Chapter 26

"Oh, Kelsey. Look," Isabella said, opening the doors onto the deck. "We have time for a quick walk on the beach before dinner. Let's get our feet wet."

Kelsey took Isabella's hand and they ran towards the beach. They kicked up water as they splashed into the sea.

"Oh, that feels so good," Isabella said.

"Let's walk." Kelsey took Isabella's hand as they walked along the shore with the waves lapping at their feet.

"Here we are, holding hands and not hiding our feelings," Isabella said, bumping her shoulder to Kelsey's.

"You were hiding your feelings?" Kelsey teased.

"Don't think I didn't see you stealing looks at me on our various adventures," Isabella said.

"Oh, God," Kelsey groaned. "I couldn't help it."

Isabella chuckled. "I was doing the same thing, Kels."

"But now?"

Isabella dropped Kelsey's hand and put her arm through hers. "You know my boys come first just as your girls do, but I'm doing what makes me happy from now on. And you make me happy. These trips with you have made me see things differently, important things."

"They have?"

"Yes. You've shown me things, like how you didn't let other people determine your happiness. You had Dana and Emma on your own when it wasn't easy."

Kelsey smiled. "I remember when I told my mom what I wanted to do and she shook her head. We'd had several conversations about it already and she said, ‘I can see you have your heart set on this, so I'll be here to do whatever you need.'"

"Your daughters are not only beautiful girls, they are good people," Isabella said.

"Thank you. My mom helped me along with my brother and sister-in-law. We raised our families together."

"What about your mom now?"

Kelsey chuckled. "She is living her best life with her sister in Florida. I don't talk about her much because she is so busy doing things in her retirement community I can't get her to slow down and have a conversation. She does stop to check in with the girls often."

"You know, island time has us slowing down and seeing things differently, but that started with you and your more laid-back attitude."

"Bella, you need to stop and see what you've done. Just look at what you've accomplished," Kelsey said.

"I know that and I'm proud of what I've done so far, but there's more to life than being successful in your career and raising kids." Isabella stopped them and turned to Kelsey. "You make me feel such possibilities right here." She took Kelsey's hand and put it over her heart.

Kelsey smiled. "Oh, babe. I feel it, too. My heart has never been this open and happy. You have done that to me."

Isabella leaned up and gently pressed her lips to Kelsey's. "Let's go have dinner and put a little more happiness in our hearts."

They turned around and walked back to the bungalow. As they stepped onto the back deck they found Luis setting up a feast.

"Luis!" Isabella exclaimed. "What are you doing working so late?"

"I'm helping at the restaurant this evening," he said, pouring two glasses of wine. "It's a beautiful night for a beautiful dinner."

"Thank you," Kelsey said, taking the glass from him.

"Enjoy," he said.

As Luis left, Isabella turned to Kelsey. "Let's drink to island magic," she said, holding up her glass. "I think some kind of magic has been working on us since we stepped off the plane back at Christmas."

Kelsey clinked her glass to Isabella's. "I don't know what's been working on us, but I don't want it to stop."

Isabella chuckled. "It won't. Our hearts are involved now and it's up to us."

"I believe in us," Kelsey said, sipping from her glass.

"Me, too." Isabella sat down at the table. "Look at all this."

"You said earlier that I helped you see things differently, but you've done the same for me, Bella. Do you remember our first dinner together?"

"Of course I do. That's when our server suggested a romantic walk along the beach." Isabella giggled.

"Yes, but you ordered the sampler for us and I tried several types of seafood that I wouldn't have if it weren't for you. From then on I've tried new things because of you." Kelsey took a bite and moaned with delight.

"So, what you're saying is?—"

"What I'm saying is, our hearts connected that day at the airport and we can't ignore what they've been telling us," Kelsey said.

Isabella took a bite of her food and thought about what Kelsey said. "I know I've felt something for you from the beginning. The way you so casually rolled your one bag to the shuttle with your small purse."

Kelsey laughed. "It was my luggage that caught your eye?"

"No, babe. It was the way you moved and the confidence that radiated from you. God, it was hot." Isabella grinned and continued eating.

Kelsey raised her eyebrows. "Even though I'm a woman?"

Isabella tilted her head and swallowed. "I never really thought about that until much later." Isabella chuckled. "What did you see in me? A woman who brought too much stuff and couldn't handle her luggage."

"Not at all. I was amazed at how together you were. Once those bags were off that table, you had everything under control," Kelsey said with a grin.

"Hmm, so we connected over luggage."

"No," Kelsey said quietly.

Isabella looked up into Kelsey's eyes. They were such a golden shade of brown with flecks of green, but she could see a fire building.

"You were so beautiful," Kelsey said. "We'd just flown for hours, you were having trouble with your luggage, but when you stopped and smiled at me, my heart skipped a beat."

Isabella set her glass down and stood up. She reached out her hand to Kelsey and once she took it, Isabella pulled her to standing. She wrapped her hands around Kelsey's neck like she had many times before and smiled. "The first time I put my arms around you like this, my heart fluttered."

Kelsey smiled down at Isabella and could feel the familiar feeling of warmth flowing through her. Isabella could do that with a look, a touch, or a kiss. She pressed her lips to Isabella's and felt such a sensation of home. They were exactly where they should be at this particular moment in their lives, in the world. It all felt so right. Kelsey had never experienced anything like it. She let the feeling blanket them for several moments and hoped Isabella felt it, too.

"Let's go inside," Kelsey whispered.

"Mmm, yes," Isabella replied softly.

Kelsey led them through the back door.

"Let's leave them open," Isabella said. "I love the sound of the waves and there's no one around us."

Kelsey smiled and butterflies took flight throughout her body. She felt Isabella's hand stroke her cheek and, as if reading her mind, Isabella said, "It's just us, Kels."

"I know, but…"

"I'm not nervous," Isabella said, staring into Kelsey's eyes. "I trust you."

"Bella," Kelsey whispered and ran her fingers through Isabella's hair.

"Your kisses drive me wild, Kels. I want to feel your lips all over me. I want you to touch me everywhere," Isabella said softly.

Kelsey stared into her dark blue eyes. She thought she'd seen every possible shade of blue in Isabella's eyes, but tonight they were the color of the night sky.

"You are so beautiful," Kelsey whispered. She began to unbutton Isabella's shirt as she softly pressed their lips together. The butterflies were gone and desire raced through Kelsey with every quickened beat of her heart.

Kelsey pulled her lips away and slowly slid the shirt over Isabella's shoulders. It was dark in the room, but the moonlight reflected off the water and cast just enough light for Kelsey to see the sparkle in Isabella's eyes. She dropped the shirt on the floor and reached for the waist of Isabella's shorts. Kelsey could feel Isabella's hands tighten on her shoulders as she kneeled to push the shorts down her legs.

Kelsey waited for her to step out of the shorts then put her arms around Isabella's middle and kissed her belly. She felt and heard Isabella's sharp intake of breath.

"So beautiful," Kelsey murmured against Isabella's skin. She could feel Isabella's fingers combing through her hair and all the sensations made her dizzy for a moment. Isabella's sweet scent, her soft skin under Kelsey's fingers, the waves crashing against the sand and the moonlight all added up to make this the most romantic moment Kelsey could remember ever having.

Kelsey kissed Isabella's stomach once again and as she stood up, she placed kisses at the top of Isabella's breasts and up her neck along the way. She could feel Isabella shiver under her hands.

Isabella moaned, leaning her head back as Kelsey"s lips nibbled her ear lobe.

"Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to kiss you here when we danced," Kelsey whispered.

Isabella groaned. "I love it," she panted.

Kelsey reached around and unhooked Isabella's bra, dropping it to the floor. She stared at Isabella's breasts and couldn't stop both her hands from cupping them. "Bella, I can't stop saying it. You are beautiful," Kelsey said.

Isabella smiled. "You don't have to stop saying it."

Kelsey looked into her eyes and smiled. She took Isabella's nipples between her fingers and thumbs. Isabella's eyes shut and her head fell back in pleasure.

"God, Kels. That feels so good."

Kelsey gently pushed Isabella back until her legs were against the bed. She brought their lips together in a deep kiss as Isabella sat down on the bed. Kelsey kneeled between her legs and pulled her close as their tongues ignited the kiss to scorching.

They groaned and tried to catch a quick breath, but their lips never parted. Finally Kelsey pulled away and eased her hands to Isabella's hips. She hooked her fingers in the sides of Isabella's undies and pulled them down her legs.

Isabella climbed further onto the bed while Kelsey quickly began to take her own clothes off.

"Slow down," Isabella said.

Kelsey grinned and tossed her shirt and bra into the pile with Isabella's clothes. She raised her eyebrows and slowly slid her shorts and undies down her own legs then stood in front of Isabella.

"Exquisite beauty. That's what you are, my Kelsey," Isabella said.

"You're not nervous and I'm not the least bit hesitant to stand naked in front of you." Kelsey shook her head. "I've never felt so sure of anything, Bella."

Isabella smiled. "I've seen enough for now. I need you, Kels."

Kelsey could feel her own wetness and see Isabella's in the moonlight. She climbed up the bed and eased her body on top of Isabella's. Once again they both groaned then their lips took over.

Kelsey's leg was between Isabella's just as her tongue slid into her mouth. She ran her hand down Isabella's side, over her belly, and cupped her breast. Isabella's moans were in harmony with the waves, creating a passionate tune.

As much as Kelsey wanted to keep kissing Isabella she couldn't wait any longer to taste her. She tore her lips away and kissed down Isabella's neck across her collarbone and down to her breast. Kelsey swirled her tongue around Isabella's hardened nipple then took it into her mouth.

Isabella's fingers immediately tangled in Kelsey's hair and she moaned when Kelsey's teeth bit down gently.

"Oh, God," Isabella moaned.

Kelsey kissed her way across Isabella's chest to her other breast while her hand cupped the other. She could feel the desire building inside Isabella with every touch, stroke, and lick of her tongue. It had been a while since Kelsey had had sex, but this was different.

She felt like Isabella's body was speaking to her through her heart. Yes, Kelsey knew how to pleasure a woman, but she felt Isabella's heart talking to hers from deep inside them. She'd never felt anything like it.

Kelsey kissed down Isabella's body and settled between her legs. She looked up and found Isabella staring down at her.

"God, I want you, Kels," Isabella said. "Make me yours."

Kelsey smiled then kissed across the sensitive skin just below Isabella's belly. She could smell Isabella's musky scent and couldn't wait any longer. Kelsey ran her tongue up Isabella's wetness and felt such passion erupt in her own body.

Isabella's hips shot off the bed and Kelsey could feel the vibrations from Isabella's groan through her tongue.

"Kelsey!" Isabella shouted.