Chapter 26
ANDREW
SIX MONTHS LATER
I lay on my side, staring out at the cerulean waves that surrounded us.
The only blip in the morning quiet was a nearby boat that kept circling, likely curious onlookers trying to take a photo of the ship.
It reminded me of many months ago when the news of our love story erupted, and Rowan and I were inundated by phone calls and texts and paparazzi in speedboats.
His uncle had been furious about the attention, but in the end, it all worked out.
An actual celebrity scandal broke, and we were old news.
We’d settled into a routine of sorts over the past months.
Rowan and I would sit up on the sundeck and work.
Me on my laptop, setting up my business, and he on his, working on a philanthropy project.
He decided to take a year’s leave of absence and focus on a charity venture.
The project involved sustainable housing for low-income individuals, and Rowan was thriving with new energy.
Even his blood pressure had reduced dramatically.
I had a feeling he wanted to work on this venture full-time and would eventually resign as CEO but retain his shares and a seat on the board in Carter Enterprises.
Whatever made him happy was good with me.
In the afternoons, we would work until three and then take a dip in the water or ride the tender to an unspoilt beach.
We’d settled easily into our secluded living arrangement.
Of course, we’d bypassed the usual dating timelines that I’d initially proposed, but neither of us cared.
We were in love, and every moment together was better than the last. Given Rowan’s money and position, normal was something we would rarely experience, and I’d take him any way I could get him.
My folks had been inundated with calls and emails from journalists, and I’d worried I put them through undue strain.
But, after two months, the constant media chatter quieted.
The press had other targets to focus on.
With Rowan’s support, I got through it, and my anxiety was under better control.
It probably wouldn’t be the last time we’d deal with the press, but Rowan’s patience and dedication meant the world.
He was the lover and partner I had secretly longed for, and some days I woke up and pinched myself to make sure this was all real.
“Good morning, love,” Rowan whispered as he rolled over and spooned me. He peppered my neck with hot kisses and languid licks, then teased my sensitive neck with his scruff.
“It looks like another perfect day.” I replied. “Calm and peaceful.”
“Let’s enjoy the quiet while it lasts because our respective families are about to descend on us and then there will be no rest.”
“Are you nervous about meeting my parents?” I asked, but I didn’t need a verbal answer. I felt his body tense up.
I turned in his arms to face him and propped my head on my hand. “What it is?” I asked as I looked into his dark blue eyes, swirling with trepidation.
“I worry that your mum and dad will wonder what the hell you’re doing with me given everything that’s happened. All the attention and the media hounds. You won’t have a nice, normal, quiet life.”
“If I wanted that life, I would’ve gone back to Atlanta. I don’t want normal or quiet. I want you.” I pushed him down on the mattress and proceeded to kiss the worry out of him.
An hour and two orgasms later, we both lay panting and sweating, staring at each other with stupid grins on our faces.
Rowan’s phone pinged, startling us both.
“It’s Rafe,” He murmured and showed me the message.
Rafe: Looking forward to visiting you and your beloved. I knew that if Julia and Hugh survived the Hollywood press, you would too. Have you replaced Captain Crunch yet?
“God, we’re going to have to referee another fight between those two.”
“Don’t you see what’s going on?” I asked, and he looked at me with his brow furrowed.
I rolled my eyes and took his phone, typing away on Rowan’s behalf.
Rowan: the captain is here to stay. He’s been working out a lot, so don’t piss him off. He could manhandle you NP. I’ve never seen a forty-seven-year-old so fit in my life.
Rafe: Gotta go
I laughed hard, but Rowan was still confused. “Your brother has the hots for the captain.”
Rowan shook his head. “I don’t think so. They detest each other. Remember Christmas?”
“How could I forget? I’ve never heard anyone mention a cock cage at the dinner table before,” I laughed. “Mark my words, those two are due for a good hate-fuck.”
“Ew. Please don’t say that in reference to my brother. Or the captain. And I think you’ve been reading too many of Cara’s books. They’re giving you wild romantic notions about everyone. Next thing, you’ll be telling me Dylan’s true love is awaiting him and it’s a man.”
“I’ve got a feeling that might be true, but it’s not my place to say.” I looked at Rowan, and he nodded but said nothing further on the subject.
“Thirty minutes, my love. Let’s get showered and dressed.”
We stood on the bridge deck aft a half hour later, waving to the tender that was carrying my parents and Rowan’s, as well as Rafe. His sister and aunt were busy with work projects and would meet up with us in a few weeks.
My parents boarded first and glanced around the ship in awe until they spotted me. Mama had her big straw hat on, looking glamorous, and my dad gave a wave. My mom ran up and hugged Rowan and my father did the same. No handshakes with my family, hugs only.
“So nice to see you again, Rowan. Phone calls and video chats are good, but nothing replaces the real deal. And I was talking to your wonderful mother on the boat ride over here, and we agreed that a fall wedding would be perfect.”
I shook my head and glanced at my boyfriend, expecting him to freak out at my mom’s bold statement. As usual, he was effortlessly smooth.
“I would say springtime, late May or early June? The days are long, and the weather is lovely here in the Caribbean.”
My mom beamed at him and shook her finger. “So smart. I knew Andrew would pick a good one.” He’d have my mom wrapped around his finger in no time.
“Come on, Emme, save the wedding talk for later. Preferably when I’m not around,” My dad chimed in and winked at me. “Let the boys greet Rowan’s folks.”
I mouthed a silent “thank you” to my dad who grinned. I spotted Jamie and Ruby talking to the captain, heading our way.
“Jamie, Ruby, it’s great to see you again.
” I gave them each a hug, and they seemed just as ecstatic as my parents to be on board.
I’d worried at first that Rowan’s parents would assume I was after him for his money.
They didn’t seem concerned, and all that was put to rest when Aiden had me sign a year’s worth of paperwork to protect Rowan’s assets.
I signed each document without hesitation.
Rowan could lose it all or donate it, and I didn’t care.
Jamie told me a month ago that he’d never seen Rowan so happy in his life, and I couldn’t contain the resulting tears. My boyfriend’s joy was all I wanted.
“How’s your business unfolding, Andrew?” Jamie asked as I poured champagne for everyone (thankfully not in uniform anymore). Rowan took the glasses and passed them around.
“It’s going great. I met Jasper’s mother, and she’s provided me with a list of referrals. The website launched, and I’ve got new hires vetted for bookings. Everything is done virtually, so it’s been pretty smooth.”
“And the media lately?”
“Quiet. Not like a few months ago when it was overwhelming. I avoid social media as much as possible, and Rowan’s media team have been very supportive.
Luckily, my business hasn’t been impacted.
It’s an online platform under a corporate name, so there isn’t much face to face.
And Rowan isn’t front page news anymore, so I’m not concerned. ”
“Where’s Rafe?” Rowan asked suddenly, and everyone looked around.
“He was walking right behind me,” Jamie replied.
I strolled over to the railing and spotted him on the lower deck in a heated argument with the captain.
“Rafe!” I yelled out and waved at him to intervene.
He waved back and walked around the captain, heading up the stairs.
When he finally reached us, I passed him a glass of champagne and gave him a quick side hug. “Flirting again?” I teased.
“With that man?” he spat out. “He should be so fucking lucky! No, unfortunately I tripped as I was getting out of the tender, and George caught me, then lectured me about minding my way. Apparently, if I wasn’t so busy yapping, I’d see where I was going.
Like I meant to bump into him. Grumpy arsehole. ”
“Come on. Have a drink and tell me about your latest modeling gig.”
I led him over to our gathered family, but before anyone could get another word in, Rowan lifted his glass.
“Thank you everyone for being here this weekend.” He cleared his throat. “I would like to kick things off by making a toast. To my love, Andrew. The very first day we met, I accidentally sprayed him with my hose…”
“Is that a euphemism?” Rafe interrupted with a smirk, and I elbowed him.
Rowan shook his head and continued. “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by my younger but much older-looking brother…” He paused, and everyone chuckled.
“I was so distracted by this gorgeous man boarding my ship that I accidentally sprayed him with a hose full of cold water. Then he proceeded to insult me, and I was smitten. I’d reached a point in my life where I didn’t think I could get diverted by anyone, but I felt an immediate connection with Andrew.
Try as we did, we couldn’t ignore our hearts’ desire for each other.
And now this wonderful man is a permanent part of my life, and I couldn’t be happier.
” He gazed at me with such devotion that I felt my eyes well up.
“To this amazing journey we’re embarked on, my love. I can’t wait to share it all with you.”
“Cheers!”
“Sláinte!”
I was too choked up to speak, so I walked over and slid my arm around Rowan’s waist, offering him a kiss.
He put his glass down, taking my face in his hands, gently rubbing my cheekbones, and melting me with those killer dimples.
There was no doubt in my mind that he would always have this overwhelming effect on me.
“No more kissy face, Ro. Feed your guests!” Rafe yelled jokingly.
Rowan waggled his eyebrows at me. “Our room, ten o’clock?”
“It’s a date.” I gave him one last kiss before turning back to our family.
After a huge lunch, we swam in the ocean and played cards.
Mom and Rafe beat Jamie and Dad, much to Jamie’s shock.
They’d already set up a future date so Jamie could trounce them.
I was happy to see our parents getting along.
I worried that they wouldn’t have anything in common, but Rowan’s parents were good people and seemed to especially enjoy the company of my forthright mom.
She and Jamie were not shy about their opinions on anything and became quick friends.
That evening, after supper, all our family retired to their rooms. It was just Rowan and I sitting on the bridge deck, enjoying a late-night cup of tea. I’d grown to appreciate his nightly ritual and admitted that it brought a kind of calm into my daily routine.
“Drew,” Rowan whispered to me as we held hands, staring out at the starlight sky. The sea was calm, and the full moon reflected brightly in it like a perfect mirror. It had been a wonderful day, and I was still floating.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I said as I turned my head in his direction, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
He moved closer to me and leaned in for a kiss.
Like always, I was captivated by his touch, the pleasure so intense it lingered even when he pulled back.
I reached for him again, but he quickly slipped to his knees in front of me.
I stared, open-mouthed as he withdrew a blue box from his pocket and opened it.
Two gleaming white gold bands, each with a single diamond, sat nestled in the velvet lining.
“Ro…”
“I know it’s not elaborate, but it seemed fitting that I would ask you to be my husband in the exact place where we met.
I love you so much, and I can’t wait to explore new dreams and adventures with you.
You’re my heart and forever my home. Will you make me the happiest man on the planet and marry me?
” he asked, offering me the ring with a shaky hand.
His beautiful blue eyes welled up and matched mine, and I could only nod, overwhelmed with my emotions.
He slipped the ring on my left hand and kissed it.
As tears slowly trickled down my face, I finally found my words. “I love you more than anything. It will be my honor and my absolute pleasure to be your husband, Conor Rowan Carter,” I whispered out his full name and reached for the other ring, slipping it on his hand in turn.
As I looked down in awe at our joined hands, I knew that Rowan and I were headed on a beautiful voyage together for the rest of our lives. We would be each other’s buoy, tethered tightly in rough waters and calm, navigating the falling and rising tides of life.
The End