They took the golf cart back up to the main resort, Max very much aware of Lucy sitting beside him. Dressed in a short coral strapless dress with a bandeau top, she was the epitome of island sexy down to her flip-flops that she’d remove in favor of bare feet when they walked to down to the beach for the ceremony. Her floral scent was spicy and arousing, reminding him of every moment he’d spent inside her and getting to know her, inside and out.
They approached the castle, which, frankly, he thought looked haunted, and the cart driver let them out. They walked up steps that were built into the mountainside. He left her alone with her thoughts, knowing not much would change now. He was biding his time, relying on the only strategy he had. The support of her family for them as a couple.
No sooner had they stepped into the main hotel than a woman met them in the lobby, as if their entrance was clocked and recorded. She directed them to the terrace room, where the wedding was being held, and he walked beside Lucy to the big, open double doors. Right before stepping inside, he laced his fingers through hers, determined to make a statement to this stubborn woman in front of her brothers.
Lucy immediately tried to jerk her hand away, but Max held on tightly and pulled her into the room.
“Lucy!” Gabe called as he made his way across the room toward her, his son in his arms.
She tried one last time to free herself. Max shook his head, though she wasn’t looking at him, and merely curled his hand tighter around hers.
She turned and glared before her brother reached them. “Hi!” she said to her sibling before she turned her focus to the little boy in his arms. “And hi there, little man. How are you, Noah?”
“Dah.” He held a chubby hand out to her, and Max was forced, then, to relinquish his grip.
It was his pleasure, because he got to see Lucy’s fac
e soften as she lifted her nephew into her arms and settled him on one hip. “Just look at you, so handsome in your tuxedo, like your daddy.”
“Dah dah,” he said this time, placing a hand on Lucy’s chest. She giggled, the sound light and musical to Max’s ears. “No, I’m Aunt Lucy.”
“Dah.”
“That’s my smart boy,” Gabe said, beaming.
Max envied him that happiness. The kind he’d never found in his marriage. The familiar pang of guilt he’d learned to accept and live with hit him when he thought of Cindy, but it quickly washed away on the sound of Lucy’s laughter. He’d been young, too wrapped up in his parents’ failings and in the past. He’d learned and come to terms. He’d even gone to Cindy’s grave and made his peace there, as best he could.
Now his focus had to be on the woman who was living wrapped in the same pain of the past as he’d once been. He’d brought himself out in one piece, and he was determined to do the same with her.
“How was your vacation?” Lucy asked her brother. “I know this place has special meaning for you.”
Gabe and Isabelle had cemented their love here and discovered she was pregnant with Noah here as well.
“Let’s just say bringing along a babysitter was the right move,” he said with a grin on his face that Max took to mean he’d had quality time alone with his wife.
“And we can change the subject,” Lucy said, laughing. “I don’t need to envision you and Isabelle… you know.” She shook her head at her brother.
“Everyone’s here!” Isabelle’s happy voice interrupted whatever might have been said next. She approached, wearing a dress in the same color and similar style to Lucy’s. Isabelle’s figure was lusher and curvier, and each dress accommodated the individual woman’s assets.
Everyone said their hellos, hugs were exchanged, and baby Noah toppled himself into his mother’s waiting arms.
“So how was your vacation?” Gabe asked, not missing a beat from their earlier conversation and turning the tables with his question.
“Great. Relaxing,” Lucy said, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
Max raised an amused eyebrow and took this as his cue. He stepped close to Lucy, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close. “We’ve had an amazing time. Did you know you could rent private cabins on the beach?”
“No, I didn’t!” Isabelle said, her astute gaze traveling back and forth between Max and a now squirming Lucy. “How romantic!”
“And now it’s my turn to change the subject,” Gabe muttered. “Although I will say it’s about time.” He slapped Max on the shoulder, his hand clamping down hard, a renewed reminder and warning to treat his sister right.
“Gabe!” Lucy chided, obviously horrified her brother was getting in the middle of her love life.
“What? We all know you two were just a matter of time,” Gabe said.
“I—Umm—”
“We’re going to take a walk.” Max grasped Lucy’s hand and led her out to the terrace, which overlooked the beach and ocean.