Page 126 of Paparazzi Perfect
My heart skipped a beat as my mind flashed back to the nights we’d spent tangled together in bed. To the mornings when we’d lain there, holding each other tight, watching snow fall beyond the huge bedroom window.
I eyed the carousel as a bag that looked like mine—but much bigger—bumped past before my gaze drifted back to Ivy.
She was like a ray of sunshine, illuminating everything around her… and I was so lucky I’d found her.
“We might have to make traversing the globe together our little thing, Miss Lawrence.”
“You’ll ruin me for life,” she replied, her face aglow, “with all this pampering.”
“Never. I’m here to help you follow your dreams. Every day. And every night. For as long as you want me.” I pressed my lips to her hand, kissing it slowly, before kissing each of her fingers.
“Remind me where you came from again,” she whispered, grazing her lips over mine. “I swear, you’re the only man in the world who’s so wonderful.” Her warm breath punched the air out of my lungs.
“We really need to pick up that key,” I said huskily, “like now.”
She traced her fingers slowly up the back of my neck.
“My god, woman, you’re going to kill me,” I managed, dragging my gaze over her.
Something caught her attention over my shoulder. “My bag!”
She ran toward the carousel, reaching it just as it was about to disappear through the black opening. Grabbing it, she slung it onto the trolley.
“Impressive,” I said, watching her. “But I think you forgot something.”
“I did?” She stalked closer. “Hmm, what could that be, I wonder?” Her arms closed around my neck as she pressed up against me, while my hands threaded through her silky hair.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, my pulse racing. “Suddenly I really want to check out our new bedroom.”
“Good idea,” she replied breathlessly.
I pushed the trolley hastily toward the pickup zone.
***
IVY
Gus leaned against the Jaguar as we stepped into the airport pickup zone. He drew us both in for a big hug, then we drove straight to Roland Black Realtyin Summer Beach.
“Won’t be long, Gus,” Karson said as we climbed out.
The blazing sun bit into my skin as I took in the familiar sights and sounds.
People in bikinis or board shorts studded the beach. A barefoot couple, one with a smoothie and the other with a surfboard, laughed and jumped up and down on the hot concrete sidewalk at the bus stop.
A group of teens chatted excitedly, smiles beaming beneath their bucket hats as they crossed the road to the beach. And some tourists were speaking animatedly in German as they pointed out over the water.
God, I missed this. All the elements I loved. Sand and surf. Not a snowflake in sight.
An impossibly pink frangipani bloomed out the front of the realtor’s office. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the sweet scent hanging in the balmy air.
Karson grinned. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I was just taking a moment,” I said, unable to contain my happiness.
He lifted me until my face was level with his then kissed me. “Now I’m ready too.” He lowered me back down before holding the door open for me, and we stepped through into the icy air-conditioned office.
“Mr. Wells?” said the athletic young man behind the desk. “Welcome! We’ve been expecting you!”
