Good Morning, Mister Spencer
Jeff loved the beach. He'd fallen in love the first time he'd seen it, and it was a love he carried into adulthood. The water, the sand, the sun; he loved everything about being there. Even when it was too cold for water activities, he still found there was a peacefulness that came from simply being on the shore. For a man with a love of beaches, there weren't many places that could match Hawaii. Over the years Jeff had made several trips to the islands for both business and pleasure, and it was a place he never tired of. It truly was a paradise.
The hotel, sitting on a somewhat secluded beach, on Kauai would have been almost anyone's definition of paradise, especially this morning. An early morning breeze was carrying the sound of the surf through the open window, and the eastern sky was just starting to show the gray light of dawn. Jeff knew that in a minute or two he could step outside and be greeted by a spectacular sunrise, but this morning he didn't care. All the things he loved about beaches were irrelevant today. The only thing of any concern to Jeff at this moment was the woman lying next to him.
Jeff had slept at some point last night. At least, he was pretty sure he had. How long he slept or exactly when he woke he couldn't say, and that didn't matter either. Sleep was something else that was unimportant now. He would have happily lain there all night simply listening to her steady breaths and gazing at her profile in the moonlight.
A smile came to Jeff's face as he watched her. The sky was brightening, and the sunlight was beginning to shine through the curtains, illuminating her. She was lying on her side at the moment, her back to him, but even though he couldn't see her face, Jeff was struck by just how beautiful she was. Of course, he'd always known she was beautiful, but the last few days had given him a completely new appreciation for her. Her face, her body, her heart, her mind; it was enough to take a man's breath away. She wasn't just beautiful; she was exquisite.
The sheet covering her did little to hide the figure underneath, and Jeff longed to reach out and touch her. Already it had shifted enough while in sleep to expose her bare back, and the sight was causing an almost physical ache to settle in Jeff's gut. The desire to pull her close and show her just how much he loved her was nearly overwhelming, and yet, at the same time, Jeff didn't want to move. He didn't want to wake her, not yet. Seeing her this way was still new to him; exciting and slightly frightening. It was a picture of perfection, and he wanted it to last as long as it could. If he'd learned anything over the last two days, it was that physical contact wouldn't help the ache anyway. At times it actually made it worse. He loved this woman so much it hurt.
Jeff almost laughed at the notion. Nothing was amusing about his feelings, but who would have thought that he, Jefferson Spencer, would ever experience emotions this deep and all-consuming for a woman? For years he was a confirmed bachelor, a man with a black book full of numbers and a different date every night. He never had a problem finding someone to spend a night out on the town with him. How on Earth had he gotten here?
Jeff thought back over the years and realized the journey was much easier than he ever expected it to be. Loving her had come easy. Confessing his love was the problem. He'd been so sure she would feel differently, so certain she would reject him and any advances he made. For years he kept his feelings buried and tried to prepare himself for the day she found the right man, never guessing he was the right man. Even now, it was hard to believe she'd picked him. A woman like her could have anyone, and she wanted him.
Unable to stop himself, Jeff reached out to touch her shoulder, allowing his fingers to brush ever so softly against her skin. So many years were spent denying his feeling and desires, he couldn't deny himself this morning. He hoped she would sleep a little longer, but if she woke up . . . well, Jeff wouldn't complain about that either.
He was still marveling at how perfect, how flawless, she was when she stirred. Jeff jerked his hand back, almost feeling guilty for having woken her but also eager to have her awake. He couldn't imagine waking up beside her would ever get old.
She rolled over and caught his eye. For a moment, she appeared dazed, but her early morning confusion soon cleared and turned to recognition. She offered him a sleepy smile making a lump unexpectedly spring into his throat.
"Hi," he said, his voice husky with emotion.
She watched him a moment longer before she reached out and stroked his cheek. "Good morning, Mister Spencer," she purred in a sultry way that nearly sent chills down Jeff's back.
Jeff kissed her palm before he took her hand and continued to plant kisses over her fingers and wrist.
When he was done, he entwined their hands and gazed down at her. In those stormy gray eyes, he saw love and acceptance unlike any he'd ever known before, and he wondered, not for the first time, why it had taken him so long to tell her how he felt. It was a thought he quickly shook off. There was no point in dwelling on past doubts and insecurities. It might have taken them a while to find their way, but find it they had. Looking into her eyes was like coming home, and it was a place Jeff had no intention of ever leaving.
She bit her lip, her smile becoming playful.
Jeff grinned in response as he realized her desire matched his own. Relishing that he no longer had to hide anything from her, Jeff took Suzanne in his arms and pulled her close. "Good morning, Misses Spencer."
