Island Rapture: Catica Island Inspired Romance, #3

By Sandra E Sinclair

“The devil is in the details”
When autistic savant Ethan Shamsi proposed to the unsuspecting Hasana Bennett, he’s unfazed by her rejection of his proposal, and convinced he’s winning her over. Her use of the words ‘apocalypse’, and ‘hell freezing over’ didn’t register with him, that maybe she wasn’t interested in forging a lifelong relationship, outside of their current arrangement as co-owners of Catica Island.

Two failed relationships have left Hasana Bennett cold and bitter. She’s sworn off romance, and men in general. She’s stunned by Ethan’s backhanded marriage proposal after he highlights all her faults as the reason she doesn’t have a husband, and wasn’t likely to get one if she turned him down. He also hinted, he thinks she’s getting old.

Hasana’s need for revenge leads to a startling course of events. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: 13 Doors Publications
• Release date: Aug 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386431398

Book preview

Introduction

Island Rapture is the tenth release in a series of 11 Island books written by 6 different authors, all taking place on the fictional Catica Island.

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If you would like to read the other books that were released over the summer of 2016, go now to CaticaIsland.com for more information…

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*Free Short Stories* Get the short stories that go with the series completely free by signing up for the Catica Island mailing list at http://www.caticaisland.com/p/newsletter.html

Island Rapture

By Sandra E. Sinclair

Escape to Catica Island - A Tropical Paradise Vacation for Free or $0.99.

The devil is in the details

When autistic savant Ethan Shamsi proposed to the unsuspecting Hasana Bennett, he’s unfazed by her rejection of his proposal, and convinced he’s winning her over. Her use of the words ‘apocalypse’, and ‘hell freezing over’ didn’t register with him, that maybe she wasn’t interested in forging a lifelong relationship, outside of their current arrangement as co-owners of Catica Island.

Two failed relationships have left Hasana Bennett cold and bitter. She’s sworn off romance, and men in general. She’s stunned by Ethan’s backhanded marriage proposal after he highlights all her faults as the reason she doesn’t have a husband, and wasn’t likely to get one if she turned him down. He also hinted, he thinks she’s getting old.

Hasana’s need for revenge leads to a startling course of events.

Chapter 1

Jaw dropping , heart stopping shock was what Hasana felt when she slammed the door shut in Ethan Shamsi’s face. Her chest heaved as she rested her back against the wooden base, rubbing her forehead. Ethan had gone plumb crazy and lost his mind. He had to have. Otherwise, what else in this world would possess him to think she’d want to marry him?

He was the most infuriating man she’d ever had the misfortune to know. The proverbial pain, an irritant in a place that can’t be reached so easily. Ethan Shamsi was all the things she knew for sure she didn’t want in a husband. The conceited, self-righteous, pompous lunatic.

He ought to be locked up, yeah, that’s right, locked up and the key buried some random place in the bottom of the ocean. Location unknown.

She placed two fingers on the vein in her neck to check her pulse which had been racing. Hasana scratched her head and began to look for the cameras, sure she’d just been punked. Maybe Ethan had hired a reality television crew to set this all up. As her breathing began to regulate, she tried to recollect and make sense of what had just happened over the last few minutes.

Hasana had answered her front door to find Ethan on his knee on top of his plastic sheeting, holding up the biggest diamond she’d ever seen. Before she could say a word, he went into his little speech.

Hasana Bennett, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?

The first thing that flew into her mind was hell to the no. Then she’d thought he must be joking and looked over his shoulder to see if Leigh and Neil were rolling around the floor laughing. Confused, she’d racked her brain for the date. No it wasn’t April first, it was August.

When she’d looked back at him, his face had been scrunched, and he’d let out an irritated sigh as his eyes bored into her. Naturally she’d laughed and said, You are joking, right?

However, there was no amusement on his face as he continued to stare at her. Ethan, tell me this is a joke.

I’m not known for my sense of humor, Hasana. Nor would I be kneeling here holding up a ring on this dirty stoop of yours if I wasn’t serious. You know you could sweep it once in a while. Now, will you marry me or won’t you?

You seriously want me to answer that?

Of course I do, you silly woman, Ethan snapped back, grumbling under his breath.

Who are you calling silly? I’m not the one on their knee, proposing to a woman who can’t stand you. Go away, Ethan. She’d stepped back into her house and with as much force as she could muster, she’d let the door fly in the direction of his face.

She pinched herself and winced from the pain. So it was real. Ethan really had the cheek to think he could approach her with a marriage proposal just like that. What did he take her for? It had taken everything she had not to open her door and throw a shoe at him.

Her breathing began to feel normal, and she pushed her hair back from her face, then turned to face the door. He should be gone by now. She cracked the door and peered out through the narrow gap. Phew.

She closed the door and wiped her forehead. Hasana turned around and shrieked.

Ethan stood in her hallway.

What’s wrong with you? She clutched her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart.

Me? You’re the one without manners. You do know it’s rude to shut the door in someone’s face?

Not if that someone is a pain, or in this case that someone is you.

Ethan’s eyes cruised over her like the scanner at a checkout. I can see why you’re alone.

Same could be said for you.

I don’t think so. I’m alone because I chose to be. You’re alone because you’re messy, bossy, and rude.

If I’m so bad, why do you want to marry me?

Because I need a wife. I want children, and grandchildren. I’m tired of looking for the right one, and I know you’re not after my money. It would be a contract that would benefit us both.

Where’s the benefit to me, being saddled with the likes of you?

Let’s face it, Hasana, you’re not getting any younger, your body clock is ticking. Tick, tock, tick, tock. He pointed to the face of his watch. His tongue clicking from the roof of his mouth. With a gloved hand he ran his finger across the banister. Satisfied it was clean, he rested his back against it.

How dare you. I’m twenty-four, which hardly makes me ancient.

Ethan cocked his head as if he wasn’t convinced. Are you sure? Regardless, the wheels of time wait for no man. Ethan stuck out his index finger and swirled it around his watch face again.

Hasana’s temperature rose like a pressure cooker. Sucking in a deep breath, she drew herself to her full height. She could feel her eyes twitching, and her face felt ready to explode. Hasana placed both her palms flat against Ethan’s chest and pushed him with all her might. Marching him back through the living room door, past the furniture, out the French windows, and onto the decking.

I wouldn’t marry you if there was an apocalypse and we were the last two survivors left on the planet. Trust me, the human race would cease to exist.

Ethan tilted his head and stared at her with a blank expression. Are you sure that’s your final answer? I’m doing you a favor by asking you to be my wife. You’re only going to get one stab at it. I don’t suppose you’re going to get many more offers, you’re quite testy…

Hasana stared openmouthed, struggling to breathe as she glared at him, shaking her head.

Ethan smiled. You’re in shock, I know, I’m surprised I’m asking you myself, although it does seem logical. I’ll give you some time to think about it.

I don’t need to think about it. I’ll marry you when hell freezes over.

How do you know that hasn’t already happened? I don’t know what your problem is. I thought we were getting along.

Go, Ethan, get lost, before I’m no longer responsible for my actions.

Ethan took a step backward, then stopped. So when will you let me know?

Hasana placed her hands on either side of her head, and screamed. Ethan jumped. "I’m never going to marry you. Never. Got that?" She grabbed the corner of one of the French doors.

I wouldn’t slam that door if I were you, that glass was imported.

Go away, or this will be on you how things end here. She surveyed the room for something heavy.

He grinned and moved a little farther away. If you ever change your mind about marrying me, just know it will be you asking me next time. Who knows, I might even say yes. Good night, Hasana. I’ll see you tomorrow.

With that, Ethan walked along the decking toward the front of the house. Leaving Hasana red-faced, hyperventilating, and leaning against the door—wishing she’d closed it.

Chapter 2

On the way to his car Ethan smiled. Hasana had said a lot of things but she didn’t actually say no. He’d take that as a win, he was wearing her down. He laughed out loud as he shifted the car into gear and made his way to Leigh’s.

He let himself into Leigh’s house where Leigh and Neil were cuddled up in front of the television, watching some chick flick. His muscles tightened.

Hey, carrot top, I need to speak to Leigh, Ethan said. He couldn’t help his resentment of Neil, no matter how hard he tried.

Both men looked over their shoulders at Ethan’s intrusion. Neil pursed his lips and stood, Leigh got up too.

"It’s