“All we do is work up an appetite then eat.” She thrust her fist into the air. “Ah, vacation is great!”
“That’s right.” He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “Don’t forget the part about working off the food after we worked up an appetite.” Tristan laughed. “Sex on the beach again?”
“Hey, isn’t that a drink?” she asked. “I’ll order the non-alcoholic version for dinner.”
“Nah, forget the drink. I like the real thing.” He backed her into the balcony railing. “I want real sex on the beach two nights in a row.”
“Well, listen to you.” She pushed past him. At the door she gave him a sexy smirk. “You’ll probably get what you want.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder as she exited.
***
Their last night after dinner, with a virgin drink for good measure, they sat on the beach as the moon rose in the night sky. She pulled the blanket up over their shoulders. They didn’t speak, contented to be together. The splash and rumble of the waves were the only sound.
Nora leaned against him. “I love you, honey. Our time here has been fantastic.” Tristan reclined on the blanket, holding it open for her. She scooted down, cuddling close when she stretched out next to him.
“When we’re sweating during the summer heat, we can remember this cool moonlit night.” Tristan pulled her collar away, allowing him access to place kisses against her neck. “You’ve made me happy, Nora. Since the day I met you, I’ve not been the same.” Raising to his elbow, he leaned forward kissing her lips. “Make love to me right here again. Three times a charm? Something about the air or the ocean excites me.” Tristan peered into her eyes. “Oh, wait.” He rubbed his chin. “Maybe it’s the redhead here in my arms.”
“You’re far from innocent, my man.” Nora circled her arms around his neck. “Let’s go inside to make love in front of the fireplace. It’s our last night here. You have champagne, so I can kiss it off your lips.”
“We will.” Tristan unbuttoned her blouse, reaching to the back to unhook her bra. “Mm, yes, sweetie, your moans are so pleasant to my ears.” Tristan went to his knees, yet studied her face. He lowered his hand, touching her in ways that satisfied them both.
“Tristan, your skin glows in the pale light of the moon. The roguish look on your face makes you look so sexy.” Absorbed in the pleasure overtaking her body, her gaze connected with his. Nora’s heartbeat raced. Moaning filled with passion and satisfaction escaped through her parted lips.
“Uh huh. I can see in your eyes you expect the rogue at times. See, you’re not as innocent as you may want to me believe.” Tristan kissed her. “Let’s go inside now. Start a fire…but not the one in the fireplace.” He hesitated. “Okay, we’ll light that one, too.” Tristan sat astride her thighs, low below her belly to button her blouse.
“Mm, I’m ready.” Once they returned home, nights like this would be unheard of. Enjoying the now was satisfying to both of them.
He rose and held out his hand. When she took it, he hauled her close. “I wanna do it all tonight. Everywhere with you. I wanna taste you, all of you.” He pierced her with a sexy stare. “Tomorrow we’re back to the real world, but tonight it’s you. Me.”
They gathered their bag, shook the blanket, and went inside with their arms around each other’s waist.
***
Tristan turned on the water in the hot tub. Nora held up her cell phone, snapping a photo of him sitting there on the side of the hot tub waiting for it to fill.
“Make it hot.”
His eyes lit with a twinkle of mischief. “It’s plenty hot.” Tristan removed his shirt, walking slowly until he stood in front of her. Unbuttoning the first few buttons on her top, he pulled it over her head. Sliding bra straps off her arms, he let it fall to the floor. He lowered his gaze to her breasts, her expanding belly bump, and raised his eyes back to hers. “You’re stunning.”
Nora took a step closer. She laid her palm against his chest, covering herself with her other arm. “Let’s go to the beach more often. I like what it does to you.”
Tristan turned the water off. “Forget the hot tub. What was I thinking?” Taking her hand he went into the shower instead. Turning, he held her in his arms, his lips going to her breasts. “Like I said, I want to taste you, all of you…” Tristan removed his jeans.
She ran her gaze up his body. “Mm…mm…mm. You’re the perfect specimen of a hot, handsome hunk.” Her hands went around his waist, dropping lower and she spread her fingers out across his backside, yanking him close. When his lips went to her breasts again, she muttered through soft moans, “The shower is waiting.”
He pulled the door open, checked the water, and they stepped in. Nora took her bath sponge, added body wash, and began with his chest, continuing until he was full of lather. Before rinsing he did it to her, smiling the whole time.
“Is this flavored?” he asked.
Nora pushed him under the spray. “No, I’m saving the good stuff for later, to use on you. Mm, you’ll taste so good.”
“Nora…” Tristan turned her into the spray. “What are you turning in to? You saved it for our last night?”
She rinsed soap off the front of her and turned into his arms. “You might want to get that hot tub heated up for later. You’ll have to rinse your body because you aren’t the only one who wants to taste…everything.”
“Talk about bringing somebody back to the beach.” He turned off the water and reached for a towel. “I like this wild side of you, girl.” When they were dry they stepped out. He lifted her into his arms. “I’m doing what I can, while I can. A couple more months I’m not sure what I’ll get away with as you get more pregnant.” Tristan lowered her at the side of the bed. “Sit down.”
She burst out laughing. “I can’t get any more pregnant than I already am.”
“You know what I mean. Are you letting me make love to you when you’re nine months?”
“Heck if I know,” she said, still laughing. “I’ve never been pregnant before. Let’s research it. It’s kind of embarrassing to ask my doctor.” Nora took a seat on the edge of the bed, shivering.
Tristan leaned forward, easing her down against the mattress. “Scoot back a little.”
She pushed her palm against his chest, halting him. “No.” Nora couldn’t help but laugh as his eyes widened and he pulled back. Had she ever told him no and meant it?
Tristan shook his head side to side. “Excuse me? You didn’t say what I think you said.”
She tiptoed her fingers up his chest. “The lotion is in my bag. I hope airport security didn’t see it.” In a voice as smooth as a glass of sweet Sherry, she asked, “Will you get it?”
Tristan got off the bed in a huff. “Do you honestly think anything surprises them?” He opened her bag, found it, and brought it back to the bed. “This is His, but we also need the Hers. Uh huh, I’m liking this already.”
She took it from his hand, pushing at his chest when he attempted to lower himself over her. “No.”
“One more no from you when I’m this hot and excited, you’ll be in trouble, Mrs. Carlson. Wasn’t this your idea?” He leaned on the bed over her again. “What’s up with you?”
Nora scooted out from under him, pushing him down. “Stay there, or you’ll ruin your own moment.” She removed the top from the lotion and spoke with a soft voice. “Do you want to ruin your moment?”
Tristan shoved himself back on the bed and folded his arms behind his head. “Let’s see what you come up with, wildness.”
His smirk was too cute. Nora licked her lips, probably slower than she ever had. Oh, how she loved his narrowed eyes, the questioning stare—a sexy little smirk twisting his mouth barely to the side.
She squirted a small amount of the contents into her palm, rubbed her hands together, and gave him a sexy smile that, she hoped, would melt a glazier. Her pulse throbbed in her throat. She became more excited by her subtle seduction of him. Watching his face, she grasped him, t
aking her time bending over him… “Mmm, tasty. Now what do you think?”
Gulping, he blurted out, “Ahhh, I’m about…to love…this.” Tristan squirmed back farther on the bed, giving her room. His body shook.
Nora winked. “You’re hot tonight like you said. Your body trembles, honey.” When she leaned over him, he cupped his hand around her head.
“Damn! Abso-freaking-lutely…my moment.”
***
Packing to go home Wednesday was bittersweet for Nora. She glanced over her shoulder to Tristan. “I’ll miss our special time together. It’ll be different now. I haven’t lived with you full-time yet.”
“You still have your townhouse. It’s only February, there’s plenty of time to find someone to take over your lease.” Tristan removed shirts from hangers. “We’ll spend time there. Your office is still set up. If you need peace and quiet to work, it’s there for you until our house gets built, or you sublet the townhouse.”
“We can go back to use the pool in the spring if I still have it,” Nora said. “Destiny will like the pool.” She needed to get rid of it as soon as possible though. She’d put her office furniture in storage until they could move into their house.
“Spring is right around the corner. Our house will be done by May.”
Tristan tucked clothes into his bag, not caring how either. Nora laughed.
“The monsoons will delay some outside work, but I hope it’s far enough along to work inside by then.” Tristan dropped toiletries into his suitcase as he talked. “It’ll be done long before the baby arrives—we’ll be finished on time. Trust me.”
“Your mom will be so lost without us all there.” Nora zipped her bag. She dropped her makeup, vitamins, and tablet into a carry-on, but the view through the balcony drew her attention away, calling to her. The ocean appeared restless, bluer farther out, yet the waves crashing in were green until they broke against the shore into white craziness. Sunshine reflected on the water—blinding.
“We had a nice time here.” Nora strolled over to the door.
He came up behind, hugging her. “Special. I’ll never forget this.” Tristan brought out his phone and held it in front of them. “Let me see your gorgeous face.” He clicked a couple shots then opened the balcony door. “Let’s get one with the beach behind us. You first. Stand sideways.” He chuckled. “Make sure to look pregnant.” The strong lines of his jaw softened when he spoke of her pregnancy.
Nora brought her hand to her abdomen. The pride on his face was one of many expressions she’d keep tucked away in her memory. An inner glow spread throughout her body.
Standing beside her at the rail, he kissed her and snapped a picture, winking when the kiss ended.
After the last picture, Nora wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so emotional. This is our life now. When we get off that plane, we have a lot of joy to look forward to.”
“Joy started at the post office. You still need reminding?” Tristan lifted her chin, all seriousness in his gaze. “Thanks for everything. Going along with my spur-of-the-minute antics, accepting my daughter as yours, and giving us a child. So, thanks is all I can think of to say.” He tapped her on the nose. “Oh…um, flavored lotion…yeah, thanks for that.”
A little embarrassed, yet she was proud of her own boldness last night. She wanted to drink in the moment—to remember this gladness forever. “We’re both happy; that’s what counts.” Nora followed his gaze as he peered at the ocean. “Destiny will be so glad to see you.”
“I miss that little character. This is the longest I’ve ever been away from her.” Tristan drummed his fingers against the railing. “Well, my stuff isn’t packing itself.” He returned to his suitcase and finished stuffing clothes inside. “Hey, we have close to two hours before checkout. How about a last walk along the beach before we go? I have to get Destiny some white sand.”
Nora peeked at the clock beside the bed then held her hand out. “Let’s do it.”
***
Destiny was with Jase when he picked them up from the airport. Jase came around and lifted her out of his truck, but she wriggled out of his arms, straight into her dad’s. “Daddy! Nora-Mom! Yay, you’re home.”
“Baby cakes, I missed you so much.” Tristan hugged her as tight as he could. His little girl in his arms was Heaven sent. Truly, he believed that.
Nora wrapped her arms around both of them, saying hi to Jase at the same time. “How you doing, Jase?”
“Getting by, Nora. It was nice having the little one occupy some of my time.”
“I had fun with Uncle Jase, Daddy. He gave me ice cream.”
“Of course he did,” said Tristan with a friendly chortle. He nudged his brother. “Let’s get the hell outta here.”
“Aw, Daddy, you cussed. I’m telling Grandma.”
He held the door for Nora and she slid to the middle of the seat. “How about I just give you a dollar instead of putting it in the bank, Des?” He released her to the back where she hopped into her booster seat.
Destiny held out her hand for the money. “Alrighty.”
Tristan waited for her to buckle in, closed the door, and lifted their luggage into the bed of Jase’s truck. When he got inside he asked his brother, “How’s everything? The horses?” He turned back. Destiny got his evil eye. She held her teddy bear in front of her face, yet peeked around it with a smile. “We have to talk, little girl.”
Nora elbowed him in the ribs. “Be nice. You just got home.”
She got the look. “Hey, I’m back to being a cowboy, and I got work to do.”
“Like I said, it takes more than a cowboy hat to be a cowboy. I hate to tell you this but you’ve been one this whole time.”
“I’ll comment to that later, Mrs. Carlson.” Tristan pulled her into the crook of his arm. “Don’t make me kiss you like crazy right here, woman.”
Jase turned the volume up on the radio. He peeked around Nora. With a lowered voice, he said, “Do I have to tell you two to get a room? For cryin’ out loud! Save it till we get back to the Double Dutch, love birds.”
Destiny giggled in the back seat, repeating after her uncle. “Love birds!”
Chapter 8
May
Judy had breakfast cooking when Nora and Tristan came downstairs. Nora poured them a cup of coffee and set the table. Selva knocked and entered through the back door.
“Hey, Selva,” said Tristan. “I’ll be moving things into the new house today, so I won’t be available unless there’s an emergency or you need me.”
Selva took a seat. “We’ll take care of things. If you need extra help lifting that heavy stuff, let me know.” He flexed his arm. “These muscles come in handy.”
“Will do. Jase will probably be here soon. I believe Davy’s bringing a friend, too.” Tristan’s gaze followed Nora around the kitchen as she helped his mom finish the breakfast. She definitely looked pregnant. Seven months along now, and things went smoothly for her. He was overjoyed. They still didn’t know the sex of the baby. Together, they made the final decision to wait.
“I’ll set a plate of pancakes aside for Destiny,” Nora said, catching sight of him staring at her.
He winked and ran his tongue slowly over his lips. “She’ll like that, honey.” Her cheeks flushed, adding to the glow she already had. Tristan laughed to himself after getting the reaction he wanted. She’d get on him about it later, but he didn’t care. Sometimes his wife was irresistible. Getting to her with a sexy tease now and then was fun. He longed for the mornings they’d wake alone in their own home, which would happen in two days.
Randy knocked on the back door and entered. “There’s smoke out there in the desert, you guys. Out toward Jase’s way.”
“What the hell?” Tristan shoved his chair out and rushed to the window. “Let’s check it out.”
“I’ll call emergency,” said Judy.
“Let us go look first, Mom.” Tristan grabbed his hat and keys.
The guys jumped into his truck
. Judy followed them outdoors with her cell phone in hand.
“I’ll call when I get there.” He drove through the desert toward the smoke. When they got closer, Jase was in his back yard in front of a blazing fire. “What the hell has he done?”
Tristan put his truck in park. They all hopped out. Tristan grabbed hold of his brother’s shoulders and pulled him back. “Are you nuts? You trying to start the whole area on fire?”
Jase peered at his brother with a scowl on his face. “It’s under control. I didn’t need that furniture anymore.”
“Crimminy, Jase. You scared the hell out of us.” He took his phone from his pocket, walked off a few paces, and called his mom. “Hey, it’s okay. Jase decided to burn his furniture.”
“What? Goodness! That man is so torn.” Judy sighed. “Do y’all need any help?”
“Nope, we’re good. I’ll hang out here. I’m sending the guys back.” He nodded to the guys to take his truck and go back to breakfast. When they pulled out, he stood next to Jase, his hands on his hips. “What’s this about?”
Jase stared into the blaze. “I’m buying new furniture. Too many memories in this bunch. Dammit, I haven’t heard a freaking word from the bitch in over a month. I want to see my kids.”
Tristan lifted his hands. “Well, this ain’t the answer.”
“Yeah it is. It worked. I feel much better now.” Jase laughed. “It sure burned fast.”
“Jase, are ya losing it?” He hated saying it, but crimminy this could’ve been bad. “Ya don’t plan on burning down the house next, do ya?”
He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Hell, no, and I’m not losing it. I’m pissed, not crazy.”
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