The Sweet Road Back Read online

  “I’ve only seen the pictures, but I think you’re going to love it.”

  The drive along Route 30 kept her occupied until they reached Lahaina. After making a wrong turn, the driver found the hidden entrance to the small villa. They pulled into a circular drive lined with palm trees and pink lokelani. Melissa leaned forward to stare out the window. The one-story house appeared to be made of glass.

  Melissa turned to him. “Darius, this is fabulous. I can’t believe I almost turned down the opportunity to be here.” She sounded like an awed child overwhelmed with the present she’d always wanted.

  “Only the best for you from now on, baby.” He kissed her cheek. Just as they stepped out of the car, the caretaker came out the front door.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy, welcome. I’m Clint. We’re all ready for you. Please leave the bags and head inside. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Thank you, Clint.” Darius offered his hand to help Melissa out of the car.

  Melissa pulled him into the cool interior of the house. She kicked off her sandals and wiggled her toes on the marble floor. “I think I’ve found the house I want to live in forever. Look at this place. It’s indescribable.”

  Clint walked in behind them and cleared his throat. “I know you’ve just arrived and probably want to get settled, but the luau you wanted to attend starts in about an hour. You have just enough time to change and I’ll drive you over.” He wrung his hands. “I’ve placed your bags in the master bedroom.” He pointed across the living space to a hall. “The master suite is on the left facing the ocean. Will anyone else be joining you this week?”

  Darius pulled Melissa against his chest. “Nope, it’s just us two. Just the way we want it. Let’s just say we’re on our honeymoon.”

  Clint bowed his head. “Very well, sir. I’ll wait in the drive.”

  Darius reached for Melissa’s hand and led her down the hall. “I think we have enough time to christen this joint before dinner,” he whispered in her ear.

  “If not, we’ll make time,” she replied with a wide grin.

  Chapter Eleven

  Melissa positioned her head against the car seat so she could see the scenery as they drove the short distance to the luau. Darius rested his hand on her thigh, just below the hem of her mini dress.

  Everything was perfect. The thought seemed foreign to her. After the turmoil of the last two years, she believed Darius, the prodigal husband, had returned to their marriage. She was ready to run into his open arms, repair their relationship, and live the dream she’d imagined for them.

  There was one nagging thought that wouldn’t release her. Darius was known for his propensity to stand his ground until he got his way. To him, winning was everything and his singing career was the one thing driving him for the last two years. So, what was different now? Was he giving up something or was she? Would he resent her if he never saw his name in the credits of the silver screen?

  “Are you happy, Darius?”

  Before answering, he searched her face, as if she’d spoken in a different language. “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, we’ve gone from point A to point B and I’m not sure what’s different. Have we settled anything?” She put her hand on top of his and gave him a gentle squeeze.

  “I needed to make some changes. I understand that. But just so we’re on the same page, I don’t care if my fans know we’re married. I want you beside me. I’ll wind up the tour just about the time you complete the school year and I want you there with me.”

  “You make it sound so simple and easy. Why did we agonize over it and almost let it tear us apart?”

  She could see him searching for an answer, but he didn’t respond.

  She said, “I don’t know. It wasn’t that I minded standing beside you and not being identified as your wife, but you were always gone. Lately, I spent weeks, sometimes months, without seeing you. I don’t think we can have a marriage if our main form of communication is a late night call between shows. We stopped making our marriage a priority. Once we started pretending we weren’t married in public, we forgot to reinforce our vows at home.” She was as guilty as he was. She’d allowed her resentment to chafe at their bond until there was hardly enough to hold them together.

  “Now, we know better. Let’s not make the same mistakes again.” He kissed her forehead.

  “I promise.” She rubbed her hand along his arm.

  “Give me a chance, you’ll see.”

  She nodded.

  He turned his upper body to face her. “So, let me ask you. Are you happy?”

  Without hesitating, she responded, “In this moment, my feet aren’t on the ground. I feel like my fairy godmother has turned the pumpkin into this Town Car and my sandals into crystal slippers and my husband into my prince. I’m a little afraid delving too deep might cause the magic to disappear.”

  He pressed his lips to hers.

  The car slowed at the entrance of the hotel, where the luau was taking place. She cracked the window to allow the island music to drift into the quiet interior.

  “Are you ready to have a good time?” Darius asked as the car pulled to a stop.

  Clint opened the door and they slid out.

  “I am. Let’s do it.”

  An attendant appeared and escorted them to a table near the stage and just right of the long buffet.

  They took their seats at the private table and she leaned against his shoulder. The hustle and bustle of the day had drained her energy and sitting for few moments felt relaxing. Having these days with Darius’s undivided attention was like being tucked safely in a cocoon.

  “This is nice.” He swayed with the music.

  The smell of roasted pig and grilled meat woke up her stomach and her mouth started to water. She turned to the table laden with food.

  “I haven’t eaten since we left home this morning. I’m starving. Can we eat now?” she asked Darius as she pushed away from the table, tipping over the folding chair.

  He grabbed her chair before it hit the ground. “We have premium tickets. If you want to eat, then my baby eats.”

  He escorted her a short distance to the forming line, several heads turned in their direction. Melissa guessed some of the patrons recognized Darius but were much too well-mannered to charge him for pictures or autographs. For a few days, she didn’t want to share her husband. She’d just gotten him back and wanted to relish the tenderness blossoming between them.

  Over dinner, the ugly two years fell away. They could have been the starry-eyed twenty-year-olds on their honeymoon, unaware of all the pitfalls waiting to send them tumbling towards divorce.

  Her head snapped up. She hadn’t told Darius a thing about her trip to the lawyer. A small prickle of perspiration dotted her back as a sense of uneasiness claimed her. Every time she started to bring it up, she hesitated, not wanting to end the idyllic atmosphere surrounding them. They were having such a good time. She didn’t want to taint it with the reality of how close they had actually come to the edge. Maybe in a few years, when they could think back to the rocky times and laugh about their stupidity, she would tell him about her trip to seek legal counsel about their marriage. For certain, she’d call the attorney when they returned home and ask him to burn the papers.

  “Do you want something to drink?” Darius asked, bringing her thoughts back to the festivities.

  “Yes, I want a pineapple drop. They’re very popular here.”

  The intensity of Darius’s stare caught her off guard. “Have I told you how lucky I am to be married to you?” He kissed her and walked away without waiting for a reply.

  She kept her eyes on him as he maneuvered across the large lawn to the bar. The loose-fitting shirt did nothing to conceal his well-developed body. She returned her attention to her plate while contemplating all the wicked things she could do to him when they returned to their villa.

  A tall man with dark shades slipped into Darius’s seat.

  “Exc
use me, but—” she started.

  “I’m not going to stay long. I happened to notice you from across the way. We used to work together, your first year at the university. Don’t you remember me? Rob.” He lifted his sunglasses to reveal his green eyes. But the slight bend in his nose and the blond ponytail couldn’t be mistaken.

  “Rob!” she squealed. “I can’t believe I’ve run into someone I know this far from home. How are you?” She hugged him.

  “I’m good. You look great.” He held her hand while observing her body.

  “Where are you now?” she asked.

  “Believe it or not, I just completed my medical residency in North Carolina. This is a vacation of sorts for me. A celebration.”

  “Well, congratulations. I knew you’d do it.” She hugged him again. “Where’s Charlotte?” Melissa tried to peer around him.

  “Unfortunately, my marriage didn’t last. She hated my residency. I was never home and we drifted apart. She drifted right into the arms of someone else.” His eyes clouded over, revealing no emotion.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It happens. She’s happier now and so am I. How about you?”

  Darius interrupted their conversation by clearing his throat. He held a drink in each hand. Rob jumped up from the seat.

  “Darius, this is Rob. We used to work together before he abandoned the young minds for medicine.” Melissa made the uncomfortable introductions. Darius’s lips formed a tight line. Was there a tiny, green twinkle of jealousy in his eye?

  Darius placed the glasses on the table and reached for Rob’s hand. “Nice to meet you, man. So, how long ago was this?”

  “It’s been—”

  “About four years now. I can’t believe I ran into her.” Rob continued to smile without taking his eyes off he, as if he didn’t notice the daggers Darius shot at him.

  Two weeks ago, maybe Rob’s attention would have been welcome, but now, his presence made her stomach bubble. A thin slice of tension surrounded the three of them.

  “Hey, you’re Darius Bello.” Rob glanced at her. “I didn’t know you were married to this Darius. You never said.” He looked from Darius, then back to her.

  “I try to keep a low profile at the University. There aren’t many people who know.” She shrugged.

  “Your secret is safe with me.” He grinned.

  “Rob, it’s so good to see you. Again, congratulations.” She gripped his arm and took her seat.

  “Okay. Good to see you too.” Rob lingered for a moment before dodging diners with full plates as he walked away.

  “So, what was that all about?” Darius asked when Rob was out of earshot.

  “Nothing. Just a friend. I can’t believe I came all the way here and ran into someone who knows me.”

  “The way he was gawking at you, it seemed like he knew you really well. From the way he was staring, I thought he could see through your dress.”

  “Are you a little bit jealous, Darius?” She gave his shoulder a playful bump. “Now, you know how I feel.”

  He lifted a brow but continued to frown.

  She tipped her glass against his and took a sip. “Cheers.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Darius swung his legs up on the recliner overlooking the quiet ocean. From the villa’s patio the waves licking the shore were barely audible. A cool breeze blew in off the water. Melissa had a wool throw draped around her legs; only her feet peeked from under the white blanket. Even though her eyes were closed, she tapped her finger to the beat of an Usher song drifting out onto the terrace. Her soft, extraordinary features were enough to keep him mesmerized. He could stare at her for hours and never get enough.

  “You’ve been very quiet since dinner.” He picked up his drink from the table.

  She opened her eyes and adjusted her position to face him. The sun had set hours ago, but the moon bounced a bright beam of light off the water and onto the veranda. “I think I had too much to eat tonight. My stomach is stuffed.”

  “The food was delicious.” He emptied his glass. “Are you sure you don’t want something to drink?”

  “I don’t want anything.”

  “Did you enjoy the hula show?”

  “I’ve enjoyed everything about this trip. I needed this more than I knew.” She stared out over the rail into the gathering darkness. A peaceful silence settled around them. “How about you come sit on this recliner with me?” She moved to the edge and patted the open space.

  “Gladly.” He set the empty glass down and sat beside her. “Am I allowed under this blanket with you?”

  “Please.” She lifted the edge of the covering and beckoned him in. As the throw settled over the two of them, she nuzzled closer to him, unbuckled his belt, and slipped her hand inside his pants. Her fingers eased around his member, drawing life and blood into the region.

  “If I had known this was on your mind, I would have asked to sit with you earlier.” He pushed her dress further up her thighs. Her flesh was warm and soft. She emitted a low moan as his hand inched up her leg. He wanted to find the sweet spot between her thighs, but the longer it took him to get there, the more she enjoyed the ride.

  With his free hand, he pulled her close until their chests were pressed together. He kissed her forehead, then trailed kisses along her temple and her cheek before landing on her mouth. She parted her lips just enough to allow his tongue inside. Her mouth was warm and wet. Instead of rushing her as she urged him on, he continued tangoing with her tongue for several minutes before deepening the kiss.

  Sharing Melissa with someone else had never entered his thoughts until tonight. Watching another man stare at her like a divine piece of chocolate had sent a cold chill down his spine. He’d taken her for granted, expecting she’d always be by his side, satisfying his wants and desires. But tonight, the woman who sat beside him at the luau was exquisite and desirable. And the whole world could see what he had been ignoring.

  He pushed the spaghetti strap down her arm and ran his tongue along the column of her neck and over her shoulder. She released the buttons on his shirt and cool night air blew across his skin when she removed the garment. Her fingers kneaded his chest, stirring his sexual appetite. Lust bubbled up in his loins like a molten pot.

  “Let’s take off your dress,” he whispered.

  “Out here, on the patio?” she asked.

  “Yes. Isn’t your fantasy making love outside?”

  She laughed softly. “Yes…but…”

  “Shhh, and turn around.” He stood to help her remove her dress and slide her thong down her thighs. He squeezed her firm legs as he made his way to her feet.

  Under the moonlight, her body glowed. Before returning to the lounge, he gazed down on her lean frame, perfect in every aspect. Her full breasts heaved with each breath. He knelt beside the chair and wrapped his mouth around her perfect nipple while stroking the other with his hand. She drew closer to him, clawing at his back as if she couldn’t control her passion. The blanket slipped off the chaise onto the floor.

  Losing Melissa would tear his heart out of his chest, like a bulldozer digging a crater in the earth. This week he needed to prove to her he’d turned his life over. She was more crucial than his singing career, or the next album, or the Hollywood deal. She was vital to him, like oxygen.

  He drew out her nipple and captured the other one. Melissa began to rotate her hips in a slow circular motion, each rotation heightened his need. He released her and kissed the valley between her breast, her stomach, and the thin strip of hair leading to the spot he sought. Pressing his tongue against her nub, he suppressed the explosion blooming inside of him. She spread her legs just enough to allow him entry while she tugged on his ears. The movement of her hips increased in speed as she tugged harder on his ears.

  When her body went still and she tightened her hold on his head, he slowed the pressure and eased her across the edge of bliss. Her body quaked with tremors as if from an earthquake. She shouted his name loud enou
gh to be heard on the other side of the house. She continued to repeat his name in a thick, heavy murmur. He kissed his way back up her body and quieted her moans when he pushed his tongue in her mouth.

  “Ah, Darius, I love you so much,” she said.

  “I love you too, Melissa.” He peered into her eyes waiting on her answer.

  Without delay, she nodded. “Yes. Yes, I know.”

  He slipped inside her wet folds and allowed her to pull him down. He pushed deeper, wanting to seal them together, forging a bond that couldn’t be broken by the trivial mishaps waiting to unravel them like before.

  With his head tucked into the side of her neck, he captured the soft skin between his teeth. Careful not to hurt her, he tried to lavish his love on her as it filled him up and washed him up on the shore like the evening tide.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Melissa looked down at her sleeping husband. The peaceful expression on his face proved how much he’d needed this time away too. After an evening of sex on the patio and in the master suite, he’d slept through the night without a single snore.

  She glanced at the clock. It was almost ten o’clock and the day invited her to join in. She thought he’d be awake by the time she showered and dressed, but he hadn’t even changed positions.

  “Darius, wake up and come running with me.” She stretched her quadriceps. He opened one eye to peek at her.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me, right? After last night, I’ll need a few more hours.” He tugged the sheet over his shoulder.

  “Ah, come on. We can go running on the beach. How often do we get to do things together?” She pulled on her other leg.

  “Tell you what, you get a head start. I’ll catch up with you.” He closed his eyes and turned on his side.

  “Yeah, I bet,” she called over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.

  She made her way through the house. In the kitchen, the sound of opening and closing cabinets caught her attention.