Dino shook her father's hand and headed her way. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "No tears, amore." He cupped her face between his hands and wiped her wet cheeks with his thumbs. "We will be back again soon."
"I know." Maria leaned into him and kissed his neck, breathing in the spicy smell of his skin, feeling the reassuring pressure of his hand on her back.
"Time for us to leave," he whispered beside her ear.
She drew in a breath to compose herself before launching into all the goodbye hugs and kisses with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and last but not least her mum and dad.
Chris threw herself at Dino, giggling. No doubt under the influence of too much champagne. "Sister-in-law's privileges, Dino." She grabbed his shoulders and clung to him as she kissed his cheeks three times.
"Hey, hands off my husband, Christine," Maria said, pretending to be annoyed, while everyone laughed at Dino's startled expression.
Finally she and Dino made it to their car. Amid shouts of congratulation they drove off. Maria craned her neck around to watch the massive, white, Victorian edifice that was the Crow's Nest until it was out of sight, her chest tight with mixed emotions.
Dino's hand settled over hers. "Are you sad, cara?"
"I'm happy because I'm with you." She managed to smile, but it wobbled.
"You are a little bit sad as well, I think. The Crow's Nest means something to me, as well. It is where I fell in love."
"It's where we fell in love with each other." Maria leaned across and cuddled against his shoulder.
"Where we made love for the first time."
"Where I bullied you into making love to me," she corrected him, blushing.
"No, no, cara. I wanted so badly to make love to you. I always want to make love to you." He flashed a wicked grin that reminded her of the heavenly days they'd spent in each other's arms in their secluded beach house in the Maldives.
They had only driven a few miles when Dino pulled over to the edge of a deserted country road.
"What are we stopping for?"
"This." Dino dragged her into his arms and kissed her. "You should not tempt me, cara. Now I want to make love to you in the car."
Maria giggled as she looked around the tiny interior of the sports car he'd rented. "You should have hired an SUV for that," she said, sure he was joking. Her eyes widened as he pulled a green, silk scarf out of his pocket. "What's that for?"
He gave her an enigmatic smile. "Patience, cara." Dino rolled the scarf into a strip and beckoned her closer, then slid the silky fabric over her eyes and tied it behind her head.
"Okay. This is getting weird."
He laughed. "I have a surprise wedding present for you. No peeking." He kissed the end of her nose, and she settled back in her seat.
"You've already given me a beautiful wedding gift." Her fingers traced the emerald and diamond bracelet Dino had bought to go with her engagement ring.
"Am I not allowed to give my wife more than one present?"
"Of course, darling." She reached out blindly, found the hard muscle of his thigh, and squeezed.
"Careful, cara, or I will make love to you here."
Maria pulled back her hand reluctantly, and the car moved off. She chewed her lip, trying to work out what the present could be. "Is it far to my surprise?"
"No."
"You're not giving much away, are you?"
"No," he repeated, a smile in his voice.
She tried to follow the twists and turns in the road, the route one she had travelled many times and should know well. But she soon lost track of where they were. After fifteen minutes, Dino slowed to turn and gravel popped under the tires. They must be on a drive of some sort.
The car stopped and Dino cut the engine. "Stay there. I'll come round and help you out. And no peeking."
Her door opened. Dino's warm hand engulfed hers as he helped her to her feet. The familiar sound and smell of the sea was the first thing she noticed. They must have driven along the coast.
He led her forward, and she clung to him blindly, trusting. Sun warmed her face as she angled her head, trying to hear anything that might give her a clue as to where they were. Dino positioned her, then stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Now, amore, you may take off your blindfold."
With a tingle of excitement, she ripped the scarf off and blinked. "What's going on?" They were back at the Crow's Nest. She glanced over her shoulder at Dino in confusion. He grinned. The truth flitted around the edges of her mind then swamped her like a tidal wave. "You've bought the Crow's Nest." For a moment, her heart raced so fast she couldn't breathe. She turned and threw her arms around his neck, bouncing and squealing. "Oh my God, you've bought the Crow's Nest."
Suddenly the air was filled with cheers as her family jumped out from behind the hedge and surrounded them, all talking at once.
"It'll be here for us when we come back," Dino said, as the excited chatter died down. "Your mum and dad have agreed to stay on until they find someone to manage the place."
"I can't believe you've done this for me. Thank you so much." She hugged him, pressing a kiss to his lips.
"This is for us, cara. This is a good place for children to grow up, I think. When we are ready to settle down, we will raise our family here."
Maria's mother appeared with a bottle of champagne and handed them each a crystal flute of sparkling liquid.
Taking a sip, Maria snuggled against her husband's chest, emotion nearly overwhelming her. She loved this man so much. She pressed a palm to her flat stomach, imagining it rounded with his child. His hand slid over hers, and he smiled down at her, a silent message of understanding in his eyes. "Soon," he whispered.
Then Dino raised his glass and silence fell. "Here's to making all our dreams come true."
If you enjoyed reading Oceans Between Us, you might also enjoy these other books by Helen Scott Taylor
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The Army Doctor's Christmas Collection
The first three stories in the Army Doctor's Series.
Three heartwarming stories of love and family that all end happily at Christmas--A Christmas proposal, a Christmas wedding, and a Christmas birth!
Praise for The Army Doctor's Series
"Grab a kleenex because you are going to need it! This is one no romance lover should miss!" Teresa Hughes
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"This is a sweet romance with a wonderful happily ever after. Highly recommend this read!" Luvbooks.
*
"The story was captivating from beginning to end." Sue E Pennington
*
Read a sample or buy The Army Doctor's Christmas Collection on Amazon HERE
Dreamy Kisses: Paranormal Romance Box Set
Sample four mythologies in this varied box set. In The Feast of Beauty catch a glimpse of Celtic fairy lore with the mysterious people of Lir. Try dark, gothic witchcraft in Cursed Kiss. Mix with followers of the ancient Egyptian gods in Warriors of Ra, and experience the cold wonderland of the Norse gods kingdom in Ice Gods.
Praise for Dreamy Kisses Paranormal Romance
"Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down." Dorothy Johnson
*
"She has created a wonderful fantasy which brings the old myths to contemporary life." Bruce Wood
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"I fell in love with the magickal world she created and am totally fascinated by her Magic Knots concept." D.D. Scott
Read a sample or buy Dreamy Kisses on Amazon HERE
A Family for Christmas
A heartwarming tale for Christmas.
A lonely career woman stranded in a blizzard, a disillusioned man who has cut himself off from women. When he rescues her from the snow and takes her into his home, the spirit of Christmas and his little girl's love work their magic.
Praise for A Family for Christmas
"What a delightful novella with appealing characters, lovely descriptions, and a sprinkle of suspense." Reader Forever
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sp; *
"A Family For Christmas is a top-notch holiday read." Heather Hiestand
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Read a sample or buy A Family for Christmas HERE.
About the Author
Helen Scott Taylor won the American Title IV contest in 2008. Her winning book, The Magic Knot, was published in 2009 to critical acclaim, received a starred review from Booklist, and was a Booklist top ten romance for 2009. Since then, she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA.
Helen lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie, a Shih Tzu and an aristocratic chocolate-shaded-silver-burmilla cat who rules the household with a velvet paw. She believes that deep within everyone, there’s a little magic.
Find Helen at:
http://www.HelenScottTaylor.com
http://twitter.com/helenscotttaylo
http://facebook.com/helenscotttaylor
http://www.facebook.com/HelenScottTaylorAuthor
***
Book List
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
The Magic Knot
The Phoenix Charm
The Ruby Kiss
Ice Gods
The Feast of Beauty
Warriors of Ra
A Clockwork Fairytale
Cursed Kiss
Dreamy Kisses:Paranormal Romance Box Set
***
Contemporary Romance
The Army Doctor's Baby
The Army Doctor's Wedding
The Army Doctor's Christmas Baby
The Army Doctor's Christmas Collection Box Set
Love is All Around:Contemporary Romance Box Set
Unbreak My Heart
Finally Home
A Family for Christmas
A Family Forever
Flowers on the Water
Moments of Gold
***
Young Adult
Wildwood
Neighbors and More
Contemporary Romance
with elements of suspense
by
Mona Risk
These books are work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Neighbors and More © 2012 Mona Risk
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.
Praise and Awards:
BEST ROMANCE NOVEL at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2009.
2009 BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVEL at Readers Favorite
2011 EPPIE Award Finalist.
2010 BEST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVEL at Readers Favorite
“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk, in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable.” Roxanne St. Claire, NY Bestselling author.
“Mona Risk knows how to pull a reader into the minds of her well-crafted characters. Her work takes us on a journey, be it local or overseas.” Night Owl Reviews.
“Ms Risk has created beautifully written, well rounded, realistic characters.” Got Romance!
“Ms. Risk is a very talented writer who gives the reader what they are after. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Risk's work in the future.” The Long and the Short of It Reviews.
Neighbors and More
Table of Content:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
A Note from the Author
More Books by Mona Risk
A Word about the Author...
Contact Information
High Rise Building: Blue Waves.
Apt 404 -- Mr. Jent
Apt 502-- Carter Morton and Steve Bairey
Apt 1003-- Greg Partson
Apt 501-- Dianna Oliveira
Apt 1202 -- Julia Bairey
Apt 2101 -- Alexa Partson
Apt 2102 -- Dante Cantari
Chapter One
Apartment 2101
“Alexa, did you kill Steve Bairey?”
Alexa Partson held her door ajar to prevent Greg from entering her apartment. How like her ex-husband to blurt a tasteless joke. One too many.
She shrugged. “Not yet, but I might soon.” She’d wished Steve in hell, and Greg too, more times than she could count.
“I… I…” At a loss for words, Greg leaned against the wall and remained rooted in the doorway, raking his salt and pepper hair with nervous fingers. What on earth had disturbed the selfish bastard? Watching him curiously, Alexa studied the ashen pallor replacing his usual tan.
“Greg?” Before she could ask the reason for his visit, he pushed her aside and staggered to the bar separating the kitchen from the living room.
He poured himself a Johnnie Walker, knocked back his drink, and refilled his glass. “Want some?”
“No thanks.” Should she remind him for the thousandth time that he didn’t live here anymore? But she’d never seen him so rattled. “What’s wrong?”
Beads of perspiration moistened his temples. He swiped his hand across his forehead and plumped down on a white leather chair.
“Steve Bairey drowned in the Jacuzzi an hour ago,” Greg blurted in one breath.
Her hands flew to her heart. “What? Is he...” she cringed, unable to complete the terrible question.
“He’s dead.”
The word reverberated in her mind like a gong in a silent room. “Oh God, no.” Dread clawed at her gut, choking the air from her lungs. Shaking, she slammed the door shut and sat on the sofa, across from her former husband.
“They couldn’t revive him.” Greg took a swig of Scotch and banged his glass on the cocktail table.
Shoulders hunched forward, Alexa entwined her fingers in her lap and stared at her dining table. Steve had stood there, in her apartment, only a couple of hours ago. She’d wished he’d go to hell and never come back, but she’d never… A shiver slithered down her spine at the spooky answer to her wish.
“I didn’t like him, but I’ve never imagined...” His elbows propped on the armrests of the chair, Greg echoed her thoughts. “He was a young, healthy guy, in his thirties. How could he have drowned in a hot tub?”
Too nervous to stay put, she went to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and slurped. “Who found him?” she asked when she resumed her place on the sofa.
“Mr. Jent. You know the elderly man in 404. He’s always lying in his lounge chair on his balcony at this time. He said he saw Steve relaxing in the Jacuzzi. But then fifteen minutes later, when old Jent woke up from a doze, Steve was sprawled underwater. Mr. Jent called 911 and the building security. The guard on duty notified me.”
Greg took his volunteer position as President of the Blue Waves building Association very seriously. He knew all the owners, remembered their apartment numbers, and kept tabs on their long absences and returns.
“Did you… Did you see him?” Annoyed by her stammering, she inhaled deeply and tried to suppress the nervous tapping of her feet on the Oriental silk rug. In spite of the air conditioner blowing cold air, she suffocated in her Capri pants and short-sleeved blouse.
“Yes. The paramedics and the police had already pulled him out and laid him on a stretcher.” Tension crinkled the many lines around his gray eyes. “They couldn’t do anything for him. It was too late. The medical examiner will have to determine the cause of death. I’ll keep you inf
ormed.”
“Thank you.” Not that she wanted to know more about the man who’d stalked her for months.
“I have to go and see Julia Bairey.” Sure enough, Greg straightened his tall frame and strutted to the door, eager to play his role of knight in shining armor. “That poor woman loved him, in spite of his cheating left and right,” he added with a knowing look that grated on Alexa’s nerves.
“Hey.” Stunned, she jabbed her finger into his chest. “I never slept with him. Don’t you dare make insinuations.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m talking about other women in the building.”
“Listen, I’ve had it with Julia’s accusations. She’s never missed an opportunity to blame me for the failure of her marriage.”
“So I heard.” The Blue Waves building swarmed with gossip, all reported to Greg by conscientious employees and loyal board members. “I’ll check on you later. If you need me, call.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Take care of Julia.” Alexa accompanied him to the door and locked it behind him.
She was far from fine, but in less than twenty-four hours, she’d be gone from her sophisticated apartment to New-York, and maybe Paris, or anywhere, far from Fort Lauderdale and the many vultures who’d tried to harass or control her. Her stomach churned with disgust for her life in the luxurious Blue Waves building where neighbors lived too closely for comfort—and she was so lonely.
Oh Dante, why did you leave? Why did you forget me? He’d been gone for two long months. Her gorgeous next door neighbor had probably replaced her with a girl from his hometown in Sicily.
Wandering to the wall-to-wall bay window, Alexa glanced at the children playing in the pool, the sunbathers lounging on the beach, and the magnificent view of myriad boats gliding on the ocean, on a glorious April afternoon. Too numb to be excited by sceneries she’d always favored, she locked her heart against sentimental regrets and strode to her bedroom where she’d already packed two suitcases.
The Ultimate Romance Box (6 Bestselling Romance Novels) Page 54