“I guess we all hit little bumps in the road, and even the occasional huge boulder.” She took a deep breath and turned around to look at Tyler. His eyes showed so much compassion for her. No man had ever looked at her like that. She knew they fit perfectly in a physical sense, but right now her body wasn’t the only thing heating up. Disclosing details about their past and some of their deepest feelings, they touched each other’s heart and soul. Sure, she wrote about it, but she had never experienced it in real life. Having this time with Tyler, as short as it has been, had warmed her heart and empowered her soul. It had reignited her flame of passion, which was nearly burned out. “But, I have a feeling it will be a smooth road from now on. Thank you for making me forget over this weekend.”
She didn’t want Tyler to say anything else. She was afraid any more words would sound like closure, and she didn’t want it to end. Instead, she pulled him into a slow, sensual kiss, and they made sweet love all night long.
* * * *
Tyler slept for a few hours but was finding it difficult to keep his eyes closed. He kept waking up to make sure Paige was real. The connection he felt with her was so strong that it was driving him crazy. They were two very passionate people. He couldn’t describe the feelings he was having, other than being absolutely incredible. He also couldn’t find any reasonable explanations as to why they’d clicked so quickly. Perhaps they were just meant to cross paths for one reason or another—to get over the pain of their past. He wasn’t sure if he could walk away from a woman he’d just met who’d made him realize love at first sight did exist.
With a regretful sigh, he got up and quietly finished packing. His home and career were in Australia, not in the States. He had to go back but couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye to her. He didn’t want it to be a forever goodbye. After pondering what to do, he decided to do what he thought she would love most. He wrote.
He placed the poem he’d written for her in the box with the charm bracelet, along with a note. He stared at her, letting the vision before him engrave into his mind forever. You made me believe in love again. Goodbye, beautiful. I will never forget the moments we shared. He gently kissed her one more time then left.
* * * *
Paige woke up and glanced at the clock. She had slept in past ten o’clock. Sitting straight up in bed, she realized it was empty. She got up and walked through the condo.
Tyler was gone. He’d left without saying goodbye. How could he? Tears began dripping from her eyes. She walked back into the bedroom and noticed a note on the nightstand beside a small box.
Paige
I’m happy I could make you forget. I’m sorry I left while you were sleeping. I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye to you. I’ll never forget you.
With love,
Tyler
Her tears fell faster. She opened the box and found the pretty charm bracelet she’d wanted at the store, along with a piece of paper.
I can taste your salt on my lips.
The warmth of your breeze makes my skin feel sun-kissed.
I can hear your waves crashing like a steady beat.
The grain of your sand soothes my tired feet.
The burdens of life are lightened at the beach.
Happiness and peace are the only things in reach.
For every time we’re together, I can climb out of any dark hole.
I leave a piece of my heart and discover a piece of my soul.
Paige, remember this weekend and the beauty of the ocean, and you’ll never feel like you are drowning again. —Tyler
Her tears continued to flow. She didn’t want to let him go, but knew it was their reality. Paige thought about how he made her feel, how he’d made her heart and soul wake up. They’d been destined to meet, even though it was for a brief period of time. Her heart warmed, and she smiled through her tears, knowing he’d touched her life forever.
Chapter Eight
Paige arrived back at her apartment. It was late and she was tired but couldn’t fall asleep. She missed him—a lot. A few days ago, she hadn’t even known Tyler Barrow. Now she didn’t want to be without him. How could I fall for someone so quickly? This was real life, not a novel. The truth was, fate had a mind of its own sometimes—who people meet, what situations arise and sometimes even how things turn out. Paige had been meant to cross paths with Tyler, this much she knew and believed with all her heart. Being with him had made her realize she would always stay true to herself and go after what she wanted. She just wished what she wanted wasn’t on the other side of the earth.
After tossing and turning for nearly two hours, she decided to get up to write. She powered up her laptop and pulled up the book she had been working on. Something was still off. There was a story shouting at her, but it wasn’t the one she was supposed to finish. She hoped Sylvia, her publisher, wouldn’t mind, because she had a story to tell.
For the next five days, Paige did nothing but write, eat, go to the bathroom and sleep now and then when her eyes got heavy. Her words flowed fast, and her emotions flowed even faster.
“The end,” she said to herself with a smile on her face and sadness in her heart. She was beyond exhausted, replaying Montauk moments in her mind but very pleased with her work.
She sent an email to Sylvia.
Not the original story, but I promise it is amazing. Working on the other one now that my mojo is back. Two books out back-to-back? I didn’t think you would mind :)
– Paige
She attached the document and a photo and hit Send. It was four o’clock in the afternoon. Paige needed a good sleep. She ended up doing so for a full eighteen hours, making up for some lost time. She showered when she got up, feeling more refreshed. Her thoughts were constantly wandering back to Tyler. She missed him so much. She tried to focus on how thankful she was that she had met him, and for the time they’d shared together. He’d made her forget the past with her ex, and somehow he’d brought back her love of writing. He was the inspiration she had been looking for.
He’d made her feel again.
Over the next month, she finished the other book. The intimate scenes were a bit edgier than what she had written before. Turns out, it worked perfectly for the characters.
Paige was about to have two books out within a month of each other. Sylvia was ecstatic and scheduled her tours and signings to start immediately.
* * * *
Four months later
Tyler was in a local bookstore getting a gift for the principal of the high school. He walked by the romance section and something caught his eye.
He saw a book with a photo of the Montauk Point Lighthouse on it. Every day he thought about Paige. He couldn’t seem to stop. But right now, his mind took him back to that very day when they’d visited the lighthouse. He envisioned her standing by him, looking out across the seascape, her hair gently blowing in the wind. He could hear her saying I’m not drowning anymore.
Tyler picked up the book and flipped it over. His heart skipped a beat. There she was, the stunning Paige Mattheson, also known as Serenity—the woman he’d had a weekend fling with. The woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. The woman who’d changed him forever.
He purchased the book and hurried home to read it. As he flipped through the first few pages, he stopped and read the dedication. To the man who made me forget. Thank you for making me feel alive again. Tyler smiled, and his heart began to race. He sat for hours reading it from cover to cover. It was about their weekend. It was about them. Emotions rushed through his body. He hoped to God the feelings the girl had for the guy in the story was how Paige really felt about him. There was only one way to find out.
Tyler pulled up her website. There she was again, with all of her beauty and perfection. Even though they’d only spent the one weekend together months ago, his feelings hadn’t changed. He clicked on the events tab and saw the appearances she was scheduled for. She was due to be in New York City this coming weekend. Tyler booked the next flight th
ere without second-guessing the situation. His whole being told him they were meant to be together. Now he just needed to tell her and get her back.
When he arrived at the hotel for the book signing, he was overwhelmed at the amount of women patiently—and not so patiently—waiting in line to see Paige. It was a really long line. He tried to inch his way in front of some women but was on the receiving end of some nasty, dagger-like looks. Some ladies stared at him with a smile and whispered to their friends. There were very few men here. It was pretty clear he stuck out in this crowd. He’d always thought he was a pretty good-looking guy. Maybe it was time to use that to his advantage and attempt to move up in the line faster. Tyler gave the ladies a nice smile. A few of them let him cut in line, but not many. These fans were hard-core. He knew he had to wait just like everyone else. But damn, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms right this second.
He stood there for over an hour, fiddling with the gift in his pocket. He knew the purchase was risky. Actually, he was sure some people would think it was downright insane. Fortunately, Tyler’s family supported his decision one hundred percent and had encouraged him to follow his heart. As for everyone else, he didn’t care what they thought. He was willing to take the risk. Paige was more than worth it.
It was almost his turn, and he could see her smiling and chatting with her fans. She still hadn’t noticed him yet.
Damn, she’s so beautiful.
Paige was pulling a stack of books from a box. When she looked up, she was shocked.
“Tyler? What are you doing here?” she asked with affection and surprise.
“I’ve missed you, beautiful.”
“Oh, Tyler, I’ve missed you so much,” she said with a shy smile. Crazy feelings rushed through her.
All of the people in the room were now focused on them. She normally hated the attention, but no one else in the room mattered at that moment. She couldn’t take her eyes off the gorgeous, sweet man standing in front of her.
“Paige, I know we only spent that one weekend together, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Not a single day has passed when I couldn’t imagine you beside me or hear your laugh and yearn for the reality of both again. Then, I went into my local bookstore and stumbled upon your book. The cover caught my attention. I picked it up and there was your photo on the back. So I read your book. Paige, I know this is about us and our weekend. I am really hoping the way the woman feels about the man in this book reflects your feelings for me. I know we live on different sides of the earth, but I am willing to move. I don’t want to be apart from you. I want you in my life. I want to wake up with you every morning and go to bed with you every night. I want to keep you afloat forever.” Tyler moved to the other side of the table to be closer to Paige. He got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket. He opened the small box, and she gasped at the stunning diamond ring, which was glistening in the light.
“Paige Mattheson, I never believed in love at first sight until the moment I first saw you. I fell hard—so fucking hard. There isn’t a moment that goes by when I am not thinking about you. I love you with all my being. You would make me the happiest man in the world if you would be my wife.”
Tears trickled down Paige’s cheeks. Her face was flushed from all the attention they were receiving and the heat from seeing this amazing, sexy man again. Her heart was stammering in her chest. She realized it was beating for him and only him.
She nodded her head and smiled the most beautiful, happy smile. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Tyler Barrow,” she exclaimed.
Everyone in the room cheered for them.
He stood up and pulled her into his arms, kissing her like he always did, with so much passion…and love.
He pulled back and kissed her happy tears away. Tyler slid the ring onto her finger.
“It’s gorgeous,” she stated, staring at its beauty.
“It had to be for a woman as perfect as you.”
Paige’s heart swelled with love. “Just one thing, Tyler.”
Tyler stopped and looked worried.
She held his hands and squeezed. “I’m moving to Australia to be with you.”
“What? You don’t have—”
“I know. I want to. I can write from anywhere. You love your job, and I want to be there supporting you and cheering on your team.” She lovingly smiled at him.
He pulled her back into his arms and lifted her off the ground.
“I love you, Serenity.”
“I love you, naked intruder.”
Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:
Her Dakota Summer
Dahlia DeWinters
Excerpt
Chapter One
Celeste pressed her lips together and kept her eyes on the To Market Ellis Wilson print that hung on the wall next to her office door. It had been a gift from her now ex-husband, who was on the other end of the telephone, sounding contrite. She loved the print, was iffy on the ex. The cool breeze from the air conditioner dried the perspiration forming on her temples. An unexpected phone call from Charles could not be the harbinger of good news.
He blew out a long stream of breath before launching into his speech. “Celeste, I am so sorry, but I have to fly overseas for the month of July. I can take the boys in August, for the full month instead of just two weeks. Please forgive me.”
“No forgiving necessary,” she said, trying her best not to sound as annoyed as she felt. “These things do happen.” At this moment, she had exactly ten days to find a steady babysitter for the boys or else she was going to be seriously behind in her work. Given that it was nearly the end of June, her chances didn’t look good for summer camps. The best ones started filling up in March.
On the other end of the line, Charles continued his sweet talk. “I’ll send you a blank check to cover expenses for whatever you decide. I’ll call the boys tonight when I have more time to talk. I wanted to let you know right way so you could make plans.” The burr of a telephone sounded in the background. “I have to get that, Celeste.”
Everything had already been said, no use in keeping him on the line any longer. “All right, Charles. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Celeste.”
Celeste touched the end button on her cell phone and restrained herself from throwing it across the room. Taking a few deep breaths, she crossed to her office door and opened it, adding this latest item to her mental to-do list. She walked downstairs to the family room where the two boys were busily playing a video game.
She closed her eyes for a moment and rested her head against the door frame. This summer was going to be tough to handle. There was a big push for fall publishing season and she had been counting on the time alone in July to edit the folder of book files she had sitting on her hard drive. How was she going to handle that pile of work and two boys who were always on the go?
Celeste watched cartoon images race each other on the video game—Jackson more adept with the sensitive controls than Malcolm, even though he was the younger of the two. As she observed them joking and trading mild insults, her mind raced as to her next steps.
It was too late for camps. She’d known that while talking on the phone with Charles. Most of the decent camps were full and those that had openings weren’t appropriate for boys aged eight and ten. Money wasn’t a huge object, but she wanted them to do something wholesome for the summer, not engage in overpriced activities that would leave them jaded to the simpler things in life.
She left the boys to their game and wandered to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of iced tea and took it out to the deck overlooking the pool. If she had her way, they’d stay at home with her, but how would she manage two active little boys and work too?
* * * *
“Get a nanny.” Lynn crossed her legs and took a delicate sip of her Cosmopolitan. Her pink tennis racket leaned against the wall behind her. A matching pink and white towel hung over the arm of her chair. “Go on one of those websites and orde
r yourself one.”
Celeste shook her head and tipped her glass to her lips. “I don’t like the idea of some girl I don’t know staying in the house.”
Lynn fanned herself and lifted her braids off the back of her neck. The heat was killer at this time of day. “At this point, you can’t be too choosy. You’ve got a ton of work to do and no babysitter. Even someone who comes during the day would be a help.” She took another sip of her drink and glanced around the tennis club bar. “There’s no way that you can do quality work and run after those two little bundles of pure energy.”
“But how does that look, me being home all day and hiring a babysitter?” Celeste twisted her silver and diamond bracelet around and around on her wrist. What kind of mother doesn’t take care of her own children?
Lynn waved her hand in a pooh-poohing motion. “Who cares how it looks? Charles tossed this on you at the last minute—”
“It was an emergency.” Celeste was careful not to bad-mouth her ex-husband. One never knew what would trickle down to her children’s ears.
“Exactly. An emergency. He’s footing the bill right?” Lynn leaned forward then tapped the table with a candy pink polished nail, her hazel eyes bright with her idea. “You’d hire someone if you had a nine-to-five job, right?” She reclined in her chair. “Hire someone. Use Charles’ money. That’s what he gave it to you for. Then take the tax deduction for child day care.” She jumped up from the table and grabbed her racket. “Let’s play another set.”
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