Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 408 – At the Beach

Cora

When I blink my eyes open, I gasp a little at the gorgeous sight before me. Ocean stretches as far as the eye can see in front of me and there, at the horizon, just the tiniest sliver of a sun can be seen, finally taking its own rest below the horizon.

I look to my left and right and chills stumble down my spine at the beautiful beach that stretches out in each direction – perfect white sand against which the surf lightly crashes, lined with palm trees and scrubby forest with no human buildings in sight.

All of this beautiful, untouched nature makes the super plush beach day bed that I’m sitting on even more incongruous, though, and I laugh a little as I look down it. But my laughter fades as I admire my flowing white dress, and the crisp white sheets, and the amazing warm breeze that brushes against my skin. The bed has four posts from which gauzy fabric flies, and candles are scattered around all of it.

It’s so incredibly beautiful that I lose my breath. And I lose it again when I see the handsome man walking across the beach towards me.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he says, grinning at me with his hands in his pockets. ” Looks like it worked.”

Laughing in wonder now, I shake my head at my mate. “I thought – I thought it was supposed to be a forest!”

Roger shrugs, looking around at the beautiful landscape, the evening breeze lifting his hair. “That’s Ella’s dream state. I guess this is yours.” Then he turns to me, the corner of his mouth lifted into a little smile. “Thanks for letting me in.”

“Come sit!” I say, scooting over to make room. My mate obliges me, seating himself on the bed. I look him over, laughing. “Why are you dressed in linen pants?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.

“You dressed me like this!” he protests, waving a hand at himself. “I have no control!”

“I did not,” I laugh, shaking my head. “You look like you’re going to Margaritaville to listen to some Jimmy Buffet.”

Roger glares at me a little and then closes his eyes, concentrating. Between one blink and the next, his clothing changes so that he’s now in a more familiar black pants and white button- down shirt, though it’s not as crisp as something he might wear with a suit. Definitely more beach casual.

down at himself. “I guess it

off,” I say with a shrug, scooting closer and reaching out to touch him, to run my hand over his shoulder and his arm. To my surprise, he

can,” he confirms, a little pleasant shudder passing through his body. Then he takes my chin in one hand and leans in

say, leaning

flopping back onto the bed and staring up into the sky with a wide smile on his face.” Now

putting my head on his shoulder. ” Sometimes I will lock you in dream jail when you piss me off. And then I will come here, and

snapping his teeth at me and making me laugh. “Just as

eagerly, sitting up suddenly and looking all around as I remember where all of

says, sitting up next to

know?” I ask, turning to him, confused.

rolling his eyes at me playfully. “You’re my first mate which is kind of required for the exercise. I have never done

He sits up and laughs with me, even

taking my face in his hands like he can’t resist and kissing

this

and kissing me and pulling me backwards on the bed

my mouth as his breathing starts to get heavier. “You’re the boss in your own dream – I’m ready

side of him and

simultaneously, Roger and I both gasp, our eyes going wide. “Oh my god,” I say, freezing

daring to blink, “did you

hands flying to my stomach as I look down at it. Because

quite suddenly

It comes again.

steady pulse

to my eyes. “Seriously, Cora,” Roger says, his voice shaking, and I turn