A Beautiful Purpose

by Alicia Rae

  “That would do it.” Audrey’s tone was softer. “I’m sorry you had to experience all of that while serving.”

  “Don’t be. It’s what soldiers do best. We do it out of love for our country.”

  She cleared her throat, and in a lighter tone, she asked, “What about your first kiss?”

  I was glad she hadn’t asked me for more information, and I admired the way she hadn’t pried for details. It wasn’t something I wanted to bring up at a campfire, so I answered, “A girl…who had lost her two front teeth,” with a mischievous grin.

  “Liar!” Audrey burst out into laughter.

  The charming, authentic sound made me chuckle myself.

  “Fine, you got me. I was in fourth grade, and it was this cute blonde with wavy hair. She always had this happy-go-lucky personality. Her name was Hannah. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know what I was doing back then, and I smothered her with my big, luscious lips.”

  “Jeez, you started young.” Her hands came to trace my lips, first the bottom and then the top. “And your full lips are sexy.”

  I gradually shook my head at her, keeping my eyes locked on hers. “Don’t distract me, woman,” I teased. “I want your first boyfriend’s first and last name, social security number, and address.”

  “Not a chance. My lips are sealed tight,” she replied, making the zipper gesture from one corner of her mouth to the other. “You’ll never get it out of me.”

  My blood revved to the challenge, and I gave her my finest heated, provocative stare. “Oh, yeah?” I dipped forward, kissed her, and then gently tugged on her lower lip with my teeth before letting it go. “I bet I can get it out of you.”

  A breathy, sensual sigh seeped out of her. She grabbed my ass and pulled me on top of her. “I’d like to see you give it your best try there, Devil.”

  I spent the rest of the night pulling every single whimper and kiss I could from Audrey. I again memorized every inch and curve of her delectable body that I already knew so well. That familiar burn in my chest ignited while I was driving deep inside her.

  Under the stars, I knew there would never be another woman for me.

  I loved Audrey with all that I was.

  ~Audrey~

  After volunteering for my Saturday morning reading at El Dorado County Library the weekend following our camping trip, I hurried home to shower and change. At the same time, I pondered over what to do with Blake this afternoon. He had told me all week that it would be my turn to pick our plans today.

  I racked my brain for possibilities, coming up empty. Shit, I don’t even have a hobby.

  Since moving on my own, college, studying, and finals had become my life. Then, after graduation, work was my new life. There wasn’t much room for extras if I wanted to pay my bills and student loans off before I was thirty.

  Today felt like a big step for me. Blake had done nothing but been kind and open with me, and I felt like I was finally ready to do the same. Yet, I just didn’t know who I was outside of work. I recalled my childhood years and what I’d loved most during my spare time. An impeccable plan came into action.

  I visited with my mom for an hour and settled her in for my absence before hitting the road. After the long sixty-second drive to Blake’s house, I exited my car and ambled up to his front door. Good ole rock-and-roll tunes blared from the speakers as he opened the door, dressed in only a pair of black Nike basketball shorts that slung low on his hips. Of course, my eyes raked him in, mesmerized by each and every ripped muscle on his chest and abs—not to mention, those damn sexy biceps he was sporting.

  A deep laughter filled the air. “Hey! I’m up here!” He waved a towel in my face and stepped closer, gathering me in his arms. It was then I noticed his skin was slightly damp. “Unless you want to show me in my room what you were thinking about…” He trailed off, leaving my mind to wander with all the heavenly things I wanted to do to him.

  My eyes finally made their way up to his face. “God, you’re so distracting,” I confessed out loud.

  “How so?” he crooned, swooping in to kiss my lips. Then, he made his way over along the base of my jaw, nearly making me collapse in his arms.

  “Your body…” I murmured, absorbing his touch. “Every time I see it, wicked images fill my mind, and I lose my concentration.”

  “Maybe you should wait out here.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. His handsome blue eyes were dark with raw heat. “Or I might ruin your plans and lock you in my room for the day.”

  With a backward wink, he sauntered toward the stairs en route of his bedroom.

  “That would definitely not ruin my plans,” I purred softly, admiring how his toned ass swayed beneath his shorts until he disappeared from sight.

  “I can hear you,” he called out.

  I chortled and strolled forward to sit on his couch in the living room. While waiting, my phone beeped with a text from Abbey.

  Hey, girl! Can’t believe the wedding is only SEVEN days away! Anything else we need to knock off the list?

  I backtracked over our preparation the last several weeks and double-checked the details. The last events to take place were the bachelor and bachelorette parties, which were this coming Thursday night since everyone had taken Friday off work. Other than that, no corners had been left uncovered, so I texted her back.

  Nope! I think we are set to go! See you Thursday for the bachelorette party.

  Blake came into the room just as Abbey messaged me back.

  WHOOP! WHOOP! Can’t wait! ;)

  I laughed, rose to my feet, and replied.

  Me either!

  I tucked my phone into my shorts pocket and crossed the short distance to Blake. He had changed into a khaki pair of shorts and a fitted black tee.

  God, even dressed, he’s sexy without trying.

  “Ready?” he asked, banding his broad arms around my back.

  I reached up on my toes and kissed him, unable to deny myself. “Yep,” I breathed, reluctantly drawing back.

  He took my hand in his and led me to the door. “Where to?”

  “I thought we might go to the docks today,” I responded, exiting through the door.

  Blake turned to lock the door. We retraced our tracks to my car to grab a blanket and a basket of goodies I had prepared before we headed down to his parking garage.

  “The docks sound good to me,” he agreed, opening the passenger door of his Ford for me.

  I hopped in and buckled my seat belt. Blake came around to his side of the truck and did the same before firing up his Ford. As we made the drive toward the lake, I directed him to Lake Tahoe Powerboat Rentals. It had been open since I was a kid.

  Blake parked the truck, and we exited together. He neared me and asked in an excited tone, “Are we going on a boat today?”

  “Yes.” I smiled over at him, taking his hand.

  We walked inside and approached the front desk.

  A young teen girl was behind the counter and greeted us, “Hello, how may I help you?”

  “I’d like to rent a small boat today, please.”

  She glanced at the computer screen and then back at me. “We only have two pontoon boats left for today or a small rowboat. Which would you like?”

  “A rowboat. Thank you.”

  “That will be one hundred and twenty-four dollars for four hours, ma’am.” She extended a clipboard over the counter. “I’ll just need your license, and please fill out this form.”

  Blake reached forward, set his Visa on the counter, and grabbed the clipboard before I had a chance.

  “Hey! This is my day to treat you!” I admonished.

  He grinned over at me and retorted, “Not gonna happen, woman,” before swooping down to give me a smacking kiss right on my mouth in front of the young girl. “My treat to you,” he breathed, pulling away.

  I was unable to hold back a ridiculously huge blush that spread across every plane of my face. Then, I made eye contact with the receptionist to see her blushing and
swooning like crazy, too. I was glad I wasn’t the only one affected by his charm. And the whole time, Blake was off in his own world, already filling out the form.

  Minutes later, he picked up his head and handed the information to her. She worked quickly. Before I could blink an eye, I had my life vest secured around my center, and we were walking on the dock toward our boat.

  The boat was a light chestnut color with two sets of matching oars. Two gentlemen approached us and went over safety rules and directions. Then, it was just Blake and me.

  Blake climbed into the boat, balancing himself, as he placed our personal items on the wooden floor. Then, he pivoted and outstretched a hand to me. “Careful now.”

  I squeezed him tightly while stepping down. The boat rocked from my slow movement.

  “Easy now, or you’ll dunk us before we even leave the dock!” He laughed, steadying me.

  “No dunking today. The water will be cold!”

  His eyes glinted with mischief. “So you think.”

  “Don’t get any wild ideas there, Devil.” I took the front seat and gave him my stern expression. “Or you’ll be going in with me.”

  “Maybe…maybe not.” He winked, sitting down along the back side, facing me.

  We both picked up our oars. Blake dunked his in the water first and began to pull away from the ledge. I slowly eased mine into the lake. I watched the way his arms flexed, tightening against his T-shirt with each pull. It was utterly distracting.

  “You okay over there?” he asked, smirking at me.

  I snapped out of my haze and tugged on my oars, helping him. “Yep.”

  “Where to?” he inquired, using his natural strength to move us more quickly than I’d anticipated.

  I tipped my head east toward a bank. “How about that way?”

  The shore was lined with large rocks and a crest from where the water had receded because of the decreased rainfall this year. It looked positively beautiful from here, and the area was clear of powerboats, too, which would make it easier for us to paddle the mile or so by hand.

  Blake had his inquisitive eyes pinned on me. “Have you been to these parts of the lake before?”

  “Yes, I’ve been to a few spots along the bank,” I replied, forcing the water back with my next row. My biceps and shoulders strained from the movement. Apparently, I was not as strong as I used to be. This was hard stuff.

  Blake nodded as we continued to tread out farther from the bay. Thin white clouds were beginning to roll in, and the sun was peeping in and out of them, bouncing off the water, as we cruised onward.

  Once Blake and I neared our destination, we came to a stop about twenty feet out. I smiled while taking in the view. Gulls and geese lined the shore, savaging around for food. The pines looked much taller now that we were closer. Some of the roots were exposed from the waterline receding, and they were much larger than I had expected.

  Blake and I secured the oars. I felt myself relax, and I reveled in this time with him. It never mattered what we were doing together. Just his company would put me at ease. But to embrace the serene outdoors with him was an added bonus I would not take for granted. I intended to soak in every second of the day.

  Blake shifted his attention to his bench and then mine, appearing to have an internal debate with himself. “This seating arrangement just isn’t going to work for me. You’re too far away.” He rose to his feet, grabbed the picnic basket, and set it on the wood. Then, he laid out the blanket in the center of the boat.

  I raised my brows as I wondered how on earth someone of his height and build was going to fit in such a small space, let alone how the two of us would fit together. “Are you sure there’s enough room?”

  “I got this,” Blake said with confidence as he sat down perpendicular to the length of the boat, letting his feet dangle over the other side.

  The boat swayed with each of his movements, and I grabbed the edges to steady myself, fearing we were going in at any given moment.

  Once he was comfortable, he peered up at me and grinned. “Come on, beautiful woman.” He curled his fingertips, motioning for me. “It’s your turn to get down here.”

  I shifted my feet together nervously before gradually lowering myself down to the floor. “If we tip over, it’s so your fault.”

  Figuring countering his weight was our best option, I sat next to him on the opposing side.

  When I made eye contact with Blake, he was glaring daggers at me. “Yeah, that’s not what I meant.” He patted the space next to him, causing a quiet thump with his hand. “Get your butt over here,” he added playfully.

  I shook my head in denial. “No way! We’ll flip over!”

  Blake unleashed a devilishly sexy grin. “You’re going to increase our chances of getting wet if I have to come over there and get you.” His tone was full of challenge, mirroring his expression.

  Still fearing to move, my eyes widened at the thought of plunging into the water. We were still out deep enough where I couldn’t touch the bottom.

  Blake began to shuffle at my silence.

  I lifted my hands and waved them in surrender. “Okay! Okay!” I chortled. Then, I accidentally blurted out, “But if we end up flipping, you’d better save me!”

  He came to an abrupt halt and tilted his head at me. “You can’t swim?” he asked, keeping his voice sincere but also curious.

  Realizing this probably didn’t make sense to him since it was my idea to get on a boat yet not be in the water, I exhaled a tiny sigh. “No.”

  “But you wanted to go out on a boat?” His tone remained the same while observing my life vest and me.

  I was sure me wearing the jacket now made sense to him since he had opted out of using one.

  “Yes,” I said, trying to save myself from this embarrassing explanation. “It’s a long story.”

  Blake nodded in deliberation.

  Within what could have only been seconds, he sat forward, reached for the hem of his shirt, and pulled it over his head, exposing his sinful upper body to my eyes.

  “What are you doing?” I croaked out.

  Blake took off his shoes and socks. Then, he stood to his feet and looked around the lake before unbuckling his shorts, completely ignoring my gaping expression. They fell to his ankles as he perched a mischievous brow down at me. “Teaching you how to swim.”

  If I wasn’t so beyond petrified right now, I would undoubtedly be drinking in the nearly naked state of him standing in front of me.

  “Right now?” I yelped in utter shock, staring into his assertive blue eyes. “But we are on a lake, and it’s going to be freezing cold water.”

  “It’s not exactly warm like the Florida ocean is this time of year, but it’s certainly not cold.”

  “What if I drown?” I questioned, gazing out at the murky dark water. “You won’t even be able to see me!”

  Blake chuckled deeply and then rolled his eyes at me. “I’m an excellent swimmer, and you’ll never be that far away from me.” He stepped closer, dropped to his haunches, and extended his hand to me. His eyes altered yet again, softening, as if asking me to trust him. “Come on, Audrey. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He laced his fingers in between mine. “I would never let anything happen to you.” His hand tenderly squeezed mine. “Ever.”

  All it took was seeing this heartfelt side of him, and every time, it would melt my resolve and affect me in so many ways that it shouldn’t. Nonetheless, I was powerless to stop how he made me feel.

  I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone. “All right.” Then, I blinked over at him. “Only if you promise not to let me go.”

  “Never.” He smiled. A sweet dimple flashed at the corner of his cheek, and then it disappeared from my sight as he closed the small space between us. “I won’t ever let you go, sweet girl,” he murmured affectionately before kissing me.

  When he drew back, I exhaled shakily. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  We stood next to one another, mindful
not to make any sudden movements.

  Blake’s facial expression went boyish as he gestured to my clothes. “Take it off, baby, and let’s get wet.”

  I pinned my eyes up at him. “That’s not going to happen.” I momentarily removed my vest to take off my first stylish tank top over my head, intending to keep on the second plain one underneath. Then, I refastened my orange safety vest.

  “Aw, come on. No one’s out here but me,” he teased.

  I bit my lip, contemplating over my shorts, not wanting to later endure the rest of the day and a car ride home with wet shorts.

  “Underwear are basically like girl swimsuit bottoms,” Blake continued, cutting into my internal debate.

  Acknowledging he had a good point, I scanned our surroundings just to be sure the coast was clear. Then, I shimmied out of my shorts. “You only live once.” I winked up at him as I tossed my denim onto my seat at the front of the boat.

  “Attagirl.” He smiled broadly at me.

  We turned our bodies to face the bank. Blake retrieved the small anchor from the deck and dropped it into the water.

  “I’m going to get in first while trying not to shake the boat. Hold on to the sides.”

  I sat down in my seat and gripped the side ledge. “Okay.”

  Blake got into the water, only swaying me slightly. When he surfaced, he slicked his hair back and treaded the water, making it look so easy.

  “The water’s actually pretty decent.” He swam back to the rowboat and peered up at me, effortlessly treading the water with his hands skimming the surface in front of him. “All right, now, it’s your turn.”

  I rose on trembling legs and peeked over the edge. The water was so dark that I couldn’t see the bottom, which made it worse. At least in a swimming pool, someone could find me.