Blissfully Yours (Mills & Boon Kimani) by Velvet Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

Ayana booked a flight to Jamaica and was at her father’s bedside two days later. Luckily, his stoke hadn’t caused any major paralysis. He was back to his old self, piddling around in the garden, in less than two weeks. Although her father was back to normal, Ayana was sticking around to monitor his condition. She wasn’t taking any chances.
    With her father’s health under control, she used her time on the island like a holiday. After dealing with fake confrontations and staged fights, and acting like an out-of-control hyena, Ayana welcomed the downtime.
    The more she gazed at the aqua-blue waters, the more inviting they seemed. Growing up on an island and spending her summers at the beach, she was an avid swimmer. She stood up, took off the oversize, floppy straw hat, tossed it on her towel and padded through the warm sand toward the ocean. She then dipped her toes in the water and splashed around a bit before wading in farther. This secluded spot along Seven Mile Beach was off the beaten track where tourists didn’t tread.
    Ayana slowly waded in until the water was waist high. The ocean was so warm that it felt like bathwater. She cupped her hands, taking in the salt water and splashing it on her face. Gone was the heavy makeup, long, flowing wig, false eyelashes and ugly personality. Ayana dipped down into the clear waters, submerging her entire body. She held her breath and said a silent prayer of gratitude. Even though she hated her job, she was grateful for the opportunity to make a living and not have to rely on a man for her financial security. She was also grateful for her father’s speedy recovery and for the CPR efforts that had saved Ed’s life. When she reemerged, she felt renewed, as if she had been through a much-needed baptism. Ayana lay on the water, arched her back and floated. She felt free and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of being carried away by the gentle waves. Her body drifted effortlessly, and her mind was clear of any negative thoughts. With her head tilted back and ears partially submerged, she could hear only muffled sounds. Ayana felt as if she were in a safe cocoon and continued floating without a care.
    The tranquillity of her solitude came to an abrupt halt when she heard the roar of a motor. Before she knew it, she was flipped over and submerged by a series of violent waves. Her eyes popped open underwater, and she kicked her legs quickly until she was back on the surface.
    â€œOh my God, are you all right?” asked a handsome man straddling a bright orange Jet Ski. “I’m so sorry, but I didn’t see you. What are you doing floating all the way out here by yourself?”
    Ayana glanced around the vast body of water and didn’t see the beach. She had drifted out farther than anticipated. “I hadn’t planned on floating this far. Guess the waves carried me away,” she said, treading water.
    He reached out his hand to her. “Get on. I’ll take you back to shore.”
    She brushed her hair out of her face, rubbed the salt water out of her eyes and looked up into his face. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Behind a pair of dark aviator shades was Brandon. “Uh...sure.” She took hold of his hand, climbed out of the water and settled on the back of the Jet Ski. Ayana wrapped her arms around his bare chest and held on tight as he sped off.
    â€œWhere are you staying?” he yelled.
    With the Jet Ski creating a cascade of waves and the roar of the motor, she could barely hear him. “What’d you say?”
    â€œI said, where are you staying?” he repeated more loudly.
    â€œJust keep straight,” she responded, finally hearing him.
    He doesn’t know it’s me. Ayana held him a little tighter, enjoying the anonymity of the moment. She thought back on his unexpected kiss and smiled. She could see the beach coming closer and closer and wondered what Brandon would say once he learned who