Songbird (Songbird, #1) (28 page)

Riley stripped down to his red swim shorts and went for a dip in the crystal clear ocean, while I pulled out a book and lay back to take in some sun in my favourite bikini. I tried to read, but my eyes kept lifting from the pages to check on Riley. For some reason, I didn’t want to let him out of my sight. I was anxious that I would look up and he would be gone, and all this would be a dream.

I watched him as he waded out of the water and headed back up the beach toward me. His swim shorts were clinging to him, and sitting dangerously low on his hips. His hair was slightly longer now after not being cut for more than six weeks, and it looked sexier than ever as he shook some of the water out of it. I had persuaded him not to shave everyday so there was dark stubble on his face, which looked unbelievably rugged. I ran my gaze over his defined chest, letting my eyes settle on his tattoo; it was subtle and just seemed to add to his sexiness.

But the best thing was the sexy smile on his face, and the sparkle in his sapphire-blue eyes that were just for me.
Yes, ladies, he’s with me
, I thought, as I noticed women of all ages watching him approvingly.

He came and lay down on the sun lounge next to me, before leaning over and whispering in my ear, “You know, I really love that bikini you’re wearing.”

I looked down at my barely there two-piece and smiled at him.

“But I’d really like to see how it looks on the floor beside the bed.”

Looking at his face, he winked at me suggestively, so I grabbed my book, then took his hand and headed in to the bure. I didn’t need to be asked twice.

The days went by far too quickly, and before we knew it, we only had one full day left.

We had been on the beach after lunch, as was our routine, and then inside for the hottest part of the day before venturing back out, blissfully happy and satisfied once more.

As we were lying in the hammock, we noticed that some of the resort staff members were setting up a path of torches that led to an arch covered in frangipanis and orchids down by the water. As we were making our way down there to take a closer look, a group of about fifteen people, all dressed nicely but with bare feet, gathered around.

We quickly sat down together on one of the sun lounges to take in what was clearly about to be a wedding.

“What a brilliant place to get married,” I said, almost to myself. “So peaceful and laid-back.”

“Is this something you would like to do one day?” Riley asked.

“Yeah, definitely,” I said as I snuggled back into him.

It seemed perfect to me; just a few close friends to celebrate with, and no fuss or formality.

“Would you invite your parents?” he asked curiously.

I shook my head. I had only briefly mentioned my parents to him in passing. I had never been close to my mother, and having her there would only spoil my wedding day.

He frowned. “Why not?”

I sighed. “Because this wouldn’t be good enough for them; at least, not for my mother. It wouldn’t impress her friends.”

Sadly, she probably wouldn’t approve of Riley either
.

Almost as if he had read my mind, Riley asked, “I guess I wouldn’t be good enough either, would I?”

I shook my head. “You don’t earn a gazillion dollars a year.”

“Wow, a gazillion dollars? Is that all I need to get their stamp of approval?” He said it with a laugh, but his eyes looked concerned.

“Yep, just a lazy gazillion. It doesn’t matter that you’re a great person and treat me well, only that you have the correct number of zeros in your pay packet. Mother was never really interested in my happiness as a child, as long as it
appeared
that we were happy and doing well. My father, unfortunately, left my mother to make all the parenting decisions, while he was working long hours at my grandfather’s law firm.”

Riley raised his eyebrows, waiting to hear more about a subject that was virtually taboo with me. I guessed it was time to explain.

“I was sent to a private girls’ school from the age of three. It was exclusive and expensive, so there was no time for playing and being a kid. After school, I went to ballet lessons and various music lessons, initially learning the piano, flute, and violin. When the head of the music department told my mother I had a natural aptitude for the piano, she became almost obsessed with it.”

He nodded for me to continue, finally getting some insight into my childhood. Then I told him how from the very beginning, my mother had made it known that she owned the money, and therefore made the rules. I was expected to behave in a certain way, even as a toddler, and attend the required lessons to ensure I would obtain the best possible future husband.

All frivolity was unnecessary in her eyes, including the “childish” notion of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Birthday and Christmas presents were strictly educational, as toys were deemed a waste of time. The one and only doll I ever owned—and still do—was given to me by Mrs Prichard, my piano teacher. My mother only let me keep Katie because I screamed the house down when she tried to take her from me.

I rarely had friends over to play, and was never allowed to go to other kids’ houses, unless the child belonged to the right social circle.

“Your parents must have been proud of you when you got into the Victorian School of the Arts?” he asked, almost hopefully.

I shrugged. “My dad was happy that I could study music, seeing as I loved it so much, although he never had time to come to any recitals. My mother’s focus was always on how things would appear to others. All I remember after being accepted is my mother hosting a luncheon with her friends to celebrate that all
her
hard work had paid off.” I smiled at him. “My dad did his best to juggle gruelling working hours with spending time with me, but to my mother, I just felt like another possession of hers. You’re the first person to ever say they were proud of me.”

My eyes welled with tears and I wiped them away quickly.

“I am proud of you in so many ways, and for so many things. I think you’re an amazing, beautiful person,” Riley said as he held me close.

Leaning back into his chest, we watched the exchanging of vows and rings in an easy silence.

We ate our last dinner on the veranda at our favourite table before walking back along the sand for the last time, then cuddled up in the hammock and listened to the waves roll in.

Riley seemed lost in thought, and I wondered if there were anything wrong. Usually we would lay here and talk about anything and everything, but not tonight. Just when I was about to ask him if he was okay, he rolled onto his side, and looked down into my eyes.

“I don’t want to go home,” he started, and I smiled. I didn’t want to go either. “No, seriously, this has been the best week of my life, and I don’t want it to end. I don’t want to leave here, and I don’t want to leave you. I just want to stay like this, with you.”

Reaching up, I cupped his face, stroking the stubble on his cheek with my thumb. “I’ve had the best time, babe. I don’t want to go either. This place, and being with you, has been perfect.”

He leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. When he lifted his head back up, I could see his eyes glistening as the full moon cast light and shadows across his face.

“I love you, Tara,” he whispered.

I went to speak but he placed his fingertips against my lips, stopping me.

“I know it’s probably too soon to tell you, but I’ve wanted to say it for so long. I think I’ve loved you since you fell on your backside in the kitchen, the first night we met.”

He smiled at the memory. I could feel tears welling in my eyes now.

“For the entire three weeks I was away, all I thought about was getting through the exercise so I could see you again. You’re it for me; there’s no one else, there’s nothing else, just you.” He gingerly removed his fingers from my lips. “You don’t have to say anything …”

It was my turn to stop him from talking, so I placed my fingers on his lips. “I love you too, Riley.”

He wiped a tear from my cheek. “Happy tears, I hope?” he asked, and I nodded.

He kissed my cheeks, my jaw, and then found my lips. The kiss was long and tender, and so full of love it took my breath away.

T
HE TRIP
home felt like it took three times as long as the journey to the island had. There was no excitement as there had been when we were going to Fiji, just a knot in the pit of my stomach that continued to grow as each hour passed.

Cooper was still running Kelli ragged, so Jason volunteered to pick us up from the airport. I think he wanted to get to know Riley a little more, now that it was clear that he was going to be a permanent fixture in my life.

As we came through customs and saw Jason, I had to stifle a laugh at his reaction. Riley was looking hot—there was no other way to describe it. He was wearing simple faded jeans that hung low on his hips, a white T-shirt that hugged his body, and flip-flops. His hair was longer, and he hadn’t shaved for a couple of days, his skin was tanned, and he looked relaxed and well rested. Where his eyes had looked tired the last time he’d stepped foot into Melbourne airport, this time his eyes shone with health and happiness, and it didn’t go unnoticed by me. Jason, as well as every female within sight, was appreciating the magnificence that was Riley.

Not that Riley noticed any of the adoration coming his way; he was too busy fussing over me, wanting to make sure that I was all right.