by Neil, Louisa
She studied his profile when they were sitting out on the dock, noticing the subtle differences in his appearance. His body was firm and deliciously tan all over. It was apparent his haircut was new, as well as the trim to his beard. He teased her the night before, saying that he’d kept it to surprise her with new delights. While she accepted his words and his new tickling beard and mustache, she also knew his face underneath would be pale compared to his sun-worshiped body. She had no hesitations when he started do pull her pants down her legs. She didn’t care that they were outside on the dock, just that he wanted her.
Thea felt a new rush when he slipped between her thighs and gave her a firsthand test of his new whiskers. He’d teased her clit with his tongue and took long licks of her pussy lips. When he slipped a finger in her pussy, she groaned, shifting to accept the intrusion. When he slid a second beside it, she came, the sunshine forcing pinpoint lights on the insides of her closed lids. Dex had continued to lick and suck her, using his callused hand to capture her breast and pump it in unison with his tongue. When he pinched her nipple, she finally felt the tension leave her body.
By the time they were through, she’d been thoroughly sucked and fucked, but not by his cock, only by his lips and fingers. When she reached for him, he told her it was time to go inside. Thea figured he’d had enough of being outdoors in the elements and was glad to head back to the shelter of the old, familiar structure. She’d delighted in the experiment, realizing how much she’d missed this closeness with him and, most importantly, that they still connected on that level. Everything else would come with time. Her husband was home, and she was going to make sure he never left her again. Even if it meant gluing herself to his side as he had teased. Never again did she want to experience the ache she felt when he was gone from her life.
Dex had studied her openly several times since his return. When she’d fallen asleep in front of the fire yesterday, he’d watched her rhythmic breathing and thanked God for allowing him another chance to be with her. Another chance for their future to begin.
He noted the small lines forming beside her eyes and chose not to mention them to her. This morning he’d realized what was different. She’d matured. Gone was the twenty-something girl he had married. Beside him now was his wife, a woman who’d overcome the stress of his plane crash and his assumed death. But at what cost? The little he’d heard from Alex and his parents on his short stop home was enough to make him clench his fists. He took deep, controlled breaths to release his anger. Taken from her and from him was her innocence.
While Dex knew nobody could call Thea Wainwright innocent in most ways, only he’d been allowed access to her most private thoughts and emotions. Only Dex knew how the death of her mother had truly affected her. And now he knew the wistful air she used to carry had become burdened with the reality of his absence. She’d gone and grown up on him. He could only hope he’d matured enough to still be the man she wanted. The idea wasn’t new to him. He and Russ had discussed it many times, ad nauseam, during their exile. It was a reality he was willing to deal with, only now that it was here it was slightly frightening.
Dex understood that his Thea, this older version of her, would never look at life with such intense lightness. He knew she’d see the world around her in its stark realism. He’d tried to protect her from that and managed well, he thought. Only now he knew she’d seen it without him, and alone she’d survived. The small lines near her lips had been earned with every tear she’d shed.
Then she’d stirred beside him, her hand automatically reaching to him. When she felt him grasp her, she smiled in her sleep and drifted away again. Dex knew the next few weeks were going to be hard on both of them. His thoughts strayed to Russ and all they’d been through together, keeping each other alive and sane. He wondered how he’d balance Thea and Russ without jealousy. Could he ever tell her the truth about the rest of their time on the island together? Would she be revolted, or would she understand the loneliness and feeling of doom? Would she understand that after months of waiting he and Russ realized they might never be found and turned to each other for solace in a way he’d never have predicted? For now, he and Russ had a pact—no outsiders needed to know about their private time.
He’d been enamored with Thea and her body and how she loved him. So why was he wondering how Russ was adjusting? They’d often said once they got back to civilization their sexual activities would cease. He’d have Thea, and Russ would find his perfect woman. He hoped Russ did. Somehow he felt uncomfortable enjoying his wife when Russ was alone.
Dex knew he couldn’t bring him to the lake when Thea had mentioned it on the phone. They needed some time to decompress and reconnect on all levels. Yet when he thought about an extended vacation, his mind had Russ traveling with them. Would Thea accept Russ as a traveling companion of sorts? One who might have sexual benefits to her, too? It was as if he was being asked to choose between his wife and lover. Being rescued was his ultimate dream, but he knew it would come at a high cost, most likely Russell’s friendship.
He wanted to go some place cold with snow, anything but sunshine every day and nothing to gaze at but the blue ocean. He figured it would be a cathartic way for the three of them to trade stories and hopefully put their ordeal into perspective. With that, they could all go forward with their lives productively. The only question left was what to do about Lloyd, and that would have to wait until he could talk to the lawyers.
Chapter Five
“Are you back on the island?” Thea asked.
They’d stopped to watch the lake from the flat boulder that formed a retaining wall supporting the hill behind the house. It was kissed with the heat from the sun and welcomed them to rest a while.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, he turned to her, his hand reaching to her cheek. Her eyes closed as he made contact with her skin, a long, low sigh coming from her.
“No. Actually, I was thinking about us going skiing or at least to the mountains as soon as we can. I’d like to take Russ, too, if you don’t mind. It seems wrong to leave him behind.”
“Of course we will bring Russell. You kept each other alive for two years. That’s a bond I wouldn’t want to impose on. Besides, I’d like to hear his side of life on the island.”
“My aqua queen,” he whispered, folding her against his chest. His term of endearment brought tears to her eyes, but she forced them back. Only one single tear managed to escape, rolling down her cheek, his eyes watching its descent while his tongue lapped it up before it hit his fingers. “Someplace cold with mountains to stare at. I figure since we three are directly involved, we should probably decompress together. We’ll find some old house with lots of room for us to get lost in.”
“Are you experiencing separation anxiety from Russ?” While she teased, her question was valid.
“Not really, but all our lives will change again, Thea. What we had together as a couple will go on, but it will be different, just by the nature of our separation. Your relationship with Russ will change, too. Everyone will start spending time differently, and rightly so. I figured it would give us all a chance to answer all the questions that we’ve had and will have in a safe and comfortable environment.”
Thea wondered what he meant but was too afraid to ask at the moment. With time, she decided, it would all work out.
“I think I understand, at least about the snow part. But you’ve thought this through, you and Russ. You’ve had the one luxury of knowing that you were still alive. You’re right to say our relationships will change, it’s only natural. I suppose I didn’t put it into that perspective while I was mourning.” Thea pulled back from him, her hands going to cover her mouth. “Oh, Dex, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay, Queenie. I would be worse off if you didn’t notice me gone!” His eyes lit, and she smiled. “I know we’re both a little tense—no, that’s not right. I know I’m a little nervous. I know it’s silly. You’re my wife, the one woman on this earth that
I’ve ever loved, ever will love, but I’m afraid to smother you with all the emotions I’m feeling. Can you understand that?”
Thea wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him up to kneel beside her. “I do understand. I didn’t want to be smothering to you either. I want to touch you, make sure you’re real, but I hesitate.”
Dexter’s hands pulled her closer to him. “Never worry you touch me too much, Queenie. I’ll never get tired of knowing you’re within my reach.” Her hands moved over his and pulled them down her body, pausing over her breasts, her fingers closing over his, tightening his grasp. Moments later, she pulled back, reaching to the hem of her sweater to tug it over her head and off. Lying back on the warm rock, she lifted her arms to him. Dexter paused only to pull off the sweatshirt he’d been wearing before lowering himself to meet her. It was the ultimate moment for her, to feel the heat of his skin against hers. Thea was beginning to accept Dex really was with her. That she wouldn’t wake from yet another nightmare to find this wasn’t reality. He locked her hands in his, drawing them above her head just as his lips closed around her nipple. Thea groaned and lifted her chest to meet him. “God, Dex that’s amazing. I’ve missed you in so many ways.”
Dex lifted his head and smiled at her. “I know Thea, trust me, I know how you feel. Now lie back and let me have you.” He nipped at her other nipple before sucking it between his lips. “I’ve dreamt about your raspberry nipples for two years.” Dex moved back to her other side, the pull of his lips shooting through her body and landing directly in her clit.
“You’ll make me come, Dex,” she whispered. “Don’t stop, please don’t stop.” Thea knew she was writhing under him, her fingers locking around his tighter as she rubbed against his hard cock. “Make me come, and then I’ll suck you off.” There was no more conversation, just the pull of his mouth against her skin. She bucked upward, loving the feel of him against her. She knew he felt each stroke of her body as she felt his. Dex held her hands tighter and began to thrust his hips as if he was inside her. It was enough to push her over the edge, and she came, clutching his hands while he nipped at her nipples and rubbed his cock against her clit.
Thea relaxed back on the rock and sighed. “Thank you.”
Dex continued to suck her nipples, but the intensity was gone. “You’re welcome.”
“Drop your pants and come up here where I can reach you.”
“Greedy little thing, aren’t you,” he teased. Dex let go of her hands and she dropped them to his back, making lazy circles on his skin with her nails. “That feels amazing.”
“Come up here where I can reach your cock and I’ll make you feel even better.”
Dex rolled to the side and dropped his arm over his eyes to shield them from the sun. Thea didn’t wait, she scooted down and quickly undid his pants, his erection her reward. Capturing the head with her lips, she licked the droplets of pre-cum sucking her breasts had caused. Then she nipped at the underneath of his length before taking him into her mouth, making long passes up and down. She repeated the process over and over, one hand holding the base of his cock while the other teased his balls. When he started to jolt upward to meet her lips, she’d lightly bitten his cock, reminding him she was in charge.
“Make me come, Queenie, I can’t hold back any more.”
Lifting only slightly, she looked at him. Thea knew her lips would be full and slick, coated with his pre-cum. “Can I climb on top and fuck you until you come?” She dropped her head down and captured his length again.
“No time,” he told her through gritted teeth. Grabbing his balls one last time, she swallowed his length. As she grasped him her fingers ran along his anus. He came immediately, and she swallowed his load, staying to lick him clean.
Thea dropped her head on his belly and licked her lips. She had a passing thought that he’d come when she brushed against his anus. He’d never been that sensitive before. While he often used toys on her in her pussy and ass, he’d never seemed interested in her using them on him. Thea decided it wasn’t anything to be concerned about, if he wanted her to penetrate his ass, he’d let her know. For now, she just wanted to relax and enjoy the afterglow of their actions. She licked the last of his cum from her lips and realized her back was getting hot.
“I hate to say this, but I’m not as tan as you, and I don’t want to get burned.”
“I don’t want you to get burned either.”
They managed to get up and dress in a lazy daze of afterglow. “How about a nap,” she suggested as she pulled her shirt back on.
“I could use a nap, but food first,” he agreed, as they made their way back to the house.
Reality intruded just after one o’clock that afternoon. They’d had a late breakfast, or early lunch, after their morning on the boulders. The telephone call was expected—scheduled, actually—but they both jumped when her cell phone rang. She took a steadying breath before reaching for it.
“Hello?” Her eyes were trained on Dex and his on her. “Yes, we’re fine. Have you gotten settled yet? I can’t wait to see you, Russ, and thank you for taking care of Dexter.”
Thea knew Dex watched her as she talked, probably hoping her body language would reveal the other side of the conversation.
When she eased her shoulders, Dex finally released the breath he’d been holding. He continued to listen to her side of the conversation, moving to the glass wall that overlooked the lake. Long minutes later, he turned back to her, after she’d said good-bye.
“Everything okay?” he managed, but he had to clear his throat to speak.
He was afraid the call would somehow break the magic they were rebuilding. It was a taste of reality intruding, but at least she’d spoken with Russell. On a strange level, he wanted Thea to understand the bond they’d formed beyond the friendship they’d shared before the crash.
“Want the good news or the bad?”
He didn’t turn back to her. Instead, he whispered she should tell him the good first for a change.
Thea went on to tell him, “Russ seemed okay but he sounded, I don’t know, stilted somehow. I guess just being back and having to deal with all this is weighing on him. At least we’ve had a few days away. He was with Alex.”
Dex was relieved. Russ had been with Alex. At least he wasn’t alone. “Now the bad part,” Dex teased.
“We all have to meet tomorrow afternoon. The lawyers and accountants had been working nonstop to check the company records and some discrepancies were found.” He watched Thea pause and take a cleansing breath. “Until the audit is complete, they can only speculate. By tomorrow, we’ll have a clearer idea of the problems.”
The second thing she told him was that, yes, they, too, had to head back for the meeting. Their presence there was mandatory. Dex understood reality would intrude in less than a day. Thea went on to tell him the worst news.
“Lloyd and his attorney have gone public. They arranged a press conference in his apartment this morning and pressed for his being released from the company-enforced secure location. His attorney has apparently given the press their side of the story, of being held captive until charges could be trumped up because the unstable daughter of the CEO had cancelled their wedding.” Thea’s hands fisted at her sides. Dex didn’t think she realized she was doing it. “Apparently, the press had had a field day with that one.”
“Go on, finish it all,” Dex prompted.
“According to Alex, the story is all over the news. Bits of the press conference, edited, of course, to be more sensationalistic.” Thea hesitated again. “And the worst part of the conference was Lloyd telling the world that you and Russ had been found and apparently had gone off the deep end while you were stranded.” Thea sat heavily on the closest chair to her.
“Alex warned me to tell you that the press will be all over us tomorrow. He advised we stay indoors for the rest of the day or we might find intruders.” If her voice hadn’t cracked as she spoke, he might have believed her almost-brave front. Inst
ead, he found himself going to her, his arms open, swallowing her thin form against his. “They’ve met with the district attorney and are filing charges against him—assault, attempted rape—and they’re still deciding how to handle the sabotage.”
“It will be all right, Queenie. In a few days, the fuss will die down. We just need something else to happen in the world and we’ll be old news.” He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, until he felt her relax. Now if he could just relax. He knew Russ wouldn’t talk about their time on the island in detail that would embarrass either of them, but he still carried the angst someone would find out and expose them before he and Russ had time to talk with Thea.
“Oh, I almost forgot, Russ said to tell you all your blood work and medical tests came back clean.” He tried to hide the profound relief he felt. “What’s wrong? I knew you guys had a quick checkup before you came up here. Why do you look so relieved?”
“There were a lot of strange bugs on the island. We wanted to make sure we didn’t wind up with some kind of Lyme disease or something from the sand fleas.”
“Well, Russ said everything is okay, so you can relax on that.”
“I suppose the hot tub is out if we’re hiding from the press,” he whispered.
Thea laughed openly with him as they invented headlines for the news stories that would come from pictures of them naked in the bath under the stars.
“How about, ‘Unstable Heiress and Long-Lost Love, Naked Under the Stars.’”
“Or, better yet, ‘Drugged Heiress Loses Her Morals In the Night.’”
“Or more likely, ‘Lloyd Dodges the Bullet from Addict Heiress.’” Dex pulled her to him.
“He’ll smear us to make himself look better, Dex. Anything he can find or remember to blackmail us, he’ll use.”