Island (Portentous Destiny Series Book 1)

by S. E. Rose

  “First, I’m going to drive you crazy,” he declares, and with that I lie back on the bed knowing that Jack is going to do exactly what he wants, and I know I will love every second of it.

  Jack unhurriedly unbuttons his shirt and lays it next to my cardigan. He then reaches down and places my skirt and sexy lace underwear next to his shirt. He undoes his pants next, and in a swift motion he removes them with his underwear, hanging both on the chair. I look up at the amazing specimen of a male that is now naked in my room.

  He seems taller than normal as he towers over me. His shoulders are broad, his arms muscled and thick, his perfect pectoral muscles flex slightly and he has amazing abdominal muscles that mold into that “v” above his manhood. I survey his erection and I suddenly want it in my mouth. I want to explore it and savor the taste of him. I start to lean up, involuntarily licking my lips and with one hand he pushes me back down as I pout.

  “Not so fast,” he says in a sexy whisper. He lets his hand glide down from between my breasts, down my stomach and then slowly he runs it down my right thigh. He brings his other hand to my left thigh and painstakingly slowly he pushes my legs apart. His face has the look of a child unwrapping a Christmas gift and he starts kissing and nipping up the inside of my left thigh. Just when I think he’s about to touch me at my core, he stops and begins the same process with my right thigh. I cry out his name and reach for his head, but he takes my hands in his and holds them down on either side of my waist.

  “Behave,” he whispers up at me. I can feel his breath against the juncture of my thighs and then his tongue makes a light gentle flick over me, and I cry out his name bucking toward his mouth. He takes my hands in one of his and pushes my belly down with the other. He makes small circles around the center of my sex with his tongue, teasing my entrance. Taking his time, he explores me with his tongue, tasting and sucking and nipping, pushing me higher. Every time I feel on the edge of an orgasm, he senses it and slows his movements. He finally releases my waist and gently trails his hand down to replace his tongue, sliding two fingers into me before licking me again. I lose the battle, my orgasm exploding around his fingers as his tongue laps up my release. My neck goes limp and I feel my whole body relax. He begins moving up my body, pulling me with him until I am fully on the bed and he trails light punishing kisses all the way up to my lips, stopping briefly to suck at each of my nipples. When he reaches my mouth, he whispers, “How was that, love?”

  “Hmmmm.” I can’t possibly talk yet. How does he have the ability to render me speechless?

  “I didn’t hear that,” he says and even though my eyes are closed, I know he is grinning.

  “Good,” I breathe, internally smiling at the déjà vu conversation.

  “Excellent,” he murmurs against my mouth as his tongue plunges into me dancing with mine. I can taste myself on him again and suddenly remember that I had wanted to taste him. I must have frozen in my thought because he stops and pulls back, a genuine look of concern on his face. “OK?” he prods.

  “Yes,” I say. “I want to taste you,” I whisper and he grins.

  “Do you now?” he says in a slow and sexy rasp.

  “Yes,” I say a little more forcefully, but I’m crushed beneath him so I know unless he gives in, I’m not going anywhere.

  “Later,” he says. “I need to bury myself in you now.” And with that he produces a condom from, I have no idea where, it’s seriously like a magic show and it’s on him before I can even reach out to assist. And then he’s between my legs, the head of his erection resting at my entrance waiting for me to give my approval. I look at him and bring his head down to mine, my fingers running through his hair and I feel him enter me in one sharp thrust. He catches my cry in his mouth as he begins to move. His thrusts are relentless and I begin to move with him bringing my hips to meet his. He takes my hands and holds them above my head as he circles inside of me, making me cry out again. We find our rhythm and I’m lost, feeling every inch of him as he enters me again and again. I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him deeper, inclining my hips so he is completely submerged to his hilt inside me. He stays deep and his thrusts become stronger. He’s taking me there again and I let myself go, crying out incomprehensible words into the darkness of my room. But when I come back down, he’s still going. He rolls with me under him until I am straddled on top of him. He’s letting me have control. He takes my hips in his hands and moves me up and down over and over. I circle my hips and he groans loudly, my name coming from his lips. I continue this motion of up and down and circling until I can feel it building in me too. I can feel the head of his erection growing larger and larger inside me and the sensations are getting stronger and stronger. I lift myself up once more, and then slam down hard onto him grinding back and forth as I come again.

  “Oh God, Jack!” I scream, and he rises up so we are face-to-face, as he pushes deeper into me and draws out my orgasm as I scream again. Then I feel him release and he groans my name into my neck before he stills inside of me. I can feel him coming and I clench my muscles tightly milking every last ounce out of him, a small groan escapes him and he pulls us back down. I am spent. My head is on his heaving chest, my belly against his chiseled abs and he is still deep inside me. We lie here for what seems like an hour, but is probably only a few minutes. He slowly eases out of me and pulls me to his side, my arms wrapping around his chest and my leg over his legs, my head on his shoulder. I am so tired I could pass out right now.

  “Shower?” he asks, kissing my forehead lightly.

  “Sure,” I manage to whisper.

  He pulls me up and tosses the condom in the trash bin and then follows me to the shower. My shower is much smaller than his. It’s really just a tub with a handheld affixed to the wall. I look at him apologetically and he shrugs. “We’ll manage,” he says as he lets the mediocre supply of water run down his perfect façade. I sigh as I look up at him.

  “You look thoroughly fucked,” he says with a “yes, I did that” smirk.

  I have to agree for once. “I was thoroughly fucked just a few minutes ago,” I manage to say without smiling.

  “Oh really,” he says with a raised eyebrow. “Sounds divine.” I break out into a giant grin and run my hands up to his shoulders. He looks ridiculous in my shower. Like a giant doll in a small doll house or an adult playing in a child’s playhouse.

  “I think this cottage may have been designed for non-giants,” I tease, grabbing my body wash.

  “Well, then it suits you well,” he says as he reaches down and wraps his arms around me and pulls me slowly up his body until our noses are touching.

  “Are you implying that I am not a giant?” I say, feigning hurt. He plants a kiss on my lips and lowers me back down.

  “No, I would never imply that you are anything but the opposite of a giant,” he grins at me, a big boyish grin.

  I lean up on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, “My grandmother once told me that good things come in small packages.”

  “I think I would like your grandmother,” he whispers back, running a tongue over my earlobe and making me shiver.

  Chapter 12

  Laura’s Playlist: “Save Yourself” by Civil Twilight

  I wake with a start. I open one eye and see that Jack is not there. I scan over to my phone and lift it to my face so I can read the time—5:15 a.m. I roll over and stare at the ceiling. He’s probably gone for his walk or jog or whatever it is that he does at this hour.

  It’s been a strange ritual in the mornings. We always intersect in the same spot, but typically I’m deep in meditation. I can feel his presence and I usually am too curious to not open my eyes. And I’m rewarded with a grin and wave as he jogs by. He’s been jogging more than walking lately. I must ask him how he times it so perfectly, whether he’s jogging or walking, he always passes me at the exact same time.

  I roll off the bed and throw on my yoga pants and t-shirt and find my running shoes buried under the bed. After feeding a
very unhappy Hagrid, I get to my rock earlier than normal. I take up my position and get lost in myself. I lose track of time, space, place, everything. It’s taken me years to get this good, but I love it and I need it. I’m not really sure how long I’m there. I suddenly feel his presence. I do my best to push it out of my mind. I can concentrate; I can do this. After a moment, I know that I can’t and I give in to my desire to open my eyes. I am greeted by two bright emerald eyes staring back at me.

  “Good morning,” he practically sings as he leans down and places a sweet kiss on my lips. He’s dressed in only shorts and running shoes. His bare chest glints against the sunlight and I do my best to focus on his eyes. “Sorry, habit…I didn’t want to wake you. See you back at the cottage?”

  “Hold up,” I say, getting up from my spot on the rock and stretch. I can see his eyes on me as I move down my legs and double over to touch my feet. “I’ll jog with you.” His eyes light up and he shrugs.

  “OK. Let’s see what you’re made of.” He grins at me and takes off.

  “Hey, wait up…,” I pant as I do my best to keep up with him. A runner, I am not. And his jog is like a sprint for me. Fortunately, we’re less than a mile from the cottage. As we turn off to the cottage path, I finally give in to the need for air and I double over, my forearms on my thighs.

  He stops and turns around. “This won’t do.” He motions to all of me. “I think we need to get you in shape.” He gets to the door and sees I haven’t locked it. He swiftly turns to me and picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder.

  “Hey, put me down!” I cry out with a giggle. He carries me back to my bed and tosses me down like a doll and then crawls on top of me, caging me in with his arms and legs. I look up at him and realize he’s not playing around.

  “Laura,” he says with a very stern look that stops my giggles in their tracks. “I’m serious. Please, for the love of God, lock your door, or I will give you a spanking.”

  “Is that a promise?” I grin, and seeing an opening, I slide out from under him before he can grab me. I start tossing off my clothes as I make my way to the shower. I’m suddenly feeling very carefree when I am turned around so fast I almost fall. Jack catches me in his arms and pins me to the bathroom wall. His eyes glowing with what…rage, lust? I look at him confused and curious and then he’s on me. His lips claiming mine forcefully and I know he’s not really angry with me. I hope he’s not really angry with me. He doesn’t know. He can’t possibly understand my lack of memory.

  He makes love to me slowly and then we wash every square inch of each other’s bodies. His movements are tender and sweet and make me want to melt. He dries me off and vanishes before I can put on my clothes—more yoga pants and a concert t-shirt. I call out and almost run into him as I make my way across the living room. He hands me a cup of tea.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “You’re welcome,” he answers with a chaste kiss. “I don’t want to keep you. I actually need to check on another property this morning and I’m guessing you need some quiet time to work.”

  I sigh and sit down, tea in my hand. I look up at him realizing that I don’t really want him to go, but I know he is right. I have work to do. I nod.

  “Alright, I’ll see you later then.” And I watch as he puts his mug in the sink and cleans it off before heading towards the door.

  “Jack?” I say after him and he turns with his hand on the door handle. “Have a good day.”

  “Thanks,” he says with a small smile.

  I stand up and walk over and set my tea on a side table. I take his head between my hands and draw it down to mine. I lean forward and kiss him softly and slowly and then I feel his arms come up around me. We stand in the doorway like this for several minutes, neither of us wanting to be the one to pull away. He finally pulls back, and with another quick peck, he heads out to his car.

  I take my tea, locking the door this time, and head back to my desk. I am absorbed in my writing several hours later when I hear a buzz from my cell phone. I fight the urge to look, but eventually give in and see that Jack has texted me.

  Jack: Hey there, gorgeous. Pub later?

  I smile and send back a message that I will meet him there after I run some errands this afternoon. I am vaguely aware that I may or may not have any food left in my fridge. Thankfully, Jack has been taking me out and I can live on tea and yogurt.

  I finish up for the day a bit early and throwing some food in Hagrid’s bowl, I head out. I do my normal shopping and end up at Mal’s cheese store.

  “Hey there, stranger,” she says with a smile as I enter.

  “Hey,” I reply.

  “I thought maybe you’d had enough cheese for a while,” she says as she places some cheese on a platter and puts them in the glass counter.

  “Never,” I say, scanning the selection. After pointing out my choices for today, I ask her if there are any clothing stores in Stonehaven.

  “Not any worth shopping at,” she laughs. “It’s your lucky day though I was going to pop down to Edinburgh tomorrow to do some shopping myself, fancy a trip?”

  I shrug. “Why not? What time are you leaving?”

  “You’re at Seaview, right?” she asks, seeing my nod. “Alright, I’ll be by at half past eight tomorrow.” I thank her and we exchange cell numbers before I load everything into a cooler bag and walk over to the pub.

  I scan around and see Jack at the bar talking to another man. I look more closely at them. The other man looks a bit younger than Jack. He has thinning hair cut in a buzz cut and he’s not quite as tall as Jack, but still over six feet. He’s handsome though and his eyes are a brilliant emerald green just like Jack’s. He’s dressed a bit more formally than Jack. His suit looks expensive and his tie is a deep-purple pattern that plays up his eye color. He turns toward me as I walk in their direction and then Jack swivels around to find me nearly behind him.

  “Hello there,” I say to him with a peck on his cheek. His eyes are serious, but he smiles at me before turning toward the other man.

  “This is my brother, Oliver,” he introduces, motioning toward the man. I reach out my hand to shake his. “This is Laura. She’s renting Seaview for the summer.”

  “Pleasure,” Oliver says in a deep baritone voice. “Jack says you are an author, yes?”

  “Guilty,” I reply with a warm smile.

  Jack moves down a seat so I can take the one between them. And Danny, the bartender, brings me a Snakebite before I can even ask. We all chat about mystery novels as I explain to Oliver my latest work. He asks questions about writing and publishing. He seems to know a lot about a lot.

  “What do you do?” I ask him. I see a shared glance between brothers and suddenly wonder if I’ve asked a wrong question.

  “I studied law,” he says. “But I’m in the family business now, agriculture essentially.”

  “I see,” I say, taking a sip of my drink. What is it about these men and their “not wanting to give me details”? We make more small talk for a while and then I see Oliver look at his phone after it buzzes.

  “Damn,” he says. “Sorry…but I’m off to pick up my daughter from the train station. Looks like the ex can’t make it.” He sighs.

  “How old’s your daughter?” I ask.

  “She’s almost thirteen,” he answers, rolling his eyes. “And she thinks she’s twenty-one.”

  I laugh. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  “You have children?” he asks.

  “She has two,” says Jack.

  “But mine are older and past that stage, thank God,” I laugh.

  “Please tell me there’s light at the end of my tunnel,” he says, taking a last swig of his beer.

  “There is. I promise.”

  “Well, it’s been a pleasure,” he says, giving me a kiss on my cheek and shaking Jack’s hand. I see them nod to each other and then Oliver is off.

  “Your brother seems nice,” I comment to him.

  “He’s not a bad blo
ke,” says Jack. He’s silent for a moment like he’s weighing whether or not to continue his thought. “He’s just been dealt a difficult hand.”

  I’m not sure what he means, but I feel like asking would be prying. So, I let it go. I tell Jack that Mal from the Cheese Shoppe is taking me to Edinburgh for shopping the next day. I can see him trying to hide his disappointment as he says how great that is. I can also see his seriousness as he says, “Mal’s a good person.”

  “Oh, you know each other then,” I raise an eyebrow.

  He nods. “Small town, remember?”

  “Yes, there is that,” I respond. We stay for an hour longer talking with Danny about various drinks. It turns out that although Danny is originally from Aberdeen, he’s spent the last few years hopping around the world as a bartender. He shares some rather amusing stories and has Jack and me nearly in tears with laughter. Eventually, we pay our bill and Jack walks me back to my car.

  “Good night, Laura,” he says, leaning into me as I stand by my door. His lips brush against mine and he holds the door open, shutting it gently as I buckle in and then with a wave he walks back over to his car.

  The next morning, Mal arrives right on time. I smile, thinking of my quick kiss from Jack on the path that morning as I unconsciously touch my lips. I lock the door and greet Mal.

  “Hey, Mal,” I say, sliding into her car, which is a beat-up old Mini.

  “Let’s go shopping!” she squeals with delight as we peel, and I mean peel, out of my drive. I hold on to the door handle for dear life and she floors it down the country lane. Mal drives like a bat out of hell. She has her music cranked up and she sings along. Eventually, she starts chatting with me. She’s a local, born and raised. She went to a posh boarding school somewhere else, but came back here for summers. Her parents owned a pub and the grocery store I frequent. Apparently, her grandmother was quite well to do and became a woman of legend when she married a commoner. Her parents have done well and they co-invested in the cheese shop with her. I learn all about her siblings and her parents and her daughter who goes to a nearby boarding school. She’s separated from her husband and lives a few blocks from the cheese shop. I sense a tinge of sadness as she speaks quickly about her ex-husband and daughter, as though she really doesn’t want to discuss it after she has started to open up about them. She’s otherwise an open book and she is fascinating. I chuck in a few life facts about me, but keep the conversation more on her. I can’t help thinking to myself that she’d make an amazing character in one of my books.