not to drool. “How ’bout you take off those boxers and get in bed?”
His lopsided smile only added to the enticing package. Hooking his thumbs in the elastic waistband, he dragged the baby-blue underwear off his hips. A rather impressive erection sprang forward, pointing right at her.
“Oh, my…” Chelsea patted the mattress. “C’mere.”
A couple of running steps, and he jumped up on the bed.
She let out a little squeal that turned into a giggle when he landed so hard on the mattress that she bounced. The giggle ended abruptly when her hand made its way to his cock. The heat of him against her palm, the silky skin against her fingertips, made her eyes close.
* * *
Ethan’s breath caught. The way she gently stroked him was almost more than he could bear.
This whole experience was new and unexpected. Mostly dressed and up against a wall had always pleased him just fine.
Now, he couldn’t believe the wealth of feeling—both physical and emotional—that rocked him. Something as simple as her gently moving her hand up and down his erection had the power to send his senses reeling.
Although he would’ve been content to let her play, he suddenly wanted to see every inch of her. “My turn.” He gently brushed her hand away, gripped her shoulders, and pressed her back against the bed.
With a quick flick of his fingers, he opened the front clasp of her bra and her lush breasts bounced out. Full and round, they were tipped with pink nipples that had hardened to tight buds. Leaning in, he drew one between his lips, loving how her hands went to the back of his head as though she wanted to hold him there.
Since he was in no hurry, he lavished her with attention. Suckling, licking, and kissing the warm valley between them. He let his hand glide over her stomach to slide under her silky panties, past the soft hair on her mound, until he could slip his fingers between her wet folds.
Chelsea let out a low moan and restlessly moved her hips. Ethan took that as approval and decided to play until he could make her crazed. He loved how she tugged at his hair, how her breath came in little hitches. Her hands moved to his back, where she dragged her nails across his skin.
Yeah, baby.
But he needed to see all of her the same way she’d seemed to need to see all of him. He helped her shrug off the bra and wiggle out of the pink panties. Then he drank her in.
The woman was exquisite. From her bright green eyes, to her voluptuous hips, to the patch of red hair at the apex of her thighs. “God, you’re gorgeous.”
“Not so bad yourself, mister.” Chelsea took his cock in her hand again. “Where are those condoms?”
Ethan grabbed the box, opened it, and tore one from the sleeve. After playfully tossing it at her, he dropped to the mattress on his knees and crawled toward her until he could kneel next to her. “Want to do the honors?”
“Gladly.”
She opened it with her teeth, and he had to grin when she seemed to have trouble rolling it on. Once the job was done, all his amusement fled as desire grabbed him.
He blanketed her body with his, rubbing his cock against her core, mimicking the act without quite completing it. Everything about her flooded his senses—the sweet scent of her arousal, the heat teasing him through the thin sheath, the enticing smile as she opened her arms to him.
“You’re right, you know, I really am a virgin,” he said with a smile.
“Why this time?” she asked, her voice husky and low.
“Because I’ve never taken this long to make love to a woman.”
Her eyes widened.
“I’m serious.”
“I love a man who takes his time.” She cupped his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
Damn, did she kiss him. And kiss him some more. Each time her tongue stroked his, he lost another thread of his control as the need to be buried deep inside her rose higher inside him. As she lifted her knees, he finally eased into her tight heat.
* * *
Chelsea nearly screamed for him to come to her, but then Ethan was suddenly there, moving in a slow, maddening slide into her body. She wrapped her legs around his hips to pull him deeper and scored her nails across his shoulders.
She felt full. Complete. But she also needed more. She needed him to move.
Now.
Before she could tear her mouth away to tell him, he seemed to finally catch on. The rhythm he set was fast and hard and absolutely perfect.
She’d waited so long for this that it seemed as though she couldn’t wait a moment longer. Everything inside her tightened as he drove her higher and higher until she shattered, his name on her lips.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ethan had no idea how long they’d slept after the most satisfying sex of his life. When he’d awakened, the room was growing dark, and he was aware that his stomach was rumbling as though he’d just completed a forty-day fast. It let out a particularly loud growl, which was followed by a giggle from the sexy naked woman lying against his side.
“A little hungry there, Ethan?” Chelsea pushed herself up on an elbow, her red hair in beautiful disarray, her eyes full of life.
He suddenly thought it might be a good idea to make love to her again. To test the waters, he cradled her cheek in his palm and bru
shed a soft kiss over her lips.
Then his stomach complained again.
“How about I whip us up some supper?” She traced the line of his jaw with her index finger.
“That sounds great.” With a quick jerk, he pulled the sheet away from her and drank in every luscious curve of her body. “Although…we could—”
Damn if his stomach didn’t interrupt.
“That settles it.” She bounced off the mattress. “Something to eat comes first.”
Ethan let out a chuckle. “Pun intended?”
There was a twinkle in her eyes that held promise for more delights to come. “Absolutely.”
After she tugged on her panties, she looked around the room.
“Want your bag?” he asked, crawling out of bed.
Whatever she’d been searching for was evidently forgotten, because her mouth curved into a smile as her gaze raked him from head to toe, settling on his groin. “Much as I hate to ask…”
A smile on his own face, he bowed at the waist. He picked up his boxers, slid them on, and went to fetch their bags.
* * *
Chelsea stared at him as he left, wondering what really good thing she’d done in her life to deserve a guy like Ethan.
It wasn’t his exquisite body she was thinking about, although it was as close to perfect as she’d ever seen. No, she loved the whole package. His humor. His wit. Even his stubbornness.
Perhaps he’d been right about the press after all. She’d thought it was the wrong call, but she hadn’t been angry at him for making it. Giving him his way had been her choice, and knowing what she did about his past, she could understand why he’d decided to keep their personal lives private. The only nagging doubt clouding the horizon was that they would have to face the music eventually, especially if they hoped to share a future together. Experience had taught her that postponing the inevitable only made it more difficult.
He trotted back into the room, a shirt draped over a shoulder. After handing it to her, he tossed their luggage on the bed.
Shaking the garment out, she found a worn T-shirt with a red Coca-Cola logo. “What’s this?”