And then as if she’d always lived in isolation, her mental bubble broke. She sensed thousands of people going about their daily lives . . . and gasped. There was warmth, humanity, and love keeping up the force field. And she could feel this elemental connection to others of her kind that didn’t intrude or overwhelm, but shined down on her like the sun, bathing her in a oneness.
And when Ari wrapped his arms around her and held her close, as he moved inside her, building the tension, taking her with him, she’d never felt so close to anyone in her life. There was intimacy of mind and body. There was sharing, caring. And love.
Later, Ari cooked her breakfast. They ate in silence on his back deck that overlooked the sea, sharing waffles and fresh strawberries and sliced pineapples. She contentedly sipped her coffee, listened to the birds caw, the sea lap to and fro over his pink sand beach, but most of all, she enjoyed looking at Ari.
She didn’t think she’d ever met a man so sure of himself, who was both simple and complex. Ari had told her that what he did for a living didn’t matter, but his nano technology that kept her coffee hot and her juice cold impressed her as much as the house he’d built with his own hands.
She almost hated to break the perfect morning by speaking. “Can we stay here today instead of going into town?”
“We can do whatever you like, but I thought you were eager to see the island to see if you could live here?”
She put down her coffee cup and took his hand. “The rest of the island doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t?”
“If there aren’t enough shops or restaurants . . . I’ll build them.”
He shot her his devilish grin. “Building commercial businesses could take quite a bit of time. You’d have to stay here to oversee the construction.”
She gazed straight into his eyes. “I want to stay here. With you.”
Ari whooped, scooped her into his arms, and twirled her around, his expression happy and loving. “You won’t regret your decision. I’ll make sure of it.”
Deep in her heart she knew she could count on him to keep his promise. When he kissed her with fierce pride, she knew without a doubt that she’d found her home. Her love. Her soul mate. Her devil in paradise.
(Please continue reading for more information about Susan Kearney)
About the Author
SUSAN KEARNEY used to set herself on fire four times a day. Now a USA Today bestselling author, she does something really hot: she writes romance. She can apply the old rule “write what you know” and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real-estate broker, and owner of a barter business as well as a women’s fitness club and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.
Kearney, a native of New Jersey, resides in a suburb of Tampa with her husband, kids, and Boston Terrier.
Visit her website at SusanKearney.com.
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