by Claire Adams
"This is awful," she said quietly once I'd finished. "What are we going to do?"
I explained that Bax was on the case and would be calling back in a few hours. I hugged her tightly and then said, "So, how about that paddle board lesson?"
"Are you kidding?" she said as she turned and looked up at me. "How can you paddle board at a time like this?"
"Well, we can either sit here on the couch and fret about what is going on thousands of miles away," I said. "Or we can get out and get a little sun and sand and try to enjoy ourselves. The choice is yours, but I know what I'm going to do!"
I let go of her and hopped up off the couch as I turned toward the master suite. I flashed a mischievous grin and said, "Last one ready for the water is a rotten egg!"
Chapter Sixty-Six
Emily
Despite my initial reservations, we spent the afternoon paddling around the lagoon and soaking up the warm sunshine. Around noon, the chef called us in for lunch and we found that the breakfast dishes had been cleared and replaced with a sumptuous lunch feast that included delicious poisson cru, a Polynesian twist on ceviche made with red tuna marinated in an aromatic blend of lime juice and coconut milk, and a huge plate of fresh mangos, melon, pineapple, and breadfruit. We gorged ourselves until we both groaned that we were full to the brim.
After lunch, we headed back to the beach where a diving instructor waited for us with masks and a short lesson on the reef. I was enthralled with the description of the many different sea creatures living in and around the coral and asked so many questions that Austin laughed and claimed that he was going to appoint me to an executive position in Marks Enterprises simply to keep an eye on everything.
I looked at him knowing that we were both anxious to know what Bax had found out about Tommy's threat, and then ran my hand over his arm as a reminder to relax and let go until we got more information.
He smiled down at me as he donned the mask and snorkel, then we both ducked under water and spent the next two hours kicking around the reef looking at all the sea had to offer. It was a veritable magical kingdom under the surface, and I was in awe of the variety of marine life. The guide had said that there were more than eight hundred distinct species that swam in the waters off the island, and by the time we were done with our dive, I swore that I'd seen most of them.
"You're so cute," Austin laughed. "I've been here hundreds of times, and every time I go under, I notice some new fish."
"Well, it felt like I saw them all!" I cried as laughed and grabbed a soft fluffy towel from the pile that the housekeeping staff had left perched on the edges of our chaise lounges.
"I'm sure you did," Austin smiled as he bent down and lightly kissed my lips. No matter how many times he did this, it never failed to awaken all of my senses, and as I kissed him back I felt a rush of strong emotion surge through me. It was followed by a stronger sense of dread. We hadn't yet heard from Bax, and I was crossing my fingers hoping that when we did it would be good news rather than bad.
"I know what you're thinking," Austin whispered. "Just let it go and enjoy the day."
"You have no idea what I'm thinking, Mr. Morning," I replied in a sassy tone. "None whatsoever."
"Oh, I think I do," he said raising an eyebrow.
"Do you now?" I said lowering my voice so that it was in the sexy range as I draped myself across his lap on the chaise.
"Mmm hmm," he smiled as he cradled me in his arms and pulled my lips down to meet his. I melted into him and gave myself over to his kiss.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Austin
Just as I was ready to sweep Emily off her feet and carry her back to the master suite, my phone buzzed with an urgent message from Bax. I knew this was what we had been waiting for, so I gently set her on the chaise next to me and answered the call.
"What's up?"
"Well, boss, I've got a line on what's happening with the ex and Paris," Bax reported.
"Spill it," I ordered.
"It seems that Daniel has gotten to Tommy," Bax began. "He's given him information about the Paris job that makes us look like we've got shady deals with Benoit and his construction company, and Tommy isn't the only one Daniel has been feeding information to."
"Oh really, who the hell else is he spilling these lies to?" I yelled into the phone.
"Well, that's the problem, boss," Bax said hesitating a bit. "They aren't exactly lies."
"What?" I shouted. "I've never done a dirty deal with anyone in my life, and you know it!"
"I know, I know," he reassured me. "But Benoit is a whole other matter. Apparently, he's connected to the Germans that Daniel is dealing with in Berlin and there are some shady deals going on between the competing groups. I tracked down a guy who knows the ins and outs of the Camorra and he's going to meet with me later this evening to give me the scoop."
"This is insane," I said. "Absolutely insane. I need to get back there, don't I?"
"Nah, I've got it under control for now," Bax assured me. "But you might want to be ready to deal with the ex-husband quickly and decisively, if you know what I mean."
"Don't tell me what I think you're telling me," I warned.
"No, I'm not saying we need to off him," Bax laughed loudly. "I'm not Camorra material, man. I'm just saying that maybe you want to consider paying him off simply to keep him quiet and then shuttle him out of the country away from Daniel's reach."
"I don't want to give that jackass a single dime," I protested as I gingerly touched my side with my free hand. "He nearly killed Emily and me."
"I know, and I'm sympathetic to your aversion," he replied. "But this is strictly business, and we need to think about what's best for the company right now, Austin."
I paused as I thought about what Bax was suggesting. My ego resisted the idea, but my good sense told me he was right and that I should go along with his plan. I just wasn't sure how Emily would react to me telling her the news that I was paying off her drunken ex and spiriting him out of the country. I shrugged and decided it was the wisest thing to do. No matter how she felt about it.
"Okay, fine," I ceded. "Find him, pay him off, and get him away from anyone who could possible connect him up with Daniel. And do it now."
"Will do, boss," Bax said. Then in a softer voice he added, "Austin, it's the right thing to do. I know you know that, but I want you to know that I do, too, and that when you explain it to Emily, she'll know it as well. I promise."
"I sure hope so," I replied before I disconnected the call.
#
I went back to the deck where Emily was lounging in the sun and stood a few feet away admiring her. She had gotten a little too much sun and her skin had a pinkish glow set off by the blue bikini she was wearing. Her hair was piled in a messy bun on top of her head and her lips were slightly parted as she dozed underneath the shade of a large umbrella that one of the staff had put up to keep her from burning. She looked lovelier every time I saw her.
"Oh, hey," she smiled sleepily as she pushed herself up on one elbow and shaded her eyes with her other hand. "What did Bax say?"
"Well, he's figured out what's going on in Paris," I began. Then I took a deep breath and sat down next to her on the chaise. "And, he's figured out a way to deal with Tommy."
"You're not going to kill him, are you?" she blurted out with a horrified look on her face.
"Good lord, woman, what the hell kind of person do you think I am?" I growled.
"Well, you big business guys..." she trailed off as she scanned my face for a sign that I wasn't going to order a hit on Tommy.
"No, I'm not going to kill your ex-husband," I said. "I am, however, going to pay him off and get him out of the country and away from the reach of one Mr. Daniel Wentworth."
"No! You cannot pay off my debts and take care of my problems!" she shouted as she sprang up off of the chaise. "I won't have it! I'm not some mindless little twit who is out looking for a sugar daddy to make all the bad stuff go away! You're n
ot a cash machine, and if you do this, then you'll be enabling Tommy and keeping him dependent on me through you! NO, I won't stand for it!"
"Emily..." I began. I wanted to say something to calm her down, but I wasn't sure that there was anything I could say at this point that would. "Emily, listen to me. I'm not trying to turn you into a dependent or do anything to undermine your autonomy. This is simply a good business decision."
"Oh right," she said narrowing her eyes. "It's always about business first."
"That's not what I said!" I yelled. "That's not fair and you know it!"
"You just want to protect your interests," she spat. "And now that I'm one of them, you're going to take over and protect whatever you think it is I have to offer. God, I should have seen this coming a mile away. All of you rich guys are alike. You think because you have money, you own everything. Well, I've got news for you, Mr. Marks – you don't own me, and you never will!"
She turned on her heel and marched into the house and down the hallway to the guest room where she flung open the door and then slammed it shut. I had no idea how I was going to fix this mess. I padded down the hall and tapped lightly on the door.
"Go away!" she shouted from the other side.
"Emily, please don't do this," I said quietly. "I'm not trying to undermine you or do anything to hurt you. Quite the opposite, in fact."
There was silence on the other side of the door, so I took it as a sign that I should continue explaining. "I just want you to be free from your marriage and for Tommy not to destroy my company with the lies Daniel is feeding him," I said. "I don't want a whole lot, but I do want to keep the position I have because I feel like I can really do some good in the world, but if Daniel takes over the company, I won't be able to do anything."
"So, why are you buying Tommy's silence?" she sniffed through the closed door. I smiled because I knew that she was standing on the other side leaning against the same spot I was talking to.
"I just want peace, Em," I sighed. "If I have to buy Tommy's silence, then I will. I just want peace."
"That's all?" she asked.
I paused for a long moment and then said, "And you. I want you, Emily Warner, if you'll have me."
"Oh, Austin," came a small sob as the door slid open and she threw herself into my arms. "I want you, too, but this all seems so wrong!"
"I know, I know it does," I nodded as I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her tightly against my chest. I rested my chin on the top of her head and quietly said, "But it's not, Emily. It's just life."
We stayed wrapped in each other's arms until the houseman came and told us dinner would be served on the beach at eight.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Emily
After the emotional turmoil of Austin's revelation and his decision to deal with Tommy by paying him off, I decided that I needed a massage and a soak in the hot tub off the balcony of the master suite. Austin called over to the staff quarters and within twenty minutes, I was laying on a padded table on the balcony enjoying the feeling of Tanita's hands kneading out the knots in my muscles.
Afterwards, I ambled over to the Jacuzzi and sunk down into the warm water as I watched the sun begin to sink on the horizon. Its rays glinted on the water, sending beams of light down into the depths of the vast blue expanse, and I watched breathlessly as it shifted and changed. When I felt sufficiently relaxed, I headed into the suite to get ready for dinner.
The chef had said it would be served on the beach, so I decided on a blue floral print column dress that Trish had packed for me. The royal blue roses on the stark white background set off my tanned skin and made me feel like an island goddess when I slipped it on. I gathered my hair and loosely braided it, letting the tail fall over my shoulder before adding a swipe of blush and mascara and a dab of coral lip-gloss. I fastened a pair of small silver hoops in my ears and stood back to survey the effect. The effect was casual yet sexy, and I felt beautiful.
I walked into the living room and found Austin sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone. He inhaled sharply when he looked up, "Oh, Em, you look radiant!"
"Why thank you, Mr. Marks," I smiled. "You clean up pretty nicely yourself."
He was dressed in a pair of navy linen pants that simply tied at the waist and a button down off-white linen shirt, the effect was stunning and it made his shoulders seem even broader than they actually were. When he reached out and took my hand, I felt like a princess being carted off by her prince, and I smiled up at him as we stepped out of the house and headed toward the beach.
I gasped when we reached the site where our dinner would be served. The table was set near the water and the hundreds of small candles that had been used to encircle the table cast a warm glow on the inner circle. Austin pulled out my chair and seated me at the table that had been covered in a crisp white cloth and was formally set with china so thin and polished that I swore I could see my own reflection in it.
"This is unbelievably beautiful," I said as Austin reached across the table and took my hand.
"It's everything you deserve." He smiled as the server brought the first course and set it down in front of us. We enjoyed a luxurious dinner as the wine and laughter flowed. Neither of us brought up the problems with Tommy or Daniel or anything outside of where we were at this very moment.
After we'd enjoyed the last bits of our po'e, a rich banana pudding made with brown sugar and coconut cream, Austin stood up and pulled me up out of my chair, saying, "Let's walk on the beach and burn off some of this dinner, shall we?"
"Gladly!" I laughed as I stood up and followed him. We walked along the shore and marveled at the beauty of the water now that the sun had set and the moon was hanging clear and bright in the night sky.
"I'm so glad you're here with me, Em," Austin said as he squeezed my hand.
"I'm so glad I am, too," I smiled as I squeezed back.
"I know things haven't been easy, and I know it's been confusing at times," he continued. "But I keep thinking about how much you've changed my life since you ran into me on that airplane the first time."
"I didn't run into you!" I laughed as I protested. "You were late and in a hurry, and you were not looking where you were going! You ran into me!"
"Well, whatever the case," he chuckled. "I can't imagine my life without you in it."
"I'm glad because I can't imagine my life without you in it, either," I said as I smiled up and him and wrapped my free arm around his.
"Emily, I keep thinking about this whole mess with Tommy and the business," he said, looking down at me. "And I know it's probably not the right time, but then when is it ever the right time?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "You said it's just life, so I'm trying to go along with that little mantra."
"Em," he said as he stopped and turned toward me. "I want you to be with me. Always."
"Okay," I said. "Well, let's get this whole crazy situation sorted out and then we can work on that..."
While I spoke, Austin dropped on one knee in the sand and held out his hand to take mine as he slipped something hard and shiny on my ring finger.
"Emily, as soon as we get the mess sorted out, as you so eloquently put it," he smiled. "Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world?"
"Huh?" I replied.
"Will you marry me, Emily?" he asked.
I stood stunned staring at him and then at the ring that now decorated my finger. It was an enormous princess cut diamond that sparkled and glowed in the evening light. I looked back at Austin and suddenly realized what he was asking.
"I...I...I..." I stammered.
"I mean, if you want to," he backpedaled, unsure of what I was thinking or how I would respond to his proposal. I looked down at my hand one more time and then up into his warm brown eyes and smiled.
"Yes, Austin Marks, I will marry you," I nodded. "I will marry you."
"Emily, I love you so much!" he cried as he leapt up off of the sand and wrapped his arms aro
und me twirling us both around as we laughed and kissed.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Austin
After Emily said yes to my proposal, I scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom where I slowly peeled off her dress and stood back to admire her naked body bathed in the moonlight streaming through the roof of the room. She looked like an ethereal angel spread out on the white duvet looking up at me.
I leaned over and kissed her gently as I ran my hands down her exposed skin and felt her shiver under my touch. I loved the way she responded to my hands as I spread her legs and slid my fingers between the velvety folds already dripping with moisture. She cried out as I slowly traced a path from top to bottom over and over every so often stopping to probe her wet opening with just the tip of my finger.
"Austin!" she moaned. "Don't tease me..."
"But I love the way you respond to my teasing," I said as I looked down at her already writhing beneath my touch. "And you know you love it, too," I whispered as I bent forward and lightly touched my tongue to her swollen clit.
Emily jumped as I flattened my tongue and began lapping at the delicate folds, sometimes making my tongue into a hard point and sometimes simply running it up and down in place of my fingers. She pushed her hips up to meet my mouth as I worked two fingers up between her hungry lips and inside where I could stroke her inner walls.
She was moaning more loudly as she clutched at my hair and pressed my face more tightly to her mound. I could hear her chanting, "Oh please, oh please, oh please," as she thrust her hips up harder and higher. I gave her what she wanted as she bucked and moaned against my tongue and fingers. Soon, she was crying out as I felt her orgasm take over and her body contract with pleasure. I stopped licking and pressed my tongue flat against the sensitive bud while she throbbed and pulsed around my hand.