Chapter 35
GEORGE
A WEEK LATER. THE REUNION.
T he day had finally arrived. My Rafe was arriving from Miami.
My body was running on pure adrenaline and had been for days now. Just the thought of having my love back in my arms was overwhelming.
I’d meant what I said. Rafe wasn’t leaving my side for as long as he was here. Our bodyguards better wait out in the hallway of my building because I was not going to hold back. Rafe and I had a month of sex to catch up on, and I’d bought so much lube there was probably none left on the island.
My only nagging worry was the situation with Aldo. Aiden was headed to Italy to present the agreement, and I just hoped that he would have that sorted as soon as possible.
Rafe’s flight was delayed by a half hour, so I paced at the airport arrivals until the plane landed.
The rose I had picked up for him was starting to wilt in the heat.
Much like my patience. This past month had been the longest in my life.
I needed to hold Rafe in my arms and show him how much I’d missed him.
Kiernan stood nearby, stoically staring at me with his sunglasses on, one eyebrow raised as my pacing grew more frantic. He thought I was acting a nutter for the past week as I ran around getting everything ready for Rafe’s arrival.
I turned and looked out the window to see the passengers disembarking on the tarmac.
I spotted Korry first. The man was Kiernan’s twin, standing at six foot five, head and shoulders above everyone else.
Then I spotted a familiar head of honey-colored hair, and as the crowd thinned out, my heart came into view.
Korry turned and said something and Rafe laughed, his gorgeous smile knocking the wind right out of me.
Without thinking, I pushed through the glass door and walked out to meet them, Kiernan on my heels.
Rafe spotted me and dropped his bag, running at me full speed.
He jumped up into my arms, wrapping his legs around my waist. I nearly toppled over at the force of our impact, but managed to stay upright as I savored the feel of his lithe body in my arms again.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I did my best to blink them away.
“I missed you so, so much,” I admitted.
“Not as much as I missed you,” Rafe replied.
I claimed his mouth with devouring kisses, each one more frantic than the last. I didn’t care who was watching, or if they were watching. I just needed him.
“Save that for later, we’re holding up the runway,” Kiernan interrupted.
Or was it Korry? They not only looked identical but sounded it too. Whoever it was, I was far too happy to grumble out a snarky reply.
I slowly lowered Rafe to the ground. Then I remembered the rose, slightly crushed now but still intact, and he took it, resting the bloom against his flushed cheek.
“I don’t have a rose for you,” Rafe whispered in response.
I cupped his face and stared into the deep blue eyes that haunted my every dream.
“I don’t need one. You, my love, are the rose.”
His eyes welled up and spilled over.
“Too much?”
Rafe shook his head, wiping his eyes. “No. I just can’t believe I’m in love with the most romantic man on the entire planet.”
I laughed and shook my head. “It’s all you. I’m no poet, but I could write sonnets about you for days.”
“You already did. The letters you wrote me are beautiful. You should consider writing if you ever get tired of sailing.”
“Never going to happen. You ready?” I asked.
Rafe nodded and reached for my hand.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kiernan pick up Rafe’s carry-on. “I’ll head inside and wait for the rest of his luggage.”
I half paid attention to what he said, too absorbed in taking in every detail of my love. His hair was much longer, the streaky waves tumbling below his shoulders. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes sparkled with that mischievous light I knew so well.
“Let’s go home,” I said and was treated to his luminous smile again.
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a month,” he replied and pulled me inside.
Korry was so quiet that I forgot he was standing beside us, and I jolted when I turned and saw him. I guess I was still getting used to being hovered over.
We walked to the luggage carousel and Rafe told me all about his flight from Miami while we waited for his bags. I’d slipped my arm around his waist and refused to let go. He seemed just as keen, unable to stop touching me.
Once we got all his luggage, we headed out and loaded up my open-air Jeep.
With Kiernan driving and Korry beside him, Rafe and I snuggled into the back seat.
Or rather, Rafe used me as the back seat, sitting on my lap.
We took a tour of the island before driving to the southwest tip where my condo was located, near Smuggler’s Cove.
We also passed Road Town, the busy capital, and the harbor that was a yachter’s dream.
“I enjoyed my time in Switzerland, but I couldn’t wait to get here,” Rafe admitted, and I tightened my arms around him. “I can’t believe how much I missed you.”
“I’ve barely slept the past week knowing you were coming,” I replied, tasting his lips. They were sweeter than I remembered, and suddenly I wished we could teleport back to my bedroom.
“Both of us will be coming. As soon as we get to your place,” he whispered in my ear, then reared back. “But first things first. Please tell me there’s a nude beach somewhere on the island.”
“Unfortunately, sunbathing nude is strictly prohibited,” I smiled back at him. “You’ll have to be content being naked at home. For my eyes only.”
“Well, it was a nice visit, but I’ll need you to drop me back at the airport,” Rafe quipped.
I pinched him and he squirmed, rubbing his taut arse against my cock. My dick was far too excited about being with Rafe again that I didn’t know how I’d get out of the Jeep without embarrassing myself in front of the Doyle twins.
“Don’t start that here,” I commanded and squeezed his waist.
Rafe shivered. “Don’t use that bossy tone on me. You know it gets me hot.”
I heard a loud cough from the front seat and gently slid Rafe off my lap.
“Trouble,” I grumbled.
“You’ve missed my brand of trouble,” Rafe replied with a cheeky grin.
“More than I can ever express. I’m so glad you’re home.”
Was it premature of me to call my flat his home? Maybe. But it felt right. And judging by the glow on his face, he felt the same way.
“Speaking of homes, Rowan has a house on Virgin Gorda. Have you ever been?” Rafe asked.
“Several times. It’s a lovely property.” I paused. “Which is a good reminder. My place is nothing like that. It’s basic. Not at all like…”
Rafe placed his fingers over my lips, and I kissed them. “I don’t need anything fancy. I just meant, maybe we can take a day trip there. I’ve never toured all the islands.”
“We’ll take my boat and explore them all. There are so many great beaches and dive sites. And I’ve got loads of gear. The area has some of the most delicate coral in the Caribbean.”
“What’s the name of your boat?” Rafe asked.
“It’s not original at all,” I mumbled, suddenly shy.
“Tell me.”
“The boat I keep moored here is called Fair Winds.”
“I like it. And after that storm in Australia, I think that’s just what we need,” Rafe chuckled.
“The only thing I need is you.”
“Sweetheart.” Rafe leaned over to kiss me.
All the emotions I’d been bottling up for the past month threatened to unravel me as our lips met again. But I held myself in check. Barely. We were only a few minutes from my flat and there were things that needed to be said.
In private.
Rafe reared back and the look of heat in his eyes made my cock thicken. He turned to Kiernan and Korry in the front seat. “Can’t you drive any faster?”
“No,” they replied in perfect unison, and the booming sound had both Rafe and I leaning back.
Thankfully the drive along the coast was brief.
My condo was built on a peninsula at the western tip of the island.
With tropical palms lining the gated laneway and flowers and fruit trees, it was my little slice of paradise here on earth.
And it was also a five-minute drive to the marina where I spent most of my time.
We passed through the security gate and, after Kiernan parked, he and Korry helped us unload and carry up the suitcases.
My unit was on the 3rd floor, the top level.
No elevators. It was common in this part of the world to have walk-ups but, for the first time, I’d wished we had a speedier way to get up to my unit.
Every step closer, my heart raced faster, and my breathing followed suit.
Until I was sure I was about to run out of oxygen by the time we got to my unit.
Unlocking the steel door, I opened it up and waved Rafe in. The view of the bright turquoise water was the first thing you noticed upon entering the unit, and then the sound of the waves.
“Welcome home,” I announced and waited for his reaction.
“Pictures did not do this place justice,” Rafe exclaimed.
He toed off his trainers and headed straight through the living room, opening the slider door and stepping out onto the balcony. From up here, there was a view of the cliffside pool and the beach below, with many residents taking their daily swim or stroll.
I’d used my time wisely over the past weeks, furnishing the patio just as Rafe had envisioned.
I’d added two plush loungers, a dining table, a barbecue, and a pink woven hammock.
I wasn’t sure about the hammock at first but as soon as I put it up, I knew it was right.
It brought color to the space, just like Rafe’s appearance in my life.
“A pink hammock! Dibs!” he yelled and eased unto it. He leaned back and stretched his long legs out, placing his hands behind his head, his smile as bright as the sunshine around us. “You did all this?”
“Do you approve of my choices? I’m no interior designer, but I did my best.” I sat down on a lounger beside him. “And the hammock, by the way, can fit both of us.”
“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received,” Rafe replied as his smile turned to something much more sinful. “I’m serious, George. No one has ever done something like this for me. And as much as I could lie out here all day, I really want to see your bedroom.”
“Our bedroom. I want you to think of this place as yours now too. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I do,” Rafe whispered.
His words made me shiver.
“Now go tell Korry and Kiernan to wait outside for a few hours.”
“I don’t think that’s enough time,” I replied.
Rafe eased out of the hammock and held out his hand. “I think you’re right.”
“I’ve got a tent in my storage unit.”
“That should work.”