Beach Love

by Natalie Ann

  She’d set her purse down on his kitchen counter and turned to slip her arms around his waist. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood right now. You were making my job harder than it needed to be.”

  “Please. There is limited inventory, I know that. You’re showing me anything with the potential for a beach if it didn’t have one, regardless of the inside.”

  “True. But at least I know now what you’re used to and I’ll have a better idea going forward.”

  He laid his lips on hers. “How was dinner with your father?”

  “Great as always. We talked about you.”

  “Should I be worried?” he asked, stepping away from her and pulling her toward the living room. The view of the whole condo could be seen from there with the exception of his bedroom, two bathrooms, and an office. He wasn’t sure he wanted to show her the bedroom, knowing he might not be strong enough to resist the temptation.

  “Not at all. My father is the most important person in my life. I told you he pretty much raised me alone. I’d be lost without him.”

  “So what does he think about me?” Would he have another obstacle in his way?

  “He hasn’t met you and doesn’t know you so he can’t give me an opinion on that. But our conversation was enlightening. I realize that maybe I’m being harder on you than I should be. He reminded me that I’ve been upfront with you with what I want or am looking for, what I won’t tolerate, and yet you still keep coming back and showing interest.”

  “Would you believe me if I said that I really knew I shouldn’t have asked you that the night of Sheldon’s wedding? I just couldn’t help myself.”

  “I get the feeling you’ve asked that of a lot of women.”

  “I used to. I haven’t since long before I met you.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  He hadn’t meant to admit that. “Yes. I haven’t been on a date with anyone either, or had the opportunity to ask anyone that question other than you in several months.” Probably the longest he’d ever gone without any female company. He thought he’d be missing it, but found that when he had his mind set on something, that was all he was focusing on. His mind was set on her.

  “I want to believe you.”

  “Then you should. I’m not lying. I don’t lie either, just like I said in reference to cheating.”

  “Because you’ve never taken anything seriously?”

  He wanted to be offended but held back. “I take a lot of things seriously in life.”

  “Just not women?”

  “I’m taking you seriously. Isn’t that enough?”

  “It is. That’s what I’m here to tell you. That’s what I decided yesterday. I thought about our date on Saturday. I thought about the night we had pizza together. I thought about a lot of things including the first time we met. I didn’t need my father’s conversation to finalize my decision either, but it did help.”

  “So what is it exactly that you decided?” He wasn’t about to make any assumptions at this point. That was what got him into this mess the first time.

  “That I’d like to see where this could go. I’d like to spend more time with you. When I date someone, I’m exclusive and I tell them upfront. I’m not talking about sex at this point. Just talking about putting an effort into you. Spending time with you and seeing where it takes us. Maybe it takes us nowhere.”

  “Or takes us everywhere like we both know it could.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond to that before he said, “I can be exclusive.”

  “Have you ever been before?”

  “When I was younger, yes. I was in some relationships, but I was in high school and college, and wasn’t thinking long term. I didn’t cheat or anything like that though.”

  “But you weren’t serious? Were those women that you were dating serious about the relationship?”

  “No. They weren’t either. No one got hurt. I’m not that type of person. Like you, I’m very upfront.”

  She took a deep breath. “Speaking of upfront. Don’t judge me.”

  “Judge you on what?”

  She held her hand out to his. “Take me to your bedroom.”

  He wanted to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming but was terrified he’d wake up. “Are you sure?”

  “The fact that you are asking that and not pulling me along makes me even surer. I want to start over. I want to be honest and say I was so tempted that first night, but reminded myself why I never did it before. I’m glad I stuck to my guns.”

  “Me too. It’ll mean more now…to both of us.” He threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her to the other end of his condo and into his room.

  ***

  Melissa was trying not to have second thoughts. Oh, who was she kidding? There were no second thoughts. Second thoughts were what she’d had the night of Sheldon’s wedding when she was so angry about everything that had happened.

  She’d gone home and asked herself if it would have been so horrible to have said yes because she’d felt something so strong for him. Then she told herself yes, it would have been because chances were she’d never see him again.

  There was a part of her that wanted to ask if he would have called her again had she slept with him that night. That maybe he saw something back then too since he was sticking with her right now. But she was afraid to know the answer. And since she couldn’t go back in time, she wasn’t going to belabor it now either.

  “The view is stunning in here.”

  It was stunning off the living room too, but she’d been more focused on talking with Connor and asking him to take her to bed than looking beyond his living room to the water and sky. Now that she was here she was trying to quell her nerves. Nerves she’d never had before when she was about to have sex with a man.

  “Thanks,” he said, grinning at her.

  She was looking at him when she’d said that, but she was really looking past him. “Of the water, not you. Though you’re a pretty nice sight too.”

  “Just nice?” he asked.

  “I don’t think you need me to boost up your ego at all.”

  “Probably not. Come here,” he said, yanking her forward into his arms. He cupped her face with his large hands and lowered his mouth to hers. Just nibbling, starting her body up, not that it needed any help to get going.

  “I don’t want soft and gentle tonight. I want you to show me what you’re feeling.”

  The kiss deepened, then he lifted her in his arms and brought her to the bed, laying her down and coming over her. The feeling of his body on top of hers was something she’d been fantasizing about lately.

  “Tell me what you want me to do,” he said.

  “Please, Connor. I don’t need to tell you.”

  He rolled them fast and put her on top. “Show me instead. Maybe I want you to show me what you’re feeling. Maybe I need that reassurance that you’re really into more than just sex with me. After all, you just walked in my door and asked for it.”

  She wanted to laugh. She saw the humor in his eyes, but then saw something else. A little bit of uncertainty that maybe he was feeling some of the things she’d been. Was that possible?

  “I can do that,” she said, deciding that she’d come this far and there was no reason to stop at this point. Maybe she had to prove something to him along with herself.

  She reached down and pulled her light sweater over her head, then reached around and unhooked her bra. Might as well get it out of the way now. He lifted her off his hips and started to undress himself as she finished up.

  The minute they were both naked, they reached for the other, falling back on the bed, him shifting her on top again with his hands cupping her breasts, pulling her forward and putting his mouth to a hardened nipple.

  He swirled his tongue, he sucked, nipped, bit and started all over. She’d never had her breasts lavished so fully before and Connor gave no indication of letting up, moving from one side to the other, feasting like a starving man.

  “Could we mov
e onto something else? Or at least let me touch you,” she said, fighting back the moan. “You said you wanted me to show you what I’m feeling, but you’re taking over.”

  He moved his mouth away. “My bad. Didn’t realize that.” He flopped back down on the bed, his hands to his sides. “Be my guest.”

  The grin he was sending her way could start a fire in an Alaskan snowstorm.

  She scooted down his body, her mouth tasting his skin like he’d done to her. Licking all the muscles she’d been treated to the other day on the boat. She’d fought so hard to keep her hands to herself that day, then gone home and tried to cool off on her own. It hadn’t worked.

  She’d only gotten a glimpse of where she was making her next move toward him. Sure she’d felt that part of his body through her clothing at times, but now she was going to see it in all its magnificent glory as she moved down.

  She wasn’t disappointed at all.

  Her hands went around him, stroking and gliding up and down, her eyes watching his face, seeing the pleasure she was giving him. “Do you want me to keep going?”

  “You’re in control. You do what you want with me. I’m not going to complain.”

  “I can see that. The thing is, I’m really worked up and would like to see how compatible we truly are.”

  “Like I said before, I think we both know the answer to that. There are condoms in the drawer to your left.”

  She leaned over him and opened the drawer, grabbed one out and covered him. They could play some more later, but both of them needed satisfaction now. She hadn’t been with anyone in almost a year.

  Positioning herself over him, she lowered herself, feeling her body stretch and accommodate everything. His heat. The pulsing. A magnetic pull that almost sealed them together with a click.

  His hands went to her hips, lifting her a little, then dropping her back down. She wasn’t about to remind him that she was the one showing him what she was feeling, because it wouldn’t be fair. They were in this together right now. They needed to do it as one. Showing the other what was best and proving to each other how great it could be.

  His hips were rising up and meeting hers now, the sounds in the room were animalistic at best and fueling them both on.

  He curled his hand around her neck and tugged her head down, his mouth covering hers, his tongue mimicking what another part of his body was doing.

  There was a pressure building so tight that she thought she was going to explode. All parts of her body were tingling now, squeezing him, pushing her to move at a speed it never had before.

  He was matching it, but now she was struggling to keep up, so he took over, turning them swiftly and putting her under him, then pinning her hands down.

  It was a powerful move and kicked things up to the level she needed. Her legs went up and around his waist and he showed her what he wanted all along, which only matched her desires.

  They were more than compatible. They were just meant for each other.

  Actions Spoke Louder

  Connor had never felt so exhausted in his life. He was completely drained and wondering if he had the energy to roll off of Melissa and take care of the condom. He was sure he was squishing her, but with her legs and arms around him and her lips gently kissing his neck, he didn’t think she minded the weight.

  “We can continue this again if you want, but I should probably get up now. Unless I’m dead. In that case, keep doing what you’re doing.”

  She laughed softly, her breath fanning around his shoulders, her teeth taking a little nip, and yeah, he wanted to stay right here.

  But she dropped her arms and legs and let him get up. When he came back out she was lying on her side, doing nothing in the way of covering up and letting him really appreciate the body that just burned him out.

  He climbed back on the bed and pulled them both under the covers, just to hold her. When was the last time he’d held a woman after sex, or even wanted to? Never.

  “I think we’re pretty compatible,” he said.

  “You only think it? Maybe we should try again just to make sure.”

  “Now you’re talking my language,” he said, his lips finding hers and tenderly doing what he wanted to earlier. Showing her that she meant more to him than he thought he could ever feel toward any woman.

  This time he wanted to prove it to her the best way he knew how. Words could be said, but actions spoke louder.

  He was going to do something he’d never wanted to do before. He was going to make love to a woman. He was going to make love to Melissa Mahoney. He was going to truly make her his.

  Kissing had always been his thing. He could kiss a woman for hours on end and it was no different with Melissa. Her luscious lips just played a duet with his that he’d never felt before. Never heard before. Never wanted to ever again with anyone but her.

  “You’re so good at turning my body to mush,” she said, sighing and laying her head on his shoulder. That tender move tugged at him deep inside his soul, but he’d told himself he was showing not speaking, so he reached for a condom and set it aside. Then he went back to work.

  His mouth touched and covered every part of her body. Every crease, every curve, and every nook and cranny. She gave herself over to him in a way that put so much power in his hands. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time.

  He didn’t want to hurt her, he didn’t want to scare her, so he couldn’t tell her what was going on in his mind right now…what he really wanted to say. Maybe he was dreaming again. Maybe this wasn’t happening. If that was the case, he was going to be sorry to wake up the next day.

  “Connor,” she said, her fingers threading through his hair and pushing his head down her body. “Put your mouth to work elsewhere.”

  He did, because she asked. Because she trusted him and he wouldn’t break that trust.

  When her body started to arch, and her nails started to bite into his shoulders, he went all in, his mouth and his hands working double time. Then he sent her flying and screaming out his name.

  As she came back down to earth, he grabbed the condom and slid right into her, their fingers entwined together again, their bodies almost sighing in relief. It was a slow dance now. Not a tango, not a salsa, but a waltz. Beautiful and seamless, but in tune with each other, both feeding each other, anticipating the next move.

  When he felt her starting to climb, he kept up the slow steady pace, even though he wanted to rush, even though he wanted to change that song and go at it hard and fast. He didn’t. Instead, he heard a song in his head. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole. Something his grandfather played often in the house. At that moment, he understood the true meaning behind those words.

  ***

  Melissa was sure she’d died and gone to heaven. She’d thought the first time with Connor was spectacular, but the second was earth-shattering.

  Was he trying to find his way into her heart? If he was, he succeeded. The problem was, how did you ask that of someone? Especially since you’d admitted that you weren’t silly enough to think you could love someone after two dates.

  Guess she was sillier than she thought, because the crazy train just picked her up and was bringing her past infatuation and into “holy cow I see a future with you.”

  “I probably should get up and get dressed,” she said after Connor had climbed back in bed the second time and held her for a few minutes.

  “Or you could stay?”

  “I don’t have a change of clothes.”

  “Yet you knew you were going to come here and ask me to sleep with you.”

  “Sex,” she clarified.

  “Is that all it was?” He sounded hurt.

  “No. I didn’t expect that though. Expect to stay the night.”

  “Then I guess we both got a few surprises tonight.”

  She lay her head back down on his chest. She needed to talk to him. Find out more about him. Anything to help ease her mind that the physical wasn’t controlling her decision-ma
king process. It never had before, but she almost fell for it once with him and wanted to make sure she didn’t again. She had to stay strong.

  “Tell me about why you really want a house on Kent Island.”

  His body stiffened and she thought for sure that he’d blow it off. “I told you that I spent a summer there with my grandfather.”

  “And you said it was a turning point in your life. Why? What happened back then?”

  “I want to tell you it doesn’t matter, but I get the feeling it does matter a great deal to you.”

  “I’m just trying to find out more about you, I guess. But if you’d rather not tell me, that’s fine too.”

  He pulled himself up and leaned his shoulders against the headboard, so she did the same, pulling the sheet with her. For some reason she felt she wanted to cover up more for this, but she didn’t want to get out of bed and get dressed either.

  “I told you my parents couldn’t be bothered half the time. That they were never around or involved in my life.”

  “And your grandfather was?” she asked.

  “Not really. More than my parents, but not like being a parent. My grandfather is Andrew Landers.”

  Her jaw opened, then closed. Everyone in the real estate world knew who Andrew Landers was. She was kicking herself for not realizing it herself when he said he’d had a trust fund. “The real estate mogul?”

  “That’s him. Shopping malls, business complexes, restaurant chains, gas stations, hospital wings. You name it, he probably owns a part in it or his name is splattered somewhere. I’ve lost track. Nor do I ask or want to know.”

  “You didn’t want to follow in the family footsteps?” she asked.

  “Not at all. My father didn’t either. He’s a defense attorney and really good at what he does. My mother is a housewife and she’s good at that too. She could be part of Real Housewives of Baltimore if they had that show. She’d run it too, if she had her way. In her eyes, no one does things the way they should.”

  Melissa wasn’t getting a good mental image in her mind, or at least one from a teenage boy’s standpoint growing up. “So what was it like for you as a kid?”