“Yes and no,” she said. “We all care about each other. It could have happened to any of us. Well, maybe not, but you understand what I’m saying. We stick together and it shows. I know this island likes to break us up or classify us from what branch we come from, but the truth is, we are all one. It takes getting used to, I know.”
“It does,” he said. “I guess part of what was going through my mind earlier was that. That I never had an extended family like this before. It can be overwhelming and comforting at the same time.”
“That is a great description of it,” she said, grinning at him.
“The way most of your family has welcomed Adele, I really can’t thank everyone enough. I didn’t realize how much she might be missing this or needing it.”
“I think we all needed it, Seth. Not just Adele, but maybe you?”
He leaned in to kiss her. “I think I finally found what I need.”
35
Words And Wishes
Ava couldn’t have asked for a better night.
The music was playing. The conversations were plenty, even if they were a little overboard, using Seth’s word from earlier. And the drinks were flowing, which she desperately needed.
She was feeling loose in a way she hadn’t before and couldn’t wait to get Seth back to their room to show him how much she’d found what she was looking for too.
The past several weeks she’d felt like what they had had taken a turn.
Maybe it was the week they’d spent together at her parents’ house. Even Adele saying she should move in with them. Sure, that had thrown her for a loop, but she tried to brush it off as a little girl’s words and wishes.
She realized that she wasn’t a little girl and it was a wish she might have too.
She’d never lived with a man before. She’d stayed the night with men, but not many and not for a full week like she had with Seth.
There was never a dull moment that week together, but they were able to relax each night. They’d run around to museums, or shopping, shows, or road trips. Then they’d get home and she’d cook them dinner if there was time, and if the weather was nice enough, they sit out by the pool.
She’d laughed when Adele told her father they needed a pool at the house if they couldn’t live on the beach, but he handled it like he always did when his daughter made those comments.
There was a part of her though that not only wanted to give Seth so many things, but his daughter too. She was coming to love the little girl just as much as her father.
“The wedding is winding down,” she said when they were on the dance floor. There was something so romantic about being in a strong man’s arms while the music played, their hips swaying, her head on his shoulder.
“It is,” he said. “How long do we have to stay?”
“We can go any time we want. The bride and groom snuck out a little bit ago.”
“I didn’t even notice that,” he’d said.
“How could you not notice that big ball gown full of tulle and bling not moving around?”
Her cousin Drew looked like he was walking on the moon today, Amanda’s smile never leaving her face either. Two weddings this year for her cousins. Two more would be happening next year she was assuming. She hadn’t heard about dates for Mac or Emily yet.
“That was a big princess dress. Not sure I could see you in something like that.”
She wasn’t sure why her heart was racing, but it’d taken off in a sprint. “It’s not my style,” she said.
When the music ended, his hands dropped away. “Then why don’t we go to our room and see what style we can have together tonight.”
“Sounds like the best suggestion I’ve heard in a while.”
They went back to their table. Her brothers were talking with their cousins Garrett and Gabriella that had been sitting at the table next to them. Her parents were nowhere to be found, but she was sure they were mingling. Weddings and funerals were the only things that brought all the Bonds together now. When they were kids it was summer parties or the kids gathering on the beaches when they were old enough to drive. Maybe in ten years her generation would have some kids and be doing the same thing.
“See everyone later,” she said, grabbing her purse.
Her brother and cousins nodded their heads and she and Seth left, then went to the elevator and their room. They’d checked in when they got here and dropped their luggage off for the night but then left shortly after, having gotten ready at her house.
Once the door was shut behind them, she pulled him into her arms. “Alone, finally.”
“Finally,” he said, his hands going to her face, framing it. Then he lowered his lips to hers. She would never get enough of kissing the man she loved.
Maybe it was the romance of the wedding or more like it was just Seth.
“I’m feeling the same way,” she said. “No rush tonight either.”
“No,” he said. “Not like it was before, but different.” He was kissing her in between words. “Better. Much better this way.”
They weren’t as rushed because they weren’t going so long anymore without spending the night. Two weeks at the most. When Adele was with them, they stayed at Seth’s house. When Adele was gone for the night, they stayed at hers.
She slipped her nude pumps off, then turned her back so he could unzip the back of her royal purple dress. He’d said she looked good in purple and blue and she found that she was trying to wear it more around him when she never cared before.
There was so much that wasn’t the same in her life now.
His hand was almost a whisper as it slowly lowered the zipper of her garment, then lightly
