Never enough, p.4
Never Enough, page 4
The only damper to their time tucked into each other’s arms, was Nick’s tendency to startle in his sleep, his mumbling of mostly nonsensical words. The two whispered words that had come through loud and clear were ‘Lauren’, the woman’s name accompanied by a simple, ‘no’.
Despite their agreement for a no-strings-attached affair, Mandy couldn’t stifle her curiosity about the identity of the unknown Lauren.
At half past nine, Mandy pressed a kiss to Nick’s cheek and made her way to the door. She needed to go back to her own room and change her clothes, grab her bathing suit and terry cloth beach robe.
He was on the phone with the maintenance department and it was all Mandy could do to hold another round of laughter in check.
“Yes, I realize it’s an unusual request but I can’t close the damned curtains like this.” He paused. “I told you, my phone rang, I came out of the bathroom too quickly, lost my balance and grabbed onto the drapes to break my fall.”
She couldn’t hear what the other person was saying, but she could tell Nick’s temper was on the rise.
“I’ll pay for the bloody repair. Just fix it. I’ll be out for four or five hours. That should give you plenty of time to replace or repair the damned thing.” A pause. “I’m sorry. You’re right, my language was inappropriate.”
Chapter 6
WHAT THE HELL HAD SHE been thinking? Parasailing?
Nick was stepping into the right side of the tandem harness, cinching the safety belt around his waist.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she asked for the fourth or fifth time.
“Yes, sweetheart, I know exactly what I’m doing, as do the fellows in the boat. I’ll keep you safe, and they’ll give us a smooth ride.”
Nick held up her harness and, nervously, Mandy stepped through the loops that would wrap around her thighs.
“If this kills me, I’ll be back to haunt you,” she warned.
He pressed his lips to her cheek. “I promise, once we’re up in the air, you’re going to love it. Flying through the sky is the most wonderfully freeing experience.”
Mandy gave a quick look out over the water. “Do we land in the ocean?”
Nick bit his lip, as if he were fighting back one of his crooked grins. “We can dip or drop. It’s up to you.”
She closed her eyes and let go a long, deep sigh. “Surprise me.”
“You two ready?” The young man’s voice sounded miles away, muffled by the breeze off the gulf.
Nick gave an enthusiastic thumbs up, followed by a flat wave of his hand.
Mandy pulled in a breath and waited for the boat to take off, the towline pulling taut. Within seconds, they were off the launch spot and rising higher and higher over the bright blue water.
They caught a draft of air and sailed higher still. Mandy blinked, adjusting to the change in sunlight as they climbed. Wind rushed through her hair, blowing her tightly drawn ponytail free of its pins.
“Oh... my gosh... this is...” her words drifted on a gust of wind.
Nick grasped her hand in his, and leaned closer to give her a quick kiss. Every once in a while he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, or stroked his thumb across the back of her knuckles, letting her know he was there, keeping his promise; keeping her safe.
They made a circle of the far end of the island before beginning their slow descent. Nick had been right. The free flight was like nothing she’d ever done before.
“You ready to land, sweetheart?” His deep voice cut easily through the space between them.
She nodded.
The back of the boat—the drop—beckoned, the half-dozen other passengers waving at them, and attending to their own harnesses in preparation for their turn. The wide, open deck of the boat jumped up to greet them. Mandy braced herself for landing, as she’d been instructed. Within three feet of the water’s surface, six feet short of the boat, Nick released their tether, dumping them into the ocean for ‘the dip’.
The red and white sail dragged behind them in the water. The outboard whined loudly and pulled away, leaving them bobbing in the salty ocean.
“Well, what did you think?” Nick uncinched Mandy’s harness and pulled the rigging close, gathering everything up in a neat ball.
“It was wonderful. I want to do it again before we leave the island.”
He gave her a broad grin. “I’ll book us a spot for Friday, if you’d like.”
Once they’d waded to shore, Nick handed off the soggy equipment to the waiting crewman and drew Mandy to his side. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “That was the second most thrilling thing I’ve done since I arrived on San Bella Island.”
“Second?” He met her gaze. “What was the first?”
“Making love with you, of course.”
THEY WANDERED AROUND Blast of the Past—the island’s antique store housed in a huge blue and white barn. The owner, a wonderfully animated woman named Eleanor Potter, stood off to the side engaged in conversation with one of the locals, their focus on the weather forecast.
“Storm’s coming,” Mrs. Potter commented.
The older man at her side agreed. “Gonna keep the tourists inside for sure.”
Mandy stopped in front of a display case filled with hand-carved music boxes, opening and closing each one just long enough to identify the music. Nick watched her from a short distance, as she returned time and again to the box with the angel figurine on the top. The box played one of his personal favorite pieces of classical music.
She set the box back down and moved on to a shelf of dolls, their porcelain faces chipped, making them all the more beautiful and, no doubt, more valuable.
When she’d stepped into a back section of the big building, Nick made his way to the counter.
“Once we’ve gone,” he told Mrs. Potter, “could you wrap up the angel box and have it sent to Diamond Key in my name?”
Eleanor smiled sweetly. “A surprise for your lady love?”
Nick nodded and slipped her his credit card.
Mrs. Potter pushed a gift card and envelope across the counter. “If you’d like to add a note, I’ll place it in the gift box.”
Mandy returned to the front of the shop a few minutes later, an 1880s printing of Little Women clutched tightly in her grasp. Obviously not a first edition, she still seemed thrilled with her find.
When he offered to pay for the book, she steadfastly refused, insisting on making the purchase herself. They left the shop moments later, Mandy sparing one last glance in the direction of the shelf of wooden boxes.
The lighthouse was only another mile or so down the road so they decided to finish their outing with a quick walk along the pier.
“According to Abner, this lighthouse used to be the single beacon along this side of the island. Back then, the shipping lanes came closer to shore than they do now.”
“Abner?” she asked casually, her attention on the handful of pellets she’d bought to toss to the seagulls.
“Mrs. Potter’s friend from the antique shop.”
She nodded and tossed another handful of veggie pellets out onto the calm water. The seabirds squawked and dived for her offering.
“The air’s cooling quickly,” he commented. “You can smell the rain. We should probably head back to the hotel.”
Mandy slid her hand into his and followed him to the rental car.
Nick took a few minutes to put the top up while Mandy fiddled with the dials on the radio, finally settling on a smooth jazz channel.
“Thank you for the wonderful day,” she said. “I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in ages.” She paused, then added, “I’m sorry you didn’t get your lobster on a stick.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try again later in the week, maybe Friday if we venture out to watch the weekly fireworks display.”
“More helpful information from Abner?” she asked.
“No, actually that tidbit of information came from the lovely Melanie at the front desk.”
She feigned a gasp. “Have you been two-timing me?”
He lifted her hand to his lips, pressed a kiss to her palm and slid his tongue between her fingers, drawing her shiver. “Never, my darling Mandy. You’re far more than I can handle as it is.”
She shot him a quick glance. “Somehow, Nick, I doubt that.”
MANDY SAT UP, HER QUIVERING thighs straddling Nick’s hips, her body filled to bursting with his swollen sex. Her hands braced on the headboard, she bounced over his thick shaft, setting a steady pace.
Nick enclosed her breasts in his big hands, his thumbs stroking the peaks into hard nubs. The mild abrasion of his work-roughened palms against her sensitive skin set her nerve endings on super vibrate mode.
“That’s it, baby, ride my cock.” Nick’s hips rose and fell in perfect syncopation with the rhythm she’d set.
Mandy increased her speed, eager to drain him completely.
He arched his back, slamming into her, the strength of his release filled the rubber sheath, warming her in turn.
“Sorry, baby, I couldn’t hold off any longer.” He released a ragged sigh. “You didn’t climax.”
“Maybe not then, but I’d already been more than satisfied.”
“Not good enough. Come here.”
He fit his hands to her waist and pulled her off his depleted cock, steering her up the bed until she hovered over his face. Coaxing her lower, he took a lap at her clit, bit her gently, and thrust his tongue into her damp pussy, his talented mouth driving her over the edge within no more than a dozen strokes.
They spent Wednesday inside the hotel, taking advantage of the indoor pool and hot tub; the heavy rainstorm making sightseeing impossible. While she’d gone for a manicure and pedicure, Nick had busied himself by attending a presentation of local history organized by the resort to entertain their weather-bound guests.
Lunch had been beers and nachos in the bar, followed by a walk through the shopping annex attached to the resort.
“I would love to check out those local artisan shops they told us about,” Mandy said as they walked back to her room.
“We’ll put it on the list for tomorrow, along with the rematch you requested at Putt Putt Pete’s.” When she didn’t comment, he continued. “I just don’t want you to think that one lucky shot is going to beat me again.”
Mandy patted his arm consolingly. “I’m sure it was only luck on my part. I’ve no doubt which of us is the better mini-golfer and I’m sure I could learn a lot from your expertise.”
He grinned down at her and Mandy’s heart did a now-familiar flip in her chest.
“I’m more than happy to share all my expertise with a willing partner—no matter which sport we’re playing.”
The storm that had raged for the entire day and most of the evening had finally slowed, tapping a soft refrain against the window of Mandy’s room.
They’d made love twice, and her body still thrummed with the remnants of Nick’s ‘expertise’. Now, hours later, Nick slept at her side, his breathing even. For the second night in a row, his dreams were held at bay. No more twitching, sudden starts, or calling out for the mysterious Lauren.
Mandy released her breath and closed her eyes, content and eager for her own restful sleep. Between the food she’d finally been able to stomach over the past two days, the solid hours of slumber, and Nick’s considerate lovemaking, she was finally starting to come around; to regain the life she’d lost.
The only hiccup in her road to recovery was the realization she and Nick had less than three days left, and she’d done the unthinkable.
She’d fallen in love.
Chapter 7
MANDY HELD UP A PAIR of stained-glass sun catchers, and turned to the young artist. “These are beautiful.”
“Thank you,” the girl replied. “I usually work strictly in metals but I thought I’d put the scraps to use in the frames. One of the other members in our group created the glass pieces.”
Mandy laid the ornate decorations on the counter. “I’ll take them both.”
Nick came to her side and nodded toward her purchase. “Are you sure you get enough sun in New York to make use of those?”
I quick niggle of guilt tightened her gut.
It’s not like Nick’s shared anything about his life either.
Rather than admit she wasn’t returning east, she said, “I’m sure I’ll be able to put them to good use.”
“At least let me pay for them,” he said. Laying an ornate wood carving of an eagle on the counter, he reached for his wallet.
Mandy nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”
The clerk returned moments later with their packages, handing Nick the receipt and his card. “Thank you, Mr. Holloway. I hope you enjoy the items you’ve chosen.”
Holloway. Mandy committed Nick’s last name to memory.
Nick smiled faintly, and she wondered if he was sorry the woman had let his name slip.
“I’m sure we will, Miss. Thank you.”
They made their way back to the car, settling into the plush leather seats.
“They had some lovely pieces in there,” Mandy commented, wanting to end the silence between them, if only to gauge Nick’s reaction to having his full name revealed.
“Yes, they did. It’s nice to see a group of younger artists forming a co-op instead of trying to go it alone.” He pulled the car into gear, and asked, “Latte? Or, straight to the golf course?”
She laid her hand over his on the center console and threaded their fingers together. “What a silly question, Nick. A latte, of course.”
Their coffees in hand, they stopped on the shoulder of the road across from the mini-golf rather than pull into the parking lot. “I know you were looking forward to playing another round, but that line is way too long,” Nick commented. “No doubt everyone’s coming out of the woodwork after being storm-bound.”
“I’m okay with finding something else to do.” She paused, and tightened the hold she’d taken on his fingers. “I wouldn’t mind stopping along the way for a walk on the beach.”
“Sounds good. There’s a couple of spots between the lighthouse and hotel that looked promising.”
NICK FINISHED THE CIRCLE of the island and pulled the car off the road at the marker for Salter’s Cove. A half-dozen cars were spread out across the parking lot. Off to one side, a string of fast-food trucks sat ready and waiting for customers.
He stepped out of the car, the crushed gravel crackling beneath his sandals. By the time he’d reached Mandy’s door, she’d already climbed out to greet him.
“Ready?” he asked, offering her his hand.
When she placed her fingers in his grasp, he closed his hand snugly around hers and led them toward the pathway leading to the beach.
Far less busy than the shoreline at the resort, the handful of visitors were spread out along a quarter-mile stretch of beach. While they wouldn’t be alone, they could easily walk from one end to the other without encountering more than a couple of people at a time.
Off in the distance, loud music played. The smoke from a campfire floated through the air. A group of teens sat around in a circle, joking with one another. Beneath a strategically placed beach towel, they’d hidden a half dozen or so beers and wine coolers—no doubt provided by a barely legal friend or taken from their parents’ stash.
A pair of small children were building a castle in the sand halfway up the beach, their progress praised by a father who’d stretched out in the sand in search of a nap.
Nick steered them from the main stretch of beach to one of the sheltered areas along the rocky shelf that made up the back wall of the cove. When they finally reached a secluded spot, he pulled Mandy into his embrace and crushed his mouth to hers.
“I thought I was never going to get you alone,” he mumbled against her lips.
She returned his kiss with an even deeper probe, her tongue slipping between his teeth and stealing his breath; his ability to think.
“As much as I’d love to get some sand in my thong, we’re way too visible here. Someone could come by at any moment.”
He slid his hand beneath her loose-fitting blouse, grazing her bare midriff with his fingertips. “I need to touch you... just a tease,” he coaxed. “Something to tide me over until we get back to the hotel.”
Mandy slipped her hand beneath her shirt and unhooked the front catch of her bra. Then, grasping his wrist, she steered him to her bare flesh. When he enclosed her breast in his warm palm, Mandy slid her hand to the fly of his cut-offs and wrapped her fingers around his stiff arousal.
He rocked his hips in time with his slow massage of her breast. He was about to lift her blouse and take the tightly drawn peak into his mouth, when the sound of laughter came at them from the left.
By the time the approaching group of sunbathers reached them, Nick had restored order to Mandy’s bra and withdrawn from the shelter of her blouse, choosing instead to lay his arm across her shoulders and pull her to his side.
As badly as he wanted her, needed her, any hope he had of seducing Mandy in the surf flew out the proverbial window on the crest of the whitecapped waves.
It was half-past seven before they returned to the hotel.
“How about my room tonight?” he suggested when they crossed the lobby. “We can snuggle up in the big double-wide chair and watch a movie.”
“No more buddy cop flicks.”
“Why not? You have to admit, they made you laugh.”
“As long as you can suspend reality long enough to believe catching criminals was truly that easy. Not to mention, they couldn’t possibly get up and walk away after falling three stories through a skylight.”
He snickered. “I’ve no doubt the job is much more difficult than they make it look.”
After pouring them each a glass of wine from the mini-bar, he settled in next to Mandy and drew her into his loose hold. She’d already begun surfing the movie channels.
