‘Why are we going? I want to stay here with you. This isn’t repeating itself!’
Xander’s shirt is open at the throat, dark hair peeping at me through the gap, a packed box beside him that Rosa had filled with my clothes. I’ve just returned from Amory Corps to find him at the door, a car idling on the curb.
He’s trying to convince me Cabo is a good idea. I don’t believe it is. He jerks me into him. ‘I didn’t say I’m staying here.’
Oh. That’s a different story then. I sidle up against him. ‘So we’re taking a vacation?’
‘Yes. To Cabo. You need the rest and I could use the breather. Things are rolling here too fast.’
He hasn’t spoken about work in a few days. Which is either an indication that things are so terrible he doesn’t want to scare me or he’s back to hiding the facts of the business from me.
‘You should’ve started with that. I thought you’d be sending me away.’ I make air quotes. ‘For my protection.’
‘It’s a vacation, and we’re leaving right now. You’ve just about made me ruin the surprise, but you’ll love the cabin.’
Lucian comes down the stairs with Hailey behind him. Rosa brings up the rear, with Romero lugging a box with him. I smile up into Xander’s eyes. ‘How long have you been planning this?’
‘A few days.’ He walks away to swing Lucian into his arms. ‘Come on, or we’ll miss our flight.’
‘Considering the fact that I’m certain it’s a private flight, they really can’t leave without us. Now can they? Don’t you think I should change?’
He trails his eyes over my figure, his eyes chasing a shiver down my spine. ‘Like you said, it’s a private flight. It doesn’t matter if you’re dressed in that or something else.’
He holds his hand out to mine, and we walk out of the house together into the heat of the sun, which is smiting this afternoon. My heart feels light, my body almost weightless.
We’re going on a vacation. As a family. Together. And it’s been completely planned by Xander. Nothing else matters at this moment but that.
The drive to the airport is long and quiet. Ryder sits in front, silent, except for when he has a question for Xander. I sit with my head against Xander’s broad shoulders, tickling at Lucian, who giggles.
By the time we arrive at the airport, Lucian has fallen asleep in my arms, and I hold his head against the curve of my shoulder as we walk towards the private plane, idling at the private hangar where we end up.
‘You own this?’
His shrugs. ‘Amory Corps owns it. Anyone who is family is welcome to use it.’
He leads the way into the large plane, and the entryway welcomes us with a sweeping staircase adorned with a plush, custom-designed carpet that extends an invitation to explore the luxurious interiors.
The Amorys never do anything by half measures, and that means that the plane is the very apex of luxury. The main seating area features oversized, sumptuous leather seats arranged to encourage relaxation as much as to add to the beauty of it all.
I take one of the leather seats by the window and Xander slides in beside me. He takes Lucian from me, cuddling the sleeping boy to himself without a word. Ryder hands him his phone and leaves the plane.
I watch him go, scrunching my face up in confusion. ‘Isn’t he coming with us?’
Xander’s hand slips into mine. He’s been doing this a lot lately—taking my hand, curving his hand around me, slipping closer, or tugging me into him. So much so that he’s grown comfortable doing it when it’s safe, even if we’re not alone, I can’t deny that I like it. A lot.
‘He’s not coming with us. I told you this was a vacation.’
‘Oh.’
‘Yes, Melissa. Oh is right.’
I turn to take in the plane in its full glory. The Amorys have opted for a neutral color palette with tasteful accents, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance. The plane lifts into the air, and soon, we’re flying away from Chicago.
Large windows along the sides of the cabin provide breathtaking panoramic views of the sky, enhancing the overall sense of openness.
And I spend the flight looking out, at the soaring birds, the large clouds rolling lazily past.
Xander takes Lucian into one of the sleeping spaces and when he returns, he spends the flight working, typing away on his computer with the occasional look at me, sipping away on his glass of wine which the hostess had poured for the two of us.
It’s enough to sit in the silence with him. To watch his long lashes feather the skin under his eyes. I could do this all day and not tire. He looks up to catch me staring. ‘Do you need something to eat?’
I give him a saucy little smile. ‘Are you on the menu?’
He smolders at me. ‘Unfortunately not. I do cost a little more than the rest of the meals.’
I swallow to wet my dry throat, fanning a hand across my chest to the buttons on my dress. His eyes follow the motion. ‘I think you’ll find I won’t mind paying.’
‘I’m not tempted. Not at all.’
I spread my legs, one dainty move at a time. ‘You’re certain?’
I can feel warmth staining my lingerie, feel the way my body strains for his touch. He leans back in his chair and spreads his legs, too. ‘Come get it then.’
The words are a challenge, and with his men here with us, maybe I really shouldn’t have been tempting him to begin with. But he’s made me happy, and I want to give him just a little of what he’s given to me.
I leave my seat and settle on his lap. He drags me into him, but he doesn’t touch me as I’d expected. Instead, he curls his arms around me and just holds me to him. As though to protect, to hold dear.
I spread my fingers over his chest and feel the steady throb of his heartbeat. He tightens his arms around me and leans back, almost as though it’s just us in the entire world and we’re cuddling together in bed back home. I press a kiss against that thatch of hair I can see through his open buttons and then relax into him and close my eyes.
Just being held by him drains the tension from my shoulders, and my thoughts rattle around, settling on everything that has happened the last few days. His angry words when he’d found out I’m pregnant, his soft hold and apology later that evening, the large bouquet of flowers I’d left in a vase in the kitchen so I could see every time I cooked.
I fall asleep to his musky scent floating around me, his body warming mine. I wake to the softness of sheets over me, Lucian tucked against my side. He’s still sleeping and we’re obviously still in the air because this doesn’t feel or look like a house.
I get out of the bed and leave the room gently so Lucian doesn’t wake. The sound of laughter reaches me, and I follow it to find Xander on a call, his grinning face tilted up.
The men are quiet, a few of them asleep, two of them playing cards since there’s nothing to do with the plane in the air.
I take the seat beside Xander, who looks up at me and grins before saying his goodbyes to whoever was on the phone. I’d guess one of his brothers. Xander never laughs that openly with no one else. ‘How’d you sleep?’
I stretch, the cut of my blouse riding up over my stomach. My bones creak and when I look back at Xander, he’s just lifting his gaze from my skin. ‘Very well. Thank you. How long was I out?’
He takes a look at his watch. ‘An hour at least. You didn’t say you were tired.’
‘It’s probably the baby.’ I wiggle until I’m comfortable in the seat. ‘I’m hungry too.’
‘We’re a few minutes from landing. I’ve had a meal prepared at the cabin. We’ll eat together.’
Just as he’d said, the plane begins to land a few minutes later, and soon, we’re driving towards the cabin, through a landscape where the arid desert meets the deep blue waters of the ocean.
I stare out that entire time with Lucian’s face right next to mine. This is my first time here, but I have a feeling it won’t be the last.
The beaches are postcard-perfect, with golden sands stretching along the coastline as far as my eyes can track them. I turn to Lucian. ‘Do you like it?’
He nods and presses his nose to the window. We pull away from the main road and pass through land beaded with large houses that stand right by the edge of the water. I slide my hands to Xander. ‘How far away from the cabin are we?’
‘Not much farther.’ He murmurs, his eyes on his phone. He’s right; a few minutes later, we pull up to a beachfront cabin that blends seamlessly into the warmth of natural elements. One of the men opens my door, and I lift Lucian into my arms as I step out of the car.
We’re far enough from the water that the beating waves don’t wash too close to us but close enough that the sound of the waves and the scent of the sea wash over me.
The entrance welcomes us with a solid wooden door, intricately carved with traditional patterns, offering a preview of the meticulous woodwork that awaits within.
Upon stepping inside, the open-concept living space unfolds, showcasing a symphony of rich, dark woods that create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
The living area is dominated by bespoke wooden furniture, each piece a work of art in itself. Plush, handwoven textiles in earthy tones complement the wooden surroundings, creating a harmonious balance of comfort and elegance.
Large windows frame wide views of the turquoise waters, allowing natural light to flood the space. It’s a beautiful space. Damned near perfect with that view of the water.
I let Lucian go and watch as he runs up the stairs, Xander nodding at Romero who goes after him. He slides up behind me and I turn to face him, his hooded eyes staring down at me. ‘Do you like it?’
I nod. ‘Yes. I love it. It’s beautiful. How much did you pay for that view?’
‘It came to me as part of a deal.’
I look up at him, the air halting in my throat. He’s a fine man. His deep voice is rough and gritty as he holds me. ‘Thank you for planning this.’
‘We both needed the time away. I’ve had a doctor’s appointment booked for you here too.’
I tip my head up. ‘Is that really why we’re here? Because you’re worried someone outside the family will find out about the baby?’
He runs his fingers at my sides, his thumb digging at me, so I giggle softly. ‘No. We’re here because we deserve a break. I certainly need one.’
Lucian comes running down the stairs and we pull apart. He hurtles to a stop beside us and jumps up and down and I wonder what’s got him so excited. ‘I found my room.’ He spreads his hands out to the side. ‘It’s this huge.’
I’m sure it’s a lot bigger than what he’s pointed out, and I wink at Xander, who laughs as he follows Lucian back up the stairs to show him what he calls a box of toys.
The men are pulling our bags into the house behind me, and I walk over to the kitchen, where I find dinner has already been cooked and is idling in the microwave. Whoever had prepared it is gone, though, because I don’t find anyone in the kitchen.
Apart from the men Xander had brought with us, it’s just my family here with me. The air halts in my lungs as I think of that. Father and son upstairs, together, the laughter of their voices spilling to me down here.
There’s nothing I could want more than this. I place my hand over my stomach and inhale the scent of sea and salt. It’s a gently soothing feeling, and I revel in it.
