MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) (9 page)

Chapter Nine

              “T
aylor,” Taylor’s name rolled off the handsome tall man’s lips standing in front of her like a whisper in the night. Her head tilted back, Taylor’s eyes bore into the man’s gorgeous, tanned face. Strong and muscular looking, dark brown hair grazed his broad shoulders. As he towered over her, a misty sheen covered his brown, coffee-colored eyes. “It’s you. It’s really you. My sweet Taylor.”

              Shock engulfed Taylor. Stole her breath. Water filling her eyes, Taylor stood speechless. Her limbs weakened. Feeling faint, her eyes remained glued to the man. Feeling like she was dreaming, she cupped the sides of her face. “Zeke,” she whispered his name. A tear rolled from her left eye.

              A strained chuckle erupted from Zeke’s lungs. A single tear rolled down his right cheek. “Oh God, Taylor. I found you. I finally found you.” Zeke wrapped his arms around Taylor’s shoulders, drew her form to him, and held her tight. “This is the happiest day of my life. I’ve dreamed of this day for so long.”

              Head to his chest, Taylor closed her eyes and sank into Zeke’s warm embrace. His woodsy cologne traveled up her nose. Memories of the last time she’d seen Zeke came charging into Taylor’s head. It’d been right before she’d been kidnapped.

              With her arms draped around Zeke’s waist, she sobbed. She held him tight. Continued inhaling his woodsy fragrance. Felt the muscles of his rock hard chest pressing against her face. God, she’d waited forever for this day. Thought it’d never happen–and yet, it had. “Oh, Zeke. You’re here. You’re really here.”
I’ve waited forever for you to come back to me.

              “Let me get a good look at you,” Zeke said, prying her from his body. Gently cupping the balls of Taylor’s shoulders, Zeke’s eyes raked up and down her figure, covered by the white trench coat.

              Zeke gently palmed the back of Taylor’s head with one hand, grazed his knuckles over her left ear, covered her cheek with the other. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember. Are you in a hurry? Can we go somewhere and talk?”

             
This is a miracle
. Taylor swiped at the tear rolling down her face. “Sure. I’d like that,” she cried, her gaze dropping toward the ground.

              Standing on the sidewalk, overwhelmed and crying, Zeke put a finger to Taylor’s chin, tilted her head back. Gazing lovingly into her weeping eyes, he cupped her face, then dried her tears with the pads of his thumbs. “I’m here now, Taylor. Regardless of what’s going on in your life, I’m going to make sure you’re always taken care of.” He cupped her head.

              Shaking her head in his big, strong palms, thin trails of snot ran from Taylor’s nose. “My apartment is fifteen minutes away from here. We can go talk there. We’ll have to catch a taxi.”

              Zeke and Taylor walked to the corner of the street, across from the traffic light. Constantly staring at Taylor, Zeke flagged down a taxi. The taxi rolled up on the curb. Zeke pulled open the rear door for Taylor, and after she climbed in, Zeke did. Mild conversation took place inside the taxi.

              Minutes later, the taxi pulled up on the curb in front of Taylor’s duplex. Zeke reached into his pocket, paid the cab fare, then exited the vehicle. He hurried to the other side of the taxi to pull open the door for her.

              Zeke’s passionate eyes held her still as he extended his hand towards her. As Taylor placed her hand in his, sparks of electricity shot through her arm. Still disbelieving her eyes, she flung her feet to the concrete and eased out of the cab.

              Listening to her heels click against the ivory marble flooring, Taylor waved at the concierge, then began crossing the small courtyard overflowing with live plants inside her duplex. As Taylor and Zeke ascended the spiral staircase toward her luxurious apartment, silence fell upon them. Whether from Zeke’s front, back, or his side, she couldn’t stop gawking at him. And he couldn’t stop staring at her either.

              Wondering if Zeke was married, Taylor stuck the key in the lock of her apartment’s front door and clicked it open. “Welcome to my home,” she said, entering.

              Zeke stepped inside Taylor’s luxurious apartment behind her. “Wow. This is some apartment. You’ve done quite well for yourself, I see.” Zeke stalked over to the tall floor-to-ceiling window and drew back the white sheers covering the view. “This is some view.”

              After taking off her white trench coat and laying it on the sofa, Taylor walked closer to the window and stood behind Zeke. “I love it. Waking up to this view is what has kept me sane for many years. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.”

              Zeke kept his back to her while he absorbed the breathtaking view. Although she woke up to this view every day, she could never get enough of it. A former mansion, her upscale apartment had dark, wooden parquet floors. Tall floor-to-ceiling windows. High ceilings. Cream colored walls and golden details sculpted by a French noblesse. Located on a quiet side street near Quai d’Orleans, it had stunning views of the left bank, Ile de la Cite, and Notre Dame.  “Look at the structure on the Cathedral.” Zeke seemed in awe.

              Dressed in a black fitted dress, Taylor folded her arms across her breasts. “It’s gorgeous. Sometimes I sit here on the windowsill and just stare. Dream. And think.”

              Letting the sheers slip from his fingers, he turned from the window and peered down at Taylor. “Do you ever think of me, Taylor?”

              Taylor nodded. “I think of you every day, Zeke.”

              Remorse filled his pupils. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you. It should’ve been me. If I could go back and trade places with you, I would. I’d take all the pain you endured as my own. Take all the fear. Erase all the horrible images out of your head.”

              Taylor sniffled. “He was beautiful. Our son was beautiful, Zeke.”

              Moisture coated Zeke’s eyes. “I hired a private investigator a long time ago to look for you and our son. But after years of trying, the investigator quit. I guess I should’ve hired another one. Anyhow, ever since I’ve learned about our son, I’ve thought of him and you every single day.”

              Taylor’s heart squeezed with grief. “Me, too. He’s alive, Zeke. Our son Zavier is alive.”

              A smile came on Zeke’s face. “Zavier. That’s what you call him? I like that name. Zavier Balfour. He’s ten now?”

              “Yes. Ten. Born right after Christmas. I celebrate his birthday every year. Are you married, Zeke? Children? Family?”

              “No, Taylor, I’m single. And you?”

              Relief flooded Taylor’s insides. “I’m single, too. I’ve never been married.”

              A rush of air expelled from Zeke’s lungs, as if he were relieved. “Me either. God, you’re so beautiful.”

              Taylor’s lips spread into a smile. “Thanks. You’re very handsome, Zeke.”

              Zeke’s hearty chuckles floated in the air, enticed her female senses. “I don’t know about all that. But hey, thanks for the compliment.”

              For the rest of the day, Zeke and Taylor stayed in her apartment, catching up on each other’s lives. Sitting beside him on the expensive couch inside her den, she told him all about how she was discovered as a model. Told him about how she’d modeled for Victoria’s Secret, Vogue, Chanel, and other elite fashion icons.

              Zeke shared with Taylor about how he’d come to Paris to build a hotel at his father’s request. In honor of his grandfather. Told her about his time at the University of Oxford and how he’d been a star football player for the prestigious school. He’d said he was honored to be the CEO of Balfour Enterprises. Although his brother Antonio was pissed, Zeke expressed that he couldn’t have been more pleased with his father’s wise decision.

              They’d both shared their dating experiences over the years. They talked about everything, except for how it’d been hell living with mean Mildred and scary Kelvin. Maybe one day she’d give Zeke a detailed breakdown about that, too, but right now she didn’t want to relive the horrible experience. Right now, she wanted to enjoy the moment of reconnecting with the only man she’d ever loved. And from where she sat at this very moment, she’d always love the kind and powerful—Zeke Balfour.

              As they sat on the sofa conversing, a gleam of interest came into Zeke’s eyes. “We have so much catching up to do, Taylor. If you let me, I’m going to spend every minute of my waking hours pampering you. Making up for lost time. Giving you the life that should’ve been given to you a long time ago.”             

              Taylor desired to lay her head on Zeke’s chest and let him hold her. “But Zeke, we’ve only come back together a few hours ago. How could you say you want such things already? I’m not the same sixteen-year-old girl you remember. I’ve changed. And so have you.”

              “You’re right, Taylor. You’ve changed, and so have I. A lot has changed about me. Except for one thing. One very important thing.” Peering into her eyes, Zeke tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “And that’s how much I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

              Flattered by Zeke’s admission, Taylor cupped his jaw.
This is too good to be true.
“I’ve never stopped loving you either, Zeke.”

              Zeke bowed his head and gently lowered his lips to hers. “A man knows when he’s met his mate. I met mine when I was eighteen. Unfortunately, she was stolen from me. But now that she’s returned to me, I’m never letting her go. Never, Taylor. Never.”

              Desire radiated Zeke’s dark eyes. He cupped Taylor’s neck, pulled it forward. Heat swooned inside his eyes as he slinked his think pink tongue into her mouth and kissed her erotically.

              The strong hardness of Zeke’s lips caused desire to course through Taylor’s veins, set her soul on fire. A hoarse moan rattled inside her throat.

             
Oh God.
Tongues curling, his firm lips gliding across hers felt heavenly.
Please stay true to your word, Zeke
, Taylor thought, drinking his saliva.

              Zeke broke their heated kiss. “For me to find you in Paris, of all places, is not a coincidence. It’s fate. Fate, Taylor. Fate. This is God’s doing.”

              “I agree, Zeke. God brought us back together. There is no other explanation.”

              Zeke ran the pad of his thumb over her swollen lips. “Let me spend the night here with you. We don’t have to have sex. All I’m asking is that you let me hold you, Taylor. Just let me hold you all night long, baby. Please.” Zeke’s husky voice enticed Taylor. Sent chills skittering up her spine. Made her hot, and aroused.

              “There’s nothing I’d like more than for you to hold me. All…night…long.”
My Mr. Right is really here. And he still knows how to make everything in my world right.

              “Yes!” Zeke gathered Taylor in his strong arms, cradled her to his muscular chest, and held her so tenderly for the rest of the afternoon, and all through the night. And Taylor Spelling couldn’t have been happier.

Chapter Ten

                           
L
ying on her back sleeping, Taylor felt something hard nudge into the thin pajama bottoms she wore. Awakening from a mild sleep, her eyes fluttered open to the wonderful feel of Zeke’s hard erection pressing into her sheathed buttocks. With her back to Zeke, he threw a heavy arm over her waist and snuggled his masculine body into her form.

                            Wrapped in Zeke’s strong arms, loving the feel of his thick erection slapped on her clothed behind, tingles twirled the pit of Taylor’s stomach. A dull ache settled at her entrance. Her nipples tightened beneath the thin fabric bra she wore. Refraining from making love to Zeke hadn’t been a challenge last night, but that was only because he didn’t try to have sex with her. If he’d tried to make love to her, there was no telling what might have happened.

                            Oh my. Who was she kidding? If Zeke would’ve made a hot, lusty move on her, she would’ve given in to his demands and made sweet, passionate love to him. What woman wouldn’t? After all, Zeke had all the qualities any woman could ever want. He was every woman’s dream. At least he was her dream. Always had been her dream. Always would be her dream man.

                            Zeke stirred. “Taylor, are you awake?”

                            With all that hard manhood pressed into her behind, of course she was awake. “Yes. I’m awake.”

                            Zeke palmed her shoulder and gestured for Taylor to face him.
Beautiful.
Zeke was simply a beautiful man.

                            When Zeke caressed the side of Taylor’s face, she felt an eager affection coming from him. “How’d you sleep last night?” he asked, a sense of longing in his voice.

                            “Wonderful. I haven’t slept that well in years.”
Probably never
. Having Zeke sleep next to her last night had provided her with comfort. Security. Warmth and love. Made her hopeful about her future. Their future. Zeke had said yesterday he was there to stay, and for some reason Taylor believed him.

                            “What about you? How did you sleep?” Taylor asked.

              A heart-rending tenderness settled in his gaze. “I woke up a few times last night to make sure you were still here by my side, and you were. I still find it hard to believe that you’re here in Paris, with me. That I found you. That God led me to you. Finally.”

                            Using the tip of his index finger, Zeke touched Taylor’s forehead. He slowly trailed his finger down her cheek. Traced the outline of her lips.

                            Gazing into Zeke’s sexy, dark brown eyes, moisture seeped into her core. My, she wanted him inside her. Wanted to feel his thickness like she used to when she was just sixteen. Imagining Zeke slipping between her slick folds, her walls clenched. “Would you like some breakfast?”

                            “Sure. But first I want this.” Zeke slanted his mouth over Taylor’s and kissed her feverishly. Bolts of electricity shot through her veins, then blasted straight to her opening. Her clitoris knotted. Twining her tongue with his, her labia fluttered.

                            Zeke groaned huskily in Taylor’s throat, and she drank it in. His shaft turned to stone against the lower part of her belly. Oh God, how she wanted him to make love to her. Now. Right freaking now. Suddenly, he broke their heated kiss and left her mouth burning like wildfire.

                            Husky breaths pierced through the opening of Taylor’s mouth from kissing Zeke. “I know this may sound crazy, but although you’re here, I still miss you.”

                            His fingers glided along her collarbone. “That doesn’t sound crazy at all. I still miss you, too. We have a lot of lost time to make up for. If you’re free today, I’d like to start making up some of it right away. I want to spend the whole day with you, Taylor.”

                           
Yes!
her mind cheered. “What do you have in mind?”

                            “First, I’d like to take you to the land where I plan on building the Balfour Renaissance Hotel. Afterwards, I want to tour the city with you. Are you game?”

                            “Yes. I’m game.” Taylor eased up in bed, turned sideways, then flung her feet to the floor. Looking at her toes, she felt she could use a pedicure. Standing next to her queen-size bed, she grabbed her robe from the cranberry chair and shrugged her arms through the sleeves.

                            Zeke flung back the covers, then quickly got out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower.” Walking towards her, he rolled his shirt over his head, then tossed it on the bed.
Lord have mercy!
The muscles in Zeke’s chest bunched. His hard biceps looked like ripe plums.               With an eight-pack and muscles galore, Zeke’s body looked as if it’d been sculpted perfectly by a world-renowned artist.

                            Water filled Taylor’s mouth, and her sex clenched as fine-behind Zeke walked past her and headed into the bathroom. As Taylor footed towards the kitchen, her mind drifted back to the last time Zeke and her had been together before yesterday.

                            Right after he’d given her the promise ring, they’d made love in the lake–and my, it’d felt so good. Had been so wonderful. Zeke’s shaft had been gigantic back then.

                            If his manhood had been that big at eighteen, there was no telling how big it was now that he was a grown man. Gripping the handle of a frying pan, Taylor lowered it to the stove and turned it on high.

                            Whipping up some eggs in a dish, Taylor smiled.
I can’t wait to see how big Zeke’s penis is now that he’s older. Hopefully, it’ll fit.

HOT WATER SPRAYED
Zeke’s back as he scrubbed his chest with a bar of soap. Dying to make love to Taylor, his hard rod stretched down his thigh. Then some more. And some more. The bulging head on his erection threatened to burst with cum just from thinking of Taylor.

                           
Taylor had
felt so good snuggled up against him last night and this morning. It’d been difficult to keep his hands to himself while in her presence. Been challenging to keep his manhood soft. While he may have been the perfect gentleman thus far, he didn’t feel confident he could keep it up.
Damn, my cock hurts.

                            Taylor set him aflame in a way that no other woman ever had. Sure, he’d had sex with women while in college. A few after college. Some one-night stands. But that’s all it was—just sex.

                            Zeke placed the bar of soap back in its dish, then fisted his erection. Thinking about how he used to flick Taylor’s nipples with his tongue, he slowly began jerking himself. Up and down. Up and down. Damn, he needed to be inside Taylor’s sex bad. Real. Bad. Groaning, Zeke felt his mushroom head leak with pre-cum.

                            Wanting to save himself for Taylor later on this evening, or until she was ready to make love to him, Zeke released his aching rod, rinsed off, and got out of the shower. Feeling like he had the blue balls, he grabbed the towel from the rack and began toweling off. He mentally ordered his tool to soften, but it wouldn’t. That sucker stayed hard as a pipe.

                           
Pained erection pointing straight out,
Zeke began drying his hair with the towel.
Back in the day, Taylor used to let him have his way with her body. Make sweet, passionate love to her–and boy, did he used to enjoy it. Not because he’d wanted to use her, but because he’d loved her. Because he’d connected with her on so many levels. And although he’d just found her, he already knew she was the woman for him. He’d known she was the only girl for him his entire life.

                            Sure, he’d dated a lot of women. Just recently broke up with a gal by the name of Tessalyn a few months ago. But none of them had even come close to winning his heart. Although he’d been involved with too many women to count, he’d always known if Taylor Spelling ever came back into his life, he’d drop the woman he was with like hot cakes for a chance to get back with Taylor.

                           
You’re the only woman for me, Taylor. I’ve always known it.
After Zeke got dressed, he made his way into the kitchen. When he arrived, his mouth smiled, and so did his heart. Taylor had set the dining table by the window for two—him and her. Fluffy scrambled eggs, English muffins, bacon, and fresh fruits adorned the dishes.

                            Eyeballing the tasty-looking food, Zeke’s stomach growled. He pulled out Taylor’s chair for her, and after she took her seat, her rounded the table and took his. Admiring her breathtaking beauty, he slid his arms across the table, cupped her hands, and said the blessing. “Heavenly Father. I come to You this morning to say thank You for the food we’re about to receive. May it be a nourishment to our bodies. Bless the hands that prepared this meal, Dear Lord. In addition, please bless this relationship between Taylor and myself as we embark on a new journey. Thank you, Dear Lord, for giving Taylor back to me. Amen,” he said, bringing the prayer to a close.

                            Taylor lifted her bowed head and met Zeke’s gaze. “Amen. That was such a lovely blessing.” For a brief moment, Zeke sat across from Taylor, staring at her face, not uttering a single word. “What are you thinking?”

                            Dullness came into his eyes. “I’m thinking about our son, Taylor. I can’t help but wonder what he looks like. Does he look like me? Or you? Whose personality does he have? Who does he sound like when he laughs? It breaks my heart to know he’s out there somewhere without me or you.”

                            “I know how you feel. It hurts to know he’s out there in this cruel world, being raised by someone else. For years, I tried to find Zavier. I’ve hired so many private investigators, but they all came up empty-handed. Deep down in my soul, I can feel he’s alive.” Taylor patted the space over her heart. “I can feel he’s alive in here. As long as I’m alive, I’ll never stop believing that. I just pray that whoever has our son is taking great care of him. Loving him like we would.”

                            Pain riveted on Zeke’s face. “I’m going to do everything in my power to try and find our son, Taylor. It’s been a while since I’ve looked for him. I used to look for y’all a lot when I first returned to Hilton Head Island. I even went looking for you at your mother’s house when I first came back from college, but by then you and Veronica had left Hilton Head Island.”

                            “Why didn’t you call me back, or reach out to me after Katherine told you I came to visit you?” Taylor felt he owed her an explanation.

                            Zeke’s head jerked. “I’m confused. What are you talking about?”

                            “A few days after I was rescued, right after I got out of the hospital, I went to your father’s house looking for you. Katherine answered the door. She called you while I was there and left a message on your phone for you on my behalf. She told you to call home because they’d found me and I wanted to speak with you. I waited years for you to call me, but you never did. What kept you from calling me, Zeke?”

                            Frowning, Zeke banged his fist on the table, causing Taylor’s glass of orange juice to spill. “That evil woman. Katherine never told me you called, Taylor. This is the first time I ever knew you tried to reach me.” 

              Anger boiled inside Zeke about what Katherine had done.
Wait until I get my hands on Katherine.
Right now, Zeke felt like he could strangle the life out of Katherine for keeping such important information from him. What kind of person would do such an ugly thing?
An evil one. A very evil one.