Page 111 of Strictly Forbidden

I took a deep breath as Tasha introduced me.

Today was going to be a very special day. I could feel it in my bones.

At least two hours had passed, my hand cramping from the number of books I’d signed. I’d kissed babies, had dozens of pictures taken of me with and without Max with my adoring fans, and I’d consumed at least four cups of coffee.

Right now, I was wired to the hilt.

But I couldn’t be happier.

With the last person in line leaving, I took a deep breath, lowering my head to the table.

“You were amazing today,” Tasha told me. “The tour was phenomenal and you’ve already outsold your other recent bestseller.”

I groaned from sheer exhaustion. “Groovy.” I lifted my head, still blurry-eyed from the experience.

“Groovy? Does anyone say that any longer?”

I laughed and gathered my things, Max finally rising as if from the dead. “Yes, they do in my world.”

“Get some rest. You deserve it.”

“I plan on it.” I suddenly realized my man was nowhere to be seen. With Max in tow, I headed to the front of the store. As soon as I was close to the double set of glass doors, I burst into smiles.

There was a limousine waiting out front, the huge stretch vehicle not nearly as gorgeous as the man leaning against the back set of doors, his eyes covered in shades. He had his massive, muscular forearms crossing his chest and I took a few seconds to bask in his beauty.

As soon as I walked outside, the driver was out of the huge vehicle, moving quickly toward one of the back doors. He even tipped his hat.

“What are you doing?” I purred as I ran my fingers down Kage’s chest.

“Taking you on an adventure.”

“Which means you’re kidnapping me just like before.”

“You bet. A man’s prerogative.”

“Bad boy.”

“You got it. Get in. We have a plane to catch. Well, actually a jet. My jet.”

I took a deep breath before climbing inside, Max jumping in as happy as could be. When Kage was settled, I was the one to remove his sunglasses. “Just where are we going, wealthy and very sexy man?”

He settled back onto the leather seat, immediately pulling a bottle of champagne from a cooler. “For me to know and you to learn. As long as you’re a very good girl.”

“Which I’m not.”

“Don’t I know it.” As he burst into laughter, I was at that point of swooning all over again.

He just did that to me over and over again.

I loved him. I adored our life. I was so happy Max had brought us together.

And I couldn’t wait to see what the future brought.

“So let me get this straight. You bought an entire tropical island?” I stared out at the Caribbean blue waters while digging my toes into the pearlescent white sand. The day was perfect. While the sun was waning in the sky, twilight approaching, the partial shadows couldn’t diminish the beauty or the amazement that he’d purchased an entire island.

The interesting thing was that it was already a lively location with locals living in beautiful quaint houses and at least two hotels located in the most pristine spots. Island music was coming from somewhere behind us but we were on a very private beach, the incredible cabana-like house positioned on massive stilts in the water.

I was shocked at how relaxed I felt, the moment as surreal as so much of our lives had already been.

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