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I nod my head.
He begins to move inside me, and I’ve never felt a close connection to anyone. Our gazes remain locked together. Austin covers my arms in his, and the weight of them, feeling him everywhere like a blanket, reassures me. Everything is going to be okay—more than okay. Everything is going to be extraordinary.
“It’s not going to be easy,” I say.
Austin doesn’t seem to hear me as he pulls out slightly and drives back in, firmly, lovingly.
“As for me,” he whispers, “I’m going to make it all as easy as possible. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
“I’ve heard that somewhere before,” I remark.
Our shared movements take on the familiar sensual rhythm, and all talking stops, replaced with moans, purrs, and pants.
Somewhere my phone rings, but I don’t answer it. I know it’s not Jax; she’s with Brooks, and I can honestly
say I feel good knowing she’s spending time with him. Who knew my glamorous friend would fall for a shy naturalist who knows more about bugs than he knows about women? I’m relieved, actually.
As for me, all questions about how logical this plan is to stay on vacation forever, with Austin, fade into the background. All there is in this moment is him and me.
“It’s the island way, sweetheart.”
Epilogue
Sierra
Six months later
So, yeah. I stayed at The Pearl Crescent islands.
My slight baby bump and I have moved into Austin’s house on Pearl Island to be close to a doctor.
I was perfectly fine with the idea of settling down on one of the smaller islands and hiring a midwife from one of the small mountain villages to help me deliver the baby, but Austin would not hear of it.
With everything that happened to Jax, I’m more than happy to take her and Brooks to the most remote section of The Pearl Crescent to live out our days. I shudder to think what would have happened to them if I had not, eventually, answered my phone when she had needed me most. While Austin and I were tangled up in bed, getting to know each other, I’d assumed that Jax and Brooks were falling in love in the jungle. Little did I know the dangers closing in on them.
To this day I still have to remind myself: “Everyone is fine. We’re all safe now.”
Jax and Brooks both side with Austin that I should deliver this baby on the big island. And I can’t argue with that. Austin is a doting boyfriend and wants to protect me. Jax and Brooks are as good as family, and I know they’ll be here to support us in whatever comes our way.
I’ve had to apply for permanent residence here. Because Austin wasn’t born here, it’s a whole process, but he’s done an excellent job helping me navigate the system. And our child will have dual citizenship.
While my parents have threatened to cut me off, it doesn’t much matter because the trust left to me by my grandparents will cover anything this baby needs. I offer to find a job, but Austin won’t hear of it, at least not until I find something I like. What I want to do is volunteer.
Tonight, we’re using his outdoor shower hidden in his overgrown backyard. It’s a beautiful space, and I have big plans for it. He’s rubbing a soapy loofah over my tummy when I’m oddly reminded of grooming horses.
“Oh, that reminds me. I saw something online about a therapist who uses donkeys for therapy. I might see if they need volunteers taking care of the animals.”
Austin arches an eyebrow at me. “Me rubbing you down reminded you of that how? Wait, let me guess. Donkey grooming?”
I nod and giggle. “You know my number.”
Austin runs the soft sponge over my breasts, which have grown much fuller since I’ve gotten pregnant. “No working or volunteering until after the baby’s born. And only if you want to.”
I pout. “But I want to now.”
His eyes grow dark. “If you spend time with the donkeys, I’ll never see you again.”
“That’s not true. I’ll go whenever you have to work. I have nothing else to do around here but plan the wedding.”
