by Paige Hill
“Do you trust me?” I look deep into her eyes; her answer feels like a lifeline.
“Yes,” she exhales.
Gripping her wrists with one hand above her head, I descend upon her with a desperation unlike any I’ve ever experienced. My senses are on overdrive. Every touch, every plead, heat my skin. I’m teetering on the edge of my sanity.
I pinch her nipple between my teeth, immediately sucking to soothe it. At the same time her hips thrust wildly, trying to rub against my cock.
“Oh, God! Please Declan, I need to come,” she pleads.
Who am I to argue with that request?
Releasing her wrists from my grasp, I grip the middle of her panties and pull, savoring the show as they slide down her smooth legs. Her knees spread wide to accommodate my size. Wetness glistens on her pussy and my cock jumps. Suddenly, I am in the middle of the Sahara Desert and she is my oasis.
I drive in, my tongue making one long stroke from her opening to her clit. Jesus. So sweet. How could any man throw away something this fucking sweet? I feast on her, lapping up everything she has to give, teasing her swollen clit. My name escapes her lips over and over again in a whisper. With one hand in my hair, she grinds herself against my face. Reaching down, I grip my thick cock, pumping to the rhythm of her thrusts. I want to eat her all night but I’m so hard it straddles the line between pleasure and pain.
Reluctantly pulling myself up her body, I kiss her again, letting her taste herself on my tongue. Rolling onto my side, I take her with me until she is on top.
“Ride me, baby.”
She rises just enough to center herself over me. Gripping my throbbing erection, she places me at her opening and lowers herself slowly.
Holy shit.
It’s so intense that I see white when I close my eyes. Once she is fully seated, she rests a moment to adjust to my size before she raises up and slams down on me again. Moving her hips in little circles, she rubs her clit against my pelvic bone. My balls pull up tight in anticipation of the main event. Teagan rides me like a bull she needs to break. No hesitations or reservations. Her beautiful tits bounce with each thrust.
“Oh, God! I’m going to come!” she pants.
“Come for me, Sunshine.” That is all it takes before she clamps down on me like a vise as her orgasm takes over. So tight. Two more pumps and the sight of Teagan coming pushes me over the edge. Every nerve ending lights up and white flashes behind my eyelids as I come harder than I ever have before. She rides out the rest of her orgasm before resting her naked chest against mine.
“That was fucking amazing,” she mumbles into my chest and I can feel her exhausted smile against my skin.
We lie there, curled into one another for a long while. If I died today, I would die a happy man. Being with Teagan feels like home. Something I haven’t felt for nearly two decades. Its mushy as hell but no other words feel right. A swift title wave of unfamiliar emotion crashes heavily upon my chest.
Just keep your head above water, O’Connor.
If I’m not careful, I know I will drown.
Taking a relaxing breath, the ocean breeze fills my lungs and lends a chill to my previously overheated skin. With my finger, I draw figures on her back as I wait for my breathing to come back to normal. Before long, Teagan is sound asleep.
Our clothes lay haphazardly in the sand around us. Looking down at her naked form, the moon casts just enough light for shadows to dance along every one of her delicious curves. My stomach tightens, and my dick takes notice, clearly ready for another round. Against my will, I force myself to shake off my dirty thoughts. It’s late and we both need to get as much rest as possible.
Pulling another blanket from the basket, I wrap the buttery material around a sleepy Teagan before pulling her tighter into my chest. She snuggles in, her taut nipples grazing my bare skin. It’s absolute torture and I’m starting to believe I’m a fucking masochist. Sweet, sweet torture.
Aside from the sounds of the water growing fainter in the distance, her languid exhales are the only sound that fill the air as I carry her enervated body back to the house.
As I place her sleepy frame onto the cool satin sheets, she makes no movements of her own, clearly dead to the world. Discarding the previous blanket, I climb into bed and pull her back to my chest, basking in the serenity her presence brings. Using my elbow and hand to support my head, I watch her for a few moments. Her face grimaces slightly and it guts me as if every experience in her life is thrust upon me in one fowl gesture. I’ve never been a possessive man but right now, there is something primal coursing through me. An animalistic need to protect her, shelter her from the world. It is right now, in this moment, I know I’m drowning because I would do anything to protect her.
The sound of slamming doors wakes me from the best sleep I’ve had in years. Jumping from the bed, my heart pounds in my chest, beating its way free.
He’s come for me.
Angry shouts reverberate through the walls as I take a breath, greedily pulling oxygen into my lungs. A vain attempt to calm my nerves. Wrapping my arms around myself, I tiptoe toward the door. Panic grips every cell in my body.
“Do you not understand how much is at stake here? If he weren’t enough of a problem, she is fucking wanted! Wanted, man! If he fucking found her, we both know it’s only a matter of time before they do too!”
Declan’s voice is seething. Knowing the voice is him and not the star of my own personal nightmare should be comforting but his words are not. They sink deep down inside, to my core. He’s right. If Mark can find me, so can they. I’m actually fucking surprised they didn’t find me first. But who is he talking to? More importantly, why are they talking about me? An uneasy feeling takes root in my stomach, but I tamper that emotion fast. Declan has already gone above and beyond to prove I can trust him. He put his career and life on the line. He sacrificed everything.
For me.
I start to step out into the hall, intent to find out what is going on when I realize I am naked. Buck naked. Memories of last night invade my thoughts and my face heats. We never even left the house and it was, hands down, the best date of my life. I didn’t even know men were capable of that level of romance. I spent the entire evening on the verge of tears. Happy tears. He treated me like a woman. A woman who deserves to be cherished. I can’t say I’ve been good enough in my life to deserve that feeling, but in that moment, I embraced everything Declan had to offer. I allowed myself to steal moments that couldn’t possibly be mine to take.
Looking through the massive windows, I allow the rolling blue waves to calm the war raging inside of me. Why can’t things ever be simple? All I want in life is to be happy. Maybe have a family. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, but the universe seems to think otherwise.
I can’t hide in here all day, moping about my life. I don’t have the right to complain about things I don’t like until I take the steps necessary to change it. Throwing on a comfy pair of denim cut off shorts and a t shirt, I sigh heavily, exhaling all the air from my lungs and fighting back the urge to crawl into a dark hole.
Gross. First, I need to brush my teeth.
His sour mood from yesterday seems to have lifted, slightly. It was Briggs who had called him yesterday morning. Declan’s boss has started to ask questions about his progress on the cartel case. Having been holed up with me, a wanted felon, he hasn’t been to “work” and he sure as hell can’t tell his actual boss why. Just being near him, I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. This case is important. Not only for his career, but a lot of lives could be at stake. He told me about the raid and the women no one expected. Beaten, starved, many dead. The picture he painted was vivid. One I don’t care to relive. But going back to the bar puts me at risk. Evidence of the internal turmoil that created played like a reel in the emerald depths of his eyes.
According to the news, the FBI claims no immediate knowledge of my location. That fact is unsettling. They are the FBI. How could they n
ot find a woman who hasn’t even left the state? Mark managed to find me. None of the puzzle pieces fit.
“Let’s go surfing today,” Declan declares over a mouthful of bagel.
He’s staring out the window toward the crushing waves, he’s radiating a youthful eagerness that is hard to ignore. The excitement softens the harsh lines of his face, the brooding man from yesterday is nowhere to be found.
“S-sure, I’d love to.” Witnessing the joy wash over him prevents me from voicing my fears. Gripping my coffee mug tighter, I take a sip, willing it to give me courage.
I haven’t worn a swim suit publicly since I married Mark. Thoughts of donning a tiny piece of fabric sets off a new wave of nerves through my system. What about my scars? What if I’m not ready for the world to see them in the light? To put myself on display like that? Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that this is my life. The past needs to stay in the past and I will not deny myself a chance at life ever again.
“I don’t own a swim suit, so I’ll probably just watch,” I say, a little relieved that I won’t be going in the water.
“Like hell, you’re not. You’re going surfing with me, remember? I can assure you, you will not stay dry.” His lip quirks slightly at his innuendo. I try not to laugh but it’s a losing battle. The determined look in his mossy-colored eyes make his point very clear.
“I’d rather just watch, really.”
“Either you walk in or I carry you in. The choice is yours, Sunshine.”
Looking down at my clothing, I relent. I can wade around in my shorts. The fear gripping my chest loosens slightly, allowing me to breathe.
“I’ll walk.” I glare daggers at him across the table. My expression doesn’t even phase him as a wide smile spreads across his handsome face.
His eyes visually caress my legs as they slowly peruse my denim clad thighs.
“Hurry and finish your breakfast, we have shopping to do.” He has a spark in his eye. Confused, my eyebrows draw together. My confusion must be evident because he speaks before I am able to form words.
“While I refuse to argue about your ass in those shorts, wet denim is a terrible idea. I’m buying you appropriate surf apparel.”
I fail miserably to contain my smile and roll my eyes. His jovial tone loosens the vice of fear just a little more. But it’s still there.
“What? It’s for your own safety. It would be un-gentlemanly to let a lady chafe.”
His smile is infectious. This is the first time I have seen this side of his personality. The atmosphere around us is light and he seems almost giddy, like a little boy. I don’t know what warranted this change in his demeanor, but it is a welcome distraction. Tomorrow, we go back to the bar. Back to the real world.
Declan pushes me, albeit reluctantly, out to the Jeep. The moment the door slams closed, my heart picks up the same rhythm, beating wildly in my chest. I need to get a grip on my emotions. Being out in public holds more risk now than it did before. Before, I was aware that I could be recognized or that Mark could find me. Now I know he can find me.
Found me.
My breath hitches and my knuckles go white as I grip the edge of the seat. The familiar sting of anxiety begins to creep up my spine like hundreds of tiny spiders. The sensation gives me an overwhelming need to crawl out of my own skin.
A strong hand pulls my clammy hand from the seat, threading his fingers through mine. For a moment, he is silent, and I focus my energy on the ticking muscle in his jaw.
“He will have to kill me before I ever let him near you again.” He gently squeezes my hand, reinforcing his words. His words are meant to soothe me, but I don’t have the courage to tell him that’s exactly what I am afraid of.
He’s unpredictable. And smart. That’s why he’s dangerous.
“We are in a small community outside of the city. Most of the people here are retirees or families with vacation homes. Your chances of being recognized are slimmer here than in the city. Have faith in me.” His eyes meet mine and the plea I find there shatters my resistance. Remnants of fear remain curled up in a cozy little hole in the pit of my stomach. Despite that one string I can’t seem to cut, today is going to be a good day. Every day with Declan seems better than the last.
Gently taking hold of my arm, he leads me into a nearby surf shop. The décor is typical Miami beach—bright colors and hints of art deco design. I love it. I glance around the room, soaking up the vibes the shop emits when my eyes land on Declan. He’s watching me intently, his expression one I can’t pinpoint.
“This is really unnecessary,” I try once again, hoping he agrees with me. My plead does not have the desired effect since he is already halfway across the store headed toward a rack of woman’s bathing suits. Rolling my eyes with a small chuckle, I follow him.
As I make my way through the brightly colored fabrics that hang airily on the racks, he turns to face me. A panty melting seductive smile graces his face as he holds up a white halter style bikini.
“Oh, no, no, no. No,” I respond, reaching for a far more modest one piece.
Declan’s expression turns dark as he closes the distance between us. Holding my head with his free hand, he threads his fingers through my hair. The air between us crackles with a force I can only describe as electric. He lowers his mouth to mine, his lips firm with intent. His kiss is slow, unhurried. One meant to be savored. Pulling away all too soon, he rests his forehead against mine and whispers.
“Why do you doubt how beautiful you are?”
I can’t bring myself to look him in the eye. I don’t exactly know how I could possibly explain my fears.
“You can stand under an apple tree and pick up the most beautiful fallen fruit. But sometimes, the side you can’t see is ugly and bruised from the fall.”
Declan’s warm palm snakes under the hem of my shirt, his fingers leaving a tingling trail of goosebumps in their wake. My spine stiffens as his fingertips graze the shallow bumps and valleys that mar my skin.
“That’s the problem. You can’t bring yourself to actually see what is on the other side. All you see is a bad apple. But do you know what I see?”
I curtly shake my head in response, still refusing to meet his eyes. Words are impossible as I choke on the lump in my throat.
“I see a beautiful apple that grew where the sun shined. When it was ripe, it might have fallen, even bruised a little. But my mom always believed those make the sweetest pie.”
Declan lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his stare. His thumb catches a rogue tear that leaves a glistening trail on my cheek. For so long I’ve felt like a damaged woman. Declan somehow manages to make me feel like Mark didn’t steal part of who I am.
The intensity of the moment is too much. When I’m around him, every feeling is intensified. Every emotion. Every sensation. Inside, I can feel the metaphorical walls crumbling. I lean against a clothing rack, afraid that my legs might give out under the weight of the moment. I know I need to do this.
For me.
For my soul.
Still a bit hesitant, I take the scraps of clothing from his hand and stride on wobbly legs toward the dressing room. Once inside the safety of the cubicle, I place my palms against the wall and lower my head, taking a couple of deep breaths. With some separation between me and the man who is rapidly burrowing his way into my heart, I quickly undress and put on the terrifying article of clothing. Staring at the reflection before me, I want so badly to see myself the way Declan sees me. However, it doesn’t seem to matter how long I stare at myself, the image never changes.
“Ahem, I’m waiting,” he quips in a sing-song voice, clearly trying to bring back the earlier levity. I let out a loud huff, ensuring it’s loud enough so he hears, eliciting a low, throaty laugh from the other side of the door. Here goes nothing. Reaching for the door, I pull it back just enough. My whole body warms, and embarrassment further stains my cheeks, realizing my whole body is blushing. Fucking fair skin. When I finally muster the courage to look up,
all playfulness is sucked from the moment as he simply stares at me motionless. I allow a few small moments to pass before it starts to feel awkward.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” I whisper to myself as I turn and pull the door. Declan is in my space faster than I can fully turn. He stands directly behind me and my eyes meet his in the dressing room mirror. Gently he places his hands on my hips, swallows harshly and leans into my ear.
“Leave it on,” he whispers as his hand moves up my torso and rips the tag off. He’s gone to pay before I manage to catch my breath, let alone gather the ability to protest.
His hands on my skin leave a trail of desire and I involuntarily clench my thighs to relieve the ache. Needing to escape the suffocating air in the cramped room, I quickly throw my clothes over the bathing suit and head out to meet Declan at his Jeep.
On the drive back to the beach house, my thoughts drift to the most important people in my life. Not being able to talk to Manny or Martha is crushing me and it’s hard not to worry. It’s even harder to refrain from calling them. I need to know my family is okay.
Declan steers the Jeep into the drive in the nick of time. My thoughts have dampened my mood and Declan has put a lot of effort into having a positive day.
“Sunshine, what’s wrong?” Declan’s voice invades my senses. I turn my face away just long enough to reign in my emotions.
“Absolutely nothing.” I smile. “Let’s do this.”
He can see right through my bullshit, but he lets me have my lie.
“Why don’t you go put your feet in the water and I’ll grab the stuff real quick,” he instructs.
“I can help carry.”
“I got it. Go relax for a minute. You’re going to need it.” With that, he gives me the smile that makes his dimple appear and runs off toward the house.
Yesterday’s phone call definitely killed my mood, breaking the spell Teagan’s presence and this beach house have over me. Tomorrow we go back to reality. I know how important this fucking case is but the thought of Teagan being out in public, possibly unprotected, has me feeling like a caged lion. So, I decided I was going to make sure today was all about fun and forgetting all the shit that waits for us once this little fantasy comes to an end. We could both use a light-hearted time.