by Krista Lakes
“Good thing I brought you some food,” I told him.
“Yes,” he said slowly, looking me up and down with a wolfish, hungry grin. The way he was gazing at me had me forgetting about food entirely. I was heating again with just the intensity of his gaze. “That means I don't have to take a break to run downstairs.”
I knew now I would never be able to get enough of him. Instead of quelling my need for him, this had only whetted my appetite. Now, my body knew just how amazing he could make me feel and I would never want to stop. I licked my lips, ready for more. Ready for a whole night of more.
And judging from the way he was looking at me, so was he.
Sunrise Kisses: Chapter 18
I was surrounded by masculine strength and I didn't want to move. This is the way to wake up, I thought, snuggling a little bit deeper into Bastian's arms. I was fairly certain I had died and gone to heaven. Or at least, my version of heaven included my back pressed firmly against Bastian's front in all our naked glory.
“Good morning, sleepy-head,” Bastian whispered, his breath tickling the small hairs on my neck.
I rolled over and opened my eyes, finding myself positive I was in heaven. A blue-gray heaven that shone with affection for me. “Definitely a good morning.”
He smiled, lighting up the room. “It's almost dawn. Would you like to join me out on the water today?”
I bit my lip. I wanted to so badly, but I didn't want to ruin his morning ritual either. “I don't know how to paddle-board,” I reminded him gently.
“I'll teach you,” he promised, kissing the tip of my nose. I chewed my lip for a moment, but his smile never wavered. He wanted to teach me and, truth be told, I would have learned how to hang-glide on paper mache if he wanted.
“Okay.”
He lit up even more and I loved it. “Get your swimsuit and I'll meet you at the beach with a board,” he promised, leaping out of bed. He was so beautiful, scars and all. I could watch him all day.
I followed him out of bed, moving much more slowly. Every muscle in my body had the most wonderful aches. Last night had been amazing. The best sex of my life amazing.
I went to the door, looking back just in time to see his wonderfully perfect ass disappear into a pair of board shorts. I grinned, excited to spend the morning with him and scampered back to my room as quickly as I could.
I put on my own swimsuit, debating between the bikini or the full piece for a good thirty seconds before deciding on the bikini. If I lost my top, I wouldn't mind having him help me look. I put on a pair of board shorts, ran a brush though my tangled hair, put on some spray sunscreen, and used a little mouthwash. I don't think I had ever gotten ready that quickly.
Dawn was almost here by the time I hurried down the wooden porch steps to where Bastian waited for me. I loved that he was wearing men's board shorts instead of his full-body wetsuit. I loved his scars as they were a part of him, but I loved that he wasn't ashamed of them with me.
I put my palm on his bare chest, loving the rush of adrenaline I got at just touching him before spiking it with a quick kiss. He grinned.
“You ready?”
“As much as I can be,” I replied with a shrug.
“Raise your hand up,” he commanded. I complied and he placed one of three paddles he had out in my outstretched palm. “Perfect fit. Now, come with me.”
I followed obediently as he handed me a long surfboard and together we entered the water.
“Have you ever been surfing?” he asked, as we waded out to where the waves no longer mixed with the sand.
“Once,” I answered. “But I never actually stood up.”
“This is easier,” he promised. “Now hop on your board and we'll swim out a little further.”
I climbed up onto the board, feeling unsteady even as I lay on my stomach with the long paddle tucked underneath me. Together we paddled out to where I wouldn't be able to touch before sitting up on the boards. I knew the water was deeper here, but I could still see every grain of sand through the crystal clear blue ocean. A small school of silver fish flitted across the sand before disappearing from my sight.
Bastian floated next to me, sitting on his own board as he looked at the horizon. The sun was coming up gold and setting the sky aflame. I gasped. It was magical to be out here, floating with my feet in the water as the sun came up. Just as the last inches of the giant ball of light left the horizon, he leaned over and kissed me.
I closed my eyes, feeling his warm tongue and tasting the salt of the ocean while the sun heated my skin. No, this is heaven, I decided, losing the rest of my thoughts to his gentle lips and tongue.
I sighed with contentment when he pulled away. His kisses were magical. He grinned at me. “You ready?”
I nodded. “Yup.”
“First, we'll go to our knees,” he explained. “Find the sweet spot, where the balance is best.”
“That's what she said,” I quipped. Bastian burst out laughing, stopping in his demonstration and nearly falling into the water.
“Just get up on your knees,” he told me, splashing water at me with his hands.
I stuck out my tongue at him. “Again, that's what she said.”
This time he used his paddle to splash me, drenching me instantly. I wiped the water from my eyes and slowly wobbled my way up to my knees. The board dipped and swayed with the rolling ocean waves, but it actually took less balance than I thought it would.
“Excellent,” Bastian praised me. I glanced up at him, proud of myself and wobbled. He smiled. “If you fall off the board, ditch the paddle. You can always get the paddle back once your back up. Go ahead and get it ready.”
I nodded, and picked up my paddle. “Ready.”
“Good,” he said, moving around on his own board. “Go ahead and choke up on the paddle. It'll make it easier.”
I moved my hands down the shaft of the paddle and then confidently put the blade into the water. The board moved forward and I grinned. I went a little faster, dipping the paddle in deeper and using a stronger stroke. I could see how Bastian had such a wonderful body. It wasn't terribly aerobic exercise, but it required a lot of stability and strength.
“This is fun,” I yelled, looking back at him. He grinned and caught up easily.
“Are you ready to stand up?” he asked, practically steering circles around me. I nodded.
“Okay, feet on the sweet spot, and stay low...” he instructed. I did exactly as he told me, wobbling but finding my balance. “Now, stand up slowly and go to a staggered stance- one foot in front of the other.”
I grinned as I found my way to fully standing. I was up. I wasn't moving yet, but I was up.
“Keep your arms straight and use your core to paddle,” he instructed, making a down and back motion. I nearly fell off as the sun glinted off the muscles in his arms and back as he demonstrated. I definitely wasn't paying attention to his technique. “The closer you stay to your board, the straighter the line you'll travel on.”
“Uh huh,” I replied, trying it out. It was even more of a workout than kneeling. I didn't think I was that out of shape, but this was working my core in ways that I knew would have me sore by dinnertime. This was way better than crunches at the gym. Company's better than at the gym, too, I thought.
“Ava, look over there,” Bastian called out, pointing his paddle to off to the side. I raised my gaze from the water to see a pod of dolphins, at least four or five of them, leaping through the water.
“Dolphins!” I squeaked with excitement, jumping up and down with glee. Which meant I promptly fell face first into the water.
“You okay?” Bastian asked, saving my paddle for me as I climbed back onto my board.
“Dolphins!” I squealed again, grinning with sheer delight. Bastian laughed at my childlike enthusiasm as the pod swam closer. I wished I could touch them, but they changed direction and went off in search of food in deeper water.
When they left us, I stood up again, determined to get be
tter before we had to go in. Bastian watched me carefully, praising me and giving me pointers as he zoomed around me, going backwards and forwards and showing off. He never fell in the water though.
Bastian groaned as his watch began to beep. “Time to go back.”
I pouted, sticking out my lower lip at him.
“You'll have to explain to Charlotte and Leo why I'm late then,” he replied. “And if Gabe's there, she'll be mean.”
I pouted bigger, but I began paddling back in the direction of the mansion. I wished we didn't have to go in. I would have stayed out on the water forever with him. Out here, it was just the two of us, and possibly some dolphins. There were no worries or obligations. No phones or deadlines. I didn't want to go back to land and back to reality. Even the Caribbean mansion reality I was currently in.
Bastian paused as we approached the shore, slowing down his paddling and waiting for me to catch up. I could tell he was just as reluctant as I was to return.
“Thank you for sharing this with me, Ava,” he said softly.
I smiled and tried to steer closer to him, but instead rammed my board into his instead of coming along side it. He jumped into the water and pulled me with him.
“Thank you,” I told him once we surfaced. “This has been the best day ever.”
He grinned. “And it's just starting.” Then together, we brought our boards into shore to start the rest of our day.
Sunrise Kisses: Chapter 19
“Would you like to have a drink with me?”
I startled and banged my head on the bottom of the desk. I could see Bastian's feet in the doorway as I worked my way out from under the antique writing desk.
Bastian chuckled, coming over and holding out his hand to help me up. I rubbed the sore spot on my head, and he leaned over to kiss it.
“You really should be more careful under furniture,” he teased. “You keep bumping your head.”
I stuck out my tongue at him and he kissed my head again, mussing my hair in the process.
“So, drinks?” he asked, smiling gently.
“Are we actually going to go drink, or will it end up like last time I had alcohol with you?” I grinned at him, remembering our dinner last night. “Because I'm up for either.”
Bastian's eyes twinkled and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into him. I loved the way his body felt, and I pressed closer. I rocked my hips against his and was rewarded with a passionate kiss.
“I was thinking drinks at a bar, but you are certainly tempting me to just raid the wine cellar,” he murmured. “I wanted to take you out.”
“You mean you are willing to be seen in public with me?” I asked, pulling back slightly.
He cocked his head to the side with a confused smile. “Why wouldn't I want to be seen in public with you? I want to show you off.”
I smiled as a happy warmth filled me. He wanted to show me off. I felt like running around doing a little happy dance because Sebastian Belrose liked me. Really liked me. But that would mean getting out of his arms.
“I'd love to get drinks with you then,” I told him proudly. He let me go, smiling broadly at my acceptance.
This would be great. I would put on a cute dress and some makeup, and maybe even curl my hair...
“Excellent,” he said. “I'll go get the car.”
“Wait, you mean right now?” I ran a hand through my hair. I had been working all day and it was just up in a ponytail. I had sweat-stains on my t-shirt and my shorts had a mustard spot on them from lunch. I was not ready to go out.
“Well, yes.” Bastian looked at me like I might be a little slow. “Did you have other plans this evening?”
“Let me go change,” I begged. “It'll take two seconds, I promise.”
“I think you look great, but if you want to, go ahead.” He shrugged. He of course looked amazing. He had on light linen pants and a long sleeve t-shirt that covered his scars but showed off his impressive frame. He looked like something straight out of a billionaire yacht club magazine.
I flashed him a quick grin and ran out the door to my room. I didn't have enough time to do much, so I just found my dress, a cute pair of heels, some mascara and a dot of perfume. It wasn't much, but it was better than mustard shorts.
I came out the front door to find Bastian sitting in a fancy European sports convertible. It looked even more expensive than the Lamborghini, or at least flashier. It was a car meant to show off the people inside of it. I was glad I hadn't done anything with my hair, because the open top would have destroyed it.
He turned at the sound of the door and raised his eyebrows as he hurried out of the car.
“You look amazing,” he complimented as he opened my car door for me. I blushed. This was one of my favorite dresses and one that I actually felt pretty in. But, having Bastian tell me I looked good made it even better. “And you smell even better.”
“Thanks,” I said. I had forgotten what it was like to have someone other than Dad compliment me. It felt wonderful.
I wasn't used to getting in a car in a skirt, especially one that the breeze kept trying to pick up. It was a little tricky, but I thought I managed. It did make me wonder how superstars did it all the time. There must be lessons, I thought as I battled my skirt, trying to put one foot in and not loose my balance with the other. Otherwise, there would be a lot more pictures of undies on the tabloids.
“So, where are we going?” I asked, once in the car and carefully pulling the seat-belt tight across my lap. Bastian pulled his tight as well before starting the car. I barely felt the vibrations of the engine it was so smooth. He pulled out onto the main road, and I felt like we were floating rather than driving.
“Surf Shack,” he answered. “I hope that's okay. I know you went there with Charlotte already, but-”
“No, it's perfect,” I interrupted him. I had liked the feel of the bar there. I had been a little afraid he was going to take me to some billionaire hangout where I would be completely out of place. The cute little bar by the ocean was something I could handle. “They have the best drinks.”
He grinned and drove a little faster. The car responded to his touch like a lover, and would have made me jealous if it hadn't been a car. The warm tropical air whipped through my hair as evening descended on the island. It was hard to talk with the roof down, but it was comfortable just to be in the same car as Bastian. We didn't need to talk.
He pulled into the bar parking lot just as the streetlights started to turn on. The place looked just as busy as it had been the other night. Bastian parked, and hurried over to open my door before I even had a chance to undo my belt.
He held out his hand to help me out of the car. I loved it. Chivalry was not dead, and I found I rather liked it.
We managed to find an empty table in the back on the porch. It was the farthest we could be from the actual bar without falling into the ocean, but at least it was a table. It was perfect. Bastian caught the waiter's attention and we ordered drinks and some food. I ordered the special again, both the drink and the Jamaican Patty, and Bastian requested a whiskey and coke with his food.
“So you left Charlotte here alone with Leo drinking those,” Bastian said as the waiter returned with our drinks and meal. Bastian raised his eyebrow at the very girly but delicious fruity drink with an umbrella in front of me. I pushed it toward him and he took a sip. His disgusted face told me what he thought of the fruity alcohol. “Poor guy's shirt never stood a chance.”
I giggled quietly and sipped on my drink. “Poor Charlotte.”
“She'll be fine,” he assured me. “They'll figure it out eventually. They really are perfect for one another.”
“How do they manage to get any work done?” I remembered the vivid shade of red she turned when he sat at our table. “She's so nervous around him.”
“She's actually gotten better. You should have seen her when I was in college.” He chuckled and smiled at the memory. “She was still in high school, so Leo was l
ike a god to her. She couldn't even be in the same room with him for months without stuttering and blushing.”
I could just imagine a cute little star-struck Charlotte in awe of the older, handsome, college boy. It was rather adorable.
“If you knew Leo, though, you'd know that he's just as love struck about her. He just hides it better.” He smiled, remembering something. “The first time she met him, he was actually naked.”
“Naked? Do tell,” I asked, sipping on my drink. Bastian scooted his chair closer to mine so that our legs touched. It made it easier to hear him over the bar, but far more distracting.
“Gabe had this crush on this cute blonde cheerleader across the hall. He never stood a chance with her, but somehow, Leo found out that she had never gone streaking.” He took a sip of his drink and grinned at me. “Have you ever gone streaking?”
“Once, but I want to hear your story first,” I teased.
“Anyway, Leo wanted to help Gabe out, so he organized the whole dorm floor to go streaking down the Oval. He even made up posters to hang in the bathrooms to advertise it.” He laughed. “Gabe was thrilled. Practically the entire hall went. We got out to there and everyone starts dropping their clothes. Of course, it's cold.”
I laughed. “So you just looked normal, right?”
“Yup.” Bastian grinned proudly at me and continued his story. “We all took off running. There's naked people everywhere. And then the cops showed up.”
“Oh no!” I slurped at the last of my drink. I hadn't meant to drink it so fast, but it tasted so good I hadn't slowed down.
“Everyone panicked. Clothes were flying as people scrambled for cover and of course, Leo lost his pants and his shirt in the process. He ran the whole way back to the dorm, butt naked, thinking the cops were after him the whole way.”
“Where was Charlotte?” I asked, wondering how she fit into this story.
“In my room waiting for me to get back. She was visiting me for the night, and I didn't want my little sister streaking with a bunch of college boys, so I told her I had class and that I'd be back in an hour,” he explained. “Leo's keys were in his pants and his room was across the hall from mine. So when he saw my open door, he ran right in thinking he could borrow some clothes from me until he could get back in his room.”