His hot breath caresses my ear, and his husky voice lowers to pure seduction, “Tell me what I should do to this naughty woman I caught?”
“For the record, I let myself be caught.”
He bites down on my earlobe, and I moan.
“Even better.”
He grins and tugs at my two-piece bathing suit. His eyes drink in my nakedness, lust shimmering in their depths as he lowers us to the sand.
“You look amazing all naked, surrounded by this endless white sand with your long hair spread over it. I’m jealous,” he admits, and his eyebrows draw together in confusion. Even for him to be jealous of inanimate things appears new.
“Of the sand, Damien?”
“I’m jealous of everything that touches you that isn’t me.”
He pulls his shorts off, climbs on top of me, and he kisses every heated inch of my body. He enters me, and my head falls back. Damien coaxes all the pleasure there is out of me, and I fall apart under him, crying out his name. I switch to on top of him, my hair caressing his chest and move up and down on him. He swells inside me, and I bite down on my lip. His hands tighten on my thighs, and he fills me, my name pouring out of his mouth in relief. I crash on his chest, panting. When my breath returns, I prop my chin over his chest and smile.
“I’ll never get the sand off me.”
In the outside shower, we dab at the sand stuck on our skin and in some other parts. His diligent inspection ends in another round of pleasure filled cries.
He got every speck of sand off me. No surprise there.
We spend the day lying on the beach lounges as he rubs suntan lotion on me in a thick layer of white, and the warmth caresses my heart. I bask in his undivided attention, him cherishing me. I curl up on my side, his hands grazing my waistline, my eyelashes growing heavier. When I wake up from my nap, I switch to his side. “You’re getting older.”
He shrugs, a pensive look flashing in his steely eyes, but then his lips quirk up, and he answers, “This will be the best birthday I’ve had in years with you, us together again.”
***
My eyes dart from my watch to the moon reflecting on the tranquil water, and my legs dangle over the swing on the terrace. His eyes scan me peering through my agitation. I rise to my feet and say, “I’ll be right back.”
My mouth waters at the sight of the mini heart-shaped chocolate cakes, a candle on top of each. They form a line, “Happy Birthday, Love” written on them with caramel sauce. I clasp my hands together while praising and thanking the cook.
With one hand, I hold the cakes, and in the other the bottle of champagne. I slide past the doors to the living room. His eyes snap from his phone to me. I sing happy birthday to him, and emotions tug at his eyes. I put the bottle and the plate on the table and grab two glasses from the bar. I sway to him, interlacing our hands, rise on my toes, and kiss him.
“Happy birthday, my love.”
My words jolt him out of his trance as he lifts me in the air and spins me through the living room.
“Bria, baby, thank you.”
When my feet land on the floor, I say, “We have to make up for seven birthdays. We should get started.”
“That’s why there are seven cakes.”
He uncorks the bottle with a loud pop and gold liquid spills over, halting over the glasses. Such an infuriating man, I arch an eyebrow at him, sighing.
“One glass, Damien, it’s okay. Occasionally, it will be fine.”
His eyes probe mine, but he finds nothing but determination.
“We don’t have to. Your health is more important.”
I cross my arms over my chest, emotions tearing at my composure, and my shoulders drop. “Please, at least when we celebrate, I don’t want to think about my heart.”
“Only when we celebrate, then.”
I promise him, and he envelops me in his arms, sealing it with a kiss.
“Make a wish, actually seven, one for every year.”
It sounds childish, but I’m adamant as we could somehow gain something back by giving us the chance to relive the occasion in the present. Our eyes lock, a secret understanding passing between us as he bends over the table and blows out the candles.
“Can I say what I wished for?”
I cover his mouth with my hand, and the vibration of his laughter tickles my palm.
“No, Damien, if you say it, it won’t come true.”
“What if it already came true?”
I weigh his words, but before I can answer, he blurts out, “It’s you, Bria, every wish of mine has something to do with you. So, it already came true. You’re here with me, and I won’t ever let you go.”
I play with the ends of his hair. “Who said it’s not exactly what I’m after?”
“Good for both of us then. I’ve no intention of finding out the alternative.”
He plops us down on the chair as we feed each other spoons of heavenly sugar, while I sip the prickly liquid.
He arches his eyebrows at me, his forehead crinkling. “Don’t even think about it.”
“It would be futile, so I don’t intend to,” I say and stick my tongue out.
“Is this nice?” he asks, playfulness lingering in his steely eyes.
I tap my chin and tilt my head to him. “But, baby, we don’t do nice if I remember correctly. They were your words to be exact.” I straddle him, nibble on his earlobe, and whisper, “I’ve something else in mind.”
He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and he pokes me through his shorts.
I seal my lips on his and grab his hands as we rush up the stairs. We fly through the door as we peel our clothes off. I eye the Jacuzzi, and he throws me over his shoulder. “I know what you have in mind, let me speed up the process.”
We lay entangled in each other for a while, a smile digging in my cheeks, his eyes glistening in the night as powerful as the moon’s celestial little companions.
“Are you happy, Bria?”
“I am, I truly am.”
I crane my neck to him, and he acknowledges the truth of my words as he smiles, satisfaction etched on his rugged yet smooth features.
He presses and binds me to him. Damien’s power over me lies in how he makes me feel, live, dream, and hope, how he ignites in me a need and desire nothing can’t ever extinguish. It’s in the fact I can’t even begin to understand and describe what loving him does to me from the inside out. So, I let him have everything and more. In exchange, it’s me he worships and bows to.
“There are moments I think my mind plays tricks on me, that this isn’t real.” I caress his jaw, trailing kisses down his neck.
“I’m here. This is the only place I want to be, with you.” I settle myself between his legs, still stroking him. He catches my hands in his and kisses my knuckles.
His eyes burn with determination as he cups my face and confesses, “Every time I look at you, I want to be worthy of you and your love.”
My heart swells with gratitude.
“Love is love, Damien. You can’t measure or control it.”
“And torments you until you give up denying it.”
He pounces on me as I back paddle, and my back hits the other end of the Jacuzzi.
“You resumed our little love predicament perfectly.”
He nibbles on my sensitive skin under my ear, and my nails burrow into his arms.
“I never stood a chance.”
“I’d never have let you stand a chance, Bria.” My head falls back, granting him better access to my neck and question, “Confident much?”
“Rather fool enough. Since I can remember, I’ve been a lovestruck fool. How can I ever make it up to you again? It haunts me.”
This isn’t the right moment. I push my chest up to his mouth. He growls and rasps as his tongue swirls around my pointed nipples.
“You’re on the right path.”
“My fate, to be your personal fuck machine.” He chuckles as his teeth drag on my nipple. I grip his arms and moan.
“I’m so utterly sorry I corrupted your innocence. I must be a bad, bad woman.”
I love this carefree new me, and the power it grants me. He grabs my bottom and heaves me up. His tip pokes at my entrance, and anticipation ripples on my heated skin. His lust-induced eyes bore into me, and my body throbs with pure need.
He thrusts inside, my world spins, and I cry out. Water splashes around us, flooding the floor, but I don’t care. The only thing my mind conjures is the sloppy sounds of flesh on flesh. He lifts me up, and I support myself on my elbows with my feet spread. His skilled mouth and dexterous fingers propel me to a blissful orgasm.
“It would be selfish on my part if I don’t return the favor. It’s your birthday, but here you are pleasuring me.”
“Pleasing you, pleases me.” At his declaration, my heart flutters in my chest.
“I’ll take you to bed.”
“I’m not tired,” I complain, and he dips his head, his lips grazing mine.
“Baby, I’m not done with you.” His lips tug into a charming smile, as we hop from the Jacuzzi, water dripping on the floor. We dry each other and toss the towels in the corner. Damien wraps me in a bathrobe, ignoring his, and strides to the bed, naked. He props himself up, his eyes boring into me as I climb in next to him.
“I want to keep you naked all the time when we’re at home.”
My eyes widen. “You can’t be serious. Are you crazy?”
He arches his eyebrow and urges, “Let’s compromise then.” He leans on top of me and sucks a nipple into his mouth. He’s adamant, and I mentally prepare myself to negotiate.
“Maybe one night a month.”
His mouth hangs, and his eyes narrow at me. “What? That’s your compromise?”
I shrug, our eyes locked in a battle of wills.
“One night every two weeks, my last offer.”
He can’t be serious, but yes, he is as he gestures for me to reply. But I can’t concentrate with his expert mouth on me. I burrow my fingers in the mattress, moaning.
“Damien, you don’t play fair.”
“No, not when it comes to getting you naked, all at my disposal.”
“But I am naked and at your disposal.”
“Not enough.”
I roll my eyes at him, and he flashes me a grin.
“What’s ever enough for you?”
“Haven’t found out yet.”
I raise my hands in surrender and comply. “Fine, two days a month.”
His grin softens his roughened features, melting me.
“And on holidays.”
I press one finger between his eyebrows and state, “And one on holidays.”
“Two days a month and one every holiday?”
“Yes, Damien.”
“Just wanted to be sure.”
I cover my face behind my hands realizing what I’ve agreed to and growl under my breath.
“I can’t believe I agreed to this.”
He pins me to the mattress, his three-day stubble tickles me as he grazes his face on mine. The bed rocks with us fooling around. “I’m the best.”
I smack him on the shoulder and join him in the laughter. Time stills as we lay on white sheets, naked, skin on skin.
BRIA
We spend his birthday on the beach as he snaps hundreds of photos of us. I’ll lock it in my mind as one of the most beautiful days we’ve shared. We radiate with joy. We kiss, swim, play, and dance to our special love symphony created by our hearts. We only take a break when we eat.
But our vacation will end. We’ll return to our lives and responsibilities. I hate questioning how strong we are, but it has never been about our love. Our feelings have been more than powerful, still worry nags at my happiness, picturing all the things that we’ll face.
“Tomorrow will be back to reality for us.”
“Don’t look sad. Baby, we create our own reality.”
I envy his confidence, how his eyes burn with resolve, while my head drops. “But it’s where we failed.”
He lifts my chin with his thumb, and I draw my lip through my teeth. “We’re stronger and hopefully wiser this time around. Let’s make a pact right here where we found each other again.”
“What pact?”
“Whenever we need to, we take a timeout only the two of us, so we don’t forget that it’s always about us. Our priority is keeping our love strong and intact. Everything else comes second.”
He jumps to his feet and extends his hands to help me up.
“I wasn’t worried about our priorities, but all we still have to confront and the challenges we have to overcome.”
He places his hands on my shoulders and rests his forehead on mine. “Hear me out. We love each other. This is the easiest part, and as long as we live up to this love that binds us, there won’t be anything capable of tearing us apart. Trust in us to overcome everything together. What we have, we need to protect, perhaps even fight for. Let me ask you this one question, and think well before you answer . . .” He pauses and he shuts his eyes, shoving away the fear I glimpsed seconds ago. “Are you with me, Bria? With no hesitation and no doubt?”
Tears prickle my eyes, and I caress his lips with my thumb. He’s all I’ve ever wanted. I’ll fight for him. I will fight for us until I take my last breath. For the sake of both of us, I’ll stand by, and up, and trust in us. What’s love without trust? What’s a wish for a forever when you don’t wake up to pursue it? It’s nothing as you can’t have one without striving for the other. I rise on my tiptoes, cup his face in my hands, and press my lips to his. I hope my answer will set him free of the anguish trapping him in.
“There’s only one person I wish to be with, and it’s you, Damien.”
My hands tremble when I finish my ad hoc confession. He clasps my hands in his and dips his mouth placing a soft kiss on my fingers, and my breathing eases. The feeling of him is reason enough to hope we’ll make it through.
He nudges me to look at him as I crane my neck, and his eyes plead with me.
“Hey, baby. Look at me. I have you. I promise I’ll catch you.” My lips quiver with all the love and determination burning in his eyes. “I won’t give up on you or on what we have. Been there, done that. It almost destroyed us. So, believe . . . that this time we’re getting the life we envisioned together.” He wraps me in his arms, and I rest my head on his chest.
“I do believe our love will always guide us back into the arms of the other.”
“Then we’re all in,” he says and lightens up the conversation.
“I remember you compared me to a Birkin bag once. Now you compare our situation to a poker game.”
He winks at me, and amusement flickers in his eyes.
“Semantics, love, plus it’s irrelevant. The relevant aspect is we win. And with you at my side, I’m damn adamant in wanting to win.”
***
The day flies by, and the sun dipping below the horizon catches us packing.
I huff and wave my hands in the air at the number of clothes hanging in the closet.
“How am I supposed to put this large amount of clothes in two pieces of luggage? How much time did you think we’d stay?” He tilts his head to me, his upper body bent over his luggage, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Until you gave in.” He pinches his chin trying for serious, but his eyes flicker with playfulness. “I’d never have expected that you would fall so easily, but I get it. You’ve no chance against my charms.”
I throw the next best thing I pick up at him. Good for him it’s only a shirt. He catches it mid-air, and laughter rocks him as I put my hands on my waist. “You’re so full of it.”
My voice betrays the lack of seriousness. He struts toward me and grips his chin between his thumb and forefinger.
“You can deny it, but the proof isn’t only solid but also undoubtedly clear.”
“You can thank me later.”
He wraps his hands around me, his eyes shimmering with love and
softness, melting me.
“Thank you,” he says and dips his head to kiss me.
“Back to work, then.”
“They raised us to ensure the legacy lives on. I’m glad at least now it got more interesting knowing we’re together.”
I arch my eyebrows at him. “But I’ll be in Zürich. The last time I checked, you lived in London.”
Cupping my face to his with his hands, his expression softens, and he says, “Maybe I’ll find someone to switch places with. I’m motivated enough to settle down back home.”
“If you think I’ll entertain you, you’re wrong.” But at the idea, my heart leaps in my chest. I love the fact he wants to return to be near me. His hand flies to his heart, palming it. He feigns hurt, and I roll my eyes at his theatrics.
“You killed my fantasy. But I still hope. You know how persistent I am.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Oh, us together in the same place will challenge our restraint in the best way possible. I can’t wait!
I stare down at the filled luggage. I got everything in. He wraps his arms from behind me, leans his chin on my shoulder. “Your organizational tasks amaze me, Miss du Mont.”
“I’ve learned a trick or two over the years, and it’s one of my many talents, Mr. du Sky.”
“Oh, I’m aware that you’re full of secret talents.”
He nuzzles at my neck, and the feeling of him stark, uniquely him hypnotizes me. He slides his fingers through mine, and we amble to the terrace where we cuddle together in the swing.
I spot a family of dolphins squealing and jumping below the purple horizon. Damien twirls a strand of my hair, and I tilt my head to him. His sun-kissed face sets into seriousness. There’re so many things we haven’t established. The thought interferes with our peacefulness. We stare at each other, aware we must discuss them.
“What happens now, Bria?” I lift my knees to my chin and wrap my arms around my legs.
“I don’t make plans anymore, for my personal life. Why put everything accurately together and then something comes to show me the futility of it all.”
His fingers thread through my hair, caressing my back. “What are you comfortable with, then?”
Healing Love: A Billionaire Romance (Forever Us Book 2) Page 14