Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) (43 page)

“No, I’d rather be lying on a beach in Cancun with the woman I love most in the world wearing that string bikini you thought you were hiding.” He kissed her lightly on her nose. “Or not.”

Allie waited for him to tie his shoes after finally being screened. Their gate was only a short way down the walkway. Passengers milled about, unconcerned. “You want a magazine?”

She nodded and wandered to the newsstand. Over a PA the gate attendant called first class passengers to board.

“Hurry Allie, they’re calling us.”

“That’s first class. We have a good twenty minutes before the plane finishes boarding.”

He rolled his eyes. “Did you
look
at the tickets, Allie? We’re first class.”

Her jaw dropped. “I haven’t ever sat in first class before.”

“Neither have I. I thought it might be fun.” He grabbed their magazines and stepped to checkout. “You want gum?”

“Thanks. I’ve never been to Mexico before either.”

He grinned. “I thought that might be fun too.” He took his purchases and change from the clerk and steered her toward their gate.

Jake finished stowing his bag and sat beside her in the roomy leather seat. Her bag and purse were safely tucked under the seat before her. “This is wonderful.”

She took a glass of champagne from a passing attendant and raised it for a toast. “To surprises.”

His echo mingled with the clink of glasses. “To surprises.”

She breathed a relieved sigh after the smooth take-off, turned on her reading lamp and lifted the arm rest between their seats. Jake stole one of her new magazines and leafed through it until he came to an article that seemed to interest him.

“Here, look at this.” His finger pointed out a passage. “I want to try this.”

Did he just
leer
at her? She scanned the article he was reading and choked on her champagne. “Sure you can handle that?”

“I haven’t had any complaints so far.”

Okay, now
that
was definitely a leer. She choked again, this time on a laugh. “You’re right, sweetheart. Absolutely no complaints.”

Her dress rode up as she laid her head in Jake’s lap and tucked her legs beneath her. So far it had been a long and nerve-racking day, but all her tension rolled away with his steady, calming heartbeat at her back and the crisp, bubbly champagne streaming through her system. Jake draped a thin blanket over her and her weighted eyelids closed.

She lurched and her eyes flew open as the plane suddenly lost altitude. Jake tightened his hold on her. “Hush, baby. Go back to sleep. We’ll be there soon.”

Soon? She pushed herself upright and stretched. She peeked at his watch and mentally computed the time change. “Thirty more minutes?”

He nodded. “Give or take.”

Good. She had time for repairs. She took her makeup bag from her carry on and made her way precariously toward the restroom.

Jake’s face held an obvious look of relief as she climbed over him on the way to her seat.

“What?”

“I was afraid you would take the pins out of your hair.” He shrugged at her grin. "I’ve had a fantasy about it all day.”

She laughed and cupped her hand around his ear, leaning in to whisper. “So have I.”

The elegance of the extravagant marble lobby impressed her, but the sheer opulence of their suite on the top floor of the hotel had her grasping for words. Wide marble expanses, sophisticated upholsteries, deep cushions—she oohed and aahed as they meandered through a doorway and into the bedroom to discover a king-sized bed covered in rose silk.

She peeked through another doorway and then stepped in as if drawn by an invisible force. Spinning slowly to take in the jetted soaking tub and the inviting glass-encased shower, she scooped up a plush robe and brushed its velvety softness against her cheek. She could live in here all week! Laying the robe across more of that elegant marble, she grasped Jake’s hand and pulled him back through the lavish rooms and onto the balcony.

The sound of the ocean surf was soothing, almost hypnotizing, and Allie fell into her thoughts. It was impossible for any other woman to be as happy as she was tonight. She sighed as he drew her to him, facing the darkened horizon. Today she married the man she loved. While she looked for companionship, someone to have a little fun with, Jake’s steady presence stole her heart. Maybe she couldn’t offer him everything he dreamed of, but she could offer him love. He loved her so well, so thoroughly, swore that her love was all he needed. She tightened his arms around her. She would make sure that it was enough.

“The moon’s shining on the water. It looks like a great night for a walk on the beach.”

Did they make them any better than that?

One after the other she slipped out of her heels and handed them to Jake to stuff in his jacket pockets. “You have that romantic, sappy look again.” His teasing didn’t bother her tonight.

“This is actually my
I’m exquisitely happy
look.” she corrected him with a prim smile. “I’m here on this beautiful beach.” She swept her hands before her. “At a stunning hotel with a really great guy… who went above and beyond in the accommodations department, by the way. And… as it happens, he’s my husband. What more could I ask?”

With a tug he pulled her closer and slowed their steps. He leaned just a little and whispered into her lips. “Thank you.”

On her tip toes in the sand, she nuzzled her mouth against his. “You’re welcome. What did I do?”

His lips kissed their way to her ear. “You married me. You make me happier than I could ever imagine. You make me want to be… more.”

She turned in his arms, her back to him. Placing her hands on his forearms, she leaned into him, the warm Caribbean breeze soothing them, the slow lapping of moon washed waves peaceful. “If someone said to me six months ago that I would be here with you today—that we would be married—I would have thought they were insane.” She shook her head ruefully. “But now, now I can’t picture my life any other way.” She turned and stretched to meet his waiting lips. “Thank
you
, sweetheart.”

They wandered their way back upstairs. Jake began undressing while she unpacked. Shouldn’t take long. Knowing Maddie, it was filled with nothing but bikinis and lingerie. Laying her suitcase open on the luggage rack she picked up the package lying on top and smiled. Yep, lingerie, she recognized the gift wrap. She rifled through the rest of the contents. Phew, Maddie did her proud. She had plenty of real clothes. And running shoes.

Jake finished pulling off his socks and stood. “I’m going to take a quick shower.” He cocked his head to the side. “Care to join me?”

On their wedding night? “Absolutely.”

Box in hand, she trailed him into that little slice of marble heaven. He closed the door behind them and nodded at the box. “What’s that?”

With a secretive smile she set the package on the vanity. “A little gift from the girls.”

He tugged her close. “What’s in it?”

From Maddie the Romantic? Something to knock his socks off, undoubtedly. Or more likely, his pants. “I don’t know yet. It’s still wrapped.”

Jake adjusted the water spray. “Don’t you want to open it?”

“I will.”

Thoroughly scrubbed and wearing a satisfied smile, Jake stepped through the glass door and wrapped a towel around his waist. “Are you coming out?”

She tiptoed across hairpins and let her eyes follow him as he tossed the comforter to the end of the bed. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Paper ripped and tissue rustled as she tore into her present and uncovered handsful of delicate, foamy froth.
Oh, bless you, Maddie!

There was nothing like sheer white silk slithering and sliding over female curves to make a girl feel sexy. But,
uh oh
. She gave the satin ribbons at her shoulders a tug.
Nope
. There was no way those tiny lace triangles were going to hold all her breasts. Oh well, Jake was sure to enjoy the show.

In was something new to waken in degrees, awareness filtering into his brain one step at a time as first his eyelids cracked open and then his body roused bit by bit. His hand automatically reached out, stroking the smooth skin of Allie’s hip as he spooned her. This was new, too.

Leaving her warmth he rolled out of bed, stripping off his T-shirt as he padded to the shower. How did he ever live without her? Answer was easy: pretty sure he didn’t. He went through the motions from one day to the next, always searching for… something. But that wasn’t really living. Allie brought light. Sounds and aromas became more distinct. He let his eyes land on her as he turned to close the bathroom door. It was her love that made him alive.

Allie sailed across the front porch and through the doorway. Reaching up, she released her hair and let it fall. She removed her running shoes and carried them with her into the kitchen. The house was quiet. She probably had time for a shower before Trey woke. It would be nice to shower in her own bathroom again. But then again, the glass
room
they’d used for the past week was a tough act to follow. Allie pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and set it on the counter as Trey careened through the house.

He skidded to a stop at her feet, panting, looking for all the world like a puppy happy to see his master. “Mom, you’re home! Did you have a good trip?”

Early morning runs on a deserted beach. Snorkeling in waters teeming with vivid tropical fish. Romantic moonlit walks under a star-draped sky. And sex. Hours and hours of mind-tripping, bone-melting sex. She couldn’t imagine anything better. “We had a great trip! But I missed you!” She opened her arms to hug him with abandon. “We’ll tell you all about it at dinner.” She glanced around. “Where’s Jake?”

“Just got home. Nick called early this morning, needed him to check a job site.” Trey got down two big glasses as he spoke, then pulled the orange juice from the refrigerator. He poured out the juice, shoved one glass toward her.” “Are you tired? You guys got home really late last night.”

She shook her head. “Not tired at all. I need to get dressed and go to my classroom. I still have to take down all the holiday stuff.”

He chugged his juice and put the empty glass on the sink counter. “I don’t have anything planned. I can help.”

She’d be a fool to turn down an offer of free labor. “Thanks. Now rinse the glass.”

“Aw, c’mon Mom.” He rolled his eyes.

Some things never changed.

It was going to be a while yet before the unexpected sight of Jake sprawled across her sofa didn’t cause her heart to bump. And when warmth blossomed in her belly and spread to, well,
south
- that was good, too. “Hi sweetheart, how was work?”

“Under control. How was your run?” He tossed the remote and made room for her to sit.

She sat. “Cold. I could seriously get used to running on the beach in warm weather.”

“As long as I can watch from the sidelines.”

“Whiner.” She’d bribed him into joining her for a three-mile jog. And ended up babying him for the next two days while his legs recovered.

Which was actually kind of fun.

He grinned like he could read her mind. And then was kind enough to change the subject. “Feel like doing something today?”

“Trey’s going to help me reset my classroom when I’m done here. We’ll get done faster if you come along.

“Sounds good. I’m in.”

Allie stood in the center of her classroom. They’d converted it from Merry Christmas to Winter Wonderland in record time, and now she was ready for Monday morning. Having her guys along made a big difference.
Her guys
. It sounded good.

Oh, she didn’t want to forget this one last thing. Picking up the chalk she wrote her name on the blackboard.
Mrs. Taylor
. She nodded in satisfaction. Now she was ready.

She’d been back at school for forty-five minutes and already she was ready for a vacation. In that short amount of time she was forced to send one girl to the nurse—a sobbing sixth grader who was on the wrong playground and had either a hornet sting or a zit, two boys to time out for staging a spitting contest—the criteria being both volume and distance, and the principal’s grandson of all people, to the safety officer for collecting quarters from children standing in line for the slide. One father had already called the school and threatened to sue for extortion.