Interconnected Hearts Read online

  I smile softly and put my arms around his neck pulling him back down for another kiss, "I do. Now...shall we go see this fancy shmancy place?" I tease as I lace my fingers with his.

  "We shall. After you," He bows at the waist and sweeps his arm in front of him.

  I shake my head as he goes to the trunk of the car and pulls out our suitcases.

  "Need any help sweetie?" I ask twirling the room key around my finger.

  "And risk you breaking a nail and being able to tell your Daddy that I was the cause of it? Heck no!"

  I give him a pointed look as we start walking towards the door of our room. "Daddy isn't that quick to jump the gun."

  "Uh-huh..." He smiles as he slides the key into the lock of our door and gently pushes it open. "Did I tell you about our um...discussion the day we got married?"

  "No. What discussion?"

  He smiles fondly setting the luggage against the wall and walks over to the large canopy bed patting the spot beside him.

  "When you and Katy were busy getting ready with Billy and Alicia, Liam and I were left to our own devices, so after I got dressed and got the "You're really a man now, son", chat from my dad, I was walking around trying to get my head on straight and your dad was on the way to wait for you so he could walk you down the aisle."

  I bite my lip and nod remembering the day. All the nerves of really getting married, and all my little girl dreams, especially my daddy walking me down the aisle, becoming reality.

  "Well, he came over and clapped me on the shoulder and said, "Son, I don't know you that well, and you seem like a nice enough man, and my princess really truly loves you. But I want you to know something, I used to be a Marine. So that means I have a lot of Marine friends, and my friends and I aren't afraid of some Hollywood lawyers or cameras that could catch us in action if you were to even ever think of hurting her physically or emotionally, understand?""

  My jaw drops and I shake my head, "He did NOT say that to you!"

  He nods, "He did, but you know what? I totally get it, if we ever have a daughter and she looks anything like you and has even half of your big heart, I wouldn't be above threatening bodily harm on whomever she sets her heart on."

  I smile, leaning my head on his shoulder, "And if she's anything at all like me, then she'll love you for it...after she wants to strangle you for it."

  He chuckles and kisses my forehead, "Alright you, go hop in the shower. I'll set your garment bag on the bed, but I'll let you pick from your collection of shoes."

  "It's not a collection. They're accessories. A pair for every possible outfit."

  He rolls his eyes at me, "Uh-huh...which is why there are at least 40 other pairs still in the closet at home, right?"

  "It's the one thing I splurge on, so sue me." I grin saucily at him. "And I think my husband might like my skirts with a heel now and then."

  He returns the smile and that dimple draws me in, "That he does...ok, ok, stop distracting me. Get in the shower!"

  I raise an eyebrow at him, "Me being in the shower isn't a distraction for you?"

  He groans, crossing over and yanking me to him, kisses me hard. "Baby, you have no idea. But there's only so much time before we end up losing the time I have reserved for...your surprise."

  I giggle at the near slip and slowly back away from him waving as I go and hurry into the bathroom, stopping to gape at the Jacuzzi tub sitting in the center as I close the door. I frown looking between it and the big walk in shower with a jet spray.

  "You're making me choose between soaking until I'm good and pruny and a quickie massage like shower?!" I yell through the door and hear Scott chuckling nearby.

  "No time for getting pruny, remember? Chop chop babe."

  I pout before stripping out of my clothes and walking across the room, lovingly tracing my fingers on the edge of the tub as I go, and reach inside the shower to get the water to the perfectly piping hot temperature to melt away the crazy day.

  Stepping into the shower, I let out a sigh as the water pours down onto my back and neck, there are definitely far worse ways to end the day.

  Chapter 11

  After probably the fastest shower of my life thanks to not wanting to push my luck on Scotty's time limit, I step out of the bathroom with an extra fluffy royal blue towel around my middle and a small white towel wrapped around my unruly curly blonde locks. Whether Scott likes it or not, if we're going out in public, I have to do something to my hair or else it will look like I have an afro.

  I hear a whistle and turn my head to give Scott a look, "Before you say a word about the time, the hair has to be fixed, no ifs, ands or buts, ok?" I smile sweetly before walking to my side of the bed.

  He puts his arms up in surrender, "I wasn't gonna say anything, I swear. Your dress is on that chair in the corner over there."

  I walk over and gently lift the garment bag off the chair before sliding the zipper down to reveal a deep red sheath dress. Smiling as I lift it out of the bag, I run my hand down the material that will likely hug every little curve I have.

  "Do you approve?" Scott whispers by my ear and my smile grows.

  "I'm guessing you suggested the color?" I tease as I turn to face him.

  "Hmm...Maybe."

  I laugh, shaking my head. Anytime Scott has a say, he picks to have me in red. He says it makes my green eyes stand out and makes my naturally blush filled cheeks even brighter. Why he finds that even remotely sexy is beyond me.

  I lean up pressing my lips to his, "You get freshened up while I tame this mess." I smile softly as I rub the towel over my hair once more before tossing the dress onto the chair the garment bag is still sitting on.

  His laughter fades as he walks into the bathroom and I walk over to the large vanity in the corner of the room frowning at the curls that fall past my shoulders. Sighing, I grab my make-up bag, straightener, hairspray, and bobby pins out of my bag and get to work on looking date ready.

  Around 20 minutes later, my hair is tamed, half pulled up and curls no longer going every which way, and my make-up is done to go with my dress. How I wish Excite's make-up artist Alicia could be at my beck and call and make me look red carpet ready for every occasion! Taking one last look in the mirror, I throw the towel down and carefully step into my dress.

  "Damn...you look good, baby." Scott says from behind me and I spin around to face him.

  "You think so?" I ask with a smile before turning around, "Do you think you can help me with the zipper sweetie?"

  "My pleasure." He says against my neck as he lifts my hair and pushes it to the side before pressing a kiss on the side of my neck and slides the zipper up.

  I bite my lip and turn to look into his hooded eyes. "We're on a time limit, right?" I whisper, brushing my fingertips up his chiseled abs to his muscular chest before resting my hands against his broad shoulders.

  He takes a deep breath and nods, hooking his arm around my waist, gently tugging me against him, "Right."

  I lean forward and lightly press my lips against his, "And there is no way you are messing up this hair right now." I tease running my fingers through his thick brown hair.

  He frowns, pulling that hand into his, "But you can mess up mine?" He asks patting his hair back into place.

  I giggle stepping away to grab my assortment of shoes that Anna packed in a small carry on type bag. "Scotty, I think you are the only man I know that is as worried about his hair as I am about mine."

  "Hey, my hair keeps me on the casting couch. And do you have any idea how much it costs to make it look this good?"

  I roll my eyes, pulling out a pair of black flats and a pair of silver three inch heels. "Which ones?" I ask slipping one of each on each foot.

  "You'll want the flats for where we're going, but I promise I'll figure out somewhere to wear those heels to before we leave here." He grins looking me up and down.

  "Down boy," I smile, sliding the lone heel off and slipping on the other flat. "Are we ready?"

  He ho
lds up a finger and spins around to grab his white button up shirt of the hanger in the closet, quickly slipping it on and making fast work of the buttons. "Now we are....wait, how's my hair?"

  I walk over and shove his shoulder, "One step away from being thoroughly messed up and I won't let you anywhere near the hair gel...now, I do believe you are supposed to be taking me on a date."

  "That I am" He sticks his elbow out and I slip my arm into it.

  We quietly walk out of our room, and down the sidewalk and Scott grabs my hand, guiding me towards the back of the large home towards a wooden fence.

  "Where are we going?" I ask with a frown as Scott easily lifts the metal latch and pushes the door of the gate open.

  "You'll see." He says with a grin before tugging me forward.

  For the next few moments, we walk in a comfortable silence and I am thankful these shoes are comfortable as we walk down an almost never ending side walk. I sneak a peek at Scott out of the corner of my eye and catch him watching me.

  "Our date isn't going to just be walking around in the dark is it?" I ask, squeezing his hand.

  He shakes his head pointing his finger to the end of the sidewalk where I see a dock with a fairly big white boat sitting right in front of it and my jaw drops.

  "You got a boat?!" I squeak suddenly very happy I'm not wearing those heels so I can run the remaining distance to the edge of the dock.

  Scott laughs as he catches up to me. "I didn't buy it or anything...but I did rent it for the next few hours. Just you, me, and the moonlight. How does that sound?"

  I grin, throwing my arms around his neck and crash my mouth onto his. "Perfect!"

  His grin matches mine as we walk forward and a man I am assuming to be the captain steps off the boat and onto the dock to shake our hands.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Adams?" The man asks looking between us.

  "'That would be us," Scott smiles, "Please just Scott and Krista though."

  He nods, "I'm Charlie and I'll be your captain this evening. If there is anything you need just let me know."

  "Thank you," I smile at him, "I haven't been on a boat in years...if my Daddy's fishing boat counts anyway."

  He chuckles and shakes his head, "Oh you are in for a treat tonight, Krista, if you've only ever been in a little bitty fishing boat."

  I blush and step into Scott. "Should I be nervous?"

  He smiles, shaking his head before wrapping his arms securely around me. "Nah, I called around and was told that Charlie here is one of the best captain's around. Are you ready?"

  I turn my head and see Charlie waving us on, "All aboard," He says with a smirk and I bite my lip before slipping my hand into Scott's.

  "Lead the way."

  Chapter 12

  Scott walks ahead of me, easily stepping over the side of the boat onto the deck and reaches his hand out to me, "You heard the man...all aboard, baby."

  I step over clutching Scott's hands tightly as I do. "Just don't let me go overboard, ok?"

  "I'll save you, I used to be a lifeguard you know."

  I give him a look before tugging him to a lounge chair tucked into the corner. "Playing one in a movie does NOT count."

  He frowns over at me, "You saw that one, huh?"

  "Of course. I was a fan from the very beginning" I grin leaning over to kiss him, "And you are just as sexy in the short little red swim trunks."

  He groans covering his face with his hands. "You have no idea how badly I begged to have some more uh...manly, looking trunks. But the wardrobe department swore that those little scraps of material would get more attention from the ladies...and I was the newbie, so what did I know?"

  "Well they certainly caught my attention. I even had one of those huge movie posters of you posing on the beach looking out on the ocean hanging on my wall."

  He grins at that, "I'll have to sign it for you sometime."

  "Ooh, you should, then I could probably sell it off to the highest bidder at school. Those girls are always begging for some little piece of you. They've even suggested a 'Bring your husband to work day.'"

  He laughs pulling me into his side and I close my eyes enjoying the breeze as we speed away from the dock.

  "You know if I like this, you're gonna have to take me on a cruise someday."

  "Hmmm...Too many people. How about I just rent out a cruise ship sometime?"

  I turn my head towards him, "A whole cruise ship? That would be extremely expensive, Scotty."

  "Do I need to remind you how much I make per movie?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

  I roll my eyes and lean back on him. "Yeah yeah yeah....shouldn't you, I don't know, be investing it or something? I mean, Hollywood could throw us out on our butts one of these days, then we'll be living on my counselor income or off your autograph requests or something."

  Scott frowns turning his head towards the wind. "Do you really worry about that kind of stuff?"

  "I am my father's daughter, Scotty. I have to think about that kind of stuff, don't get me wrong, it’s amazing here, but what is going to happen when you aren't the big thing anymore? Will you do TV or something like that?"

  "God, I hope not. I want to be behind the scenes when my time in front of the camera is up. Directing, writing, that kind of stuff."

  "See, we've never talked about that stuff."

  "I guess I just haven't really thought that far ahead yet."

  I smile softly and give him a quick kiss. "And that is why you have me."

  "Very true." He wraps his arms around me and I tilt my head back to look up at the full moon. "It really is beautiful out here. I can just imagine the fish and everything we're going right over right now."

  "Oh! That reminds me, this boat has a special little feature I think you'll enjoy. But uh...you might kind of hate me for getting you a dress to wear here."

  I frown and raise an eyebrow, "Why?

  He just grins pulling me out of our chairs and pulls me towards the back of the boat, stopping at a large metal door. "Well, we have to go through here..."

  "Ok...."

  "And then down the ladder."

  My mouth gapes open and I smack his arm, "Scott! A freaking ladder? Dresses are not made to climb down ladders! Especially ones that probably cost at least a few months’ worth of my pay checks!"

  Rolling his eyes, Scott pulls me into his arms, "The dress is yours to keep anyways, babe. But I swear if it gets ruined I'll get you one just like it."

  I huff stepping past him to look over the place we will be climbing down, "You go first."

  Smirking, he walks ahead of me and easily starts climbing down the metal ladder. "You coming?" He asks sounding amused and I shoot a glare in his direction before following after him.

  "Really Scotty, this had better be worth it." I mutter clutching to the side of the ladder as I take slow steps down praying my feet don't slip and cause us both to go crashing down.

  "Oh it is." Scott smiles reaching the floor and I soon step down beside him, brushing any dirt off my dress.

  He grabs my hand and we walk a few feet to the right where there is a large cut out in the middle that is softly glowing blue.

  "What is this?" I whisper stepping closer.

  "This is the glass bottom of this glass bottom boat." He grins pulling me to peak over the rail. "You can see everything going on in the water."

  I squeal leaning over a little further. "Oh my God...that is so cool!" I grin spotting a school of fish swimming right on through oblivious to us spying on them. "I can't believe they make boats like this."

  "I thought you might like it." Scott says pulling me back by his side. "Amazing isn't it?"

  "Very" I smile, turning in his arms to wrap my arms around his neck and plant a big kiss on his lips.

  "Mmm...I like being rewarded like that."

  I giggle snuggling into him to watch the rainbow of colors swimming below us. "There could be more where that came from."

  I feel him nibble on my neck and smile. "Thank you
for planning this little trip. I definitely needed this."

  "You're very welcome, baby. Sometimes it's good to get away from all those flashing lights."

  "Amen...now, are you gonna be a gentleman and make sure I don't fall going back up that rackety ladder?"

  "Rackety ladder" He laughs shaking his head. "Of course...who else would be guarding that lovely behind of yours?"

  Smacking his shoulder, I breeze passed him and start making my way slowly up the ladder taking occasional glances behind me and giggling at Scott's cocky grin.

  Once we're safely all the way back up, Scott pulls me against him and we steal a long kiss in the shadows. In moments like this I can pretend that we're just another couple, enjoying a little get away, not one that has to sneak moments like this where we can be one of those blissfully in love couples that doesn't have to see a picture of themselves kissing in a magazine in the grocery store check-out.

  "I think it's time to head back." I whisper against his lips.

  "I couldn't agree more." He grins grabbing my hand and running towards the front of the boat. "Hey Charlie! Can we get back to shore ASAP?"

  Looking over his shoulder he smirks and nods. "You got it!"

  Chapter 13

  As soon as Charlie gets us back to the dock, Scott and I shout our thanks to him and start a sprint back to the bed and breakfast, but before we get all the way back to the gate, we hear an unwelcome voice calling our names.

  "Yo Scott, can you and your woman give us some good shots? You two are a gold mine right now! Everyone wants a little Krisco." A man says with a twinkle in his eyes as he holds up his camera.

  "Seriously?" I glare crossing my arms over my chest. "This woman can speak for herself, and she says hell no! You can take that camera and shove it..." I'm quickly pulled behind Scott where he gives me a placating look before turning back to the photographer. "I agree with my wife, hell no. And you can quote me on that one."

  I turn on my heel and shove open the gate to the backyard before storming towards our door, fuming the whole way, some days I just really hate Hollywood.