Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Kylie didn’t try to speak since the motor was way too loud for conversation to take place. Instead, she thought of what these next two days with Zane meant.
Already, she had lost her heart to this man.
She had closed herself off from emotions ever since losing Amy Marie, but Zane had awakened feelings in her.
Good ones. While she knew their relationship was but a brief moment in time, it gave her hope for the future.
That she could laugh again. Truly live again. Even maybe love again.
She had told him men and marriage weren’t for her.
Children, too. Though she had meant it at the time, she was reconsidering her future.
Keira and Kevin had been instrumental in changing her mind.
Tonight, she had stepped into the role of parenting, being a team with Zane as they cared for the twins in their parents’ absence.
Kylie wanted to be part of a team again.
To have a true marriage, where she was an equal partner with her husband.
She’d always had a soft spot for children and had adored being a mother to Amy Marie.
She wanted that again, realizing that opening her heart to the idea of children again didn’t mean she loved her little girl any less.
It meant that she had enough love in her heart to try again.
Even though there was no guarantee that tragedy wouldn’t strike again, Kylie believed any time with a child of her own would be rewarding.
Looking at Zane’s profile as he gazed across the water, she wished it could be with this man.
They came from worlds too different, though.
Like her, he had been hurt by his marriage, burned so badly that he never wanted to try it again.
Perhaps down the line, Zane would also come to the realization that he had a lot to offer a woman.
A lump grew in her throat, hoping he would find love one day.
She had a lot to be grateful for. He had opened her eyes to new possibilities, ones she had thought she had closed and locked the door to, but her brief time with Zane was proving to be life-altering.
Kylie sighed, thinking she would enjoy this weekend and celebrate it for what it was, time with a man who had made her feel good about herself again.
He slowed the boat, cutting the motor, and they drifted the final feet to a dock. Zane secured the skiff and climbed out. She took his hand and left the boat, ready for a storybook forty-eight hours to unfold.
They walked in the moonlight from the water toward the hotel, but he surprised her, turning down a path before they reached the front entrance.
“We’re not staying in the hotel itself,” he explained. “Or we can tomorrow night, if you want to do that. Instead, I have us booked in one of the bungalows.”
Kylie remembered just how luxurious the one bungalow they had looked at was. “I’m just happy to be with you, Zane. It doesn’t matter where we stay.”
He stopped, drawing her into his arms and kissing her.
She reveled in the kiss, knowing this man had helped make her strong mentally and emotionally.
When he looked at her, she knew she was desired.
Zane Wagner had helped Kylie win back her confidence, which Brady had trampled on so hard, she had stopped believing in herself.
Taking her hand, Zane led Kylie down the path to a bungalow where lights glowed. He removed a keycard from his pocket and scanned it, opening the door.
As they entered, she took in the tasteful furnishings, all done in a beachy mode which was welcoming, the soothing colors of ocean and sand dominating the décor.
She saw her weekender standing by the door to the bedroom.
She had dropped it off with Danny this morning, and he had said he would have one of the staff members take it to the hotel and hold it for her arrival.
On a table, she spied a silver bucket, a champagne bottle chilling inside it. A plate of cheese and fruit stood next to it.
“Want a little snack?” Zane asked.
“I’d love a glass of champagne.”
He uncorked the bottle and poured glasses for both of them, handing her one.
Holding his up, he said, “To us—and a weekend where we don’t think about anything but relaxing together.”
Kylie tapped her glass to his. “I can definitely drink to that.”
She sipped on the cold liquid, the bubbles teasing her nose as she did so.
“Sit,” Zane encouraged, pulling out a chair for her. “This smoked Havarti is my favorite. Try some.”
She accepted the slice of cheese and nibbled it. “Yum. It’s delicious.”
They tried all of the fruits and cheese on the tray, talking about the upcoming Fourth of July celebration to be held in the Bay.
“Dad is excited to be arriving in time for the parade. As a kid, he always participated in it, first as part of the Scouts who built floats, and later as member of the Driftwood Bay Pirates marching band. He was drum major his senior year and said that position taught him a lot about leadership, life lessons which he carried with him to college and even used in business.”
“I’m glad he’ll be able to see his parents while he’s here. And Tidewater, of course.”
“Dad tries to get to every property we build. Gran and Gramps are thrilled that he’s coming in.”
Without meaning to, Kylie yawned. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized.
He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing it. “You’re tired. I know. You get up long before the sun, every day. Do you think you can sleep in tomorrow?”
“I don’t want to sleep the morning away, but if I could sleep until eight—or even nine—that would be fabulous. I can’t remember the last time I did so.”
Zane stood, taking her hand and leading her into the bedroom. He picked up her weekender and brought it, as well, setting it on the bed.
“I need to get up and train tomorrow. I’ve got to keep to my running schedule in order to be ready for the marathon. I’ll do that early and let you sleep. Tell me what time you want me to get you up, and I’ll awaken you then.”
“Eight,” she said, trying to stifle another yawn. “I’m sorry. Fatigue is just shooting through me now. I had visions of making love with you, but I feel pretty worthless right now.”
He kissed her. “We’ll make plenty of time for that,” he promised.
“Good. Then I’m going to brush my teeth and fall into bed. I’m so tired, I think I’ll skip flossing.”
“Horror of horrors!” he exclaimed, causing her to laugh.
Kylie joined Zane in the large bathroom, both brushing their teeth and stripping off their clothes. He led her to the bed, and she climbed in, her head sinking into the pillow as he spooned against her, pulling the sheet over them.
“Thank you in advance for a wonderful weekend,” she murmured as she drifted into a blissful slumber.
Kylie awoke once, the room still dark, feeling Zane’s lips brush against her temple. She assumed he was rising for his workout and rolled over.
The next thing she knew, she felt someone nibbling on her bare shoulder. Lazily, she opened her eyes and saw a naked Zane was sitting on the bed, hovering over her.
“Is this the usual wake-up service at Tidewater?” she flirted.
“Only for our most special guests,” he murmured against her throat, nipping at it.
Desire flooded her, and she thrust her fingers into his hair, holding on tightly. His hands swept along her body, following its curves, his hands lingering at her hips.
“I need you now,” she insisted. “Fast and hard. Don’t make me wait.”
He responded by kissing her, a kiss which took her breath away, even as his fingers stroked her core.
He parted her, a finger plunging deep inside her, causing her to mewl as she gripped him even more tightly.
His finger teased her, stroking her, then pressed hard against her nub, circling it again and again.
Pressure built within her, and she cried out, the orgasm causing her to shudder violently.
Light filled her, along with waves of pleasure, and she rode them until the end.
As the orgasm trailed off, he thrust deeply into her, his kiss demanding, his body commanding hers. She gave total control to him, his powerful thrusts causing her to hang on for dear life. Another orgasm came, shattering her, and she found herself weeping, her emotions high.
He kissed her damp cheeks. “That was amazing.”
Kylie bit back words of love, knowing she could never say them to this man. Instead, she flirtatiously said, “If this was your opening act, I can’t wait to see what you do for an encore.”
Zane laughed heartily, burying his lips against her neck, nuzzling her. Then his gaze met hers. “I can’t believe I have you for two entire days.”
Her heart heavy, knowing that she loved him and could never express that to him, she managed a smile. “I think I’ve worked up an appetite. You mentioned breakfast in bed?”
He reached for the phone on the nightstand beside the bed. “What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
Kylie got up and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She glanced into the mirror.
“What have I done?”
But she knew the answer.
She had fallen in love with a man who didn’t believe in love anymore.