Aim For Love (32 page)

Perhaps the hardest lesson was discovering that what would determine the course of her life was whether she was willing to tolerate necessary discomfort long enough to break through to healing and wholeness. Kaz had told her early on that going toward the sting allowed it to heal and reveal its gift. Now she knew he’d been right. She’d discovered the peace and power that came from learning to handle challenging situations. And she’d learned to ask for help from friends and family. Already she felt stronger, happier and less afraid.

As Kristen had found her strength, so had Sabrina. What had been buried deep inside was now standing beside her, giving her wisdom and courage to live with the mysteries and challenges of life. There was joy and freedom to be found in the songs of the dark places. Though she knew there was more work ahead, she greeted her days with curiosity, wonder and an open heart.

After one last look at the seating arrangements and after making a promise to Alana’s brothers Simon and Damien for a dance after dinner, Sabrina scooted upstairs. She’d spent longer than she’d realized cavorting with her cousins and friends. Guests would be arriving in less than an hour.

In her room she fingered the elephant-decorated bedspread that Obaa had insisted she keep.
Baku
. Nightmare eaters. With Kaz in bed beside her most nights, she was pretty sure she didn’t need the
baku
, but she wasn’t taking any chances. Kristen’s character still called out to her in her dreams, and only recently had she learned to shift her perspective
as she dreamed
. Active dreaming was a skill they should teach in grade school. Much more useful than social studies.

A bouquet of flowers on the nightstand beside her bed caught her eye. Peonies and pink-edged roses, her favorites. She opened the note that stuck out from the top of the bouquet. And sat on the edge of the bed to read it a second time.

If not for you, Sabrina, my ego would’ve killed me. I will be forever grateful for what knowing you has taught me. You may be my first true friend. Thanks for not blowing my cover. Hollywood is changing but I’d rather not test it out right now.

May your marriage bring you great happiness.

Derrick.

An arrow at the bottom of the note had her flipping it over. As she read the postscript, she couldn’t help but smile.

And maybe you’ll consider the part in the movie I’m directing next spring. No demons. Well, not many. Not more than you can handle, my dear. Consider these lovely blooms to be the first of many bribes.

So he hadn’t abandoned his maneuvering ways.

She folded the note and tucked it into the drawer of her nightstand. If it hadn’t been for Derrick, she might’ve given up trying to do the sequel to
Exigent
. If she’d done that, she never would have met Kaz. Life had strange ways of nudging people onto their intended paths. Her happy result made it hard for her to harbor bad feelings toward Derrick. But caution? That was another matter entirely. Best to use caution and discernment when it came to wily narcissists like him.

She showered and then slipped on the intricate silk gown her mother had bought for her in Paris, and strapped on the exquisite Louboutin heels Alana had given her as an engagement present. A quick twist of her hair into a soft French knot and some hastily applied lipstick and she was ready.

Hands covered her eyes from behind.

She knew his touch so well now.

“Did you win?”

“From the look of my fiancée, I did indeed.”

“I meant the game, Kaz.”

“Six to four. I stayed in until the seventh inning. I told Romero to close it out fast, that I had my bride-to-be to get to.”

She spun around and hugged him. He kissed her and as he did, he slipped the straps of her gown off her shoulders. It fell to her waist in a whisper of pooled silk.

“We’ll be late…,” she whispered into their shared breath.

“We’ll be fine,” he murmured against her lips. She stood and he slid the gown down, over her hips and to the floor. And she lost herself in the sensual dance that was the pulse of life itself.

If Kaz wasn’t the luckiest man alive, he’d like to meet the man who was. Half an hour later they sneaked down the back stairs and tiptoed through the back library door. Kaz wanted to laugh, but Sabrina kept shushing him.

“Busted,” Alex said as he looked up from behind the massive desk with a knowing nod. “Slipping in through here used to be one of my favorite evasive moves.”

Kaz felt his face flush.

“You’re embarrassing my fiancé,” Sabrina said with a glare at her brother.

“You’d better get in there.” Alex gestured toward the doors leading to the ballroom. “Both of you. Or we’ll be calling nine-one-one to revive Mother. It was all Jackie could do to keep her from running upstairs and dragging you out of your room. I’ll part the crowd for you,” he said as he stepped out from behind the desk.

“I actually came this way on purpose,” Sabrina said with a mysterious smile. “Alex, would you ask Obaa to come in here? And Mother and Jackie? And you come back too. After all, I wouldn’t have the surprise if not for you.”

Alex gave her a mock salute as he left.

Kaz pulled her to him. “What surprise?”

“
I
can keep a secret.”

“Even under duress?” He nuzzled his lips to the responsive spot under her left ear.

She shivered and tilted her chin, exposing more of her neck. At the sound of nearing footsteps, she pulled away and then motioned everyone around the desk.

“Would you do the honors, Alex,” Sabrina asked, “since Father isn’t here?”

Alex crossed to a large chest and pulled out a rectangular package wrapped in bright colors and topped with festive ribbons.

Sabrina nodded at Kaz. “It’s for you. You’ll have to forgive the wrapping—Matt’s daughter, Sophie, headed up the wrapping committee.”

Kaz took the package, felt the familiar weight and balance of it. He slipped off the glitter-festooned wrapping paper and opened the box.

He pulled out a katana. And not just any katana, but the sword that had hung in the Tavonesi game room. The sword that in some ways had started him on his path to Sabrina. If it hadn’t been for his samurai practice, Alex would never have called. If Alex hadn’t asked him to help Sabrina, where would he be right then? Certainly not engaged to the love of his life.

He swallowed down the lump of elation in his throat as he pulled the sword from the carved wooden sheath and set it on the desk. “I’m not sure what to say.”

Sabrina’s mother leaned across the desk and covered his hand with her own. “It’s we who have something to say, Kaz. May you be happy, you two. May you always be guided by love that knows no bounds.”

He heard Obaa-chan gulp and looked over to see a tear running down her cheek.

“
You’re
the one who got it through my skull to aim for love,” Kaz said to his teary grandmother.

Sabrina stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Lucky me that you took Obaa’s advice.”

“For goodness’ sake,” Obaa-chan said, batting her tears away. “This is a
party
. I think I’m even going to have a glass of champagne.”

“Better tell your collected cousins to watch out,” Kaz said. “Obaa-chan has decided that in addition to taking on online exorcism, she’s also a self-styled matchmaker.
And
she’s learned to use a cellphone.”

As if on cue, Obaa-chan pulled her red phone from the pocket of her kimono. “
And
a computer,” she said with a wink. “Okay, you two.” She motioned for Kaz to bend down to Sabrina’s height. “A kiss. A good one. It might make a good banner for our new website.”

“Make it a tight shot, Obaa,” Jackie said, framing the shot with her fingers. “It’ll be more dramatic.”

Sabrina’s cousin Parker came skidding into the library, one hand pulling at his hair, the second reaching for Sabrina’s mother.

“What are you all
doing
in here? Don’t you know there’s a party out there waiting for the guests of honor?”

Sabrina laughed when Kaz ignored Parker and gathered her in his arms. When he kissed her, the light in her eyes told him that though they might face drama ahead—and likely would—the power of their love would hold them safe and strong.

The End

<<<<>>>> 

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Thank you!

Thanks for reading
Aim For Love
. I hope you enjoyed it!

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You've just read the fifth book in the Tavonesi Series. The other books in the series are:

Love Bats Last
(Book #1, Alex and Jackie)

Thrown By Love
(Book #2, Chloe and Scotty)

Fielder's Choice
(Book #3, Alana and Matt)

Love on the Line
(Book #4, Cara and Ryan)

·
        
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, have the power to make or break a book’s reputation. Reviews help other readers find books they love. I appreciate reviews from all perspectives and would love to hear your opinion. If you have the time, please leave a review and let me know what you think about
Aim For Love.

I write so that readers may enjoy the experience of reading my books. I hope you enjoy every one!

Thank you
so much for reading and for spending time with me.

In gratitude, 

Pamela Aares 

Another winner in Pamela Aares' The Tavonesi Series. Get ready to enter the fast-paced world of alpha male, All-Star athletes and the top-of-their-game women they come to love.

Aares deftly weaves together the desires and strategies of world-class sports with the equally charged realm of the heart to create a fast-moving tale you'll wish would never end.

Mary Beath, award-winning author of

Refuge of Whirling Light

And don’t miss…

Other Books by Pamela

Book One in The Tavonesi Series

A stormy night changes their lives forever...

The baseball diamond isn't the only field for all-star player Alex Tavonesi; he also runs his family's prestigious vineyard. What he can't seem to run is his love life. He's closing in on the perfect vintage and the perfect game, but so far the perfect woman has eluded him.

Veterinarian Jackie Brandon is eluding her aristocratic past and memories of a soccer star who jilted her just before their wedding. She devotes herself to a marine mammal rescue center on the northern California coast, where hundreds of seals and sea lions are washing up dead.

A chance meeting in a midnight storm brings Alex and Jackie together to rescue a stranded whale. Watching her work, he realizes she's the passionate, courageous woman he thought he'd never find--he just has to overcome her deep distrust of jocks. Jackie’s passion and courage lead her to discover what's killing the sea mammals. The culprits want to silence her, and Alex is the only one standing in their way. What will he sacrifice to save the woman he loves?

Love Bats Last
is available now at all online bookstores or can also be ordered from your favorite local bookstore.