by Riley, Alexa
“I thought you were a local?” His eyes lower to my chest and I watch as he licks his lips. My lower body clenches and I don’t know if I can get him out of here fast enough.
“I am. I own the place.” I always feel so much pride when I get to say that.
His smile falters for a second and the hand he has in mine twitches. He blinks and then he’s smiling again so quickly that I think I might have imagined it. Before I can ask him what that was about, his lips are on mine and all thoughts of work evaporate.
5
Liam
You can’t do this.
I ignore the warning in my head, grab her hand, throw some money on the table, and practically run out of the bar. When we get to the door, the storm is hitting hard and it’s pouring outside.
“Climb on up,” I tell Nicole as I turn around and give her my back.
“A piggy-back ride?” she asks, but she’s grinning like it’s Christmas morning.
“You got it, princess.” She hops on, and I raise her up as her arms come around my shoulders and I hold on to her thighs. “Wouldn’t want you getting your pretty feet muddy.”
“Getting dirty doesn’t bother me.” Her lips press against my neck, and I swear my knees get a little weak.
I dart out the door and into the warm rain. The drops echo as I go and drown out all the voices in my head telling me how wrong this is. That I shouldn’t take her to bed. She’s the reason I’m on this damn island to begin with. When I saw her in the bar I was surprised to find something I liked about this place. I’ve spent every second here counting down to when I could leave, but suddenly I want more time. Now that I know she owns the Mermaid, what the hell am I supposed to do? Sleep with her and get her to sign the deed over to me? I’m an asshole, but there’s no way I could stand the look of disappointment in her eyes.
Why couldn’t it have been someone else? Anyone else in that goddamn bar. Why does the one woman who stirs something inside me, something I thought was long dead, turn out to be the one person I need to screw over.
The path to the Mermaid is washing out with all the rain and the sand can’t absorb it fast enough. I splash through puddles in my flip-flops as I see the light in the distance. I try to stay under the canopy of trees for coverage, but I’m completely soaked to the bone. Even the space where Nicole is pressed up against me is soaking wet and I can feel her like a second skin on me.
Fuck, why did she have to be so beautiful, so sinful? Everything about her is exaggerated sex and all I want to do is sink into every curve. I curse the way I need her with every step until I’m carrying her up the steps of the hotel porch. I have to tell her I can’t do this. I want her so badly, but I can’t take her like this. Maybe she’ll sell it to me and afterwards we can try to make this work. But if I sleep with her it’s going to cloud all the plans I’ve made.
I slowly lower her now that we’re out of the rain and I turn around to look at her. Her blonde hair is stuck to her face, but she’s smiling from ear to ear. The light in her eyes makes my chest tight. I don’t want to be the reason that it ever goes away.
“I’ve never had a piggy-back ride before,” she says as she places her hands on my chest.
“Not even when you were a little girl?” Why does it have to feel so damn good when she touches me?
“No. My parents died young and I was raised by my grandparents. They weren’t always in the greatest health and I was kind of a chubby kid.”
The blush of pink on her cheeks forces me to reach out and touch it with the back of my hand.
“You are so beautiful,” I say, more to myself than her.
She shrugs her shoulder and looks away like she hasn’t been told that before. I touch her chin and make her look back at me.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now?” I try to make myself stop, but I can’t. The closer I get to her the more my will to leave her alone is crumbling. If I kiss her I won’t be able to let her go. Not tonight. Maybe not ever.
“I think you might be doing the same thing to me,” she says, moving closer.
Her body is soaked from head to toe, but the night is warm and the rain is like bathwater. Her clothes cling to her curves, and when I glance down I can see straight through her white tank top. Her hard nipples press against the wet material and my tongue grazes along my teeth with the need to taste her there.
What if she wants to sell the place? I could be doing her a favor. I tell myself these things because I’m selfish and I want her. Despite the fact that I should leave her alone. I should tell her everything right now before this goes any further, but I’m trying to convince myself that we can do this and everything will be okay.
“Do you want to take me inside and show me your room?” She runs her hands up my chest and looks up at me through her dark lashes.
This is the moment. I can lay the truth out for her right now and let her decide, or I can be a selfish asshole and try to ask for forgiveness later.
“I have to be honest, though,” she says, and I can hear my heartbeat in my ears. She lowers her voice as she leans in and brushes her lips against mine. “I’ve never done this before.”
A cloud of lust fogs all my good sense and before I can think about what I’m doing I’m hauling her against me as I kiss her and carry her down the hall to my room. I falter when I get to the door because I have to dig the old-fashioned key out of my pocket.
“I’m beginning to regret not switching over to digital,” she moans as my mouth goes to her neck and my hands fumble with the key.
I growl as I jam the key in the lock and get the door open. After we nearly fall through the door, I close it behind us and lock it again. The thought of her leaving through that door gives me a sense of urgency. It hasn’t even truly begun and I’m not ready for it to end.
There’s so much she doesn’t know about me and I’m sure the same goes for her, too. But right now, our bodies are speaking their own language and they’re ready to get well acquainted. When I touch her she’s familiar, like I’ve felt her body before. I know the path of her legs like the back of my hand, and as I kneel before her, it doesn’t feel like the first time. This feels like I’ve been away at sea for a thousand years and I’m finally coming home to my love.
“Spread your legs,” I order as my fingers find the edge of her shorts and unbutton them.
I peel the wet denim down her legs, along with her lacy panties. Her bare thighs are glistening with rainwater, and I lean forward and taste a drop as it chases down her tanned skin. When I slip off her bottoms I run my hands up from her ankles to her hips. Her bare pussy is in front of my face, clean shaven with soft folds that hide her clit.
“You do this all the time?” I run the pad of my thumb against her smooth lips, delicately stroking where there’s no hair.
She bites her bottom lip then nods. I can tell she’s shy about me looking at her, but her innocence is making me feel like a god.
“So fucking pretty,” I whisper as I lean forward and place a kiss on her lips. “Sit on the bed for me, Nicole.”
She does as I ask, and I move between her knees as I reach for her wet tank top and pull it off of her. When I reach around her back to take her bra off, she tugs on my own wet shirt and peels it off me. She laughs as it hits the ground with a splat, and I kiss her as I remove the last of her clothes. She’s naked and smiling at me as I kiss her lips, then her neck and then down to her breasts. Her hums of pleasure turn into cries of delight when I take her nipple into my mouth.
The hard peak feels delicate and sweet on my tongue, and I move back and forth from one to the other until both are red and tight. I place my hand on her chest and she lowers her upper body back onto the bed. I spread her knees farther apart and place her legs over my shoulders. My hands go under her ass and I lift her to my mouth so I can drink from the fountain of youth.
Her sweet, tangy flavor coats my tongue as I dip it between her folds and find her hard nub. Her thighs clench as s
he tries to close herself off from me, but I’m stronger and I want it so badly she can’t possibly stop me from getting to it.
“Relax, babe. I’m going to take good care of you,” I encourage her as I kiss the insides of her thighs and put my mouth back where she needs it the most.
I tease her clit with my tongue, coaxing her into submission. Soon enough her body relaxes and she begins to move with me. Her legs open and her curious fingers reach into my hair and hold me tighter against her.
She’s unpracticed and I can taste just how truly pure she is. She’s never had a man here before. I’d be able to taste his mark on her, and she’s not claimed. When I’m done with her, they won’t be able to get within twenty feet of her without knowing she belongs to me. I’m going to make damn sure of that.
Thoughts of the future creep into my mind and I shut them all down. I can’t think about tomorrow or what will happen when the sun comes up. The only thing that matters to me is right here and right now.
As the storm rages outside, her cries of pleasure grow louder. She’s panting for release as thunder rolls over the island and the rain pounds against the glass doors beside us. I’ve never been in the middle of the ocean when a storm like this comes through, but it’s nothing compared to the thrill of being between Nicole’s legs.
She’s so close that when I slip two fingers inside her and rub gently against her inner walls, her body responds immediately. Her back arches and her fingers tighten in my hair as she cries out my name. The lights flicker and then the power goes out right as her climax hits. It’s possible the force of her orgasm may have taken out the electricity, but I’m not going to think about it for too long.
Her eyes are heavy and she’s trying to catch her breath as I move up her body and press my cock to her opening.
“Look at me.” My voice rumbles low in my chest as I slide through her wetness and into her pussy.
I sheathe myself in one hard thrust and I can feel her virginity give way to my demands as I hold myself deep inside of her. She cries out once before I kiss her lips and begin to move slowly. Her pussy clamps down around me, and I have to work for every thrust into her. Her body is soft and molds against me as I put my weight on top of her.
Her long legs wrap around me, and I lean down to suck on her nipple as I thrust in and out. I feel like I’m drunk, but I know I’m not. The power of her body is just that intoxicating. She’s got a hold of me and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I’m drowning in her lust and what could be so much more if only I let it take me.
“Liam.” She calls for me, and I leave her breasts to come to her lips. “Don’t stop.”
Her clear blue eyes plead with me for this to never end, and I nod, swearing to always give her what she wants. In this moment and every moment after. I’m under her spell.
I bury my face in her neck and feel her tighten around my length as I rut on top of her. Her legs fall away, and she becomes boneless as her orgasm hits her again and lights up the night.
Lightning strikes not far from the doors and I can see her silhouette under me as we make love. Every curve of her body, every inch of her perfection is alight with fulfillment. She’s soft and warm as I thrust inside her one final time and release into her waiting body.
There was never a thought of protection or putting a barrier between us. And as I close my eyes and hold her to me, I know in my soul I wouldn’t have used it.
I roll over so that she can lie on top of me while I’m still inside of her. One hand trails up and down her back and the other plays with her hair. I kiss the top of her head as her breathing evens and she falls asleep in my arms.
There is so much we need to say, so much we have to do. But all of that can wait. I look out the glass doors and I see lightning strike in the distance. The storm is far from over.
6
Nicole
I glance over at the clock sitting on the nightstand and I know I need to get up. There are things I have to do, but right now all I want is to lay here. I don’t want to think about anything else but this moment with this man wrapped around me. I feel like I’m lying on a fluffy, warm cloud without a worry in the world.
I still can’t believe that I took a man home from the bar last night. I slide my hand up his broad chest, loving every ridge. It’s nice to wake up with someone next to you. God, I don’t even know Liam, but I’m scared of what’s going to come next. He’s clearly not from here, and last night was so good I don’t want it to end. My heart aches at not getting to do this again with him. I try and push all those thoughts away and focus on living in the moment. I want to enjoy this slice of fun while it’s here.
Leaning over, I place a kiss on his chest before I slide out of bed.
My body is sore in the most wonderful way as I stretch. I stare down at my handsome stranger, hoping that he’s going to be here another night. I’m not ready for this to be over. Though it might be a very bad idea. I could fall even more for him and get my heart broken.
Picking up my clothes, I steal his shirt and slip it on. I sneak out and walk towards my room, but I don’t make it far before I run right into Peter. I feel my whole face heat and he just shakes his head at me.
“I got the front desk. Take your time,” he tells me as he tries to hide his smile.
When I get to my room I drop my clothes and lean against my closed door. I should feel more embarrassed about being caught doing the walk of shame, but all I can do is laugh. I can’t remember the last time I felt this excited about something.
Maybe I could make him breakfast in bed. That’s what people do, right? I jump in the shower and pause when I see the remnants of last night still coating my thighs. Streaks of blood and cum stain my skin, and I curse. How did I not even think about using protection? A baby is the last thing I can afford right now. Worse, Liam might be gone already.
He could have pretended to be asleep and then slipped out moments after I left his room. But he didn't seem the type. He was so sweet and possessive last night. I can’t see him ditching me, but what do I really know about this whole dating thing? My track record is pretty much zero.
I go about getting myself ready for the day. I know it’s going to be hot, so I put on a pair of jean shorts over my bikini bottoms and a tank top over my swimsuit. I pause when I realize I didn't go for my morning swim. I haven’t skipped it in forever. It completely slipped my mind for some reason. Damn. Liam has me all over the place, and while I might be off-balance, I think I like it. It’s different from the anxious nerves I’ve been feeling for the past few months with all my worries.
I brush my hair out knowing there’s no point to style it. I’ll end up in the water at some point today. When I’m done I grab my coconut sunblock and put it all over me.
“Where is she?” I hear someone yell as I open my bedroom door.
I start to hurry towards the front desk as I hear Liam making a scene. His deep voice instantly fills my body with need. I rush down the hall, and when I spot him he’s all worked up.
He has his hands braced on the desk and he’s shirtless. I almost forget what I’m doing for a moment as I just stand there and stare at him. Jesus, they sure don’t make men like him around here.
“I’ll leave her a message that you stopped by. She’s busy right now,” Peter tells Liam. His chest even puffs out a little and I have to fight a smile at the kid being protective of me. Even with Liam towering over him.
“I’m here,” I call out before anyone starts beating their chests.
Liam swings around to face me and he’s got a pissed-off look on his face.
“You just ran off like that?”
His words are filled with accusation, as if he has a claim to me or something. He’s acting like I should have told him where I was going. I’m not opposed to something of that nature, but as of this morning it was only a one-night stand. He could be leaving this afternoon for all I know. The thought makes my heart squeeze tight. There were no promises made between us. I m
ight just be one in a long string of many.
He clears the distance between us, scooping me up in his arms, and I let out a small squeal.
“What are you doing?”
“Putting you back in my bed,” he grunts.
“Nikki?” Peter says, the question clear in his voice. He’s asking if I’m okay with being manhandled and should he call the cops.
“You can’t just pick me up and carry me where you want me to go.” The testosterone is growing thick in the room. But instead of answering me, he just looks at my mouth like he wants to kiss me.
“Hey, caveman. Put her down. We’ve got work to do today,” Sammy says, strolling in the front door.
“Crap! I forgot!” I sigh. “Is the farmer’s market still going on today?” The storms were pretty rough last night. I think. It’s hard to recall after spending most of the night in bed with Liam. He’s capable of providing pleasure I didn’t even know was possible.
“Yep! Tell him to put you down. If he wants to lift shit we can put him to work and Peter can man the desk. Besides, l think your man candy will draw more attention to our booth.”
Liam makes no move to put me down. In fact, his hold on me tightens even more.
“We need to get the booth up and then get all your shit moved over. Those jars can be fucking heavy,” Sammy adds.
She’s right about Liam. Not just about helping with the heavy lifting. Still, I don’t like that every woman in town is going to be checking him out. Hell, Vicky tried to crawl all over him last night. I’m sure the gossip is already hot all over the island.
“I’m sure the sheriff will help,” I say, and Sammy shoots me a look that could kill. Then her eyes run over me like she’s seeing me for the first time.
“You dirty bird!” she says in a teasing voice.
I wiggle to get out of Liam’s hold and he reluctantly lets me down.