Bella Key Read online

  Maddie looked at her new friend. “This place is almost too good to be true.”

  “Yes, it’s our secret from the rest of the world. When people do find us, many times they end up staying.”

  “Like the author you told me about?”

  “Exactly. There are no judgments on Bella Key. Only acceptance. That’s a big relief to many, including that particular author.”

  Maddie nodded knowingly. She’d been living with judgments her whole life.

  “Here we are, and it looks like we got here early enough to grab a couple of lounges.” Sunny pointed at a few empty lounge chairs on the sand outside of an open air bar where the band played. “Take those two over there and I’ll be right back. There’s someone I need to talk to inside.”

  Maddie kicked off her flip-flops and stuffed them into the beach bag. She dug her feet into the sand with each step. Warm sand sifted between her toes as she made her way to the available chairs. She spread a towel over the slats of the chair and climbed on. Pulling off her cover-up, she opened her eyes to Sunny standing beside the chair with a very heavy, very bald and very colorful man. He wore a similar smile to the happy penguins on his Hawaiian shirt.

  “I didn’t know penguins had teeth,” Maddie said squinting at the scene on the man’s shirt.

  “Ah-ha. Only in Key West.” His belly shook the little penguins up and down as he chuckled.

  “Maddie, allow me to introduce you to Jules Quigley, romance author of —” she turned to the man, “—how many is it now, Jules?”

  “The one coming out next month will make it an even one hundred.”

  Maddie’s gaze traveled from Sunny to the jovial man. Surely the punchline was coming. This man was no more Jules Quigley than she was Betty Crocker.

  He held out a plump hand and nodded. “Sunny tells me you’re in the book business.”

  Maddie offered her hand in return. “Yes, but, you guys are messing with me. I’ve seen Jules Quigley. Last summer at the National conference, and she was...a she.”

  The man snorted. “Who you saw was my bitch of a sister, Agnes. She’s the ivy grad, honey badger of a front man, or should I say front woman for Jules Quigley. She might talk a good game, honey, but she wouldn’t know smokin’ hot sex if it smacked her in the face.”

  Maddie paused a moment before bursting out in laughter. Holding her belly, she snickered. “No, really. Who are you?”

  He ceremoniously bowed. “Jules Quigley, at your service.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “Really?”

  Jules nodded.

  “Oh my god, I’m a huge fan. The New York bigwigs at Milano and Jones would give up a year's worth of Botox treatments to land your account. They’ve been after Jules Quigley for years!”

  “I’ve stayed with the same PR firm. The fewer who know my secret, the easier it is to keep. For that reason, I’ve stayed with the same PR firm for much too long. It’s worked out okay but I would like a higher level of expertise to help me into the European markets.”

  “M & J are the best of the best, at least that’s what we tell ourselves.” Maddie winked at Jules. “Please come sit with us. It’s not every day I get to share margaritas with Jules Quigley.”

  “If you’re buying, I’m staying!” He hooked his arm with Maddie’s and walked toward the group of lounge chairs.

  ****

  By lunchtime, Maddie learned everything there was to know about Jules Quigley. He was the honorary mayor of Bella Key and well known with the locals who converged upon their section of the beach. Bathing-suit-clad Key West transplants and natives perched on lounge chairs and sat on the sand listening to Jules’ tales.

  “Damn, Jules. You’d make millions with a tell-all autobiography.” Maddie sipped on her second frozen strawberry margarita.

  Jules grunted. “Right now I’m content protecting my anonymity and letting my sister take the credit. I love what I do and where I am.”

  Maddie smiled and offered the plastic cup to Sunny lying beside her on a lounge. “Please, take this away from me. The way I’m going, you’ll find me passed out under a palm tree by dinner.”

  Sunny’s warm fingers zapped heat through Maddie’s chilled hand as she took the frosty cup. Maddie couldn’t help but stare as Sunny’s dark red lips puckered around the straw, her cheeks hollowed as she sucked the spiked pink slush into her mouth. Licking her lips, she groaned and handed the drink back to Maddie. “Mmm, delicious. Drink up, chica. You’re on vacation.” Sunny sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “How about a walk?”

  “Sounds great. Maybe it’ll clear my head.” Maddie giggled.

  ****

  Maddie’s feet sank into the wet sand as they walked along, the water lapping at their ankles. They strolled in silence for a while until Maddie chuckled to herself. “I still can’t believe Jules is Jules Quigley.”

  “Yeah, he’s our secret legend on the Key.”

  “No one spills the beans about him?”

  “Nope. We’re a close-knit group here. Like a big, crazy family. We watch out for each other.”

  Maddie stopped and looked toward the horizon of the sea. “It’s a special place, huh?”

  “It is and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. You seem more at ease today. How are you feeling?” Sunny’s fingers whispered over Maddie’s arm.

  Maddie glanced to the side and met her stare. Sunny’s eyes reflected genuine concern. “I’m good. Better. Somehow I’m less stressed and more focused, if that makes sense.”

  “Makes complete sense. It’s the magic of our powerful little island. As idyllic as it is around here, we do get some drama in the form of vicious storms. In fact, I hear one’s heading our way.”

  They returned to the impromptu party to find trays of nachos, guacamole and pitchers of margaritas flowing from the snack hut.

  “Is there always a party going on here?”

  “Yup,” Sunny said laughing.

  Maddie took her spot on the lounge chair with a plate of nachos. “Good thing I’m only staying the weekend. I’d gain a ton of weight spending every day like this.”

  “Hey don’t knock it until you try it, girl,” Jules wrapped his large hands around his bare belly and jiggled it. “So let’s be serious for a moment.”

  “I don’t think you can.” Maddie winked.

  “Don’t let my devil-may-care island attitude fool you, sweetheart. I’m a shrewd businessman. What’s the deal with Lora Matthews going global?”

  “Ah, you heard about that, have you?” Maddie cocked an eyebrow at him.

  “She’s with M and J, no?”

  “Yes, she’s a client. Although she’s not my client, I’ve been involved with her new campaign. You know I can’t divulge trade secrets though, Mr. Quigley.”

  “My dear, I’d never expect you to.” Jules smiled, refilled his cup and offered the pitcher to Maddie. She placed it on the table and traded it for a bottle of water. Twisting the cap, her glance wandered to the group gathering in front of the band. The music’s tempo matched the pounding of Maddie’s heart as she focused on Sunny’s hips gyrating to the beat. Wearing just her bikini and a sheer sarong tied low on her waist, her tanned skin glowed against the setting sun. The soft crease of her waist sent warmth flooding through Maddie’s belly. Taking another large swig from the bottle of water, she unsuccessfully hoped to cool her growing passion.

  “She’s a special person, you know?” Jules waved his drink toward the crowd.

  “Huh?” His words broke the hypnotic allure of Sunny’s hips.

  “She sees something in you. Sunny’s not usually so trusting of strangers. You like her, don’t you?”

  “Like her? I’m straight, Jules.” She flushed.

  “Feelings and emotions can’t always be placed neatly in little boxes. Straight and gay are simply labels we place upon ourselves. Happiness is what we all strive for. Open your mind to what and who makes you happy. Sunny finally learned to do that and she’s a changed person. It’s am
azing how the realization can lift a big weight off your shoulders.”

  Maddie nodded and leaned back in her chair. Her eyelids, heavy from the beat of steel drums, the crashing of the waves combined with too much sun and margaritas, fluttered closed. A warm embrace washed over her body like thousands of tiny fingertips. The sea breeze blew her hair, tickling her cheek and shoulders. She took a deep breath and blew it out through puffed cheeks. The guilt, pressure and sadness floated away in the wind. She hugged her arms together as a soft palm caressed her hand.

  “Maddie...Maddie...”

  She blinked and stared into warm brown eyes, which seemed to look right into her soul.

  “I fell asleep and had the most amazing dream.” Maddie sat up and tucked her knees into her chest.

  “I hated to wake you but the sun’s going down. You ready to go back?”

  Maddie nodded and scanned the crowd. “Oh, my gosh. Did I fall asleep talking to Jules?” She held her palm to her forehead and shook her head. “I had the chance of a lifetime to wow a famous author and what do I do? Fall asleep. Damn. He must think I’m incredibly rude.”

  Sunny laughed. “On the contrary. He adored you. He said you were entertaining and enlightening.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Maddie pulled her cover-up over her head, forcing her hair into her face.

  Sunny gently smoothed the strands of hair from her face with her fingertips. She hooked her index finger under Maddie’s chin. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m serious. He’d like to talk to you again.”

  Maddie searched the woman’s eyes and nodded. “Thank you. For everything.”

  Sunny draped her arm around Maddie’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go. They’re pulling the beach furniture inside. Looks like the storm is heading toward the Key.”

  Chapter Four

  The sound of water hitting the shower floor filled Sunny’s ears as she combed out her hair in front of her bedroom mirror. The scent of Maddie’s shampoo wafted down the hall. A mixture of floral and linen matched her new guest perfectly: feminine and classy. She chewed at her lip and studied her reflection. They had become fast friends and their connection both excited and scared her.

  The squeak of the shower handle sounded and the water slowed to a drizzle before shutting off. Before long the door opened and Maddie’s footfalls padded along the hall toward Sunny’s room.

  “Good shower?”

  Maddie stopped in the doorway, holding the knot of her towel to her chest. Wet strands of hair produced rivulets of water streaming down her shoulders and chest. “Like a new woman. Although, my northern skin can’t handle the tropical sun. Look at my shoulders!” Sunny’s gaze moved from one shoulder to another. Maddie was right, she was more than sun-kissed. Her shoulders practically glowed. “Oh, chica. That’s an angry burn you have there. I have some aloe —” Sunny picked up and put down five different bottles from her dressing table. “—ah, here it is. This’ll ease the pain and cut down on the peeling, too.”

  Sunny flipped the top and squeezed a quarter-sized dab of the green gel into her palm. She nodded toward her bed, signaling Maddie to sit. Rubbing the aloe between her palms, she rested one knee on the bed beside her. Maddie gathered her wet hair and flipped it over her shoulder to allow Sunny access to the other. Her body shivered under Sunny’s hands.

  “Sorry, this stuff’s cold. I tried to warm it up a little.”

  Maddie closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. “It’s not that. It feels good on the burn. You have a gentle touch.”

  Sunny chuckled. “Scooch over a little so I can get your other side.”

  Maddie shifted, lifting her feet onto the bed and tucking them under her legs Indian style. Sunny guided her head forward and massaged the aloe along the base of her neck to her shoulder blades, and down to the edge of the fluffy towel. She bent her knee, providing an anchor for Maddie to lean upon. Her inner thighs grazed the thick towel. Sunny closed her eyes and focused not only on Maddie’s sunburned skin, but also on loosening the muscles along her shoulders and upper back.

  “I have a confession to make,” Maddie said quietly.

  “Other than this is the best massage you’ve ever received?” Sunny snorted.

  “Mmm. That too. I-I watched you last night.” Maddie went a few seconds without taking a breath.

  Sunny didn’t waver. “I know you did. You were outside of my door.”

  “You knew? Why didn’t you stop or say something?” Maddie kept her eyes closed but turned her head toward Sunny as she spoke.

  Sunny added another dab of aloe to her palm. “I liked that you were watching me. It turned me on that you enjoyed it too.”

  “Never in my life had I thought I’d be attracted, you know, sexually to a woman. It’s different with you. Many things are different with you.” Maddie’s hand trembled as she touched Sunny’s leg, tracing an imaginary line up and down her calf. The rapid rise and fall of Maddie’s back matched the pounding in Sunny’s chest.

  Silence filled the room. Sunny had decided against bringing up the episode from the night before unless Maddie did. Now that it was out in the open, Sunny could find out how Maddie felt for sure. “Different, how?”

  “You make me feel so focused and honest and alive. I’ve never had that with anyone else before.” Maddie turned and kneeled in front of Sunny. “Would it be forward if I asked you to kiss me?”

  Sunny swallowed hard. “Yes, but I like forward,” she whispered as she cupped Maddie’s face with her palms. Dragging her thumb over Maddie’s bottom lip she realized how many times she wanted to taste her lips and explore her mouth over the past two days. Sunny lowered her face and brushed her lips once over Maddie’s. She drew back to study Maddie’s reaction.

  “Again,” Maddie whispered, her eyes remained closed.

  Sunny’s fingers grazed over Maddie’s chin and jawbone and raked through the back of her hair, pulling her in. Still kneeling, Maddie stumbled forward, her palms landing in Sunny’s lap. The knot of the towel wrapped around her body loosened and the ends of the terry cloth gaped open, exposing sweetly curved pale flesh. Her small alabaster globes glowed against the angry red sunburn of her chest. Maddie leaned forward, seemingly with no intention of fixing the towel. Sunny reclaimed her mouth with hungry urgency. First nipping at her bottom lip, eliciting a breathy moan from Maddie’s parted lips, she followed it by a slow swipe of her tongue. Maddie whimpered as the tip of her tongue made contact. Sunny wrapped her arms around Maddie, pulling her onto her lap. Straddling her waist, Maddie combed her fingers through Sunny’s hair.

  Sunny slowed her movements, lazily exploring Maddie’s mouth with her tongue and lips. She pulled away and caressed her cheeks, smoothing back a stray lock of hair from her face. Their eyes locked but no words were shared as Sunny cupped Maddie’s warm breast in her hand. Rolling the pebbled nipple between her thumb and index finger, she arched her brow when she found what she’d suspected at the beach. Sweet Maddie had a naughty piercing. Maddie pulled away and winced.

  “It’s new. I had it done on a whim in Miami. You’re the only one who knows about it.” Maddie smiled slyly.

  Sunny’s hands encircled Maddie’s ribs and she pulled her up to examine the new piece of jewelry. Her thumbs rested in the bottom crease of each perky mound as she got a better look. A small bar with two tiny gold balls flanked her slightly swollen nub.

  “May I? I’ll be gentle.”

  Maddie nodded as Sunny took her breast into her mouth, her tongue circling the puckered nipple. She knew the area must’ve been hypersensitive from the piercing and she smiled as a deep moan and a muttered swear escaped from Maddie’s lips. Her hips bucked against Sunny, who held her ass to keep Maddie from grinding against her. Maddie’s breath came in short pants as Sunny released the breast from her mouth and moved her attention to the other. Maddie moaned as Sunny twisted the bar between her thumb and forefinger, pulling slightly.

  She pressed tighter against Sunny, seemingly to elevate the pressu
re building within her. Maddie’s shallow breaths told Sunny she was close, very close. Slipping her hand between their bodies, Sunny cupped her mound. Maddie pushed against her palm.

  “Oh my god, Sunny. Please,” she bit out.

  Sunny’s fingers slid into her wet, warm folds to the heated core. Barely penetrating her channel, Sunny drew shallow circles around her entrance while her thumb found the button of nerves. Maddie hissed as Sunny continued her slow circles. Inner walls clamped down on her finger. Maddie rode her climax until she slumped into Sunny’s arms.

  Sunny guided her to the mattress and eased a pillow under her head. She pulled the light blanket from the foot of the bed, covering both of their bodies. Leaning on one elbow, she stroked Maddie’s still damp blonde hair. Maddie’s eyelids fluttered.

  “Sunny, I—”

  “Shh. Sleep, chica.”

  Maddie smiled lazily and reached for her hand. Pulling it around her ribcage, she intertwined her fingers with her own. Sunny rested her head on the same pillow, spooning Maddie’s small form into hers, and closed her eyes, inhaling the sweet scent of lavender.

  Chapter Five

  A thunderous boom jolted Maddie awake. She blinked as a flash of light filled the room. Sunny’s room. Lying on her side she leaned back slightly into Sunny’s soft body. She held her breath as the rhythmic in-and-out of Sunny’s chest whispered against her back. The events from the night before had not been merely an erotic dream, like those she’d had over the course of the past two days. It had happened. She kissed a girl...and more.

  Slowly pulling herself out of Sunny’s warm grasp, she dropped her feet to the floor. Another clap of thunder sounded, and rain batted at the windowpane. Standing, she turned back toward the bed. Her heart fluttered. Sunny’s beautiful form lay framed on the white sheet. Perfect globes of tanned breasts rose and fell along with Sunny’s steady breath. Maddie wanted to slip back beneath the cool sheet and caress her dusky peaks.