by Petrova, Em
She bit her lip, one of the sexiest things he’d ever seen, as wild color flooded her face, neck, and upper chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“Shh.” His fingers caressed her swollen little nubbin, tugging once, twice.
Christine arched as she exploded with a scream then collapsed against him as her pussy throbbed around his rock hard cock. Moments later, she gasped out, “How can you still be...?”
Charlie laughed with desperate need. “Because of you.” He lifted them to half sitting position, her tunnel still pulsing around him. “Let me show you what else you do.” Their musk mingled as he grasped her hips, moving them in a slow ride.
She held his arms and matched his pace, from slow and easy to wild and fast. She arched, head dropping like a stone to his shoulder. So he slowed with gentleness he didn’t think he possessed, easing in and out as if they had all the time in the world. His arms enfolded his precious, unique Gem. His heartbeat thudded against her spine as his hands caressed and stroked her silken skin. She felt so good, they felt so good, were so good. He never wanted this moment to stop.
But his body strained and his cock ached. He delved his fingers once more within her wet folds. Christine’s face held a contrast of desire, need, and wonder. She grabbed the melted something inside him as she whispered his name, just his name, and her palm cupped his cheek. Charlie halted, teeth bared ever so slightly as he clutched her hips tight, pulsing deep within her. “Come for me. Again.” He thrust hard and heard her whimper. One finger pressed her nubbin. “Now.”
“Charlie!” Teeth sunk in her bottom lip, she came apart, hips flush, spine bowed as her forehead brushed his and release flooded over him.
“Thank you, thank Christ.” He exploded deep and clung to her as they both tried to breathe. After endless minutes, he lowered them to the tangled sheets and wrapped her close, one leg thrown over hers, his head nuzzled in her neck. They lay there for minutes, hours, he couldn’t tell. God, what the hell had just happened?
Christine spoke, her voice a thread of sound. “It’s like the first time for me, because it is the first time I ever—more than once.”
“My beautiful darling.” Charlie kissed her shoulder, utterly enchanted and more than a bit proud of himself. “It’s a first for us both.”
She gazed up at him, a mixture of tousled innocent and satisfied wanton. “You feel so incredible, in and on me. What did you call me earlier in your language?”
Charlie shifted a bit and realized they remained joined. Now wasn’t quite the time to admit what had previously only been spoken in his dreams. He flexed. “I’ll tell you later. Next?”
“I feel you but still—” Her brows raised, slender slashes of dark blonde on her creamy skin. “—are you certain you’re up for more?”
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll show you what six years’ worth of waiting does to a man.” Charlie traced her spine, absorbing the delicate little shivers.
She gaped. “Six years? You’ve wanted me for six years? But you never told me, or let on in any way.”
“I flirted with you.” His fingers danced up and down her arm. “Daily for the last three of those years.”
“You flirt with everyone.” Christine frowned. “Every woman you meet. You want them all?”
Charlie shrugged. “Not in the way I flirt with and want you. Besides, you needed to come to me, make your own choice, take a chance. Since you have, we haven’t even begun really.”
“I trust you to take very good care of me.” Her eyelids swept down. The unspoken please don’t hurt me hung in the air.
He kissed her so gently it made tears form in her eyes. “You just showed me how much. You have to believe I trust you as well.” So please don’t hurt me, either, because I can’t endure if you do.
“With anything I might suggest?” Christine bit her lip and glanced away as an adorable flush stained her skin.
Intrigued, he smiled nice and slow. “So there is a sensual vixen under the shy exterior. What do you have in mind?”
Charlie moaned as she slid away from him. She walked to the laptop case he’d flung on the small hotel desk before hitting the sound system. She dug a bit as he imaged his hands caressing her delectable ass, then she straightened and turned back. Four colorful scarves dangled as she glided them over breasts and stomach. “I saw this movie once and it gave me such interesting ideas. Care to try a few with me?”
He wondered what brought this change. Had the near plane crash caused this siren to come forward or had she simply kept this adventurous vixen hidden all these years? God, why had he waited so long? Her skin glowed, but not nearly as bright as her eyes. He loved her face, loved her body. But he was only human and needed a bit of a reprieve, as did she. Before they tackled more sensual needs, they should handle practical ones. He glanced at the bedside clock then rolled over and reached for the telephone. He ordered late lunch from room service then simply watched this mystery named Christine.
She swung one lovely leg over the other and crossed her arms. The scarves she held drew his gaze to her glowing skin. He could look all day, all night, and still not see enough.
“Prime rib and Victoria, Australia shiraz? What are we celebrating?”
Charlie rose and lifted first one slender hand then the other to his lips. “We’re celebrating your unexpected arrival in Hawaii and taking chances, of course.” He placed the scarves—God, what images those brought—aside. “Let’s shower while we wait.”
Chapter Four
Christine turned from letting the hotel staff exit the room. Her mouth watered at the sight of Charlie in nothing but a tented towel, one long toned leg partly exposed. His chest remained bare, all toned muscle and hard skin. How could she concentrate on food when dessert stood right in front of her? She’d thought washing him in the shower had been sexy. But watching him walk toward her, hair slicked back and wet, God, he personified sex. “The food is here.” Geez, what a stupid, a duh statement.
He lifted the lid off one plate. “It looks good. Come and eat.”
Oh, Christine wanted to eat all right. Him. Again and again. Head bowed, she went to the table, but he appeared behind her, holding the chair as she sank into it. The rare chivalrous gesture for most men came so naturally for Charlie. “Thank you.”
He sat across from her and lifted both lids. The aroma of yeast rolls and rare prime rib competed with his scent. “So, while we eat let me tell you the history of Hawaii.” The sound of his voice relaxed her, allowing her to enjoy dinner. Just enough native accent flavored his speech as deliciously as honey butter on the rolls. He described his world so vividly she fell more and more in love with his voice. They were literally worlds apart, yet she’d never felt closer to anyone.
Charlie buttered a roll and passed it to her. The simple gesture touched something fluttery inside her. Minutes later, she did the same for him, watching surprise enter his face before he smiled and took the bread. A drip of butter lingered at the corner of his mouth; his tongue darted to lick it. She immediately flashed back to his lips and mouth upon her in the steamy shower, his tongue tasting, bringing her climax. Her whole body went molten.
“Something wrong?” He licked his lips again, tongue gliding along his bottom lip.
Christine gulped wine and shoved a piece of meat so tender it didn’t need a knife into her mouth, though she could taste nothing but his skin on her lips. “No. It’s delicious.” She met his gaze and saw the teasing smile. Pay back for her teasing in the bathroom. Two could play this game. She drank far too much Shiraz as she plotted, the flavor almost as delightfully sinful as what she planned for him next.
His head tilted to one side when he spoke. She’d bet this wine he didn’t realize he did that when he had a plan on his mind. When he smiled, one side of his mouth lifted a tad higher than the other. He spoke with his hands, just as she did, using them to emphasize a point.
When one hand covered hers, the most natural thing in the world seemed to be to t
urn her palm up and clasp his fingers. They both went silent, looking at their joined hands. He raised the cover of a bowl filled with strawberries and pineapple, selected the largest fruit, dipped it into a cup of cream, and held it toward her. “Try this. It’s local grown.”
Christine opened her mouth and bit into sweet, delicious fruit. But in her mind she saw him kneeling, the scent of strawberry shampoo in the air and the cream of her release upon his lips. Christine swallowed. Charlie had to be aware of the way he affected her. Was this all a game, then, not just the teasing, but this whole night? She didn’t want to know, at least not now. The laughter died as desire filled his face when she took a strawberry and offered it. “No cream?”
She winked. “You already had cream.”
He laughed, fingers tightening over hers. “Will I again?”
“You have to ask?”
He dipped a finger in the cream and offered it. “Start here.”
She licked the sweetness with tiny strokes of her tongue as his eyes darkened with want. “Yum.” She sucked his finger tip, sliding her mouth down and up again. The change—subtle since he remained a man who thrived on being in control—came with a very slight flush of his cheeks and tremors in his fingers. She rose and tugged him to his feet, pushing the towel away and letting the robe drop from her shoulders. “I want to be near to you with nothing between us.”
“Allow me.” His arms came around to lock her body to his.
“Holding you, being held, feels so right.” They fit perfectly. She had found paradise, and it had nothing to do with being in Hawaii.
“You fit me well.”
She could live in the navy depths of his eyes. There were parts he hadn’t shown her, secrets she wanted him to tell. But Christine wanted more than just physical joining. She wanted it all, every day of her life. The realization made her pull back, shocked and afraid.
“Christine?” His forehead wrinkled, head tilted. “What’s wrong?”
She pushed away ‘the real world’ and ‘after this night’. Nothing mattered but this moment, him against her, and their plans to make all their fantasies come true. Christine stood on tip toe to kiss him. His mouth fused to hers, a torment, a frenzy of tongues and lips. Now, it had to be now. Christine took his hands, pushed him down on the bed, and retrieved the scarves. “Please?”
“You or me?” His steady gaze betrayed none of his thoughts.
“Both.” She refused to be shy or embarrassed anymore. She’d be bold, if only for tonight. “Though I’d really like to tie you first.”
He grinned and lay back against the carved headboard. “I am at your mercy then.”
After several more bouts of intense sexual exploration, Charlie pulled Christine into his embrace and kissed the top of her head. “I’m right where I want and need to be.”
“So am I.” Her breathing evened and he realized she had fallen asleep.
He should too after all this activity. But he drew back to look at the relaxed lines of her face, seeing her satisfaction and a smile even in slumber. He touched their lips, shifted enough weight to be comfortable yet still be as close as possible, pulled up the thin bed blanket, and listened to her gentle breathing. He could have lost her. They might never have shared this. He didn’t sleep but felt relaxed and content as he memorized each line and curve of her.
“My Christine. How can I ever let you leave me?” He murmured as she nuzzled a bit into the pillow. “Can I ask you to give up the things holding you in the mainland: your children, home, job, new found independence? Would you take a chance? Even with me?”
Could I? A tiny voice whispered inside his head. Can I take a chance Christine won’t one day become what I lost before?
Chapter Five
I can’t believe it. Am I crazy? Christine pushed at her hair. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
Charlie smiled before he kissed and tugged on her hand. “Come with me.” After wrapping a towel around his waist he draped her in the robe, winked, and opened the curtain on the French doors.
The sun set over the ocean in an explosion of red, gold, and orange. Christine gasped as they walked out onto the balcony. The warm air scented with flowers and sound of waves hitting the shore embraced her. The swirling colors painted a picture more beautiful than any sunset she’d ever seen. Charlie held her against his chest as they watched, his arms wrapped around her.
Sea birds calling to each other mingled with the distant sounds of other people: a child calling, laughter, the ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ as Mother Nature displayed her glory. She entwined their fingers and stood secure in the heat from his body. It grew dusky, yet they remained long after the sun disappeared and stars began to dot the sky. “I saw this in Australia too. The way you seem able to reach up and touch the stars. Their clarity and shine, it’s amazing.”
“How many shall I pluck for you?” Charlie kissed the top of her head, snuggling her closer.
Christine laughed. Such silly romantic nonsense. She saw why Hawaii remained the dream honeymoon location, romance hung in the air, a scent unlike any other. A feeling as though lovers had all the time in the world to just be together.
“Thank you for making this unexpected disaster one of the best days of my life.” Her fingertips explored the back of his hand. He didn’t reply, and although his arms stayed around her, they tensed. She nibbled her lip. Damn. Had she said too much too soon, crossed some imaginary line even after all they’d done?
“You’re welcome.” Cupping her cheek, he turned her gaze to his. “And thank you for just being you.” Expression veiled, revealing nothing of what he thought, Charlie led them inside and wheeled the dishes into the hall while she stood uncertain. What now? After pulling back the tangled sheets and piling pillows against the headboard, Charlie dropped the towel, settled in bed, and opened his legs and arms. “Join me?”
Christine bit her lip to keep tears at bay, relieved beyond hope he didn’t dress and leave. She shed the robe and settled between his legs, her back against his chest. He wrapped around her and held her hands, causing her heart to thud at the way their fingers entwined.
“Tell me about Australia.” His voice was even and deep like their normal nightly chats, except this time they lay together naked in each other’s arms. Christine launched into details of Sydney, Harbor Bridge, Opera House, and the people she’d met sharing everything she had wished to share at the time she’d seen them.
Charlie listened as no one had listened in a long time, as no one else ever did, asking questions, being interested, making her feel heard and important and vital, so close not just in body but in spirit. Her head tilted up; he smiled and touched their lips together, soft and warm, before shifting them to lay spoon fashion. A dim glow from the bedside lamp and the bright stars outside lit the room as Christine breathed deep of his scent, wiggled, and curled into him as he curved around her. Still his hands held hers, tucked against them as natural as breathing. It was too easy to fall into slumber with him beside her, protecting and keeping her safe. For the first time in a very long time, she felt completely secure.
Later, disoriented and groggy, Christine felt Charlie move behind her in the semi-darkness, hips pressing against hers, over and over, until she moved in perfect sync. One hand cupped her breast, the other locked in hers as his knee parted her thighs so he could slide inside her moist heat. For a moment they stilled, held together, joined in the ultimate way. She didn’t dare move. If she dreamed, and even if not, she didn’t wish to lose this precious moment. They were one.
Charlie murmured near her ear, her name, an endearment, it didn’t matter. Their kiss was soft, tender, and so perfect it must have been a dream. Unlike the other kisses they shared, it didn’t escalate, even as they rocked their hips in continued shared motion. As easy as a slow, late summer stream, his thrusts and her arches into them became so natural as if they had done this a hundred times in a hundred ways.
She felt the tightening inside as his hands gripped hers. Their l
ips clung as the orgasm took them, his hot liquid burning into her and hers over him. With hands clasped, bodies connected, Christine slipped back toward sleep. “My Charlie.”
***
He heard the whisper as she slipped back into slumber with her lips curved. Charlie kissed her head, content and delighted she’d felt this difference in their joining. They had just made love for the first time. Sill inside her, though he’d soon slip free, Charlie listened to her quiet breathing and wondered how the hell he could watch her get on a plane in a few hours and leave him here alone again. Solitude never bothered him until this moment, and he understood he would never be content without her.
What the hell could he do? Taking control in sex might be one thing; asking her to surrender the life she’d busted her ass to build would be asking too much. And God, did he even want commitment again?
Christine remained a beacon of light, unique, special, and cherished like no woman he’d ever been with. Yet he’d vowed never again to give so much of himself to any woman, regardless of who it was. Could he risk his own hard won freedom and self-confidence?
Charlie watched her dark lashes flutter on her cheeks. Christine had never, before this Australian dream trip, traveled more than twenty miles from her hometown, except to visit her children at their universities. A mom to the core, her children were her whole world, regardless of the fact they were adults themselves. A knife twist, a pain he rarely acknowledged, coursed through him. No mother, especially a dedicated one like Christine, could be so far from her children or pull up stakes and leave them, especially when he couldn’t tell her for certain exactly what he could offer.