Following Bliss (The Quest series) (13 page)

“Daniel,
whatever it is, you can tell me. As long as you feel comfortable telling me
that is. Don’t push yourself. You’ve been through a lot in this past week.”

Shelby was
right—discovering that his “big break” was actually a ploy to seduce him (When
did that ever happen? Daniel knew that at some point one of his novel’s characters
was going to go through something like this. It was too good of a story not to
share!), and his mother had appeared in front of him, even though she had been
dead for 11 years, to tell him that he was meant to be with the woman in front
of him, and that he had important work to do. Oh, and that she was proud of
him. Daniel’s eyes welled up with tears as he recounted the feeling of his
mother’s arms wrapped around him and her words whispering in his ear. Words he
had not heard in so long. He had tortured himself believing that he was a disappointment,
that she would not be pleased with who he had become. But she had been. And she
had been there watching the entire time.

Daniel looked up
at Shelby, and a few tears fell from his face. Could his mother be right? Was she
the woman he was meant to spend his life with? Before meeting Shelby, Daniel
didn’t know if he would ever truly feel love after losing his mother. Now that
he knew he hadn’t really lost her, that she was there loving him, looking after
him all along, his whole life felt and looked differently. Was Shelby truly his
lifelong love? Looking into her eyes, he heard a voice whisper, “Yes.”
Immediately he was covered in chills and goosebumps as energy raced into his
crown. He closed his eyes and tears continued to fall.

When he opened his
eyes, Shelby was there, her face filled with love and support.

“She said…she
said…” Shelby was sitting close to him on the blanket now. The waves of the
ocean lapped softly nearby and a couple walked past them, hand-in-hand. The sun
danced on their shoulders, and Daniel felt safe and serene. Whatever happened,
everything would be okay. He had to stop fighting the flow and follow this,
letting it lead him wherever he was meant to be.

“She said we’re
meant to be together and that she had been trying to communicate with me for
years, but that you were the portal with which she could finally reach me. She
said I have important work I’m meant to do in the world and that you are a part
of that.” Daniel let it all tumble out, trusting that Shelby could handle this
revelation.

Shelby took a
drink of her wine, swallowing forcefully. When she looked over at Daniel, tears
filled her eyes.

“I don’t know
what to say Daniel. It’s a hell of a message, that’s for sure.” Shelby took a
deep breath, and leaned in to kiss Daniel. “You see,” she continued. “I have
known that since we first met. But, I was beginning to think I might be a
little nuts for feeling that way.”

Daniel pulled
Shelby close to him, and she buried her face in his arms. Tears fell from both
of their eyes. They kissed again, slowly, letting what Daniel had said sink
into their consciousness.

“It
is
a
hell of a message, isn’t it?” Daniel quipped.

They both
laughed, holding on to one another, as the sun began to descend around them.
This was their life. And it was good.

# # #

Daniel wasn’t
sure what came over him, but as soon as he unlocked the door to his room, he
picked Shelby up with one swoop—his arms under both her legs, her arms wrapped
loosely around his neck, and carried her in. She let out a yelp and began
laughing hysterically. She was laughing so hard that Daniel had no choice but
to follow her lead, setting her down gently on the bed and then falling onto it
as well, enveloped in the warmth of love that was between them and the laughter
that cascaded out of every cell in their bodies.

After several
minutes of lying in their love and laughter, Shelby stopped, looking intently
into Daniel’s eyes. Instinctively, Daniel grabbed her, pulling her to him and
covering her in kisses. Shelby arched her back, letting her blonde hair fall
back while Daniel’s lips trailed down her chest, over her sundress, down to her
smooth, soft, tan legs and then back up again. He lay there on top of her,
their breath synching up in ragged exhales, their foreheads pressed against one
another.

“It’s time,”
Shelby turned and whispered into his ear.

Daniel felt it
too and knew that they had reached the moment they both had been waiting
for—clarity about their love for one another. Sharing his mother’s message was
mildly terrifying to say out loud, but also freeing. They were free to love one
another. Somehow, his mom, although on the other side, had done what was needed
to bring them together. Now they were here, together, to unify their bodies
with what their hearts and souls already knew.

Daniel didn’t
respond with words, instead he slowly pulled the straps of Shelby’s sundress
down over her arms, chest, and down around her waist. Shelby was not wearing a
bra. Daniel caught his breath. He hadn’t been expecting this, but the sight of
her voluptuous breasts stirred in him a deep desire that he had not felt before
with any other woman.

Shelby reached
up and stroked his hair, her head tilted to one side, desire filling her eyes.
Daniel sat up, taking off his shirt, unbuttoning it a bit clumsily, his breath
becoming stronger still at the sight and touch of her. He lay back down,
allowing his bare, chiseled chest to lie on top of Shelby’s. A wave of heat
passed through both of their bodies. Daniel felt energy circulating all around him.
A light breeze wafted against his back.

“Oh. My. God. Do
you feel that, Daniel?” Shelby said.

Feel it? He was
so consumed by the fire between their two chests, he could barely lie still.

“There’s light
and heat all around us Shelby.”

“Yes,” Shelby moaned.

Daniel pressed
his mouth to Shelby’s, letting it envelop hers, their tongues dancing in
perfect harmony. Flitting, licking, tickling, their tongues and nipples pressed
together creating a circuit of heat that was otherworldly. Daniel was gasping
for breath, the sexual and spiritual energy between them overwhelming his
ability to think.

Shelby reached
down into Daniel’s pants, feeling his hardness.

“Ohhhh,” Daniel
moaned, his eyes meeting Shelby’s. “Your touch…is…unbelievable.”

Daniel kissed
Shelby even more intensely, drawing them both up into a seated position,
hoisting Shelby over him, her legs straddling his.

“You are the
most beautiful woman I have ever known,” he said, as he stroked her hair back
from her face.

Shelby’s gaze
softened, and Daniel could see the desire in her eyes brewing with love.

“Make love to me
Daniel.”

Shelby wrapped
her arms and legs tightly around Daniel and began kissing him— gently at first,
gradually letting the tension build as she used her tongue to tease him. She
bit his lip ever so slightly, making him give out a slight moan.

“I want you
Daniel.”

Shelby moved to
his ear, kissing softly around the edges, then using her tongue to seduce him,
feeling his hardness pushing firmly into the flesh of her thigh. Daniel couldn’t
keep his hands in one place, he was desperate to feel every bit of Shelby. He
let his hands caress her thighs, sinking his fingers into the flesh on her ass.
As she licked his ear, Daniel gently bit her shoulder, working his way up to her
neck. He wanted to devour every inch of her. And that was exactly what he was
about to do.

Daniel hoisted
Shelby up from her straddled position over him, practically standing on the
bed. Carefully, he pulled down the rest of her dress, removing it completely
and revealing her hot pink satin thong. Daniel’s hands held Shelby’s hips while
he leaned in to kiss her panties, letting his hot breath cover her.

“Oh, Daniel,” Shelby
said as she stroked his head, tugging at his hair. She wanted him. Badly.

It was time for
his clothes to be removed as well. Shelby lay down on the bed, and Daniel
removed his pants, his charcoal gray boxer briefs sticking to him, the heat was
so penetrating.

Daniel laid gently
on top of Shelby, holding her, kissing her, pressing himself into her as he
felt Shelby’s legs spread wide, inviting him in. She was ready for him. They
stared into one another’s eyes, instinctively synching up their breath, feeling
the excitement within both of their bodies, now feeling as one. Daniel could
feel their chakras aligning, as the major energy centers located up their
spines coalesced. The swirling energy around them emanated in and outside of
their bodies, leaving him light-headed and aroused.

 “Shelby, I want
you.” Daniel breathed.

“Yes, Daniel,
yes.”

Daniel reached
across the bed to the nightstand, grabbing a condom. Shelby smiled, loving how
well prepared he was. He had the sense to pick up a box while out putting their
picnic together earlier that day, just in case things went the way he wanted
them to. The way they were happening now.

“Here, let me do
this for you,” Shelby said as she switched places with him, climbing on top of
him.

Shelby then
leaned down, placing her lips on his erection, letting her tongue encircle him.
Daniel moaned, only turning her on further, while his hands gripped her hair,
pulling it firmly.

Shelby slowly lifted
up, placing the condom carefully on Daniel. Their eyes locked as Shelby moved
to sit on top of him. Daniel’s hands firmly held her hips, and Shelby leaned
down, kissing him lightly, their eyes remaining locked. Shelby nodded and
Daniel did as well. They knew. They were now ready to merge together as one.

Shelby carefully
guided Daniel inside of her, inch by inch as they breathed together in unison. As
he entered her, he lost all grasp of words or thoughts, there was simply
nothing left. Their energy pulsated inside of Shelby, while Daniel felt his energy
exploding deep inside of her. Shelby began to rock her pelvis on top of him.

“There is light
all around you, Shelby,” Daniel whispered. He couldn’t help but notice an
effervescent glow around her entire body, even in the dimly lit room.

Shelby’s head
tilted back as she moaned, her hands pressed against Daniel’s strong chest.

“I can feel you
in every cell of my body Daniel.”

Shelby rocked
her pelvis with greater speed, letting Daniel follow her lead, although his
breath was ragged, unable to sustain their mutual rhythm. He felt as though he
might burst—the sight of her, the feel of her, and the energy of it all. Shelby
watched him closely, recognizing that having him inside of her seemed to give her
direct access to his thoughts.

“I can feel you
Daniel. You’re close.”

Daniel nodded,
swallowing hard.

Shelby
intuitively slowed her pace, taking her time and Daniel, his head tilted back, was
unable to take much more of it, the intensity was bursting throughout his
entire body.

“Daniel,
Daniel,” Shelby began chanting his name, quickening her pace.

Daniel was so
overtaken by the heat radiating from Shelby’s body. He felt all of his senses
expand—he could see, feel, taste, and hear the energy move up, in and
throughout her body.  

“Oh, my god,
Daniel. Oh my god.” Shelby was jerking now, riding him harder and faster than
before, leaning back to support herself by holding his thighs. Daniel’s hands were
locked firmly onto her waist, watching as she led them both to climax.

“Shelby I’m
there.”

Shelby looked
down at Daniel, desire fierce in her eyes, bucking him. He could feel her heat
ready to explode. Their eyes locked.

“Daniel. Daniel,
Daniel!”

Shelby began
screaming his name as waves of pleasure released from her body, Daniel followed
suit, screaming Shelby’s name, jolting upright from the power of their orgasms.
They both clung to each other, as the rocking began to slow and the waves of
pleasure continued on.

 “I love you
Shelby.” Daniel said softly, his face pressed against her shoulder.

“I love you
Daniel,” Shelby whispered back.

Chapter 8

Shelby awoke the
next morning to the distant yet soft lullaby of the ocean and the smell of coffee.
Slowly sitting up, Shelby sleepily pulled off her eye mask only to be faced
with a half-naked Daniel, donning navy blue boxer briefs, making coffee while
humming a tune she didn’t recognize. Even from behind, Shelby found Daniel to
be the sexiest man she had ever seen. His strong, buttery tan back and legs
seemed to glow in the sunlight, making Shelby feel dizzy. She lay back down
with a small sigh, reliving last night’s events.

After they made
love, they lay in bed for another hour or so naked, Shelby lying in Daniel’s
arms while he stroked her hair. They talked about the energy created from their
sexual union and its power. Neither of them had ever experienced anything like it
before. It was truly otherworldly, for both of them. Daniel was also able to share
more with Shelby about how his writing had been transformed by their coming
together and by his mother’s recent in-person visit. Both he and Shelby were in
awe that a novel unlike anything he had ever written before was being birthed
and spurred on by all of the magic they were experiencing. Shelby was able to
tell Daniel about the visit with the psychic at the Saturday Market, as well.
He was flabbergasted by the accuracy and impact of the words the woman spoke.

“Why didn’t you
tell me? I would have totally been down with you sharing that guidance.” Daniel
exclaimed.

“Yeah, I’m going
to invite myself on your trip? There’s no way I could have done that. It needed
to come from you.” Shelby responded.  

He could see her
point, but encouraged her to share whatever guidance came in. “There’s no need
for us to have any more secrets about this stuff. I know I had a hard time
initially, but I get it now. I know it’s one of the many gifts that women
possess and that men can benefit from. And I want to hear about whatever
intuitive guidance comes in, that you feel comfortable sharing, of course.”

This made Shelby
feel so completely safe and comfortable, knowing that she could share freely
with him. Recalling this conversation, brought those feelings of comfort and
warmth back to her. Then, suddenly she remembered that they had said “I love
you” last night after making love. And as they drifted off to sleep, Daniel had
said again, “I really do love you Shelby.” 

Shelby had never
said “I love you” so early on in a relationship, let alone immediately
following sex. Wasn’t that merely the hormones talking anyway? Shelby noticed
that she felt slightly insecure about it. What would today bring? Would the “L”
word make an appearance again? And what were they up to after all? Messages
from his deceased mother, sex that felt more like a spiritual experience than
physical, an impromptu meet-up across the Pacific—what in the world were they
doing?

Whatever it was,
it felt delicious, and Shelby couldn’t help but exhale a sigh of love and joy.
Daniel heard her and turned around, beaming back at her smiling face.

“Good morning,
beautiful,” Daniel said as he came over, kissing Shelby tenderly on the lips.
“How did you sleep?”

“I was out. I
don’t think I’ve slept that deeply in years.”

“I know, right?
It’s something about the island energy. The stewardess on my flight warned me,
she said things happen differently when you’re on the islands—and I’ve got to
say, I’m a believer now.”

“Well, I’ve only
been here one night, but if it’s any indication,” Shelby said with a wink, “I’d
say I’m a believer, too.”

“Last night was
incredible, wasn’t it?” Daniel sat down on the bed next to Shelby, holding her
hand.

“There are no
words,” Shelby said, reaching out and caressing his face.

“Come on, I want
to do something with you. Come here,” he said as he guided her out of bed,
holding onto her hand.

“What, what is
it?”

“I want to dance
with you.”

“Where? Here?
Right now?”

“Yes, right
here, right now, at the foot of the bed, in between the dresser and mirror and
the mini-kitchenette. Are you game?”

Shelby wasn’t
much of a dancer and felt self-conscious. Besides, she wasn’t sure how many
moves she could bust in her mid-thigh-level pink polka dotted, razorback
chemise. “And what music will we be dancing to Mr. Tillman?”

“The music from
the ocean,” Daniel said, as he placed his other arm around her waist and began
dancing with her, their feet shuffling in sync. Daniel pressed his face to
Shelby’s, humming a soft tune of something he didn’t know, but yet somehow felt
familiar.

Shelby’s unease
quickly dissipated as they found their flow, dancing slowly in the room, the
sun streaming in, the ocean sounds in the background, and the knowing that they
were exactly where they were meant to be. Shelby was certain it was one of the
single most romantic moments in her life.

Just then,
someone knocked on the door. “Daniel? Daniel, are you there?”

It was Kaley
Hamilton.

Daniel had
managed to make excuses each morning when Kaley came by and he figured she was
getting the hint. Apparently not. He hadn’t thought about how he would
introduce Kaley and Shelby, and how awkward that might be for Shelby—and for
him.

Shelby looked up
at him, her eyes wide. She mouthed the words, “Kaley Hamilton?!” Daniel could
tell by the look in her eyes that she was not pleased. Besides, they were both
half naked.

Daniel had two
choices: he could answer the door and get the awkwardness over with or drag it
out a little bit longer. Shelby mouthed, “Not now,” shaking her head vigorously.

“Um, Kaley,”
Daniel called out, and Shelby ran into the bathroom. “I just got out of the
shower. What do you need?”

There was a long
pause and Daniel thought perhaps she had left. But, he wasn’t that lucky.

“Oh good, we are
getting ready to go down to Lahaina for some shopping. We would love for you to
join us,” Kaley called out. “And um, we’re going to be talking about next
year’s top book selections,” she  sang out, half under her breath, but loud
enough for Daniel to hear.

“Sorry Kaley,
I’ve got other plans. But have a great time.”

More silence.

“Well I hope we
get to see you before this trip is over. Jonathan mentioned that he would
really like to take a look at your work.”

Daniel rolled
his eyes. Jonathan probably had zero intention of looking at any words Daniel
had written—like, ever. He wasn’t about to fall for that again.

“Okay, sounds
good. Have fun Kaley.” Daniel heard the click-clack of Kaley’s heels and
breathed a sigh of relief. He turned and saw Shelby peeking out. She mouthed,
“Is she gone?”

“Yes, sweetie,
you can speak in a normal voice now.”

“What was she
doing coming by your room…it’s—,” Shelby picked up the digital clock by the
bed. “It’s only 9 a.m.”

Daniel rubbed
his hands on his temples, looking down. “She comes by every morning. It’s just
annoying now. You’d think she would get the hint.”

“Maybe it’s time
to tell her you’re not interested directly,” Shelby suggested, trying to keep
the irritation out of her voice.

Daniel could
feel her tension, and didn’t want Shelby to worry. Kaley was not the kind of
woman he would ever want to be with. Not to mention that his mother had worked
very hard to let him know that Shelby was the woman he was meant to share his
life with, and he wasn’t about to blow it.

Daniel walked
over to Shelby, placing both hands on her shoulders.

“Shelby, there
is no other woman that I would ever want to be with. Let alone Kaley Hamilton.
I really want you to know this and feel it from deep within me,” Daniel placed
one hand on his heart. “Can you trust that I am being honest with you?”

The truth was
Shelby did feel it from him. Her mind kept trying to fit the scenario into old
stories where she had been lied to before or from high school when her freshman
boyfriend had cheated on with a senior cheerleader. But, deep within her, she
knew that no matter what the scenario, Daniel simply wasn’t the kind of man who
would behave that way.

“I know, and I
can
feel it from you. It just creeps me out a little bit.”

Daniel laughed,
“You’re creeped out? I am beyond creeped out from all of this. I thought I was
coming here for my big break.”

Shelby leaned
into Daniel, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’ve had it rough here
Mister. All this tropical paradise and hot sex and everything.”

Daniel smacked
her behind, and squeezed her tight. “Well, you do have a point. I was clearly
meant to come to the islands.”

As Daniel
uttered those words, their truth rang even more clearly to both of them, at the
same time.  Shelby couldn’t believe that they hadn’t seen it before. “Oh whoa.
Kaley really is an angel, because she got you to come here. And that was the
key to your mom being able to appear before you, give you the message, and fly
me over here, so we could discover all of this,” Shelby’s hands circled around
as she tried to gesture what all of “this” was.

“Yes! I can see
it now, too. Damn. You’re good,” Daniel kissed her, letting his tongue stroke
her mouth softly. He pulled back and said, “And I assume the ‘this’ you’re
referencing is love. Am I right?”

Before she could
answer, Daniel planted another kiss on her already moist lips.

# # #

The next five
days were bliss for Daniel and Shelby. Daniel spent the mornings writing up a
storm, while Shelby slept in and then went for a jog on the beach. By the time
she returned, they were ready to spend the day making love and exploring Maui.

First it was
massages and soaking pools at The Grand Wailea. Shelby didn’t think she could
leave the aromatic hydrotherapy baths or the cascading waterfall massage, even
if it meant reconnecting with Daniel for the rest of the day. It was so
heavenly she almost didn’t notice that everyone was naked. She had shown up
with her bathing suit on after the massage. The woman working in the redwood
sauna took one look at her, smiled and said, “Sweetie, you’re not going to need
that.” She put her hand out and Shelby, taken aback and a bit out of it from
her massage, stripped down and handed over her bathing suit. But, the woman was
right. She didn’t need her suit, and she walked out of the spa feeling like a
million bucks. Well, from that and the delicious lovemaking with Daniel that
morning.

Daniel had never
known his life to flow so effortlessly. The writing was pouring out of him. The
combined impact of meeting Shelby and the visit from his mother had opened
something up within him that had been closed for as long as he could remember.
As he walked out of The Grand Wailea’s “his” spa area to meet up with Shelby,
he had a moment where he could see outside of himself. It was like he had left
his body and was observing himself walking down the hall anticipating Shelby’s
arrival.

His life felt
like a dream. Here he was in paradise, with the woman he was going to spend his
life with, and felt so confident about his writing career that he didn’t even
notice that nothing had really changed—he didn’t have a book deal and hadn’t
been discovered. But, his writing was flowing like never before and although he
didn’t know what might happen, he knew something big was on its way. All he had
to do was keep writing. Daniel stopped, leaning against a wall to steady
himself. All that steam and heat must have really gotten to him. Just then, he
saw Shelby come out of the ladies spa area, walking toward him. She was
absolutely glowing in a spaghetti strap lavender tank and white shorts with flip-flops,
her blonde hair pulled up high in a ponytail on top of her head.

“Daniel, are you
okay?” Shelby could tell right away something was “off.”

“Honestly Shelb,
I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. As I was walking down the
hallway, I had a moment where I was observing myself walking and seeing how
incredible my life was. It tripped me out.”

Shelby wrapped
her arms around Daniel, holding him close.

“Dead people
sending us messages, then showing up for in-person chats, and now out-of-body experiences.
That sounds about right for us,” Shelby quipped.

Daniel began
laughing and the laughter helped to ground him.

“Apparently,
this is the way our relationship is going,” Daniel pulled Shelby back to face
him, kissing her gently. “But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, let’s go
walk on the beach.”

# # #

By the time
Daniel and Shelby came back from walking on the beach, it was early evening. As
they came up the pathway, Daniel cringed as he saw Kaley Hamilton and friends
sitting outside, drinking chilled white wine and barbecuing. He stopped,
pausing to decide what to do, holding Shelby’s hand and shielding her behind
him.

It was too late
though.

“Daniel! So
lovely to see you. We’ve been missing you. Come join us,” Kaley called over.

“Damnit,” Daniel
muttered under his breath. “Well Shelb, are you ready to meet the infamous
Kaley Hamilton? It looks as though the time has come.”

Shelby was still
riding the high from the lovemaking-spa-beach day and couldn’t have cared less
about Kaley Hamilton.

“Bring it on,”
she said, through a smile.

As they
approached the gathering, Kaley came right over to them decked out in a fuchsia
wrap dress and long, dangly diamond earrings with fuchsia colored jewels. She
immediately gave Shelby the up and down, and then turned to address Daniel.

“And who is this
Daniel? I didn’t know you had a friend here in Maui,” Kaley cooed.

“This is
actually my girlfriend, she lives in Portland as well, and her name is Shelby.
Shelby, this is Kaley Hamilton—“

“The illustrious
literary agent, oh yes, I am quite familiar,” Shelby interjected reaching out
her hand to shake Kaley’s.