Chapter Three

Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Kalimna Resort

The view from the balcony was incredible – shimmering grey blue sea, palm trees and some kind of silvery eucalyptus bordering a white sand beach, creating a private paradise. Hers and Gabriel’s paradise. It wasn’t quite sunset here, but clouds would probably block out the colours in the sky tonight.

Sinead leaned over the wooden railing, leaning into the wind. There was a lot of wind. Too much, really. But she was determined to enjoy herself. The almost gale force blasts whipped her hair back from her face and her skin was being sandblasted. But it was all good. Grand!

They had a gorgeous suite and they could just hibernate until the weather cleared. She sucked in a cleansing breath and nearly choked on the dust in the air. Still, she didn’t want to go inside. Not yet. Not until she worked out what she was going to say.

There had to be an easy way to break life-changing news to her husband, but for the life of her, Sinead couldn’t come up with anything. She tapped her fingers against the railing.

Why was she so worried?

She let out a deep breath. She knew why, if she was honest with herself. Gabriel had a track record of going off on his own and refusing to communicate when his road in life became rocky. When his mother died, Sinead had been beside herself. Gabriel had retreated from her like a turtle pulling his head into his shell.

She’d talk to him. Lay her cards on the table, straight up, no messing around. Well, maybe a little messing around. Would it be so bad if she took her husband to bed before getting down to serious talk?

A click from behind her had her turning, hair whipping around her face.

“Irish, get in here. You’ll fly away in that wind.” Gabriel spoke to her from the open sliding doors of the balcony. He hadn’t ventured outside.

She caught his eye. Oh, he looked tired. Dark smudges had appeared under his eyes, shadowed in the half light. “Okay, show me the room.” She reached for his hand and he pulled her close. She stepped forward, aligning their bodies.

“Mmm.” She breathed him in, leaning her head on his shoulder. His scent had always drawn her in, making her want to press ever closer. He had that woodsy, but fresh scent that she adored, like raindrops on cedar.

“Tell me what you want to do,” he whispered in her ear. His hand settled on her hip. There was a promise of pleasure in his voice, in the way he held her tight.

Sinead wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down until his lips almost met hers. She almost blurted it out. Almost. But the news could wait.

“Kiss me,” she said on an exhale.

Gabriel was powerless to resist her.

He reached for her face, winding one hand through her hair, meeting her mouth with his own. God, the softness of her, his wife, his love. She was everything to him.

He sank into the kiss, pulling her tighter to his body. She let out a little groan, the kind of noise that drove him wild. He tasted her, breathed her in, the wild jasmine scent of her hair surrounding him. Before he knew it, he’d picked her up so she wrapped her legs around his waist. He broke the kiss for a second to slam the balcony door closed.

He grinned against her neck and whispered, “That’s better. Can’t let the weather delay us. I’m ready for take-off.” That said, he leaned back a little and unzipped the back of her dress, so it sagged down her shoulders. “Take it off.”

Sinead pressed her lips together then snorted with laughter anyway. “Aye, Captain.”

He stifled a grin as he placed her back on her feet. She smoothed her dress down over her shoulders until it dropped to her waist. Damn, she was stunning. Her black lace bra revealed just enough of her lush breasts to make him want to lick her all over. That was a sound plan.

Sinead shimmied out of the soft dress, and it fell to the floor with a whisper, then she stepped out of it in her little heels. Reaching for her again, he smoothed his hand up one of her thighs until it landed on her nicely rounded butt, covered by a scrap of lace and satin. Grabbing for her like a starving man reaching for food at a buffet.

“Sinead, I need you.”

She nodded, looking down his body in that way of hers. Sizing him up. It never failed to get him hotter. “You look like you’ve achieved lift-off.” She palmed him through his jeans.

Damn it, he was so ready, he was about to lose control already. An unholy noise rose from his throat, and all she did was giggle.

“Evil woman.”

“Naughty man.”

He let out a chuckle. “You’re the naughty little flight attendant. You’d better behave. I’m the Captain, after all.”

“But I’m not in uniform. Whatever shall we do?” She ran her hands down her body, slipping one bra strap off her shoulder.

He swallowed, hard. “Get in the bathroom. Stand against the wall.”

Her lips tipped up at the corners. “Oh, I see. The captain is ready for boarding, is he? Well, I’m nothing if not obliging.” Sinead turned and winked at him as she walked away. A classic move of hers that left him helpless.

A choked laugh came up out of nowhere. He was nervous as hell. All his usual confidence was gone. Missing in action. How did she do that to him?

Gabriel followed her into the bathroom, nodding his approval at Sinead standing like a sexy soldier. She blew him a kiss, then unfastened her bra and let it drop to the floor as he watched.

He cleared his throat, then imbued his voice with extra sternness. “Very unprofessional. How are you going to greet customers if you’re naked?”

She raised a curved eyebrow. “I thought I could sit on your lap. In the cockpit.”

With a groan, he stalked towards her, shedding his shirt on the way. “Dammit, Sinead. You’ll make me lose my mind.”

She reached up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her perfect breasts against his chest. He took her mouth, tasted her, breathed her in. The wild strawberry tasted of her lips teased his senses as he licked into her mouth, letting her feel how much he wanted her.

When he pulled away, keeping his eyes locked on hers, he didn’t miss the way her pupils had dilated. Sinead leaned on him, pressing her face into his shoulder. She mumbled something that sounded like, “Not yet.”

Pulling her into another kiss, he made sure she got what she wanted. What they both needed. Connection.

He inched them both towards the bathtub, then paused, waiting for her next move. To make sure the games they played were okay with her. Things between them had been a little weird lately, since they’d both been so busy. They hadn’t exactly been ignoring each other, more like ships passing in the night. Or planes in the sky, travelling in different directions. Whatever. He didn’t want to stuff this up.

She raised her eyebrow. “Come on, Captain, we’re on a tight schedule.”

With a nod, he held out his hand in the direction of the tub. “As you say, Ms Kennealy. Follow my directions.”

He’d filled up the bathtub earlier while she was outside, making sure it was the perfect temperature. He took off his jeans, gratified to see her eyes widen as she took in the sight. Going commando, ready for action.

“Ms Kennealy, remove your underwear,” he made his voice convey all the heat coursing through his system. “And get in the tub.”

Sinead nodded, keeping silent as she rolled down her underwear and kicked them off. She got into the tub, hopping lightly over the edge, elegant as always. She sighed, moving to sit with her back against the sloped side of the bath.

Climbing over the side of the bathtub, he splashed water over the sides and in her face. She spluttered but then smiled, her eyes lighting up, sparkling with silver glints.

He placed one hand on either side of her shoulders, bracing himself on the edge of the tub. Then he lowered his body down over hers until he settled between her legs, supporting himself with forearms resting along the edge of the bath. It was an uncomfortable position, but worth it for the moan that escaped her lips.

He covered her mouth with his, kissing her long and deep. His arms shook. Blood pounded. She was like summer, sunshine and heat. Lightheaded and short of breath as he was, he still needed more. He’d always need more of her, because she was absolutely perfect for him.

My wife.

Even if one day they were no longer together, he’d always have these memories.

What the hell? Where had that thought come from? She was his wife. He loved her, and she loved him. Nothing was going to pull them apart. Stupid, morbid thoughts. He’d be damned if he’d let his anxiety ruin things between them.

He grabbed one of her hips, urged her to turn over. “Fasten your seatbelt.”

Water splashed over the sides of the tub as Sinead landed on hands and knees. She glanced back over her shoulder. “Easy Captain, we’re experiencing some turbulence.”

He cast his eyes over the length of her body. “Ooof. You’re rocking my world. Turbulence is right. But the view? Definitely worth it.”

Sinead kneeled back, resting her butt on her heels, shaking with silent laughter.

Shuffling up behind her, he leaned over her and narrowed his eyes. “Nothing to laugh about, this is serious. Brace position.”

He eased Sinead over so she rested her head on her folded arms across the edge of the tub, bent over and waiting for him. He kneeled behind her and took in the sight again. She was so beautiful, he could hardly stand it. She’d flipped her damp hair over one shoulder, exposing the creamy skin of her throat. From the long line of her back, to the soft curve of her hips and her gently rounded bottom, she was perfection.

He ran his hands lightly down over her back, enjoying the slippery slide of her wet skin under his touch. And her gentle sigh in response.

Heat washed over him, a surge of need hitting him square in the gut. If he didn’t keep this fever for her under control, he wouldn’t last long.

She was offering herself but…he froze. It was too much. She was too much.

This needed to be slow and steady, so he could give her everything he had. He wanted to make sure it was the ride of their lives. He wanted to show her, whatever weird vibe was hanging in the air, they had forever. All the time in the world.

Just the two of them.

What was he waiting for?

Sinead had given him the green light. Surely, he understood? She’d agreed to the sexy role-play in the bathtub. She didn’t want to waste time. She needed him inside her. To make some more memories, enough to last a lifetime. Just in case.

She didn’t want to even think about it, but he might not want to be part of the future that was facing them. When she told him her news, things would change. No doubt. But change in a good way or a bad way? Who could say?

Resting her head heavily on her arms along the edge of the tub, she huffed out a long breath. She twisted her head slightly. He was sitting on his haunches, staring at her with wide eyes. The expression on his face was odd, as if he’d been caught thinking something naughty. She didn’t mind a bit of naughtiness, so what was the problem?

Then she saw it – the shimmer of liquid in his eyes, reflecting the harsh lights above the tub. She changed position, facing him fully. She sat and pulled her legs up to her chest, hugging her knees with her arms.

“Gabriel, what’s wrong?”

“I… I changed my mind. It’s stupid. I need to see your face.”

Sinead’s breath caught and her heart pinched in her chest. What was he trying to say? He wanted to look into her eyes, to be closer, to make the same type of memories that she wanted. Maybe.

The laughter of the last few minutes evaporated like steam, all the air in the room sucked out with it. She wanted him with her whole self. Her skin felt too tight, every part of her cried out to touch him. And she wanted to comfort him, no matter what was upsetting him. As always.

Her voice caught in her throat. “It’s alright. Sit back there. I’ll come to you.”

She hoped he’d listen, not shy away from her and his own vulnerable side.

Gabriel moved slowly, as if he was walking underwater, not simply sitting back and stretching out his long legs.

Sinead grasped the edge of the tub, then rose so she straddled him. She sat back a little on his thighs, ran her fingertips along his strong jaw, the stubble there rasping against her skin. She kissed his lips, gently, slow and soft. Savouring him. Holding onto his muscular shoulder, she bent and kissed a path down his neck, nipping his jaw. Then on to his chest. His gorgeous, manly slab of a chest. He simply watched her actions, shivering under her touch. One of his large hands was on her hip, holding her in place.

Pulling back, she held his face in her palms and looked directly into his eyes. Some complex emotion sat below the sky-blue surface, a puzzle she couldn’t decipher. Like he was asking a silent question. She wasn’t sure of the right answer. But she wanted him, with her whole heart.

She stumbled over a crack in her voice. “I can see you now.”

“Yes.” His eyes blinked slowly, and his lips parted.

Sinead nodded, then looked down his beautiful, hard body – he was hard for her. She touched him, circling him, relishing his shudder under her fingertips. She wasn’t waiting any longer. Her fingers trembled as she placed them on his shoulders. Her eyes never left his when she raised herself over him, then brought them together in one smooth motion.

She gasped, her back arching. Yes. She gripped his shoulders. A deep groan of pleasure pulsed through her entire body, through both of them, as he reached deep inside, filling her. Pleasure took hold, a formidable force of its own. The rain now falling outside drummed at the hotel’s roof, creating a cocoon of sound.

They moved together and a wave of desire washed over her, almost too much to bear. Everything south of the equator tightened. She pressed into him, enjoying the embrace of Gabriel’s strong arms wrapped around her back. There was no space for conscious thought, only sensation.

In the distance, far beyond the hotel, the deep bass roll of thunder and the swirling wind, a dramatic soundtrack to the maelstrom of emotions filling her body. Water splashed over the sides of the tub. Her heart thundered. The pulse in her veins kept time, a skittish, scatty beat now. Heat rose in her body, and she kissed him, meeting him stroke for stroke as he thrust into her now.

So close. So good.

Gabriel dipped his head and kissed down her throat, leaving her shivering in the wake of his touch. His lips were so soft. And that hint of stubble, delicious friction.

“So beautiful.” His voice was low, a whisper.

Sinead kissed him deeper, tasting him, putting all of herself out there for the taking. No holding back, no regrets. She wanted him to know this was special.

He broke the kiss and shifted beneath her, groaning, as he began to push against her. She gasped when her inner muscles tightened, and a wave of hot pleasure scorched her very bones.

Gabriel moved to caress her breasts with his large hands, circling and teasing the hard peaks of her nipples. One hand drifted lower, sweeping over the curve of her stomach, then he reached the golden curls at the apex of her thighs. He stroked her, smooth and gentle. But driving her wild.

Oh, God. Yes, yes, yes.

The wave of sensation crashed over her with a rush, overwhelming her senses.

“Gabriel!” Her cry, his name, melded together.

She closed her eyes and rode her climax. Then she stilled, holding onto him. Blissful closeness.

Shudders passed through her as Gabriel thrust up into her, gripping her hips. Deep and strong, he moved inside her again and again, then kissed her mouth. He wasn’t gentle now. He was ferocious. He claimed her with every movement.

She gasped into his kiss as he tasted and teased her, his tongue tangling with hers. She was so close to the edge again, she could taste it. She groaned as he bit her lower lip.

“Say my name again.” More an order than a request. So demanding. It was extremely hot.

“Gabriel. Oh, yes.”

Her short gasp became something more when he thrust into her, hard. Gabriel’s ragged shout of release spurred her on, bringing new pleasure. Breaking waves wracked her system, crash after crash. Then the tide slowly receded.

She fell against him, kissing across his strong shoulder, relishing his warmth and the clean scent of soapy man. His hands still gripped her hips, but he drew soft circles across her skin with his thumbs.

He went still and rested there, and there was nowhere in the world she would have preferred to be. Only with him, in his arms.

This was the moment. She had to tell him. “Gabriel, I have to tell you something important.”

“Hmm.” He hummed against her neck. He was so relaxed, probably half asleep after all their activity.

She cleared her dry throat. “I’m…pregnant. We’re going to have twins, actually.”

She felt rather than saw the tension return in his body. He was stiff as a board suddenly, and not in a fun way.

Oh, shite. She’d misjudged this so badly. This was supposed to be a happy moment, but she’d only succeeded in freaking him out. Surely, she could salvage things?

She took a deep breath and blundered on, explaining as best she could. “I’d been feeling queasy for a few weeks. My breasts were sore and I was tired all the time. I thought I’d better have a check up with my doctor, but I didn’t want to worry you. She thinks I mis-timed taking my mini-pill sometimes, so it didn’t work properly.” She kept her eyes on him as best she could, but he buried his face in her hair. “I’m only about ten weeks along.”

She felt him nod against her neck. Then Gabriel pushed away from her, lifting her off his lap so she sat back further in the bath. Water droplets splashed across her stomach and breasts, chilling her skin, goosebumps rising. She could have wept with the loss of him.

His face had gone slack. If she hazarded a guess, she’d say he was completely shell-shocked.

Her own forehead muscles pinched tight. “What’s wrong? That was...special. I didn’t mean to just blurt out my news like that.”

“Special? Yeah. Sure.” His tone was flat and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. He nodded, absently.

She stayed silent as he rose from the tub. He was careful stepping onto the wet floor. He slowly moved away from the tub, then sensibly wrapped a towel around his waist. What they’d just done hadn’t been careful or sensible. It was mad and wild and everything amazing, but not a good idea for two people who had a secret hanging between them.

She should have known better. She should have talked to him already. She should have made herself be brave, before they even got on the plane for this getaway.

Turning his back to her, he let out a long, ragged breath and ran his hands through his messy hair.

She didn’t like his mood change, not one bit. “Gabriel, talk to me. Please.”

“It’s all good, Irish. All good.” He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, then turned and walked straight out of the room without saying another word.

The door clicked shut, and she bit her lip. She stared at the door for what seemed like an hour. Then the sound of the front door of their hotel room closing with a solid bang, made her flinch.

She bit her lip.

No. This couldn’t be happening. She shivered, feeling all the heat flood out of her body.

“He’s left me. Oh, God.” Tears streaked her face as she sank back in the bath, closing her eyes on the scene of their lovemaking. And her stupidity.