by Colet Abedi
Ian picks me up and runs toward the water. My arms curl around his neck as I laugh in delight when he splashes into the waves. He dunks us both, and I push away from him in the ocean, swimming easily under a wave that’s about to break. When I come up for air, Ian is right there next to me, his hair wet, drops of water glistening from his lashes, a giant boyish smile on his face. He looks innocent and carefree, not as strained as he usually seems. His guard is finally down, and it looks awesome.
I memorize this look. I want to remember it forever.
“You look like a mermaid,” he says, reaching for me.
I avoid his grasp and move away from him, disappearing under the water before popping up behind him. He seems amused.
“How about a siren?” I ask playfully.
“Luring men out into the sea to their untimely deaths.” Ian cocks his head and studies my face as if he’s thinking about it. “I’d follow you.”
God. Talk about making my panties wet.
“I wouldn’t lure you to a fateful death,” I say with a mischievous smile.
“No? What would be in store for me then?”
“Naughty fun.”
Ian’s eyes light up in desire before he dives under the water and comes up, pulling me into his arms. My legs automatically wrap around his waist and I hold on for dear life.
“Lead me out to sea, baby,” he whispers against my mouth.
“Not before you give me a kiss,” I say breathlessly.
I don’t have to ask twice.
I move my hands up to cup his cheeks, touching him tenderly as I bring my lips softly down on his. The first touch is sweet, filled with longing. His lips are inviting as I press mine into his. But it’s more than that. This kiss is about thanking him for what he’s brought out in me. This side I never dreamed could ever exist.
Because now, I’m finally free.
Ian holds me tightly, his grip protective but letting me take the lead.
I pull back after the first kiss, and my gaze captures his. I can tell what’s going on inside his head is just as complicated as my own mental masturbation.
I rub my finger along the bottom of his lip. “Who hurt you?”
There’s something more to him. Something deeper then he lets on. His past is as damaged as mine, but it’s more than just losing his parents as a child. It’s something else. I can feel it.
His eyes flicker away from mine, and instead of answering, he places one hand tenderly on my cheek and the other on my waist so I’m no longer looking at him but over his shoulder out into the sea.
“Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day,” he whispers.
“I don’t believe it’s a maybe. I think you and I both know it’s inevitable.”
Chapter Twelve
Ian
She’s right.
Kerri knowing my truth is inevitable.
The day she realizes she was a mark.
That I was using her to get to her father.
That day will eventually come, because my need to destroy Jon Harrington hasn’t stopped, regardless of what emotions his daughter evokes in me. Kerri has only complicated matters. She’s made everything more difficult—but the end result will be the same. It has to be the same. It’s what I owe Tanya.
I will destroy him. Whatever the cost.
These thoughts play over in my head like a loop throughout our lazy, relaxing day together. Every time she gives me that gorgeous smile of hers, my emotions go from lust to regret, to anger at myself over my weakness for her, to wishing Kerri and I had met some other way. That she wasn’t his daughter. That I could have fun with her and see where the ride takes me. Wishing we had been strangers, our paths crossing by chance, and able to have fun like any other normal couple.
And then I see my sister.
I see Tanya’s grief-stricken face when she discovered Jon Harrington’s betrayal. I see the pain she must have felt to take her own life, and shame and guilt flood my system. Here I am enjoying the company of his daughter. Enjoying her in a way I have never enjoyed a woman before, and I haven’t even slept with her.
Not yet.
We spend the entire afternoon at the beach—in the water, playing paddleball on the sand, and taking in the sun. If I’m honest, it’s one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in longer than I can remember. And I’m sure as hell content.
Kerri is easy to talk to and extremely laid-back. Despite having grown up in extraordinary wealth, she’s surprisingly down to earth. It’s refreshing and completely unexpected. It seems Kerri Harrington is destined to completely throw me every chance she gets.
In the kitchen, I take a long sip of beer and watch her.
It’s late in the afternoon, and Kerri’s sexy body is bouncing around, surveying our food supply. We haven’t eaten a thing and we’re both starving after our day in the sun. My gaze slides over her delectable body.
I’m hungry for more than food.
I want her. Bad.
Fuck that.
I want her like I’ve never wanted another woman in my life. And at some point, I’m going to have to have her—consequences be damned.
For the most part, I’ve behaved like a perfect gentleman, which makes me pretty fucking proud of myself because it’s been no easy task to keep things PG. But I’ve tried to be good, even though we both know our intimacy is inevitable. Still…
My mind is all messed up—no surprise there—and it’s why I haven’t fucked her brains out…yet. Every time I think I’m at the point of no return, my conscience kicks in and I pull back. I’m sure Kerri must wonder what’s going on with me and think that my behavior is more than slightly crazy, but I can’t seem to help myself.
I am conflicted.
My moral compass, the one I thought didn’t exist, has suddenly decided to kick in.
Because I like her. And the more time I spend with her, the more I like her. I know from experience that when I’m not with her, all I do is think about her.
How fucked am I?
My gaze lingers on her cute derriere and I have to force myself to look away. I watch as she pulls out a couple of tortillas and shredded mozzarella and makes us some quesadillas.
“Can you grab me another beer from the fridge?” I ask after I drink the last drop.
“Sure thing,” she says and takes out two. She pops off the tops and hands me mine. “Cheers.”
Her cheeks and nose are slightly red from the sun, and coupled with that innocent smile of hers, she looks even younger than she is. And even more innocent.
I’m officially the fucking devil.
“What’s with that look?” she asks before walking back to the stove.
My gaze slides up those runway-worthy legs and my mood darkens even more. I take another long sip. “What look?”
She turns and mimics my frown. “This one.”
I have to smile. If Trevor could see me now, he’d laugh his ass off. She looks so damn cute I want to devour her. “Funny.”
“I know,” she says with an exaggerated sigh. “And quick. I can’t help it that I’m kind of perfect.”
I think she’s expecting me to deny the comment, but I can’t. She is pretty fucking perfect.
Kerri proves it by giving me her perfect profile. “No comeback? You can’t actually agree with me.”
“Perfect except for that smart mouth of yours,” I finally say even though I love that smart mouth and want it on my cock.
Now.
She gives me a wide smile. “I aim to please.”
“I have no doubt you know how to please.” My eyes flicker to her incredible cleavage, then back up to her lips. I’m hard in a second. “Let’s just go out to eat.”
I know my voice sounds harsh, but I need to get the hell out of the house. The space is too small, the temptation too great. And my resolve is weakening. Fast. She’s turning me into a goddamn mess.
“What?” She shakes her head. “Why?”
“I don’t want you to slave away in here.”
&nb
sp; She gives me a saucy smile. “Do you actually think making a quesadilla is slaving? A monkey could make this.”
“Don’t you want to see the town?” I persist, hoping she’ll go for it. “There’s a great restaurant—Flora Farms. I think you’d love it.”
“Been there.” She waves off my suggestion as though it’s no big deal. “This isn’t my first time to Cabo, you know.”
Of course it isn’t.
“Then let me show you a different part of the city,” I suggest.
She puts her hands on her tiny waist and shakes her head. “Honestly, I’m good staying in. Your place is great. I mean, it’s a bit cold, but it’s great.” She covers her mouth as if she let something slip out that she didn’t want me to hear.
“What does that mean?”
“What?” She tries to look all innocent and wide-eyed, but I know better.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, sweetheart.” I tsk at her, shaking my head.
She looks away uncomfortably and shrugs. “I dunno.”
She holds her hands up like she’s innocent.
“Kerri…” I warn.
“Fine.” She sighs. “Your home lacks warmth.”
I lean back in the chair and stare at her for a long second, taking in the insult. “Lacks warmth?”
“I think I’m hearing an echo.” She sounds amused as she places the quesadilla in front of me.
I look around the home I spent a small fortune on and have always thought was pretty damn great, and I can’t help but feel a bit offended. I can’t fucking believe I actually care. Is this not good enough for the princess?
“You don’t like it?” I can’t keep the edge out of my voice.
“I didn’t say that.” Her eyes lock with mine. “And you’re taking this way too personally, considering you and I both know you hired an interior decorator and had nothing to do with any of it.”
“I approved everything,” I say. “And I know what I like.”
She gives me a smile and has the audacity to say, “So you like things cold and frosty?”
“I like you.” Her face floods with color, and I feel immense satisfaction from it. “And you don’t strike me as cold or frosty.”
“I can be,” she says. “I’ve been accused of it by many men in the past.”
I’m immediately and irrationally irritated and angry that any other man was ever intimate enough with her to be able to call her cold. “Fuck your past.”
I know I sound harsh, but I can’t help it. I push aside the plate—food isn’t what I want. I get up from the chair. I can’t take it anymore. I need to feel her. I need to be inside her.
I want her like I’ve never wanted anything else in my life and fuck all the consequences or what will come of it.
We both need this.
Her eyes widen as I make my way toward her. I let her see the ferocity of my desire, giving her a chance to run if she wants—but she doesn’t. I know she won’t. She wants this too. She needs me as badly as I need her. This is a moment we’ve both been waiting for for what seems like fucking forever.
“This is your last chance,” I warn her.
“For what?” she whispers, her voice trembling.
“To run.” I tell her honestly, my own voice rough with emotion. “To walk the fuck away from me.”
“But I don’t want to.”
I can hear the longing in her voice, and it makes my blood race.
“I warned you,” I continue for myself as much as her, hoping it will kill some of the guilt I feel. “I told you I’m no good for you. You can’t ever come back and tell me I didn’t.”
I watch her process my words. She closes her eyes, and for one second, I think she might run from me. And my heart stops. But when she opens them, her acquiescence is there.
“I know what I’m doing.” Her voice is sure, and I see the same need in her eyes.
“Do you?” I give her a small, sad smile before cupping her face.
“Yes.”
“Are you on birth control?”
“I am,” she whispers as her gaze pins mine. “And what about you?”
“I have a clean bill of health,” I say as I rub my finger down her cheek.
Her skin is so fucking soft. Everything about her is fine and delicate. Like a treasure. She’s the kind of woman who should be taken care of, adored, adorned with jewels and fine things. The kind you want to spoil the hell out of because you can and because material things don’t matter to her—she’s happy just being with you. She’s that fucking perfect.
And then I don’t care anymore. I don’t think. I just lean into this woman who’s lit my body, mind, and if I’m honest, my fucking soul on fire.
And I let it play out.
This moment has always been our destiny.
I step toward her and trail my hands down the bare skin of her stomach, watching her body react. Her chest heaves as her heartbeat accelerates, her eyes glowing with desire. My hands move around to her back, and I untie the strings of her bikini top and watch it fall away, exposing her naked breasts.
God, she’s sexy.
Fucking glorious.
She’s like a goddamn dream—mine, in fact. One I’ve envisioned every night for longer than I can remember. And she looks better than I ever imagined.
She’s still as a statue as she awaits my next move. I brush her hair to the side and lean forward, inhaling her scent. She smells delicious. So sweet.
My tongue trails up her neck to the back of her ear as my hands rest on her hips. I feel her shiver as she tilts her head, giving me more access.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper before my mouth finds hers, feathering light kisses over her lips.
Her hands move up my chest, burning my skin with her gentle touch. I pull her into my arms before deepening the kiss. My tongue captures hers, my body pulsing in satisfaction when I hear her moan. I carry her upstairs into my bedroom, our lips locked the entire time.
I can’t get enough of her taste.
I gently place Kerri on the bed and step back to stare down at her half naked body. I note with satisfaction how her lips are swollen from my kisses, her breasts ready to be worshipped—her body waiting to be owned.
By me.
I slowly pull down her bikini bottoms and allow myself the luxury of enjoying my first look at her fully naked body.
“You’re perfect, Ian,” she whispers, looking me over in the same manner. Her eyes glow with something more than desire, more than need, and instead of scaring me, it thrills me. But her words rattle me, rip away the control I have always had with women, and for the first time in my life, I’m thrown.
She tries to get up—I’m sure to help me discard my swim trunks—but I stop her. “Don’t move.” My gaze sweeps over her body. “I want you to stay like this. I want to memorize every part of you.”
I want this image of her burned into my mind. Forever.
Her eyes lock with mine, and I slip off my swim trunks and lean onto her body. A carnal desire takes over as my mouth and tongue tease the tight bud of her nipple. I knead her other breast with one hand as the other skims down her stomach to slip between her folds. She’s so wet for me, it makes me lose my mind.
I’m rock-fucking-hard. I rip my mouth from breast and trail kisses down her stomach until I’m at her honeyed core, licking, sucking, blowing.
She’s wildly writhing on the bed, moaning in desire. “Ian!” She pants in need.
I know what she wants. I want it too. I lift my head, stopping my assault, and look at her. Her body is flushed with longing, trembling with need—
For me.
I’ve never before felt such satisfaction. “Look at me.”
Her gorgeous eyes are clouded by desire when they open. When her eyes find mine, I dip my head back down. I hear her gasp, and it turns me on even more. I look up at her again, wanting her to watch as I lick her folds and pleasure her in a way I know she’s never had. I can feel it in her responses
.
Kerri’s riveted, as I knew she would be. Her face shows a mixture of shock, desire, lust, and mostly need.
“You taste so sweet,” I tell her before my fingers enter her.
Her hips buck up and she screams out her orgasm, her body shuddering around me. I move up quickly, spreading her legs as she comes, my cock grazing her. I wait for the last wave to subside.
“Open your eyes.” My voice is raw with desire.
She does as I ask. We stare at each other for a long moment, our need there for the other to see.
“I feel like I’ve waited for this moment forever,” Kerri says as her hand rubs my cheek.
She takes the words right out of my mouth.
“Nothing between us will ever be the same again,” I say.
“I’m ready,” she whispers.
Fuck.
It’s all I need. I push inside her sweet, tight warmth and revel in the feeling. Her hips lift to take more of me as she lets out a gasp of pleasure.
“You feel so good.” My voice is husky. My hands cup her cheeks, my mouth finding hers.
Kerri feels too good to be true. As though her sweet pussy was made for my cock. I stay still so she can grow accustomed to my size, to the feeling of me inside her, and though it’s fucking torture, I stay that way until she moves. It’s the only sign I need before I pull out and thrust back in. She moans in pleasure and whispers something I can’t understand before her hands move down to my ass, pulling me in deeper. I increase the tempo. Her hips meet mine thrust for thrust, her hands gripping me to her.
“Ian—” She sounds unsure.
I know what’s happening inside. “Come for me, Kerri.”
I fuck her even harder, losing complete control, my cock begging for its own release. I feel her body tighten around me.
“Come for me,” I command again.
And she does. She screams my name, her orgasm washing over her, her body trembling from the force of it. And it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I come a second later, the intensity making my muscles flex, a crazy euphoric energy rippling through my body to my core.
Goddamn.
It’s the most powerful orgasm I’ve ever experienced in my life. Everything about this experience was different.