Captured in Croatia
Page 16
As I open the door he begins in a rush, “Lady, I’m really sorry, this was priority, was supposed to be delivered yesterday but my brother got hit last night in a baseball game ….”
Smiling, I hold up a polite hand to stop him. “No worries, it’s all right. I’m sure that whatever it is could wait until this morning, anyhow. Where do I sign?”
He breathes a sigh of relief. “You mean you’re not gonna call my boss or anything?”
“No, why should I? My envelope has been delivered. Thanks.”
“Okay, cool. Have a great day!”
He jogs away and I shut and lock the door before flipping over the large envelope. My heart stalls. In the return address box I see the name Zoran Vranic. I nearly faint.
I have not heard from him since returning to the states. With his security background and the address I shouted to him, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he could contact me if he wanted to. I thought about trying to reach out to him, but each time I hesitated. What we went through together was so intense that I decided to wait, give things additional time.
I rip open the envelope and find a plane ticket, a piece of paper, and a key. As I open the white sheet of paper with trembling hands, I read, “Care to go for a swim with me in the Dalmatian Islands, princeza? I’ll be waiting for you in the water.” Below it is a foreign address. I cling to the simple silver key and read the ticket.
Oh no! It was supposed to be delivered yesterday because the first class flight that I’m booked on out of ATL leaves in just three hours!
I race for the bedroom and stuff everything that I’ll need into a simple carry-on.
I can’t stop smiling. I can’t believe that we will see each other again. Now I have the opportunity to sort everything out with Zoran.
***
The multiple flights seemed to take forever. I have mulled over what I would say to him endlessly. Now, vibrating with adrenaline, I make my way down the long flight of stairs from the white-washed cliffside rental house. He is in the turquoise sea, arms splayed wide. He looks so fine—larger and darker than I recall.
I quickly step out of my long white maxi-dress and race for him, clad only in a white string bikini. The warm, powdery sand caresses my feet. He makes his way to me as I enter the warm water, running headlong for him. Lifting me up in his arms, he smiles and kisses my face all over. His injuries are healing nicely but they are still apparent, a visible reminder of how close we both came to perishing that night.
“You came. Carew, I can’t believe you came. This is a dream.”
“Your brother, did he make it?” I whisper the question that has been running through my mind for several weeks now.
“Da, princeza, he swam to the opposite bank and hid. After they left with you he got to his truck and was able to call for help. He’s on crutches for another month but is already back to work at the school. My two guards were also found alive, though badly beaten.”
I lower my head to his shoulder and begin to cry in open relief. A gentle finger placed under my chin tilts my face up to meet his.
I can’t hold back. I stand on tiptoes and press my lips to his full, lowered mouth as I let all my feelings for him come to the surface. The kiss quickly turns sensual, needy, as our tongues plunge and explore each other, as if for the first time.
He groans before pulling slightly back to devour me with his eyes. Those steely eyes are so mesmerizing in their beauty.
“You’re far more beautiful than I remember, princeza. Jesus, baby, you’re glowing.”
I twine my arms around his neck and gaze deeply into his gray eyes. “That’s because we both love you so very much.”
I wait. His first look is one of confusion, as if he misunderstood me, swiftly followed by hope.
“Carew ….”
“Yes?”
“Are you telling me that you’re carrying our child?” He is so awestruck that he can barely get the words out.
I smile brightly. “Yes, my Tigar, I am.”
His smile is blinding in its radiance as he twirls me around in the crystalline water.
“Oh God, Carew. Volim te, I love you so much, baby. I wanted to tell you before I left the house that night. I never thought I could love someone the way I love you. Thank you, princeza, for saving me.”
I touch his warm cheek softly and say, “I love you, my Tigar, and we saved each other, remember?”
Epilogue
Two Years Later
I’m so excited that I’m nearly bouncing in the driver’s seat of the giant Hummer when I see them. Zoran is standing behind my little love, who is trying hard to kick a soccer ball across the wide, green lawn of Villa Vranic, but he keeps tripping over it on his chubby little toddler legs. Zoran is ever so patient, bending low over and over again to stand him up, hoping that he will eventually get it.
Georgina and B will be over for dinner soon, and the surprise that I have with me should keep all of us quite entertained this summer evening.
For the past eight months I’ve taught Aikido at a nearby martial arts dojo. It’s a nice balance with my full-time job of taking care of our darling baby Balthazar. We couldn’t resist naming him after his one of a kind uncle.
I occasionally make use of my cryptography skills and assist Zoran with his thriving security business. In time I plan to make it a more permanent position, but right now my schedule is full. Luckily, the night everything went down, he found out that his two missing men were tied up in Juric’s mansion, most likely awaiting interrogation and additional torture at the hands of the brutal mercenaries Juric hired once he found out I was alive. Zoran cut them free and they got him to a hospital, where it was discovered he’d sustained multiple lacerations and three fractured ribs.
Zoran threatened Kreshmir within an inch of his life for turning us in. It’s safe to say we won’t be seeing him anytime soon. The last we heard, he was starting a business in Macedonia.
Croatia, as I’ve come to learn, is a beautiful country full of beautiful people. I’ve embraced the culture and couldn’t imagine calling any other place on the planet ‘home.’ We discussed making our permanent residence in Atlanta, but in the end decided that Croatia is the best choice for us.
B and Georgina have been fabulous in assisting with baby Balthazar. We wouldn’t ask for a more loving, supportive family. Zoran has three days off from his security business and we are all looking forward to spending time together during this long weekend.
I pull the vehicle closer and Balthazar sees me, pointing and shouting out, “Mama, mama!”
The windows are down and I hear Tigar reply, “Da, tu je Mama.” Yes, there is Mama.
I put the truck into park and peek over into the crate placed securely beside me. Two fat, wiggly Doberman puppies are rolling around in a playful manner on a soft blue blanket. I whisper, “I have some very special people to introduce you to, puppies.”
I open my driver side door and call out, “Balthazar, Mama has a surprise for you and Papa!”
They both smile and rush toward me with curious looks on their faces. My heart fills with so much love that I wonder how one human being could possibly be so lucky in life.
* * *
Erotic Romance Author Christine Edwards grew up in the Deep South on Hilton Head Island, SC. At an early age she developed a passion for the arts that led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Art History from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Christine has a special place in her heart for reading and writing erotic tales. She continues to publish stories that immerse readers in exotic and realistic geographic settings amid interesting subcultures of adult life.
Within the vein of BDSM romance, her main focus is on loving, multi-faceted relationships involving intense alpha males and feisty heroines. She adores snow skiing, traveling the world, and spending time with her amazing family. Christine currently resides in the sleepy coastal town of Beaufort, SC.
Please visit Christine Online: www.christineedwardsauthor.com
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Table of Contents
Special Thanks
Also By Christine Edwards
Prologue 4: 00 AM Zagreb, Croatia
Chapter One Four Hours Earlier Enigma
Chapter Two Nerves of Steel
Chapter Three The Tiger
Chapter Four Insolence
Chapter Five Bluffing
Chapter Six The Name Game
Chapter Seven The Tie That Binds
Chapter Eight Hurt Me Good
Chapter Nine Arrogant Angel
Chapter Ten Croatian Lessons
Chapter Eleven A Steady Hand
Chapter Twelve Drowning in Dreams
Chapter Thirteen Hunted
Chapter Fourteen Freefall
Chapter Fifteen Four Weeks Later
Epilogue Two Years Later