Loraine sat at the beach, watching Tyler play with two children around his age belonging to her new friend Leah. They chased after the water as it went back into the ocean then ran from it as it came in small waves. She loved hearing his shrilly laughter, his eyes wide and sparkling with uninhibited joy as he played. She still couldn’t believe he was the same little boy who was afraid of both sand and water just a week ago.
Tyler had been apprehensive about stepping out of the house until Loraine carried him with Ruiz and Melody as escorts, both promising to protect him if something went wrong. When she sat down on the white sand, he’d lifted his legs to make sure he didn’t touch any of it until Loraine coaxed him to do so. When he was comfortable with that, she wadded in the water, still carrying him. He’d wrapped himself tightly around her as he cried, his fear so tangible it shook Loraine to the core. He’d cried for his daddy then and Loraine
He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Now you know how I feel when you walk around in your bikini.”His hand slowly traveled down her cheek, to the nape of her neck making her swallow hard as he tucked his fingers under her bikini strap, caressing her soft skin above her breast, teasing her until he finally caressed the top of her mound.“But just like you, I pay them no attention because I have eyes for no one else,” he whispered huskily, making her entire body shudder with want.“Stop,” she croaked, fighting the urge to moan and close her eyes.“Why?” he rasped, “I thought you wanted all the women to see whom I belong to?”She forced her leg to move back, breaking the contact. She immediately felt bereft but she wasn’t going to play his games. “Tyler is too young to learn the art of seduction.”He chuckled. “Lori, Tyler isn’t anywhere near here. I
Reno felt himself relax. He’d been nervous about how he would be received so when she kissed him, it surprised him. What surprised him more was her new look. Her hair color was different and so were her eyes. She’d taken her contacts out.Reno combed his fingers through her chestnut shoulder length curls. “First you want to tell me about the new look?”She worried her lower lip, turning to look at Tyler and avoiding his gaze. That’s when he remembered their heart to heart conversation in Nassau. She’d told him she’d changed her look after that night she was attacked. Pierre had blamed his crazy obsession for her on her chestnut curls which she’d grown out to the middle of her back at that time, and her violet eye color that he described as being so unique they could only belong to an angel. He remembered laughing at how lame a pick up line it was when Loraine said he pointed out the unique grey color of his own eyes and t
She came round and stood before him, cupping his face in her hands. “I wasn’t done talking. Yes, it was long, but considering Georgia had over three years, you have little to be ashamed about. You are here and you are making up for it.” She smiled up at him and he sighed at the comfort it gave him. “He wasn’t even scared when he came onboard. I was expecting the water works when we set sail but that didn’t happen either.”Reno smiled with little humor. “You sound disappointed.”She shook her head. “No. I sound proud, and I feel it too. The first time I took him outside the house and sat in the sand, I had to have Ruiz and Melody as backup. He wouldn’t leave otherwise. The same with when we went into the water, he cried so hard, I wanted to cry.”Reno pressed his lips on her forehead, falling in love with her a little bit more. “It’s hard to believe that after I saw him in the wat
“I’m sorry buddy for being such a—” he caught himself before he cursed, “I was such a dudu head and I promise to make it up to you.” He kissed Tyler’s temple. “We have a lot to thank your mommy for. I just hope she’ll love tomorrow’s surprise. I hope you do too.”Tyler sighed, turning his head and rubbing it on Reno’s shoulder before he settled into sleep again.“Okay, I guess I’ll put you down now before your mom comes in and scolds me for disturbing you.” He laid Tyler down, pulling the covers up around him. He sat down next to him and watched him for a while.Just remembering how excited he was steering the ship’s wheel made him smile.At first, Tyler had been quietly sitting on Reno’s arm as they pushed out of dock, round brown eyes watching the water ripple behind them like he was expecting it to jump a few feet higher, pull him out of Reno’s a
“But that didn’t stop her from being your mother. I’m sure you guys had a great time at least once.”Reno nodded with a smile. “We always took Sunday off no matter what. We’d spend most of it sleeping because we were so exhausted from working all week and Riana would take care of us that day.” He laughed at the memory of Riana standing on a stool so she could reach the stove to cook. She would pamper them as they lazed on the couch in front of the TV the entire day because they couldn’t afford to go out.He never realized how hard she worked taking care of their little home. There was always something to eat the few minutes they spent at home before jetting out to work. Their laundry was always done and his sofa bed was always pulled out and ready for him to fall into at the end of each day. She kept them moving, the heart of a well-oiled engine and he’d never realized that until that moment.“Riana made our guilt lighter to bear and our lives easier. She never acted up, always kept h
Loraine felt him stiffen around her and she knew he was beyond shocked. She just hoped he wouldn’t judge her; it was the reason she had never told her parents. She didn’t want to take the risk of being judged, especially by her grandparents. They would only blame it on her mother like they did everything else.“What did you say?” he whispered, a noticeable strain in his voice.“We met in the hotel lobby and started going out. It was great and I thought I was in love, my own romance novel come true. But I wouldn’t go to bed with him. I was still a virgin and I needed to be sure because that was one decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.” She shrugged. “I guess he got tired of waiting and you know the rest. That night he was a complete stranger to me, not the guy my young heart went pitter patter over.”His arms tightened around her, his breathing harsh as his chest heaved. He was furious with her.“I’m sorry.” She tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her go.“No!” he barked, makin
Loraine had been hoping the night would end with some love making if not wild sex but Reno just held her and they stayed silent, both engrossed in their own thoughts until they finally fell asleep. They woke up to Tyler jumping up and down on their bed, which ended in a mock fight between him and Reno. She watched them for a while before she set off to make breakfast for her family, leaving Reno to help Tyler get ready. The night had been wonderful she felt like the two of them had grown closer because of the discussion though she felt guilty about not telling him the whole truth. But soon she will when the time was right. “And when will that be, Lori?” she asked herself. When would be the right time to tell Reno she wasn’t as safe as he thought she was? And now that she was involved with he and Tyler… Loraine felt her chest tighten with panic. If Pierre knew about Tyler, would he use him against her? How far would he go this time to get her? “Mama!” Loraine jumped, the spatula fa
Reno watched Loraine as she slammed her fist on her thigh, clearly angry. He wished he would have known sooner about her parents; he wouldn’t have invited them then. They were going to ruin everything! He just hoped they wouldn’t sway her decision to stay.“How much of a fuss are they causing?” he asked turning back to Allan.“They wanted to come on the yacht here with us and take Loraine away. But I kept them off and Ruiz is going to make sure they don’t get off the island. I wish you’d called and asked me about inviting them before you did it.”Reno took a deep swig of his beer. “Well it won’t matter. Loraine has made a commitment not only to me but also to Tyler. She won’t break it.”Allan chuckled. “It’s going to be interesting seeing how it all goes down. We should probably head back and handle it before tomorrow. Oh, the lawyer and the notary arrived just as we left.”Reno nodded. “Good. I’d like her to sign them and have them filed as soon as possible just in case Georgia decid