Tabitha stopped and laughed. "Marcus, that is not a sailboat."
"I said we were going sailing. I didn't say on a sailboat. If I'd invited you to go yachting, it might sound pretentious." He smiled with good humor.
Tabitha shook her head ruefully. This man charmed without even trying.
Marcus escorted her on board. It was only a few moments before the crew cast off. The yacht wasn't the biggest that she'd seen, but it was clearly luxurious. She didn't know the crew complement, but she imagined a vessel of this size took a few people to operate.
Marcus caressed her hand. "I've asked the captain to see if he can take us to a good spot for whale watching."
Tabitha took a deep breath to steady herself. "That would be terrific."
"Come. Let's sit on deck a while." Several different groupings of deck chairs occupied space on deck. Some were in the sun, some in the shade, and one was partially shaded.
Tabitha stepped out of his grasp. "I vote for partial shade if that's okay with you."
"That's fine. Do you have sunscreen?"
"I put some on before we left the hotel. I probably need to reapply."
"I'd be happy to help." He leered at her broadly.
Tabitha laughed, delighted by this playful side of Marcus. She slipped off her sundress. The swimsuit underneath was a bikini - her pre-vacation splurge. It hugged and revealed the curves of her body. She dipped into her tote bag and pulled out a bottle of suntan lotion.
Marcus took the bottle from her hands. He popped open the top and poured a generous portion into his palm before setting the bottle down.
Tabitha gathered the long strands of her hair together and lifted them out of the way as Marcus's hands grasped her shoulders. He massaged the lotion into her skin, and Tabitha bit back a moan. Her reaction to him continued to astonish her. She realized she was more sensual than she'd ever suspected. The strength of her attraction to Marcus was outside her previous experience.
Marcus made his way down her back and, just when she anticipated that he might touch her ass, his hands swept up her sides instead. When he reached her bikini top, his hands glided around to her abdomen then began to stroke in large, slow circles. Tabitha trembled against him. Marcus pressed his lips to the hollow below her ear and kissed her lightly. Tabitha grasped his forearms for balance and then tried to force his hands lower, toward the apex of her thighs. Marcus resisted and she could not budge him. Deliciously trapped within the circle of his arms, she longed to feel his touch in the most intimate of places and tried again to guide him there without success.
"Marcus?" She leaned back into him.
"Yes, Tabitha?"
Her eyes fluttered closed. "Why do you tease me so?"
"I can't resist. The anticipation is … exciting."
Tabitha pulled herself from his arms, frustrated by pent-up desire. "You seem to be able to turn on and off easily enough."
"No. It's not that simple, Tabitha."
Tabitha didn't hide her exasperation. "Why? Why isn't it that simple? Is there someone else?"
"I'm not committed to anyone." Marcus kept his voice low and even.
Tabitha breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what?"
"Let's sit down." Marcus situated himself in a deck chair and Tabitha did likewise. She picked up the suntan lotion and applied it to her arms and legs.
Tabitha waited, but it was so difficult to be patient. She had to bite her lips several times to keep from speaking. She sensed he was thinking, choosing the words for whatever it was he wanted to express.
"I look for certain things in a relationship."
Tabitha nodded. "Everyone does, don't they?"
"Yes." Just when Tabitha thought he might not continue, he spoke. "Are you looking for a vacation fling?"
"I'm not looking for anything. I met a guy. I'm enjoying his company. It doesn't have to be complicated." Tabitha tried to convey a blasé attitude but suspected that she failed.
"You're right. I'm overthinking this. But I need to let you know, I'm used to a certain amount of control."
"That's rather vague. Besides, I'm heading back to New York in a few days. Who's to say we'll even see each other again, right?" She struggled to inject a breezy note into her voice.
"We're dancing around the issue here, Tabitha. I know what's between us. You know what's between us. If we continue to spend time in one another's company, we both know where it will lead."
Tabitha's usual reticence seemed to desert her. This man - he just felt right. "Alright. All cards on the table? You … make me feel. You make my body quiver and want like no one else has. It's … scary and exhilarating all at the same time."
"Yeah it is." Marcus took a deep breath. "I want you, Tabitha. I can't deny that. Hell, I need to take you. Being in your company and … restraining myself. It's agonizing."
"Then why? Why are you doing it? Why are you holding back?"
"I want you so much. Too much. I don't want to … shock you. What I desire from you is not something I'm sure you can give."
Just when she thought she was getting a handle on the conversation, Marcus pushed her back to square one. "What are you talking about?"
"Tabitha, I respect women. I respect you. But in the bedroom, I like certain things. That's it. That's me."
"Marcus, just spit it out. You're being so vague I can only guess at what you mean."
"Okay. Do you like to be dominated? Spanked? Do you like to be like to be tied up?"
Whatever she'd anticipated, this wasn't it. "You're getting all worked up because you like to be sexually dominant?" Her body involuntarily tingled. Domination? Tabitha found the idea unexpectedly appealing.
"It isn't for everybody. I don't like surprises, and I assume my partner doesn't either. We only have a short time together, so honestly, I didn't know if it was worth it to get into this."
Tabitha barely hesitated as she stood and walked to the chair where Marcus reclined. She looked into his face, dear to her already. She lifted her leg over him and then sat, straddling both Marcus and the chair. She leaned forward and took his face in her hands. "I totally think it's worth it and I can't wait." She kissed him, pressing herself against him and his arms came around her.
A tremor passed through him and he grabbed her ass in both hands, pulling her closer.
Marcus reluctantly lifted her away from himself. "Privacy. We need privacy." They untangled themselves from the deck chair, and Marcus took her hand and led her below. He guided her into a stateroom and firmly closed the door.
Tabitha turned toward Marcus and the look on his face froze her. It was predatory, blatantly sexual. His gaze trapped her and her heart raced. Everything that was female inside of her responded to the purely masculine intent in his crystal blue eyes.
In a flash, he captured her in his arms and plundered her mouth. He pulled her down to the carpet, and his hands grappled with her clothing. He tugged her bikini top off and seized her nipple with his mouth. Tabitha surrendered under the onslaught. She gloried in the strength of his need, which sparked in her an answering desire.
As he dragged her bikini bottoms off, she lifted her hips to assist him. He tossed them to the side and hooked his thumbs in his own swim trunks, pushing them to his knees. He forced her legs open wide and stared at her glistening flesh.
Before she could protest, his mouth was on her, sucking her clit and lapping down to the origin of her wetness. He thrust his tongue inside and she reared against him. The unexpected pleasure stunned her, and she teetered on the edge of orgasm.
Marcus slid up her belly nibbling and biting his way to her neck. His hips forged between her legs, and his erection nudged her. "I'm going to take you now, Tabitha. Tell me you want me."
"Yes … Marcus! I want you!" She ached to have him fill her.
Marcus thrust completely inside with one stroke. Tabitha dug her heels into the carpet and lunged back against him.
Marcus groaned. "You feel so good. I knew it would be like this."<
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The suppressed longing of the last few days welled up inside Tabitha. Desire electrified her body. She had craved his touch, his unrestrained touch. Now she had it, and it consumed her.
Marcus thrust inside again and again, deep and hard. He gave no quarter and she asked for none. His unleashed demand was overpowering, but deep within her, she exulted in it, body, mind and soul.
Instinctively, she clutched at him, pulling him closer. Her body craved everything he gave her. It had never been like this before. No one had ever claimed her with such ferocity. His passion awakened within her a desire deeper than she had ever experienced. She hadn't known she could feel like this. She hadn't known she could be like this. All her previous involvements paled in comparison.
Tabitha throbbed inside as she writhed against him. Marcus's hands roamed her body, touching and molding. He didn't slow his pace nor ease his intensity. A powerful orgasm burst free within her. Intense pleasure filled Tabitha and she strained against him as her nerve endings blazed.
As Marcus came, he crushed her to the carpet. He wound his fingers into her hair and held her head as he invaded her mouth. His body shuddered with completion and he drew a deep gasping breath.
"Tabitha …." Marcus raised his head and looked her directly into the dark pools of her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Tabitha squirmed beneath him. "I don't think I'll ever look at sex the same way again though."
Marcus laughed. "Why is that?"
"Everything before this seems … bland. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed sex. But this was different."
"Yes, it was." Marcus rolled off her. "There's more you know."
Tabitha sat up. "What do you mean?"
"With this physical chemistry between us," Marcus shook his head, "I don't know where the limit would be."
"I'm pretty sure that's about as intense as it can get."
"No, it isn't."
His confident words puzzled Tabitha. "It isn't? Seriously, Marcus, it was great. My body is still vibrating. But I think that's about the limit."
"I can prove you wrong."
"That sounds almost like a dare." Win or lose, it was a dare she'd pursue.
"I think it is. You'd have to trust me though, really trust me."
Tabitha felt a sudden pang of unease. "I do. I mean, I do trust you as much as I can given the circumstances."
"I understand. It's up to you."
"What exactly are we talking about here?"
"Sensation. Feeling. Touching you on a deeper level, your body and your mind. It's about trust and letting go, exploring your limits."
"That could mean a lot of things." Did Marcus always have to be so ambiguous?
"That's right, it could. If I pursued this … with you, I'd bind you, possibly blindfold you."
Tabitha quivered, imagining him exploring her body while she was immobilized.
Marcus took her chin in his hand. "I'd tease you, tempt you, until you begged me to take you and give you release."
Tabitha's lips formed a small oh of surprise. She was shocked by how attracted she was to the idea. She thought she knew herself well. She thought she was in touch with her own sexuality. Marcus was showing her that she'd only scratched the surface.
Marcus smiled. "I can see the idea intrigues you. It's what I referred to earlier when I said I like to be in charge in the bedroom. I wasn't kidding. In truth, though, it's dictated by you, your limits, and your comfort zone. I don't go outside that. I wouldn't want to. If it isn't good for you, it isn't good for me. Does that make it sound less … daunting?"
"It does actually." Tabitha paused to gather her thoughts. "If I say yes, what happens?"
"We agree on the limits. If it any time you feel uncomfortable or you want me to stop, you let me know."
"Ah, is this where we choose a safe word?" Tabitha had heard a few things here and there. Some of her single friends were adventurous and liked to share details.
"Yes, that's usually the best way, or sometimes a signal in case you can't speak."
"Can't speak? Oh, I get it." Tabitha couldn't imagine being gagged, but a few days ago, she hadn't had developing feelings for Marcus and a newfound interest in kinky sex.
Marcus pulled on his shorts and helped her up off the floor. "I guess you have something to think about." He gathered the two pieces of her bikini and held them out to her. "Get dressed. Come up on deck and we can have something to eat." He kissed her cheek lightly and left the room.
The bikini was a knotted mess and it took some time to untangle it. As she fitted it to her body and retied the strings, her mind spun with conflicting thoughts. She'd just had the most incredible sex of her life. Primal and satisfying. Can I pass this up? Her body wanted it, no question about it. Her mind though, her mind urged caution.
Tabitha stepped into the attached bathroom. Looking back at her from the mirror was a woman she barely recognized. Her eyes were dark and her skin flushed. She had total sex hair. She fished a brush out of the drawer and made herself presentable. Putting her decision on hold, she headed up on deck.
Marcus and Tabitha enjoyed a light lunch and relaxed on deck. The ocean was beautiful, soothing and calming all at once. Marcus made no reference to their encounter or the decision he'd put in her hands. Tabitha sensed he was trying to put her at ease by suppressing his intensity. The undercurrent of desire was still there, but muted to a degree.
The vessel was heading back toward Oahu when Tabitha spotted something in the water. She went to the railing. "Marcus, come here. There are humpbacks." She motioned him over.
Marcus joined her, sliding his arm over her shoulder. They watched together as two humpback whales slid through the ocean waves in tandem.
Tabitha leaned into him. "They're so enormous! It's amazing."
Her enthusiasm made Marcus smile.
Huge scalloped flippers dipped in and out of the water. They were so close that Tabitha glimpsed the barnacles on the surface of their skin. The closer whale dove and moments later thrust into the air, breaching, before disappearing back beneath the waves, its tail slapping the surface as it submerged.
Tabitha grasped his arm. "Marcus, they're wonderful!"
"Yes, it is wonderful."
Tabitha turned into his arms as she realized he wasn't referring to the whales. He kissed her and she responded eagerly.
~ * ~ * ~
When they returned to the hotel, Marcus made no mention of specific plans to get together again. He escorted her to her door and kissed her. It wasn't a peck, but it wasn't deep and sensual either. He left her there, bewildered, while he walked away.
Tabitha supposed this was his way of not pressuring her. Though he didn't say it explicitly, the next move was up to her, and it came down to trust.
As Tabitha thought about it, she realized it wasn't Marcus that she didn't trust. It was herself. Tabitha didn't know if she could give up control. She was afraid of losing herself. She sensed it would be either the most liberating thing she had ever done or the biggest mistake she would ever make.
Marcus wouldn't deliberately hurt her. He had given her no indication of excess aggression. In fact, he was one of the most controlled people she'd ever met. He'd slipped off his self-imposed leash when he made love to her on the yacht, but even then, he hadn't completely let go. She speculated upon what it would take to overwhelm his self-discipline.
Tabitha made a decision. She knew what she was going to do. She wanted Marcus on a primal level. She'd never wanted anyone else like this. The risk was worth the potential reward. What if we only have these few days together? She wanted to make the most of them.
After showering and shaving her legs, Tabitha carefully blew out her hair so it curled and fluffed attractively. She applied her makeup, emphasizing her brown eyes with smoky highlights. She hadn't brought many fancy outfits with her, but she had her favorite blue dress. It fit her well and always gave her confidence when she wore it. She slipped on her heels and thought about how to proce
ed. Should I call him? Just show up at his door?
Tabitha didn't want to lose her nerve, so she simply left her room and headed toward the elevator. Marcus's room occupied one of the top floors. She hadn't been to his room, but he'd mentioned the number. As the elevator ascended, Tabitha's heart pounded in her chest.
When Tabitha arrived at his floor, she hurried down the hall, scared she might lose her nerve. She knocked on the door and waited, struggling not to back away. The door opened and Marcus stood there framed in the doorway. He wore slacks and his shirt was open at the neck with the sleeves rolled up.
He smiled. "Tabitha, you look lovely."
"May I come in?"
"Absolutely." He stepped aside and allowed her to enter.
The suite was elegant and much more spacious than hers. The view was incredible. Tabitha sensed Marcus behind her as she stared out the windows into the night sky. He said nothing but simply waited. She wished he would make it easy for her but she supposed this was something about which you did not want any confusion or misunderstanding.
"Marcus, I've been thinking about the things that you said. About your proposition." She turned to face him. His expression remained impassive. She'd give anything to know what he was thinking. She leaned into him and nuzzled his jawline with her lips.
He grasped her arms and looked into her eyes. "What have you decided?"
"I want to. I want you."
Marcus took her in his arms and kissed her. He released her and took a step back. "What are you open to?"
"I'm not sure. This is new to me. But the suggestions you made … earlier … excited me."
"I thought so." Marcus crossed to the side table, picked up his drink and took a sip. "Just soda water."
Tabitha nodded. She supposed he was reassuring her of his state of mind. His blue eyes pierced her, studying her. Tabitha fought the urge to cross her arms. Was he going to do something?
Tabitha couldn't stand the silence. "Well?"
"Well what?"
Tabitha's hands fluttered. "What do you want me to do?"
"What do you want to do?"
Tabitha frowned. Marcus was not being helpful. "I thought we might, you know …."
The Alpha's Touch Boxed Set (14 Book Bundle) Page 95