Once Michael was gone, Sakura shut the door and headed over to the bathroom to draw herself a nice cool bath. She even put in a good amount of aromatherapy oil. Gosh, it smelled nice, and she smiled delightedly, finding she couldn’t wait to get in.While the bath was being filled, she headed back into the bedroom to find her sleepwear. Because it was hot, she decided on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Heading back to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth, and by the time she was done, the bath was ready. Stripping herself naked, she eagerly hopped into the cool, aromatic water.“Ahh…” She sighed with pleasure. “That feels good.”She lay there enjoying the moment as her body relaxed. Of course, she consciously tuned out the sound of the storm echoing outside by occupying her mind with the thoughts of Sebastian and Darcy.Tomorrow evening at the beach house, she’d be meeting with the two men. Her stomach flipped at the prospect as her heart skipped a few beats.What will their answers be
The storm tonight was loud and angry. It wasn’t the usual type of storm that passed through mildly without leaving chaos. This one, Darcy could tell, would leave a trail of destruction in its path. Yet again, lightning flashed, and he watched the island and sea under the bright light for a flick of a second. He thought at that moment that it was both beautiful and frightening.“That was a nasty one,” Sebastian said.Darcy agreed, wondering how much cleaning up they’d have to do tomorrow morning when all this raging wind and lightning disappeared, providing them another calm, beautiful day here on St. Thomas Island.Once the noise of the thunder had died down, the room was once again rowdy with chatter and laughter. At the moment, the Princeton brothers and their friends were gathered in the living area, scattered around, sitting on the sofas and armchairs, having a fine time talking and drinking coffee. Meanwhile, the brothers’ parents, James and Brenda, were enjoying their coffee and
When Sakura came to, it was to the deafening noise of thunder echoing loudly above her, which made her gasp out in fright. Her body tensed and jerked as she fluttered her eyes open, her heart racing. Once the clamorous blast died down, she could hear the howling wind and splashing rain.Her head felt dazed and numb, while her body felt heavy and strained. Her breathing was laborious as she tried to concentrate, to clear the fog that hung over her like a thick dark cloud, overshadowing the clarity of her mind and thoughts.Where am I? she wondered as she blinked a few times, trying desperately to focus.Sakura moved, trying her hardest to shift her body, but it was to no avail. She glanced down and noted her hands and feet were bound tight with ropes, as was her mouth with a cloth.Why am I tied up? What happened?Panic seized her and her head spun with fear. No, she needed to stop this. She shut her eyes, telling herself she needed to think clearly and calmly. Yes, she was bound, and
Sakura’s fearful reaction made Mrs. Clark chuckle with amusement. She said, “You’re always trying to be brave, Sakura, since you were little. And that pisses me off. Why can’t you be like every other girl? Obedient. Quiet. But then again, everything you do pisses me off.”Tara said, “Same here. Everything she does pisses me off.”Mrs. Clark shook her head. “That can’t be helped. We just don’t like you, Sakura.” She crossed one leg over the other as she leaned back against the comfortable sofa. “Now then, I’m going to tell you everything because I just know you’re curious about how we all came to be here.” She cocked her head to one side as she narrowed her eyes. Then she began.“It started some… Oh, I don’t know. I didn’t pay much attention to timing because it’s not important to me, but anyway, it started when Mrs. Taylor, the headmistress of Queen Mary Orphanage, found you in front of the facility’s doorstep. And oh, my, but I remember she fell in love with you on the spot. She said
It was well past three in the early hours of the morning, and the Princetons, their guests, and staff were gathering in the living room for the second meeting after a fruitless search of the island. While the men once again went through areas on the map where they had searched and discussed where to go next, the women sat in a group on the other side of the room.Haruka was distraught, her eyes red from crying. Her slender body trembled as she silently prayed for her daughter’s safety. Beside her sat Akira, who, too, was worried sick for her friend’s safety.“We’ll find her,” Brenda said, patting Haruka’s shoulder. “Sakura is a strong girl. She’ll get through this.”Mary, Katherine, and Beth nodded firmly in unison.Mary said, “If anyone were to get through something like this, it’ll be Sakura. She might not look it, but she’s a survivor.”Katherine agreed. “She is,” she said as she gently stroked Michael’s hair, who was sound asleep, his head resting on her lap and a blanket over his
They were nearly at the door, and Sakura knew she had to act now if she wanted a chance at surviving this precarious ordeal. She took a deep breath, and before either Mrs. Clark or Tara were aware of it, she moved and, with all her might, rammed herself at Mrs. Clark, thus throwing the woman to the side.The unsuspecting Mrs. Clark found herself lunged to the right. Her heavy body collapsed onto the dining table and then tumbled down into the booth. Meanwhile, Sakura took her opportunity and scurried over to the kitchenette where she hastily knocked over the knife holder, scattering the sharp utensils haphazardly on the benchtop. With her hands shaking and her body pumping with adrenaline, she grabbed for a weapon.Tara, who had already opened the door, turned around after she heard the thudding of a person crashing into hard furniture and then the clattering of metal. When she saw Sakura grabbing for the knife, she swore, “Fuck!” Then she rushed forward, only to stop in her tracks as
Amid the storm, two patrol boats sped their way through huge, angry waves and thunderous rain. In one were Sebastian, Darcy, Conrad, and Tristan, while the other held Nicolas, Hayden, and Logan. Both Sebastian and Darcy prayed silently that they’d get to their beloved woman in time to save her as the vessels sped toward the location of the flare.“Faster, Tristan!” Sebastian shouted, his eyes fixed on the bright light lingering in the sky ahead.“I’m doing my best!” Tristan yelled.“We’re close!” Darcy shouted at the top of his lungs.With his eyes fixed on the dying flare, Sebastian couldn’t believe what had happened. They’d been scouring the sea for what seemed like hours, losing hope, thinking they’d never be able to find another vessel in such a vast sea, especially in this bad weather.Then they saw the flare shoot up into the sky, and Sebastian knew instantly it was Sakura who had sent the signal. By God, he had no idea how she’d managed it, but he thanked the Lord she had.That
With a blanket wrapped securely around her and in the warm, comforting embrace of Sebastian, Sakura watched the helicopter hovering above them. In the distance, she glimpsed Darcy lying on a stretcher and Nicolas, accompanying his brother, sitting on the seat beside him. A moment later, the chopper started flying away and then disappeared amongst the light-gray clouds.Sakura shivered and snuggled her face against Sebastian’s chest as she heard sirens of the patrol boats approaching. She knew it was the police here to take custody of Mrs. Clark, Ray Woods, and Tara.Suddenly, she felt exhausted and simply wanted to shut her eyes and sleep, though her mind wouldn’t let her. All she could think about was Darcy. Her beloved man had taken not one but two bullets for her. At the very thought, tears started brewing in her eyes once again.Sebastian must have felt her body stiffen and tightened his arms around her in response. “Darcy is going to be fine,” he said softly as he kissed her fore
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c