by T. A. Foster
Skye stared in disbelief. “No, it’s hard to imagine any of it.”
“So, that’s why I wear one of his tags. Faith gave it to me. She has the other one.”
“Where is she now?”
“She decided to stay here. She moved out to California for the one-year stint while we were going through the RAG. Riggs was hoping we would both get on with the Rebels. After the accident, she didn’t want to move out of their house. She’s in San Diego. I’ve been trying to help her at the house when I can, but I’m not always around. I’m not the best substitute for Riggs.” Skye was surprised to see Ben smile. “That’s why she called. I thought something else had broken, but she just wanted to let me know that the garage door was still working. It got stuck and I ran over there this morning to fix it.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” Skye pictured Ben with a tool belt. “I bet it means a lot to her that she has someone she can count on.”
“I know that’s what Riggs would want for me to do. I think it’s good for Faith too.”
“Maybe I could meet her some time.” Skye rested her hand on Ben’s knee.
“That would be cool. I think you two would like each other. She’s artsy. Kind of like you.”
“You think I’m artsy?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen your sketches.”
“Wait, when did you see those?”
His hand clutched hers as if he was trying to draw strength from her skin. “You’ve left me alone in your place a few times.”
Skye blushed. “So you were snooping?”
“No, not snooping, but you’ve left a few of your drawings out by the spreadsheets.”
“Oh, that’s nothing. Those are doodles. It’s the way I clear my head when I’m trying to come up with campaign slogans.”
He grinned. “You are hard to give compliments to. I think it’s art. I like your doodles.”
“Thanks.” He was right. It was hard to take a compliment, especially after the weight he had shared. Her soul felt heavier than before.
Ben tucked the dog tags through the collar of his shirt. “What do you think about getting ready for dinner?”
She wasn’t quite ready to leave the rocks. She could stay and talk for hours about Riggs, but she didn’t know how much a heart could be pressed until it didn’t beat anymore. It seemed Ben struggled with the words to tell her about Riggs. It had to be hell to lose your best friend.
She smiled. “I think that sounds perfect.”
He led her off the rocks and back to the surf where the icy water circled their ankles. “I don’t know about dinner, but I’m pretty excited about dessert tonight.”
Skye kicked sea foam in his direction. “Someone’s pretty confident.”
“Always, baby. Come on.” He started to jog toward the hotel.
Little black dresses were supposed to be the key to a successful date night. At least that was something Skye had put in an ad campaign once. Her hand was on the doorknob, ready to show off this little black dress she had purchased yesterday. She looked at her feet. She might like the heels more. They added inches to her height. Ben probably wouldn’t look past the cleavage show she was about to put on.
She whipped open the bathroom door.
“Holy shit.” He whistled.
“Is that a good thing?” She pulled her shoulders back and walked to the center of the suite.
“Sorry, I meant to say you look beautiful. Stunning.” He traced her collarbone with his fingertips and followed the dip of the dress until they hovered between her breasts.
Skye swallowed. Breathe, she reminded herself.
“You look pretty good yourself.” She always liked him in button down shirts. Tonight was a pale blue that matched his eyes.
“We better go or we’ll miss the sunset.” He tucked her hand in his and led her to the door. “If we don’t head out now, I think I might try to convince you to miss dinner altogether.”
Skye wasn’t opposed to the idea, but this was part of the entire process. Date, dinner, romance, then sex. Sex. Her throat clamped.
“You ok?” Ben pulled the door behind them.
She nodded. “Mmm…hmm.” She scolded herself. It wasn’t like she was a virgin, and he definitely wasn’t. Part of her wished they had already slept together, then it wouldn’t be weighing on her all night. It was like the elephant in the room, sitting on her chest until she could barely breathe.
The hostess escorted them to the farthest table on the veranda from the dining room. It was under an awning, jutting into the lawn of the hotel. Skye inhaled the ocean air as Ben held her chair.
“Perfect. We made it right before sunset.” He sat next to her.
“What’s so great about the sunsets?” She picked up the wine list. Wine was definitely on the menu tonight.
“You’ve never seen a Coronado sunset? How is that possible?”
“I’ve never stayed here overnight, and the only time I’ve come is for brunch. How is it different than the other sunsets?”
“Just wait.” He winked. “What kind of wine are we ordering?”
“What, no beer?”
“Not tonight. Whatever you’re ordering is fine with me.”
She skimmed the list. She was feeling light like summer. Like her body had been infused with some kind of magic. Yep, she was falling.
She looked at him. His forehead creased as he read the names of the wines. She giggled. “Want a pinot grigio?”
“Sure.” He motioned for the waitress and ordered the bottle Skye pointed out.
“Ok. Check that out.” He waited for Skye’s gaze to move to the horizon.
Her eyes met a sea of orange, purple, and pink. “Wow. It’s breathtaking.” She sat stunned. He was right. How had she not seen this view before?
“One of my favorite things in the jet is to chase the sun. I can make a sunset last for an hour.”
“That’s incredible.” She watched as the sun continued to sink past the ocean’s edge.
“Maybe I can take you flying sometime.”
“Really?”
He chuckled. “I can’t take you in the jet, but I can rent a private plane for an afternoon. You’d love it.”
The waitress presented the bottle of wine and poured two glasses.
Skye had only flown commercially. “Is it safe?” She sipped on the wine, savoring the crispness.
“Of course it’s safe. And you’ll be in excellent hands.” The wink he flashed sent a shiver across her skin. “What do you say? Want to fly with me?”
If flying with Ben meant letting go and losing herself in his eyes and under his touch, then yes. If he was asking her to soar with him until the only thing they could see and feel was each other, then the answer was definitely yes. She would fly with him anywhere.
“Yes.” She nodded.
Ben inserted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Skye stepped over the threshold knowing she had stepped into the next step of their relationship.
His mouth was on her neck, his hands sweeping her long tresses to the other side.
“This is all I’ve wanted to do since we got here.” He spun her to face him, his back closing the door behind them.
Her arms flew around his neck. All she had wanted to do was kiss him, but the entire day they had set a slow and easy pace, giving each other time to adjust to this idea. This idea that they were about to completely consume each other. Skye hoped they didn’t instantly burst into flames.
Her lips moved against his, taking in deep kisses. The taste of wine on his tongue was sweet, and she craved more as he tempted her with a kiss that seared her mouth with blazing heat.
She felt his hand slide along her back and land on the little black dress’s zipper. He tugged lightly and cool air breezed across her back.
“Wait. Wait.” She pulled away from the kiss.
“What’s wrong? Too much?” He stepped back, breaking all contact.
She shook her head. “No, it’s not too much. It’s just
that…I brought a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?”
“Yes. Give me five minutes, ok? And don’t go to sleep.” She wagged her finger at him.
“Baby, there’s no way I could fall asleep right now.”
Skye closed the bathroom door and let the dress fall from her shoulders. She stepped out of her heels and placed her earrings on the counter. The lingerie was still wrapped in tissue paper. She unrolled it and held it up to her naked body.
She carefully dove head first into the lacey contraption. Thick black straps held the bits of fabric in place. It was mostly all lace. The most beautiful lace Skye ever remembered wearing. It felt soft and sexy where it hugged her breasts and hips. There was silk panel that ran from her navel to the tops of her thighs. It didn’t leave much to the imagination, but Ben had already seen everything. She wanted this to be different. This was the first time she was wearing something for him. The scalloped edges of the lace narrowed to create an open V between her breasts. Her entire back was exposed and the little covering her bottom was lace. She inhaled sharply and shook out her hair. This was it.
When she opened the door her eyes had to adjust to the lack of light. Ben had lit a few candles next to the bed. He was sitting on the opposite edge, looking at the ocean roll in under the moon. A breeze from the open balcony door made the candles flicker.
“Hey,” she whispered.
He pivoted from his spot on the bed. “Hey.” His eyes studied every line and curve of her silhouette.
Her hips swayed as she walked toward him. “Like your surprise?”
He nodded. “You look amazing.” His palms landed on her hips. He pressed against the lace.
Skye didn’t need the courage from the wine. She was on fire for him. Her body knew exactly what she wanted. She nudged Ben back on the bed and crawled forward to straddle him, planting her thighs against his. She needed to take all of it in. The way his eyes filled with lust for her, the way his rapid breath felt on her neck, the way his hands explored her curves. Thirty days was an eternity when you wanted someone this badly, but Skye needed it. As Ben held her with his gaze, she knew he wanted all the same things. Skin on skin was louder than words sometimes.
She grinned as she took his face in her hands, tracing his sharp jawline with her thumb, admiring the symmetry of his face.
“If you don’t kiss me now…” Ben teased.
Skye toyed his lips with her tongue, and his mouth parted. She gave in fully to the kiss, pressing hard against him, her breasts thrusting forward to melt into his chest. It was as if he was drinking in all of her. His tongue danced faster as she locked her fingers around his neck. He rocked back until the bed had fallen under them. Every nerve in her body burned. Ben’s hands moved from her back to her hips, until he discovered the lace panties under the lingerie.
“I love all these surprises.” He grinned.
“I might have some more.” Skye yanked at the buttons on his shirt, forcing the sleeves off his sculpted arms.
“I have a few for you too.”
She started a trail of kisses on his throat, layering them down his chest, his skin was warm.
“Remember what I promised you our second night together?” Ben toyed with the V and the edge of the lace around her breast. His thumb ran over her nipple, and Skye had to stop from bucking under the contact.
“What was that? I don’t remember.” Her hand landed on his belt buckle and tugged it free. She wanted everything inside those pants.
“I said you were going to want me.” He laughed, rolling her so she was under him. The room spun, but Skye knew it was the magic in her veins making everything so dizzying. Like a fever consuming her limb by limb, it had spread to the sweet spot between her legs.
He hovered over her, his beautiful body bare and golden in the moonlight. “So, Skye Stephens. I said I’d wait. But you have to tell me. I want you to tell me.” His hand roamed lower, pausing against her stomach before pushing up the hem of the silky front panel. His hands slid between her thighs.
Her hips rose to meet him, aching on all sides, wanting him so badly to consume her. One finger began to tug at the panties. Skye let out a moan.
“Tell me, baby.” Ben’s gaze was fierce.
All the desperation and passion that had built all month gripped her from within, clawing to be unleashed. Knowing, the only way she can feel whole, to feel free, is to be with Ben in every way possible.
“I want you.” Her eyes flashed to his, hoping he’d take her right then, fill her, and rock her until she was completely breathless and limp in his arms.
“What was that?” He began to slide the tiny straps over her hips, peeling the panties off her legs.
Skye arched toward him. “I want you. I want you here. And I want you now.” She pulled his mouth towards her, crashing his lips against hers. Ben let out a groan as her legs parted, allowing him to settle between them. She felt the weight of his body press against her.
“Take me now. Please.” It didn’t matter to her if she begged. He needed to know this was everything she had waited for. Her body was meant to be entwined with his.
A smile spread across his face. He reached for the nightstand and Skye heard him tear into the foil packet. Seconds later he kissed her. Light and smooth at first, but then deep and hard as his body surged to meet hers.
“Oh God.” Skye bowed off the bed, taking him deeper. Digging her hands into his back, she clutched at him trying to find balance in the bliss that consumed her.
Ben eased out gently, and Skye’s head rolled to the side, in the background she could hear the waves crashing against the shore. That’s how she felt—like the ocean was carrying her on the surface then dropping her into a pool of ecstasy as the water circled her limbs. Was it possible to drown in total desire?
The intensity rippled through her veins, her blood fueled by heat as Ben rocked against her. She met his movements, her hips fused with his body.
“You feel amazing.” Ben’s teeth grazed her neck.
“Don’t hold back.” She breathed. “I need all of you.” She wanted him to take her over the edge, farther than her body had ever gone.
“I want you too. I want to feel everything.” He growled deep from his throat. His hand trailed over the lace barely covering her breasts. Skye had gotten too caught up in their lovemaking to realize she was still wearing the black ensemble. He seemed to like that she had it on while he was guiding himself in and out of her. His head dipped over her breast.
“You are so sexy, I’m doing everything I can not to lose control right now.” He blew over her breast until her nipple was hard and taut against the fabric. Skye whimpered, fearing if he did much more she would come right then.
“Please,” she begged. “Please, Ben. Lose control. Lose yourself in me.”
His hands gripped her hips, lifting her from the bed. The angle was intense as he buried himself in her.
Her head rocked back. “Don’t stop.”
He hooked his arm under her knee, pushing harder. “I’m just getting started. I’m going to make you come all night.”
Skye’s knees shook. She was already on her back, how could he give her more than what she was already taking?
She nodded her head, but she didn’t know if he could see her. His eyes were all over her body. She writhed under him as his mouth descended over her breast. He began a slow, tortuous sucking motion through the lace.
“I can’t, Ben. It’s too much.” She thrashed under his mouth. His teeth clamped on her nipple and the exquisite sensation shot through her body. There was no turning back, she clenched around him, feeling the pulsing and building pressure in her core. He eased out of her, leaving her desperate for him, and just when she thought her craving for him would consume her from the inside, he plunged hard filling her with total ecstasy. She rose from the bed, gripping his shoulders. He kissed her and wrapped his arms around her as the shudders of pleasures surged through her.
“I love it w
hen you come.” He smiled. He laid her back on the bed. Before she could relish in the release of her body, he guided her ankles behind his head.
She urged her body to follow his commands, to let go of all restraints, to give him everything she had. She matched the wildfire that took over him. She didn’t know her body could do the things he wanted, but it was as if they had become one wave. Together they rolled into the deep ocean taking each other under with every kiss, touch, and thrust.
“Skye,” he called out her name. And that was it, she felt her core tighten once again against him before she shattered in a million pieces in his arms. Her legs throbbed as the sensation seared through her thighs and echoed through her body.
He pushed deeper. “Oh, baby. I—I—” Skye met the unbridled desire in his eyes with a smile. Then his body stiffened before he collapsed in a heap, sinking against her chest.
She hugged him against her, his head resting on her breast. That was the single most amazing experience of her life. Her body was numb, content, bathed in sexual bliss.
Ben rolled on his side, pulling her with him so they were cocooned together.
“I don’t have words.” He kissed her neck.
Skye let the moment consume every part of her. She smiled, loving how it felt with Ben’s chest nuzzled against her back. She finally knew what it meant to fly.
The morning sun filtered through the blinds. Bolt leaned over the balcony. Skye was still sleeping in the room. He didn’t want to disturb her. A seagull perched on a nearby light pole. It was early.
Last night had surprised him. Sex was always good. He loved sex, but he had never had sex like that. The look in her eyes, the way she felt under him, the softness of her skin. He shook his head. She was amazing. It was hard to think about wanting to do anything else but get lost in her. Isn’t that what she begged him to do? God, she was sexy.
He glanced back to the bed, where the sheet covered half her body. No one had taken him like that. He had slept with a hundred women and not a single night had come close to what he experienced with Skye.
He had made a lot of stupid mistakes in his life, taken unnecessary risks, and they were mostly selfish. He always made fun of guys who laid it all on the line for a woman. Now, it seemed to make sense. They all knew something he had never taken the time to see.