She sighed and stretched languorously then tilted her head up and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Just one more time,” she whispered, “but only if you sing me a love song.”
“Are you begging?” he said into her ear.
“No, that was an order.” She reached up and pulled his head down for a long, searing kiss that would leave him in no doubt as to who was in charge.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dare woke to a ray of light streaming in through a crack in the brocade drapes at the window. For the first time in weeks he’d slept through the night. He lifted his head off the pillow to look at his wife as she curled into him. She was still fast asleep and he used the opportunity to explore her body with hands, sliding it over the fullness of her br**sts then letting it come to rest in the curve of her waist. She was beautiful in her pregnancy, her skin a delicate rosy hue, her body blooming with his child. What could be lovelier?
If nothing else, the hurricane had accomplished one good thing. Last night they had connected. For the first time since Erin’s arrival on the island there had been a harmony between them that he hoped would last. He would do everything in his power to maintain this newfound peace. He’d been a cad but going forward he’d show Erin he could be a loving husband.
Slowly so as not to wake her he slid out of the bed and padded over to the walk-in closet where he grabbed underwear, jeans, a T-shirt and a pair of heavy boots. All kinds of debris would be strewn around after the storm, including broken glass and loose boards with nails sticking out. The last thing he needed was a puncture wound that would send him rushing to the hospital for a tetanus shot.
A quick survey of the grounds revealed that the damage was not as bad as he had expected. Apart from the tree that had fallen onto the west wing of the house everything else was intact. Still, it was going to take a lot of work to clear the mess from the property. He’d have to get a work team on board within the next day or two.
His priority, though, was the resort and the guests who were in his care. A quick call to the resort manager put his mind at ease - all guests present and accounted for and only minor damage to the villas closest to the beach.
He went back to check on Erin and she was up. She’d put on his robe again and it swallowed her up, making her look like a child playing dress up in her parents’ clothes.
As soon as she saw him her face lit up and then it clouded over with a look of concern. “How do you feel today?” she asked. She hopped out of the bed and came over to rest a hand on his arm. “Any headaches? Dizziness?”
“I’m fine, nurse,” he teased then reached out and pulled her against him. “And how did you rest?”
“Never slept better,” she said with a relaxed smile and then her face went pink and he knew she was remembering their lovemaking from the night before.
And she’d soon have a lot more to grow pink about. Tonight he planned to give her even more of the same treatment. But now there was work to do. “You whip up some breakfast while I make some calls and get a work crew organized. It’s going to be a busy day.”
“Not for you it’s not,” she said, her eyes flashing. “Your first order of business is to swing by the hospital and have them check out that bump on your head.”
“But-”
“Not another word, mister. Go freshen up while I make breakfast. Then it’s off to the doctor for you.”
Dare could only stare at her in amused surprise. Now where had this bossy spirit come from? There was a lot more to Erin than met the eye.
As much as he wanted to get started on the repairs he realized the wisdom of her words. With a nod and a quick grin he yielded to his new boss and headed off to the bathroom.
Later that morning with the permission of his doctor Dare made his rounds of the resort and ensured that competent staff was on hand to cater to the guests. Then he stopped by his office to make some important phone calls after the storm. He had to connect with his relatives back in Michigan to assure them he was safe and with his insurance company to arrange for an assessment of the damage. It was a good thing he’d included flood insurance and wind damage for all his properties.
When he got back home late that afternoon Erin was nowhere to be found. He called her cell phone.
“There was an announcement on the radio that the shelter got a lot more people than they bargained for. They’ve run out of blankets so I got Carlos to take me down here to drop some off.” There was the sound of static and then her voice came back on the line but weaker than before. “It’s really bad, Dare. Lots of damage-” The call dropped, leaving him clutching the phone to his ear.
He tried calling back but only got a busy signal. Obviously the hurricane had not only affected the supply of electricity. It had messed up the phone systems, too.
He just hoped she would hurry back. She was in no condition to be traipsing all over town trying to save the world.
Within an hour Erin was back home looking flushed and eager. “They were so happy for the blankets,” she said, beaming. “We should take them some food, too. With all the people who turned up at the shelter I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”
“Sure,” Dare said, taking her by the shoulder and leading her over to the reclining chair. “But not today. You need to put your feet up and relax. Remember what the doctor said about the swelling in your ankles.”
“He said I need exercise, not pampering.” But despite her protest she relaxed into the chair and put her feet up, much to his relief.
He could see how much it meant to her to have been able to render assistance. She was obviously a kindhearted soul and he loved her for it.
Dare paused and looked up from where he was kneeling at her feet. Love. Now where had that thought come from? Unbidden, it had popped into his mind, startling him with how easily it had slipped in. Did he love Erin?
If his actions were anything to go by then maybe it was so. Right then he was busy massaging her ankles, helping to stimulate the circulation and prevent swelling. It made him feel…husbandly, if that was a word. But he had to admit, something had changed. He still wanted Erin, that was for sure, but that alone was no longer enough. His feelings for her had blossomed into something far more than just the physical. Now his desire was for an emotional connection.