The sweet fragrance of wildflowers wafted in the breeze. Jake’s lips were soft and warm against my skin, utterly inviting. As my stomach fluttered, he lowered my body down gently.
His mouth drifted down my neck while I let out a soft moan, and his hard, pulsating manhood brushed against my thighs. “You’re so beautiful, Ashly.” His long hair tickled my shoulder, and I slid my fingers through his tangle of wet, dark hair. My heart thrummed as his hands roamed up and down my sides, heat spreading across every spot he touched. My nipples tightened, and the fire between my legs throbbed. I rubbed my hands in circles over the hard contours of his broad shoulders, strong arms, and finally his sculpted chest.
Jake’s hands slipped under the hem of my dress and pulled it up over my head; he then threw it into a heap. His hands slipped to my breasts and cupped the fullness as he gently cradled them. Then he closed his mouth around my hard-tipped nipples. A soft whimper fell from my lips, and I knew I’d never forget that magical night when we reconnected, when Jake made love to me under the starry sky.
* * *
Jake cuddled me close, and his powerful arms wrapped around me tightly.
Turning to face him, I said, “That was mind-blowing. I saw fireworks!”
“
Absolutely amazing,” he said, nearly out of breath.
My heart pounded as our eyes connected.
“
What’s wrong, Ashly?” he said.
“
Well…”
He squeezed my hand. “You can tell me anything.”
“
Are we getting back together, Jake, or is this just a fling?”
He touched my face. “Haven’t you been listening to me at all? You’re all I’ve ever wanted. This isn’t a fling, Ashly. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “It almost feels like a dream.”
“
I love you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
Cupping his cheek, I felt the stubble on his unshaven face. “I love you too. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved.” I couldn’t stop the smile from forming on my face. “You’re the one I’ve been searching for my entire life, my soulmate. Now, after all this time, it’s like I’ve found you all over again.”
He stared deep into my eyes. “I love you, Ashly, with all of my heart, body, and soul. Being with you at all these wonderful destinations around the globe has been like a beautiful dream, one I hope I never wake up from.
Tears welled up in my eyes. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“
I haven’t been this happy in five years,” he said.
I grinned. “I feel the same way.”
“
I’m so sorry for creating so much havoc in your life, but I can truly say my life is worth living now because I’ve found someone worth dying for.”
I could tell by the emotion in his voice that he meant every single word. “Love doesn’t mean anything until someone comes into your life and gives it meaning,” I said.
“
I feel the same way.”
I grinned and snuggled against the warmth of his chest.
Off in the distance, the wavering beam of a flashlight moved in our direction, and my heart fluttered. I grabbed Jake’s hand. “Rangers!”
“
Quick! Get dressed!” he said, slipping on his pants.
I put my clothes on as fast as I could, and then we darted into the vegetation and sneaked back to our hotel room in the dead of night.
I locked the door and laughed. “Close one!”
“
Boy, sneaking around sure brings back some old memories,” he said, kissing my lips.
I laughed. I couldn’t remember ever being so happy and in love, and it was an amazing feeling as we cuddled up in bed and fell asleep in one another’s arms.
* * *
Morning came, and we packed our belongings. On the flight, I reached for Jake’s hand and sighed like one of those girly girls in those silly romance movies. tried to switch on my brain again, but all I got was some mushy, hazy feeling that reminded me of how I felt when I stayed up watching Lifetime for too many hours in a row.
A jolt shot down my spine as I gazed into his eyes; he was still regarding me with that look that told me he couldn’t stop thinking about our tryst, and I blushed at the thought.
He smiled widely. “I can’t begin to tell you how nice this is.”
“
I know. It’s much better than not getting along.”
I couldn’t stop staring at the handsome guy holding my hand. Even now, my heart continued to race. I had known from the second I’d laid eyes on him that he was the one. My mother, rest her soul, had tried to tear us apart on numerous occasions, but I had never given up the fight for the man I loved. I wondered what my mother would think, now that I was back with him. I knew she’d never approve, even if she had thrown us together. Then again, I knew she’d want me to be happy. I felt like I’d been given a second chance with the love of my life, and nothing made me smile more.
Chapter 15
Our next stop was Providenciales, on Provo, an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We would be checking into The Tuscany. After we unpacked, I handed the genuine shark tooth necklace I’d bought.
He arched a brow. “What’s this?”
I smiled. “I want you to have it. I bought it in Australia, at the Green Island Resort. I actually bought it for you, but I was too mad to give it to you.”
He swiped his hand over the white, smooth surface and the jagged, serrated edge. “This is the coolest gift ever. I’ll treasure it forever.” He fastened the clasp around his neck.
“
It looks good on you,” I said, grinning.
He smiled and kissed my lips. “Thanks, Ashly. I love it.”
* * *
Before long, we were off to our next excursion, riding horses along the ocean, something else I’d been dying to do. Jake lifted me up onto the back of a gorgeous white mare, and I ran my fingers before the horse’s soft, flowing mane, then gripped the reins. Jake steered his horse by me, and I took a picture off him grinning from ear to ear.
The tour guide lined us up, and we took off. We weaved in and out of twisting trees as hooves pounded across a bubbling stream, spraying a tumult of water up on our feet and legs. The sweet scent of wildflowers grew stronger. My body felt every bump, and I started to slide to the side, fearing that I might fall off of the amazing animal. I readjusted myself, leaned forward, relaxed, and moved with the rhythm of the horse.
“
This is just…exhilarating!” I yelled over the roar of the wind. Racing into an open meadow, I screamed with delight. I spread out my arms, and the wind whipped through her hair, making me smile. “I feel as free as an eagle! I can’t ever remember having this much fun!”
Jake glanced over his shoulder. “This is only the beginning!”
The mare burst through more vegetation and trotted across the sugar-white sand, along lapping waves in the ocean. Birds circled overhead, and the smell of salt filled the air. I admired the breathtaking beauty all around me. Coconut palms dotted the sand, and the sweet scent of flowers wafted in the breeze. It was a tropical paradise more beautiful than any I’d ever seen on a postcard or some commercial for suntan lotion, a Caribbean Eden.
Our tour guide offered to take my camera while we rode in the water, and he promised to get lots of shots. I thanked her as I handed her my Nikon. Steering my reins toward the ocean, I led Betsy, my horse, into the water. Water splashed up high in the air, falling down like rain all around me. I went in high as my waist, and it was a blast. Jake pulled next to me and splashed me. I splashed him right back with a huge smile on my face. The sun glittered on the turquoise water, and I’d never seen anything so beautiful.
The tour guides came over and took our horses, then told us we could have an hour on the secluded beach. I knew my lawyer must have paid them extra for this because I didn’t see it on the brochure. Jake and I walked around the bend, hand in hand, looking for privacy.
“
This is such a pretty place,” I said.
“
Breathtaking,” Jake said, walking into the crystal-clear water.
I grabbed Jake’s arm, and he pulled me close. He kissed me on the lips as the cold ocean waves splashed around us, sending electricity throughout my body. I closed my eyes, let out a moan, and enjoyed the hot, hungry kiss.
He broke off the kiss, his blue eyes burning as he gazed into my very core, right into my soul. “I love you.”
I stared at his chiseled face, his perfect lips, and his wet hair. I could so easily lose myself with such a handsome hunk, over and over again. My heart pounded in my throat. “I love you too.”
His lips lowered on mine, and I savored the moment.
* * *
Jake and I stayed up all night talking and cuddling. I think we fell asleep around four a.m. When we finally both woke up, it was about ten a.m. We ate muffins, and then went for a wonderful walk on the beach. When we came back, it was almost lunch time. Jake glanced down at the menu for room service. I went to the bathroom and noticed Jake’s stuff was everywhere. I laughed. I wasn’t going to sweat the small stuff. Without one complaint, I started cleaning up his stuff while he ordered us lunch.
I watched Jake’s muscles stretch as he started to slip off his shirt.
“
What are you doing?” I asked, smiling.
“
Need some help,” I asked, unbuttoning his pants.
He winked. “Get your camera.”
“
Excuse me?”
“
I want to redo that sensual photo.”
I was intrigued as I stared into his eyes. With my heart nearly beating out of my ribcage, I reached for my camera and began to set up the scene. He finished stripping, and my gaze shot straight to his well-endowed manhood. I could feel the heat in my cheeks rising as I stared helplessly at the pure masculine beauty at its finest.
When I met his gaze, he smiled again. I moistened my lips. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his broad shoulders, beefy pecs, chiseled biceps, and hard-as-steel abs. His chiseled body reminded me of a Greek statue that had come to life. I was staring at a fine piece of art, a Greek god. Jake was gorgeous, and I couldn’t believe he was all mine.
“
What about the black background?” he asked.
“
I can fix that on my computer back home. I have sophisticated software.” I adjusted my camera to the right settings. “Okay, look down.”
He glanced down, but the angle wasn’t right.
I reached up and gently put him in the exact position.
“
Are my hands right?” he asked, covering his private parts.
I adjusted them to the same pose as the picture I knew so well, then stepped back, and my gazed roved over the perfect sculpture of art standing before my eyes. “There,” I said. I reached for my camera and started taking the shots. Flashes of light flooded the room, but Jake kept his position. When I was done, I glanced down at the digital view screen and showed him.
My jaw dropped. “It’s perfect.”
“
It’s identical. As soon as you fade the lighting and put in the black background, it’ll match perfectly.”
“
But you’re 100 times more buff,” I whispered. “This would definitely win first place in any contest I entered.” I couldn’t stop staring at him when he gazed up at me with those bedroom eyes. I inched closer, my fingers trailing over every hard muscle in his chest.
Suddenly, a knock at the door startled me. “Room service!” a woman said.
“
Quick! Get under the covers,” I said, laughing.
He jumped under the covers and I rushed to the door to get our lunch. I knew Jake had ordered everything, and it smelled delicious.
I turned to meet his gaze. “Strawberries, champagne, and whipped cream?”
“
For dessert.”
I winked. “I can think of some creative ways to use it.”
He smiled wider. “How about we skip lunch?”
“
Waiting will keep up the suspense. I like to keep you on your toes. Besides, you’re gonna need the energy. Let’s eat while the food’s still hot.”