What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 3)

by Lauren Hawkeye

  Tom stood in the sand and wrapped his arms around her. “Do you like it?”

  “It’s beautiful.” She turned to face him, reaching her lips up to kiss his.

  “Not yet Tess, not yet,” he whispered in a teasing tone.

  Slighted by Tom’s response, her eyes filled with disappointment.

  “Awe, don’t look at me like that.”

  Her expression didn’t change, yearning to feel his lips.

  His thumb coasted gently over her cheek. “Do you trust me? Hmm? I trusted you with the sharks. Remember? Will you trust me now?” He brushed his lips against her neck, causing goose bumps to cover her skin.

  “Yes, I remember. But-”

  “I assure you, I’ll make it worth the wait.” He toyed, whispering in her ear. “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

  She remembered how fantastic his hands felt. “I have no doubt.”

  Tayia finished setting the table with a bottle of wine and a delicious meal before leaving in the boat. Their conversation flowed easily all through dinner. They talked for hours discussing everything from places they’d both traveled to charities they supported. He spoke little of his career, and made it clear he was on vacation and didn’t want to discuss work. She shared stories of her kids, but kept them to a minimum.

  After dinner, they lay side-by-side on a white blanket Tayia left for them. Tess stretched out on her back with her legs crossed at the ankles, and Tom lie on his side with his head propped on his elbow. She hadn’t felt sexy in a long time, but he made her feel unbelievably sensual. Every stroke of his hand on her arm or back, sent a current of blistering heat washing over her, filling the absence of longing and desire that had filled her life over the last year. The simple act of brushing the hair from her eyes caused her to lean closer into the warmth of his fingers. She wanted more, needing him to touch her, so she could set free the raw need she’d buried for too long.

  Deep in her own thoughts, she tried to deal with a multitude of feelings. The sense of betrayal loomed heavily, but so did the burning ache between her thighs. She bordered on the edge of virgin-ish nervousness. It might hurt. Not to mention I might get off before we even get started.

  Shadows from Tiki torches flickered across Tom’s face as he stroked her arm from shoulder to wrist. “Tess, are you still sure about this?”

  “I’m sure. It’s just…it’s been a long time. I’m a little nervous.” She smiled timidly. “How long do we have before he comes back to pick us up?”

  “Did you forget already? You’re supposed to trust me. No questions.”

  They stared up at the star-filled sky, listening to the waves roll onto the beach. He delicately traced her collarbone and neck. As his fingertip reached her lips, she rolled her tongue around it and heard him sigh softly.

  Tom stood up, holding out his hand to Tess. They strolled along the beach and gazed out at the moon hanging over the ocean. He turned to face her and pulled her into his arms. Her heartbeat turned unruly as his head dropped, grazing his parted lips over her temple. Tilting her face toward his, Tess tensed and held her breath. He made a quiet sound of amusement and rested his palms on the sides of her neck. “Breathe, Tess, just breathe.”

  Tom’s tongue drifted down her neck and back to her lips, playing slowly with her tongue. The warmth of his sweet mouth tasted so good that she instantaneously began to kiss him back. She had suppressed her need to feel desire for a man, hidden the longing of a man’s hands on her flesh and buried her cravings in sleepless nights full of tears.

  Taking pleasure in the heat of his mouth, she began to shake uncontrollably. All of her emotions came rushing to the surface, covering her in a tingling sensation. His fingers threaded through her hair and cradled her face with his thumbs. Teasing her, he plunged his tongue deeper, sending pulsating waves rippling through her very core. Craving more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and molded her body to his. Feeling his erection, she urgently thrust her hips forward searching for more. Her heart hammered violently in her chest as her fingers twisted through his dark hair. Tess pressed forward taking his mouth with hot, wet, indecent kisses, savoring the flavor of his lips.

  He eased back and placed his palm over her pounding heart. “Easy,” he whispered with a smoldering laugh. Both chuckled as she buried her face in his chest.

  Tom led her away from the beach up into the palm trees. The darkness concealed a bungalow tucked between lush foliage and palm trees.

  “Wow! Is this for us?” Tess gasped.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s beautiful,” were the only words she could utter before he drew her into his arms, kissing her fervently, keeping up with her hungry lips.

  Standing under the starlit sky, he slid his hands down the small of her back, following the curve of her ass, grasping it with the perfect amount of tension. Tess softly moaned aloud, encouraging him to press himself firmly against her. He clutched her ribcage and brushed his thumb over the material covering her nipple, sending another set of ripples surging through her. “Oh, God,” she whimpered.

  Making their way inside, Tess unbuttoned Tom’s shirt, exploring the details of his carved chest and stomach, letting her fingers play with the thin trail of dark hair leading into his jeans. Wanting to know the full extent of the force pressing against her hips, she unbuttoned his jeans with trembling fingers. Reaching in, she stroked the length of him and a low groan escaped his lips.

  Nice.

  He reached down, taking hold of both of her hands. “Trust me, Tess. Tonight is all about you.” Tom chuckled. “You can make it up to me tomorrow.”

  “I trust you,” she whispered under his lips.

  He unzipped her dress, slipping it to the floor before laying her back onto the bed. Tom took his time, sliding his fingers from the hallow at the base of her neck to the center of her breasts, cupping one in his hand. His warm, wet tongue tickled her nipple. He fastened his mouth over the erect bud, taking it in and biting her tenderly before moving to the next.

  Caressing her hips, Tom’s lips traveled down between her thighs. She hung her head over the edge of the bed as his talented tongue explored the soft skin between her legs before sinking inside her. All of her worries faded away under the strokes of his tongue. Tess didn’t take long, peaking almost immediately. Tears stung the corners of her eyes as her release came again and again. Gasping for air, she opened her eyes and lifted her head to watch him.

  Rising up onto the palms of his hands, he pressed his body on top of hers. Tess slipped her thumbs into the waistband of his jeans, pushing them down past his hips. Raising her legs around his waist, her hands took hold of his firm ass while her toes wriggled his jeans to his ankles. She smiled up at him as she tossed his jeans to the floor with her toes.

  Tom drew her leg up around his hip. Seeking admittance, he nudged her gently.

  In one swift move, she flipped him over onto his back. “Do you mind if I drive for minute?” she grinned. “I’m a little nervous.”

  He let out a chuckle and quickly imitated her maneuver, pinning Tess to the bed. “I know it’s been a long time for you. I promise I’ll be nice, but I’ll last longer if I drive.”

  Tess relaxed, granting him access. Ever so gently, he eased his ridge past her entrance, taking his time, slowly diving deep inside. What she thought might be painful felt more like full-blown heaven.

  “Holy crap!” she cried out, peaking again five strokes in.

  “You okay?” Tom asked, halting his movement.

  “Oh yeah, don’t stop.”

  He remained still. “Don’t move, give me a sec.”

  She nodded in agreement, reaching up to kiss his lips. “Maybe you should come now so we could start again in thirty minutes.”

  “Give me just a minute, I’ll be fine.” His dark eyes stared into hers intently. “Okay, I’m good now.”

  He began to move again, slowly at first, then harder and faster, giving himself to her fully. Raising her hips to meet his, she m
atched him stroke-for-stroke. He spoke to her tenderly between eager kisses, “You feel so good…The taste of your skin…I want you.”

  Tess yearned for control. She’d been anxious at first, but didn’t want him to be under the impression she was a timid lover. She wanted him to desire her without limits or boundaries, needing him to handle her passionately, like a lover, not like a fragile widow.

  Without missing a beat, she rolled over on top of him. The moon shone brightly through the open doors, allowing them to see each other perfectly in the darkness. Her palms rested on his chest as she stared down, admiring his fit body. Her hips took control rhythmically, flowing to the sound of the waves crashing against the outer reef.

  Tom stared back just as attentively. “You are so beautiful.” He cupped her breasts, gently squeezing her nipples.

  Her passion laid dormant for over a year, but now she felt alive, powerful and sexy. She wanted to be beautiful for him. Tess gently removed his hands from her breasts and replaced them with her own. Raising her hips up high and then diving down, she crested waves of sheer pleasure. Her head dropped forward as she slowed down momentarily before the next set of breakers, building deep within her came crashing in again.

  Tess lifted the damp hair from her neck, so the ocean breeze would cool the sweat trickling down her back. Tom gripped her hips and held her still, but she shook her head no, wanting to ride freely no matter what the cost. “You don’t have to wait, it’s okay.” He released his grip, letting her have her way.

  Knowing his gaze would follow hers, Tess eased her hips back and gazed down to watch their bodies connecting intimately.

  Peaking together this time, he let out a low groan, “Jesus, Tess.”

  She collapsed on top of him, sucking in air, trying to catch her breath.

  Minutes later she panted, “Whew. Thanks!”

  “Thanks? You’re seriously thanking me?” he choked, bursting into a shocked laughter. “If anything, I should be the one saying thanks. You’re fucking amazing. Damn, Tess.”

  Completely embarrassed, she giggled. “Not like that! You know what I mean! Thanks for waiting.”

  “My pleasure.” He laughed, pulling her tightly beside him.

  Tess curled into the crook of his arm and hitched her leg up over his hip. Tom stared up at the ceiling, languorously playing with a strand of her hair. Her body felt heavy and sedated. Lying in the arms of another man was somewhere she never expected to venture again. This was the first time she’d ever engaged in a casual relationship, a fling, a spontaneous affair. As she peered up at Tom, nothing felt casual. Feeling the weight of uncharted territory, she released a shaky breath of air she’d been holding. He’s just a rendezvous. He’s just a vacation. You can’t keep him.

  He smiled at her and gathered her closer into his arm, brushing a kiss against her hair. “When’s the last time you had fun, Tess?”

  “Other than the last few days? It’s been awhile.”

  He turned on his side and propped up on his elbow, drifting the tip of his finger over the contours of her neck and collarbone. “That’s about to change. Cause we’re going to have a great time together. You up for that?”

  She nodded. “I’m up for anything.” With you. She added silently, settling into his arms and drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  She woke to the sound of a boat in the distance, but Tom was nowhere in sight. She rose onto her elbows, marveling at the plush rustic interiors of the bungalow that she hadn’t seen the night before. Woven bamboo paper covered the walls and several vases of freshly cut tropical flowers adorned the room. As she stood, a balmy breeze rustled the thatched roofing. Stiff, sore muscles brought a blush to her cheeks, remembering the night before.

  The bungalow was completely exposed to the outdoors. Tess meandered toward the luxurious indoor, yet open to the outdoor bathroom. “Wow,” she whispered. All of her things lay on a counter next to a stone basin, perched atop a smooth tree trunk. She brushed her teeth and climbed back into bed.

  She spotted Tom walking down the beach with coffee and breakfast. He sauntered into the room, giving her a cheeky smile and a big kiss on the lips. “Morning, are you hungry?”

  “I’m starving.”

  “I thought you might be.” He chuckled. Tom set breakfast on the table and grabbed his camera, snapping a picture of her half-wrapped in the sheet and her hair blowing in the gentle breeze.

  “Hey, you better erase that one,” Tess complained.

  “No way! You look scrumptious. I like this one.”

  After they enjoyed breakfast, Tom slid out of his jeans and they ambled naked down to the beach to swim in the lagoon.

  “I never knew this place existed,” she said in awe.

  “I was counting on that last night. It’s part of a new resort we’ll be staying at the rest of the time we’re here.”

  “We’re not staying here?”

  “Well, we could, although the bungalow I have for us at the resort is exceptionally nice. But it’s a surprise.”

  “Are you always full of surprises like these?” She asked happily, already wanting to go back to bed.

  “No, actually, I’m not. I wanted to do this for you. You said it had been a long time, so I wanted it to be nice for you. Not to mention you’ve been driving me crazy.”

  “I’m driving you crazy?”

  “I find you incredibly sexy,” he said, running his hands over her skin.

  “You think so, huh?” A smile danced across her lips as she retreated from the water heading straight for bed, where they stayed for several hours until Tayia arrived.

  Referring to their resort as ‘exceptionally nice’ was an understatement. The resort oozed elegance and luxury, putting a modern twist on traditional Tahitian style. Their overwater bungalow sat secluded at the far end of a pier.

  When they stepped out onto the deck, Tess couldn’t believe what she saw. “I’ve never seen a plunge pool in an over-water bungalow. Ever!”

  Tom ordered an early dinner and a bottle of wine. She immediately undressed and headed straight for the plunge pool. She noticed him staring at her from the open doorway. Biting her lip provocatively, her fingertips skimmed over the water. He undressed to join her.

  Three days went by before they actually left their bungalow. They spent the days snorkeling coral reefs and skinny-dipping in the lagoon. Their bungalow came equipped with its own kayak tied to the bottom step of their deck and they paddled to a motu across the lagoon, in search of tropical treasures. He took pictures of exotic birds and landscapes fit for a calendar.

  Tess’ body was trying to make up for the lack of sex over the last year. Once they started, she didn’t want to quit. They could finish after breakfast and she would be ready again before lunch and again after dinner. Tom didn’t have any problem keeping up with her. Thank God.

  Tess woke up early the following day wanting to run. She quietly slipped on shorts and a tank top, trying not to wake Tom, but he lay in bed, watching her.

  “You’re not taking off on me, are you?” he taunted.

  “Yes, I am, the last couple days have been torture.”

  “It’s been terrible for me, too. Maybe you should come back to bed so I can torture you some more.”

  “I thought about going running, but you make a very good distraction.” She gazed at his naked body, deciding if she should stay or go.

  “Do you mind if I run with you? How far are you going?”

  “As far as you’d like to go. Come with me.”

  Tom dressed and grabbed his backpack. They ran for a few miles, taking a trail that ended with a magnificent waterfall, pausing long enough to skinny dip in the dark pool of warm water surrounded by lava rocks, lush green palm trees, and colorful wild flowers.

  Heading back on the trail, it started to rain, followed by a downpour. “Who ordered the rain?” Tess joked.

  He laid his hands on the sides of her neck and kissed her with fervor. Tess’ heart pounded,
drowning out the rain. She traced his muscles under the wet shirt clinging to his body. Drenched with rain, Tom’s hair appeared darker, the gray hidden, making him look younger as he stared down at her, grinning wildly. “Do you trust me, Tess?”

  “Yes.”

  He clasped her hand as they hiked through the rainforest to the top of a hill covered in grassy vegetation. Rain poured down on them. He wrapped her in his sodden arms and kissed her forcefully, stealing her breath. Before she could blink, he’d skimmed her shirt up over her head and untied her shorts. Caught up in the moment, their bodies entangled on a bed of ferns beneath them, colliding with the rhythm of the pounding rain, slowing as the heavy droplets turned to a drizzle.

  They lay on their backs and stared up at the sky through the trees, gasping for air. Her long brown hair clung to her face, soaking wet with black mud and fern leaves sticking out of it.

  “Holy crap,” she panted bashfully.

  “You’re unbelievable, Tess.”

  Tom gathered mud on the tip of his finger and wiped it on her nose and cheeks. She laid still, letting him finish his artwork, drawing dots and lines down her arms, before she did the same to him. They received several glances walking through the resort, but Tess couldn’t have cared less they were covered in dried mud. She was only interested in Tom.

  Tom rented an electric car, stopping at a dive shop to purchase his own snorkeling gear. They hit a few beaches before stopping at The Freaky Tiki. The colorful bar set up high on a hillside and resembled a shabby run down shack ready to fall down at any moment. They relaxed in a hammock slung between two palm trees and gazed out over the pristine Pacific Ocean drinking Hinanos. She lay quiet, sipping the Tahitian beer.

  “What’s weighing on your mind?” he asked, running his finger across her forehead.

  She sighed heavily. “I was just counting up the days I’ve already been here.”

  “Oh…oh,” he stammered, struggling for words, followed by the same heavy sigh.

  Tess didn’t want Tom assuming he needed to coddle her or worry about their goodbye. They were having a wonderful time, but she was well aware that he didn’t date long term. No matter how much it would hurt to say goodbye to this amazing man lying in the hammock next to her, she refused to dwell on it. Rendezvous. This is nothing more than a wonderful, amazing, incredible rendezvous.