Chapter 14

It's amazing what trying to do the right thing will do to a person. Carina woke me the next afternoon, telling me I had a visitor. It was Mr. Leonetti, and he was none too thrilled to find out what had happened. But it wasn't me rushing out to find Nevaeh Vega that was the problem.

It was the head wound I'd sustained.

He thanked me profusely for taking such care of his employees, for risking my own life to ensure Nevaeh was safe.

"Your dedication to me never ceases to amaze me, King," he told me. "Without you, The Starlight Club wouldn't be what it is today."

"Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me."

At my side on the couch, Carina took my hand. His gaze dropped to that point of contact, and when he lifted his eyes to hers, he gave her a smile.

"And you, my dear. The same is true of you. I understand working for men like me and King can be a hardship, but your ability to take control and get things done despite our interference is something I will forever admire."

"Thank you, Mr. Leonetti."

He gripped his hands together, pinching the skin between his thumb and forefinger, and somewhere in the back of my mind, an alarm went off.

But it was too late.

"This is why it pains me to do this," he said, licking his lips. "I want the two of you to take some time off."

"What? No." I shook my head and Carina's hand tightened on mine. "We can't do that, sir. The club needs us. With the troubles with Nevaeh, it's important that we keep things steady, keep our presence there. We can't risk the others thinking?—"

He raised a hand, cutting me off. "The troubles with Nevaeh are exactly why you two need a break. You have both gone above and beyond. You got a concussion, King. You need to take it easy and take care of yourself. Because if you don't, the club won't have you at the helm, and that's a risk I can't take. You, of all people, should understand that."

I closed my eyes tight to try to ward off the headache I could feel brewing.

"My son," Leonetti said, though his voice was softer, the way it was when he talked to Carina, "got married at a private resort down in the Caribbean. It was absolutely gorgeous, and harder than hell to get into. And yet, somehow, Vinny was able to book the place." He paused, and I cracked open my eyes. "And somehow, once again, he has come through."

"I don't understand, sir."

"Vinny booked the two of you a little beachside cabin. You'll love it. I honestly wouldn't have come home if I didn't have to. You'll leave at the end of the week."

"Sir, I don't think?—"

He didn't stop talking. "Will that give you enough time to make the changes you suggested?"

"What changes?" I asked, glancing between the two of them.

Carina nodded, a smile blooming on her lips. "Yes, sir. I'll get started right away."

"What changes?" I demanded, the sound of my voice making my head pound.

"I asked Carina to send over the files you were working on, and it confirmed our suspicions that we could be doing more. She's asked to hire some more women to help ease the load of our current staff and give everyone a little more freedom. I don't want them having to choose between their jobs and their family and friends."

"It'll be hard enough without Nevaeh." Carina squeezed my hand and I winced. "We don't want to lose any more."

Nevaeh had decided she wanted to focus on her family and wouldn't be coming back to Starlight. It was a loss I hadn't thought we could recover from easily, but apparently Carina had other ideas.

"Then that's settled," Leonetti said, uncrossing his legs and scooting forward in his chair. "I'll have Vinny send you the flight plans and your reservations. My private jet will take you straight to the island and bring you home after two weeks. Until then, King, take it easy. Let yourself heal." He smiled. "I can't wait to see what you two do with the club when you come back."

He left me flabbergasted as he exited my apartment, and the days leading up to the trip were more nerve wracking than my worst day at the club. But no matter how badly I hadn't wanted to miss work, I had to admit it was exactly what I so desperately needed.

The white sand and the bright sun were only part of the draw. The nightlife on the island was booming, and our cabin was just steps from the ocean waves. The days were long, and our nights were hot, and I never wanted to leave this little slice of heaven.

While there were no wedding bells or vows to be spoken in front of family and friends, I had my own vows to make. I kissed my way down Carina's body, stopping to tug at her nipples with my teeth. She couldn't yank my hair the way she usually did thanks to the new wound on my head and my much shorter haircut, but her writhing body wasn't any less erotic.

"King, baby, please," she begged as I sucked so hard I left her shaking. "I need to come."

"You will, my darling. I promise, you will come so many times tonight you won't remember your own name. But I plan on feasting on every inch of you first."

"No!" she whined even as she spread her thighs and lifted her hips. She clenched her fists in the sheets to keep from grabbing me, and the sight made my dick weep.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" I asked, sliding lower until my tongue dipped into her belly button. "How absolutely perfect you are for me?"

"Tell me," she said, her voice just a rasp that rivaled the crash of the waves against the shore.

I couldn't tell her. My vows needed no words because my actions spoke louder. I'd been put on this earth to worship this woman, and I planned to start right here between her legs. When I swiped my tongue across her seam, sucked her clit between my lips, or sank my fingers deep into her core, her gasps became the hymns that would live in my head for the rest of eternity. She was mine in every way that mattered, and I promised to keep her safe, by my side and in my heart.

With a flick of my tongue and a curl of my fingers, I set Carina off until she was singing my praises while her body convulsed. I loved her. Loved every inch of her. From her short black bob to the curl of her pink-painted toes.

I rose then, crawling up her limp body, dropping kisses to her skin as I went. When she reached for me, drew me closer, I gripped my cock and traced her entrance with my tip.

"So fucking perfect," I told her as I pushed inside, sinking in until there was no space between us. I bundled her in my arms, holding her tight as I slid back, then thrust in. "You fit me so perfectly, Carina. Everything about you. Your perfect pussy. Your beautiful mind." I kissed her lips. "Your fiery attitude."

"You're the only man who's ever made me feel like this," she whispered, her head dropping back as I swirled my hips.

I paused then, staring down at the woman who owned my heart. "I love you, Carina."

Her eyes widened as her attention shot to me. She reached for my face, pulling me close to her lips. "I love you too, Kingston," she said before touching her mouth to mine in a brief kiss. She focused on me, her blown-out eyes and the perfect bow of her lips hardening my already rock-solid dick. "Now, finish what you promised."

I drove into her, loving every sound that fell from her lips, every pulse and grip of her body around mine.

I loved her. This woman was everything I'd ever need.

And I'd never stop.

* * *

If you enjoyed this story and want to learn more about Lee Bridgewater, check out his book, Save Her from Herself.