Paradise in Progress

30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter thirty

Tristan

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: January 3, 2025

Subject: Grand Opening

Tristan,

Congrats on surviving this renovation with Kennedy. I thought for sure she would have killed you by now. I guess it’s safe to assume the two of you have… ”patched things up.”

With the grand opening being in a week, the board, including myself, Dad, and Victoria will be flying in tomorrow to observe the final stages of completion.

Dad wanted me to pass on that Kennedy’s services will no longer be needed and she will be returning on the jet tomorrow evening once our debrief is complete.

Way to not fuck up this project, little brother.

Proud of you.

-X

Closing out of my emails, I’m instantly on edge. How can my father be so cold in not allowing Kennedy to oversee the grand opening of her project? Everything was her idea, down to the last detail; I was merely a spectator.

Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I scroll through my messages until I find Xander’s name.

Me: What the fuck?

No surprise, he messages back immediately. He must’ve been anticipating my response.

Xander: Don’t shoot the messenger.

Me: That’s exactly what I’m doing.

Xander: I have no control over the matter. Throw me under the bus if you have to, but Dad is planning a new project and he wants her back here.

Me: Why would I throw you under the bus?

Xander: Come off it, I know you two are more than what you’re letting on. I saw the Instagram picture.

In a moment of weakness—or a lust-filled haze—I posted a photo of her hand on my bare chest. Should I have done it? No, but there’s no way in hell I regret it. It’s not the first time I posted images of her. Over the last week, I’ve captured a few candid moments. Some I’ve sent and she’s posted on her socials, while others I’ve kept on my camera roll. Kennedy may be following me now, but at the time she wasn't, and I wasn't afraid to drop a comment or two.

Xander: She’s brought a new side out of you. Can’t say I hate it.

Me: Save the sentiments. How am I going to explain that she’s not going to get the accolades she deserves?

Xander: I don’t know, brother. That one is up to you to figure out. Like I said, I’ll be the scapegoat. Tell her while we appreciate everything she has done, I need her back in New York for her next assignment.

I huff out a breath and lock my phone before walking through the resort. It’s hard to believe that six weeks ago, we arrived to total chaos. Now the new entrance is complete, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The oversized columns that broke up the line of sight are gone, and in their place are beautiful wood support beams. Spread throughout the lobby are white fabric chairs and couches, with pops of coral and orange, which Victoria designed.

The resort feels like it’s finally come together, and now I have to tell the woman I love that she won’t be featured in the photos during the grand opening. As much as she needs to know, I want one more night with her before this blissful moment is broken.

“Hi, Destiny,” I greet our general manager, who is behind the front desk .

Her welcoming smile spreads brightly across her dark features. The woman is a huge asset to this location, and I’ll be speaking with HR as soon as I return to New York to give her a raise.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Nelson. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Rapping my knuckles against the cool counter, I say, “As a matter of fact, there is. Have you seen Kennedy?”

“Miss Kennedy is in the guest wings, helping out Mario and his team with making the beds.” Mario is one of our housekeeping managers. With all the furniture delivered and the rooms set up, I’m not surprised that Kennedy volunteered to help make beds. Although, I’ve seen her bed-making ability, and I hope she isn’t causing Mario more work.

“Thank you, Destiny. Have a great evening.”

“You too, Mr. Nelson. Will you and Miss Kennedy be dining at Lullaby Lagoon this evening?”

“We will.”

“Great, I’ll make sure they have your table ready.” We exchange a few more pleasantries before I head off in my search for Kennedy.

After ten minutes, I finally found her on the second floor halfway down the hall. She’s bent over a king-sized bed, her dress clinging to her perfect hips. I lean against the wall, arms folded across my chest, as I admire the woman before me. I’m not looking forward to her leaving and me spending the next however many days alone without her in my bed.

Kennedy is in the middle of wrestling a fitted sheet. Every time she tries to tuck it under the mattress, the other side pops off. Grumbles and curses leave her sweet lips as she lets out a deep sigh .

“You could help instead of standing there watching me struggle,” she sasses.

I huff a laugh as she blows a piece of hair that has fallen free from her claw clip. The curly red tendril refuses to leave her face, no matter how hard she blows it. With another exasperated sigh, she stands up and tucks it back into place.

“Having a bad day?”

She plants her hands on her hips as she shakes her head before she strides across the room. Our toes touch as she looks up at me. Even with the humidity causing the baby hairs around the top of her head to frizz out and the bead of sweat that has gathered on her upper lip, Kennedy Reed is the most beautiful woman I’ve laid eyes on.

Bending down, I kiss her. She relaxes into my touch and flicks her tongue against my lips. When I grant her the access she’s searching for, she lets out a low moan. Her hands slide up my chest, eliciting a chill down my spine, before landing behind my head. Kennedy toys with the soft hairs on my neck, making me hum into her mouth. If she’s not careful, I’m going to toss her on this bed and have my way with her.

Footsteps sound and Kennedy breaks free, her eyes wild and her cheeks a pretty shade of pink.

“Oh, Miss Kennedy, Mr. Nelson, I’m sorry to interrupt,” one of our housekeepers addresses us. Kennedy ducks her head, and I take the opportunity to push her embarrassment.

“Allow me to be the one to apologize. It turns out Kennedy can’t keep her hands off me. ”

With a flick of her wrist, Kennedy lands a soft smack to my stomach, and I watch both women’s cheeks flare with a matching deep blush. “Ah, young love. Enjoy it, you two.”

Tucking that same loose strand behind her ear, Kennedy smiles at the older woman. “I tried really hard to make the beds, but it turns out, I’m terrible at it.”

I knew she would be. But Kennedy’s big heart wouldn’t let her sit around while the staff were busy working to get the rooms ready.

“Nonsense. Thank you for offering to help.”

We bid the woman farewell and step out of the room, hand-in-hand.

“I can’t believe you said that.” Shock laces her words as I smirk down at her.

“What? It’s true.”

I push the button to call the elevator as I take in a new angle of the resort from the third-floor window. Purple flowers blow in the wind next to the sidewalk, which leads to the private pools. The property has four pools on the ground—the main one, two smaller ones for the first-level rooms, and a medium-sized pool for guests who don’t want to be near the crowded main pool.

A ding has my attention turning toward the elevator as the door slides open. Kennedy steps in, with me on her heels. She hits the button for the main floor, and as soon as the doors close, I’m pressing her against the wall.

“Tristan.” My name leaves her lips on a gasp, her eyes locking onto mine with hunger I already feel.

“Fuck, Kennedy, I can’t get enough of you.” Our tongues dance their sweet rhythm. Gliding. Tangling. Tasting. Peppermint from her gum hits my tastebuds, and I deepen the kiss even more, wanting to feel all of her that I can. Her hands slide over my hips, down my thigh, before cupping my growing erection. As she palms my dick, squeezing it just right, I let out a strangled noise.

A light chuckle leaves her lips, and we separate when the doors notify us that our ride is over. Reaching for her hand, I pull her behind me as we exit the guest quarters.

“C’mon, Firecracker, it’s time for dinner.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Is this like a legit dinner, or am I the dinner?”

Stopping in my tracks, Kennedy’s front runs into my shoulder as I take in her blazing eyes. “Are you offering yourself?”

She rolls her eyes, and I want to be rolling them for a whole different reason. “No, Golden Boy, take me to dinner.” She glances down at her Smartwatch, brow pinched. “Trist, it’s not even five o’clock and we’re having dinner?”

“I have a whole night planned with you.” I tug her closer to me as I place an arm over her shoulder. “And I was planning on ordering cheesecake and snagging a bottle of champagne for later.”

“Now I can get behind that plan.”

Dinner at Lullaby Lagoon was delicious, just like it has been every time we’ve dined there. I need to make sure the marketing team reaches out to a few food bloggers to get them to sample the food. There’s no way they’ll leave here without feeling satisfied and writing us a raving review .

As we move through the dimly lit resort, I revel in the feel of her soft hand in mine. I’m captivated by Kennedy Reed, and I hope that at the end of this, she doesn’t hate me. I don’t know how I’ll go back to a world where Kennedy views me as her enemy.

Call me selfish, but I’m not ready for our time to end—not tonight, and not on this island. Tightening my grip on her hand, I glance down and find Kennedy already smiling up at me.

With my free hand, I place a finger under her chin and tilt her face. Her green eyes sparkle in the night light.

“You’re beautiful,” I whisper as I lower my face to hers. Before I know it, I’m groaning into her parted mouth as she grips the hair at the nape of my neck. Forever the impatient girl, Kennedy has pulled me down to hers as our lips collide in a heated kiss.

Bodies relaxing, our hips meet, and I feel her subtly grinding against me. Blood pumps powerfully through my veins as I deepen our connection, stroking her tongue as she seeks friction. My girl is turned on. She’s starved for my touch, and that thought alone has me wanting to take her right here on this vacant sidewalk.

I invade her mouth like I’ll never kiss her again, consuming, taking everything she throws my way.

I crave her, and no amount of tasting will satisfy my hunger.

She’s everything I’ve been searching for, even when I didn’t know what I was looking for.

The crack in my heart becomes a gaping hole as I pour my love into her. I pray that love gets us through what’s to come.

Her chest rises and falls as her breathing intensifies. Trailing a hand down her side, over the curve of her hip, I feel for the slit in her dress, the same slit that has given me brief glimpses of her leg I can’t stop imagining wrapped around me as I thrust inside of her.

My touch travels over her exposed skin, to her inner thigh, and toward her center. With a gentle caress, I can feel her arousal coating the thin scrap of fabric, and I barely hold back my groan. Gripping her lace thong, I drag it up and down, up and down, building the friction she craves as I let the material graze her swollen clit.

Unabashedly, she moans, never stopping kissing me, and my dick twitches in my shorts. I need her. As she sucks on my tongue, I’m desperate to feel her tight pussy grip my cock. I’m seconds away from taking her right here when I become aware that anyone could walk up on us. I ease my fingers away from where she’s eager for my touch as a soft whimper escapes her lips.

“Not here, baby,” I say as my eyes scan the area. A few feet away, a cream-covered cabana catches my attention. A sly smirk spreads across my lips as I gently pull her in the direction of the beach.

Her sweet giggles fuel our jog through the sand, but she struggles in her wedged sandals. Reaching down, I scoop my arms behind her knees as I sweep her off her feet in a fireman’s carry.

“Oh my gosh,” she gasps as she wraps her arms around my neck, gripping on for dear life. One hand playfully slaps my chest before she clasps her hands together. “Put me down.”

“Why?” I ask, pausing to look at her. Pink tinges her cheeks, giving her a rosy glow. “Afraid I might drop you?” I playfully pretend to drop her before bouncing her higher into my arms. She lets out a shriek, and I laugh.

“You’re such a jerk,” she says through a sweet laugh.

“The jerk you looooove. ”

“Yeah, I do.” Lust coats her voice, which pushes my feet to carry us faster through the sand.

Stepping foot inside the private cabana, I gently set her down on the daybed as I move around the sides of the cabana and loosen the ties holding the curtains back. I keep the side open that faces the ocean.

As I stand at the edge of the bed, I stare down at the angelic woman beneath me. Her hair is spread around her head in a halo effect. Her swollen lips are parted and emerald eyes blaze with desire as her gaze roams over my body.

She’s perfect. Flawless. Breathtaking.

But best of all, she’s mine .

Slowly, I begin undoing the buttons on my tropical printed short sleeve. Kennedy watches raptly, and I decide to milk the moment. She huffs a breath, which has me quirking an eyebrow at her.

“Impatient, are we?”

“Aching.”

“Desperate.”

Her eyes roll, but then she says all-too-seductively. “For you, Tristan.”

I groan as I slip the shirt down my arms and toss it aside. Before I have a chance to unbutton my shorts, Kennedy’s slender fingers are reaching for my waist. I watch as she sits up and works my shorts free.

Her warm hand slides inside my boxers and grips my aching cock. I moan long and deep at the contact and tilt my head to the sky, thanking the almighty.

How did I get so fucking lucky?

Leaning forward, Kennedy’s pink tongue slips past her lips as she licks me from root to tip. My hands smooth over her shoulders as she sucks me into her mouth. Groaning, I work the clasp of her cropped top until it falls open. Her perfect tits spill free, and I reach out to cup them in my hands. I play with them while she bobs her head up and down, the feel of her and the way she’s pleasuring me already pushing me to the edge.

Shoving the material of my shorts and boxers down my legs, I move my hips backward as I pop free from her mouth. Her swollen lips glisten from saliva as she looks up at me, then reaches behind her to unbutton her skirt. Moving backward up the bed, she lowers the material, and I remove it the rest of the way. Sprawled out on the bed, the only thing she’s wearing now is a scrap of lace between her thighs that I’m quick to remove.

I pepper kisses up her neck as I lower myself on top of her until I find her waiting lips. My cock brushes her wet center, and we both call out as lust overtakes us.

“Fuck, Kennedy,” I hiss.

“Yes, Tristan,” she whimpers as her hips seek me out. “Fuck me, please.”

“Condom,” I say as I start to move away from her.

“Don’t, Trist.”

My eyes snap down to hers, and I see how positive she is.

“I love you,” I tell her, overcome by how safe she feels with me.

“I love you, too.”

It feels like an eternity passes as the two of us stare at each other. In those moments, it’s as if our souls are coming home, tangling themselves in one another with silent words that don’t need to be spoken.

As if someone cut the string tethering us together, I fall forward, crushing my lips to hers. Tongues duel and teeth gnash as our bodies vibrate with need. The thrust of my tongue against hers has her hips driving forward. I place carnal kisses down her jaw, her neck, and her chest as I suck a breast into my mouth. Flicking her pebbled nipple with my tongue, I bite down gently, which has her crying out.

Her hands find the nape of my neck as she holds me to her. Sucking and nibbling, I kiss her wholly while my hand finds her wet pussy. I thrust two fingers inside her, feeling her walls clench. She cries out again as I continue pumping deep inside her, bringing her closer and closer to her release.

“Tristan—” she pleads. “I’m so close.”

My thumb lands on her swollen clit, and as I press down, continuing to pump inside her until she’s screaming my name.

“Fuck,” I breathe out as my hooded gaze stares down at her. My cock aches as pre-cum oozes from my tip. I need to be inside her, and now. I’ll never grow tired of the sight of Kennedy Reed coming from my touch. It’s the sexiest fucking thing—her flushed cheeks, parted lips, heaving chest.

Sliding my fingers from her pulsing pussy, I grip my cock with my wet fingers.

“Roll over, Firecracker.”

She does as I say and moves until she’s on her knees, away from me. Bending down on her elbows, she lifts her ass in the air, and I admire this angle. With a few quick pumps, I line up to her entrance and thrust inside. She gasps as I fill her completely, and I pause for a second to let her adjust to my size.

“Move, Tristan. For the love of God, move. ”

I smack my hand against her ass and feel her clenching around my dick. From this position, I watch the skin of her cheek pinken with my handprint. Thrusting forward, my hips meet her backside.

“Hold on, baby.” Gripping her hips, I begin moving faster, and she matches my pace. Both of us are desperate to find more pleasure.

Her moans fuel me as I continue to thrust deeper. Reaching forward, I pinch her clit and feel her orgasm building once again. She plays with her tits as I continue pumping inside of her and working her swollen clit. Within seconds, she’s moaning as waves and waves of euphoria roll through her. I watch in fascination as I draw every ounce of her orgasm before quickening my pace.

My balls tighten, and I’m on the brink of coming. Thrusts grow more erratic as I roll my hips and hit her deeper and deeper. Watching her come unleashes a beast within me as I frantically fuck her.

The grip on her hips tightens, and I hope I’m not hurting her, but the idea of marking her, showing she’s mine, spurs me on. With one final thrust, I’m coming with a roar. Once I spill every last drop, I start to pull out of her and watch as our orgasms start to drip. With two fingers, I plunge our cum back inside her, pulling another whimper from her lips, before dropping my forehead to her lower back. Trailing kisses up her spine, I feel her panting against my head.

Lying beside her, I pull her into my arms. “You’re fucking perfect, Firecracker.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Golden Boy.”

We stay there in silence, the only sounds our breaths and the lapping of the waves on the shore. Stars sparkle in the sky as shadows of a passing ship flick across the horizon. It’s calm and peaceful with her in my arms, her head on my chest .

I place a small kiss on her forehead as I whisper, “I love you.” In this moment, it’s only her and I. I’m not sure how much time passes before I slip my shirt over her naked body and carry her back to our room.

I just hope she forgives me.