Paradise Found

by Sarah O'Rourke

  Paradise Found

  by Sarah O’Rourke

  Paradise Found by Sarah O’Rourke

  Copyright © 2018 by Sarah O’Rourke

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication or cover design artwork may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods in current use or to be developed in the future, without the prior express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law (US. Copyright Act of 1976).

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and settings are fictitious, and are the sole property of Sarah O’Rourke. Any resemblance to actual events, names, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Any real setting, person, or situation is used in a fictitious manner with literary license.

  This work of fiction is intended for mature audiences.

  If you steal our work, we’ll sic our Mommas on you. Crazy One’s Momma will hunt you down and make you pay in blood. Crazy Two’s Momma will pray “for” your eternal soul (which is obviously in great peril if you resorted to stealing some poor little indie author’s romance story...really??? Really???) And trust us...you won’t win when she goes to the Almighty. And if that doesn’t scare you, please be advised that we have an attorney on retainer who will sue you to Kingdom Come. Don’t risk it. This is us, being there for you.

  Dedicated to those who understand that family is not determined by just flesh and blood, but by love.

  Crazy One and Crazy Two

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Acknowledgments

  More by Sarah O’Rourke

  Prologue

  Three Years Ago

  Samantha

  Sitting in her sporty crimson red mini-Coop, Samantha Dixon gripped the steering column with nerveless fingers. Her entire body was still in a state of dazed shock as the words she’d just heard her doctor speak played on repeat in her mind.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Dixon, but the tests we ran are conclusive. The odds that you will be able to conceive and carry a fetus to term are less than one percent. Biological children just aren’t going to be a possibility for you.”

  She’d tuned her physician out after hearing that. He’d still been talking – something about surrogates and adoption - but after absorbing that emotional blow to her heart, her mind had checked out. Luckily, the pain hadn’t set in quite yet, but she knew it was just a matter of time before agony would envelop her. Yeah, the hurt and anger would arrive soon enough. In fact, she could already feel it seeping through the cracks of her shattered heart.

  “Fuck!” she whimpered, thumping her clenched fist against the steering wheel as the first hot tear slipped past her closed eyes. “This isn’t fair!” she screamed into the empty vehicle. God, it felt like her world had just blown up in the space of a single doctor’s appointment.

  It was supposed to have been routine visit to her OBGYN, just a simple check of her girly parts before she and her wonderful fiancé, Ben, got truly busy on the baby-making front. It had taken Ben months to convince her to take this leap. Since she’d had an unhappy childhood with parents that had often either ignored or mistreated her, she’d had a ton of reservations about having kids. Never having had a mom or a dad that really gave a crap about her, Sami had been worried that she would be a terrible mother herself. Over time, however, Ben had finally convinced her that she could break the cycle with their babies and be the mom she always wished she’d had as a child. He’d gotten her excited about it… this dream of a little boy or girl to love and protect.

  Until an hour ago, Sami would have said she had finally been on the cusp of having it all. Because after kissing a lot of frogs, it seemed as if she had found her proverbial prince - a great man that cherished her for who she was rather than what she looked like. Yes, Benjamin Carlisle Atkins had crashed into her life with the force of a hurricane, sweeping her off her feet and stealing her heart before she’d realized what had happened. A successful model, Sami had met him on a shoot where she’d been modeling swimsuits. She’d spent the day watching as her fellow models fell all over themselves while they’d tried to flirt with the man behind the camera, but Sami had been pleased when Ben had remained coolly professional. When they’d wrapped for the day, she’d been shocked when he asked her out to dinner. Initially, she’d tried to decline. Her prior experiences with men had put her off dating. Getting a free steak wasn’t worth fending off a night of groping, but something in Ben’s eyes had told her he was different. So, when he’d persisted, cajoling her into accepting with his kind eyes and gentle smile, she’d agreed to one date.

  And one date turned into a dozen more. Before she’d known it, her man had stormed her defenses, painstakingly proving to her that not all men were creeps. Since her man was a talented photographer in his own right, she’d known he wasn’t after her money. And despite models flirting with him day in and out, Sami had watched him remain detached, looking at the women he photographed with cold, dispassionate eyes. Quickly, it became crystal clear that big boobs and tight asses didn’t impress her Ben overly much. Her man was much more interested in what made up a woman’s character.

  Before too long, Samantha had been head over heels in love with a man that had been perfect for her. Within three months, she’d moved into his apartment. And a year after that, he’d proposed. One year had bled into the next as they planned their lives together. They were happy. They were in love. And as their wedding day approached, they’d both looked toward the future, dreaming of the babies they’d have.

  Now, those dreams had been shot to hell. The family that Ben wanted so much was going to be impossible to give him. Her body… the same body that photographers and ad agencies alike clamored to use…had betrayed her.

  And because of that, she knew she’d lose Ben.

  Oh, she had no doubt that he’d say it didn’t matter to him. He was a good man, and he loved her. He was a man that honored his commitments, and he had committed himself to her. It was her choice, though. She could never deprive the man who’d taught her how to love and be loved of what he desired the most.

  Which meant she would have to be the one to set him free.

  But not tonight.

  She needed more time. Just a little more time to soak up all the good that came from being together with Ben.

  Jabbing her key into the ignition, Sami started the car and drove home on automatic pilot. Pulling into the parking lot of their apartment complex twenty minutes later, she couldn’t help her involuntary smile as she spotted Ben’s black Dodge Ram parked in one of the two spots assigned to them. A quick look at the dash clock confirmed that her guy was probably home for the day, and she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of the night showing him just how thankful she was to have been loved by him – even if that love could only last a little while longer. Quickly parking beside his vehicle, she took a deep breath as she killed the engine, pocketing the key as she grabbed her Fendi purse with one hand.

  Stepping out of her ride, she slammed the door before she straightened the seams of her black pencil skirt before making sure her fitted white silk blouse remained unwrinkled. Today, she’d dressed a little more demurely than she usually did – mostly bec
ause Ben got off on her sexy librarian look, and she’d wanted to look her best when she surprised him with the good news from her doctor’s appointment.

  At least he’d still get to enjoy the outfit, she thought glumly as she began walking toward the doorman waiting outside her building. Nodding at the man as he held open the door, Samantha quickly headed toward the wall of elevators, hitting the up button with the palm of her hand. It only took a few seconds for the steel doors to slide open and for her to step inside.

  Relieved to find herself the only occupant of the car, she quickly pushed the button for her floor and leaned back against the wall as the elevator began moving. Squeezing her eyes closed, she mentally willed herself to relax, knowing that if Ben saw her this tense, then he’d know something was very wrong.

  And that couldn’t happen yet.

  She wanted one more good night with him. One more night to worship his body with hers. One more night to say goodbye to their life together in the sweetest way possible.

  She needed this.

  And since fate had already been cruel enough today, she was stealing this night for herself.

  Jumping slightly as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, Sami hurried forward, her high heels clicking against the tiled floor as she made her way down the corridor to their front door. Pasting a bright smile on her face as she fished her keys from her handbag, Sami quickly let herself into the apartment.

  “Hey, there’s my gorgeous vixen!” Ben’s deep voice greeted her as she walked through the door, her eyes finding her man easily where he stood in the kitchen with one hand on the refrigerator door as he searched for something inside. Dressed in faded jeans and a soft gray t-shirt that molded to his muscular body, he was a sight for sore eyes.

  “And there’s my sexy stud muffin,” she replied, her smile becoming genuine as she closed the door behind her.

  “I don’t know about all that,” he chuckled, pushing the fridge door closed before he headed toward her to get his welcome home kiss. It was a habit he’d begun the day she’d moved in with him. No matter what he was doing, if she came home after him, he’d stop whatever he was involved in to greet her with a kiss. “How was your day, baby?” he asked against her lips before he moved his lips down her throat to nibble at the hollow of her neck.

  Samantha knew lying was a sin – especially lying to someone she loved. Sometimes, though a woman had to do a wrong thing for the right reasons. Which was why she replied with, “Same old shit, different damn day. You know how it is in our industry, honey. Cordova wants me to take another modeling assignment outside the country again.”

  She was relieved when Ben simply nodded and accepted her statement without question before he bent to steal another quick kiss from her lips. “You work too hard, Sami. I’ve told you a million times that you need to leave that fuckin’ Cordova Agency. They’re a bunch of sleazeball crooks. Those bloodsuckers are draining the life out of you. Once we get you knocked up, I’m not gonna want you dealing with those assholes and their bullshit, and there’s no way you’ll be able to keep jaunting off to all these overseas photo shoots. Vixen, you know I make enough to support us both. Quit them and find an agency that appreciates you. Or, better yet, make some of those clothing design doodles in the sketch book by the bed into a reality. You’ve got incredible talent, woman! Use it and do something you enjoy,” he encouraged her as his arms pulled her closer, molding their bodies together.

  “We’ve had this discussion, Ben,” Sami replied on a sigh. “I’ll give leaving Cordova some thought when the situation warrants it. Besides, I don’t need your money. I’ve saved up a good-sized nest egg of my own, you know. I’m perfectly capable of supporting myself.”

  “I know that, but I like the idea of taking care of you, Samantha. I want to support you. Physically. Emotionally. Hell, I want to take care of you in every way I can. It’s my job as your man to make sure you’re cared and provided for,” he said softly as his arms tightened around her and his large hands palmed her ass, kneading the firm muscles there as he pressed her body to his.

  “That sounds a little old-fashioned,” she teased, tapping her finger against his bearded chin as she tilted her head back to stare into his loving eyes.

  “Maybe, but it’s how I feel. You are mine, babe. I’m always going to want to take care of what’s mine. From this sweet face,” he murmured, lifting a hand to tenderly cup her jaw. “To this loving heart,” he continued, drifting his hand down her neck until it fell over her pounding heart. “All the way down to this incredible, tight pussy,” he concluded, dropping his hand to slide beneath her skirt to brush his fingers against the damp satin of her underwear. “Every single inch of you is mine, Sami.”

  “I know,” she acknowledged softly as she leaned her head against his strong chest and shifted against him, her damp panties becoming more uncomfortable by the second. She couldn’t help it! Ben’s filthy talk always got her wet and ready in record time. “It’s one of the many reasons I love you so much.”

  “Then I’ll make it a point to remind you every night who this sweet body of yours belongs to,” he promised as his hands tightened possessively on her ass. “Although maybe you oughta share some of the other reasons why you love me. I think I wanna hear those.”

  Biting her lip as she took a half step backward, forcing him to release her, Sami batted her eyelashes at him. “You fishing for compliments, Ben?”

  “Hell, yeah, I’m fishin’, vixen,” he agreed readily. “How else am I gonna catch myself the prize of that pretty pussy?”

  Sami couldn’t help her laughter. Mostly because they both knew that all Ben had to do was crook his finger at her and he could have that pussy anytime he wanted in any way he wanted to give it to her. But she’d indulge his game if he wanted to play. “Well, let’s see…” she began thoughtfully as she slowly reached for the first button on her silk blouse, unfastening it slowly. “I love the way you want to take care of me… always wanting to make sure I’m safe and well-cared for,” she purred as she continued slowly unfastening the buttons on her top, exposing more and more skin as she went.

  Ben licked his lips as he watched her slowly slide the wisp of fabric off her shoulders. “Uh huh. What else do you love, Samantha?”

  “I love the way you say my name… like it’s the most important word in your vocabulary,” she offered as she unfastened the button on her skirt and slid down the zipper, shimmying her hips to allow the material to slither down her long legs.

  “That’s because it is. Your name represents the center of my world. You have and will always be my beginning and my end.”

  Sami blinked back tears at those sweet words. “I love the way you can make me melt with just a look or a whispered word,” she confided shakily as she began to step out of her heels.

  “Leave the shoes,” Ben ordered huskily, eying her almost naked body hungrily. “I wanna feel those heels digging into my back later on.”

  Nodding silently, Sami reached behind her to unfasten the clasp of her white lace demi-cup bra. Watching his face as she let the lacy cups fall away from her breasts, she nearly moaned as Ben licked his lips. “I love the way you look at my body,” she confessed in a near whisper. “When you look at me like that I feel like the most gorgeous woman in the world.”

  “That’s because you are. You are the most beautiful creature God ever put on this earth. And He gave you to me. You are all mine. Every sexy inch of you. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve that, but I’ll spend the rest of my life giving thanks for it,” he returned huskily, lifting a hand to brush his fingers against the swell of one breast, watching as her plump pink nipple hardened at the caress.

  “Do you know what I love about you most of all, Ben?” Sami asked shakily as his hands slowly petted her heavy tits, his fingers twisting and plucking at her sensitive nipples until she wanted to scream with pleasure.

  “Tell me,” he demanded hoarsely, moving closer to her as he bent to run his nose along the cu
rve of her neck, pulling goosebumps to the surface of her flesh.

  “I love the way you love me so completely. The way you can make me forget the whole world when I’m in your arms. The way you can carry me to heaven and make me believe I deserve to be there,” she whispered as his arm slid around her waist, lifting her against him.

  “You’re my angel, Sami, and every angel deserves to reach heaven. In fact, I think it’s time that you and I made another trip,” he replied against her parted lips as her legs wrapped around his hips and he carried her toward their bedroom. “What do you think, baby? You wanna go to heaven with me again?”

  Gasping as his hard cock bumped against her still covered mound with every step. “God, yes,” she moaned as her arms tightened around his neck and her mouth sought his blindly. Tangling her tongue with his as her back met the soft mattress of their bed, Sami lost herself to his kiss, the harsh realities of her world disappearing under the sensual haze of Ben’s touch. Gasping as she felt his hand move between them, he peeled her panties down her legs before stroking his fingers through her dewy slit, pulling a desperate moan from her lips. “Oh, God, Ben!” she gasped as his talented fingers found her swollen clit, stroking that knot of nerves with a knowing hand.

  “That’s it, my sweet vixen,” he murmured as he pressed a kiss to the center of her neck. “Does that feel good?” he asked as he breached her entrance with two thick fingers, sliding deep into her soaked pussy. Lifting his dark head, he grinned down at her. “I love how wet you get for me. My own personal steaming honey pot. So sweet and sticky,” he growled as she felt his thick cock pulse through the denim of his jeans. “Fuck, baby, I think I’m gonna need me a taste of this,” he rasped before slowly pulling his fingers free from the clasp of her body and bringing them to his lips.

  “So sexy,” Sami panted as she watched Ben’s fingers slide between his lips, tasting her on his flesh. “Do I taste good?” she asked in a sensual purr.