“Good luck. Bring her home, Alex.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I pulled up Google on my phone and searched Bass Harbor, Maine. The first thing that popped up was cottage rentals. My mind flashed back to when we were at her house. She told me that her parents rented a cottage on the water during their stay. Those cottages would be the first place I’d look.
Finally, the mechanical issue was fixed and the plane was able to take off. Since it was an eight-hour flight, I wouldn’t be getting into the Bangor Airport until three a.m. I sighed. Now I’d have to find a hotel since I couldn’t go around trying to find her in the middle of the night. Damn it, of all places not to have a hotel chain. I was going to have to do something about that. I dialed Simon.
“Hey, Alex. What can I do for you?”
“Hey, Simon. Do you by any chance have a hotel in Bangor, Maine?”
“Maine? No. I don’t.”
“Shit. You know, we really need to talk about opening one up there.”
“Why? What’s in Maine?”
“I’m going to find Emerson and I need a hotel to stay at for the night. I won’t be getting in until three a.m.”
“Ah. I see. What part of Maine?”
“I’m flying into Bangor.”
“That’s a really small airport. I’m not sure what hotels are around there.”
“I’ll find something. Thanks, Simon. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Sorry I couldn’t help. Talk to you soon.”
I sighed as I pulled up a list of hotels in Bangor. I stumbled across a Marriott. It would have to do. I booked my room and sat back, pulling up the video of us singing in the car on our way back from Napa.
****
It was nine o’clock in the morning when I hopped into the rental car I rented and headed to Bass Harbor. If I had realized that it was an hour and a half drive, I would have left earlier. Failed planning on my part. I followed the GPS and arrived at the first set of cottages in Bass Harbor around ten thirty. She wasn’t staying at any of those. Shit. The people there told me there was another set of cottages up about ten miles near the lighthouse. Pulling up to Pine Cottages, I saw a woman walking out of the main house. I parked the car and got out. She stood there looking at me.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t have any more cottages to rent.”
“I’m looking for someone. I’m hoping you could help me out.”
She stood there, her eyes glaring at me as I approached her. The corners of her mouth curved upwards.
“Well, I’ll be damned. It’s nice to finally meet you, Alex Parker.” She held out her hand.
I tilted my head and narrowed my eye at her as I lightly shook her hand. “She’s here. Isn’t she?”
“Yes, and she’s been waiting for you. I’m Mary. I own this place. Come with me. I’ll take you to her cottage.”
I followed her down a short path. “She told you about me?” I asked.
“Oh yes. She even showed me your picture. That’s how I knew who you were. Emerson and I became friends quite quickly.”
“I’m not surprised.” I smiled.
“I just saw her this morning. She was helping in my kitchen. Teaching me a few things she learned in Tuscany.”
“She’s a wonderful cook.”
“She sure is. She made a pot of lobster stew the other night that practically knocked my socks off.”
When we approached a small white cottage, Mary knocked on the door.
“Emerson, it’s Mary. Open up, sweetie.”
No answer. She knocked again.
“She mustn’t be here.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. Inserting it into the lock, she opened the door and we stepped inside.
“You can wait for her here if you want. Set your bags down and relax until she gets back.”
“Thank you, Mary. I have a place I’m going to check out first. Maybe she’s there.”
“The lighthouse?” She gave me a smile.
“You know the story?” I asked.
“I sure do. It’s about a ten-minute walk from here. Go up the path and follow it until you reach the rocks. The lighthouse is on the other side. She spends a lot of time there. She’s probably there now.”
“I hope so. Thank you again for your help. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Good luck, Alex. It was nice to finally meet you.”
I gave her a nod and followed the path like she said. When I reached the rocks, I could see Emerson sitting in front of the lighthouse. My heart started racing. I’d found her.
Chapter 34
Emerson
As I was sitting on the rocks, looking out into the ocean, a light wind swept across my face. I would never grow tired of the beauty of this place. Holding my phone in my hand, I pulled up the video I took of us. My heart ached as I watched it for the hundredth time. God, did I miss him and his man scent. I set my phone down and placed my face in my hands.
“It’s time to come home, Emerson.”
I lifted my head and froze for a moment as my heart started to rapidly beat and my stomach started to flutter. I slowly turned around and smiled when I saw Alex standing up on the rocks. Tears started to fill my eyes as I stood up.
“Stay there. I’ll come to you.” He smiled as he made his way down the rocks.
When he reached me, I threw my arms around him and buried my face into the side of his neck.
“You knew where to find me.”
“Of course I did. Give me those damn lips.” He commanded.
I lifted my head and our lips met, engaging in a passionate kiss that I never wanted to end.
“How’s Parker? You have Parker, right? I mean, you didn’t give him away or kick his little puppy ass to the street, did you?”
Alex chuckled. “Parker is fine. We bonded. Now why are we talking about the dog? We haven’t seen each other in weeks and you want to talk about the dog?”
I laughed as I planted many kisses all over his face.
“I missed you so much, Alex.”
“I missed you too, baby.”
“Did you just call me ‘baby’?” I smiled.
“I did and I’m going to keep calling you that whether you like it or not.”
He placed his hands on each side of my face. “I love you, Emerson James. I’m madly in love with you and you’re never leaving me again. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I totally understand and I’m not even mad that you took that commanding tone with me.” I smiled.
He smiled as he placed his forehead on mine. “I love you so much and I’m never letting you go. I want you back home with me. It’s our home, Emerson. Mine and yours. California doesn’t have to be that place of tragic memories for you anymore.”
“I know and I want to come home. I missed you so much.”
His smile widened as his lips touched mine. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” He pulled me into a tight embrace.
We sat down on the rocks in front of the lighthouse, our arms wrapped tightly around each other, staring out into the ocean.
“It truly is beautiful here,” he spoke.
“It sure is.” I kissed his cheek.
“I met Mary. She seems like a really nice lady.”
“She is. She’s amazing. How did you know where I was staying?”
“I remember you saying that your parents stayed in a cottage while they were here.”
“So you were really listening to me.”
He looked over at me and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “I always listen to every word you say, Emerson, and I promise you that I will never stop. These past weeks have been fucking torture for me. I wasn’t able to concentrate on anything. Parker and I had a long conversation about you and he can’t wait until you come home. But I’m afraid he’s taken over your side of the bed.”
I laughed. “Have you been sleeping in my bed?”
“Some nights I did because I felt closer to you.
But that’s not your bed anymore. You will be in our bed upstairs.”
I raised my eyebrow at him. “I’ve never been in your bed. What if I don’t like it?”
“Trust me.” He smiled. “You’re going to love it. I’m sorry I never brought you up there.”
“Nah. It’s okay. We were comfortable in my room. Speaking of which, I think we need to head back to the cottage. We have some serious sex to make up.”
“You read my mind, Emerson. I can’t wait to explore that perfect body of yours again.”
Our lips locked one last time before getting up and heading back to the cottage.
****
A trail of clothes lined the floor from the door to the bed. To be touched by Alex again was a dream. I’d missed his hands caressing my body and I’d missed his tongue exploring every inch of my bare skin.
“God, you feel so good, baby,” he moaned as he moved in and out of me.
Our bodies were covered in sweat from the amazing foreplay we had. The type of foreplay where Alex gave me two over-the-top orgasms. His thrusting became faster as his lips wrapped around my nipple and my legs tightened around his waist. His mouth met mine as he nipped my bottom lip. Throwing my head back, several loud moans escaped me.
“That’s it, baby. Come for me. Show me how much you love me inside of you.”
“Alex,” I spoke loudly as my body shook from another amazing orgasm.
“Fuck, Em,” he moaned as he pushed deeper and spilled his come inside me.
After holding each other for few moments, he rolled off of me and we both lay on our sides, facing each other as he ran his finger along my jaw.
“I love you,” he spoke in a soft tone.
“I love you, too, Alex. I wanted to tell you so badly but I was scared.”
“Scared of what, baby?”
“Scared of loving you because if something happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m always going to be with you.”
“Have you been taking your medication?”
He frowned. “Of course.”
“Have you been watching your salt intake?”
“Yes. I have, Miss Bossy Pants.” He smiled. “And I can’t believe you threw away the salt shakers.”
“I couldn’t take the chance.”
“I could have just gone to the store and bought more.”
“You wouldn’t have. You won’t go the store unless I drag you there.”
“True.” He kissed me again. “How about we get dressed, grab something to eat, and you can show me around Bass Harbor.”
“Sounds good, but first, I need just one more orgasm.”
He smirked. “You’re awful greedy, Miss James.” His hand brushed over my bare breast.
“It’s your fault, Mr. Parker. If you didn’t make me feel so good all the time, my body wouldn’t be craving you so much.”
His hand traveled from my breast, down my torso, and cupped me down below.
“Are you sure you only want one more?”
“For now, yes. But tonight, you better prepare yourself to make me come at least three more times.”
“It would be my pleasure.” He plunged a finger inside me and smashed his mouth against mine.
Chapter 35
Alex
“Wake up, sleepy head!”
Opening my eyes, I saw Emerson standing over me with a cup of coffee.
“What time is it?” I yawned.
“Six o’clock.”
“Six? Why are you up handing me coffee at six o’clock in the morning? We’re on vacation.”
“Because we have to be at the lobster boat at seven.” She smiled.
“Lobster boat? What are you talking about?” I sat up and took the coffee from her.
“We’re going to haul some traps out of the water.” She grinned. “It’s fun, and Rick and Devon will be waiting for us at seven. So come on, Parker. Get up and get dressed.”
I sighed. “Come here and give me a kiss first before we have a discussion.”
She rolled her eyes at me before leaning over and kissing me.
“First of all, Emerson, who are Rick and Devon?”
“They’re the lobster fishermen and my friends.”
“You haven’t been here that long. How many friends have you made?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. A few. Rick and Devon supply Mary with the lobsters. I was talking to Mary one day and they just brought in a shipment. I was curious, so they told me they’d show me how it’s done.”
“So while I was at home, pissing and moaning and missing the hell out of you, you were here trapping lobsters?”
“I never once stopped thinking about you. I had to keep busy while I was waiting for you to come or I would have gone crazy.”
“Okay, fair enough. Now, you can’t call me Parker anymore. That’s the dog’s name and if you call me that in front of him, he’ll get all confused.”
“Can I still call you Parker when he’s not around?” She grinned.
I set my coffee cup on the nightstand, grabbed her, and pinned her down on the bed.
“No. You cannot!” I smiled as I kissed her.
“Fine. Come on. Make sure you dress warm. It’s cold on that boat.”
“How cold? I didn’t pack anything warm. I didn’t expect it to be cold here.”
“Hmm. Okay, hurry up and throw some clothes on that sexy body. There’s a shop up the road that sells clothes. We’ll find you something there.”
“I’m sure they’re not open this early.”
“They open at five a.m.”
“Can I shower first?”
“I wouldn’t. You’ll get pretty stinky on that boat. Wait until we come back.”
“Great. Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked.
“Yes. You don’t?”
As I stared into her beautiful blue eyes, I saw nothing but excitement in them.
“Of course I do. I want to do anything you want to. It’ll be quite the experience. I’ve never been on a lobster boat before.”
I kissed her one last time, went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and threw on some clothes. When I walked out of the bedroom, Emerson gave me a weird look.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t you have a pair of jeans?” she asked.
I looked down at my khakis. “No. Have you ever seen me in jeans?”
“No. But I think you should wear them.”
“I don’t like jeans.” I walked over to the pot and poured another cup of coffee.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” She looked adorable in her jeans and zip-up hoodie.
“Come on, big guy, let’s go buy you something warm.” She took hold of my hand and we walked to the store up the road.
“Hey, Emerson,” a man yelled from behind the counter.
“Hi, Rob.” She smiled at him.
“Another friend?” I asked.
“Yep. He and his wife own the store. We got to talking one day when I was in here looking around.”
She pulled out a black zip-up hoodie from the rack and held it up to me. “Do you like this?”
“It’s okay. I prefer gray.”
“Here’s gray.” She smiled. “Try it on.”
As I was trying it on, she walked over to the wall where the jeans were folded neatly on the shelf. There was no way I was putting on a pair of jeans.
“Emerson,” I yelled as I held out my hands. “How does it look?”
“I like it!” Her grin widened. “But not with those pants. Come over here and pick out your size in a pair of jeans.”
I sighed as I walked over to where she was standing. “I don’t want a pair of jeans, sweetheart.”
She looked at me, tilted her head, and placed her hand firmly on my chest. “It’s time to step out of the corporate big boy clothes and into something comfy. Just try them on and humor me. Please,” s
he whined.
I glared at her. “Fine. I’ll try them on.”
I went into the fitting room and tried on the jeans. When I walked out, Emerson whistled.
“Look at you.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “Turn around so I can see that hot ass.”
I rolled my eyes and turned around. She walked up behind me and grabbed me.
“Perfect. Just perfect.” She kissed my cheek. “But you’re missing one thing.”
“What?”
“Hold on. I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later, she returned with a knit hat and put it over my head.
“There. Fuck, Alex. You are hot in that outfit. Turn around and look at yourself in the mirror.”
“Are you saying that I don’t look hot in my other clothes, Emerson?”
“No. You’re hot all the time. But right now, I think my ovaries just exploded.”
I laughed. “What?”
“Forget it. I’m not explaining it to you.” She reached up and whispered in my ear, “You have no idea the things I want to do to you right now while you’re wearing those clothes. Bad things. Very bad things, Alex.”
My cock was getting hard. “Emerson, stop. For the love of God, don’t say another word. Fine, I’ll buy these.”
“Only buy them if you’re comfortable in them.”
“I’m comfortable, Emerson.”
“Are you sure?”
I grabbed her hips and faced her. “I’m comfortable. Now be quiet.” I softly kissed her lips.
“Good.” She ripped the tags off the clothes and took them up to the register.
Chapter 36
Emerson
We spent a few hours on the lobster boat and Alex helped haul the traps. He was so sexy and it was good to see him enjoying himself. At least I think he was. I made him hold up a large lobster while I took his picture and sent it to Jenna.
“Look at Alex!”
“OMG! He looks like a normal person, LOL!”
“I know, right? Doesn’t he look sexy in that knit hat? And look, he’s wearing jeans.”
“He is hot. Don’t tell him I said that.”
“LOL. I won’t.”
I handed my phone to Rick. “Can you take a picture of me and Alex holding the lobster?”