Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) (17 page)

“
Exactly.
”

She frowned up at him.

He grinned. “He
wanted
that stuff. Then he realized the cost, and I don’t just mean financial. He decided it wasn’t worth it, like the rest of us did. He decided he preferred things just the way they are. He loves you, Ligia. He wants to
share
your life, not change it forever.”

Ligia gaped at him, stunned.

“I couldn’t have put it better myself.” Aitan walked up the path toward them, with his arm around Kalliope. She had evidently told him everything.

“You really don’t want to leave the island?” Ligia gasped as she watched the handsome creature nearing them. She frowned.
He’s supposed to be in bed!

He laughed. “Did I ever say I did?”

“Well, no, but…”

Kalliope went to snuggle into Rechavia’s shoulder as Aitan went up and put an arm around his fiancée.

“I really think you two should talk to each other,” Rechavia said with a grin.

“Hmm, seems to me we need another ‘discussion’ about keeping secrets.” Aitan nodded.

Ligia flushed.

“So you’re staying?” Kalliope rushed over and threw her arms around Ligia. Aitan stood back just in time.

“It looks like it.” The redhead giggled.

“Thanks, bro.” Aitan slapped Rechavia on the back.

“Anytime.” Rechavia grinned. “Do you think we can get some breakfast now? I’m starving!”

* * * *

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry for giving you the impression all this wasn’t enough for me.” Aitan and Ligia had enjoyed brunch with their friends and were now sitting alone on the grass outside their hut.

“I’m just so glad you want to stay.” Ligia looked around them at the fields of beautiful white flowers and the sea which surrounded their island.

“I thought you’d left me when I woke up and you’d gone,” Aitan said ruefully. He was chewing on a piece of grass.

“Why would I do that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I thought you’d changed your mind about marrying me. Maybe last night had been too intense for you?”

She grinned and her eyes shone at him. “Last night was perfect.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

He smiled. “And what about all that dungeon stuff?”

She flushed at the very thought. “That was wonderful,” she said with a shy smile.

“Well I’m glad to hear that, darlin’. You see, when we were there the other night I seem to recall we had a long conversation about you keeping secrets from me.”

Her eyes widened as she read his mind. “I didn’t mean…”

“Well, you see, I’ve got a feeling you might have misunderstood or even forgotten some of the things we agreed back there. I’m thinking maybe we should go back there real soon and refresh your memory some. What do you think?”

She felt a sting in her ass as she remembered their antics in the woodland dungeon, and she couldn’t hide the smile which spread across her face. “I’ve got to go plan the wedding.” She flushed again as she stood up, knowing he would be reading her mind.

He laughed. “How shall we have it?”

She was relieved for the change of subject and sat back down again. “I thought I’d ask Mel and the girls to sort out some food. If we have it on the beach we can always move up to the fields if the tide starts to come in. What time are we having the vows?”

“We can have then whenever we want, darlin’. Just not too early as the poor guy’s got to get over from the mainland.”

“In the afternoon then?”

“Yeah, that’ll work.”

“When are your family arriving?”

“They’re travelling today so will spend the night on Eastland and come over in the morning. They all want a chance to get to know you before the wedding.”

Ligia suddenly felt very nervous. She liked his family and just hoped they’d like her.

“Shall we get married the day after tomorrow then?” she suggested.

Aitan’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s fine by me, but it won’t give you much time to organize a dress or anything.”

“Do you mind if I don’t have anything fancy? I’d really rather just have something simple. Pallas said she’d help make something.” She looked up at him beseechingly.

“Darlin’, you know I only want the best for you. And the best is whatever you want. I would pay any price to make you happy. But I know that you’re not interested in money or what it can buy. That’s one of the many things I love about you. I realize now that all the things I wanted were just to impress you, but you’re not taken in by fancy things and luxuries. What impresses you are the things that really matter in life. Love, honesty and kindness are all you’re interested in, ain’t that right?”

“Yep. And I honestly love how kind you are,” she said with a big smile before kissing him on the cheek.

He laughed. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I can get some money, take you to Eastland, and you can pick out a dress, or you can go have a word with Pallas and see what the two of you can come up with.”

She got to her feet, giggling. “I shouldn’t be too long,” she said, and bent down to kiss him on top of the head.

“You want me to pilot a boat for ya?” He grinned, obviously knowing the answer.

“Nope.”

She wiggled her ass sexily at him as she walked away. She knew he couldn’t wait to get her back on that spanking bench. Her head swung around as she read his thoughts and she gave him a salacious wink. She giggled as she made her way to Pallas’s hut.

“I’ve just made some tea, dear.” Pallas was sitting outside her home. She gave Ligia a hug and poured her a cup.

“We’ve been talking about the wedding,” Ligia explained as she sat down.

“Do you need any help?” Pallas was always quick to offer a helping hand.

Ligia looked a little apologetic. “I haven’t got a dress yet.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well, I thought something like Kally’s but she said it’s not right for a wedding, so I don’t know. I’ve looked on the Super-Web to see what people wear these days and I really don’t think they’re right for a beach wedding. I don’t want all that lace and frilly stuff. I get hot enough in just a bikini.”

Pallas nodded. “Something simple and cool, then?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.” Ligia was so relieved that Pallas understood.

“I’m sure we can make something along those lines,” the old lady said. “When are you planning to have the wedding?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

Pallas’s face fell.

“I’m sorry.” Ligia was crestfallen. She hadn’t really thought about how much work would be involved.

Pallas grinned at her mischievously. “It’s a good job I’ve already made a start then. Come with me.”

Ligia followed her into the little stone hut. It was cool and smelled of flowers. Pallas walked over to some white material which lay strewn over the back of a chair. “Try this on,” she urged, lifting up the fabric. It was pure white cotton and draped beautifully over Ligia’s slim figure. There were pins all over it and she had to be very careful not to prick herself as she put it on. Ligia gasped. It felt wonderfully smooth and cool against her skin. Pallas moved the material around in different ways, asking which look Ligia preferred. Neither had much fashion sense, but they both knew what they liked and that was all that mattered. Ligia didn’t understand exactly what Pallas was muttering about as she went about sticking her pins in different places, but she was confident the old dear knew what she was doing.

“Will you have enough time?” Ligia asked eagerly when they made their way back out into the late afternoon sunshine.

“Oh yes. I’ll get some of the girls from the sewing bee to help.” Pallas seemed quite confident, and Ligia sighed with relief.

“I take it Melantho’s helping with the refreshments?” Pallas asked as they finished their tea.

Ligia winced. “I haven’t actually asked her yet. I’m on my way over there now.”

Pallas smiled. “Your friends won’t let you down,” she assured the young girl.

As soon as the ship arrived on the island the following morning, Ligia and Aitan, along with some of the other islanders, flocked to the harbor.

“Aitan, Aitan!” A young girl with long, dark-blonde hair was hanging over the side of the ship, waving frantically.

Ligia looked up and smiled at the animated girl.

“Ligia—is that you, girl?”

Ligia waved.

“Tell this dang captain to hurry it up, will ya? I need a hug from my new sister!”

Ligia recognized the girl as Aitan’s younger sister, Geva. She had been so sweet when she had spoken on the v-mail. Ligia sighed as she thought what a great invention the visual mail had been. She wasn’t averse to
all
the new developments. Her mind drifted to Aitan’s idea about mirrors on the ceiling.

“They’re getting off now.” Aitan nudged her as the crowd started to move toward the docked ship.

Ligia was still smiling when Geva ran down the slope and flung herself into the young girl’s arms. The blonde girl was soft and round and smothered Ligia with her rounded body, which smelled beautifully sweet. Ligia giggled as she kissed Geva’s cheek. She was very flattered that the girl had chosen to greet her before her own brother.

“I am so pleased to meet you, sis.” Geva’s lazy drawl sounded just like her brother’s and she was evidently as affectionate as him, too. She gave Ligia a big kiss on her cheek.

“It’s lovely to meet you, too,” Ligia told her with a smile. She felt very relaxed with the young girl, and was so relieved to find she was as lovely as she had hoped.

“You must be Ligia?”
Aitan’s mom had already disembarked and given Aitan a big kiss and cuddle, and was now looking around for her.
She looked very smart in a pretty blue dress and white sandals, with a matching white hat. Her makeup was immaculate, and, from what Ligia could see of her hair, it seemed to be perfect too.

“Yes, ma’am,” Ligia replied, smiling. She wasn’t sure whether to shake hands or not, but Eritha suddenly threw her arms around her.

“Oh Ligia, I am so pleased to see you at last.” She sounded like she was about to cry, and Ligia patted her back as they hugged. “I am so sorry for all those awful things I said about you. I do hope you forgive me?”

Ligia pulled back and stared at the elderly lady, whose eyes were full of tears.

“Of course I do. Why don’t we just forget all about it and start again?” Ligia kissed the lady on her damp cheek as Eritha attempted to blink back her tears.

“Thank you so much, dear. I am so happy to be adding you to our family.”

“Granny crying!” a young voice suddenly piped up. Ligia turned back to Aitan and saw that he was hugging his older sister, while a little boy stood by them pointing and frowning.

“Happy tears, Hyam,” Eritha assured the youngster, as she wiped her face with a lace handkerchief.

“Hello.” Ligia crouched down to address the little boy, who immediately flew into her arms. His soft body snuggled into her as two podgy arms wrapped around her neck. He smelt fresh and beautiful. Ligia wasn’t used to babies, but she loved the feel of the little one in her arms. She kissed the top of his head as she held him. He felt wonderful to her.

“Do I get one of them cuddles?” Suzette was giggling as it looked like her son would never let go. “Hey, young man, I’m sure it must be my turn by now.”

Hyam reluctantly loosened his grip and, after giving Ligia a very sloppy kiss on the cheek, he backed off. His face was grinning.

“I’m Suzette, but call me Suzy,” the older lady said as she took Ligia in her arms. “Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you.” Ligia beamed. Suzy was instantly likeable.

“This is my husband, Nuri.” Suzette held out her arm and a very handsome man walked over. Dimples showed in Nuri’s cheeks as he reached over to give Ligia a friendly hug. His body was softer than Aitan’s, and his hands seemed much bigger as he held her.

“Nice to meet you.” Ligia smiled as he let her go. She looked around to see that Kalliope had already befriended Geva, and Rech and Aitan had taken the family’s baggage from the ship. Dr. Jay and Farris were talking to the captain, presumably about the medication order which was being delivered. Delmer and Blandon were unloading some boxes. Marinos and some of the others were bringing over flowers ready to load onto the ship.

“How long are you staying for?” Aitan piped up as he carried the bags over to them.

“I heard about women carrying the kitchen sink in their handbags but I think you’ve brought a whole kitchen in this one,” Rechavia moaned as he teased Suzette. He had known the family for a long time and it was lovely for them to have a chance to catch up again.

“Hmm, I can tell you’ve never had a baby to care for, sailor.” Suzy grinned as he brought her bag over.

“Not planning to either,” Rechavia assured her, as he rubbed his shoulder.

They strolled up to the hut which Aitan shared with Ligia, and placed the bags outside the door. Kalliope put some water on for a cup of tea, while Ligia showed her new family around her home.