Chapter 32

When they arrived at Governor's Harbour, Bo rented a Jeep and they drove past the outskirts of the town down to Frankie and Audra's beach house- located a few miles south.

'I think this is it.' Carly pointed as the house came to view at last. It was a pinkish two storey building on a low bluff, overlooking the ocean gleaming blue in the bright sun.

'Frankie must've spent a fortune on this place; look at it!' Bo exclaimed.

'Well, it's not exactly a mansion either but it's a lot bigger than I thought it would be.' Carly replied. When Audra had said "house", they'd both assumed she meant cottage; it was magnificent, partly surrounded by palm trees and the green grass was well cut.

And the inside was unbelievable. The huge living room's walls were painted a delicate eggshell, an Italian tiled floor, cushioned wicker easy chairs and couch; matching dinner chairs surrounding a square glass table.

'It's so beautiful!' Carly looked round in delight. 'What do you think?'

'I'm wondering if Frankie got this place before or after he proposed to Audra?' Bo asked jokingly as he examined the big screen TV, DVD player, VCR resting on their individual spaces in the entertainment unit he just slid open; tapes and CDs stacked neatly on the last three shelves. Two woofers flanked the unit, a laden bookcase stood in one corner and magazines on the glass stools. 'This place's a bachelor's dream.'

'Come on; let's check out the rest of the place!' Carly grabbed his hand, dragging him along with her.

There was a stocked pantry and laundry room just off the huge lemon painted kitchen which was well equipped with an oven and cook-top, side-by-side refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave, utensils and numerous other appliances. The downstairs bedroom, probably for guests; contained two singles beds, a medium sized TV and DVD player, air conditioner, walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. It even had its own outside entrance leading to the beach and a small patio. The master bedroom upstairs was painted white; with thick pile carpeting,a king sized bed, walk-in closets, elaborate TV/DVD system offering satellite programming and a colour coordinated en-suite bathroom with a glassed-in shower cubicle and Jacuzzi tub.

Carly breathed in the healthy sea air as she stood on the balcony; taking in the breath taking ocean view, loving the sound of the waves crashing back and forth. For the first time in years she felt truly happy and carefree; she was in a beautiful island with the man she loved more than life itself and blissful weeks ahead of them. They more than deserved this time alone; here they were going to truly live in their love... just like they'd done so long ago in ever thought good things would come after giving up hope and faith?

When Bo came back to the room with their bags, she was still at the balcony; lost in thought. He went out to her, slipping his arms round her from behind. 'Happy thoughts, I hope?' he asked, kissing her neck.

Carly turned in his arms, holding his face between her palms. 'Like there could be anything else.' she smiled, slipping her arms round his neck. 'Nothing but happy, wonderful thoughts.'

Bo smiled back at her, arms encircling her waist. 'Of what especially?'

'Of you...' was the soft reply before kissing him.'Wonderful...' another kiss, 'sweet...' yet another, 'darling...' and then another, 'precious you and how someone like me who gave up on fairy tales and happy endings could be so lucky.'

'Destiny princess, not luck. After what Izzy told me; I knew there was no way I could ever give up on us.' Bo ran his hands over her hair. 'Spiritual partners; love everlasting, never ending.' He kissed her deeply, pulling her hard against him.

As he slid the glass door shut behind them he cleared his throat, trying to sound casual as he asked, 'so... what do we do now? Want me to fix us something?'

Carly shrugged, turning on the air conditioner as an excuse to avoid his eyes; suddenly feeling as shy and uncertain as a bride on her wedding night, which was ridiculous, considering how long she'd looked forward to this moment since they reconciled. 'I'm not really hungry.' She turned as she felt his hands sensually massaging the back of her neck, meeting his heated gaze. There was no doubt in her mind that he wasn't thinking about eating either, from the way he was looking at her.

'Neither am I.' He said quietly, running his hands over her bare shoulders. 'Not for food anyway. What do you suggest we do instead?' He could tell she was nervous, not scared; she knew by now he would never hurt her again. If she still wasn't ready, he understood.

'I was thinking...'her fingers slid under his T-shirt, lifting up the hem, 'of taking a long, cool, shower.' Pulling it over his head, she kissed him lingeringly, moving down to kiss his chest, short, stabbing kisses.

'A shower sounds like a good idea...' Bo's voice was hoarse. Holding her head between his hands as her fingers worked on his belt and zipper of his jeans; he kissed her hard, his tongue duelling with hers. 'Mind if I join you?' he murmured against her lips.

'Mmm... the cubicle looks big enough for two...' Carly raised her arms as he pulled her blue tank top over her head, capturing his lips again. Within seconds, they were completely naked, their clothes discarded on the thick-pile carpet. Slipping an arm under her legs, he carried her to the bathroom, into the shower cubicle; setting her down before turning on the taps and reaching for her again.

The cold water rained over their heated bodies as their mouths brutally merged and clung, kissing eagerly and passionately over and over; hands feverishly caressing and stroking each other. Bo had long fantasised about their physical reunion but even as his blood ran hot, aching to be inside her, he wanted to give her all the pleasure before giving in to his. So he took his time; he touched her all over, kissed her neck and shoulders before bending his head to take a breast into his mouth. Carly moaned, fastening her fingers in his hair as he devoured one taut peak and then the other; awakened flames rising higher by the second, consuming her. Eyes closed, she tilted her head as his lips moved back up to nuzzle her neck, his rough cheek grazing her soft skin and he kissed her again; harder and more demanding, wet fingers grasping her behind to pull her flush against him. She had the urge to scream out loud at the jolt of electricity sent sharp stabs of desire all over her as she felt his arousal hard against her flesh. She wanted him... badly.

Keeping his mouth on hers, he lifted her and pinned her against the shower wall,her legs immediately encircling his waist. Her arms tight round his neck; his hands pressed the firm muscles of her behind and then he was finally deep inside her. Breathing heavily, he buried his face against her neck as he plunged relentlessly within her, groaning as she clenched her muscles around him and quickened the pace, the excruciating heat within them spreading higher and higher; engulfing them as they matched passion for passion.

'Don't stop... oh Bo don't stop...' she cried, nails streaking across his shoulders and back.

He couldn't stop even if he had the mind to; he was completely in lost her sweet essence. Her name was a litany on his lips as they kept moving in white-hot unison, his wet fingers gripping her hips; the water doing nothing to quench the fire that raged within them. She cried out when she felt herself coming apart in his arms. He couldn't hold back any longer either and they finally reached the pinnacle of satisfaction. Panting and gasping, they remained locked in a tight embrace; shuddering from the deluge of their mutual release. Carly rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes tightly closed, running her hands down his spine. 'I can feel your heart beating.' She whispered shakily.

Unable to speak, Bo lowered his head to the curve of her neck, sighing deeply; overwhelmed by what had just happened, which was simply beyond description. Slowly lowering her down, he held her face, kissing her tenderly and hugged her close for a while.

'I love you...' he whispered at last. 'That was amazing.'

'I love you too... so much.' she clung to him, nuzzling against his neck.

Drying each other, Bo carried her back to the bedroom where they settled into the king sized bed, cuddling close until passion overtook them again. Rolling her on her back, he made love to her with intensity and passion; revelling in the touch of her soft body against his and the sound of her passionately screaming his name. Grabbing her hand and entwining her fingers with his; they rode the ultimate, final crest of ecstasy together that had them crying out their release. Totally spent, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

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When Bo opened his eyes, it was sunset; the golden afternoon sun now a rosy haze in the sky. Reaching over Carly, he switched on a lamp before kissing her awake. Carly smiled drowsily up at him, her hand stroking his cheek. 'Hi handsome.'

He bent his head to kiss her again and she eagerly returned it, arms locked round his neck; their bodies entwining yet again.'You're incredible, you know that?' Bo murmured against her lips, moving down to kiss the top of her breasts.

She chuckled, feeling so exhilarated. 'Yeah?'

'Oh yeah...' he moved back up, kissing the sensitive pulse on her neck. 'I can't get enough of you.'

'And I certainly have no complaints.' She stroked his chest. 'You're beyond incredible.'

'Whoa, whoa...' Bo gripped her waist as she made to sit up. 'Where do you think you're going?'

'Downstairs to the kitchen and get us something to eat, I'm starving.'

'No, no...that's my job.' He pushed her back on the pillows. 'You stay right here, princess, I'll make us some sandwiches and maybe open a bottle of wine, okay?' Climbing out of bed, he pulled on his jeans before leaving the room. Shivering a little in the icy blast of the air-conditioner, she slid off the bed and reached for Bo's discarded T-shirt on the floor, pressing against her face before pulling it on and smoothed her tousled hair; settling back on the bed to wait for Bo.

He returned several minutes later with a laden tray. 'Found champagne in the fridge; good vintage too.' He said, triumphantly.

They fed each other, completely enveloped in mutual love and happiness and the serenity and beauty of their surroundings. It was a far cry from their beloved hut in México but they wouldn't trade that very special place for anything. Bo poured the champagne in two crystal flutes, handing one to her.

'To us and the future ahead.'

'To the future... and the rest of our lives.' Carly said softly, touching her glass with his before sipping the sparkling wine.

'Something wrong?' he asked at the faraway look in her eyes.

'Of course not. I was just thinking... about how we started years ago and then ended, because of circumstances beyond our control. How we ran into each other 16 years later, telling ourselves a lot of things have changed.'

'We lied to ourselves princess, especially me. The night you came to my house and we talked till dawn; I felt something strong back then, even in the middle of my misery over Hope and worrying how your case will turn out. Our link...' he touched her face, 'which was what really brought you back to me after all that time; at that actual time.'

Carly pressed his hand against her cheek. 'Bo, there's something I need to know; it's a question I really need you to answer once and for all.'

'You know you can ask me anything.'

Carly looked at him intently, dreading his answer. 'If I was still in Salem when Hope came back... would you have asked me for a divorce?'

Bo shook his head without hesitation. 'No. And it's not just the spiritual thing we have that would've kept us together but the love I had for you and the reminder of how you saved me from the darkness I was living in when you first came to Salem. What I told you at the top of El Castillo... were all true and from my heart, princess. I wouldn't have left you or Mel! I promised you love everlasting and that's my promise to you now. I love you Carly Manning; only you.'

'And I love you, Bo Brady.' Carly whispered, hugging him close and tears running down her cheeks. 'Always!'