by Nella Tyler
“Ah! The bubbly.”
“Uh huh. I think we deserved a glass or two,” she quipped.
“Or three. Or four, Or more,” he grinned.
She giggled as she sat on the couch and he joined her. They ate and talked.
“What are you going to when your vacation is over?” he asked.
She suspected where his question was going. They’d had a similar conversation. But she still wasn’t yet able to give him an answer.
“I will return to home to teach.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“It’s what I do,” she answered.
“What if you had something else to do instead?”
“Like what?”
“Like work with me as a designer engineer. I can promise you exciting projects, excellent pay and the recognition you deserve,” he said softly. “I know I mentioned this before and I said I wouldn’t pressure you. But I wanted to remind you of the offer.”
“It’s a wonderful offer.”
“But?”
Meg wondered if he was included in the proposal. She would jump on it if that were the case. But she needed to know if their friendship was on that kind of solid footing. She had just come out of a horrific relationship and didn’t want to go into another with the same results.
“Will you give me a little more time? It’s a lot to think about,” she asked.
“Of course I will. You don’t have to give me an answer now. I was just hoping that you would,” he smiled.
“You don’t have a lot of patience,” she remarked as she bit into a delicious rib.
“It depends on the situation. In this case, I am a little anxious.”
Meg was surprised by his answer.
“Why?”
He took a bite of salad and chewed deliberately. Drake wanted to be careful in how he answered. To admit that Doug had put him on his heels was humbling. He knew the man was an insufferable prick, but he still got under his skin. Doug had been engaged to Meg and even though it was over, he still had an effect on her. Mostly Doug made her angry. But Drake had seen the times when she was reflective about Doug. Was she wishing things had turned out differently between them? Was there a part of her that still longed for Doug? This was how he didn’t want to feel when he’d heard about her broken engagement. It was why he’d had reservations about getting involved with her. But he cast them aside and went in full throttle. Had it been a mistake?
“Doug’s arrival has made me second guess myself. It’s made me wonder about your feelings for him. I want to keep Doug in your past by pushing you into a new future,” he said slowly.
Meg saw his uncertainty floundering in the pool of his suddenly dark grey eyes. She wanted to ease his mind.
“I will never go back to the life I had with Doug. He and I are over. It was an experiment gone wrong for which I am grateful to see its end,” she said gently. “There is no going back with him.”
He reached out to caress her cheek.
“I am very glad to hear it.”
“But in answer to your question, I need more time, though I am very tempted,” she smiled.
“Allow yourself to be persuaded by your creative nature. It will not steer you wrong.”
His tone, eyes, and words were very convincing. It was hard not to be swayed to his thinking. But Meg knew that if she accepted his offer she would be stepping into a world that was frankly alien to her. It would be completely outside of the safe confines of teaching. Could she really function at the high level of expertise that would be expected of her? It was daunting to say the least.
“I will give you an answer soon. I promise,” she sighed.
He looked at her intensely.
“There’s no pressure, babe. The right decision will come to you when you’re not even thinking about it,” he assured her.
“Thank you for understanding, Drake. It means so much to me that you do.”
He picked up her glass of champagne and gave it to her. Then he reached for his own and raised it.
“To making the correct decisions for all concerned,” he said solemnly.
“I can toast to that.”
They clicked their glasses and drank.
“Mmm, the bubbles tickle my nose,” she chuckled. She took another swallow. “It is so good.”
“So is the barbecue,” he added.
They talked and laughed as they ate their meal. And not once did they mention their mystery. It was nice to talk about other things; relevant or not. It didn’t matter. They were just being and it felt good. When they finished their meal Meg rose to clear the dishes away. As she was walking back into the living room he stood there with his shirt off. Wow! He looked good. His bare chest was muscled and his stomach boasted a rugged six-pack. Meg admired his frame as she approached him. Moving into his open arms, she slid her hands up his firm pecks then kissed his nipples. Cupping her buttocks he lifted her and she wrapped her legs about his waist. He moved to press her against the wall and suckled her neck.
“You always smell so good,” he murmured.
She smiled.
“You can thank Gorgio for that.”
“I’ll buy you twenty bottles of the stuff,” he panted.
He pressed his groin into her and gently pumped. Meg gasped as her desire began to grow. She wanted him so much; her core was beginning to ache with need.
“Drake.”
“Hmm.”
“Take me,” she whispered.
“With pleasure,” he rasped.
He carried her into the bedroom and dropped her onto the bed. She laughed as he removed her blouse and he pulled her capris and panties from her. Soon they both were naked and lying in the other’s arms. It was a night of pure bliss as he kissed and tongued her most intimate places. He was wild and free and she responded to his aggression with a ferocity that she hadn’t known she possessed. Their tumultuous furor only intensified the power of their climax. Their eruption was the most beautiful explosion of fireworks she had ever experienced. She didn’t know if she would ever catch her breath again in life. She could only pray that she would live long enough to have this encounter with delight once again.
“You’re wonderful,” she mumbled once she could speak.
“So are you,” he panted. “You surpass any woman I’ve ever been with.”
She smiled and closed her eyes. Within seconds, she was asleep. He caressed her bare shoulder and realized he had never spoken truer words. She brought out a raw thirst in him that only she could quench. The uncontrollable need to explode inside of her was inexplicable. He couldn’t explain it. All he knew was that it had to happen and it could only be with her. No other woman would ever make him feel this way. He held her tightly and fell into a contented sleep.
Chapter 18
Meg woke feeling amazingly happy and gratified. She recalled the night before and giggled softly. It was no wonder that she felt so satisfied. Never ever had sex been so pleasing for her. She turned her head to see Drake still fast asleep. He was responsible for how she was feeling and she was tempted to caress his flaccid penis to repeat the performance. But she decided to allow him his sleep.
She slipped out of bed, grabbed her robe, and went into the bathroom. She closed the door so as not to disturb him and went through her morning routine. She turned on the shower water then allowed her robe to slide to the floor. Stepping into the huge shower she allowed the rain head to pour warm water all over her. She soaped herself and was just rinsing off when she heard the door open.
Drake devoured her with his eyes as he stood there completely naked. She noticed that his thick, brown hair was wet. He must have taken a shower in the other bathroom. She couldn’t keep her eyes from traveling downward to his engorged cock. She caught her breath at the thought of what that organ had done last night. Drake approached the shower and yanked the door open. He stepped into it and pulled her roughly into his arms. She looked into his smoky-grey eyes and saw the passion in them
. Words did not pass between them. There was no need. She stood on her toes and opened her mouth to him. His tongue rushed in and stroked her mouth as a brush would on a canvas. She sighed and pushed into him. Then she slowly trailed her tongue down his chest and his belly. She sank to her knees to capture his protruding penis with her hands. She brought his tip to her mouth and kissed him gently. He bucked and she opened her mouth to suckle him. He groaned as he caressed her head. She slid her tongue along the length of him then back to lick his head.
“Meg!” he yelled.
She chuckled and repeated the activity. When he could stand no more he pressed her to the floor and drove into her forcefully. His thrusts were powerful and deep. Meg opened to him and lifted her hips to better receive the thunderous plunges of pleasure. The water beating upon them only intensified their union. Meg moaned until she burst with a huge climax. He followed with a long shout of gratification. They slowly came back down to earth.
“It never stops getting better,” she smiled.
“I don’t think it ever will.”
“This feels so good. I could stay here like this forever,” she sighed.
“Well, we can certainly stay in bed all day.” He rolled away from her and stood up. He turned off the water then pulled her up too. They left the shower and wrapped fluffy blue towels around them. Then he scooped her up and tossed her into bed.
“Aww!” she exclaimed. She scrambled to her knees and placed her hands on her rounded hips. “I could really take exception to being tossed around like a bale of hay.”
“You could. But you won’t because you like it,” he teased.
“Who says I like it?” she retorted.
He flopped onto the bed to lie on his side with his elbow propped to hold his head.
“I do. And I’m always right.” He had barely gotten the words out when a pillow hit him in the face. He was shocked.
Meg roared with laughter and hit him twice again.
“Oh! You want a fight, do you?” he responded.
He took a pillow and whacked the side of her face. She retaliated and the pillow fight was on amid screams, grunts, and laughter. At some point her towel slipped to her waist and Drake stopped dead in his tracks. He tossed his pillow aside as she adjusted her towel. He grasped her hands to still them and allowed the towel to fall onto the bed.
“You’re so beautiful. The sight of you makes my blood sizzle,” he said hoarsely. He caught one of her dark-pink nipples in his mouth.
“You couldn’t possibly be horny again,” she breathed.
“I’m always horny when I’m around you.” He pulled back to show her his stiff penis. “This is what you do to me whenever I’m near you.”
“Oh, sweetie. You do the same to me,” she whispered.
“Then let’s get busy.” He pushed her onto her back then fell atop her. He wanted nothing more than to show her just how her how much he desired her.
The sun was setting by the time they emerged from his suite. Meg was dressed in a sleeveless, sea-green maxi dress that complemented her eyes beautifully. She wore her hair loose with a flower tucked behind her right ear. Drake wore white shorts and a navy shirt with white canvas shoes. They were walking to the beach when he noticed the flower behind Meg’s ear. He frowned. He stopped her.
“That flower is behind the wrong ear,” he muttered. He shifted the flower to her left ear. “There. That’s better.”
She grinned.
“Are you saying that I am not available?”
“That’s precisely what I’m saying. I can’t stop the attention you will receive. But I can make sure the men know that you are taken,” he replied.
“Am I? I thought I was a free agent,” she teased.
He cupped her face with both hands.
“Make no mistake. You are my lady. And I can be very possessive when I want to be.”
“I rather like the sound of that.”
He grinned and kissed her briefly. They then resumed their walk. They arrived on the shore and Meg removed her sandals. They dangled on the fingers of her left hand as she and Drake strolled hand in hand on the shore.
“The sunset is gorgeous,” she sighed. “It’s so lovely here.”
“Not nearly as stunning as the woman I’m looking at,” he murmured.
“You give me so many compliments. I get a bit flustered at times.”
“Don’t. I’m simply speaking the truth.”
“There you go again. Inflating my head.” She playfully bumped him.
He chuckled and put his arm about her shoulders.
“Your head has grown to inordinate proportions. However will you get into the hotel suite?”
She punched him in earnest. He laughed.
“Stop it, you horrid man!” she cried indignantly. But she couldn’t maintain her outrage and laughed with him.
“Enjoying the evening sunset, I see.”
They spun around to see Peleke walking behind them.
“It is one of the best sunsets I’ve seen in quite some time. The colors are absolutely striking,” Peleke smiled.
“Peleke!” Meg exclaimed. “Where have you been?”
He shrugged.
“Nowhere. Everywhere,” he replied in his usual abstract fashion. “I heard that you wanted to see me.”
“Yes. Did you speak to Kai Akina,” Drake asked.
“No,” Peleke returned with no further explanation.
“We wanted to ask you about The Tropics resort,” Drake began.
“You found the tunnel and want to know about it,” Peleke said.
“Well, yes,” Drake said in surprise at his knowledge.
Meg wondered how Peleke knew that but didn’t bother to ask him. She doubted that she would get a straight answer anyway.
“The tunnel has been there for many years; centuries, in fact,” Peleke said. “It was used to connect the properties of two prominent families who were the closest of friends in the eighteenth century. It was used as a means of escape during the third revolution in 1773.”
“Obviously one of the properties was where the resort now exists. What property does the tunnel connect to?” Drake asked.
Peleke looked at them directly. The intensity in his brown eyes was heated.
“Kualoa Ranch.”
“The ranch?” Meg was shocked.
Peleke nodded.
“There’s a short door on the ranch. It’s covered with branches and vines. Do you know what lies behind this door?” Meg asked.
“I’m sure you will discover what treasures or troubles await you behind this door,” Peleke responded. “Goodnight and Godspeed.”
He waved then turned to walk away from them. Within seconds, he had vanished.
“How does he do that?” Meg muttered in exasperation.
“We may never know. I suspect there is a lot that we will never know about Peleke,” Drake said. “But at least he told us where the tunnel leads.”
“Should we find the others to tell them?”
“Not tonight. Tomorrow is time enough to return to our mystery. Tonight is ours,” he responded. He kissed her temple and they began walking again.
*****
“Meg! I missed you last night at the lounge. We were supposed to meet up,”
Meg turned in her seat to see Doug approaching. She sat in the lobby waiting for Ashlee and Beni. They were going to have breakfast then travel to Hanauma Bay to snorkel.
“Doug,” she muttered.
“You stood me up,” he pouted.
Doug appeared as a petulant child who had not gotten his way. The thought that at one time she had wanted him made her shudder. She had completely forgotten about meeting Doug for drinks last night. She and Drake had spent a fabulous day and evening together and Doug had never entered her mind.
“I forgot,” she said. It wasn’t a particularly kind explanation but it was the truth.
Doug took offense to her reason.
“How rude,” he snapped. “But you can
make it up to me now by buying me breakfast. I’m simply famished.”
Meg was astonished by his audacity. Why he thought she should she buy him anything was ridiculous. She looked up and saw Ashlee and Beni coming through the hotel doors.
“I am about to have breakfast with Ash and Beni. You’re welcome to join us,” she smirked. She knew he wouldn’t like the idea of Beni and Ash being with them.
Doug frowned causing his bottom lip to drop open. He looked like a fish. Meg struggled not to laugh out loud. Ash and Beni arrived to sit on the adjacent sofa. They exchanged greetings. Doug grunted a good morning.
“I missed having drinks with Doug last night and he thinks I should buy him breakfast,” Meg related. “I told him we were about to do that very thing and he was welcome to join us.”
Beni sighed dramatically.
“I guess.”
“Must we?” Ashlee grumbled. Beni nudged her with her elbow. “Fine. Come if you want.”
“I don’t,” Doug stated belligerently. “You will meet me in the lounge tonight at six, Meg. Be there.” He then turned and stormed off.
The three ladies burst into laughter.
“Could you have been any more welcoming, Ash?” Meg giggled sarcastically.
“Well, he needed to know where he’s not wanted. Sitting across the table from him would have destroyed my appetite,” Ash crowed.
“Why is he so bent on having drinks with you?” Beni asked.
“It’s his way of forging a friendship between us,” Meg answered.
“Is he still on that kick? A lamp post wouldn’t want to be friends with him,” Beni giggled. “How Denise stomachs him I’ll never know.”
“Well, I guess I will meet him tonight. But you guys are coming with me,” Meg said.
“Why don’t you take Drake?” Ash queried.
“He’s not available. He has an overseas conference call with a Shanghai client this evening,” Meg explained.
“Okay. You know we’ll hang with you,” Ash said.
“I’ll even ask Noah to drop by,” Beni smiled.
“Good idea, Beni. Doug will be intimidated by Noah’s presence,” Meg responded. She looked at Ash. “Can Kai come as well?”