MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) (17 page)

              Taylor retrieved the tray from Delbert. “Thanks for cooking lunch, Delbert. I love salmon; however, this sounds like a lot for lunch.”

              Delbert fanned the air. “I forgot. You models eat very little.”

              Clenching the tray, Taylor snickered. “Actually, I probably eat more than you think.”

              Delbert’s gaze raked up and down Taylor’s body. “If you do, I can’t tell. Your figure is perfect. I know women who’d kill to be shaped like you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go clean the kitchen,” Delbert said, then began walking away. “Zeke has married a model. Now how about that?” Delbert said to himself, then disappeared into the kitchen.

              “Speaking of modeling, now that you’re back here in Hilton Head, do you think you’ll get many jobs?” Katherine asked.

              “Yes. My agent, Pierre, looks out for me. He’ll be sure to keep me busy. Normally, I get more jobs in the spring and the summer than I do in the winter. Once the spring gets here, I’ll probably hardly see you. Or Zeke.”

              “Considering you have a busy schedule and travel all the time, are you sure you want to find your son?” Katherine’s question stunned Taylor. Made her uneasy.

              “What does my busy schedule have to do with finding my son?” Taylor felt restless and irritable.

              Katherine placed her hand on Taylor’s shoulder. “I’m just wondering how you’ll be able to fit your son into your busy schedule if you find him. With Zeke being the CEO of Balfour Enterprises and you traveling the world, I’d hate for you to take him out of a stable home and put him into one where his parents spend very little time with him.”

             
What an idiotic thing to say.
Taylor gritted her teeth in annoyance. “Let’s get one thing straight, Katherine. My son is
not
in a stable home. He was kidnapped. The home he’s living in is a lie. And for all I know, it may not be a stable one. We have no clue as to how he is living.” Katherine opened her mouth to speak, but Taylor cut her off. “Another thing. I’ll never be too busy for my own son. When Zavier comes home to me, I’m going to love him. Spoil him. And spend every waking moment with him. How dare you suggest to me that my son will be a burden to me?” Furious, Taylor spun on her heels and flung open the back door.

              Katherine hurried up behind her. “Oh, Taylor. I’m sorry for upsetting you. I didn’t mean it the way you took it.”

             
Yeah, right
. Tempted to throw the salmon in Katherine’s face, Taylor slowly turned around. “What you said offended me, Katherine.”

              Red hair hanging over her shoulders, worry shone in Katherine’s green pupils. “I’m sorry, Taylor. I was out of line. Please don’t tell Zeke about our disagreement.”

              Taylor purposely narrowed her eyes at Katherine. “Why don’t you want me to tell Zeke about our conversation? Let me guess…you want me to keep our disagreement from him, just like you didn’t tell him I came to see him after I was rescued.” Katherine’s eyes grew wide. “That’s right, Katherine. Zeke knows you pretended to call him on the day my mother and I paid you a visit all those years ago. For whatever reason, you purposely didn’t tell Zeke I’d come to see him and that I was alive. My husband and I don’t keep secrets from each other. We tell each other everything–and you can bet your bottom dollar he’s going to know about this!”

Chapter Eighteen

              Z
eke and Taylor walked along the dirt path, making their way through the woods not far from the Balfour estate. Holding his wife’s hand, Zeke brought the back of her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. When her pretty mouth split into a lovely smile, his heart tingled, and so did his shaft. Marrying Taylor had been the best thing Zeke had ever done. 

              Yeah, being CEO was great. And yes, being extremely wealthy was great, too. But being married to the love of his life, Taylor, was truly what made him happy. All that other stuff wouldn’t mean a thing if he didn’t have Taylor to share it with.

             
I wonder what Taylor’s thinking
. “You’re quiet. Look nervous. We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. If you want, we can turn around,” Zeke offered, knowing that seeing the treehouse he’d built for her all those years ago may trigger an uncomfortable feeling inside her.

              Taylor looked relaxed in her purple winter coat and blue jeans. “I’m good, Zeke. I want to see the treehouse.” Her voice came out sweet and gentle.

              “Good.” Pines scented the woods. Leaves scattered on the ground, and a branch broke beneath Zeke’s shoe.

              A soft laugh escaped Taylor’s mouth. “If it weren’t so cold, I’d suggest we go skinny dipping for old times’ sake.”

              Zeke’s brows hiked. “Would you really go skinny dipping at this age?”

              “With you. My husband. You bet I would. It’s not like anyone comes out here. Your parents own this land, and they have a big ‘No Trespassing’ sign stuck in the ground.”

              “Parent,” Zeke corrected her. “Katherine’s never been a mother to me.”

              “Why do you feel that way about Katherine? Is it because she didn’t tell you about me?”

              Resentment for Katherine flooded throughout Zeke. “Yes, it’s that. But she’s done other things, too. When growing up, Katherine treated me like I was some bad stepchild.”
I tried so hard to please her, but it never worked
.  “For example, Katherine would attend Bane and Antonio’s sporting events, but she never attended any of mine. Not one. When it came to household chores, my brothers, well, they didn’t have any. Like in the movie Cinderella, I did all the work. Even though we had a maid and Delbert, Katherine worked me like a dog. Treated me like a slave.”

              Pity for Zeke developed in Taylor’s eyes. “Did your father ever say anything about Katherine’s unfair behavior towards you?”

             
All the time
. “Yes. He did. But I think he felt so bad for having an affair with my mother, he let a lot of Katherine’s bad behavior slide.”

              “Oh. I see.”

              Zeke and Taylor paused when they reached the big oak with the treehouse at the top. The wood on the treehouse had decayed some. “Let’s go inside,” Zeke suggested.

              Anxious for her to see the surprise he had waiting for her, Zeke mounted the worn ladder on the tree and entered the treehouse. On his hands and knees, he reached for Taylor’s dainty hand and helped pull her inside.

              Taylor’s eyes swept over the romantic setting he’d quickly put together. “Oh, Zeke. When did you find the time to do all this?” Taylor asked, smiling. 

              Lanterns burned in all four corners. A small floor heater warmed the inside. He’d gotten a new blue rug to cover the planks of the floor.

              “While you were napping earlier today, I ran out and picked up a few things.”

              Taylor pinched Zeke’s chin, then smacked his lips with hers. “You slick rascal. This is so romantic. Thanks.”

              Sitting with his back aligned to the wall, Zeke patted the empty space between his legs. “Sit here.”

              Taylor climbed between Zeke’s legs. Enjoying Taylor’s behind pressed against his shaft, Zeke tenderly held her.              

              Every day, his love for Taylor deepened and intensified, he thought, cuddling her. “My father told me he and my mother were high school sweethearts, like you and I were. He met my mother way before Katherine came into his life. Actually, my father and my mother were engaged when he met Katherine. One night while he was at a bar, hanging out with his friends, he ran into Katherine and ended up getting stupid drunk. One thing led to another, and Katherine ended up getting pregnant with Antonio that night. When Dad found out Katherine was pregnant, he told my mother, and she ended their engagement. If my mother wouldn’t have ended things with my father, I think the two of them would’ve gotten married.”

              “Your parents eventually found their way back to each other, huh?

              It felt wonderful to be able to share his past with someone who wouldn’t judge him, or his mother or his father. “Yes. But by then, Dad was married to Katherine. Dad told me that although he’d married Katherine, he never stopped loving my mother. I believe him. It almost killed him when my mother was murdered.” Zeke was trapped by the memories of his father balling his eyes out while sitting in his recliner when he thought no one was looking.

              Taylor shivered in Zeke’s arms. “Thank God you hadn’t been there when she’d been murdered.”

              “I wish I had been there, Taylor,” he said, remembering he’d spent the night at a friend’s house that terrible stormy evening.

              “Why?” Taylor asked.

              Talking about the day his mother had been murdered caused Zeke grave turmoil. “So I could know who killed her. Living with not knowing who murdered my mother is just as torturous as not knowing where or who has Zavier.”

              “Oh, Zeke. You’ve been through so much.” Taylor’s concern sounded genuine, just like her. 

              The light inside the lantern flickered orange. Zeke put his cheek to Taylor’s. “We’ve both been through a lot in our lives. But now that we’re married, we have each other. Together, we can get through anything. We can move mountains. Build an empire. In addition to the hotel industry, I want to have many businesses, just like my father.”

              With her back to his chest, Taylor gently laid her head on his chest. “I like the sound of that. Do you have any specific type of business in mind?”

              Zeke took a moment to think. “Well, there’re many. But right now, one in particular comes to mind. I presently volunteer at a group care facility and would like to start a nonprofit organization for the children there. Maybe I can start a scholarship fund for children in need. Or maybe I can start an organization to help build their careers. Give them a start, you know? Or prep them for college. I tell you, Taylor, of all the things I do business-wise, working at the group care facility with those needy kids makes me the happiest. By far, it’s the most rewarding.”

              “Volunteering the way you do with kids, God’s going to bless you, Zeke. I bet the children love you.”

              “It seems that way. Some of the kids come from horrible living situations. It breaks my heart to hear some of their stories. I just hope Zavier is in a good, clean home and is treated fairly. Hope he’s getting all the love he needs.” Ill feelings about Zavier’s whereabouts dredged up inside Zeke.

              Taylor blew out a deep breath. “Me, too, Zeke. Don sounded really positive about thinking he can help us find Zavier.”

              Zeke swallowed hard. “He’ll find him, Taylor. Don will find our son. Or he’ll die trying. You heard the man; he’s never lost but one case, and he sure as hell don’t plan on making ours number two.” Zeke suddenly remembered his other surprise. “Oh yeah, before I forget.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a square box. “There’s something I want to give you,” he said, handing her the hot pink velvety box.

              “What’s this?” she asked, holding the tiny box.

             
She’s going to love this present.
“Open it up and see.”

              Taylor popped back the lid of the box, and inside lay a silver locket Zeke had especially made just for her. On the outside of the silver locket, the letters
ZTZ
, for Zeke, Taylor, and Zavier, were scribbled in cursive. “It’s a locket, made especially for you.” When Taylor opened the jewelry to look at the inside, her hand touched her lips. The left part of the locket had a picture of the two of them on their wedding day in Paris, and on the right, Zeke had his son’s name ‘Zavier’ printed. “Oh, Zeke, this is so thoughtful. Beautiful. Thank you.” Her voice trembled.

              Zeke squeezed Taylor tight in his embrace. “When Zavier comes home to us, you can put his picture on top of his name.”

              “Thanks,” she said, sniffling. After Zeke hooked the locket around Taylor’s neck, she shifted sideways in his lap and looked over her shoulder at him. “It’s so cozy in here. Coming here to cuddle, this was a great idea. Brings back so many memories.”

              Zeke grinned naughtily. “Who said all I wanted to do was cuddle?”

              Taylor’s brown lips pulled into a sweet smile. Her eyes gleamed. “Why, Mr. Balfour, whatever else do you have in mind for us to do?”

              The skin on Zeke’s rod stretched as it grew long and hard inside his jeans. “Not us. You.”

              Taylor touched her glove-covered hand to her chest. “Me?”

              Stiff rod pressing into the jeans covering her fine buttocks, Zeke nipped Taylor’s bottom lip with his teeth. “Yes, you.”

              A subtle light danced in his wife’s eyes. “Your every wish is my command. Just name what you’d like for me to do, husband.”

              Zeke’s right brow hiked. “Anything?”

              Taylor touched a finger to Zeke’s lips. “Yes. Anything.”

              He sucked her finger into his mouth. Pulling her finger from between his lips, Taylor moaned. “Do you think I can get a blow job?” Zeke could already envision her curling her lips around his hard cock.

              “Now? In here?”

             
Hell yeah, in here.
“I’m hurting, my love. Bad.” Zeke put his fingers to Taylor’s lips. “I need you to take your pretty, sexy mouth and soothe the pain between my legs.” Removing his fingers, he kissed her lips. “Take the pain away, please.”

              “I’d love to, husband.” Smiling, Taylor got on her hands and knees and turned around to face Zeke. Locking her gaze with his, she unzipped his fly. The sound of his zipper ripped in the air. “I want to feel your thickness in my hands,” she said, removing her gloves, then placing them by her side. In a doggy position, her tongue dabbled her bottom lip, then she fisted his erect tool.

              Aroused, a strong bolt of hot electricity surged through Zeke. Taylor’s hot hand squeezed him hard. Fluid oozed from the tiny eye of his swollen head, then slid beneath the deep, circular groove of his throbbing shaft. When Taylor squeezed him hard again, more pre-cum seeped from his slick slit.  Zeke groaned, “Taste me, Taylor.”

              Taylor perched her sexy lips to Zeke’s knotted head, then slid her hot mouth all the way down to his base. Coating him with her hot saliva, Zeke shuddered. The inside of Taylor’s mouth felt hot, wet, and tight.
Jesus, that feels good
.

              Back to the wall, hands flattened on the planks, Zeke watched Taylor give him one hellified blow job. She brought her sexy lips up to his pulsating tip, then slowly mashed them back down his tingling shaft. His round testicles tickled.
Fuck yeah
. Motioning him up and down in her tight fist, Taylor’s head bobbed up and down. Up and down. She swallowed him whole.

              Taylor’s wrist twisted vigorously as she clenched Zeke’s stem tight, sucking him at the same time. Zeke’s shaft wiggled like a slithering snake inside his wife’s wet mouth. Taylor scraped her manicured nails on his scrotum, driving Zeke mad. Pushing him over the edge.

              Mouth clenching, jaws sucking, her curly brown hair grazed his gyrating lap as Zeke gently pounded Taylor’s sweet mouth. Still looking at her talented performance, Zeke thrust upward; saliva poured from Taylor’s puckered mouth and slid down the sides of his tool.

              Fisting him, she angled his dick downward, brought those damn sexy lips of hers to the top of his tool again, and hummed a song around his pulsating head. About to shoot, Zeke shut his eyes and let Taylor take him on one hell of a sexual exploration.
Oh yeah. Sing on it. Talk on the microphone
.

              Taylor sucked his head. Massaged his hard sack. Softly sliding back and forth between her soft lips, Zeke felt her teeth graze his length. A hot ball of fire shot through his system. His eyes shot open.

              Gripping the sides of Taylor’s head, Zeke mashed himself to the back of Taylor’s tight throat. Sperm shot up his length, rested at his throbbing tip.              
I’m about to cum. Got…

              On the verge of unleashing inside Taylor’s mouth, Zeke grabbed his shaft and snatched it from her clenching lips.
Plop!
His manhood popped loudly from her mouth. Harsh breaths whipped from Zeke’s mouth. “That was close. I almost came in your mouth.” Sperm bubbled at the top of Zeke’s engorged, blood-filled erection.