Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,39
loved it. He never wanted to leave. Turtle Tear was the most perfect place on Earth, and he hadn’t even seen the whole thing.
“What do you think?” Rachael asked, hesitantly. She linked her fingers and rubbed them together.
“It’s incredible.”
“Thanks.” Her smile was amazing. It changed her whole… everything. She was a new person when she smiled like that. MJ wondered how Merrick could ever leave the island with the image of Rachael smiling in his head.
Maddie had a fantastic smile even if it was a little crooked.
Rachael had walked halfway down a hallway in front of him before he realized and started to follow. They came out in the entryway where colorful painted Spanish murals of trees, birds and flowers covered the walls. Raw, wooden beams lined the open three-story ceiling, and a curved staircase with bent wooden rails that looked like tree roots climbed up to the second and third floors. Light streamed in the windows beside and above the great, double hacienda-style front doors.
“You’re back.” A guy about MJ’s age, maybe a few years older, approached Rachael. “Can I get you anything? Have you had breakfast? I’ll get Jesse to take your bag up to your room.” He glanced at MJ and smiled.
“Thanks, Riley. We’ll wait a little while before we have breakfast. This is MJ.” She motioned toward him and Riley shook his hand. “He’s going to need a room. How about the one on the far end where my friend Shannon was staying? I think you know which I mean.”
Riley licked his lips and suppressed a smile. There was a story behind his eyes that MJ thought he might like to hear from the glint flashing there. “I know the one.” He headed toward the stairs, beckoning MJ with his hand to follow.
Riley tried to take his bag, but MJ pulled the handle back. “I’ve got it, thanks.”
MJ followed Riley to the end room on the second floor. “If you need anything let me know,” Riley told him, “and if you see a blonde that looks like she stole Barbie’s wardrobe, stay away. She’s crazy as a shithouse rat.” He laughed and stepped out into the hall letting MJ close the door.
It seemed Beck was the only one who could stand Joan. MJ would have to stay far away from her. The last thing he needed was trouble with another woman.
Finally alone, MJ rolled his suitcase farther in the room. It was large with windows facing the side and back of the property. A king-size bed sat against the far wall, filled with overstuffed pillows and a puffy, white comforter that MJ figured he’d toss on the floor at night or sweat to death underneath. The hardwood floor was covered with two bright rugs like the ones in the lounge below. The furniture was all rustic, dark oak. At least he thought it was oak, but what did he know about furniture?
He crashed down on the bed and sprawled out, ready for an early morning nap. How long would Rachael leave him up here if he fell asleep? He yawned and sat up, deciding to change from his jeans into shorts.
Laying back down, he flipped through channels settling on a World War II show on the History Channel. These types of programs always put him to sleep. He adjusted the pillow under his head and in five minutes was out cold.
“Gone?” Maddie jumped up from her father’s couch and gripped his arm. “What do you mean MJ’s gone?”
He looked at her like she was a mental patient. “He went to Turtle Tear with Rachael. I’m sorry he didn’t tell you.”
Maddie’s mind reeled. He left her this time. He wanted to hurt her like she’d hurt him.
Her ring! Shit. MJ better not have taken it with him. “I have to call him.”
Her dad shook his head, stepped away from her and picked up his car keys. “I’m running some errands. I’d steer clear of the big house today if I were you. Enzo’s in a foul mood with Merrick here.”
She nodded and watched him leave before dashing to her room and grabbing her phone.
One missed call from MJ from early this morning, but no message. Had he called to tell her goodbye? She dialed his number and bit her fingernail as it rang.
“Mads,” he said in a sleepy voice on the third ring. “Back in Michigan already?”
Anger lurched through her veins. “Tell me you didn’t take my ring with you.”