Finding Paradise Read online

  "I was..." she paused again, ashamed of her answer she was trying to form for me. She was going to kill herself. The thought of her doing it gutted me. I don’t know why my heart was so invested in her, but it was. I ached to kiss her, to fuck her, and to take away her pain.

  "You know ending everything doesn't stop the pain, it transfers it to those who love you."

  "Please, Brent. I don't need a lecture, okay. I have no one who loves me. When I mean no one, I mean it. That bastard was the only family I had left and he treated me like a waste of space and time until I grew tits," she spat out.

  "He's a sick fuck and needs to die for taking away your..." I couldn't even get it out I was so enraged and disgusted. I pulled her into my arms, squeezing her in comfort.

  "He didn't rape me. He just felt that when I turned eighteen that was his to dispose of to the highest bidder." Just because he hadn’t taken her didn’t mean that he wasn’t a complete son of a bitch.

  “I’m going to choke the life out of him one day,” I growled against her ear. I let her go because my cock was hard at the wrong time. Hell, she had my cock stiff since the moment I saw her on the beach. Even when I was pissed, I was still rock solid.

  “Come sit down.” I sat her down on the bed and walked to the window. I didn’t see anyone searching for her. That ticked me off even more. She was right. She was alone—not anymore. Alana had me. There was no way I’d ever let her feel unwelcome, unwanted, or lonely again.

  I closed the doors and the blinds, then turned back to her. She looked so little and fragile sitting on the lifted king-sized bed. Her feet dangled off the edge. I walked over to her, sat down, and lifted her onto my lap, giving her the hug she needed. “I won’t let them come for you.”

  “Thank you, Brent,” she whispered on my neck.

  I had to stop this before I took it to the next level. She was suicidal twenty minutes ago. “How about I order some room service and we enjoy a nice dinner.”

  “Sounds great. Can I shower while we wait for the food? I want to wash off the sand from my body.”

  “Sure, babe. If you need something to wear, my suitcase is next to the bed.”

  “Thanks, Brent.”

  I heard the shower running and I sat down, trying to calm my cock down. It was stiff from just envisioning her petite body with her curves pressed up against me. I groaned to myself just as the there was a knock at the door. I looked the mirror to adjust my cock and hide it. Once I tucked it down my leg, I sighed realizing I was good to go. I opened the door and took the food cart and handed him a tip. I locked the door behind him and then slid the cart to the table. The water turned off and I anxiously waited for her to come out. It took a few minutes, but she was wearing a towel on her hair with her old clothes on. It wasn’t like she’d been wearing them all day. I think she had them on for about an hour. How did so much happen so fast? I was lost to her.

  “Thank you, Brent,” she said with a smile. “You’ve saved my life.”

  “I think you did that on your own.”

  “No. When I was out there tonight, all I could think about was that there was some kindness left out there for me. You caused me to pause and consider my decision. Before you asked me if I was okay, I was more than ready to go full throttle. No one ever stepped up to say I didn’t deserve his abuse. I was home schooled, so I wouldn’t have any outside influence. Even his house staff treated me like I was a waste of space.” She tried to fight back the tears. My poor girl was beaten down emotionally.

  “I’m so sorry, Alana,” I said solemnly. I felt her hurt and wanted to make it disappear.

  “Don’t be. For the first time, ever, I saw what it felt like to be cared about.”

  “I was being selfish. I wanted you physically,” I confessed. Granted, it wasn’t the only reason, but it was the biggest reason I ran outside to find her.

  “Does it matter? If you hadn’t, I’d be swimming with the fishes.”

  My body want cold as the vision of them pulling her from the water ran through my head. “Please don’t say that. The thought is so terrible to me. I’m so happy that I saw you when I did.” I ran my thumb down her cheek to her chin, tilting it to get a better look at her. “I want you to know that there’s at least one person who cares for you and one day there will be plenty more.” She was going to have my babies and they would love their sweet mother.

  We ate our dinner mostly in silence. I think it was because I couldn’t stop staring at her. She blushed six times during our meal; I counted. Once it was done, I asked if she wanted to sit on the balcony.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if they see me?”

  “First, I don’t care if they do, and second, I won’t let them take you away.”

  We stepped out into the night air and sat down the settee that looked out to the ocean. “Where do you live?”

  “I live in Colorado, just outside of Aspen. I own a bar.”

  “Wow, how old are you?” She turned bright red on that one. “I didn’t mean it like that. You look young, but I mean to own your own business and to be traveling. Just wow.”

  “I’m twenty-five and I’ve been working hard since I was a teen. When I turned eighteen I moved out of my parents’ place and worked my way up to the life I wanted. This is the first vacation I got to take and it’s one I’ll never forget,” I said, grabbing her hand and intertwining our fingers.

  “That’s so amazing. I’ve never left Albany until this trip. Heck, I hadn’t left the house in three years. And here you are making your dreams come true. It’s just…well…freaking amazing.”

  “I left my tyrannical father, but I wasn’t also locked away. I was free to go and do as I pleased as long as I obeyed his rules. Do you want to be anything or do anything?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think I would have a chance to be anything.”

  “Well, think about it. I could always use someone to handle the books at the bar.”

  “That’s a nice offer, but I don’t want to put you out.”

  “Honey, I’m going to lay this out for you. I want you. So much so that I can’t think straight. I don’t just mean sexually either because that’s a given, but I mean I want to see that smile creep up on your face. I want to hear you giggle. There’s so much I want from you that even if you don’t want me like that I would do anything to try to get you to feel the same.”

  “I don’t know how to feel. The way you look at me sends my stomach into a mess and my heart racing, but is it more than physical? I think it is, but I’m so confused. I haven’t had a friend in so long that I forgot what it was like.” It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, but she hadn’t known love. She’d learn to love me. I saw it in her eyes. Lust wasn’t the only thing, though, she was scared. How could she even understand that I’d fallen in love on the spot when I could hardly comprehend it myself?

  “That’s okay, Alana. When you’re ready, we’ll go there. I just want you to know that I’m fully committed to seeing you happy.”

  “How can you even be real?”

  “Ha. I’ve never been asked that before, but not every man is like our fathers.”

  “I see. But you’re not the first person to witness him with me like that. Not a single person stepped up to say something or called the police. I don’t think he knew what to do. That’s why he walked away.”

  “Well, he won’t do it again.” I hated the tension that her stepfather brought into our relationship, so I changed the subject. “Do you want to do some exploring tomorrow?”

  “Can we?” she asked with a gleam in her eyes.

  “Sure. I’ll go grab some brochures from the reception area and be right back.”

  I got up, bent down, and gave her a peck on the cheek before running out of the room with the keys. I popped my head back in and said, “Don’t answer it for anyone, Alana. I don’t want you unprotected.”

  I hurried downstairs, hoping that she wouldn’t try to make a run for it. I knew I sounded nut
s with my confession, but I wanted her with me.

  “Hello, sir, how may I help you this evening?”

  “I’m looking for things to do in Nassau for two, Avedis,” I said, probably butchering his name. He didn’t correct me, so I wasn’t sure if I’d gotten it correct or he was too polite to embarrass me. He pulled out several brochures with different things to do. We spent the next five minutes discussing the possibilities. I would say one thing; this hotel was getting a 5-star rating from me. After helping me pick out the best options for two people new to the shores, I thanked him for his help and ran back to the elevators.

  I was just stepping in when my father and hers were walking out. My father grabbed my arm, stopping me from entering. “Let me go.”

  “This is the shit that was giving me a hard time,” Alana’s stepfather said to my father. Part of me wanted to laugh because the ass was digging his own hole with my father. He was on the verge of getting knocked out by me, but that was because I had morals.

  “This shit is my son.” My piece of shit excuse for a father didn’t take too kindly to that insult. He may not respect me, but that didn’t mean he’d let others insult him by way of insulting me.

  “Your son?” he asked in surprise, looking back and forth between us. We looked a lot alike, more than I ever cared for.

  “Why do you think he followed me here?” I bit out, tugging my arm from his grasp, walking around them, and hitting the elevator button.

  “Brent, listen we can work things out still. You’re my heir. I want you to take over,” he pleaded. He was a despicable bastard who did more shady shit than most. I didn’t trust the man and hadn’t for a very long time. Looking at them disgusted me. I needed to get away from them. I had somewhere else I’d rather be.

  “That’s tough shit. You’re a scandalous fuck, who should be in prison. And you,” I growled, looking her stepfather. “Should be dead. You didn’t even bother to look for her in the water. I overheard you from my room.”

  “Mr. McCartney, do you have a problem?” the concierge asked with one of the hotel security.

  “Your last name is Daniels,” my father snarled.

  I shook my head. “No, I had it officially changed years ago. Leave me alone and find one of your mistress’s sons to take as your heir. After all, I probably have around six half-siblings now.” I turned to Avedis and the two other men with him and said, “Sirs, can you please keep these two away from me?”

  “Yes, sir. Have a blessed night.” I nodded at him and got on the elevator. I hoped to fucking hell that was the last time I saw my father. I hated the man, but I did owe my success to him. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.

  I got back to the room, so angry at him that I completely forgot to worry about Alana trying to leave. I didn’t have to worry because she’d straightened up our mess and was in the bathroom brushing her teeth. I walked in there and said in a huff, “Tomorrow, we’re going to check into a different hotel.”

  “Why?” she asked, her eyes wide with concern.

  “I just ran into your father and the bastard trying to buy you,” I grumbled, running my hands through my hair.

  “Well, technically it was for his son, but either way, I hate all of them,” she said, after rinsing her mouth. She was for me, but she had no idea. I wondered what she would think if she knew I was the son.

  “Even the son?” I asked, curious about what she had to say.

  “I never met him, but if he’s related to his father he has to be a piece of shit, too.” I bit back the need to laugh. I wasn’t ready to tell her who I was, just in case she thought I was a part of their scheme.

  “Are you ready for bed?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Immediately, I felt guilty about not telling her who I was.

  “Yes, I can sleep on the carpet if you’d prefer it.”

  “What I’d prefer is you sleeping next to me.”

  “Me, too,” she said softly.

  Chapter 4 — Alana

  When he confessed the way he felt, I wanted to jump in his arms and beg him to love me forever. He was too good to be true, but I couldn’t walk away. Not even if I had somewhere to go. The pull he had on me was instant. I sat there thinking, if he was for real, I would do everything in my power to be the woman he wanted. The moment Brent went down for brochures, I was struck with panic. What if he was only lying so that he could lure my stepfather to me? I knew it was silly because he could have done that out on the beach. Even then, he looked ready to kill for me.

  Like I always did when I was anxious, I started cleaning up. John would have his staff double check all my cleaning. If they found anything messed up, they would tell him and I would get a smack. You’d think that they would be quiet about it and let me fix it since it wasn’t nice, but they got a bonus for snitching on me. It was like he was always looking for a new way to punish me.

  I straightened up everything and he still hadn’t returned. I used this time to use the bathroom and freshen up. He didn’t seem like he wanted sex tonight, but I was feeling eager to give it to him. It was astounding to me how someone could change your life with such a brief meeting. Thinking about it, it was possible. It took one bad encounter to traumatize someone for life, so it could work the other way.

  Some days I really missed my mother. If she was still alive maybe my life wouldn’t be where it was at. I wouldn’t have been suicidal, but then I wouldn’t have met Brent.

  I thought about the six foot something giant who towered over me. He was strong and big, but not scary. His eyes said it all. There was a devious sense to him, but not evil. They brightened when he smiled at me and I felt like the prettiest thing alive.

  I heard the door, and I worried that it wasn’t him. But then I heard him call out my name. I saw his reflection in the mirror. It changed from angry to happy when he saw me. I had a feeling it had to do with my stepfather. We had been staying in this hotel, too. When I suggested that I sleep on the carpet, I melted at the look he gave me in response. It was wicked and dominant. The fact that he wanted me in his bed should have scared me, but I wasn’t. In all reality, it sounded really nice. If he wanted to hold me all night, I was down for it. If he wanted more, well he’d have to show me how because I knew nothing about sex. I was worse than a virginal maiden from the 1700’s. All he had told me over the years was that I better not even consider another boy before I was married.

  When I was fifteen, a boy asked me to the annual school dance and he lost his mind. After that I was pulled from school, beaten, and locked away. All I became was a prisoner in my real father’s old home.

  “What’s with the sad look on your face? I can sleep on the floor if that would make you more comfortable.”

  “Oh, no. I was just thinking that I know nothing about sex. I would be really bad at it,” I said, twisting my lips in embarrassment.

  “Sweetheart, I figured that you were a virgin from what you said earlier, but there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve got something to admit as well. I’m a virgin, too.”

  I scowled at him. How dare he patronize me? “Why did you have to lie? It doesn’t make me feel better.”

  “Alana, I tell you the biggest secret, and for most men an embarrassing fact, and you’re mad at me. I know that it’s hard to believe that at my age I haven’t been with plenty of women, but I told you that I was on my own and I wanted to make it. I wanted to rub it in my father’s face when I became someone without his help. Women didn’t fit into that plan. Now that I’m settled in my bar and well off enough for vacations, I was planning to meet someone. I just didn’t know that you’d be that someone.”

  “Wow. I can’t believe my luck. Handsome, smart, successful, hardworking, and no past to compete with.”

  “Hey, don’t forget I adore you, too,” he added, pulling me into his arms.

  “I could never forget that.”

  “As much as I want to kiss you, I think it’s too soon.”

  “Even for a kiss?”r />
  “Yes, because if I kiss you, I won’t be stopping until I plunge both our virginities away in one thrust.”

  “Then, I think it’s best we go to bed now.” I pulled away from him and jumped into bed with my sweater blouse on as my pajamas for the night. I tried to look away while he took off his shirt, sandals, and watch. His chest was broad covered in brown hair. He wasn’t overly hairy, but he didn’t have that surfer bare chest. It was so sexy. I wanted to cuddle into him, but instead I put a pillow in the middle of the bed. He laughed a little, then climbed in.

  “Did you want to put a curtain between us, too?” he joked. I scrunched my face at him pretending to be mad, but I couldn’t be mad at him.

  “Haha. Funny. Goodnight, Brent.”

  “Goodnight, Alana.”

  Chapter 5 — Brent

  The heat of the morning sun beamed into the room even with the shades closed. Alana had been wrapped up in my arms. Somehow in the night, she ended up pressed against me. Selfishly, I didn't roll her back to her side. Instead, I embraced her. She didn't resist, but rather tucked her body deeper into my hold.

  Her face was pressed against my bare chest. I felt a soft peck on my breast right over my heart. "Mine," she whispered.

  "Damn right," I growled back. My cock throbbed with her weak declaration.

  Her eyes immediately darted upward, looking at me nervously. She was even prettier in the morning light.

  "Morning," I said with a smile.

  "Morning," she muttered softly. I had to steal a kiss. My mouth came gently down on hers. She let out a moan against my lips. It was the sweetest sound I ever heard. My cock was pulsing in my shorts. Well, most of it was. The tip had come out of the top while we slept. I could feel my precum on the head, eager to connect with her heat.

  I rolled us over and climbed on top of her little frame. Her top needed to go. Reaching under the hem while my lips tasted her neck, I teased her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra and I could feel the tightening in my balls as I moved the sweater farther up and took her nipple into my mouth.