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Slowly, slowly Kelli’s warmth moved into him, heating the cold that had settled around his heart all those years ago. Making room for new emotions. Making way for life. Really? Could he let go of the anguish that had kept him in limbo for so long and find happiness again?
Was he prepared to take the risk?
Was he prepared not to?
The answers weren’t bombarding him, but he could go with the flow for now.
Standing in Kelli’s arms, waiting, enjoying a new-found peace within himself as he soaked up the moments drifting by, allowing it to fill him with a relaxing quietness. Across the beach the tide rolled in, reaching up the sand, an occasional gull squawked, and behind them laughter and voices stabbed the air intermittently.
Kelli’s lips were moving on his neck, soft yet fiery, gentle yet demanding. Warmth was turning to heat, hot strobes searing him inside and out, building a desire he had to do something about.
His mouth caught hers, his lips demanded possession and his tongue made a foray into her heat. He wanted to lose himself in Kelli, to give as much as he needed to take. His hands cupped her butt, pressed her hard against his need.
‘Mac,’ she whispered.
His name hung on the night air, vibrating with Kelli’s longing. For him. An endorsement of his emotions, of the need to satisfy her too. He scooped her up into his arms and strode fast towards the trees at the end of the bay, which were closer than their room, and way more romantic.
Kelli suddenly started laughing, causing Mac to pause and ask, ‘You okay?’
‘What is it about us and weddings?’
Phew. ‘I have no idea but I’m liking it. We’ll have to attend more.’
Her laughter faded. ‘Think I’ve done my dash with those.’
Hey, they might be temporarily engaged but there’d never been any suggestion of a wedding. Mac lowered her to the ground. It was one thing to be rushing to the trees with Kelli in his arms, quite another to stand here holding her discussing unlikely events. Events that came with a dose of reality. This was a temporary situation. ‘Let’s finish this one before thinking about any more.’
Running her hands down the front of her dress, Kelli had no idea how she affected him. He had to turn away, stare out to sea. Or...
Mac turned back to Kelli, placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her. ‘You okay?’
She stared at him for a long moment. ‘Yes. Yes, I am.’
Did she just add ‘for now’ under her breath?
Mac wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. If Kelli was hurting then he had to stop all thoughts of sex and kisses. At least until she was comfortable with him again. ‘Let’s walk a bit more.’
‘No, let’s kiss, and follow through on that.’ She was up on her toes again.
Mac was over talking and trying to analyse everything. Kissing Kelli was way more exciting and rewarding and fun. And kissing was going to lead to those trees.
CHAPTER NINE
‘RISE AND SHINE,’ Kelli squeaked as the sun inched up over the horizon. ‘Let’s go kayaking.’
‘Didn’t you get enough exercise during the night?’ Mac groaned as he pulled the pillow over his head.
She tugged it away. ‘Nope. I’ve got energy to burn.’
‘Then I know how to fix that.’
Suddenly she was trapped in Mac’s arms and sprawled across that big chest. His knee was pushing between her legs, and already she was reacting with need. ‘I like your idea.’ She grinned before beginning a trail of kisses over his chest, not thinking too much about how she looked this morning.
Or that this was probably her last day as Mac’s fiancé. The engagement wouldn’t count once back at work.
Nope, she was grabbing everything with both hands and going to have the day of her life with the man she loved. Tomorrow was going to hurt anyway, might as well get as much out of today as possible. And give as much back so as Mac could never say he’d been used, and possibly, just possibly, he might see what he was walking away from and decide not to go. Instead stay and learn to love her.
Kayaking offshore in the morning sun added to the afterglow of their lovemaking and as Kelli powered ahead she couldn’t believe the sense of amazement filling her. This was how she’d always imagined being in love would be. But Steve had put paid to that, dampening down any joy she’d felt with him.
Mac paddled up beside her, not slowing, calling as he passed, ‘Race you to that boat anchored beyond the bay.’ He was off, not waiting to see if she was on for it. He knew she liked a challenge.
He wasn’t getting off lightly with this one. She was no stranger to kayaks, having spent many hours in them every summer at the family beach house. She dug deep with the paddle and began a slow, steady overhaul of the kayak in front. Those broad, muscular shoulders could be a distraction—if she let them.
Keeping her eyes fixed on the boat she was aiming for, she managed to keep her hormones in lockdown and begin to draw closer. And closer. Then, ‘Hey, slowcoach, stop mucking about and put some elbow into paddling.’ Her kayak nosed past, got in front and that was the last she saw of Mac until she reached their target and spun her craft around in the water to gloat. ‘And you thought you could beat me.’ She grinned moments later as his kayak nudged hers none too softly.
‘I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,’ he gave back.
‘Sure, buddy.’
‘Not a valid reason for losing? Fair enough. Brunch’s on me.’
Everything they ate at the resort was covered by her parents. ‘Does that mean we’re going into the town? Just the two of us?’
‘I’d like to see the town centre.’
‘We should check out some of the art shops and galleries. I need a small frame for a photo I got in Fiji.’
‘We have a plan. Is it okay we’re not joining your family this morning?’ Mac looked concerned.
‘I bet half them will be in town, doing other things. Today is wind-down time.’
She was right. Seemed every time they turned a corner they’d bump into someone from the wedding party. ‘There’s no getting away from them,’ she muttered.
‘Sounding disgruntled, sweetheart,’ Mac laughed. ‘Did you want time alone with me?’
Sweetheart, eh? Oh, boy. ‘Yes, I did.’
His eyes widened before he took her hand and dragged her along to the end of the street and a café overlooking the water. ‘In here, quick, before we’re spotted.’
As long as no one else had beaten them to the place. ‘This is like running from the media,’ she quipped.
‘You know about that?’ Surprise blinked out at her from those stunning green eyes.
She elbowed him. ‘I might’ve been famous in another life.’
‘Thought I recognised you from somewhere.’ He nodded at a waitress. ‘A table for two, please.’
As Kelli slipped onto the chair he held out, she grimaced. ‘Too often I saw Tamara trying to avoid the press. It was harrowing when all she wanted was to be left alone to get over what that awful man did by stealing her family’s fortune.’
Mac sat beside her. ‘She’s moved on. There was no looking back at their wedding.’
‘You’re right. She’s so happy in love.’ If Tamara had got another crack at the love game surely she was entitled to a chance? With Mac? He was her pick. And she was entitled. Just not trusting herself yet.
‘What are you having for breakfast? Salad? Or something decadent?’ Mac teased.
‘After all the exercise I’ve had? Eggs Benedict at least. Or should that be pancakes with berries and maple syrup?’ She licked her lips and tried to ignore the way Mac’s gaze fixed on them. ‘What are you having?’ she asked mischievously.
‘What?’ His gaze lifted to meet hers, and his eyes filled with lust. Or
was that something stronger?
‘Eggs for you?’ She’d love to give him what he wanted. Again. Making love had never been so incredible, so exquisite, so—everything.
‘Stop looking at me with those eyes,’ her lover growled.
‘They’re the only ones I’ve got.’
Then the waitress interrupted the fun, and they had to make up their minds what they were going to eat. Kelli figured a plate of chaff could be put in front of her and she’d hardly notice, the distraction sitting opposite her large.
Afterwards, out in the sunshine, heading towards an art shop, Kelli felt as if she were walking on air. She was living in a magic bubble, and refused to acknowledge it was about to pop. Not this morning, hopefully not any time today, and that was enough to be getting on with for now.
