CHAPTER EIGHT
What in the world did I just agree to? Vivian tried to focus on moving her feet to the beat, but Devin had her body so on fire she would be doing well just to keep standing. There was no way she should have agreed to sleep with him tonight, but, heaven help her, she wanted him, too. Had never stopped wanting him. Or loving him. He swung her out and brought her back flush against his rock solid body and the hard ridge of his erection pressed against her belly. Sleeping with him would only complicate matters and prolong the inevitable. She still had time to change her mind. But, the silent message his body communicated to hers made it impossible to think clearly, or rationally.
One of the groomsmen whispered something to Devin. He nodded and led her off the dance floor. “I need to wrap up a few things, then we can leave.”
“Okay.” He gave her that patented smile—the one that always made her knees weak—and strode off behind the man.
“Looks like things are heating up with you and Devin,” Mariah said, coming up behind her with Dawn trailing. “Maybe it’s fate that you two ended up here together, giving you both a second chance.”
“There won’t be a true second chance,” Vivian said resignedly.
Dawn chuckled. “If you don’t want him, I’ll be more than happy to take him off you hands.”
Vivian glared at her. “Seriously, Dawn?”
“Don’t start, Dawn,” Mariah warned.
“Hey, good men are hard to come by. You need to think about that, Viv,” Dawn said pointedly.
“Let it go, Dawn, please.”
“Well, someone should point out the obvious. I’m leaving.”
“I’ll see you later.” Vivian watched until Dawn disappeared and rubbed her temples. “I can’t believe I had to have this conversation with her again.”
“Neither can I. I’m exhausted, so I think I’m going to call it a night,” Mariah said. “Good luck with Devin.”
“Thanks.” Vivian watched her leave then saw Devin approaching and met him halfway.
“What’s the matter, baby?” he asked, resting his hands on shoulders. “Did you change your mind?”
He had just given her the perfect opportunity, yet only one word came out of her mouth. “No.”
“The party’s winding down, so we can go.”
When they walked out of the garden and onto the beach, the sun had begun to set and the streaks of purple, red and orange over the water stopped Vivian in her tracks. “Wow. It’s magnificent. I can’t get over the sunsets here. Each one seems more amazing than before.” Devin pulled her to stand in front of him and wrapped his arms around her middle. She nestled against his chest and covered his hands with hers. They stood in companionable silence until the sun dipped below the horizon. She closed her eyes and reveled in the feeling of him surrounding her. Simple things like this were what she missed most. Her eyes snapped open and her breath caught when Devin’s hands began to roam across her belly, over her hips and down her thighs. He turned her around and captured her mouth in a long, drugging kiss. His tongue made sweeping, swirling motions in her mouth and a whirlwind of emotions raced through her. Vivian moaned and wound her arms around his neck, not wanting him stop. His thumbs brushed across her nipples through her dress, sending an electric charge directly to her core.
Devin broke off the kiss abruptly. “Unless you want to find yourself naked on this beach, we need to leave now.” He grabbed her hand and didn’t say another word until they reached his room.
As soon as he closed the door, his mouth came down on hers, hot and hungry. Her small purse dropped to the floor and she grabbed the back of his head and held him in place. He didn’t even bother turning on the lights. The moonlight streaming through the open balcony door was more than enough.
He caressed her face. “I told myself I would go slow, take my time and savor each moment. And I will. Later. Right now I need to be inside of you.” He unfastened the clasp on her halter dress and let the material fell away, leaving her clad in a black lace strapless bra and matching bikini panties.
Her heart pounded in anticipation. He knelt down and helped her step out of the dress. His hand skimmed up her thigh to the waistband of her matching bikini panties. Vivian sucked in a sharp breath.
“You’re more beautiful than I remember,” he said.
Devin stood, undid his vest, shirt and tie, then removed and tossed them on the chair. She couldn’t take her eyes off his well-defined chest and abs. He obviously still worked out regularly. Her gaze followed as he undid his pants and stepped out of them. His erection strained against the dark gray boxer briefs and her hands itched to touch him. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Vivian felt more nervous tonight than she had on their first night together. With a flick of his wrist, he undid her bra. He massaged her aching breasts and dropped his head to take one pebbled nipple in his mouth, causing her to cry out.
“Lay back and ease up, Princess,” Devin said against her lips.
She complied, her breathing unsteady. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her panties and slowly dragged them down and off, then stood to rid himself of his underwear. Her eyes were glued to his muscular backside as he dug around in his bag and took out condoms. When he faced her, Vivian’s core pulsed at the sight of his thick shaft jutting out from a patch of dark hair. He sheathed himself then climbed back onto the bed, kissing his way back up her body and following with his hand. Everywhere he touched her sent a flurry of sensations whipping through her. She’d spent the last year and a half dreaming about him, wanting and needing to feel him again. She loved the weight of him on top of her and wrapped her arms around his broad back. “Devin, make love to me.”
Before she finished her sentence, his mouth locked on hers while his hand snaked between them and found her wet center. Devin left her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck while his skillful fingers continued their magic between her legs. Vivian’s head dropped back and her eyelids slid closed. “Yesss,” she moaned.
“You’re so tight, baby,” Devin murmured.
She couldn’t answer because, without warning, an orgasm rocketed her body. She arched against his hand and let out a keening cry. She had barely recovered when he rose above her and eased his hard shaft inside until he was buried deep.
Devin held still, threw back his head and groaned. “Damn, Viv. It feels so good to be inside you again.” Then he came up to a high kneel, hooked his arms behind her knees, withdrew to the tip and pushed all the way back in. “Open your eyes, Princess. I want you to watch me make love to you.”
Vivian’s gazed drifted downward to where his long, dark shaft slid in and out of her and it aroused her further. She lifted her hips to meet each deep thrust and urged him faster. He angled her body higher and pumped harder and deeper, setting her whole being on fire. A second orgasm started low in her belly, and her inner muscles grew tighter and tighter until she erupted again, the force of which was so strong she thought she might pass out.
Devin lowered her legs, reached down, cradled the back of her head and brought her in for a spine-tingling kiss. Devin tore his mouth away, buried his head in her neck and drove faster, plunging harder until he exploded, letting out a low moan. He collapsed on her and she ran her hand idly down his sweat-slicked back as their ragged breathing returned to normal.
At length, he reversed their positions and gathered her in his embrace. Vivian rested her cheek on his chest. I wish it could be like this always. She squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears from falling. A soft sigh escaped her lips.
Devin tilted her chin up. “You okay, baby?”
She attempted a smile and reached up to stroke his face. “I’m fine.” But she wasn’t fine. Her heart was breaking all over again with the knowledge that this would be their last time together. She clutched him tighter and prayed he’d understand.
Devin awakened some time later and carefully shifted a still sleeping Vivian off him. He rolled to his side, swung his long legs over t
he side of the bed and went to the bathroom to discard the condom. She was awake and leaning on her elbow when he returned. “Hey, sleepyhead. I thought we might shower together.”
“Hey, yourself.” She flipped the covers back, rose from the bed and sauntered toward him and smiled. She came up on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a scorching kiss. “Sounds good to me.”
Just like that, he was aroused again. “On second thought, the shower can wait. I want you, again.” Devin wanted her so badly it hurt. He reached for another condom and quickly sheathed his engorged manhood. Devin placed his hands on her waist and lifted Vivian into his arms. “Wrap your legs around me, sweetheart.” Too far gone to be gentle, he planted his feet drove into her with one firm thrust, setting a hard, pounding rhythm. Her breasts bounced up and down as she gripped his shoulders and moaned loudly. He grabbed her buttocks and spread her wider, allowing him deeper access.
He carried her to the nearest wall and their moans grew louder as he tried to slow down to prolong their pleasure. Devin crushed his mouth against hers and changed the rhythm. He rotated his hips and ground against her in slow insistent circles while lowering his head to take one dark nipple between his teeth and sucked gently. Her breath quickened. He straightened and kissed her slowly, seductively. She hungrily responded and matched him stroke for stroke, fueling his passions. He groaned, increased the pace and reached between their bodies to stroke her clit. She shivered against him and called his name, the sound making him even harder, if that were possible. Her thighs began to shake and he increased the pressure on her clit. She screamed his name and convulsed all around him. Her feminine muscles clenched him so tight it nearly stole his breath. Moments later, a raw expletive tore from his throat as the most intense orgasm he’d ever experienced shot through him with a force that rocked him to his soul.
It was several minutes before he attempted to move. His legs still trembled and his heart thumped erratically in his chest. She rested her forehead against his and sighed, a smile curving her beautiful lips. Devin slowly withdrew from her body, carried her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. “Shower, sleep, then I plan to taste every inch of this sexy body.”
“Only if I get to return the favor,” Vivian replied, brushing her body against his.
“Keep that up and you’ll find your back against the wall again.”
She trailed her finger over the tattoo on his chest. “You don’t hear me complaining.”
A flash of memories crossed his mind. He adjusted the water temperature, gestured her in and entered behind her. He picked up the washcloth, added some of the shower gel provided by the hotel and gently washed her. When he was done, she returned the favor. He dried them off with a fluffy bath sheet and then led her back to the bedroom. Devin snuggled behind her and draped his arm around her waist. He kissed the top of her head, closed his eyes and drifted off.
In the wee hours of the morning, Devin had kissed her awake and, true to his word, started at her feet and licked and kissed every part of her body. The sound of her coming apart against his tongue had to be the sweetest thing he’d ever heard. Just the thought made him hard all over again. Once she recovered, she had flipped him on his back and reciprocated until they both passed out from exhaustion. And, despite only sleeping for a couple of hours, he felt more relaxed than he had in a long time.
He glanced over at the clock then to her, still asleep. They had worn each other out. The sun was high in the sky now and the overnight breeze had dissipated. The only sound in the room was the low whirling from the ceiling fan, and Devin used the moment to think. The faint stirrings in his heart had increased each time they made love, and now that they had reconnected, he wasn’t sure about what he wanted. Last night, she had been tight and, when he questioned her, she confessed that she hadn’t been with another man since they broke up, which confused him even more. He searched his mind for anything that might have contributed to the demise of the relationship and came up blank. He sighed heavily and closed his eyes again, but opened them again when he felt Vivian’s feather-like touch moving across his chest. He tilted his head in her direction and smiled. “Good morning, Princess.”
“Mmm, it is a good morning. The best I’ve had in a long time.”
Devin’s heart leapt with her confession. “Me, too.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Did you sleep well?”
She chuckled. “If you’re talking about that two-hour nap, then yes. I’m starving, though.”
He laughed. “We worked up quite an appetite last night. No worries, we can order room service.”
“As good as that sounds, I think we’d better get out of this room.”
“You’re right because if we stay here I won’t be eating food. How about we have breakfast at the beachside restaurant instead?”
Vivian arched an eyebrow. “You mean lunch? Devin, it’s almost eleven and I need to go back to my room to change clothes.”
“Yeah, you have a point.”
“Give me half an hour and I’ll meet you there.”
“Let’s make it an hour and a half. We need some time to recover.”
She laughed. “Sounds like a plan.”
She scooted off the bed and went to the bathroom. He followed the sweet sway of her naked backside until she was out of sight. He sat up against the headboard and draped the sheet across his lower body. Minutes later, she returned and dressed. Devin’s lower body stirred again. After making love two times last night and once this morning, he should be satisfied. But he hadn’t gotten nearly enough of her. And probably never would. She bent to pick up the contents of her purse that had spilled last night then kissed him lightly.
“See you in a little while.”
He waited until she closed the door then got up and headed for the shower. He bowed his head under the warm spray and closed his eyes. As hard as he tried to push the emotions down, they kept resurfacing until he could no longer deny that he still loved her. He prayed that they could work through whatever she had to tell him. He finished washing up and brushed his teeth. Wrapping a towel around his waist, Devin padded to the bedroom for his clothes. He opened one drawer and pulled out underwear, then selected a pair of shorts and tank from another one. He reached for the towel and a soft knock sounded. He smiled, thinking Vivian had changed her mind about room service.
His smile was replaced by shock when he opened the door. “Dawn? What are you doing here?’
Dawn pulled the tie on her dress and it fell away, revealing the fact that she wore nothing underneath except a red thong. “I was looking for a little island fun. What about you?”
What the hell? “Since when did women go after their best friend’s ex?”
“Since that best friend ended the relationship and not the other way around. And she said there was no chance of you two getting back together.” She ran her hand across his chest. “I must say you look even better without your clothes.”
Angry, Devin removed her hand and stepped back. He had forgotten all about his current state of undress. “Whether Vivian and I get back together doesn’t matter. You and I won’t be happening. Now or ever. Now, you need to leave.”
She gave him a coy smile. “Whatever. Your loss.”
He shook his head, closed the door and paced the floor for several minutes. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. She’d been flirting with him from the first and he made sure he did nothing to encourage it, but he never figured she would betray a friendship for some island fun as she put it. He wondered if Vivian knew she had a snake in her garden. Shaking his head again, he went to get dressed.
CHAPTER NINE
Vivian left Devin’s room late Saturday morning still smiling. Although tired and sore, she wouldn’t change one moment of last night. Her room was located in another building and she hoped she didn’t run into anyone from the wedding because everyone would know why she still had on the same dress. With any luck, they’d all be sleeping in or up and alre
ady out. Her mind went back to Devin. She loved him so much it pained her to think of some other woman kissing him, making love with him. But time had run out. She had to tell him about her family and what her brother had done.
She successfully made it to her building without encountering any familiar faces and rode the elevator to her floor. As she walked down the hall, Vivian opened her purse to get her room key. “Oh, no. Great,” she muttered, not finding it. It must have been one of the things that had fallen out. She took the few steps to Mariah and Dawn’s room and lifted her hand to knock, but changed her mind. She didn’t want them to know she had slept with Devin, especially since she had just told them last night there was no chance of them getting back together. Now, she would have to endure the dreaded “walk of shame” back and pray her luck held.
Vivian got off the elevator on his floor and froze when she rounded the corner. She quickly backed out of sight and viewed the scene in front of her. What was Dawn doing in Devin’s room with her hand on his chest? Vivian recognized the sleeveless wrap dress as one Dawn had bought when the three friends had gone shopping for the trip. She also realized by the way it drooped that the dress hung open. And why was Devin wearing only a towel? Tears blurred her eyes as she hurried back to the elevator. It never occurred to Vivian that Dawn had been serious. She just figured it was Dawn’s way of trying to get Vivian to see what she would be missing if she gave up on Devin. Now she knew the truth.
Vivian made it all the way back and hit the elevator button before realizing she still didn’t have a key to her room. She went to the front desk and told them she’d left her key in the room. The woman graciously gave her another key. Vivian thanked the woman and retraced her steps. She almost made it to her room without the tears falling, but the tears started before she could clear the elevator doors on her floor. At this point, she didn’t care if anyone saw her as she rushed down the hallway. She was crying so hard she could barely see.
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