“Shelby, I want you.” Daniel breathed.
“Yes, Daniel, yes.”
Daniel reached across the bed to the nightstand, grabbing a condom. Shelby smiled, loving how well prepared he was. He had the sense to pick up a box while out putting their picnic together earlier that day, just in case things went the way he wanted them to. The way they were happening now.
“Here, let me do this for you,” Shelby said as she switched places with him, climbing on top of him.
Shelby then leaned down, placing her lips on his erection, letting her tongue encircle him. Daniel moaned, only turning her on further, while his hands gripped her hair, pulling it firmly.
Shelby slowly lifted up, placing the condom carefully on Daniel. Their eyes locked as Shelby moved to sit on top of him. Daniel’s hands firmly held her hips, and Shelby leaned down, kissing him lightly, their eyes remaining locked. Shelby nodded and Daniel did as well. They knew. They were now ready to merge together as one.
Shelby carefully guided Daniel inside of her, inch by inch as they breathed together in unison. As he entered her, he lost all grasp of words or thoughts, there was simply nothing left. Their energy pulsated inside of Shelby, while Daniel felt his energy exploding deep inside of her. Shelby began to rock her pelvis on top of him.
“There is light all around you, Shelby,” Daniel whispered. He couldn’t help but notice an effervescent glow around her entire body, even in the dimly lit room.
Shelby’s head tilted back as she moaned, her hands pressed against Daniel’s strong chest.
“I can feel you in every cell of my body Daniel.”
Shelby rocked her pelvis with greater speed, letting Daniel follow her lead, although his breath was ragged, unable to sustain their mutual rhythm. He felt as though he might burst—the sight of her, the feel of her, and the energy of it all. Shelby watched him closely, recognizing that having him inside of her seemed to give her direct access to his thoughts.
“I can feel you Daniel. You’re close.”
Daniel nodded, swallowing hard.
Shelby intuitively slowed her pace, taking her time and Daniel, his head tilted back, was unable to take much more of it, the intensity was bursting throughout his entire body.
“Daniel, Daniel,” Shelby began chanting his name, quickening her pace.
Daniel was so overtaken by the heat radiating from Shelby’s body. He felt all of his senses expand—he could see, feel, taste, and hear the energy move up, in and throughout her body.
“Oh, my god, Daniel. Oh my god.” Shelby was jerking now, riding him harder and faster than before, leaning back to support herself by holding his thighs. Daniel’s hands were locked firmly onto her waist, watching as she led them both to climax.
“Shelby I’m there.”
Shelby looked down at Daniel, desire fierce in her eyes, bucking him. He could feel her heat ready to explode. Their eyes locked.
“Daniel. Daniel, Daniel!”
Shelby began screaming his name as waves of pleasure released from her body, Daniel followed suit, screaming Shelby’s name, jolting upright from the power of their orgasms. They both clung to each other, as the rocking began to slow and the waves of pleasure continued on.
“I love you Shelby.” Daniel said softly, his face pressed against her shoulder.
“I love you Daniel,” Shelby whispered back.
Chapter 8
Shelby awoke the next morning to the distant yet soft lullaby of the ocean and the smell of coffee. Slowly sitting up, Shelby sleepily pulled off her eye mask only to be faced with a half-naked Daniel, donning navy blue boxer briefs, making coffee while humming a tune she didn’t recognize. Even from behind, Shelby found Daniel to be the sexiest man she had ever seen. His strong, buttery tan back and legs seemed to glow in the sunlight, making Shelby feel dizzy. She lay back down with a small sigh, reliving last night’s events.
After they made love, they lay in bed for another hour or so naked, Shelby lying in Daniel’s arms while he stroked her hair. They talked about the energy created from their sexual union and its power. Neither of them had ever experienced anything like it before. It was truly otherworldly, for both of them. Daniel was also able to share more with Shelby about how his writing had been transformed by their coming together and by his mother’s recent in-person visit. Both he and Shelby were in awe that a novel unlike anything he had ever written before was being birthed and spurred on by all of the magic they were experiencing. Shelby was able to tell Daniel about the visit with the psychic at the Saturday Market, as well. He was flabbergasted by the accuracy and impact of the words the woman spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have totally been down with you sharing that guidance.” Daniel exclaimed.
“Yeah, I’m going to invite myself on your trip? There’s no way I could have done that. It needed to come from you.” Shelby responded.
He could see her point, but encouraged her to share whatever guidance came in. “There’s no need for us to have any more secrets about this stuff. I know I had a hard time initially, but I get it now. I know it’s one of the many gifts that women possess and that men can benefit from. And I want to hear about whatever intuitive guidance comes in, that you feel comfortable sharing, of course.”
This made Shelby feel so completely safe and comfortable, knowing that she could share freely with him. Recalling this conversation, brought those feelings of comfort and warmth back to her. Then, suddenly she remembered that they had said “I love you” last night after making love. And as they drifted off to sleep, Daniel had said again, “I really do love you Shelby.”
Shelby had never said “I love you” so early on in a relationship, let alone immediately following sex. Wasn’t that merely the hormones talking anyway? Shelby noticed that she felt slightly insecure about it. What would today bring? Would the “L” word make an appearance again? And what were they up to after all? Messages from his deceased mother, sex that felt more like a spiritual experience than physical, an impromptu meet-up across the Pacific—what in the world were they doing?
Whatever it was, it felt delicious, and Shelby couldn’t help but exhale a sigh of love and joy. Daniel heard her and turned around, beaming back at her smiling face.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Daniel said as he came over, kissing Shelby tenderly on the lips. “How did you sleep?”
“I was out. I don’t think I’ve slept that deeply in years.”
“I know, right? It’s something about the island energy. The stewardess on my flight warned me, she said things happen differently when you’re on the islands—and I’ve got to say, I’m a believer now.”
“Well, I’ve only been here one night, but if it’s any indication,” Shelby said with a wink, “I’d say I’m a believer, too.”
“Last night was incredible, wasn’t it?” Daniel sat down on the bed next to Shelby, holding her hand.
“There are no words,” Shelby said, reaching out and caressing his face.
“Come on, I want to do something with you. Come here,” he said as he guided her out of bed, holding onto her hand.
“What, what is it?”
“I want to dance with you.”
“Where? Here? Right now?”
“Yes, right here, right now, at the foot of the bed, in between the dresser and mirror and the mini-kitchenette. Are you game?”
Shelby wasn’t much of a dancer and felt self-conscious. Besides, she wasn’t sure how many moves she could bust in her mid-thigh-level pink polka dotted, razorback chemise. “And what music will we be dancing to Mr. Tillman?”
“The music from the ocean,” Daniel said, as he placed his other arm around her waist and began dancing with her, their feet shuffling in sync. Daniel pressed his face to Shelby’s, humming a soft tune of something he didn’t know, but yet somehow felt familiar.
Shelby’s unease quickly dissipated as they found their flow, dancing slowly in the room, the sun streaming in, the ocean sounds in the background, and
the knowing that they were exactly where they were meant to be. Shelby was certain it was one of the single most romantic moments in her life.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. “Daniel? Daniel, are you there?”
It was Kaley Hamilton.
Daniel had managed to make excuses each morning when Kaley came by and he figured she was getting the hint. Apparently not. He hadn’t thought about how he would introduce Kaley and Shelby, and how awkward that might be for Shelby—and for him.
Shelby looked up at him, her eyes wide. She mouthed the words, “Kaley Hamilton?!” Daniel could tell by the look in her eyes that she was not pleased. Besides, they were both half naked.
Daniel had two choices: he could answer the door and get the awkwardness over with or drag it out a little bit longer. Shelby mouthed, “Not now,” shaking her head vigorously.
“Um, Kaley,” Daniel called out, and Shelby ran into the bathroom. “I just got out of the shower. What do you need?”
There was a long pause and Daniel thought perhaps she had left. But, he wasn’t that lucky.
“Oh good, we are getting ready to go down to Lahaina for some shopping. We would love for you to join us,” Kaley called out. “And um, we’re going to be talking about next year’s top book selections,” she sang out, half under her breath, but loud enough for Daniel to hear.
“Sorry Kaley, I’ve got other plans. But have a great time.”
More silence.
“Well I hope we get to see you before this trip is over. Jonathan mentioned that he would really like to take a look at your work.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. Jonathan probably had zero intention of looking at any words Daniel had written—like, ever. He wasn’t about to fall for that again.
“Okay, sounds good. Have fun Kaley.” Daniel heard the click-clack of Kaley’s heels and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned and saw Shelby peeking out. She mouthed, “Is she gone?”
“Yes, sweetie, you can speak in a normal voice now.”
“What was she doing coming by your room…it’s—,” Shelby picked up the digital clock by the bed. “It’s only 9 a.m.”
Daniel rubbed his hands on his temples, looking down. “She comes by every morning. It’s just annoying now. You’d think she would get the hint.”
“Maybe it’s time to tell her you’re not interested directly,” Shelby suggested, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.
Daniel could feel her tension, and didn’t want Shelby to worry. Kaley was not the kind of woman he would ever want to be with. Not to mention that his mother had worked very hard to let him know that Shelby was the woman he was meant to share his life with, and he wasn’t about to blow it.
Daniel walked over to Shelby, placing both hands on her shoulders.
“Shelby, there is no other woman that I would ever want to be with. Let alone Kaley Hamilton. I really want you to know this and feel it from deep within me,” Daniel placed one hand on his heart. “Can you trust that I am being honest with you?”
The truth was Shelby did feel it from him. Her mind kept trying to fit the scenario into old stories where she had been lied to before or from high school when her freshman boyfriend had cheated on with a senior cheerleader. But, deep within her, she knew that no matter what the scenario, Daniel simply wasn’t the kind of man who would behave that way.
“I know, and I can feel it from you. It just creeps me out a little bit.”
Daniel laughed, “You’re creeped out? I am beyond creeped out from all of this. I thought I was coming here for my big break.”
Shelby leaned into Daniel, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’ve had it rough here Mister. All this tropical paradise and hot sex and everything.”
Daniel smacked her behind, and squeezed her tight. “Well, you do have a point. I was clearly meant to come to the islands.”
As Daniel uttered those words, their truth rang even more clearly to both of them, at the same time. Shelby couldn’t believe that they hadn’t seen it before. “Oh whoa. Kaley really is an angel, because she got you to come here. And that was the key to your mom being able to appear before you, give you the message, and fly me over here, so we could discover all of this,” Shelby’s hands circled around as she tried to gesture what all of “this” was.
“Yes! I can see it now, too. Damn. You’re good,” Daniel kissed her, letting his tongue stroke her mouth softly. He pulled back and said, “And I assume the ‘this’ you’re referencing is love. Am I right?”
Before she could answer, Daniel planted another kiss on her already moist lips.
# # #
The next five days were bliss for Daniel and Shelby. Daniel spent the mornings writing up a storm, while Shelby slept in and then went for a jog on the beach. By the time she returned, they were ready to spend the day making love and exploring Maui.
First it was massages and soaking pools at The Grand Wailea. Shelby didn’t think she could leave the aromatic hydrotherapy baths or the cascading waterfall massage, even if it meant reconnecting with Daniel for the rest of the day. It was so heavenly she almost didn’t notice that everyone was naked. She had shown up with her bathing suit on after the massage. The woman working in the redwood sauna took one look at her, smiled and said, “Sweetie, you’re not going to need that.” She put her hand out and Shelby, taken aback and a bit out of it from her massage, stripped down and handed over her bathing suit. But, the woman was right. She didn’t need her suit, and she walked out of the spa feeling like a million bucks. Well, from that and the delicious lovemaking with Daniel that morning.
Daniel had never known his life to flow so effortlessly. The writing was pouring out of him. The combined impact of meeting Shelby and the visit from his mother had opened something up within him that had been closed for as long as he could remember. As he walked out of The Grand Wailea’s “his” spa area to meet up with Shelby, he had a moment where he could see outside of himself. It was like he had left his body and was observing himself walking down the hall anticipating Shelby’s arrival.
His life felt like a dream. Here he was in paradise, with the woman he was going to spend his life with, and felt so confident about his writing career that he didn’t even notice that nothing had really changed—he didn’t have a book deal and hadn’t been discovered. But, his writing was flowing like never before and although he didn’t know what might happen, he knew something big was on its way. All he had to do was keep writing. Daniel stopped, leaning against a wall to steady himself. All that steam and heat must have really gotten to him. Just then, he saw Shelby come out of the ladies spa area, walking toward him. She was absolutely glowing in a spaghetti strap lavender tank and white shorts with flip-flops, her blonde hair pulled up high in a ponytail on top of her head.
“Daniel, are you okay?” Shelby could tell right away something was “off.”
“Honestly Shelb, I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. As I was walking down the hallway, I had a moment where I was observing myself walking and seeing how incredible my life was. It tripped me out.”
Shelby wrapped her arms around Daniel, holding him close.
“Dead people sending us messages, then showing up for in-person chats, and now out-of-body experiences. That sounds about right for us,” Shelby quipped.
Daniel began laughing and the laughter helped to ground him.
“Apparently, this is the way our relationship is going,” Daniel pulled Shelby back to face him, kissing her gently. “But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, let’s go walk on the beach.”
# # #
By the time Daniel and Shelby came back from walking on the beach, it was early evening. As they came up the pathway, Daniel cringed as he saw Kaley Hamilton and friends sitting outside, drinking chilled white wine and barbecuing. He stopped, pausing to decide what to do, holding Shelby’s hand and shielding her behind him.
It was too late though.
“Daniel! So lovely to see you. We’ve been miss
ing you. Come join us,” Kaley called over.
“Damnit,” Daniel muttered under his breath. “Well Shelb, are you ready to meet the infamous Kaley Hamilton? It looks as though the time has come.”
Shelby was still riding the high from the lovemaking-spa-beach day and couldn’t have cared less about Kaley Hamilton.
“Bring it on,” she said, through a smile.
As they approached the gathering, Kaley came right over to them decked out in a fuchsia wrap dress and long, dangly diamond earrings with fuchsia colored jewels. She immediately gave Shelby the up and down, and then turned to address Daniel.
“And who is this Daniel? I didn’t know you had a friend here in Maui,” Kaley cooed.
“This is actually my girlfriend, she lives in Portland as well, and her name is Shelby. Shelby, this is Kaley Hamilton—“
“The illustrious literary agent, oh yes, I am quite familiar,” Shelby interjected reaching out her hand to shake Kaley’s.
Kaley raised one eyebrow, shaking Shelby’s hand as well.
“Well, I had no idea you had a girlfriend Daniel.”
“That’s because our relationship is strictly professional, Kaley,” Daniel replied. He heard Jonathan chuckle and give a nod to Richard— both of whom were seated a foot or so away.
“Hey Daniel,” Jonathan called out. “Why don’t you and your lady join us for a cocktail? Richard was just getting ready to pull out the big guns and make us some margaritas.”
Daniel looked over at Shelby. She nodded and he squeezed her hand. They casually walked past Kaley and over to where Richard and Jonathan sat.
“Sounds great guys, let’s do this.”
Kaley Hamilton glared in their direction and headed back to her condo.
# # #
An hour later, Shelby and Daniel were engaged in a riveting conversation with Jonathan, while the others were seated at the picnic table snacking and chatting. Kaley rejoined the group (apparently she had only gone back to her condo to get a light silver pashmina), and while she looked casually over in their direction a few times, she seemed to be less focused on Daniel since Shelby’s arrival. This left room for Daniel to connect more with Jonathan in an authentic way. As it turned out, Jonathan was wildly passionate about the Law of Attraction and they were all discussing how to work with the law in daily life.
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