by Black, Lena
He removes the blindfold, unbuckles the straps from my wrist, and slides the pillows out from beneath my bum, letting my weak lower half fall onto the bed. He rises up, scoops me into his arms, and shifts my limp body onto his lap, holding me tenderly against his wide chest. His fingers clasp onto my achy wrist and rub out the soreness, repeating with the other.
“How are you, angel?” he asks with concern.
“I’m fine,” I mumble with a raspy voice, still too weak.
“Good,” he says, running his skillful fingers through my hair. I purr when his nails softly drag over my scalp.
“Mmm…That’s nice,” I purr.
When I feel my strength come back, I entwine my arms about his neck, pulling myself up and hugging him flush against me. I nuzzle my head into his neck and breathe in deeply, admiring the delicious mix of Hunt and fresh laundry.
“I missed this,” I breathe out.
He holds me tighter, resting his cheek atop my limp head. “I missed this, too, angel. I missed you…I wish we could stay like this, however, our families will be here shortly for lunch, which should be ready soon.”
“Do we really need to do this now?”
“Yes, Gabrielle, we do. I want you to talk to your mother and sister. You should get it out of the way.”
“You just had to invite her, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” he replies as if he truly did.
I push myself away from him and stare him square in the eyes. “Hunt, did you?”
“I told you why I invited her…What more do you want me to say, Elle?” He has a slight tone that tells me not to push the subject, and, even though, I know he’s keeping things from me, I don’t want to ruin the time we have here.
“Nothing…We should get ready if everyone will be here soon.” I squirm out of his hold and climb off the bed to head for the shower. I jump in and quickly rinse the sex from my skin, skipping my hair. I climb out just as Hunt gets in, our bodies grazing for an instant. This short, simple touch causes goose bumps to spread across my damp body, from head to toe.
I shake it off and turn back to him, wrapping a towel about my torso. “What am I supposed to wear while I’m here? Where are my clothes?”
“They’re stowed away in the closet and dressers.”
“Already?” I squeak.
“I had them purchased and sent here this morning,” he replies, rinsing water through his hair. It cascades down his body, rushing over every defined muscle. I’m hypnotized by the epitome of male beauty standing before me.
“Oh,” I utter.
I don’t know why anything he does surprises me. I come out of it when I remember what lies ahead for me and head to the dresser. I sift through the top drawer, searching through the multitude of swimming attire. “I don’t see any two-pieces in here…I’m guessing that’s not an accident.”
I peek at him over my shoulder with a raised brow and interrogative glare in my eye.
He smirks at me with a sudsy face, squinting in an attempt to keep the soap from seeping into his eyes. He runs his hands over his face, rinsing away the residue. “You know how I feel about showing your body off in front of others, and the suits I’ve provided aren’t what I would consider matronly, angel. I just want you covered enough that you aren’t popping out everywhere.”
“Really? It’s our families. I really don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Exactly, we are with my family. I don’t want my parents to see so much of you. If you haven’t noticed, Elle, you are on the curvy side. As much as I love admiring and burying myself in that soft body, I desire modesty outside of the bed…Besides, you seem to forget, Chase is here.”
“I thought you made up…” I realize my screw-up too late. He pauses and then slowly turns his head toward me.
“You heard our conversation?” His eyes are wide.
“Only the tail end…”
He turns off the shower and steps out, standing there soaking wet and magnificently nude. “What did you hear, Gabrielle?”
“I didn’t hear about whatever you’re keeping from me, if that’s what you’re asking…Yeah, I’m not a fool, Damian. I know you know more about Dante than you’re letting on…”
“Yes, I do, and I’m not going to go into it, right now, Gabrielle. We have to get ready.”
“Whatever, Damian.” I spin back to the open drawer, grab a black, one-shoulder monokini and a sheer lavender tunic with detailed neckline. I throw on the suit and the cover-up and snag my wedges off the floor in a scramble to get away from him.
“Gabrielle,” he purrs.
“Leave me alone, Damian,” I reply, walking out to the small path leading back to the main house, but halt just before I exit. I turn back to him with a glare. “Until you start telling me the truth and stop keeping secrets from me, expect me to do the same.”
With that, I walk out and head to the main house.
When I arrive at the main house, I notice the others have yet to arrive and lunch is nowhere to be found. I stare down at the beach, which is calling my name. Suddenly, I don’t feel like dealing with my mom or Hunt.
I skip back down the large veranda stairs, leading to the breathtaking view, and race toward the white sands ahead. I don’t know why I run. Perhaps, I’m trying to outrun Hunt or the stress of the situation, but whatever the reason, I bolt toward the crystal blue waters. I rip off my cover-up and toss it onto the sands just before racing full speed into the reviving waters. I dive under the waves and immerse myself in the cooling depths of my watery refuge.
I come back up and float on my back, allowing the warm rays of the sun to bathe my face. My body drifts up and down with the forming waves beneath the surface, easing into a state of complete tranquility.
After about fifteen minutes, I swim back to the beach and lie myself on the sun-heated sands, soaking the warmth of the rays into my cooled flesh. It feels amazing.
Suddenly, the sun is gone, and I’m eclipsed in darkness. I open my eyes, covering it with my hand when the bright light sneaks past the large, shadowed figure hovering over me. “Did you put on more sunscreen?”
It’s Hunt.
“No, I hadn’t planned on coming down here until I saw no one was at the main house. I didn’t really think about it.”
“Damn it, Elle, get up.” I clasp his outstretched hand, and he heaves me up off the ground. “Go rinse the sand off so I can apply this. You’re already getting color.”
I walk back into the water, dip myself in, and walk back out to him. He’s waiting with a large beach towel held open for me. I step in, and he enfolds it about me, rubbing my arms and back with his firm hand.
Once I’m dry, he removes my towel and slides his fingers under the thick strap of my suit, shifting it off my shoulder. He hooks his finger about the bust line and yanks it down to my waist.
“What about our families? Aren’t you concerned they may see me?”
“I just spoke to my father. They shouldn’t be here for at least another fifteen minutes, and if they do show up, I’m blocking you.”
“You’re a walking contradiction, Hunt.”
“That’s an understatement,” he retorts, taking sunscreen out of the back pocket of his jeans and squirting a generous glob into his hand.
He tosses the bottle on the sand and rubs his hands together, warming the cool cream before massaging it into my shoulders and collarbone, working down to my still tender breasts. He cups them in his palms, examining their weight with a pleased fascination, kneading and lightly pinching my hardening nipples between his fingers. They elongate as he drags his thumb and forefinger over the hard tips, pinching sharply before releasing my tender breasts.
He finishes my front and orders in a deep, sexual tone, “Now, turn around.”
I do as I’m told, and he applies the cream evenly all over my exposed back, working it into my arms and down the backs of my legs. The sensation of his hands groping every inch of my flesh puts me in a trance-like sta
te.
“Mmmm,” I groan with satisfaction.
The sharp snap of his palm across my rear jolts me out of it abruptly. He pops my top back up over my breasts and kisses me on the back of my head. “Come, lunch will be served by the time we get back to the house.”
I slip my arm through the strap, adjust it, and turn back to him, snatching his extended hand. We walk back in silence.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lost In Paradise
By the time we make it back to the veranda, a long table has been set alongside the pool and everyone is sitting about it chatting. Keira and Aubrey spot us first and the rest follow suit, becoming awkwardly silent. Pierce and Chase stand as we approach the table, which stuns me a bit. Hunt leads us to the head of the table and pulls out a chair between Chase and himself.
Okay, I’m starting to think I’m still asleep. This is a dream, right?
I hesitate and glance at him, unsure. He smirks at me and gestures to my place. I take my seat, and he scoots my chair into the table. I smile at everyone, noticing the lack of my mother’s presence.
“Where’s Elizabeth?” Hunt asks.
With his observant nature, it’s not a shocker that he noticed, too.
“She wasn’t feeling well,” Vivian answers. “A headache I believe.”
“A headache?” I repeat, scanning the group of obverted eyes. I turn to Hunt. “She didn’t even have the nerve to show. I stressed over this lunch, our conversation. Instead of facing me, what does she do? She runs from it. This is so typical.”
“Why does that sound so familiar?” he responds with an arched brow, and I sink back into my seat.
Dear god…I am my mother. I wonder how much of my traits are from Caleb?
His eyes flash into my head, those kind blue eyes, my eyes glancing back at me from that damn rearview mirror my whole life.
How could I not see it? How could she keep this from me? How could Hunt do this to me now? I’m tired of secrets.
“Ellie, are you alright?” Chase asks, rubbing my arm.
I glimpse up at his big topaz eyes and reply in a weak voice, “No, I’m not...”
“What’s wrong, Gabrielle?” Hunt places his hand on my other arm.
Oh, so you want honesty from me, but you clam up every time we mention a topic regarding you? I don’t think so.
I sit up straight and roll back my shoulders.
“Nothing,” I reply with a cool tone. “Don’t worry about it.”
He rips his hand away and stares at me, irritated. He clears his throat then replies, “Yes, well, if you’ll excuse me, I have something to attend to.”
He stiffly pushes his chair out and rises, walking away without another word.
Big baby.
Our servers walk past him on his way into the main house and present us with our meal of fresh, grilled fish on a bed of mixed greens and mango relish. We eat the light, delicious food and talk, attempting to avoid the awkward energy in the air left behind by Hunt’s vanishing act.
We’re lying by the clear water, on lounge chairs set out for us, about thirty minutes later, still Huntless. Chase is swimming with Maya, seemingly having worked out whatever issues they were having. He picks her up and tosses her high into the air. She comes crashing down into a wave, laughing and wiping her face when she comes back up.
Keira and Aubrey are lying out, thumbing through fashion magazines. Pierce and Vivian stayed up at the main house for a dip in the pool.
I watch Maya as she giggles and plays in the ocean with Chase, suddenly pausing and looking past me. I follow her gaze and spot Hunt and Elizabeth walking toward us, with his supportive arm about her shoulder.
“Here goes nothing,” Maya utters, appearing by my side. I get up and grab her hand, squeezing it hard. I just stand frozen beside her, paralyzed with the fear of the information I’m about to take in.
They stroll up to us, and she begins to reach out to us, placing her hands back at her side when we remain latched to one another.
“Chase,” Hunt says, “will you escort my sisters up to the house? I think these ladies need some privacy.” Chase guides Keira and Audrey back, once they gather their things. “I will be just down the beach if you ladies need me for anything.”
He kisses my forehead and takes his leave, heading back toward our room. We stare at her with tight lips, and she watches us back, hazel eyes wide and worried.
“Should we take a seat?” she asks with a tremble. Maya and I sit on my lounge chair, across from her. “Oh, dear, I don’t know where to start.”
“How about you start with why you never told us.” Maya chimes in.
“Marshall, Caleb, and I felt it would be best to keep it secret because we didn’t want to confuse you girls. We didn’t want you to see your father differently, such as you do now. We had planned on telling you, but…”
“When had you planned on telling us?” I ask with a tone.
“Ellie, Maya,” she says, placing a hand on each of ours. “Your father, Marshall, loved you very much. You were his daughters, his little girls. He always wanted children, especially, a daughter, and he was blessed with two. However, due to mumps when he was a child, he was unable to impregnate me. We wanted someone we could trust, someone who comes from good stock. Caleb was not only the best suited, with so many qualities we revered, but he was willing to do this most important request for us. Don’t hate him, either of them.”
“Oh, Mom,” I respond, snatching her hand in mine. “We don’t hate them…We’re confused and hurt. We feel betrayed by all of you.”
Tears well up in her eyes and her face flushes. “I’m so sorry, my sweet girls. You must believe me when I tell you, we didn’t want to hurt you…We love you both. We want nothing but the best for you girls. Marshall will always be your father, but maybe you can make a place for Caleb, too.”
“That’s a lot to ask of us,” Maya replies.
“It is,” she agrees with a few nods of her head. Suddenly, she bursts into tears, wrapping an arm about herself. “I miss him so much.”
Maya and I glance at one another then jump up and sit on either side of her, cocooning her in our arms. The tears flow freely, our cries mingling in a singular heartbreaking noise. I cry, I cry until my eyes are aflame and my throat begins to shut on itself. I finally let out all the pain, confusion, loss, anger that has held me captive in a prison of misery and doubt.
We sit and talk for an eternity. By the time we’re done, the sun is beginning to set, and our first day in paradise comes to a close. Chase, Hunt, and his family join us on the beach to watch the sun kiss the day goodnight and sink into the ocean, but not before painting the sky in brilliant fiery hues.
After dinner and my emotional yet cleansing afternoon, I feel utterly drained. I decide to take a quick nap, refresh myself for a night alone with Hunt. I awaken to his soft kisses over my face and neck. My eyes flutter open, only to discover it’s light out. All the walls have been shut except for the one facing the ocean, letting in a warm, velvety breeze.
“Wake up, angel,” he whispers in my ear. “Time to start the day.”
“Ugh, no,” I reply, throwing the covers over my head. “I don’t want to.”
He chuckles and tosses the sheets back, exposing my naked form.
“Come on, angel. I want to show you the island, and I can’t do that if you don’t get your sleepy ass up.”
I roll out of bed with a groan and stand before him naked as a jaybird. “I set some clothes at the end of the bed and breakfast is waiting for you up at the house. When you’ve finished getting ready, meet us up there.”
“Us?”
“Yes, Chase and Maya will be joining us…You better get ready quickly. We’re ready and waiting on you.”
“Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”
“I thought you would appreciate the extra time to sleep. Don’t worry about taking a shower, just get dressed. I’ll see you shortly.” He kisses me on the forehead and promptly takes h
is leave.
I get dressed in jean shorts, a white tank top, and toss on my Converse. I throw my hair into a high, loose bun. I’m ready and walking out of our bedroom two minutes later.
I head up to the main house and find everyone sitting in the open living room chatting. My mother spots me first, greeting me with a big, dazzling smile. She rises and walks up to me with open arms. “Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?”
“Good morning, Mom. Yes, I did. You?”
“I haven’t slept so well since…” she trails off as a frown causes her face to droop.
“I know. We all miss Dad.” I console. Her eyes widen and a huge grin sweeps across her lips.
“What?” I ask with a confused but pleased look.
“Ellie,” Maya murmurs, placing my attention on her, an elated expression on her face, too, “you just called him Dad.”
I realize I did. Probably the first time since this whole ordeal began. “I guess I did. He was…He is my dad, and I will always be his little girl.”
My mom grabs my face with both hands and pulls me in for a kiss on the cheek. “Yes, you will…Alright, enough of this. Are you hungry?”
“I’m a bit hungry.”
“Breakfast is set on the counter in the kitchen,” Hunt informs me. I head over and scan all the food spread across the kitchen counter. I don’t want to be too full so I opt for a banana and orange juice. I peel it open and take a bite as I walk over to Hunt who has a pleased grin, and he slinks an arm about my shoulders. “Ready?” he asks, rubbing my bicep.
“Yep. What is everyone else doing?” I ask, taking a sip of my OJ.
“They’re going to hang down at the beach. Aubrey and Keira are already down there.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
“Oh, a surprise,” I reply with a kinked smirk.
“Yes, a surprise.” He leans into my ear. “Smartass.”