Lost Her (Lost #1) (16 page)

She hits me with the towel, “When did you become a restaurant chef?”

Henry who has snuck up on us has his hand on the counter speaks up startling Rosalie and I. “His grandparents owned and operated an amazing Italian restaurant where he grew up. He spent a lot of time there as a child. Correct me if I am wrong, you also worked there from time to time with your mother and sister.”

I look directly at Henry, “Yes, I did. I knew then I wanted to be a lawyer. The restaurant business is
extremely time consuming and tiring. My mother wanted me to take it over from my grandparents, but I wrapped myself up in sports and other extracurricular activities to keep me out of that place. I made sure I found a way to go to college. Today, my sister runs it with her husband and children. My mother still tries to dictate their every business decision like always.”

Rosalie places her hand on my shoulder, “You are a natural professional when it comes to cooking and helping out here. Since you were born into the trade, I may have to hire you.”

I am waving my hand at her, “No way. I like to help, but I do not need a job.”

Henry chimes up, “He is going to be a kept man. His wife is a millionaire.”

I look at him confused as he continues to speak, “Her band is raking in the money. There is over four million dollars in her account.”

I shake my head no at Henry. “I checked her balances and transactions. She has only a few thousand dollars in it and she has not touched it since right after
Christmas to purchase a plane ticket to Los Angeles.”

Henry looks at me. “When Chris could not find her is when he came to me
. I set up a new account in my name for her royalties to roll in to.”

I look at Henry, “How long have you known about the CD?”

He looks at me, “Only a short time, but Chris had me act quickly since we were not sure if you were going to give up on her. I was afraid you would divorce her and take her down financially. I was only protecting my girl.”

I look at him little taken back, “I understand
completely. If it was Katie, I would do the same.” He taps me on the shoulder smiling at me. He is glad that I understand. I turn to the oven checking the pan again.

I nod at Rosalie picking up towels to take the pan out. I place it on the counter. I turn to look at them, “Give it five minutes to rest before serving. I am going to go find Livi.” I walk out the door into the bar looking around for her.

I see her off in the distance near the school talking with some children who are kicking around a soccer ball. I sit on the steps watching her. Then I notice a cold beer being placed in front of my face. I grab it and then Parker sits next to me. I look at his face and it is taking all of me to be nice, “Thank you Parker.”

He nods toward me, “No problem.”

He pauses for second to watch Livi with the children, “Are you going to take her back home?”

I look straight ahead, “No, her life is here now. This is where she wants to be. I am going to have to make a few adjustments in my life to accommodate hers.”

He looks at me, “That is wonderful. The school really needs her. The kids love her.”

I look meet
ing his eyes trying to stay controlled, “Yes, we will stay as long as you do not make it a habit to try to kiss Livi every Sunday.”

His eyes open very wide, “I see that she keeps nothing from you.”

I look away from him, “We are getting there. I think it is because I am finally listening to her. She has kept so much from me because of my temper but I have to tell you that I am having a really hard time refraining from tearing you apart right now. If you ever try to be that stupid again, I will take you down. No, better yet, I will unleash Livi on you. That might be a lot worse.” He looks at me squirming. I look at him finishing my point, “That is one woman you never want to make angry.”

Parker finishes up his beer
standing up. He looks over his shoulder, “The food is out on the bar and the line has started.”

I nod. “Thank you Parker, but I am going to wait for Livi.” I sit and watch her some more. My head is spinning from my confrontation with Parker. I just keep thinking over and over again about him. All the time Livi and he spent alone. I know that I am the one, but I worry about what might have happened if I did not get down here when I did. Would have she caved under his romantic ways? How long could she battle him away before giving in to his younger, taller ripped body and that pretty face?

My thoughts are broken by Rosalie standing in front of me with two paper plates pushing them into my face. I stand up
taking the plates from her. She turns to go back up the stairs looking at me, “Ryan, do not let your mind get the best of you. Go off and eat somewhere else. I can see that you are brooding.” I do not say anything and walk off to Livi.

I come up to her motioning that she follows me down to the beach. I sit down on the sand and she joins me. I hand her the plate and she begins eating. She starts talking as soon as she is done with her plate, “I love family day after their church session. You get the best variety of food and I see that you contributed your lasagna,” she looks at my plate, “Ryan, you have not eaten anything. What is wrong now?”

I look up from pushing my food around on my plate and remember to be forthcoming with her. “What would have happened if I never came down here? You know, between you and Parker, would you have given in to him?”

She looks at me, “No way, I would never have moved on with Parker if that is what you are asking. He is not my type. He is darn cute and charming, but I do not do charming. We flirted cleanly until Katie played with his head; he never wanted me in that way. Plus, he knew there were you and if you kicked me to the curb, there is this completely hot twenty eight year old farmer up in the valley who is a single father of one of my students. Wife died during child birth. Now, him I would give the time of day to. Parker has wiped the drool away from my mouth several times.”

I look at her dumb founded, “Olivia?”

She laughs, “If you forced me into doing it all over again I would go younger. In all seriousness, Pedro is not into older women. Your daughter on the other hand he sure liked.”

I look up at her, “Livi, he is twenty eight, that is bad.”

She looks at me, “Katie is twenty one, and so what is the issue?”

I look at her ask
ing, “Is he here today?”

She looks at me, “No, it is planting season and do not worry, your daughter didn’t like the fact that he has a son. So, there will be no Pedro and Katie wedding.” I laugh at her and start eating my cold food.

As I am chewing, I speak with my mouth slightly full of food, “You are a pervert.”

She looks at me all seriously, “You think?” I finish up my food and we head back up to the Cantina. No one is
around and place is closed up. So we head home.

I open the front door let
ting her in ahead of me. She shrieks out yelling. I run in to the house and see her touching the table. I completely forgot about the table, I was so wrapped up in my own head that I forgot. I watch her running her hand across it, “You like it?”

She looks up at me, “I love it and the guaria
morada is lovely. No wonder why I have not seen Señor Marquis. You had him busy.”

I look at Livi confused, “Gar Mor, what?”

She is pointing to the flower, “The orchid on the table. That is the Costa Rica national flower.”

“Oh, I see. That was all Señor Marquis’s doing,” I say. She comes over to me
giving me a kiss.

She looks up at me, “I am going to wash up and head to bed. I am taking you sightseeing tomorrow.”

I smile at her, “Wonderful, I get you all to myself.” She head off to the bathroom and I head to bed. I close my eye to wait for her and I am fast asleep.

Two days has
passed and it is Wednesday morning. Livi is tugging at me to get up. I am exhausted and just want to stay in the village today. Two full days of hiking, sightseeing and making love every chance we had has me wiped out. All the conversations about us, and talks of racy video shoots just wore me out. Not to mention those long hours of her making me read her review in the Loudwire magazine out loud to her over and over again while she pleasured me. I needed a break from it all.

I look up at her pulling the blanket over my head. “Livi please go without me, I am exhausted. I am sure Henry would like to hunt with his daughter alone. Plus I make too much noise; I will scare off the pigs. I really am not into hunting, please, just go.” I roll over and she slaps my behind. She walks over closing the curtains across the door to make the room dark.

As she turns on the ceiling fan, “Fine, you would slow us down anyway and the dogs are staying with you.” She leans down peck
ing me a kiss.

I grunt out, “I love you, sweetie, now go kill me some dinner.” She leaves and I fall back to sleep for a few hours more.

When I wake up, I realize I am sore all over and am in need of a massage. I walk to the kitchen and pull oranges out of the refrigerator. I roll them on the counter until soft. I pierce them with a knife
squeezing the juice into a glass. I think to myself that I need vitamins from the market after I drop off Henry on Friday at the airport. Maybe that will help me keep up with Livi’s never ending energy. I notice the coffee pot is all set up, so I hit the button for it to start.

I sit on the couch looking out at the view. It is so peaceful. I think back to the last few days and how nice it has been to be with Livi alone with no Parker around. Henry and Rosalie gave us our space too. I am missing Rosalie and her motherly guidance. I never had that type of support from anyone but Livi. I think I will head down there for lunch today since I will be alone. I look over at the clock on my laptop sitting on the coffee table seeing it is now lunch time. So, I go shower and get ready.

I head out of the house carrying my laptop and notice there is no Land Cruiser. This one vehicle household thing just pissed me off and now I have to walk more than two miles to the Cantina. I start walking with my body so sore and I am thankful the trip is downhill. The dogs follow behind me. I see something ahead, moving low in the tree. I stop to watch carefully calling the dogs to me. Finally the animal jumps and scales up a tree. My heart is beating out of my chest, but I just laugh. My first white faced monkey encounter and I almost had a heart attack. I thought I was up against a jaguar that was going to eat me and the dogs.

I continue to the Cantina climbing up the steps. I sit myself at the bar and out walks Rosalie from the kitchen. She looks at me shocked. “I thought you were hunting.”

I look at her, “Nah, never been my thing.”

She points to the bar, “Help yourself to a drink. I assume you are hungry?”

I look at her, “Yes please, but mostly proteins and vegetables. My body is sore from hiking the past few days.”

She smiles at me, “Only hiking?”

I look at her smirking at me. “Among other things too.” She runs off into the kitchen. I go around the bar
making myself an orange juice and vodka. I sit back on the stool opening my laptop. I begin to look at my e-mails being choosy of which ones I read. Then I hear Parker and his friend walk up. They all sit at a table murmuring about their adventures.

Rosalie brings me out a burrito
placing it in front of me. She points to it. “Steak, chicken, yucca and avocado. Rice and beans for your binder.” She walks over to the table to assists Parker. I hear them only order drinks. I eat quickly reading e-mails. I see one from Katie.

I am reading it when Parker leans down on the bar next to me, “I have not seen you around lately. What have you been up to?”

I close my laptop looking at him, “Livi has been showing me around taking me all over to see the sights.” 

As he starts to speak, Livi pulls up in her Land Cruiser to the side of the deck near the back kitchen door. She and Henry jump out and they are covered in blood like they were rolling in it. Parker jumps up running to her, “Oh dear, Olivia, are you okay? Have you been in an accident?”

Livi looks up at him. “No Parker, I am fine. We went hunting for pigs.” I give her one wave of my hand at her and she waves back.

Parker is still looking at her in disbelief, “You hunt? What did you do, kill them with your teeth?” I hear Henry call to her to grab the other cooler. She takes the blood covered cooler to the side door. I hear Henry call out to me to bring them scotch. I unlock the
cabinet grabbing the bottle. I walk into the kitchen and Rosalie and Livi are loading the freezer while Henry marks the packages of the meat with the cuts.

I grab 4 glasses and pour scotch. They finish turning to me to grab a glass. Henry holds his glass up to toast, “To Livi’s expert eye for selecting four forty pounders. Where she claims the meat is most tender on smaller younger wild pigs. Finally, to our exact kills with no tracking and us butchering in record time.” We all clink the glasses together and drink.

Livi turns to me, “I have to go wash out the truck and coolers.” 

I look at her pouring more scotch for me. “Have a blast, honey,” while I drink from my glass. I go back out to the bar sitting back in my spot. I hear the hose running as Livi is washing the coolers and truck. I watch Parker and Marcus go down the steps walking off somewhere leaving his sister and boyfriend at the table.

I hear Livi call to me to bring her some dish soap. I walk back into the kitchen and grab the dish soap. I am moving like a stiff old man to the side door. I push open the screen door walking down the two steps. I see her hosing herself down in the sunlight. She has her head tilted back running her hand through her hair. Her shirt is completely see through to her lace bra and the cold water has her nipples peeking out. She looks so damn gorgeous, but so naughty hot. I walk over to her wanting to take her right there, but know I am too sore. She looks toward me. “Good, can I have the soap?” I hand it to her stepping back to the stairs and sit to take her all in.

She puts down the hose. She squeezes the liquid dish soap in her hands. She bends over and rubs the soap into lather throughout her hair. She stands upright rubbing the lather over her breasts and most of the rest of her body. She picks up the hose tilting her head back again. I am hard as a rock as I keep watching her, so wanting to take her. She finishes up getting all the soap off of her body. She puts the hose down and begins to wring out her hair. She looks over to me, noticing my desire for her. “Wow Rye, what is going on with you?”

I don’t take my eyes off her speak
ing, “My hot wife is all wet and my body is too sore to take her.”

She laughs, “Please see if Rosalie has a towel?”

I look at her amusingly, “Hell no, I can’t go in there like this.” She smirks at me then I see off to the left Parker and Marcus standing near some trees. They too must have watched the show since they are still standing there. I decide to finish the show for them, claiming my prize as badly I am hurting. I walk over to the truck and hop on to the driver’s seat with my knees hanging over in to the outside. I call over to her to join me as I take myself out of my shorts. She walks over looking down. She immediately pounces on me taking me in her mouth. I am enjoying every second, but then my body kicks in.

I pull her head up kissing her deeply while I am pulling myself off the seat to stand on the ground. I spin her around pushing her down so that she is leaning over the front seat. I undo her shorts pulling them and her panty down, giving me access to her naked rear. I slap my hand on her ass and she lets out a yelp, then she backs herself right onto me. I am thrusting into her while pulling on her hair. She starts moaning, so I cover her mouth so no one can hear. She is biting down on my hands trying to mask her climax. I thrust her few more times releasing myself into her as I am grunting. I rifle around in the truck until I find something to clean her off with. I wipe her down as she is still panting. She pulls on her panties and shorts. I clean myself off closing up my shorts. I lean in kissing her. I pull away from her whispering in her ear, “We had an audience. Parker and Marcus have been watching from the tree line.”

She looks at me seriously and laughs, “For how long?”

I nuzzle her neck, “Since you were washing the blood off you. It was really hot, I can’t blame them. I could not pull my eyes off you either, but I had to claim you as mine right here.”

She puts her arms around my neck and kisses me, “I am yours. Then you should have let me scream out.”

I shake my head at her, “No way, Henry is in the kitchen.” We both laugh and walk back into the building.

Livi finds a towel and she is blotting herself dry. Henry look at me shaking his head in disgust. I speak up, “Livi, we are caught. Henry knows.” Livi looks up at me blushing.

Henry speaks, “This all
, this that you do. I am really surprised I do not have more grandchildren.”

Livi looks at me sadly and she speaks softly, “Daddy, we both got fixed a long time ago. Our lives were too busy and we already had two children. We were afraid of more accidents.”

Henry looks from me to her speaking cautiously, “You both were right and it was a wise choice.” There is silence and I feel that is my cue to leave. I go back out to the bar leaving Livi there with Henry for their awkward conversation.

I sit at the bar and Rosalie pours me another drink. I look at her pointing toward the kitchen, “They are in there having a father daughter moment.” Rosalie offers a gentle smile and I hear Parker and Marcus coming up the stairs.

Parker comes up to the bar
announcing to Rosalie, “A mega yacht just sailed up and is mooring. I wonder who it can be.”

I turn my head toward the kitchen yell
ing out, “Livi, Chris is here a day early.”  She runs out from the kitchen and look at me happily. I point to the beach and she runs off in that direction. Parker walks down the stairs following her.

He returns ten minutes later
coming up to the bar. “Livi jumped into the sea. She swam up to the yacht and some man pulled her up. He was holding her.”

I look unfazed by his words. “That is Chris. He is her boyfriend.” I take another drink. Parker looks at me confused and Henry comes out from the back.

Henry looks at me. “Ryan, lay off the booze.”

I look up at Henry speak
ing out irritated, “Your daughter has been riding me nonstop. I am sore as hell.”

Henry
is looking down at me, “Son, show some self-control with your words.” He looks to Parker who is staring at me in amazement. “Chris came to see Livi. He is her very best friend since childhood. He has been extremely worried about her since she only left him a note after living at his house for a month before she came here.”

Parker leans toward me and speaks softly, “She lived with another man after you?”

I look him into the eye, “Yup, wait until you meet him and you will see exactly what she is into.”

Henry slams his hand down on the bar to snap my attention up to him. “Ryan, enough out of your mouth. Go home and be bitter by yourself.”

I look up to Henry, “No, I am sorry, really. I am going to stay. I can’t wait to see Chris. I miss him and want to congratulate him.” Parker looks even more distressed at my words. I stand up, “I am going down to the beach and lay on the warm sand. Maybe it will help loosen my muscles.” Henry nods at me as I leave.

Livi
- I am beaming my smiles at my band mates standing on the deck while Chris pulls me up on the yacht. Wreck is grinning, our base player who has a girl that looks no older than Katie with her arms wrapped around him. Mick, our drummer, is ecstatic to see me. Chris and I keep embracing. This was a dream come true for us to make it with our music. We just keep hugging, so proud of our accomplishments. Chris grabs me by the hand, “Come on Livi, I was to give you a tour of the yacht.” He shows me around to all the rooms and then we climb steep stairs. Chris is knocking at the door and a man opens it. Chris pushes me into a room, “Livi, I would like to introduce you to the boat crew.” All these women and men come up to me to shake my hand. With each greeting they announce their names to me.

I just keep thinking to myself that I am never going to remember all these people’s names. A very attractive blonde woman introduces herself as Heidi and I notice an accent. Heidi reaches out to touch Chris’s elbow speaking to him, “The cooler is ready in the galley for you to go ashore.”

Chris looks at her, “Thank you very much Heidi,” and then he blushes. I just saw Chris blush over a woman. I have not seen that since that girl he liked in high school. I was amazed and very intrigued. Chris pulls me back down the stairs to the deck. He leaves me there
running off. He returns in less than a minute with a cooler. I see my band mates are waiting in a dinghy. Chris hands them the cooler. I walk over to the dinghy and enter with Chris following. Before I realize it we were motoring full speed toward the beach. We run aground and Wreck jumps out to pull the dinghy onto the sand. I jump out and see Ryan resting on the sand while he raises his head up to look at me. I run over to him dropping to my knees in the sand beside his shoulder. I bend down and kiss him, and then I jerk right back up excitedly. “They are here Ryan!”