After a moment, I take the sketchbook. Itโs surprisingly heavy, pages crinkling between the covers, and Christ, I have not had enough coffee to deal with riddles. What exactly is she trying to say?โYou mean the sketches of me?โWaverly looks miserable as she hugs herself. โSort of. Itโll make sense when you seeโbut please go somewhere else first. I canโt bear to watch you look at them.โMy heart thuds, sluggish and steady. I squint at my girl, haloed with bright sunshine, as my aching brain tries to put two and two together.โYouโre talking about the secret sketches,โ I say slowly. โThe ones you did of me before.โWaverly jolts, suddenly spearing me with those baby blues. Her mouth drops open. โWaitโฆ you knew?โDid I know about this sweet young womanโs inexplicable fixation with me? Did I see those pages and pages she filled with my face? Has it wrecked me ever since?Yes. Holy shit, yes.Gusting out a long sigh, I nudge Waverly into her small room and close the door behind us. When
The next week is the most surreal week of my life. I settle into Kyleโs cabinโa surprisingly cozy home with a wraparound deck thatโs a short ways behind the bar, tucked away in the trees. Itโs nothing like the sparse bachelor pad I would have pictured for him; there are squashy sofas and bookcases crammed with paperbacks, and the cranky bar boss has strung bird feeders in the nearest branches and wrapped string lights around his deck rail.Itโs cute as hell. Like something I might have cut out of a magazine when I went through that vision board phase.So, yeah: itโs been seven days of learning where Kyleโs mugs and plates and spoons are in the kitchen; of secretly sniffing his shampoo in the shower and then stretching out in his bed and picturing his bare skin against the sheets. Seven days of kissing him every chance I get, shivering in his strong arms, then trying to play it cool when we finally peel apart.Kyle sleeps on the sofa each night, his presence overwhelming even through t
We get our first big October storm after Waverlyโs been in my cabin for two weeks. Black clouds hang low over the mountains, threatening heavy rain all day but never quite burstingโthen as night closes in, the wind starts to howl.Iโm at the bar, like always, serving customers when Maria needs a break and grappling with stock orders in the office otherwise. A few brave souls have come out for an evening drink, huddled around their regular booth, but the barโs mostly empty tonight.Good. Most folks in Starlight Ridge know better than to get caught out in a big storm.When thunder rumbles loud enough to drown out the speakers, I stride out of the office and give Maria a nod. Weโll close up early tonight, because thereโs no sense keeping people out in bad weather and making โem vulnerable. Especially Maria, who hasnโt actively chosen to be here.โText that fiance of yours,โ I tell her when I reach the bar, sliding behind it to start unloading the dishwasher and wiping down. โTell him you
The lights of the cabin send a wave of relief crashing over meโbut I move even faster, hustling Waverly through the trees, over the packed dirt, and up the steps to the deck. The string lights I wound around the deck rail at the beginning of summer are lashing in the wind, their little bulbs still glowing heroically.โCome on.โ Less gentle than I should be in my worry, I push Waverly toward the door. She actually pauses to kick off her muddy boots firstโso I snarl and lift her against my chest, carrying her inside the cabin like an unruly child and slamming the door against the wind.Iโm being an ass, and I know I am.But I canโt think straight until the doorโs locked behind us and Waverly is safe inside the cabin once more. Then I set her rigid body down, my heart hammering against my ribs.As soon as I let her go, Waverly gets the hell away from me, kicking her muddy boots off by the wall. And I know sheโs mad, because sheโs moving jerkily and she wonโt look my way, but I canโt brin
Thereโs nothing worse than being lectured by a complete jerk and knowing, on some level, that he might be right. Kyleโs words ring in my ears as I stomp around the bedroomโhis bedroom, the one he offered me so easilyโpeeling off my sodden layers one by one and flinging them down with a splat.A tourist, he called me.Just a tourist.Awesome! Guess I know now what the bar boss really thinks of me. Iโve been wondering for weeks, hoping so desperately that he sees me as someone important to him, maybe someone heโd want to keep, but instead Kyle has declared me completely temporary.My heart gives a painful throb.Maybe if I stay angry, Iโll never have to feel the knee-shaking force of how much that hurts me. Maybe if I cultivate this bitterness, Kyle will never realize that Iโve been pining after him like the worldโs biggest love struck idiot, hoping for so much more.โJerk,โ I mutter, trying to keep my anger up as I hop on one foot to tug off my soaking sweatpants. As my wet clothes pee
โWaverly.โ Kyle looks stricken, lunging for the shower cubicle. When he yanks it open, warm droplets start flecking his new set of dry clothes, but he doesnโt seem to care. Heโs staring at me, scanning every inch of me with worried eyes, trying to figure out why Iโm slumped against the shower wall and limp with despair. โWhat happened?โโIโm not hurt,โ I mumble, but Kyleโs not listening. He yanks his t-shirt over his head and steps into the cubicle, jeans and all.Strong hands stroke down my shoulders, my arms, my waist, so much colder than the shower as they pat me down for some invisible injury. The shock of those icy fingers wake me up again, make me stand straight against the tiles, because shoot, Kyle hasnโt warmed up at all. Even with dry clothes on and the log burner out there, his hands are cold enough to steal my breath.Andโenough.Enough of this.Enough trying to stay mad. Enough letting my exhaustion drag me down. Kyle is cold, damn it, and even if he just unknowingly brok
Remember her by? Just like that, I slam back down to earth with all the force of a burning comet. I donโt want to remember WaverlyโI want her by my side for every day of my life. I want my ring on her finger and her thighs clamped permanently around my skull like earmuffs, and I want to bring her coffee on our deck every morning.Waverly smiles up at me, pink-cheeked and breathless, her bare chest rising and falling as water droplets streak down her body. Iโm blocking most of the spray, but sheโs still getting rained on down there, and Christ, sheโs so beautiful that itโs hard to look at her. Canโt believe what she just did for me, and how good it felt.That damp, mussed hairโa darker shade of blonde when itโs wet. Those freckles and those plump pink lips and those eyes. Those big, blue eyes that haunt me whenever Iโm alone. I donโt want the memory of this woman, I want the real thing.โWhat?โ My head crackles with static, while my heartbeat has slowed way down. Each anguished thump r
When Iโm done pouring out my heart and soul, Waverly beams, reaching between us to notch my hard length at her entrance. Sheโs slick already, hot and wet and inviting, and it takes every ounce of my willpower not to thrust inside her already.Donโt you dare, I tell myself. Not gonna rush this moment for anything.โYes,โ Waverly declares, the fire crackling behind her. Sheโs bright and happy and calm, like tonightโs drama never happened at all. โYes, you big grump. Iโll marry you and stay.โBut we both hold our breath as Waverly sinks down on my cock. Both groan and gasp and grip each other tight, reveling in how goddamn good it feels, how perfectly we fit, how this thing building between us is a force of nature, as strong as the storm crashing against the mountainside.Waverlyโs hips roll, her knees wedged into the sofa cushions on either side of me, and with every drag of her body along my shaft, my gut clenches tighter and my nerves sing out.So good.So electric. So right.She feel
I love everything about our little seaside village of Ferragudo, but itโs especially magical in the early hours of the morning, when only the fish and the birds are awake. I love coming out onto our deck to observe the calm, quiet world. Usually, I can even manage to get a good page or two written before the kids wake up.I curl my hands around my mug of coffee, the tendrils of steam evaporating into the cool air, and smile before taking a sip. The last ten years have been better than anything I could have ever hoped for. Finn and I had the most beautiful wedding right here on the beach, just a few miles away from where we now live.The ceremony was small and intimate and absolutely perfect. Finn cried, and yeah, I was a blubbering mess by the end as well. Standing there next to him, peering into those deep brown eyes while the waves tickled my feet was one of the greatest moments of my life. I finally felt like I was right where I belonged, with someone who wanted me as much as I wan
Zarina slumps over the balcony as I pull out of her, our combined releases dripping down her thighs. Jesus, Iโm almost ready to go again at the sight. Spinning her around, I scoop my woman up in my arms and carry her to my bed, ridding her of her clothes before stripping down and crawling in beside her.She snuggles up next to me and I wrap an arm around her, tucking her closer into my side. โI love you so damn much,โ I whisper into the top of her head. She sighs so sweetly, her breath tickling my bare chest.โI love you, too. Thank you.โโFor what?โZarina props herself up on her elbow, looking down at me. โFor...everything. I...I donโt know how to explain it. Like your letter said, we havenโt known each other that long, but in a way, we have. I know you. I feel you right here,โ she whispers, placing my hand over her heart. I slide it up her chest and wrap my fingers around the back of her neck, drawing her down for another kiss.โI feel you, too,โ I murmur against her lips.โDid...d
Twenty minutes later, we're pulling up to my apartment. I've traveled from city to city and country to country over the last nineteen years, but this little apartment has served as home base in between gigs. I want something so much grander for my wife-to-be, but this will have to do for now.โItโs beautiful,โ Zarina whispers as I help her out of the cab. The building itself is painted white, matching the other homes and buildings here in Ferragudo, Portugal. The seaside town is quite breathtaking and picturesque with boats adorning the shores and whitewashed homes dotting the skyline.โYouโre beautiful,โ I say with a grin when she rolls her eyes. โNow letโs get inside before I lose my mind.โI drag my Zarina through the lobby of the apartment building, almost forgetting her damn luggage again. She giggles and spins around in my arms once we step inside the elevator, getting up on her tiptoes to give me a kiss. I wrap my arms around her and haul her into my chest, groaning when I feel
I wipe a sweaty palm on my jeans and tighten my hold on the bouquet of wildflowers I gathered from one of my favorite parks overlooking the ocean. The plane should be landing any minute now, and I pray to every god I can think of that my babygirl is on it.These last three days have been absolute misery without her. I knew Darren would be upset, but I underestimated his temper, as well as his connections. After we gave our statements about what happened in the hotel room, Darren talked to the officers and apparently greased the wheels to have me fucking deported.After an arduous and humiliating journey back to Portugal in cuffs, I spent the night in a holding cell. I was released yesterday when they realized the charges were bogus, but TSA took my passport, so there was no way to hop on the next plane back to New York.And God, thatโs all Iโve wanted to do. I wonโt rest until Zarina is in my arms again. I need to hold her, to look at her sharp, beautiful eyes and tell her I love her.
Over and over, picture after picture, Finn poured his heart out to me. That day at the farmers market he told me he communicated better with photos, but I think his words are just as powerful.Underneath the pile of photos, I see a letter folded up. I reach for it, handling it like a sacred document. To me, it is. Something falls out of the letter when I unfold it. Picking up the scrap of paper, I gasp when I see itโs a plane ticket to Portugal. My name is at the top, along with tomorrowโs date. Was this his plan all along? Was he going to bring me back to Portugal with him?I set the ticket down on the bed and reach for the letter again, hoping to find the answers to my questions.Zarina, my beautiful babygirl,I love every moment of every day with you. Everything you do is enchanting. Magical. I didnโt know what was missing in my life until you flashed those eyes at me and challenged me for control.We havenโt known each other long, but at the same time, my soul knows yours. You fee
Three days. Itโs been three days since Miriam hauled me out of the hotel. Three days since Finn made love to me. Three days since my heart was healed and then shattered.Where is he? What happened? Finn told me he loved me, but the doubts are starting to creep in.That first day, I collapsed on my bed and cried myself to sleep. I was so certain I would wake up next to my Daddy, but when I blinked my swollen eyes open, I was alone, just like I always am. I barely left my room the second day, only venturing out into the house to use the bathroom or grab something to eat.My father wonโt even look at me. Heโs hardly spoken ten words to me in the last few days. All I know is that he and Miriam got a call when they landed in Bora Bora from someone who saw Finn kissing me at the wedding. According to Miriam, I ruined her wedding and made a fool out of myself and my family.Last night, my dad told me he set up an interview with the dean of NYU next week to discuss my schedule for the fall. M
I feel her pussy knot around my shaft, squeezing me so damn tight it hurts in the best way. Zarina inhales a sharp breath as wave after wave of pleasure wracks her body. She claws at my back, ripping my skin open, making me roar my release and fill her with my seed. I come so damn hard I feel like I might pass out.โBreathe,โ I say to myself as much as her.Zarina gasps for air and clings to me as her body trembles with the last of her orgasm. I slide her down my body and hold her close, kissing the top of her head.When we both have somewhat recovered, I step back and pour body wash into my hands before rubbing it over the dips and curves of her body. Zarina leans into me for support, making me smile at how thoroughly fucked and sated she is right now. When Iโm done, she soaps me up and places a sweet kiss over my heart.I cup her face and kiss her deeply, passionately, but slowly. One drugging kiss leads to another and another, and before I know it, Iโm spinning her around and placi
I strip out of what little clothes I have left on and then practically tear Zarinaโs dress off of her, leaving her in a matching bra and panty set.โHey!โ she shrieks and then giggles. โBe careful! I donโt want you ruining another dress of mine.โI kiss her neck, needing my lips to be on some part of her body right this goddamn second. โIโll buy you a new one,โ I grunt, biting and kissing her again.I slide my hands down her body, gripping her thighs and lifting her gorgeous, curvy body up into my arms. She gasps and hooks her ankles behind my back. I growl and kiss down her neck as she arches her back and presses her body into mine.โFuck, I need you,โ I grunt before nipping at the sensitive skin below her ear.โIโm yours, Daddy,โ she pants, rubbing her hot little pussy over my stomach letting me know she needs me, too.โTake a shower with me.โ Itโs not a question, itโs a command.She nods her head and twists her fingers in my hair, pulling me in for another kiss.I carry her into th
We walk silently through the market and take a cab back to the house, where I direct Zarina to pack an overnight bag. The sassy little smirk she gives me nearly has me tossing her on her bed and burying my cock between her pouty lips, but I manage to restrain myself.Once weโre packed up, I order an Uber to Four Seasons, ready to show my little love everything sheโs asking for. Zarina smiles at me and snuggles into my side, content to let me take care of every little detail.My chest swells up with pride when I step out of the car and hold my hand out for my babygirl. She doesnโt hesitate to take my hand and let me lead her through the opulent lobby and onto the private elevator. I love that she trusts me like this. As soon as the doors shut, I slide my hands down her body and grip her hips, pulling her back against my front.She moans softly, melting into me as I trail kisses up and down her neck. My hands roam up her generous curves until Iโm cupping her breasts. Zarina gasps and th