Forever Our Beach (Flirt Club)

8. Caleb

8

Caleb

“They’ve been arrested.” I blink, trying to clear the sleep fog from my brain as Lucas continues to speak in my ear. When my phone beeped with his special tone, I grabbed it and stumbled to the bathroom as I answered with a sleep-gravelled, whisper voice. After spending hours wrapped up in Megan, we’d finally fallen asleep only a few hours before and I really didn’t want to wake her yet.

“My people are telling me that her family is not happy. They feel that this should have been all handled between Megan, her ex, and her sister.”

I lean against the counter. None of this is surprising. Her parents being mad or wanting the charges dropped are just some of the many scenarios Lucas and I discussed along with our legal team. None of this should have warranted an early—scratch that, mid—morning call. He could have sent a text telling me about their arrest.

“During the night, a PI, hired by her parents, triggered. They managed to confirm that she’s on the island and the charges specified which resort they’d been booked at. Less than an hour ago, it was confirmed that her parents purchased a last minute, three-day stay, and are flying out within the hour.”

“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “This couldn’t happen at a worse time.”

“Does that mean your supper last night went well?” he taunts.

“Fuck off. Like you haven’t already checked the video. Hope you got a massive case of blue balls watching it.”

My brother just laughs. “Can’t wait to meet the spitfire. Although I imagine she’ll have more clothes on.”

The asshole is lucky he’s not here or he’d be sporting a broken jaw and two black eyes. That way he’d be silent and blind even if it was only temporary.

“Relax. The minute her dress dropped to the deck, I shut it off. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t being played.”

“Yeah, I know.” And I did. Being suspicious came with the territory of Lucas profession, but it was the only reason. My brothers and I didn’t have a great track record with women. Even Alexander, who waited to marry the woman who made him feel like he’d been kicked in the chest by a mule, ended up fathering a child out of wedlock and had to deal with a vindictive one-night stand who tried to bleed him for tons of money even though he ended up winning custody of their son.

“Take her away.”

I cock my head to the side. It’s not a bad idea. My schedule is clear enough that I can take a few days. Besides, even on my yacht, I’m always reachable.

A few minutes later, I hang up on my brother and call the captain of crew, telling him to prepare to set sale within a couple of hours for a five-day cruise around the Caribbean. Megan’s reservation had only been for fourteen days which meant we couldn’t stay away for longer unless I’m able to talk her into extending her time away. Hopefully for forever.

After confirming the initial itinerary, I exit the bathroom relieved to find Megan beginning to stir.

“Good morning, darling.” I brush her hair back from her face before kissing her forehead. But one kiss isn’t enough, and I place a kiss on each eyelid before moving down to her nose. She giggles and stretches, rubbing her body against mine. The small hold I have on my control snaps as I capture her lips with mine while moving to climb over her body so that we touch all the way down. The sheets—keeping us apart—lend an eroticism, allowing me to feel the shape of her but not actually feel her skin. And when I slide a little, it’s like silk moving between us.

“Fuck me again, Caleb.”

I groan. There’s nothing more I want to do, but I need to talk with her about my plans, make sure that she’s willing to leave with me. Then we can continue this aboard in my luxurious stateroom.

I press another kiss to her lips as I lift my body into a plank, hovering over her. “I will. As many times as you want because I’ll never get tired of tasting you, of sinking into you. But first”—I flip myself over so I’m lying beside her—“I have an offer for you. How would you like to go a cruise to some of the island around here? We can leave in an hour.”

She rolls over to face me, running her fingers over my arm, relaxing the tense muscles. “What happened?”

Her intelligence never fails to amaze me. During our discussions, we’ve covered everything from world affairs to business to the arts and her insightful comments have only made me fall deeper for her. One of the reasons why I don’t do girlfriends is because I get bored with the women who I end up sleeping with. They’re not intellectually stimulating and those that are, either know who I am and want a piece of me or they’re already married and possibly looking for a side piece. And that’s something I’ll never be involved with. I don’t cheat and I won’t be with someone who’s cheating.

Needing to touch her, I brush a fallen strand of hair back, tucking it behind her ear. “They were arrested yesterday, and I found out that your parents have booked a short vacation stay here. Unless this someplace they’ve always wanted to come and are taking the time to get away from everything”—she shakes her head—“then we can assume they’re coming here for you. It’s up to you, but we don’t need to be here while they are.”

I can see the questions in her eyes at my statement. We’ve never specifically talked about my role here, but I know that she feels that I’m more than the manager I’ve tried to portray myself as. Just how much more I’m not sure although I don’t think she’s thinking as high as the owner and CEO. Just one more thing I must talk to her about.

She chews on her lower lip. A sign that she’s thinking through all aspects of the situation. I keep quiet, knowing this is a decision she needs to make for herself even if I want to swoop in and make everything perfect for her.

“I really don’t want to see my parents yet.”

“Then don’t. Let’s go away. We can take the yacht. Go see a few islands. Relax on the water.”

Her lips waver, straddling the line between crying and smiling. Even her eyes shine from the unshed tears while sparkling with excitement. She’d mentioned about wanting to explore to see other islands and this would be her chance.

“Yes.” She presses her lips to mine. “Let’s go… explore .”

Before I can take the kiss further to deliver on her command, she pushes me away, letting me fall off the bed. To break my fall, I grab for the covers, but all they do is wrap themselves around me, so I land, looking like a mummy.

Megan leans over the side, staring down at me as she tries to swallow her laughter. “Are, are you okay?”

I struggle to pull my arms out as I pretend to glare at her. But the truth is, as much as I’m embarrassed at how easily she managed to move me and the predicament I landed myself in, hearing her laugh and seeing the happiness on her face makes it all worth it.

“Need help, please.” I flash my puppy dog look that I perfected as a boy to try and get out of trouble with Mom. Not that it worked with it, but it never failed with any of the other ladies I used it on.

As she moves to the floor beside me, I yank my arms out, pull her to my chest, and then roll, trapping her the blankets. I grin while brushing my lips against hers. “Now, you’re the one stuck on the floor.”

I jump up and clap. “Let’s go. Time’s a wasting.”

Her gaze narrows, but she takes the hand I hold out to her.

An hour later, we’re standing on the deck of my yacht as we get underway. Her eyes remain huge, overwhelmed with the size, and the number of crew. I don’t want to tell her that with only the two of us on board, it’s operating with about one fourth of its normal crew.

Mom likes to have family vacations, and we usually stay here at our villa at the resort, but sometimes, guests use that time to try and garner business deals so Mom decided we needed someplace where we wouldn’t be disturbed. I’d already been thinking about purchasing a yacht that I could then charter out if I wanted so I went ahead and purchased this one a few years ago. It was used and confiscated, making it a great deal. After a massive overhaul—making the sleeping cabins a little smaller so we could have more of them while also increasing the size and scope of the common areas—it received Mom’s stamp of approval. So, while it’s luxurious, it’s understated to fit Mom’s style instead of being ostentatious, filled with gold, crystal, and precious artwork.

“I’ll set up a late lunch on the sun deck by the jacuzzi for you and Miss Masters. The captain says that we should arrive in Antigua by late afternoon. Would you like supper on board or would you like me to make a reservation on the island?”

“On board for tonight, Leila. But if can make them for lunch and supper on the island tomorrow? And arrange for one of the driving tours, too, please.”

“Of course. It’s nice to have you aboard again, sir. Will your mother be coming down this season?”

I glance at Megan, wondering what she’s making of this conversation. I don’t have long to wait because the moment Leila walks away, Megan turns to face me.

“I’m guessing that this is your personal yacht.”

Not wanting to lie, I tell her the truth. “I hope you can forgive me since I never really introduced myself. My last name is More.”

“As in More Hospitality?” It sounds like a question, so I nod even though I know she meant it as a statement. “And suddenly things make sense. I’m staying at your house, aren’t I?”

“Yes and no.” I take her hand and lead her into the living room where we can sit comfortably to have this discussion without being in the way of the staff. “It’s our family’s villa where we stay when we visit our flagship Caribbean resort. But mostly I live in New York when I’m not traveling to our various properties for business.”

She sucks in a deep breath, and I can see the panic begin to surface. I squeeze her fingers, trying to reassure her.

“This doesn’t change anything. I’m still the same person you’ve spent the last week with. And being completely honest, I’m glad you didn’t know who I was. With you, I’ve been able to be myself and that’s something I don’t get to be too often.”

“I get that, I do because I’ve been able to be myself with you as well, breakdowns and all.” The wry chuckle she lets loose contains a little hint of how overwhelmed she feels. “It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Well, since we’re spending the next five days together, why don’t we take this time to learn more about each other? This time without holding anything back.”

“I’d love to.” And if I even thought to doubt her words, the massive smile she gives me would put them to rest.