Riptide Love: The Thorns, #2

By Melissa Combs

Like the force of a riptide, Ethan and Denae are drawn back together in a swelling moment of rescue from the high seas. In trying to make amends, Ethan finds out that he had a son with Denae his brother's former fiancée. A trip to the Thorn station and to the bush will bring family turmoil as Ethan must tell his family about his past misdeed. Wild nights ignite as Ethan and Denae rediscover their passion.

 

But danger looms as Denae's fanatical family tries to save their son from his own mother. Will the riptide of love surge them together or tear them apart for good?

Like the force of a riptide, Ethan and Denae are drawn back together in a swelling moment of rescue from the high seas. In trying to make amends, Ethan finds out that he had a son with Denae his brother's former fiancée. A trip to the Thorn station and to the bush will bring family turmoil as Ethan must tell his family about his past misdeed. Wild nights ignite as Ethan and Denae rediscover their passion.

 

But danger looms as Denae's fanatical family tries to save their son from his own mother. Will the riptide of love surge them together or tear them apart for good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crossroads Fiction
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393739692

Melissa Combs

JOURNEYS OF LOVE every woman needs to take. Melissa Lopez writes for herself and creates her worlds for her characters. She is an author of paranormal, contemporary, suspense, fantasy, historical, erotic romance and erotic horror. Besides writing under her own name she collaborates under Melany Logen and Marissa Alwin pen names. She has a BA in general studies with certifications in English, science, and history and is working towards a MA in marketing. She has been interested in the human psyche and paranormal activities since she gained eye-sight at the age of twenty-two. She welcomes comments from and interacting with readers. Website: https://www.melissalopezwrites.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormelissalopez Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissalopez Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1831021.Melissa_Lopez Blog: http://melissalopez.livejournal.com 

Book preview

DEDICATION

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To the three most wonderful women I know. Friendship is one of the sweetest joys in life. You’ve all three enriched mine. Victoria Miller, my first lifelong friend. We met at the roller rink when we were barely teens. Angela Wight, my first bestie. I’m so glad a mutual friend introduced us back in high school. And Dana Symmonds I’m so-so fortunate you called me all those years ago in Germany and asked if I wanted company. Friendship isn’t about who you know the longest. It’s about who walked into your life and said, I’m here for you and proved it! Thank you so much for being you! I love you!

Dear Reader,

I must acknowledge no book gets written in a vacuum. It takes a team of people to write and produce a book. I’m grateful to have such a support group around me. My youngest daughter, Aly, is a jewel for all of the social media assistance she’s given me. I’d be lost without Linda Rettstatt’s formatting skills. A special thank you to Paula the International Woman of Mystery. She’s been a goddess since I started my writing journey and continues to be so. I appreciate all the perfect strangers who connect with me daily on different social medias. Your ability to support and rally around me is profound. You’re awesome!

And most importantly, thank you—dear readers—for completing the writing process by allowing my characters to live for you.

All the best,

`Mel

Chapter One

Cairns, Australia

Ten seconds to drop zone. The pilot gave Ethan the thumbs-up sign.

Already in position, he readied himself for the dive. He ignored the knots in his stomach that never ceased to develop right before a jump.

Wind blew the helicopter he sat in, while below the aircraft, waves crashed violently. They’d been damn lucky they’d already been en route when the storm got ugly. The night was expected to get worse.

Three, two, one. The pilot cued him.

Oh yeah... Bring it on.

On mark, Ethan hit the water and headed toward the smoldering cruiser. Swimming as if his life hung in the balance, he cut his way through the volatile ocean. Even with fourteen years of experience in search and rescue, reaching the boat was no easy task.

A lift dropped down to the water once he was clear.

Once there, he located a couple clinging for their lives to the hull of the boat. Just the two of you? Though a distress signal had been sent out, it was unclear how many people were onboard. A fire and a storm. What a shitty night for them.

Oh Christ. We didn’t think anyone heard our call... A wave swept over them, cutting the man off.

Ethan had to fight his way back to the clinging pair. Anyone else here? he called over the roar of the wind.

The woman’s teeth chattered. No. Dark hair shielded her face.

The adrenaline pumping through him sent him into action. From the look of the couple, hypothermia was a real danger. And his job wasn’t done until his arse was back in his seat.

Ethan focused. One thing at a time. I’ll get you both into the chopper. He struggled to pull the lift he’d been dragging over.

The man crowded him. Oh Christ, let me in.

Sheilas first. Ethan did his best to urge the man back to the sinking cruiser. In scenes like this, women and children always took first priority unless there was an injured party. Though wet, the pair didn’t appear wounded. In more dire scenes, he took the first person he came to.

Panicked, the bloke clawed at his arm.

Back off, mate! Ethan jerked away. I’ll knock your arse out if need be! Too damn easy for a bloke to drown a rescuer out here. The possibility of death could send the biggest of men into a frenzy of fear. Later, the bloke more than likely wouldn’t remember his actions.

With the storm blowing over, they were on a time clock. And you could never trust the sharks not to get hungry and come up and take a bite out of someone’s arse.

He reached out his hand to the drenched woman. Once she let go of the boat’s railing, he had trouble keeping a grasp on her. The water fought against them.

Going under the water, the woman cried out as she surfaced. She was of little help, yet he managed to reel her in. The churning water stole some valuable minutes as he worked to get her settled and strapped in. Hang on. The team will do the rest, he reassured her, though he couldn’t tell if she heard him over the gusting noise of the hovering aircraft.

Away she went. The lift swayed as it drifted upward.

While she was being hoisted into the chopper, he stayed close to the bloke. Twice, Mother Nature sent them hurtling into the hull of the boat.

When the basket hit the water, he collected it before returning to the clinging man. You’re up. Within minutes, the guy was on his way to safety.

The storm turned vicious as Ethan took his turn in the lift. His teeth clenched until he climbed inside, out of the wind and downpour.

Warm air circulated in the cabin as a dim light illuminated the space.

He’d no sooner climbed into his spot when the man got his attention. Thanks, mate. The bloke huddled under blankets.

Ethan nodded.

The woman’s quaking caused him to turn his head to where she lay stretched out. The medic of their team had given her blankets, which covered her from neck to foot. They’d warm her up.

Her face was framed by sopping dark hair as she turned his way.

He sucked in a breath as their gazes caught. Huge, green, cat-like eyes stared, refusing to blink.

Oh, bugger me.

Ethan was first to glance away.

Oh, bugger me.

Rarely did he remember a face of someone he rescued. Never kept a tally of those he pulled from the water, of those lives he saved. No, he only remembered those few he’d lost. Those were the ones who haunted his nights.

Only those he lost.

But he’d remember this night. He’d remember her forever. She’d come into his life like a riptide. One he hadn’t wanted to escape.

The woman who’d been playing a role in his fantasies for some time now lay within his reach. He’d just pulled Denae Button from the bloody pond.

A groan rumbled through his dry lips. Denae had been the reason behind the ruin of his perfect life—at least, as he’d once known it to be.

Live hard, play harder and die fast.

That’d once been his motto.

His days of partying were long gone. He’d no one to blame but his own bloody dumb arse.

With his hand, he scrubbed the water away from his face.

A heavy weight of tension worked its way into his neck and shoulders. Soon the muscles ached from far more than the seeping cold.

Eyes closed to shut out the past, he curled his hands into fists. Heat knotted in his chest.

Oh, bugger me.

I owe De an apology. Had owed her one for a long time now. He owed a lot of people apologies.

He supposed Denae would be a good place to start. He didn’t believe he had the balls or the stomach to approach the others he’d hurt. His mum. His brother.

Oh, fuck. No way could he approach his brother. Not once in his life had he measured up to his big brother. Upon learning who De had belonged to...

A struggle inside the cabin drew his attention. Denae fought to rip the oxygen mask from her face. Sobs racked her frame.

He scrambled over to her side.

She’s fighting me. The medic attempted to still her hands.

I know her. He urged his teammate aside. Easy, De. We’ll have you to a hospital in no time. He stroked her hair back from her forehead. He put the mask back into place.

For only a heartbeat, accusing eyes met his. Only a heartbeat, then she turned her head away to cry.

The knots twisting his stomach could no longer be ignored. So many apologies to give to others.

Christ, I need my arse kicked.

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Denae couldn’t catch her breath as she struggled to get out of the hospital bed. How long had she slept? Her heart pounded harder than the falling rain she heard outside. She needed to get out of there.

A whimper worked its way through her clenched lips.

Escape. Flee. Hide.

How did someone escape the past? Especially when, in a moment, the past had come full circle.

Most importantly, she needed to get home to Nate. He’d probably badgered Paige to death at bedtime. Denae had never missed a story time before.

She eased the separating curtain back to peek into Jack’s side of the room. You awake?

I am now. Her cousin turned his head her way. "We’re supposed to rest overnight for observation."

Not me. She needed clothes. She discovered her damp ones and, out of Jack’s sight, slid them on. I’ve got to get home. With a wave of her fingers, she stepped toward the door.

Now wait a damn minute, Denae. Jack tossed the cover off and climbed out of the bed.

She ignored him. It didn’t matter how badly her body ached or how tired she felt. There was nothing left for her to do but walk out of there. The sooner the better. Besides, she was no longer hyperventilating. She was fine, and she had to get home.

For Christ’s sake, what’s gotten into you? Jack threw out his arms in frustration. We nearly died. Get your arse back in that bed.

She shook her head. No can do, mate. She patted his chest as she passed by. She’d never forget the look that Ethan had given her. The man meant business. Had wanted to say something. But did she want to hear what he had to say? Her knees knocked together. If it wasn’t for the fear, she might. More importantly, would he want to hear what she’d have to tell him?

God, if she could only turn back time. There were so many things she was sorry for. So many things she’d have done differently, handled differently...

She just didn’t want to have to deal with it all now. Nothing faced today would change the choices of her past. It would only influence her future. A future she’d been cultivating for three years now.

Denae swallowed over the dread. Stay as long as you like. Me? I’m out of here. I need to get home. Her whole world waited at home.

On shaky legs, she moved to the curtained doorway, only to