Part 3 Sadie
I roll over into Ben’s arms. I’m naked and sweaty and utterly satiated. I thought I’d had good sex before. I thought wrong. I didn’t know what good sex was before today.
“I’m getting why the mermaid jumped off the cliffs.”
Ben’s brow wrinkles. “I need an explanation.”
“I told you about the mermaid who jumped off the cliffs at Mermaid Mystical Gardens.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You did but I don’t understand your statement.”
“Because silly.” I roll my eyes. “If I didn’t have you anymore, I wouldn’t want to live either. You’re my ride or die.”
His eyes flash and he clutches my hand. He places it against his heart, which is beating out of control. “Don’t say that, darling. I don’t want to imagine a world without you in it.”
“Okay.” I give in.
I don’t want to talk about death now anyway. I never want to imagine Ben not being in this world either.
“We need to discuss our next steps. I have a gazillion ideas for renovations of the motel. I have a list on my phone.” I start to roll away but Ben captures my hand and brings me back.
“Tell me what you remember. I’m not ready for you to leave this bed.”
I shiver. “I need some recovery time or I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
He smirks. “Mission accomplished.”
I giggle. “You’re trouble.”
“The best kind.”
I can’t deny it. Moving on.
“Ideas for the motel. I want to fix the swimming pool. People can swim in the ocean but it’s not the same. When I was a kid, the pool at the motel was a happening place. We could add a swim up bar and make the pool a destination.”
“Sounds good. What else?”
“The rooms obviously need to be updated. I’m thinking retro 50s style to match the sign, which I think we should keep.”
“Have you worked up a cost analysis?”
I flinch. “I have. It’s expensive.”
“We’ll figure it out. I have some money saved. If worse comes to worst, we’ll raise the funds with a second mortgage.”
“But you bought the motel. I can’t ask you to spend more money on it.”
He frowns. “You’re not asking. I’m telling.”
“You’re not asking. I’m telling,” I imitate his deep voice.
He smiles. “We’ll make a business plan and take it to the bank. Maybe they’ll give us a business loan.”
“How did you get this smart?”
“There’s more to me than my good looks.” He winks.
I rake my gaze up and down him. His chest is naked but a sheet lays over his hips hiding the rest of him. “Good looks, talent in the bedroom, and smart. Cha-ching! Jackpot for Sadie.”
He chuckles as he shakes his head. “Pretty sure I’m the one who won the jackpot.”
I love how he thinks that. I sigh. “I love you.”
He wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me to him. “And I love you, darling. What do you think about moving in with me here?”
“Here, as in the owner’s suite?”
He nods.
“Well.” I tap my chin as I pretend to consider the question. “If I gave up my apartment, I’d have more money to spend on the mortgage and renovation.”
“It is a sound economical decision.”
My nose wrinkles. “But I can’t move in with you until you meet my dad and brothers. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t need their approval. But things are easier if I pretend to want it.”
“My devious Sadie.”
“Devious sounds evil. I prefer the term crafty.”
He barks out a laugh. “You prefer the term crafty? You who nearly burned down this suite when you used the oven.”
“I wouldn’t say burned down.”
“And what about the flood when you took a bath?”
“Flood is an exaggeration of the facts.”
His body shakes with laughter. “I love you, Sadie. Life is never going to be boring with you around.”
“Me and Smuggler’s Hideaway. I can’t wait to show you the island. You’re going to love it. Oh, and I need to introduce you to Caleb. He struggled after he got out of the Army. Maybe you two can talk about it.”
He sobers. “Are you worried about me?”
My nose wrinkles. “I’m worried you left the Army before you were ready. You didn’t mention it once and then – bam! – I’m out. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy you’re home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that.”
My heart skips a beat. “You are home, aren’t you? This isn’t a pitstop on your way to somewhere else?”
“My darling Sadie.” He brushes the hair off my face. “I thought I made this clear. Wherever you are is my home.”
“Sorry. I promise I’m not usually this needy.”
“Be needy all you want. I’ll reassure you until I’m blue in the face.”
There’s a knock on the door. “Sadie!”
“Good. Because that’s my dad on the other side of the door.”
Ben’s eyes widen. “Shit. And I’m naked in bed with his daughter.”
He rolls out of bed but forgets to remove the sheet and ends up falling to the floor with a loud thunk. I lean over the bed to look at him. “And now you’re on the floor naked.”
His cheeks darken. “Don’t make me spank you.”
My body tingles at the idea.
He groans. “And now I’m thinking about spanking your naked ass while your father is standing outside waiting for us.”
I jump out of bed. “Good thing he’s not a mind reader.”
“Then, how did he know I’m here? Wait. Does he know?”
I offer him a hand to help him up but he does some hot boy move and springs to his feet without any help from me.
“Of course, he knows. This is Smuggler’s Hideaway. All the smugglers and mermaids know you’re here by now.”
“Sadie!” My dad pounds on the door.
And Ben rushes into action. He throws my clothes at me before donning his jeans without any underwear. He glances at the bed. “We’ll keep the door to the bedroom closed.”
I point to my head. “Pretty sure I have sex hair.”
He runs a hand over his own hair. He has a military cut, so he has nothing to worry about.
I slip into my shorts and tank top before throwing my hair into a bun on top of my head. Ben shakes his head at me. “What? I’m dressed.”
He wraps an arm around my waist and hauls me near. “You’re too sexy for your own good.”
“And you need to put a shirt on before I ignore my dad and jump you.”
“Sadie!”
Ben groans. “I don’t think your dad is willing to be ignored.”
“We’ll pretend we’re not here.”
“I know you’re in there!” Dad yells and Ben groans.
“We can sneak out the window. It leads to the parking lot. We’ll be in my car and at the beach before he realizes it.”
Ben shakes his head. “I don’t duck out from my responsibilities.”
I blow a raspberry. “Boring.”
“And yet you love me.”
I beam up at him. “Yep. I do. Which is why I’m not crawling out the window.”
He puts on a t-shirt before tagging my hand and leading me out of the bedroom. He makes sure to shut the door behind us.
“Maybe she’s not here,” I hear Mom say right before Ben opens the door.
My eyes widen when I realize my entire family is standing outside the door. I should have realized. Ben’s hand squeezes mine. I smile up at him. “Showtime.”
He kisses my forehead before releasing my hand and wrapping an arm around my waist. “I’m with you.”
“Dad, Mom, annoying siblings, this is Ben.”
I count to three before chaos erupts.
“Why haven’t I met him?”
“He’s handsome.”
“Why do you have sex hair?”
“I should have become a pen pal to a soldier.”
I glance up at Ben. He’s not trying to run away. He doesn’t appear scared. He’s steady. Ready to tackle whatever problem arises.
Writing to a soldier I didn’t know was the best idea I ever had. (And, yes, I’m claiming it was my idea from here on out.) I never thought a year of letter writing could lead to love, but boy am I glad it did.
My heart is full. Not even my annoying brothers are annoying me now.
I have everything I ever dreamed of having.
This is the start of our life. I can’t wait to see where it goes.