“She’s recovering, but still needs rest. I intend to see to that the moment I get back.” Keeping Saria in bed was amongst his topmost priorities.
Overhead, the chopper’s whirring blades signaled its coming arrival. The white and blue aircraft flew in over the bush line, swept out over the bay then came back in. It hovered over the beach and bumped gently down.
A white-shirted Dr. Hika bounded out and raced over with his medical gear in hand. “Ben, I see you got your man.”
“Right over there, Doc. Sorry to keep you so busy lately.”
“Yes, and right when you stole my new nurse. You’re forgiven though.” He clapped him on the back then lowered to his knees and examined Hyena’s wounds. “I’ll prepare him for removal to the mainland,” he informed Kupita.
“He’ll require a secured hospital room for lockdown. Can you arrange that?” Kupita, with his buzz cut of springy black hair, hunkered down and bagged Hyena’s weapons.
“That won’t be a problem,” the doctor answered.
Tyler nodded at Ben. “It doesn’t look like we’re needed. I’ll run back to the inflatable and return with the boat. Has she said yes yet?”
“Soon. Very soon.”
“Nice.” Tyler grinned. “Congrats on the baby too. You’ll make a great dad.”
“With Saria there to guide me, I should be able to stay on track. Go and get the boat.”
“You got it.” Tyler disappeared into the trees.
How had he got so lucky to find the friends he had? Tyler and Brigs had never left his side, not in all these years.
And soon, he’d have a family of his own, and not of his father’s line, but his and the woman’s he loved. This baby would be theirs alone. How had he not seen the possibilities of what life could bring him before now?
His heart soared.
He’d never be alone again.
Chapter 13
Saria walked ahead of Ben into their stateroom below-stairs. He closed the door, flicked the lock and turned his smoldering blue gaze on her. He was hers, and she never wanted to be parted from him again. “Let’s strike that new deal.”
“Which I believe you requested in a certain way.” He stripped off his shirt, kicked his shoes and black cargo shorts off then prowled toward her. Slowly, he tugged her white and blue striped tank top over her head and slid her short white skirt to the floor. “I intend to get my yes, buried deep inside you.”
“I can’t wait.” With her back arched, she unclasped her bra and released the pink silk. Her breasts bobbed free and Ben’s gaze dropped to her chest.
“Perfect.” He knelt at her feet, hooked his fingers around the waistband of her panties and tugged them down. With his hands on her hips, he kissed her belly then rubbed his cheek against her skin. “Little one, I promise to protect you just as I’ve promised to protect your mother, and I’ll be the best father I can be, not that I’ve any idea how.”
Her heart wrenched at his heartfelt words. She caught his face and lifted his gaze to hers. “You’ll know exactly how to be a father when the time comes. I can’t wait any longer. I need you inside me. We’ll do play time later.”
“One agreement coming up.” He scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed. With one finger, he caressed her slick heat already pooling between her thighs, spread her legs and thrust inside. Rocking deep within, he murmured, “I love you, Saria. There’s no one I want to be with other than you. I want you as my wife, in the most binding of relationships. Will you do me the great honor of marrying me?”
“Yes.” Her heart soared. “I love you too. You’re my bodyguard, and I promise you forever, Ben.”
“Then let’s seal the deal, the way we know best.” He kissed her, until the heat in her blood turned to a raging fire.
Every inch of her throbbed and burned for more, and with her lips against his ear, she told him exactly how much she wanted him.
With breathtaking speed, he sent them both flying. Their love transcended any agreement they could ever forge, had brought them together when all the odds had been stacked against them.
Oh yes, she couldn’t wait to see what their future held.
It would be a treasure she’d never let go of, just like the man who’d always been hers.
Later that day, Saria stirred and curled into the heat of Ben’s body as the afternoon sunshine beamed into their room.
“Thanks, Gilchrist. I’ll let the others know.” Ben hung up and slid his cell phone onto the bedside table. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“What’s happened?” She stroked his chest then licked his flat nipple. Her breasts still tingled from the recent attention he’d given them and she intended to repay the favor.
“Gilchrist and his team have finished a search of Boyd Hyena’s Wellington home. They found conclusive evidence Mia Taita not only instructed him to make the hit here, but paid him off. Once Hyena’s released from hospital he’ll be extradited to New Zealand, and neither he nor Taita will get out of jail for a very long time.”