by KaLyn Cooper
He took her to the edge of that precipice so fast she was ready to come in minutes. When he inserted two fingers into her, she strained to withhold her release.
“Luke.” It was a warning.
“Go ahead. Come for me.”
“Luke, I want you inside me. Now.”
He chuckled. “When did you become such a demanding wench?” He shoved his fingers all the way in. “I told you to come. Now.” Then he sucked her clit. Hard.
Caroline’s whole body shook as he stroked, extending her orgasm. She floated in bliss and barely felt him enter. The pressure of his body on hers was another form of pleasure.
He pumped into her as her brain drifted back to reality. When he ground his hips into hers, her still stimulated clit took notice. She felt another wave of desire gather and take over her body. Before she could collect enough air to speak, he did.
“Let go, Caroline. Come with me this time.”
She couldn’t have stopped it even if she’d wanted to. And she certainly didn’t want to stop. Not then. Maybe never.
He grew even larger as her body clamped around his cock, every muscle tightening in expectation of her next climax.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart. I want you to see where you take me, what you do to me.”
She forced open her eyes, and he filled her world. She was lost in the deep blue of his gaze. She was lost in him. He smiled down at her through clenched teeth, holding his own release, waiting for hers.
That was all it took. She fell into an abyss so unfathomable she should have been afraid. But with Luke inside her, with her, she’d never have to worry about crashing. She’d never let him have that much of her heart ever again. But, damn, the sex was good!
As Caroline lay in Luke’s arms several hours later, tucked under the sheet conveniently provided on the palapa’s bed, she ran her fingers through the light hairs on his chest. They had dozed and reached for each other twice more. Each time had been better than the last, as they relearned each other’s bodies and needs once again. She laid sprawled over him, her knee cocked over his far hip, her chest on his, her cheek resting over his heart.
“It’ll be dawn soon.” Luke kissed the top of her head. “I have customers this morning starting at nine, but I’ll be finished by three. Want to fly with me this afternoon?”
“Sure. Might as well. I’ve been flying with you all night.” She lifted her head and gave him a teasing grin.
He lightly smacked her bare ass. “Yes, you have.” He bent his head and kissed her. It was gentle, lips only, but what passed between them at the touch was a promise of more to come.
She and Luke were not done. He’d just made sure they’d see each other again, in only a few hours.
“We should get moving,” he suggested. “I’ll walk you home, and then I’ll see you at the helicopter pad at three. From your condo, it’s out the front, facing the street.”
“I saw it when we arrived. I couldn’t believe the place was so upscale that it had a landing pad.”
“Actually, I use it for all the condos in that area. Yours is extremely nice though.”
“Luke.” Caroline tried to make her voice as sincere as possible, wincing as she slipped into the damp white dress. “I’m glad you were at the club tonight…I mean last night.”
He bent to pick up his shorts and underwear. “Me too. I almost didn’t go.” He shrugged. “It hasn’t been my scene lately.”
“Why? Don’t you dare tell me you’re involved with someone.” She scanned the sand surrounding the bed for her panties, too afraid to look at him if he said yes.
“Looking for these?” Luke intertwined his fingers through the scap of lace.
“Yes, thank you.” When she reached for them, he held them over his head.
“Mine now. Finders keepers.”
The mischievous smile that crossed his face threw her back four years to the way he’d playfully picked on her while they were study buddies. It was one of the things that had drawn her to him. She was sucked in once again.
She adjusted the dress over her body, trying for nonchalance. “You can add them to your collection. I’m sure it’s vast at this point. Do you display them by color or style?”
Luke twirled her to face him and grabbed her arms. “I never collected souvenirs from the women I’ve been with, and you, of all people, know there’s been a lot. But hear this, Caroline Hodges, none of those women have ever come close to what you mean to me. I’ve never regretted anything as much as the way I treated you in flight school.” He drew her into his arms and held her tight against his body, wet shirt to wet dress. Heart to heart. “I promise to give you an orgasm every day that you are here in Cancun, if you’ll forgive me for being an ass back then.”
She’d already forgiven him, but he didn’t need to know that. She took responsibility for her own part in what had happened years ago. They’d both grown up during the war.
“Two.” She lifted her head off his shoulder to look at him, read the truth or lie in his eyes.
She was willing to play with Luke for the week she was there. He was good for her recently smashed ego. She relived the humiliating moment she’d overheard Robert and the jet jocks talking about his upcoming wedding in Hawaii. The pain she’d forgotten while with Luke now pushed on her heart, but it wasn’t anywhere near as devastating as it had been.
“I want two, every day…or night…while I’m here.” She was recovering nicely. Perhaps by the time Luke had given her multiple orgasms, her memories of Robert would be vanquished into the past. She could throw them on the pile of mistakes, never to be repeated again. Lesson learned.
His body aligned with hers, warming her from the inside out. But it was his smile reflected in his eyes that sealed the deal.
“I solemnly promise you, Caroline Hodges, at least two orgasms in every twenty-four-hour period while you are here.” His kiss confirmed the pact.
She broke away. “No strings. Nothing more than sex. Right?”
Something flashed in his eyes before he confirmed, “Lots and lots of sex.”
Chapter Four
So, all she wants is sex, huh?
Luke could do sex, and lots of it, especially with Caroline. At least that’s what he told himself he wanted for her, in penance for forgiveness.
He watched her sweet ass cheeks move under the wet dress as she walked down the hall after exiting the elevator on the sixteenth floor of the posh resort. Their conversation had been minimal as they’d made their way, hand-in-hand, the half-mile down the beach, both watching the sun fight away the dark of the night until it crested above the aqua sea.
Caroline swiped the plastic card key through the electronic lock. “Come on in. I’ll make some coffee, and if you have time, maybe I can—”
They were instantly assaulted by bright lights and too many voices, all talking at the same time as the door opened.
His friend, Jeff “Rock Star” Lennon, sat at the breakfast bar in nothing but board shorts, sipping coffee. Lisa and Sarah were across the granite slab in the kitchen covering every inch of the small countertop with food.
“Welcome home.” Sarah’s knowing smile said it all.
Lisa began singing, “There she is, Miss America.” In an announcer’s voice, she continued, “And this glorious morning, our contestant is wearing the famous walk-of-shame sheath she wore clubbing last night, and in true morning-after style, she has that enviable just-been-fucked-oh-so-very-well smile. Our congratulations to last night’s winner. Let’s hear it for Caroline Hodges.” Lisa began clapping wildly.
“Shut the fuck up,” Caroline said with a grin. “Sarah, would you pour Luke a cup of coffee while I change?”
“Will do, Caroline.” Sarah reached into the cupboard for a mug. “Lisa, you got it all wrong. I was last night’s winner.” If the lingering glance she gave Jeff was any indication, the two of them had shared a good time. “You’re just mad because Mikey left you at the door.”
“I didn’t invite him in.” Lisa
huffed. “I was soaked through and just wanted to get out of that girdle you call a dress. Last time I borrow your clothes. Besides, I’ll see him today on the boat.”
Luke slipped onto the stool next to Jeff and asked quietly, “Too Tall?” He wondered if he’d crashed and burned like Craig “Mikey” Michaelson.
“Shower.” Jeff grinned and sipped his coffee. “With Chloe. They should be finished soon.”
“So you’re taking the girls out on one of the boats today after work?” Luke asked.
“No, in a few hours.” Jeff raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t heard?”
“Hush,” Lisa ordered and turned up the volume on the television.
A local reporter stood in front of the aging-stucco public hospital. “Inside this hospital behind me is possibly the first case of Ebola on Mexican soil. Hospital authorities will neither confirm nor deny the allegation that a woman was brought in from one of the cruise ships last night with Ebola-like symptoms. The Cancun Port Authority has confirmed that the American Cruise Line ship, Mermaid of the Sea, has been quarantined and remains anchored two miles off shore. At this time, all ships scheduled for arrival today at the Port of Cancun have cancelled their calls. This will have a direct impact on the tourism industry in the Mayan Riviera region. Back to you, Miguel.”
“Fuck.” This was going to hurt his business. Luke had several flights scheduled.
The talking head in the studio plastered on a serious face. “This latest development has the potential to adversely affect hundreds of local businesses and thousands of livelihoods. Stay with us as we interview the president of the tourism association in the next hour. We will also be talking with experts in several medical fields about the inherent dangers of caring for a patient with such a highly infectious disease. We’ll be back right after these messages.”
“I take it you haven’t checked your phone in a while.” Jeff grinned. “Been too busy, huh?”
Luke dug his cell from his pocket. Twenty-six messages and fifteen texts. Over the next few minutes, he worked his way through them all. Every flight for the day had been cancelled and the rest of the week was in the to-be-determined category.
A small, warm hand touched his shoulder. “I heard.” Caroline dropped her voice to just above a whisper. “Are you going to be all right?”
Was he? He knew how much he had in his personal checking account, and he could last weeks without a lifestyle change. Business-wise, he had been building a reserve for this kind of trouble. He’d have to thank Jack Girard for that advice. He could last for a few months before tapping into his investments. He smiled and wrapped an arm around Caroline. “I’ll be fine.”
He kissed her temple and realization dawned. He’d be better than fine. He was free to spend the day, maybe several days, with her.
Looking past her, Luke asked Jeff, “Mind if I tag along with you?”
“The more, the merrier. Bring beer.”
“Jack coming?” Luke hoped he could introduce Caroline to his best friend.
“Yeah. Jillian doesn’t have any classes today so she and Addison will be joining us.”
Perfect. Caroline could meet Jack’s fiancée and her precious daughter too.
Terry Larkin and Sarah emerged from a bedroom facing the ocean just as Dex called out, “Breakfast is ready. Buffet style here in the kitchen, but we’ll eat at the dining room table. After the breakfast dishes are done, we’ll make sandwiches and snacks.”
Sarah asked no one in particular, “What time are we meeting at the boats?”
Male and female voices chorused, “Ten.”
Caroline offered Luke a cold beer as he swallowed the last bite of his ham and cheese sandwich.
“Are you having fun?” he asked.
“What’s not to like? Great boat. Good food. And wonderful company.” Caroline stepped into him and laid her lips on his for a brief kiss. It was so easy to be with him again. In some ways, the years they were apart didn’t matter. Not today, anyway. Only what they had shared last night was important.
Luke tried to pull her into his arms, but she slid to the side and leaned her elbows on the rail at the bow. He could be so possessive. Demanding of her.
At least they didn’t have to hide their relationship like she and Robert had. Shipboard romances were a big no-no. Even bigger since he out-ranked her and was her squadron leader. The Navy frowned on fraternization, and it was never the man who took the brunt of the punishment.
She stared into the crystalline sea and wished that she knew how to scuba dive. “The water is so clear I can see down thirty feet, and it’s warm.” Caroline dragged out the last word. “Not like the cold Pacific Ocean near San Diego.”
Her gaze swept the gentle waves where they had been snorkeling all morning. She was envious of Lisa, and Jillian—and all the men of course—because they were scuba certified. They’d spent forty-five minutes underwater getting up close to the magnificent coral formations, chasing iridescent-blue parrotfish, and swimming with schools of juvenile yellow tail. She promised herself she’d learn to dive as soon as possible.
Although her view from the surface had been amazing, she could only experience the deep-water thrill for two minutes at a time. She needed to practice holding her breath longer. She loved watching the damselfish dart among the coral heads, seemingly chasing a conical shell as it slid over the microorganisms. Nothing was more fascinating than the diversity and brilliant colors of the coral. From violet lace fans that waved in the currents to the yellowish-green elkhorn that grew thick and tall like their namesake, the ocean bottom had drawn Caroline with the same fascination that clouds had during her initial flights. She could swim the reef for hours and never tire of nature’s show.
But man had also decorated the sea bottom. She’d been gripped by the Madonna perched on a ledge. “That underwater Virgin Mary is awesome. Gave me goose bumps.” She shivered picturing the Holy Mother with her arms open in the surreal underwater setting.
“Ask Jillian about that statue sometime. It’s quite a story, but at least it has a happy ending.” Luke grinned, his gaze wandering to Jack and Jillian playing with her three-year-old daughter, Addison.
“So what’s the deal with them?” Caroline sipped her beer. “She introduced herself as Jillian Girard, but she’s engaged to Jack whose last name is Girard. Is that how they met, same last name?”
“It’s more complicated than that.” Luke hesitated before he clarified. “Jillian was married to Jack’s younger brother, who was murdered two and a half years ago while she was pregnant with Addi.”
“Oh my God.” Caroline’s heart ached for the gorgeous strawberry blonde who fed the darling child snack crackers at the other end of the catamaran. She’d never lost anyone she loved. “I can’t imagine.”
Luke’s brows knitted as if he was considering what to say next then he continued, “Jillian and Addi were invited to Cancun to get to know Jack’s family better and celebrate Christmas. They all fell in love.” He grinned. “I think Jack fell in love with Addison first then her mother. They’re getting married in May, right after Jillian gets her doctorate.”
The look on Luke’s face said there was more to that story. Maybe she’d get to know Jillian well enough to ask.
Jack sauntered over to them. “Want to dive again?”
“Sure,” Luke said. “You know me; I’ll go anytime.”
Jack looked apologetically at Caroline. “Ever since I taught him to dive he’s been voracious about the sport. Sorry to take him away from you. Are you going to snorkel again?”
“No, I’ve got warm puppy syndrome. I think I’ll catch up on my sleep in the sun and get some rays.” She gave Luke a small smile. He pulled her in and kissed her temple.
Jack nodded toward Jillian and Addi. “My girls are doing the same thing.” The warmth in his voice told her of his love for them. “Nap time for both of them.”
“I’ll join them on the upper deck, then.” She leaned into Luke and kissed him quick. “Have
fun.” Her smile hid the slight envy. She wondered, not for the first time, how long it took to get dive certified.
Caroline grabbed her towel from the bench seat and walked to Lisa, Chloe, and Sarah, who were sitting with their guys. “I’m gonna catch some rays while Luke dives.”
“I never turn down a chance to dive,” Lisa told them as she got up and headed toward the lashed-up tanks. “Wish I had an underwater camera like Luke’s. He’s promised to share the pics, though.”
“I need some vitamin D absorption,” Chloe announced then pecked Jeff on the cheek. “See you when you get back.”
Sarah gave Terry a long, deliciously slow, passionate kiss. “I intend to catch up on all that sleep I missed last night.”
“Store up, darlin’,” Terry advised in his Texan drawl. “You’re gonna need all the energy you can muster for tonight.” He laid back into her with a kiss that forced Caroline’s gaze to find Luke. His nod of agreement was her own warning.
The idea of another night with Luke made her tingle in all the right places. In his low-riding board shorts, and nothing else, his defined chest and arm muscles rippled in the bright sunshine. He looked good enough to eat. Maybe she’d do exactly that tonight. She licked her lips, and Luke’s scuba tank slipped from his hand, but he caught it before it hit his bare foot. Oh, yes, she’d take good care of him.
As the others donned tanks, masks, and fins, Caroline and her friends made their way to the upper deck where Jillian was situating a beach towel.
“Where’s Addison?” Caroline asked.
“She has a little cot in the office beneath us where it’s cooler and out of the sun.” Jillian pointed to the edge of the upper deck. “The windows are open, so I can hear her when she wakes.”
“She’s adorable.” Sarah settled on her towel next to Jillian’s. Caroline smoothed out hers then lay down on the other side of Sarah.
Chloe sat cross-legged on her towel. “She’s just too cute.” She cast a side-long glance at Jillian then boldly asked, “So, you and Jack, when are you getting married?”