Love in Transit

by Jana Aston

  We stay for another hour discussing what will happen when Diana is released from rehab on Friday. For now, she’s coming home to live with us in the guest suite. It will be a solid place for her transition. Plus, Seraphina and I can make sure she’s not turning back to pills, though I think Diana’s truly conquered her demons.

  I drive Seraphina to the beach house I rented and we get about as far as the entryway before I peel off her clothes. I can say the front hall table is very sturdy, and the dining room table is a great height.

  We take a shower after our escapades throughout the house and get ready for dinner. Seraphina has on a light blue dress that matches her beautiful eyes. I can’t take my eyes off her as she searches in her suitcase for a pair of gold sandals.

  “I swear I packed them,” she says, digging under a couple layers of clothes. “Where are we going again?”

  “I have reservations at a place on the beach. Just throw on a pair of flip flops, sweetheart.”

  “Okay, okay. I know where to find those.” She holds her favorite flip flops and smiles at me. “Done.”

  “Here, let me.” I kneel and slip her shoes on her feet, then let my hands wander up her legs.

  “Stop it,” Seraphina laughs while batting my hands away. “We’ll never make it to dinner, you insatiable man.”

  “It’s all your fault,” I tease, rising back up to stand. “Everything about you drives me wild.”

  “Later,” she says, reaching up and giving me a quick kiss on the lips. I try to pull her into my arms, but she spins away. “I’m on to you and your voodoo sex ways.”

  She squeals when I slap her ass as she tries to get away from me. “You’ve never complained. Not once.”

  She gathers up her purse and heads to the door leading to the garage. I laugh to myself, knowing we will never leave this property for dinner.

  Stopping in the kitchen, I lean against the granite countertop of the island and rub my chin in thought. Seraphina scrunches her adorable face in confusion.

  “Let’s go,” she says, a bit of frustration in her voice. “I’m starving from the monkey sex. Besides, I hate being late.”

  “Come here.” I curl my finger in a come-hither way. Seraphina pouts, but does as I ask. “Set your purse down here.”

  “What’s going on?” Seraphina gives me the you’re-up-to-no-good evil eye.

  “Trust me,” I say, and she relaxes. There’s one thing she’s learned about me: I’ll never let her down.

  “Okay,” she says. “But you’re acting very strange.”

  “Maybe I am, but I have good reasons. Let me show you.”

  I join our hands and guide her back through the house and out the glass sliding doors to the expansive deck.

  “What’s going on?” she asks.

  “You’ll see.”

  I lead her down the stairs to a worn path. Side by side, we walk toward the beach. I place my hand on the small of her back and wait. Two more steps, and she stops dead in her tracks.

  “Oh my God,” she exclaims, and turns to me. Her eyes dance with excitement. “This is too much, but I love it.” Throwing her arms around my neck, I pull her to me in a kiss.

  “We haven’t even made it to the beach yet,” I laugh while scooping her up in my arms. She giggles and kicks her feet in the air as I carry her.

  I nod at the man waiting for us on the beach, who set up a table for two with food and drinks. He begins playing the violin as planned.

  “I feel like a princess and you’re my prince.” Seraphina twirls my hair. “Well, my kinky prince who never gets enough sex,” she whispers the last part.

  “Again, all your fault,” I tease.

  The table has a candle lit inside a tall glass container. Placing her in her seat, I take mine next to her and lift the silver dome covering her food.

  “Lobster,” she says, clapping her hands like she’s five years old. God, I love this playful side of her.

  “Seems my choice was a hit,” I laugh.

  We eat our dinners and drink some chilled white wine while the violin serenades us. After we finish dessert, I thank Mario for his music and perfect dinner. He wishes us a good evening and walks up the path to the house.

  Now, it’s only Seraphina and me, but the show is just beginning.

  “Let’s take our wine and sit on the beach.” I grab the blanket Mario brought for us and spread it over the sand. It’s heavy and should stay in place.

  “Wait,” Seraphina says. We’re sitting on the blanket, facing the ocean. “Is that a barge?” She squints her eyes, trying to see better in the approaching darkness of the night.

  “You know, I think it is.” I stifle a laugh, knowing the barge is there because I paid for it. Two men are moving on it, likely making the final touches to the firework canisters.

  “You did this, didn’t you?” There goes that evil eye look again.

  “Come over here and hush.” I pat the spot in front of me, and she moves, leaning back into my arms. Her head rests against my chest and her shoulders relax.

  “Yeah, this is way better,” I whisper in her ear.

  I should be nervous. I’m about to do something monumental in my life, but I feel nothing but bubbling happiness.

  We sit in this position and wait. When we hear the first percussion sound, our eyes search the sky. A beautiful white star fills the black space with light. After a few more spectacular rounds light up the sky, I reach into my pocket. Seraphina’s so enthralled with the display, she doesn’t even acknowledge my movements.

  “Thanks. It’s beautiful,” Seraphina says.

  “But nothing compared to you,” I whisper, and she settles farther into my arms.

  I hold the cool platinum diamond ring between my fingers and wait for the right time to finish my plan. My breathing picks up as the finale begins. It’s time.

  “Sera,” I say against her ear, “I love you more than life itself. Hell, you are my life, and I want to make you my wife.”

  “What?” Seraphina turns in my arms. Thanks to the fireworks, I see tears pooling in her blue eyes. “Your wife?”

  “Yes.” I pull both of us to stand and drop to one knee.

  “I can’t believe this.” She covers her mouth with her hands.

  “Seraphina Bishop, will you marry me?” I offer the ring up to her.

  “Yes, Seth. You beautiful, sweet man. Yes, I’ll marry you.” I place the ring on her finger, and she wraps her arms around me. Laughing, because I am the happiest man alive, I fall back onto the blanket with her against me.

  “I love you, Sera.”

  “I love you more,” she says with a giggle.

  After the last of the embers are long gone, the only sound is the ebb and flow of the waves. Oh, and Seraphina’s moans as I make love to her. It took me three years, but I finally have that mysterious ethereal beauty on the night’s cool sand.

  NOTE FOR READERS

  Thanks for reading Love in Transit. I hope you enjoyed Seth and Seraphina’s story, Wall Street Station. I plan on expanding it into a full-length book at a later date. I’d love to connect with you, so I’m including a few links below. One great way to stay up-to-date with me is via my VIP List. Happy reading!

  xo,

  Liv

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  BOOKS BY LIV MORRIS

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  Tough Luck

  Marry Screw Kill

  Touch of Tantra

  Adam’s Apple

  Adam’s Fall

  Acknowledgements

  Word Nerd Editing

  Proofing Style

  Donna Salzano, Beta Reader