Chapter 15

"This is quite a place." Rylan looked around the charming yard with several tables beneath palm trees and flowers growing in wild abandon. The building was a small clapboard deal with what looked like a thatched roof.

They had been given the ‘premiere' table near a bubbling brook with chairs wrapped around it and padded for extreme comfort. "What if it starts raining?"

"We either stay out here and enjoy the shower or rush inside." She looked up at the dark blue sky before looking back at him. "I don't think we have any fear of that happening. Julia is a friend and former colleague."

"We are more than that." The woman in question looked to be in her early thirties, with a wide smile revealing a gap in her front teeth. Her cocoa brown complexion was flawless, and her hair was cut low in a wavy style that suited her fine-boned face. She was wearing a floral kaftan that came just short of her knees.

"This exquisite woman of yours saved my fine ass."

"You saved yourself."

"Do I detect an accent? Caribbean?" Rylan asked her curiously.

"And here I was, thinking that I had gotten rid of it. It was Jamaican. I came here when I was ten years old."

"It's very pleasant and musical," Rylan said with a smile.

Her dark brown eyes sparkled as she came and put the pitcher of lemonade in front of them. "Honey, no wonder you didn't have eyes for anyone else.

He is a looker. Your woman here saved my life. I was in too deep, into drugs and all of that stuff, and was losing myself. Celeste pulled me back out. She whipped into me like a terrier and gave me some hard facts.

I looked myself in the mirror and did not like what I saw, and that gave me a boot in the ass. I left the runway and went into therapy to kick the habit. And now here I am." She looked up as a man as black as coal and big as a wrestler came forward with two bowls of something that smelled like heaven.

"Hey, Marco."

"Hey, there, sweet girl." With a wide grin, he bent from his lofty height to kiss her full on the lips before placing the bowls in front of them.

"This here is my sugar bear. Honey, this is Celeste's man, Rylan."

Marco gripped Rylan's hand in a hand the size of a dinner plate and shook it warmly.

"Any friend of Celeste is a friend for life." With a wink, he ambled away to tend to the other tables.

"I am sending out the special beer." she grinned at Rylan. "You must drink all of it."

"I will do my best. Very nice to meet you." She blew them a kiss before going after her husband.

"You are such a contradiction," he murmured, dipping a spoon into his gumbo.

"Why? Because I hang out with a woman from the Caribbean?" She asked with raised brows.

"Because you are intent on saving people." He had shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his lime green shirt. The wind was blowing gently, tousling his honey-blonde hair, and he felt relaxed and happy for the first time in his life. And the reason for it was seated across from him.

She wrinkled her nose at him and made him lean forward to kiss the tip of it. "When I started modeling, there were endless parties and party favors. Recreational drugs and liquor galore. But I had promised Colin and myself that I would not get involved with any of that crap."

"How did you manage to keep your head on straight? This is very good, by the way." he pointed to the gumbo.

"Both Marco and Julia will be pleased to hear it. Back to your original question, I told you about the promise, and I had Leesa and Kelly, who had been in the business for years and took me under their wings."

"So, I owe them a debt of gratitude," he said solemnly.

"They are very good friends," she flashed him an impish smile. Speaking of friends, are you in for a treat?"

"I am?"

She nodded. "I finished shooting today, and it was fantastic."

"Leesa and Kelly were there."

"Yes, we shared the cover, and there is someone else." Her eyes twinkled. "you are going to be blown away."

"I can"t wait," he responded to her enthusiasm with an indulgent smile. Did you say you were finished with the assignment?"

She nodded.

"What does that mean for you? I never asked what you intend to do. You told me you are giving it all up." his expression turned sober. "And I am here to tell you that you don't have to - not on my account."

"I want to." Reaching across the table, she took his hand. "I want to be a wife and a mother. I have done it all. I have been all over the world and have enough money in my bank account. I want to go on cruises with you, throw dinner parties, act as your hostess, and be a mother to your children."

Turning her hand over, he stared at the lines in the soft palm. "Will that be enough for you?" He asked her quietly.

"I have been working since I was sixteen, darling. In between that, I went back to school and did the whole college deal. I will be doing work with Romano's every now and again, but I want to concentrate on us. I messed up before, and I want to make things right."

"You already did that." Lifting their joined hands, he kissed each of her fingers.

"I want to do more." She told him earnestly. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

"I am beginning to see it," he said huskily. "When we get home, I want to show you how much I adore you."

"Why, darling, are you saying we will rush through dinner?" She asked huskily.

"Absolutely. Is that something you see happening?"

"Absolutely." She repeated his words, eyes glittering with love.

*****

"Migraine again, baby?" Moving in behind her, he wrapped his hands around her waist. The last week or so had been hectic, with them jumping in and attending several high-profile functions and going out on dates. The press was salivating about the romance and had gotten wind that they had been childhood sweethearts.

"Yes." Leaning back, she closed her eyes and could feel the tension easing a little as he rubbed his chin on the top of her head.

"How about we stay home tonight?"

"Good plan."

"Some tea?"

She nodded, loving the way he was taking care of her. It had been so long since she had someone caring for her, and it felt wonderful. Turning her around, he lifted her and carried her to the bed, laying her on the pillows.

"I will be back shortly." Leaning over, he kissed her on the lips gently. "Have I been wearing you out, darling?"

"You know I am not going to answer that."

Smiling, he studied her drawn face and wondered if he should call the doctor.

"As soon as I take my pills and get some sleep, I will be fine." She assured him, reading his expression.

"If not, I am calling in help."

She nodded. Waiting until he left the room, she closed her eyes and used the tip of her fingertips to massage her temple.

She felt strangely drained and lethargic. It had been a rather hectic week, which could account for what she was going through, but she felt that it was something more than just a migraine.

Forcing a smile, she pushed herself up when he entered the room bearing a tray. "Lemon tea with a touch of honey and some saltines." Placing the tray over her lap, he sat on the edge of the bed. "I have some phone calls to make. Can I leave you for a few minutes?"

"I will be fine," she assured him.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Mother wants to have us over for dinner on Sunday." Planting a kiss on her forehead, he grinned. "To plan the wedding."

"Sounds like fun."

He eyed her sharply. "I want you two to try and get along. I know there had been some bad moments in the past-"

"It's all behind us." Picking up the cup, she took a sip of the tea. "We are fine."

"Good." Brushing away the tendrils of her hair, he rose. "I will be back in a few."

She watched him leave, admiring the way the faded denim molded his excellent ass and long legs. With a contented sigh, she wondered if she was jinxing things by being so happy. It seemed that it had been so long since she felt this way that she was unsure she should relax.

Her parents had died when she was sixteen, and after that, she ended things with Rylan. It had been a rather stressful time for her. But all that was behind her now. Things were great. She was with the man she adored, and they were getting married very soon.

What was more important was that she might be carrying his baby. A shiver of excitement raced up and down her spine at the idea of it. A baby. It had been a long time coming, and she could hardly wait.

*****

"How bad is it?" He asked tersely.

"Bad. One of the stewards found them inside their cabin, and the press already got wind of it."

"Christ!" Rylan passed a hand over his hair. "And we are sure it's suicide?"

"Two doctors on board ruled it as such. The elderly couple made a pact to go out this way."

"And decided to do it on our ship in the middle of a damn cruise. How are the other passengers?"

"Fascinated. Death has a way of doing that. What do you want us to do?"

"I must call the PR department and put the word out. Which port were you heading to next?"

"The Dominican Republic."

"Have you contacted the next of kin?"

"A son and his wife. We are flying them in."

"Good. We have to get in front of this."

"Yes, sir."

"I will have to make some calls and wake some people up. I will call legal and ensure we will not be made liable in any way."

After hanging up the phone, Rylan sat on the edge of his desk and made several more calls, including one to his mother.

"It's already trending on several social media platforms," Michelle told him grimly. "Darling, this is terrible."

"I am aware."

"We are going to have to do something positive."

"I will get the team together and come up with something."

Putting away the phone, he dragged a weary hand over his face and realized that he had been in the office for the past half hour. Pushing to his feet, he entered the bedroom, but she was not in bed. A frown touched his brow as he wondered if she was on the bathroom floor.

He had left her too long. Hurrying into the luxurious green and blue room, he abruptly stopped as soon as he was inside the doorway. She had left the door open, and what he saw started his heart beating in unsteady rhythms.

She was up to her neck in fragrant bubbles. Her head rested on the padded headrest, the thick curls twisted on top in an untidy bundle, and her eyes closed. Walking into the room, he sat on the lip of a bath wide enough to fit six people and reached for the sponge.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and a smile touched her lips as he smored the sponge over her chest.

"You are supposed to be in bed."

"I decided that a hot bath would help."

"Has it?"

She nodded. "It's just a minor nuisance now. You were gone for a while. Everything okay?"

"We had an incident on one of the ships. More than an incident." She had eased up, and he was enjoying the task of smoothing the sponge over her full breasts. "An elderly couple made a suicide pact and decided to carry it out on the ship."

She stared at him, first in shock and then delight. "How romantic!"

His eyes narrowed at that. "It's damn inconvenient and a PR nightmare."

"Darling, you are not seeing the big picture."

"Oh, please enlighten me."

"I am assuming they were ill?"

"The man had terminal cancer, and the wife had dementia. The son told the captain the details."

"There you go. They wanted to go out on their terms and were so in love they wanted to die together." her expression became wistful. "I bet they were married for a lot of years."

"Sixty."

Her eyes drifted to look at his face. "I don't want to die without you."

"Celeste-"

"No." She shook her head, her fingers curling around his wrist. "You are my life, not just the center of it, but my entire life." Her fingers were digging into his flesh. "I am asking God for a very long life, possibly sixty years or more. I want to grow old with you-"

She was becoming emotional but did not care. "I want to sit somewhere on a porch, both of us holding hands in a rocking chair and staring at the landscape. I need that, and I am asking God to grant me that one wish. Nothing else matters."

He had gone still, and the heart beating in slow rhythms had picked up speed.

"Celeste-" His voice was hoarse, his body shuddering. "Celeste." Rising quickly, he reached for a towel. Taking her hand, he helped her and wrapped it around her, lifting her into his arms. He did not say anything until he had laid her on the bed. Quickly shedding his clothes, he climbed in next to her, reaching for her immediately.

"Darling," he whispered against her neck. Her words vibrated in his brain, spreading warmth throughout his body. "I adore you." His voice was thick, his hands feverish as they raced up and down her back. I cannot live without you."

Lifting her chin, he seized her lips in a kiss that had her trembling violently. The lovemaking took on a frenzy of passion that left them clinging to each other. It was a while before they could recover.

*****

What she had said to him that night gave him an idea of how they could turn the situation of the double suicide on one of their ships around.

"A wedding." They were at his mother"s for dinner, a wedding to which Colin had also been invited.

"What?"

"Our wedding." He was seated on the arm of her chair as they enjoyed the after-dinner drink in the blue and white salon. Picking up her hand, he laced his fingers through hers. "What you said a few nights ago gave me the idea. "We get married on the cruise ship, darling."

"That's a splendid idea." Michelle enthused.

"What do you think?" Rylan asked her.

"When?"

"In two weeks."

"That's not possible-"

"I would love that." Celeste cut off Michelle's protest. Something simple. It will be at sea, so there is no need for fancy. We get our friends there and have someone perform the ceremony. The publicity will be amazing." Her eyes sparkled as the idea took root. The press is going to go crazy.

"You don't mind that this will also be a publicity stunt?" He asked her anxiously.

"Will it just be a publicity stunt?"

"You know better than that."

"I just want to be your wife, darling."

"Then it's settled." Lifting his head, he looked at Colin, who had remained silent. "Is that all right with you?"

Lifting his glass of brandy, the man smiled and looked at his sister. "I have never seen her so happy, so yes, it's fine with me."

"Good." Tilting her chin up, he kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you."

"I adore you." She whispered.

They both looked over as Michelle rose.

"Mother?"

"I have two weeks to plan a wedding, so I think I'd better get started." There was a suspicious brightness to her blue eyes. "Congratulations."

*****

"What do you think?" Celeste asked her brother later that evening when they were alone in the salon. Rylan had discussed some details regarding the upcoming nuptials with his mother.

He turned from his contemplation out the window to look at her. For dinner, she had worn a simple blue and white floral dress with tiny puff sleeves and an ankle-length skirt. Her thick curls were tamed ruthlessly and styled into two fat braids on either side of her face.

She was not wearing makeup except for a shimmering strawberry color on her lips, and she looked glamorous and exquisitely beautiful. He had seen the way Braithwaite looked at her and could not stay away from her for very long.

"I think I have never seen you so stunning."

"The wedding." She exclaimed with a laugh. "Think it's too rushed?"

"I think you and Rylan have been heading in that direction since you first met. He loves you, and he is not afraid to show it."

"The feeling is mutual." Moving forward, she stepped into his arms and snuggled against his chest. "I keep wondering what would have happened if I came back and found that he had gotten married."

"Somehow, I doubt that would have happened." He fondly kissed the top of her head. "The guy is so gone over you; it's not funny."

"I want you to give me away."

"Naturally," he said teasingly. Tilting her chin up, he studied the glowing face. "He makes you happy, and that's all I ever wanted for you."

*****

"I am so overwhelmed," Michelle admitted as soon as she got off the phone.

"With?" Rylan looked up from the device he had used to stare at her. "Is it too much?"

"No." She shook her head. "I am overwhelmed by happiness. It's so good to see you so happy."

"I have Celeste to thank for that." His expression was indulgent, and he could not stop the smile tugging at his lips.

"She completes you."

Rylan looked at her and nodded. "She does. Nothing else matters as long as she is with me. I can face anything as long as she is by my side. It's funny that it never changed. It had been that way since we were children. I would be stressed over an upcoming game and one word from her, and it would all level out. She has this amazing effect on me."

"Love does that to you. I was wrong to try and keep you apart."

He rose to go by the window. The gardens were immaculate as usual, and even so, a gardener was pruning some leaves. Even from here, he could see the tennis court where he played many games.

It was a family heirloom and completely too big for one person, but it would be his one day and handed down to his children - the ones he would produce with the love of his life.

"Rylan?"

He turned to look at his mother with a smile. "It worked out. She stormed back into my life, and no matter what I did to discourage her, she kept right on coming back. She is determined and wilful, and I thank God for that."

He realized he was getting emotional. Breathing, he shoved his hands into his pockets and fought for control. "I thank God for her."

Michelle was shaken to the core by the emotions storming on his face. He was trying to compose himself, but she had seen it. She had seen them together and was happy that whatever she had done in the past had not worked. Their love was so strong that nothing could break the bond between them.

"I am thankful for that as well," she told him softly as she pushed away from her desk. "I think we have been away long enough."

Rylan took her hand with a gentle smile and tucked it through his arm. In two weeks, he would marry the woman he loved, which made everything wonderful.