Tidal Wave (Paradise Lost Book 3) Page 11

  Blake keeps fucking me while I come, his dick working and pumping inside me so hot and I come again, this orgasm finally setting off his own.

  Even as my heart rate returns to normal, I’m thinking of touching him again.

  Very softly, he whispers against my scalp. “Today, after that guy recognized you, you acted terrified.”

  I stop breathing. Diana’s fear stems from something entirely different but she sees the damage in me, even if she doesn't know why. Gram and Kylie suspect my fear of leaving the compound. I thought I was managing it. Blake doesn’t need to know how vulnerable I feel all the time. “She’s overprotective. Having the famous Liesa Temple at Paradise Found wouldn’t be good for business.”

  Blake stirs and makes me look at him. “That’s bullshit. What’s going on with you?”

  That part of me I keep locked down and safe from others, he seems to open with a whisper. I only hesitate a second. “I hate leaving my home. I’m terrified someone will recognize me and plaster my picture all over. The cameras will swoop in and ruin Ellie’s childhood.”

  He reaches up and cups my chin, running his thumb along my jawline. “You’re tough and fearless. You can handle them. You’re Liesa Temple and you can put them in their place.”

  My stomach sours as if I’ve ingested steel filings. “I’m not fearless anymore. Liesa was pretend and she could do anything. Lauren, the real me, hasn’t got it all figured out, yet.”

  He pulls me down to nestle next to him. “You’re the same girl. You’ll figure it out.”

  He’s wrong. I’ll never be Liesa Temple again.

  I’m rolling toward him to begin and split second before an actual sound hits me, I stiffen and reach for my dress.

  She doesn’t say my name, just lets out a distressed cry.

  I’m up and hurrying toward the house. Ellie doesn’t have bad dreams often but she’s used to me being one step away from her bed. I don’t want her to panic. I slip into the bungalow and leave the door open in my rush to get to her.

  But she’s already standing in the doorway to our bedroom, hair a tousled mess, tears wetting her cheeks. “Where were you? I waked up and you were gone.”

  My heart flips and lands in a splat at the betrayal she must feel. I lift her into my arms, fighting my own tears at her distress. “It’s okay. I’m right here. I was outside.”

  Her chin digs into my shoulder and she says, “Playing with your friend?”

  I whipped around and she pivots with me to face the same direction, looking right at Blake, who at least has his shorts on. What am I going to say? Mommy was fucking your daddy in secret? I’m dumbstruck.

  But Blake smiles. “Did the crickets wake you up?”

  She shakes her head. “Nope. Deborah says they sing lullabies. A monster got inside my head and scared me.”

  With two monsters moving into Grams house, I’d be surprised if we all don’t wake up with nightmares. “There’s no monster,” I say.

  She whimpers. “But I saw them.”

  Blake holds out his arms to take her and I’m ripped to shreds. He’s safe and strong and Ellie leans toward him automatically ready to let him protect her. But what if he puts it all together that he’s her father? I don’t know what to do but the two of them draw together so naturally I can’t fight it.

  He hefts her up. “Let’s go take a look.”

  “No.” She gives him a vehement shake of her head. “I don’t want to go in there.”

  He hugs her tight. “Okay. You stay here with Lauren and I’ll take care of them.”

  Her eyes grow round but she trusts him. “Okay.”

  He sets her down, then goes into the bedroom and closes the door. We hear scuffling. A few things thud against the door. Blake grunts and there’s a slap of skin on skin. Ellie is staring at the door, absorbed in the battle on the other side.

  There’s a loud bang, as if he’s picked up the bed and let it drop. “And stay out!” Blake shouts.

  In a second the door opens. The light is on in the bedroom. He walks out, panting and wiping his brow. “That about does it. Want to come inspect it to make sure the monster is gone?”

  Ellie gives him a solemn nod, her eyes still like saucers. She reaches up to take his hand and they walk into the bedroom, their tousled curly heads so much alike.

  My heart is a heap of bittersweet wreckage. He’s rescued her like a gallant knight. Made sure she knows he vanquished the monster forever. He saved me, too. Four years ago he showed me love and care. He pulled me from the cutting blades of a boat but he also gave me the child of my heart.

  But he’s not ours to keep.

  I can’t help wishing tonight could go on forever.

  Chapter 17

  Lauren

  Diana isn’t fooled. She knows something’s changed between me and Blake. She kept shifting her gaze from the two of us while she assigned divers to our boats. Blake and I must have lost our knack. When we were together four years ago, we’d skirted the cameras and Simone. Hardly anyone knew about us until Gram canceled the show and Kylie and Zach were married.

  I think Diana had it figured out before the end and maybe she’d told Kylie. They’d never said and certainly never took his side over mine.

  Somehow Zach’s sister knew about me and Blake. Alicia has some amazing talent for finding out secrets. She’s visited Zach and Kylie over the last few years, and I’ve gotten to know her a little. Even though she joins in with the jokes and good times, she always seems a little sad, almost as if she stands back and watches herself interact.

  Zach knew Ellie’s father’s identity all along. It only made sense Kylie did, too.

  Blake. I can’t believe he’s here.

  We’re heading back to the dock after our last dive. I can hardly contain my excitement. I don’t care if Diana suspects Blake and I have connected. There’s nothing to stop me from climbing all over Blake as soon as we say sayonara to the divers and get the boats taken care of.

  I’m smiling and teasing the divers, keeping spirits high. I push away thoughts about tomorrow, when Blake will be out of my life again. But the loss keeps crowding into my head and dragging that stupid “what if” along with it.

  What if the last two days haven’t been a fling for Blake? What if all our fucking proves to him how much we belong together? What if he loves me as much as I love him?

  Can I tell him about Ellie now? Finding out I kept it from him would only make him hate me again. And push him right back to where I thought he was before he showed up on the island. If he hates me, he’ll take Ellie from me. I can’t risk that just because my weak heart wants his love.

  Or is my heart strong enough, it’s just my pussy that’s weak?

  The shore comes into view and I’m relieved to stop debating about this crap. I’m going to quit thinking and start fucking. I don’t even have to hurry home. I’d told Gram Diana wanted to go out after work and had asked me to join her. Gram was more than happy about that. She shooed me away with admonitions to have fun and not worry at all. She even offered to keep Ellie overnight, but I don’t want her in the house that long with Simone and Jonas afoot.

  Both boats tie up. Diana greets us and talks to the divers. Everything is going exactly as it should. Seems all the divers are satisfied with our adventure today. We didn’t have any problem divers. I’m waving them away, not able to keep the grin from my face.

  Blake is working like a fiend to get his boat cleaned up and tanks unloaded. Every now and then he winks at me.

  Diana scribbles on her clipboard. I’m sure she’s making sure all her email addresses are legible and notes on the divers are clear. It’s part of her marketing efforts to send personalized emails. She scrutinizes me. “You seem to be in a particularly good mood.”

  I heft a tank onto the dock. “I had a great group of divers. We ran into a couple of eagle rays and three turtles. Tips are generous.”

  Diana gives me a thumbs up. We split the tips between the drivers, dive masters,
and Diana, so it’s a good day for all.

  “Can’t complain about that.” She watches me and says, “I found a replacement. Won’t need Blake to come back.”

  I knew that. It was the deal. He always planned on leaving tomorrow. This is not a surprise. Why does it feel like being hit by a bus? I hope my face remains passive. “He’s been a godsend. Glad it doesn’t have to drag on.”

  She nods. “Right. I can see you hate having him around.”

  I place the last tank on the dock and turn the boat over to Toby. Now to dispatch Diana. “Isn’t tonight your taekwondo night?”

  She starts, glances at her watch and clicks her pen closed. “Damn. I need to get going. Can you and Blake take care of closing up the shop?”

  Oh gosh. Can we close up the shop after we take our time using the private space for our own purpose? I send her off. “Of course.”

  She waves at Blake. “You’ll stop here before you leave to say goodbye, right?”

  He nods. “I promise not to take off without a hug. Ever again.”

  She’s gone and Blake and I grin at each other. We drag equipment and tanks to the shed while we wait for Robert to take his sweet time getting the boat out of there.

  We’re in the shed when we hear him drive off. “Should we fill the tanks for tomorrow?” I ask.

  Blake runs his finger up my arm, around my collarbone and hooks it into the cup of my bikini.

  My knees turn to water and a shudder starts at my pussy and tingles through my belly, making my nipples strain against the fabric of the bikini. This, oh god, this.

  He leans close and whispers. “The tanks can wait.”

  I take his hand and lead him toward the door of the shed. “Toby and Robert won’t stop by the shop. It’s all ours.”

  He allows me to drag him but stops when I hit the doorway. “Wait. You go on. I want to check something.”

  I hesitate, hating to waste even a single second of our limited time. I had to share him with customers and Diana all day. See him but not touch him. Now I’m reluctant to let go of his hand. “Okay. But you better hurry.”

  He kisses me, that sweet grin close to my face. “I won’t be any longer than necessary. Believe me.”

  He shoots from the shed ahead of me, then pivots and lunges back. “One more kiss to last me.” This time, he pulls me close and makes the kiss linger, our tongues teasing, my heart pounding harder. His hand trails down my back and cups one of my ass cheeks.

  With slow movements, still continuing our kiss, he reaches that hand between my legs and rubs on the wetness there. I wrap my arms around his neck and push into his hand, feeling him touch me, aching to have his hard cock sliding inside of me.

  I pull away from our kiss because I feel the need to use my teeth and I don’t want to hurt him. He fills me full of driving need and I war against myself. I can’t wait to rise to climax but don’t want to rush it. I bump against him, craving the orgasm, at the same time holding back and only teasing myself because I want it to last.

  Maybe I can have both. I’m boiling over with hot desire and am not likely to stop with only one climax. I want him to remember me. Every time he fucks another girl I want my name on his lips.

  The thought of him fucking other women only spurs me on. I nip at the tough skin of his shoulder and push into his hand again. “Are you sure you want to leave?” I whisper against his neck before I run my tongue along the pulsing vein at the base of his throat. “I can’t think of anything more important than fucking me right here. Right now.”

  He moans and slides a finger along my clit, making me buck and moan.

  “Liesa.” He pulls me close.

  That word makes me pause. Pull back. I’m breathing hard, heat still shimmering across my body, my pussy still twitching with longing. But he’s called me someone else’s name. Keeps calling me that name. That’s the girl from his past. The girl he walked away from.

  “Lauren.” I say, though my throat is dry. “My name is Lauren.”

  He shakes his head. “Does it matter? You’re the one I want. I’ve always wanted.”

  The moment drains away and I can only feel that deep hole start to open. “Not bad enough to find me.”

  He raises his hands as if in hopeless supplication. “Why would I? You told me, you told the whole world, you were marrying Zach.”

  I straighten my bikini top and adjust the bottoms. I am frustrated with everything. I want to fuck. More than anything, feel him moving inside me, ride him to that climax. But I can’t. I won’t.

  He steps closer and lowers his voice so it rumbles against my ears. “Lauren. I like the new name. It suits you. The real you. Not the reality queen.”

  The anger dribbles away slowly. “You only want to fuck me or you wouldn’t give up the point.”

  He tilts his head and a small smile teases his mouth. The breeze from the doorway ruffles his curls. “Well, don’t you want to fuck me?”

  My throat closes up and a wild bolt of electricity surges from my heart to throb between my legs. Just that voice of his, low and tender, suggestive and so far from the good-guy Blake, makes me want to throw myself at him, spread myself wide and beg him to come in me. And why not? He’s gone tomorrow.

  I take slow steps to him, untying my bikini top and letting it fall to the floor. His eyes glaze and his mouth slackens as he focuses on my breasts, more full after having Ellie. “I want you, Blake. Right here, right now. Inside me.”

  “Oh, god.” He swallows and blinks. “Okay. Um. Just. I’ve. Okay.”

  I laugh at his sudden clumsiness. “Are you okay?”

  He steps back, and I can tell he’s fighting with himself. “I need to get something. I’ll meet you in the shop.”

  I know he’s going to hurry. I grab my top and retie it before stepping out on the dock. My bottoms are damp and I’m wet where my thighs touch as I walk to the shop. I tingle thinking about what I’m going to do to him.

  I haven’t had other partners, but I’ve had Blake and we took our time with each other. I know what he likes and I’m so ready to give it to him.

  I burst into the shop and since I’m alone, I start singing. It’s dark after the blaring sunshine of the dock. My arm bends around my back and my fingers flit looking for the tie of my top. I want out of my clothes to make it easy for us to pick up where we left off.

  If I could think of a song with Blake in the lyrics I’d sing it but I can’t. Instead, I belt out an oldies I think is a sexy song. As Rod Stewart would sing, “Tonight’s the night. It’s gonna be all right, ‘cause I love you. Ain’t nobody gonna stop us now.”

  “Excuse me.”

  I jump fourteen feet, a new record for Dive Shop Olympics. “Shit!”

  I hadn’t seen anyone. Hadn’t expected anyone. No one comes to a dive shop this late in the day. My eyes adjust and I see a short woman with long dark hair standing by the front counter. She’s got a concerned look on her face.

  I glance down to make sure my bikini is covering what it’s supposed to be covering since I was a split second away from taking it off. “Can…. Can I help you?”

  Through the window I see Blake striding from the boat. He’s holding something cradled in his hand. I try not to focus on him and tamp down the smile threatening to erupt on my face. I concentrate on the girl in front of me. “We’re closed now. Just brought our divers back.”

  “Well, I….” She hesitates as if she’s not sure why she’s here or what she’s supposed to do.

  I don’t look out the window but I feel the vibrations of Blake’s strides on the dock as he gets closer. This intruder has ruined my plan to meet him naked, sitting on the counter with my legs spread wide.

  “Did you just get on the island?” I ask, trying to set her at ease.

  She gives me a shy look. “Yes. How do you know?”

  Her pasty complexion? Her long-sleeved shirt and jeans? The frizz to her hair that she obviously straightened and smoothed before her trip to a place where the air is nea
rly liquid. “Just a guess. Last I knew, we’re booked through the end of the week. But we get cancelations occasionally. Why don’t you give me your contact information and if we have an opening, we can call you.”

  Blake’s head and shoulders pass outside the window. He’s seconds away from entering the shop and I want this poor girl out of here as quickly as possible. I don’t want to be rude because it’s Kylie’s business and she needs good customers.

  I make a subtle move to herd her toward the door.

  She hesitates but seems fairly compliant. She takes a step with me. “I didn’t really come here to dive. I’m looking—.”

  “Oh, for lessons? How long do you plan to be on Cayman?” I’m still moving her toward the door.

  “I don’t know. It all depends on when—.”

  “Because the owners of the shop, my sister and her husband, will be back in a few days and they’re great instructors.”

  She seems flustered and agitated and suddenly stops. “No. You don’t understand. I’m looking for someone.”

  The door swings open just as I ask her who she’s looking for.

  If it wasn’t so awful I’ll bet it looked pretty funny. He steps inside, his face happy, eyes smiling, everything about him focuses on me.

  She opens her mouth and he turns to her. At the exact same moment she says, “Blake,” his eyes register panic and he says, “Erika?”

  Chapter 18

  Blake

  Man. I can barely walk my cock is so swollen and hard. That girl could cause a stroke with blood loss to my brain. It’s no lie. I can’t think around her. I can’t breathe. I struggled all day long to keep my hands off of her. She reminded me a couple of times that we only have today and I’ll be gone tomorrow. It might have been my plan when I arrived, but my life has changed over the last twenty-four hours.

  I’m still going to head home tomorrow. Because I’m still engaged to Erika.

  But not for long. It’s all I thought about while I should have been focused on my divers. I plotted while part of my brain made small talk with the customers. I imagined how life will be once I’ve done the hard part.