The Remingtons_Leap, Laugh, Love

by Rachelle Ayala

  He dropped Kerry to her feet and peered deep into her clear, blue eyes, drinking in the love reflected back at him.

  “You are ‘The End’ for me.”

  “So, are you, Finn.” She stroked his face. “The end and the beginning.”

  Epilogue

  The ocean breeze whipped Kerry’s hair into her eyes, and she tugged nervously at the multicolored bikini she wore. She looked ridiculous, all blond and tanned, wearing globs of waterproof mascara and lip gloss.

  “You, there, step back to the cone,” Trey Michaels, a fashion photographer known for his no-nonsense New York attitude, ordered.

  How many times did she have to do this prancing jump? Kerry looked away from the handsome man sporting tattooed sleeves on both arms. She couldn’t allow herself to get riled up, no matter how sexy he was with board shorts hung low over his hips and abs to die for.

  “Next time, swing your ass more, and run like a girl,” the photographer barked. “Flap your hands, more feminine and soft.”

  She bit back a retort. If running like a girl meant looking like a sissy …

  Only, she was doing this for Siena and Dex’s friend, the fashion designer, and to pay off her debts.

  “Ready, go,” an assistant shouted.

  Kerry pranced through the surf, flapping her hands and wiggling her hips. Gawd, she looked so stupid. In front of her, the male model smirked with a shit-assed grin, like he knew how pathetic she looked, and he was going to razz her for this later.

  “Jump!” the assistant ordered.

  Kerry leaped, making sure to point her toes and hook one leg back. She landed flat on Finn’s chest. His powerful arms wrapped around her legs, and he leaned back as she attacked his lips. So much for the lip gloss.

  “I can’t believe we’re getting paid to do this.” Finn closed his eyes and kissed her, dipping his tongue into her mouth.

  What a way to start another vacation. Yum!

  She allowed herself to flow with the moment. His body was hot to the touch, and he tasted salty and chocolaty.

  “Cut, cut!” the assistant said.

  She ignored him, and so did Finn. He opened his eyes and melted her with his big brown eyes. There was nothing boring about brown, not at all. His gaze was her safety and her comfort, like warm brownies and sensual espresso beans.

  “Hold that gaze, hold it.” The photographer’s demanding voice invaded their intimate zone. “That’s good. Very good. Now, lick your lips. Finn, move your head back. Good. Kerry, attack him. Bite him. Yes, yes. Smoking. Hold it, hold … All done.”

  Claps and cheers rang out from the Remington crew gathered on the beach. Finn held Kerry and swung her around, his feet splashing in the water.

  Suddenly, he let go and she flew into the water just as a wave crested over her head, washing out whatever conditioner the makeup artist had sprayed into her hair.

  Army brat!

  When she surfaced, Dex, Ellie, Siena, and Cash, were lined up on the beach behind Finn.

  Mrs. Dominguez stepped forward and handed Finn a porcelain urn. “It’s time.”

  Finn kissed Lonnie’s mother and took the urn, his hands trembling. “Thanks for believing in me.”

  He turned to Kerry. “Let’s do it.”

  She nodded and put her arm around his waist, waiting for him to gather his thoughts. Everyone circled around them, joining hands as the waves gently lapped at their feet.

  “This isn’t goodbye, buddy.” Finn’s voice croaked. “But a new beginning. Lonnie, you wanted me to find a place of love and happiness. I found it with you in the foxholes and tents, whether climbing ridges or jumping out of helicopters. You always loved life, lived large, and poured your heart into everything you did. You also believed in me, that I would find a place and a person to call my own. You gave me a sign right here on this beach where I learned to surf with Kerry, and you knew, then, that she was the one for me.”

  He stopped and wiped his eyes, then slanted his head and kissed her lightly. “It only took me longer. I’m a slow learner, but I finally got it. So, my buddy, this is goodbye and hello.”

  Taking Kerry’s hand, he placed it on one side of the urn. “You’re going to do this with me. Let’s get the longboard.”

  “Right behind you.” Cash pushed the board out for them.

  Kerry got on first, and Finn gave her the urn. She placed it under her chin, and he pushed them out before getting on behind her. She wrapped her feet over his waist.

  Together, they paddled out to the break where Finn had caught his first wave. It was a gentle, rolling beach break, a right hander.

  “I love you, Kerry. Now, let’s let Lonnie surf.”

  A large, smiling wave curled behind them, and Kerry could swear it reached out with open arms. She popped up with one hand, the other one holding the urn. Finn steadied the board as he, too, stood.

  The wave crested and together they dropped into a gorgeous, sparkling crystal blue barrel. Kerry let the urn tip, as she and Finn crouched low into the aquamarine tunnel. The surf sprayed above them, covering them with watery wings of love.

  At the end of the run, they dropped onto their knees and jumped off the board, meeting their friends who lined up on the beach with their surfboards.

  Kerry gave the urn back to Mrs. Dominguez and hugged her. Then she turned to her friends and grabbed her surfboard. “Surf’s up. Let’s go.”

  Everyone raised their boards and charged into the water.

  “On the count of three,” Finn shouted. “Leap. Laugh. Love.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Thanks for reading!

  For more Remington fun, find your favorite Bad Boy, Gunner Gibson from Melissa's Flames of Love in my next Remington World Romance, Blush of Love

  "Fun and steamy story that will have you sighing 'til the end."

  Featuring: Gunner Gibson from Melissa Foster's Flames of Love

  Talented video game designer Safire Chu is gun-shy when it comes to dating real men, especially since she spends all her time shooting at their avatars.

  Football player Gunner Gibson is nothing but trouble, according to the Remingtons--especially since he tried to use Siena Remington to clean up his bad boy image.

  Now, Gunner wants to cheat on an online video game, so he asks Safire to a New Year's Eve party while his publicist hacks into the game database through Safire's computer.

  A bit of champagne and the countdown to the ball drop loosens Safire's inhibitions. When her company's newest secret game is pirated, Safire wonders if the man she's fallen for at first blush is not all he seems.

  To enjoy Safire and Gunner's story, please buy BLUSH OF LOVE

  ~ ~ ~

  Please sign up for Rachelle’s newsletter http://bit.ly/RachAyala to receive updates on new books and fun events. Get a surprise free ebook, too.

  About the Author

  Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling Asian American author of dramatic romantic suspense and humorous, sexy contemporary romances. Her heroines are feisty and her heroes hot. She writes emotionally challenging stories but believes in the power of love and hope.

  Rachelle is the founder of an online writing group, Romance in a Month, an active member of the California Writer’s Club, Fremont Chapter, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She has won awards in multicultural and historical romance.

  Check out her Reader’s Guide at http://rachelleayala.me/reading-guide/

  and visit her Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Ayala/e/B007DXL5WY

  Join Rachelle’s Reader's Club for sneak previews, giveaways, and games

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClubRachelleAyala/

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, I want to thank Melissa Foster for being my friend since way back in 2011. Wow, does it really feel so long ago? If there’s anything you should know about Melissa, it’s that she creates fantastic characters, from Molly Tanner to Siena Remington and everyone in between; it’s hard to believe these people aren’
t real.

  You can imagine how thrilled I was when Melissa first mentioned the possibility of a Kindle World based on her fabulous Remington family. Melissa’s enthusiasm guided me through writing this story, and her awesome characters were wonderful friends for my heroine and hero, Kerry and Finn. I totally enjoyed writing in Melissa’s world and hope you will leap, laugh, and love my characters and the story I wove for them.

  My heartfelt gratitude to my team, especially my awesome editor, Brittney Becker, who dropped everything from her plate to expedite my story. Any inaccuracies are solely mine, and some of the details concerning safety, rules, and regulations are fictional. [Don’t try what my characters did in real life.]

  Many, many thanks also to my proofreader, Kimberly Dawn, who seems to find the one missing letter in a sea of words. Much gratitude to my beta readers, who not only commented on the story and helped steer its direction, but also spotted typos and mistakes. I truly appreciate their humor, wit, and diligence: Amber McCallister, Terri Merkel, Jessica Cassidy, Lindsay Medina, Marie (ReggaeWoman), Rebecca Austin, Chantel Rhondeau, Corissa Palfrey, Rachel Williams, Vera Neves (Sinfonia dos Livros), and Keli Morgan. Thank you, gals. I am humbled and amazed at your willingness to help and support me.

  I would also like to acknowledge Sean Fitzgerald of Amazon for shepherding this project. Thanks for answering all my questions and chatting about our pet birds. Thanks also to my team of fellow Remington Kindle World writers. We’re going to rock the Remingtons! I can’t wait to read and enjoy all your stories.

  Finally, my appreciation goes to all the readers who loved and laughed with me and my characters as well as Melissa and her Remington family. I hope you enjoy my addition to their fabulous, flirty, and fun world. Thanks and happy reading!

  LOVE THE REMINGTONS?

  THE REMINGTONS started with Melissa Foster’s original series featuring alpha heroes and their sexy, empowered women. They’re a lovable, funny, and sometimes stubborn family based in New York City and vicinity who find love and adventure with equally passionate partners.

  Start with the original series by Melissa Foster:

  Game of Love

  Stroke of Love

  Flames of Love

  Slope of Love

  Read, Write, Love

  Touched by Love

  Then move on to these amazing Remington reads from Kindle Worlds:

  May 2015 Release

  A Texas Kind of Love – by Melissa Storm

  Cured by Love – by Stacy Eaton

  Leap, Laugh, Love – by Rachelle Ayala

  Love Me, Love Me Not – by Elena Aitken

  Love on the Record – by Zoe York

  Love on the Rocks – by Elle James

  Pulled by Love – by Amy Manemann

  Spotlight on Love – by Kaira Rouda

  March 2016 Release

  Blush of Love - Rachelle Ayala

  A hot New Year’s Eve date with bad boy Gunner Gibson leaves Safire wondering if it’s love at first blush or something more sinister.

  City of Love - Kaira Rouda

  Charlotte’s heart is empty in the new life she’s living. Will Hale help her discover their own city of love?

  Cooking up Love - Stacey Wallace

  Unlucky in love, Chef Fabiana and Firefighter James discover that together they can turn up the heat without getting burned.

  Could This Be Love - Kathy Ivan

  When fate reconnects ex-lovers, the lies that tore them apart are exposed. Will they destroy their second chance at happiness?

  Crazy Love - Calinda B

  A wicked slash from a tiger’s claw, followed by a rock star’s kiss…will the kiss erase years of devastating heartache?

  Faith in Love - C.M. Albert

  Sparks fly when philanthropist Egan MacGuire meets healer Celeste St. Angelo. Despite their painful pasts, can they find faith in love?

  Give In To Love - Natasha Brown

  Together they have the power to aid villages, but do they have the inner strength to give in to love?

  Harvesting Love - Christine Cunningham

  William never forgot the shattered look in her eyes when he lied and said, "No Beatrice, I don’t love you."

  Love in the City - Zoe York

  NYPD detective Daniel DeCecco didn’t want to fall hard for his best friend’s little sister. But Lucy has a plan.

  Love on the Wind - P.C. Zick

  As Jeff builds Kiley’s dream house, they must also build a strong foundation for their new love before it crumbles in the wind.

  Nailed by Love - Kelly Collins

  Finding activist Charlotte Cruise chained to his construction site door changes Brock’s day. Will her antics change his life?

  Pitching for Love - Amy Manemann

  The game just went from saving his career, to pitching for love.

  Race of Love - Melissa McClone

  Bree’s only hope to stay on the US Ski Team lies in the hands of the one man she doesn’t trust.

  Recipe for Love - Jamie Lee Scott

  Diem’s cupcake bakery is the only thing she has time for, until mogul Sterling Crew enters life. Will he be the icing?

  Revived by Love - Stacy Eaton

  It took a single kiss to revive Mark and Joanne, but will it be enough to save Joanne’s son’s life?

  Some Kind of Love - Magan Vernon

  A jam maker and a winery owner try to find the sweet side of love.

  Tracks to Love - Abbie St. Claire

  Can Tate mend his own heart when he races his car right through Willow’s? Or will their relationship stall?

  Also by Rachelle Ayala

  The Remingtons Kindle World

  Leap, Laugh, Love

  Blush of Love

  Bad Boys for Hire

  Ryker (Motorcycle Club Romance)

  Ken (Hawaiian Vacation Romance)

  Sports Romances

  Played by Love

  Playing the Rookie

  Playing Without Rules

  Roaring Hot!

  Intercepted by Love

  Playing Catch

  The Hart Family (Sweet Romances)

  Christmas Lovebirds

  Valentine Hound Dog

  Spring Fling Kitty

  Christmas Romances (Sweet)

  A Father for Christmas

  A Pet for Christmas

  Christmas Stray

  Her Christmas Chance

  Christmas Romances

  Christmas Flirt

  Santa's Pet

  Deck the Hearts

  Chance for Love

  Broken Build

  Hidden Under Her Heart

  Knowing Vera

  Sánchez Sisters

  Taming Romeo

  Claiming Carlos

  Jewells in Love

  Whole Latte Love

  Historical Romance

  Michal’s Window

  Non-Fiction

  Romance In A Month

  366 Ways to Know Your Character

  Love Stories: Writing a Romance Novella

  Your Daily Bible Verse