Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Six
Kelley walked closer to her and he wrapped his arms around her waist lightly. He wouldn't force her to come to him. She had to make the first move, it was one of Kelley's fundamental rules. She needed to show him that she'd take the leap with him.
Milana closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Kelley’s chest. In moments like these she felt that she’d won the lottery, that she’d gotten everything she’d always prayed for. She could feel his breath against her cheek and her hands went to the back of his neck.
The touch of his skin on her fingertips broke her resolve and every wall of anger she'd built up over the past week crumbled away. This man had a way of breaking through her defenses, he made her stomach flutter and her heart beat rapidly. He excited her and just a look or a touch from him sent her spiraling.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I miss you too but I have to leave by noon.”
Milana lowered her head and Kelley pulled her closer to him. “I almost forgot, did you bring your mom?”
Kelley pulled his face away and looked at her with a smile. “I did and I’m sure she wants to meet you.”
“Let me shower and change before I meet my mother-in-law.”
Kelley smirked and pulled the t-shirt over his head. “I’ll join you … to save water.”
Milana smiled then as Kelley led her to the bathroom. They showered and kissed and after a session of heavy breathing, legs turning to jelly and her screaming out his name, they showered again and got out to get dressed.
The way Kelley had taken her replaced the last image of them together in her head. He wasn't angry now or trying to control his emotions, he was hungry for her and she could feel it like she could feel him pulse inside her.
Kelley and Milana walked into the kitchen, hand in hand and found Steel standing in the doorway. He nodded his head at Kelley who nodded back. Milana looked down and Kelley smiled as he sat down. “Steel.”
“Sir?” Kelley could hear the nervousness in his voice and he decided to go with it.
“According to my wife you two are having hot, dirty sex every night.”
Milana’s head snapped up to his. “Kelley!”
Steel looked shocked, worried and pale as he looked from Milana to Kelley. Jesse appeared behind him and slapped him on the back. “Told you buddy … six years.”
“Sir …”
Steel looked so worried that Kelley had to smile and chuckle. “Relax, Steel, I know when my wife is lying.”
“I’m sorry, Steel … I was mad … I should never have said that.”
Steel breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at a smiling Kelley. “I would never, Sir.”
Kelley laughed and pulled out the chair next to him. “Sit down, Steel, and have breakfast with us. I know you and I can see how much my wife values you.”
Half an hour later, Steel and Jesse excused themselves from the kitchen just as Laura walked in with Marley, both of them smiling, their arms hooked together. “Morning.”
“Mom, this is Milana, my wife.”
“Oh, Milana, it’s just wonderful to meet you!”
Laura pulled Milana from the chair and hugged her tightly, her eyes closed as she whispered something in Milana’s ear. When they pulled away Milana nodded her head and smiled, a smile that made her eyes twinkle.
“Secrets already?”
“Hush, Kelley, just some advice from one woman to another. She is my daughter-in-law now and what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t tell her about your weakness for ice cream at midnight.”
Kelley laughed as Milana sat back down with Laura next to her. Marley gave Kelley a hug and then whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry.”
Kelley frowned as he looked at her and Marley shook her head. He’d call her later and find out exactly why she was apologizing but he already had an idea that it was about Juliana. He wasn’t angry about that because he’d gotten over Juliana a long time ago. He still felt guilty when he thought about it but he had moved on.
Milana had opened his heart to love and he'd realized that he'd been thirsty for it. He wanted her love like he needed air to breathe and he was man enough to admit it.
They sat in the kitchen for an hour longer before Kelley excused himself to go talk to Jesse. He had no idea how his mother had reacted to Jesse being engaged to Marley, because he knew Marley didn't talk to Laura much. He walked into the control room and the two men watching the monitors stood up and saluted him.
“Jesse.”
“Hey … thanks for the heads up about your mother. That was a real nice surprise just as I was getting your sister naked.”
Kelley closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t talk about my sister naked.”
“Fine, just as I was getting my fiancée naked.”
“Still my sister, Jesse.”
Jesse grinned and opened the control room’s door. They walked out into the hallway and Jesse pulled the door closed behind them. “I’m glad you found Laura before Charles did.”
“Me too. How are things here?”
“It’s good. The perimeter hasn’t been breached, no boats close by; everything’s fine.”
“Kirk’s flipped sides. We’re going to stage his death and send the picture to Marcus Holt.”
Jesse crossed his arms across his chest and looked at Kelley in disbelief. “That will open a whole can of shit worms, Kelley.”
“That’s what I’m hoping. They’ll overplay their hand and we’ll be waiting.”
“This isn't a good idea, Kelley. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do, Jesse. I know exactly what I’m doing. You just do your job on the island and keep everyone here safe. Charles knows I’ve got Laura. I’m pretty sure he had someone watching her. I’ll do my job and you just worry about yours.”
Jesse snorted. “Worry about mine? Screw you, Kelley. Who do you think everyone will look to if something happens to you? Don’t be reckless, remember what I taught you. Think and plan, even if it takes six years.”
“This shit can’t go on for six years. It ends in Yorkdare Bay, one way or another.”
"Keep yourself safe, Kelley. I'm not burying you, Mason or Lee. Use your head, it's what you're good at."
