by Carrie Banks
Bending down he slowly kisses the crook of my neck while unzipping my dress.
It falls to the floor.
I step out only wearing my white lace thong. He inhales sharply, and I fall back on the bed. He climbs over me. I grab his belt buckle boldly, unfastening it and push his pants down. I jerk back in shock not expecting this.
“You were going commando all night, under your tux?”
He laughs, opening the nightstand drawer taking out a condom. Climbing back over me he strips my panties off. Kissing his way up my body, his tongue draws circles on my stomach. He pulls himself up on his elbows and sucks one nipple deeply while playing with the other one.
My body is on fire.
I writhe on the bed arching my hips needing more where it burns. He smiles against my skin and moves a hand down to relieve my ache.
“You’re so ready.”
“Will it hurt?” I whisper into his hair.
“It might. I’ll go slow. As slow as I can. I promise to make this very special for you.”
He takes his time and finds every sweet spot on my body. We both learn how I like to be touched.
Caressed.
Loved.
I’m lost in his arms. Time slips away and when he kisses me deeply and asks if I’m sure one more time before sliding his body in to mine.
When he’s finally all the way inside me, he stills and lets out a hiss, “You are so tight, baby. It feels so good.” Leaning on his elbow, he takes his free hand and laces our fingers together. He slowly moves inside me. Our hearts are as entwined as our hands. And he never lets go.
I relish the feeling of having him fully planted inside me. It burned when he pressed through my virginity barrier but a few minutes after, all I felt was extreme pleasure.
Now, he moves in and out in a rhythm, as my free hand grips his biceps. I feel like a glorious woman—instead of a girl who still lives at home with her parents. This is… incredible. He’s thick and long and hits some secret spot deep inside me with every thrust. He looks me in the eyes every other pump. He kisses my lips…my nipples…my neck…my ear. He touches me everywhere at the same time. He’s constantly working, to be everywhere at once. He makes love like it’s the art form it’s supposed to be—until it’s too much. I let myself ride the wave. I feel my inner muscles clutch and spasm around him.
“Damn, baby, I feel you coming.”
I pull his head back so I can watch his face. I want to see the pleasure my body is giving his. The skin over his cheek bones are tight, he pulls his lower lip back between his teeth.
“Fuck baby.”
The look on his face is pure ecstasy. He bends his head down to pull my nipple into his mouth. I can feel his strong spasms inside me even through the condom he’s wearing. It goes on and on and makes me come again.
Sweaty and breathless, he rests the top of his forehead against mine.
After a few minutes, he pulls out to take care of the condom. My eyes follow his powerful body as he walks into the bathroom. I snuggle against the thick mattress without any regrets because that was amazing.
I’m glad I waited.
Today was a day that I’ll remember for my rest of my life. It’s was the type of day that you always dream about, but never experience. Right now, I’m living a life straight out of the Harlequin novels that I find stashed under my mom’s bed and I never want to give it up.
***
The light streaming through the porthole lands on my face. Groaning, I roll over and feel the gently swaying of the boat under me. Stretching, I feel the ache between my thighs, reminding me that last night wasn’t a dream after all. But I’m disappointed he’s gone.
I pick up my phone, not believing it’s already mid-morning. I shower and get dressed in my denim cut offs and a Newport, Rhode Island tank. Picking up the ship’s phone, I place my own coffee order. Then, I walk up the stairs and out to the main deck. It’s a new morning on the Majesty and I know whatever happens, I’ll never forget last night.
“Where have you been JD?”
He grins and sips his iced coffee. With his baseball cap on backward and a pair of Ray-Bans, he looks happy despite being ditched for two days.
“More importantly, how has your weekend been so far?”
I smack his arm, “I never kiss and tell. I’m sorry we ended up spending the entire weekend onboard, it wasn’t the original plan.”
“It’s fine. I hardly had a pity party. Cruising on this baby for two days was like heaven for me, especially when Barron let me drive her.”
“Where are Barron and Ryan anyway?”
“They’re up on the bridge looking at the navigation system…Gabby’s still in bed.”
We both share an amused look.
I stretch out on a chaise lounge with my latte and sigh, “I can’t believe I have to go back to work tomorrow. I want this weekend to last forever.”
“It was that good, huh?”
“A total dream.”
“Lucky girl. I’m happy for you, Tess, I just hope it lasts.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I’ve always looked out for you. I told you the complete story of these guys. Don’t get me wrong—they’ve both been gracious hosts this weekend. But you know their legendary history. As much as Barron’s dad has been on his ass—I just don’t see Barron Foster giving up his party lifestyle so quickly or letting his number one wingman go without a fight. Just watch your back.”
My happiness takes a nosedive, because I know he’s right.
Things are never this perfect for me, ever. I’ve never been the girl to win in the end, but that never stops me from trying.
“Hey beautiful,” Ryan and Barron walk down the stairs from the top deck. I avoid his eyes, and sip my drink. He comes over to me, bending down to give me a quick kiss.
“Everything okay?” I shrug, still not meeting his gaze.
“Just feeling a little shy,” I answer, feeling my cheeks burn.
I still feel him inside me, probably will for days.
My first impression of him was spot on. Ryan Stone is the king of alpha males…and he is way too much for me to handle.
“Don’t be. Last night was special, for me too,” he whispers into my hair.
I want to believe him.
Finally looking him in the eye, I give a small nod agreeing, “Yes, it was.”
Jen approaches, announcing brunch will be served at noon and puts out a fresh carafe of coffee.
“I have some bad news for you and Gabby,” Barron tells me, coming over.
“What’s that?”
“I just called the harbormaster in New London. There’s too much traffic for them to accommodate docking the Majesty. A cruise ship is scheduled to come into port later and the ferries are making full runs between Block and Port Jeff. There’s no room for us at the pier. I’m sorry. You girls are going to have to take one of the ferries back home. I’ll take you ashore soon to catch the 3:15.”
What the hell? It’s not even noon yet and he’s kicking us off?
“Barron, that’s so sweet of you, but we still have our tickets for the 7:15 tonight. Don’t worry, we can go back to Dex’s or hang at Back Beach, since it’s not even ten yet.” My face is red, and I know he can tell I’m pissed. It’s obvious he’s trying to dump us now that his weekend is over. “I’ll go get Gabby.”
I move to excuse myself, but Ryan grabs my arm. He’s glaring at Barron who just walks back up to the top deck not caring.
Guess we’ve been dismissed.
“Tessa, I want to spend more time with you. I don’t care if Barron wants to blow off Gabby, things are different with us.”
“Really?” I mutter.
“Yes. I need to be in New York for a meeting tomorrow, so I couldn’t go back with you even if I wanted to. Barron told me he would take the Majesty to Long Island and I could commute into the city from there.
I’m sorry. I don’t want the weekend to end like this. I have no idea what’s
gotten into him. Come on, will you spend the day with me until your ferry leaves?”
“I’d like that. I was hoping to get a workout in. Are you up for a loop around New Harbor?”
“What’s that? Three miles?”
“Five.” I answer with my eyebrow raised.
“That’s nothing, sweetheart. I was captain of the lacrosse team.”
“So? You’re an old man now.” I tease.
“You didn’t think so last night.”
“Oh, my God, stop,” I say, smacking his arm.
“Your cheeks are bright red, I think you need sunscreen,” Ryan laughs.
***
We jog side by side in silence. I’m not a talker when I run, focusing on my breathing instead. Our sneakers pound the hot pavement. Thank god for the sea breeze that blows across my sweaty skin.
Each house we pass by is prettier than the next. Old, Victorian colonials line the small streets. We pass rows of blue hydrangeas and white picket fences that adorn lush green lawns. I take a deep breath, inhaling the smell of the wild roses that grow along the seawall as we pass by the beach.
“I always sprint the last quarter mile. Are you ready?” I pick up my pace to get a head start.
“Bring it.”
Ryan barely pants, while I’m a hot, sticky mess.
As we sprint down the beach, the sand makes my calves work harder. My legs feel like jelly, and I barely stop myself from falling over. Running in full sun in July probably wasn’t the smartest idea.
Pulling up my tank to wipe my face, I feel Ryan’s finger tracing the line of sweat that trails down my stomach and under my shorts. My eyes follow his finger as he slowly lifts it to his mouth.
“Tastes good, but the salt from your skin just makes me thirstier.”
Before I know what’s happening, he kneels in front of me in the sand. His tongue licks in a circular pattern cleaning the sweat from my torso to just below my navel. He starts to dip down into my shorts, but I grab his head before he can continue.
“Water. I need water.” I firmly step back to adjust my clothes.
“Yeah, you do. Your face is red again.”
“Ryan Stone, you’re such a dirty pervert. There’s little kids down the beach making sandcastles.”
“We should’ve stayed in my cabin all day. I could’ve given you a real workout.”
“Pervert,” I roll my eyes and smack his arm then turn away and walk toward town. But I’m hit from behind.
The sand rushes my face; I’m about to eat dirt.
Did he just tackle me?
I’m down in the sand, being tickled everywhere he can get his hands.
“Yep, this old man still has some moves.” He presses me down into the hot sand. It sticks to my sweaty skin, coating the backs of my arms and legs, but when his lips meet mine—I don’t care.
When it’s just too much and it needs to stop before we get in trouble, I gently push him back. He grins and rolls off.
We walk back to town hand in hand, neither of us feeling the need to talk, but just enjoying the moment. Once we reach the street, we cross over into the main square. A crowd of tourists mill around the little nook of shops in the cobblestone courtyard where Sadie has her fudge shop.
“I need to stop here for a minute.”
I lead him into the small candy store. Sadie’s eyes light up when she sees me. She comes around the counter for a hug and I put my hands up trying to stop her, but she hugs my post-workout, sweat-stained self anyway.
“Tessa, dear, I’m so happy to see you! Let me fix you up a nice box of chocolate walnut fudge, I know it’s your favorite.”
Ryan grabs a few bottles of water from the cooler and winks at me, handing me a twenty, he goes outside to sit on the small patio.
“What’s new with you, dear?”
“Well, I just was promoted at work. I’m an assistant manager at the inn and I got an early acceptance to Yale.”
“Congratulations, honey, you deserve everything good in life.”
Sadie takes out a block of fudge and starts cutting it into small squares.
The smell of fudge and licorice is comforting. I notice she’s moving slower this year; someday soon this shop will probably close for good.
“Who is the nice young man who came in with you?”
“Oh—that’s Ryan.”
“Is he your boyfriend, dear?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m working on it.”
“Be careful with a boy like that. But if it works out…you’ll be one lucky young lady.”
“Don’t I know it,” I sigh and take the small box of fudge from her. I try to hand over money, but she just smiles and pushes my hand away.
“It’s on the house, dear. Now go get your young man before some cougar comes along and tries to snare him. There was a whole pack out last night celebrating a divorce party. Can you believe that? A divorce party? Goodness, what is the world coming to these days?”
I don't know what to say in response but I'm so glad that I stopped in to see her.
“Have a great rest of the summer, Sadie. I’ll see you next year,” I tell her warmly, going around the counter to give her a quick hug.
I sit down on a bench next to Ryan and he hands me a bottle of water and tries to take my fudge.
“No. No! I’m saving this for when I get home. I only share my sweets with my dad. It’s become a small tradition of ours.”
His face falls, I mentally kick myself for bringing up my father when he doesn’t have a relationship with his.
“Sorry.” I shrug not knowing what else to say.
“That’s okay you can make it up to me later. Come on, let’s go.”
He takes my hand and leads me across the main street, under a small arch that cuts through to the wharf.
My eyes scan the busy docks where I arrived two days ago. Glancing at the handsome man by my side, I feel incredibly lucky by the turn of events.
He ducks into a souvenir shop and browses through all the knick-knacks finally picking up a ceramic lighthouse figurine. “This is Southeast Light. I’m going to get two, so we can always remember our time here together.”
“Thank you. I’ll never forget this weekend.”
After he pays, he lifts my hand to his lips before tucking it into his. We stroll back through town, toward the beach where we left the Zodiac. The island is so laid back. Time seems to slow here. I wish for once that I could make the world stop. I’d freeze this moment and live a thousand days the same, because this entire weekend has been perfect.
He’s been perfect.
He’s a drug that’s in my system. In a few hours, it’ll be back to reality for me and I know nothing will be the same.
***
Stepping out of my sweat-soaked clothes, I step into the opulent shower in Ryan’s stateroom. The shower is made of three sides of glass. Along the back wall is a small alcove with a bench; above it a stunning piece of art.
A beautiful mermaid with titian hair reclines topless on a rock. She might be made from mosaic tile, but her stare is uncanny. She stares at me with slanted iris eyes. Bright turquoise tiles cover the lower three feet of the wall, like the Mediterranean ocean’s beneath her. Pushing a button on the wall, I sigh when water from the rain-head pours down my back.
The glass door opens.
A large, tan hand wraps around my waist. Another pulls my heavy, wet hair aside. I feel his teeth next, taking a nip from the side of my neck.
He pushes his hips into mine and grabs the bottle of BVLGARI shower gel.
The smell of it alone turns me on.
Ryan fills his hands with the soap and lathers my body.
I can’t move.
I’m frozen.
My senses overload with the feel of his hands on my skin combined with the heady fragrance of the luxury brand of shower gel. He turns me around to face him; my skin slides effortlessly against his.
I reach up pulling his head down. My lips grab his; my tongue slide
s into his mouth. He grabs my right thigh, hooking it around his leg. One arm reaches behind my head to support us; his other kneads my left breast. He bends down taking a nipple into his mouth to suckle on it.
Groaning, I grind myself into his hard body.
“I want you so much.”
“I’m burning for you,” I whisper.
He then puts me down and turns me around to face the wall. I put one knee on the bench to support myself, locking eyes with the flame-haired mermaid as he does wild things to my body.
I rest my hand on her hair, bracing myself on the smooth stone. She stares back at me as if she knows…this seductress of the sea—what the power of ecstasy can do. Moaning against the tiles, I tell her to shut up. My lips almost kiss hers as I fall apart in his naughty embrace.
***
“When will I see you again?” I wrap myself in a warm towel.
“Next weekend. I can be in Sea Crest by seven. Maybe, we can do-over our dinner date?”
“I’d love that. I’m going to check in with Gabby and see if she’s ready to go.”
“Alright, I need to look over some documents for work. I’ll be up on the bridge with Barron. Come find me when you’re ready. I’ll take you back to shore,” he tugs the end of my towel, pulling me in for a quick kiss.
I throw on my denim shorts and a T-shirt, reluctantly packing up.
Knocking lightly on the door to the master stateroom, I slowly turn the brass handle. A modern, king-size bed sits front and center with rumpled sheets. Pillows litter the floor.
Stepping over discarded clothing, I make my way to the bathroom where Gabby’s blow drying her hair with a plush terry towel wrapped around her curves.
“Hey girlie, what’s going on?” She shuts off the dryer.
“Did you and Barron have an argument?” I climb onto the marble counter and sit.
“No. Why would you ask that?”
“When I saw him on deck this morning, he was a little abrupt—telling me we had to get off the yacht soon to catch a ferry home.”