by Amy McKinley
“Do you remember that honeymoon we never took?”
She frowned, her brows furrowing at the change of topic. This wasn’t the first time he’d brought it up. “Of course. It was a pivotal point in your career, and we decided to put it off so that you could finish a big case. Since you were promoted right after, it was the right move.”
“At the time, it was.” A small smile came and left. “Let’s get away for a few weeks. You deserve some pampering, and I could use the break from work.”
She toyed with the bracelet dangling around her wrist, the one he’d fashioned with his grandmother’s brooch. Maybe that was a good idea, an environment in which they could focus on each other and their expanding family. “Where did you have in mind?”
He threaded his fingers through hers and tugged her closer. After setting his beer down, he tucked a lock behind her ear then caressed the long strands of her thick hair in soothing motions. “I love you, Liv. More than you’ll ever realize. And I’m so damn sorry.”
The gentle squeeze on her hand brought her gaze to his, and she caught his guarded expression. “What is it?”
“Since we’re expecting, we should go to Barbados, then to Venezuela.”
“Oh, to visit your mom?” She smiled, excited at the opportunity to glimpse the world he grew up in, the one he remained a little secretive of, and to finally meet his mother.
He paused, looked away for a moment, and uttered yes. When he turned back, he was the Alex she knew with the mischievous, laughing eyes and sexy grin, not the closed-off one. What was going on?
Tired of the entire thing, she gave in and decided he was right. That was what they needed. In addition, she would go back to bed and leave him to clean the kitchen. The travel arrangements would be his to make too.
“We’ll take that honeymoon we never had time for before we reach Venezuela.” When he released her hand, he smiled, and she relaxed. The darkness swirling in his eyes dissipated. Almost. Something still lurked behind his dark orbs as he lifted her hand. He held her wrist and worked the lock of the charm bracelet he’d recently given her. “I’ll get this taken care of before we leave.”
Chapter 7
The breeze ruffled Liv’s hair, and she wrapped her hand around Alex’s bicep. In between fluffy clouds, blinding sun shone down on them in golden shafts. The remnants of surprise still lingered from when Alex told her they would be flying to Barbados and spending time there before going to visit his mom.
Being in here was a dream come true and she enjoyed every moment of their vacation as they strolled hand in hand along the beach. With each step, their feet sank a little in the sand, leaving footprints, before gentle waves rolled over their trail and washed them away.
“How are we getting to your mom’s?”
Alex’s hand tightened for a fraction of a second, so briefly that she wondered if she had imagined it. “We’ll take a boat to Caracas, Venezuela. From there, we’ll drive to the airport and then fly to the small island I grew up on.” The same island on which his mom still resided.
“Why don’t we charter a plane for a direct flight from here to your mom’s?”
“Let’s not talk about leaving. Not yet, anyway. I want to spend as much time here with you as I can before my mom steals you away.”
They changed direction and angled to where their beach chairs were. The sand grew hotter the farther they got from the water’s edge. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought he was stalling from the way he showered attention on her, almost as if he didn’t want her to meet his mom or see where he grew up. She inhaled a breath and relaxed into the moment. They needed this trip, time to connect without all Alex’s work stress before their baby arrived.
She dropped her wrap on the back of the lounge chair and lowered herself onto the royal-blue cushions. Even with the large umbrella overhead, she kept her sunglasses in place against the sun’s reflection off the turquoise waters.
Listening to the breaking waves, she drifted, barely paying attention as Alex mentioned something about drinks. She heard him move around but was too comfortable to look.
“Hey, beautiful,” Alex purred as he dropped a kiss on her cheek. He handed her a tall glass. “I brought you a drink.”
“Iced tea?” She cleared her throat and accepted the glass, willing herself to stay awake.
“Yep, and I took the Long Island part and had them add it to mine. Yours is strictly virgin.” He winked. “While I was up there, I ordered us lunch. It’ll be delivered in about a half hour.” He ran his hand over her still-flat abdomen. “I love this pink bikini on you.”
She giggled. “It’s coral.”
“Well, this coral suit will look even better on the floor of our room.” The scruff from his face tickled her neck as he brushed kisses along it. Holding his head in her hands, she sighed, wanting to take his caresses further. After a few heated minutes, he took a seat on his lounger, stretching his long legs out beside her. “You’re trouble, Liv.” His husky voice sent a thrill racing across her exposed skin.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the warm breeze. The beauty of Barbados was addicting. So far, they’d done nothing but take walks on the beach, swim, make love, and relax oceanside. “Being here, with you, is like a drug. I’ll never get enough.”
“Hmm. Why don’t we stay longer? I didn’t tell my mom we were coming for sure. I’d rather keep you all to myself. If I need to, I can go see her for a day while you enjoy yourself here at the beach.”
“What? No, Alex. I’ve never met her.”
Silence fell between them as Alex drank half his beverage. The uncertainty of his quick glance brought an unpleasant realization crashing home. She came from old money, grew up immersed in time-honored traditions and expectations, led a privileged life. While Alex had plenty of money, it didn’t touch the vast fortune of her family’s, now hers alone.
Theirs.
The differences of their backgrounds, the circumstances surrounding their upbringing, could have been bothering him. Did he worry how his mother would react to her? Her family had tolerated him, at times barely, even correcting his speech from time to time. With their sights on the horizon of his aspiring political career, they’d relented.
“I think you’ve got something, babe. Let’s make this our destination vacation place. I’m thinking we travel here at least twice a year.”
She turned toward him and wrinkled her nose, choosing to let the comment about skipping the next leg of their trip go. He’d told her several times he wanted her all to himself. The relaxation of their vacation was needed, and she understood his perspective there. If his hesitation was due to the contrast of old and new money, she would prove to him how silly his fears were once she met Rita.
“If it’s possible, let’s stay longer next time.” Even though she would never do anything to hold him back in his career, a small part of her didn’t want him to advance any further. They would have to see if his job allowed the time. His plans to rise to the Senate were within reach, but first, he would have to win an election. The death of her parents didn’t hinder his progress, as her father and all his buddies had made it known they were behind Alex’s goals.
Her phone pinged, and she picked it up when she noticed Rachel’s name flash across the screen.
Rachel had texted, How’s it going?
Liv responded, Amazing. Gorgeous here.
Rachel: So you’re moving there and deserting me?
Liv: Haha. Nope. Although, Alex is being weird about me meeting his mom.
Rachel: Well, it’s weird you haven’t met her yet. Maybe she’s a recluse?
Liv: Not sure. Worried he doesn’t want me to meet her.
Rachel: You’re high. That man adores you. It must be something with his mom.
Liv: Okay, fine. Chat with you later.
Rachel: Enjoy the sun!
She set her phone down and leaned back. The combination of the heat and the hypnotic sound of the ocean lulled her once more into a bl
issful state of relaxation. Loud voices passing by their spot on the beach brought the people around them into sharp focus. She stifled a yawn. Had only a minute passed?
Alex laughed. “You’ve been zoning out for a half hour. Must be tired.”
“Seriously? Time is moving way too quick.” She lifted her sunglasses and peered at the food that had just arrived. “I need coffee.”
“What’s the point, babe?” He flashed her a grin. “You can only have decaf with a baby growing inside you. I can kiss you awake.”
“Yes.” She sat up, intending to join him on his lounge chair, except the fresh pineapple and mango caught her eye. “Um, maybe after we eat?”
He chuckled. “Those hormones are really kicking in, babe.”
She tossed her wide-brimmed hat at him.
Grinning, he caught it and plopped it back on her head. “You look like an avenging goddess.”
“You’re an evil man. I should swap out your coffee with decaf and see how you deal with the caffeine withdrawals.”
His smile fell away, and he stabbed a mango. “Evil? Not with you. Never with you.”
What? Her mouth parted to question his odd comment, but he slid a mango between her lips, and she closed her eyes at the sweet burst of flavors. Fruit was heaven. If the pregnancy hormones were amplifying her taste buds, she was in serious trouble. At least they also increased her sexual appetite, something Alex was not complaining about.
After eating fruit and a half sandwich, she leaned back, content to listen to the rolling water. Even under the umbrella, she wore her sunglasses to keep the glare of the water at bay. Alex was lost in his own world, and without him talking to her, she teetered on the edge of sleep, needing it in her first trimester.
She woke completely when her chair shifted. Alex hovered over her, fully focused on her mouth. A spark of desire ignited and sizzled through her.
“You’re so beautiful.” His hoarse words danced over her relaxed body.
The distance between them melted away, and his lips feasted on hers—gentle at first, then demanding. Her body hummed beneath his, craving skin-to-skin contact.
A gasp left her as he lifted her from the chair and carried her in the direction of their room. Being pressed against his lean body stirred her desire further. Each determined stride brought them closer. She couldn’t wait. In his arms was exactly where she wanted to be.
The time it took to get to their room only heightened her need. When the door clicked shut behind them, he released her legs from the cradled position in which he held her. In a slow slide, her thighs brushed over his body until her feet touched the floor.
Liquid chocolate eyes stared into hers with an intensity that shot straight to her heart. His need, love, and intense passion blazed for her to see. Yet the silence he maintained told her something else bothered him, and she filed it away for later. He tumbled her to the bed then tugged at her hip and pulled her bikini bottom off.
Her coral suit lay on the rug a few feet from her as he bent his head to her abdomen. With a whimper, she begged for more.
Teeth scraped along her heated skin, intermingled with tantalizing kisses. He traveled higher, pressing his long body to hers. She arched her back and gave him full access to her aching breasts. When he took her nipple in his mouth, her breath left her lungs in a low moan. An underlying somberness skimmed around the edges of his gaze as he bent to brush agonizingly tender kisses on her mouth.
There were many ways Alex made love to her, and she loved them all. But this time, the quiet that blanketed them suffocated her with an uneasy cadence. With the passion he coaxed from her, she was unable to think and fully analyze his mood.
She gasped when he thrust into her. They fit perfectly. He held still, seated all the way, gazing into her eyes. In slow movements, he built their desire, their need, as their breath collided in increasing bursts. With her arms wrapped around him, she clutched him as close as he did her. Dancing on the edge of her release, she moaned. When his hand slipped between their bodies and teased her sensitive nub, she shattered. He followed immediately after her, pulling her tighter to him.
She shifted and pressed her back against his chest, using his bicep as a pillow. His other arm draped over her hip and snuggled her close. To the quiet hum of the air conditioner, they fell asleep.
The next few days passed in bliss, and she almost relented to his comment about extending her stay. In the end, she didn’t. Not visiting his mother after coming all this way would have been wrong.
Falling into a pattern on Barbados, she longed to remain in her bikini and fun crochet-and-fringe cover-up. Instead, she slipped on a sleeveless, gauzy knit dress with strappy heels. Alex said she overdressed, but it made her feel good, sexy. With the baby coming, she wanted to wear all her favorites before maternity clothes became the norm. Plus, this would be the first time she met his mom, and she wanted to make a good impression. She couldn’t imagine Alex’s mom would judge her appearance as her own mother had, but Liv didn’t want to risk offending her. With her hair and makeup done, she left the dressing room and smiled at Alex’s soft whistle. This was the right dress.
Jewelry was the only thing remaining. She slid the zipper to her suitcase open and rolled out the small pouch she’d brought. Running her fingers over a few necklaces, she contemplated which would look best. Here, her pearls were not needed.
“None of those.” Alex’s husky voice paused her search.
“No?” Smiling at him, she took note of the swirl of emotions in his mocha eyes.
From a box on top of the dresser, he pulled a delicate necklace. The pendant hung by shimmery strands of silver fashioned into a butterfly. An illusive memory tried to surface at the sight of the jewelry, but it was gone before she could fully grasp it. From the butterfly’s almost angular wings, two rare blue diamonds dangled. Dainty and whimsical, the necklace complimented her dress.
“It’s lovely.” She lifted her hair so he could help her fasten it then turned to the mirror to admire the light bouncing off the gray-blue stones. Not her usual style, but beautiful all the same.
Picking up her wrist, he slid a silver cuff in place then secured its small latch. The inlay was his grandmother’s brooch, the one he’d given her on a charm bracelet and took to have altered into another design before their trip. Stunned by the clever way he had it crafted, she smiled. He knew she would never have worn it as a pin. The design was a perfect compromise of both of their tastes.
“This is beautiful, Alex. When did you have time to do this?” She didn’t miss the mix of emotions that flitted across his face. “Is everything okay?”
His gaze cleared, and he squeezed her hand. “Of course. I was just thinking about how I arranged our travel from Barbados. I should have chartered a private boat.”
Why hadn’t he? That was what they normally did.
He crushed her to his chest, and she laid her head against his crisp white shirt. Was he still concerned about her meeting his mother? It wouldn’t matter what Rita Mudarra was like. Liv loved Alex with her whole heart and would face whatever lay ahead when they arrived. She slid her hand into the crook of his arm, and he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Are you ready to go?”
The ride took no time at all, and soon they arrived at the boat that would ferry them to Venezuela before the plane and short trip to the island he grew up on. Neither did their time on the water. They strolled along the deck until they came upon tables with flickering tea lights. The romantic setting was not lost on them, and Liv leaned into Alex’s side. He pulled out her chair and rested his hands on her bare shoulders for a brief moment before taking his seat.
He winked. “How are you holding up without your wine with dinner?”
She waited to answer as he placed their order for drinks with the server—nothing with alcohol for her. Still, the full-bodied cabernet she had at home would have been welcome, had she been able to drink it. “It’s an adjustment, but not one I’m struggling with that badly. The
morning nausea is what I could do without.”
“Anything I can do to help, just tell me. This is a first for both of us, and I want to be there for you.”
A smile spread across her lips. “Thanks.” Toying with the napkin in her lap, she dove into the question she’d promised herself she wouldn’t ask. “Are you worried about me meeting your mother? Is there anything I should be aware of?”
“No. My mom will love you.”
“Then what is it?” She frowned at his guarded expression. “There are times you’re so tense. Will anyone else be there we could run into who you’d rather not?” An old girlfriend?
His eyes shuttered, and she shivered from the loss of warmth. “It was not my intent for my past to collide with the life we’ve built together.” He shook his head as she tried to speak. “I just didn’t want to have to bring you here. It’s not the safest place. There’s nothing for you to worry about at my mom’s. We’ll spend some time with my mom and escape to some of the beaches and shopping if we want to be alone.”
She knew about the dangers of Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico and could understand some of his trepidation. But why that would affect her, she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t as though she would go anywhere that could be a hot spot for trouble. “All right.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
“Have I told you about the beaches there?” At her denial, he smiled. “They are some of the whitest sands, aside from Greece. Come to think of it, if we’re able to cut this visit short, we should travel there too, take advantage of the vacation time I have. It’s been too long since we’ve had any adventures. And there, the water is translucent. It’s something to experience for sure.”
Her heart soared at the thought of walking the historic streets with him. “I’d love to visit the Trevi fountain. Oh, wait. That’s in Italy. Then the Parthenon sculptures. Well, any of the famous works of art would be amazing. If we could manage it, that would be lovely, Alex.”
“A little research for your next piece?”