Oh Damn One Night of Trouble (8 page)

“
Kai...” he whispered in a throaty, hoarse voice, “Oh Kai...” He rocked against her, like a wave lapping against the shoreline. “I can't let you go,” he confessed. “I need you.”

She kissed him and tears of joy came to her eyes as he gave into his urges, plunging deeper and harder inside of her. A surprising feeling of more pleasure enveloped her and she gasped, reaching another climax. “Oh! Oh Josh!” She clung to his shoulders as his body shuddered at the same time and he released a fierce grown of pleasure and satisfaction.

She couldn't speak. She looked into his eyes and saw them brimming with raw emotion, she saw his love for her. “Josh...”

“
Mmm?”

“
That was...”

“
Yes?”

She smiled. “That was worth at least 5 grand,” she said.

He laughed and hugged her, pulling her close to him. It was a deep, hearty laugh that came from the base of his chest. He kissed her cheek and gave her another gentle kiss on her lips. “Are we even then?” he asked.

“
Noooo,” Kailani said. “I think you might have to spend the rest of your life settling up with me.”

He smiled at her. “Will you marry me Kailani?” he asked.

She looked at him.

“
After all that was my going out of business sale,” he added.

She laughed and playfully slapped his shoulder.

“
I mean it,” he said in a deep serious tone. “I want you to be my wife. I realize I haven't got much to offer now but I'll do everything I can to take care of you. If you truly want rescued, I'm here.”

Kailani wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes!” she cried out. “Oh yes I want to marry you.”

He held her close and closed his eyes.

The sky merged with the sea and it was beautiful.

Chapter 12

As the sun arose over the ocean, casting a golden light upon the water, Kailani sat with Joshua on the beach.

“
This is perfect,” Kailani said.

“
Yes, it is.”

“
No, I mean this is the perfect place,” she said, standing up. She walked along the beach and looked toward the main road. It was close enough and yet the land was secluded. Looking at the small shack, she could see it all.

“
The perfect place?” Josh asked.

“
For a restaurant
and
wildlife reserve,” Kailani said. “We could serve healthy, organic food and you could have a wildlife rescue here also. People could come and eat, spend time with the animals...it would be wonderful.”

Josh got up and stood beside her to see what she was looking at.

“
You see? Right there would be a great place for a restaurant,” she said, “the view of the ocean is perfect and behind there, along those small hills and rocks, we could build wooden bridges that people could walk on and have the animals nearby.”

“
It could work,” Josh said. “There's enough room but Kailani...that would cost a lot of money.”

“
Petition the state,” Kailani told him, “and give them a business proposal of what you want to do. If they approve it there will be grants and funds that could help. We could get investors too. It will be a success! I know it will.”

*

“Is that your tiger Daddy?” the little girl asked.

Joshua Chandler smiled and held his daughter in his arms so she could
get a better view. “Yes Sweetheart,” he said. “That is Tubbo.”

“
Really?”

“
Yes, here, his name is on this sign,” Josh said, pointing to it. “Your mother and I saved him when Mauna Loa erupted and we sent him here so he would be safe.” Josh glanced at Kailani. “It looks like he doing well,” he said.

“
He's bigger,” Kailani said, “and he has a lady friend. I think he's doing very well.”

“
I don't think he knows you,” the little girl said. She put her hands on the sides of her father's face and looked into his eyes. “Are you making up stories?” she asked.

Josh laughed. “No, no, it's the truth. Here Kai, hold her.”

“
Josh,” Kailani began as he started to climb the fence. “Josh, what if he doesn't remember you?” Her heart slammed in her chest and a few people around her screamed and started pointing at the man in the tiger enclosure. “Josh!” she called out but it was too late. He was over the fence and walking toward Tubbo. The lady tiger hissed and moved back, going into a cave.

Tubbo stood up and began to pace.

“
Is the tiger going to eat Daddy?” the little girl asked.

“
Oh my God,” Kailani uttered. She didn't want to look but she couldn't look away.

Tubbo walked toward Josh and lunged.

Kailani gasped and closed her eyes. She heard people clapping and cheering.

“
Look Mommy,” the little girl said, patting her shoulder. “Daddy is hugging the tiger!”

Tubbo was on his hind legs and his paws were on Josh's shoulders.

Josh wrapped his arms around the tiger and embraced him. “I missed you too Buddy,” he whispered. He looked up, beyond the fence and saw Kailani smiling. His daughter was clapping her hands. He was surprised when four cubs came out of the cave. “Tubbo! You've been busy!” he said, with a laugh. “I suppose we've done all right, haven't we?”

Tubbo purred and rubbed against his leg. He was happy, content and proud of what he'd accomplished.

Kailani smiled at them. Joshua Chandler had been worth the trouble.