Flukes (24 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

- Blake -

Everything was in place and ready for the grand reopening. We’d barely managed to get everything done in time, but I had no doubts that the Cruise Excursion people would be impressed. Mom had offered to help set up the celebration and it had turned into a major event with a lot of her well-to-do friends making the guest list.

I leaned against one of the new fences along the walkway and took everything in. There were twinkle lights everywhere, tables set out under the moonlight, and a band was setting up near the new building. Meena and Vince stood next to her, going over a final checklist as they got ready for everyone. We’d decided to tell Mom and Vince about Meena. It wasn’t that I couldn’t keep a secret, but more that I didn’t want to push my family away. It had gone over much better than I thought it would, with Mom talking about the stories her grandparents had told her growing up.

They had taken to Meena and her family immediately, even insisting that they all go shopping for the event together. Meena was wearing a short, gauzy dress that matched her eyes. The tiny crystal belt and crystals along the collar matched the diamond on her finger. I knew we weren’t in a rush, but I’d needed to see my ring on her finger. The white lines of our mating wrapped around her wrist, giving her an even more exotic look, but the ring was something from me. Something to let her know I would love her even if we didn’t have the bond.

Ben sauntered down the boardwalk, pulling at his bow tie. “I really hate these things.” He stopped in front of me and I pushed his hands away.

Carefully, I loosened it just enough so that he could breathe easier and fixed the bow. “I can breathe! You’re a genius.”

“I hear that a lot, but not usually for fixing a bow tie.” I laughed.

“It was so tight I thought I’d pass out. How’d you get so good at that?”

I tilted my head toward my mother and shrugged. “It was kind of a requirement growing up.”

“She’s something else. Tiny like an imp and bossy like a lioness.” He shook his head. “We really appreciate all she’s done.”

“She loves it. And I think she’s been trying to convince Meena to move to the Riviera.” We laughed, both knowing that she would never leave Flukes for more than a vacation.

“Well, I can’t blame her for trying. I wouldn’t want her that far away either.” He looked at me. “You’ve been good for her. I’m glad that she found you.”

“She changed my whole world.” I shrugged. As if she could sense me looking, she looked glanced over her shoulder. Her thick, messy braid swung across her back and she smiled at me.

“So, are you going to schmooze the Excursion director?” Ben pulled at his bow tie again and I knocked his hand away.

“I don’t think you’re going to need me. One look at Meena will turn him to putty.”

“I think you might be on to something.” Ben smiled proudly. Even with meeting Meena’s biological family, their little unit was as tight as ever. Jacen and Mireille had quickly become part of the family, and I knew Meena was going to be sad when they left to finish their swimabout.

The people started arriving not long after the band had set up and I moved to the tables to help greet the people that came. Liv and her family showed up first, and I laughed as she attacked Vince in a huge hug. She was a little more gentle with Meena, but not much. Smoothly, she introduced Meena to her parents and the friend they had brought with them. It was odd to watch her slip into such a dignified persona. She was taller than Meena, and I was shocked to realize how much she was growing up.

The rest of the night was spent talking and dancing. Food had been served and music had been played. By the time things started to wind down, Meena was grinning from ear to ear. She jerked her head to where her father stood, speaking with several people. One of them was the Excursion director, another was the woman in charge of a very large resort, and the third was a well-known conservationist.

I crossed the dance floor so I could pull her into my arms. We swayed to the music, taking a couple of minutes for ourselves. “I saw Ben with papers in his hand earlier.” I leaned down so I could whisper in her ear.

“He gave me the thumbs-up earlier. I thought he was going to run around kicking his heels.” She rested her head against my shoulder and chuckled.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

“Roughly every two hours.” She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. “But by all means, don’t let that keep you from telling me again.”

“You’re gorgeous.” I placed a kiss on her forehead. “And I’m the luckiest man here.”

“Think anyone would notice if we left?” She tilted her head up to me, her lips parted. “This dress is starting to bother my skin and I’d really like to go for a swim.”

I looked around the area and smiled. Taking her hand, I walked toward the main house before ducking down a side path. She kicked off her heels and jumped onto my back. We were laughing and joking by the time we reached the beach. We set our shoes by one of the trees and I shucked the jacket and tie.

“Can you get the zipper?” She turned her back to me.

I pulled it down, careful to keep it away from her skin. Once it was undone, I leaned down and kissed her neck. I’d never get tired of seeing her naked in the moonlight. She was careful as she pulled the dress off and took her time folding it so that nothing would hurt it.

I peeled my shirt off and laid it in the sand for her to put her clothes on. She slid the tiny little panties off and I shook my head to try and clear my mind. When she added the bra to our pile of clothing, I had to hurry so I wouldn’t be left behind.

She dove into the water, swimming away from shore before changing. I waded out to her and sank to my knees. She surfaced in front of me, water rolling down her cheeks and clinging to her eyelashes. She kissed me softly before threading her fingers through mine and pulling me with her.

It wasn’t a long swim because we couldn’t go far. She was worried that some of the people that had come on boats would see us, so we stayed close to the coastline. We didn’t see much for a while and instead just spent the time relaxing after a long day.

Something silver glinted in the distance and I had a moment of panic when I realized it was a shark. Meena squeezed my fingers and I could feel her reassurance rolling through our bond. She swam to the shark and beckoned me to touch it when it came close.

It was a reef shark, out looking for food. We were much too big to be an easy meal, so it wasn’t very interested. The fingers of my free hand ran over his side and down to his tail. With a jerk, it darted away and I watched as it joined a few others near the reef. We headed back for our beach. She let go of my hand and moved a little ways out so that she could switch to her legs.

Her eyes never left mine as her body worked through the change. The magic that was part of Meena never failed to amaze me, but it was the hungry look in her eyes that left me breathless. She looked dangerous and sexy as she cut through the water, her face serious and haunting. The moon glinted off her exposed skin as she swam to where I was kneeling in the shallows.

There was no hesitation when she reached me, no question in her eyes. She knew what she wanted and was going to take it no matter what. God, I loved that look. Placing her hands behind my neck, she straddled my lap and folded her legs around me. Her mouth claimed mine in a possessive kiss that made all the blood drain from my brain.

Reaching down, I cupped her ass, sliding her against the length of me that was straining to get out of my wet boxers. Running her hands down my chest, she freed my cock, and slowly slid her hand up and down. I growled into her mouth and nipped her bottom lip. Words were lost, leaving only primal thoughts as she stroked me.
Mine
, my brain whispered over and over.

She chuckled at my possessiveness, which only made it harder for me to think straight. I slid my hands from her back to fill them with her sexy breasts and ran my thumbs over her nipples until she groaned in pleasure. Her hips moved against me and I could think of nothing but the beautiful creature making love to me.

Her lips slid down to mine, her tongue sweeping over my bottom lip. I opened my mouth so that our breaths could tangle and moved my hands back to her ass. Lifting, I positioned her over my cock while she guided me inside. My breath left in a whoosh as I was enfolded in her warmth, and I buried my face in her neck. When she moved against me, my mind blanked with desire. I wanted to take control, to find my release, but it was sexy, so fucking sexy, to see her in charge.

When she arched her back, exposing her breasts to the moonlight, I ducked my head and captured one nipple with my mouth. Slowly I licked the salt water off, sucking and pulling, before moving to the other. Her moan was low and long and her hips picked up pace.

“That’s it, baby.” I wrapped an arm around her waist, wanting to hold on as she found her rhythm. The sight of her breasts bobbing in and out of the water made me grit my teeth. I was ready to explode, but wanted to drag this out for as long as possible. Watching her as she came was one of the most sensual moments I’d ever experienced. Every emotion was laid bare. She leaned toward me, her wet hair slapping against my chest. When her mouth found mine, I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed it. I needed her.

Meena.

My Meena.

My mate.

“Mine.”

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I must thank my family. My adorable daughter for being patient when I couldn’t play hide-and-go-seek, my husband for going to sleep without me most nights so I could get uninterrupted writing time in (I swear I’m going to take a vacation soon. I miss your snoring.), my sister for always encouraging me, my parents for believing in me, and my in-laws for letting me crash at their house so I could write while they babysat. My friends, Heather and Laurie, who read my book at the expense of their sleep and work—you guys are so good for my ego, it’s not funny. Without all of you, this book wouldn’t have been possible.

I must thank Liz Reinhardt for putting up with my incessant worrying and freakouts. She is always a ray of optimism and happiness. Not only did she encourage me to try something new, she read my book on a strict deadline—even when I didn’t get to do the same for her. I owe her big time. Maybe even a couple of cabana boys with grapes and wine (sorry, Frank). Liz, you’ve quickly become a friend I can’t imagine not having. How lucky am I that you didn’t panic when I sent my creeper letter after realizing you lived nearby?

Elizabeth Hunter, thank you for reading my books and reaching out to me on Twitter. Also, thank you for letting me read your books before everyone else so I can lord it over my sister’s head. I’d be lucky to be half the storyteller that you are. And when I ever get out to California, we’re going to have the best time!

Thank you to Sarah Ross for reading
Flukes
and being so supportive. You’re always ready to help and I truly appreciate it. You have a great eye for detail that helped tie up all my loose ends, making me sound like a much smarter writer.

To Julie Titus, who has saved my formatting butt on more than one occasion, THANK YOU.

Anne, you’re much more than an editor. You’ve become a true friend that I always look forward to talking to. Thank you for making my work shine and for not stabbing me with a spork when I micromanage.

For the twenty-one that listen to me ramble on a daily basis, thank you. The last two years of my life have been an incredible journey and you guys are one of the best things to come from it.

Thank you to all of the wonderful bloggers that have helped my dream become a reality. Autumn, Mandy, Tee, Gloria, and all the rest, thank you, thank you, thank you for having a reading addiction. Seriously. If you guys didn’t sacrifice so much time to read books, I’m pretty sure the world would stop spinning. At least mine would.

And of course, thank you to all of my readers. I will never be able to tell you how much you have changed my life. Thank you for taking a chance on me and my books.

About the Author