“Make love to me, Grant.”
Chapter Six
He drew in a ragged breath, the disappointment almost painful in his gut.
“Lanie, I don’t have a condom.”
She lowered her gaze, her fingers twirling in the hair on his chest.
“I started birth control a few months ago.” Her teeth nibbled on her bottom lip. “And you have nothing to worry about in the other department.”
He struggled to breathe, his throat suddenly tight, shocked that she trusted him enough to give him the go ahead without a condom.
She lifted her head, her gaze uncertain. “Unless you…”
“You have nothing to worry about with me,” he reassured her huskily. “Are you sure about this?”
She gave a slow nod. “I’m sure, Grant. Six years of living off a memory can leave you a little empty inside.”
“Ah, sweet, Lanie.” He brushed his mouth across hers. “Sweet, sweet, Lanie.”
Her arms wound around his neck and he eased his body onto hers, flattening her breasts against his chest.
He traced her bottom lip with his tongue, soothing the swollenness she’d created from nibbling on it. A nervous habit he’d noticed she did often.
The soft sigh she made parted her lips enough for him to slowly sink his tongue into her mouth. Brushing past her teeth to tease hers.
Had he ever wanted a woman more? Would he ever? Since that first night together, it had always been about Lanie.
There was soft friction as their tongues rubbed together, then retreated, and then came back to meet again with more urgency.
He slid his knee between her legs, parting her thighs wide enough for him to lie between them. The warmth of her pussy nudged his cock and he groaned against her mouth.
Her tongue swept against his again, curling around and then sucking. Her hips lifted, lining his erection up perfectly with her entrance.
Poised on the edge of repeating the most emotionally intense sex of his life, he didn’t even hesitate. Gripping his cock, he pushed past her swollen folds and then buried himself in her hot, wet center.
Lanie gasped, tearing her mouth away and twisting her head to the side.
He groaned, unable to even move. Oh God, she felt incredible. He remained embedded in her, overcome by the sensation of her slick warmth squeezing his dick. Jesus, she felt good.
“Too long, Lanie. It’s been too damn long.”
She gave an unsteady laugh that sounded more like a groan. “I know.”
She lifted her hips again, driving him deeper into her core.
He closed his eyes, grinding his hips against hers until he was wedged deep against her cervix.
“Oh God,” she whispered, her nails digging into his forearms and her nipples pressed tight against his chest.
He pulled out of her just a bit and then sank back in, repeating the process. Slow and steady at first, as every nerve in his body focused on the silken grip her body had on him.
She lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, rotating them every so often and causing his cock to stroke the sides of her channel.
“Christ, you feel amazing,” he said through clenched teeth.
He lowered his head, licking one of her tight nipples. She let out a mewl of pleasure and he buried his cock deep into her again. Moving faster now. Deeper.
She matched the increased pace he set, wrapping her legs around his waist as her cries grew louder by the second.
His sac tightened and he drew in a ragged breath. He reached between them and skimmed his thumb across her clit, making sure she went over the edge with him.
Her scream of pleasure mingled with his hoarse groan. He thrust to the hilt, finding his release deep inside her.
His mind went to mush. It was all he could do to remember to breathe.
“Mmmpph.”
Grant blinked, his vision returning to normal as he looked down at Lanie.
Her eyes were shut and her body lay limp beneath him.
“You okay, baby?”
“Mmmph.”
“Is that a yes?”
Her eyes flickered open, capturing him with a languid brown stare.
“That’s most definitely a yes.” She stretched beneath him, moving all the right parts against his body. Her foot moved up and down his calf.
He bit back a groan, feeling himself hardening again.
“Grant, that was…” she trailed off and sighed. “I needed that. You have no idea how much.”
He pushed a damp strand of hair off her forehead, his mouth curving downward a bit. She needed that? But she was in a relationship with another guy. Shouldn’t that mean her sex life was active? Hell, she was on birth control.
The thought of her with another man left an acidic taste in his mouth. Curdled the jealousy in his gut.
She dropped a kiss on his shoulder, her gaze still heated. It was clear that the last thing on her mind was another man.
Their makeshift tent had grown darker; a sure sign the sun had set.
“I think we’re going to end up spending the night,” he said quietly. “Roberta’s so damn romantic, she’ll probably assume we just spent the night before she gets worried.”
“Well,” she looked up at him through lowered lashes “I’m not so sure I’m going to complain about that. In fact, I kind of like the idea.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” She moved her foot up to his ass and pressed down.
Still inside her, his cock grew rock hard again.
“Well then.” He smiled and grasped her hips, rolling onto his back and setting her astride him. “Why don’t you show me how much you like it?”
Lanie stared down at him, her heart pounding in her chest and desire flowing heavy through her veins. He shifted, sending his cock deeper inside her.
“Oh wow,” she whispered, her eyes closing.
With her on top of him, the blanket lifted, letting in a cool breeze and amplifying the sound of waves on the beach.
His hands settled on her hips, lightly holding her, but it was clear he’d given her the reins.
She lifted herself up just a bit and then sank back down. The friction and depth of the stroke made the breath lock in her throat.
Her nipples tightened as she rocked down on him again. She leaned forward, placing her hands on his chest and rotating her hips. Lifting herself up and pressing back down onto him.
“You’re going to kill me, Lanie,” he said hoarsely.
She gave a soft laugh, the power of the position giving her more confidence.
“You like that?” she murmured and leaned forward, smoothing her fingers up to rub his nipples.
“Hell, yeah.” He slid his hand from her hip to the middle of her back, pulling her forward until her breasts dangled above his mouth. “I also like this.”
He captured one puckered tip between strong lips. Sucking and licking it until she writhed on his cock.
She moved faster and harder, the air escaping her lungs in choked gasps.
He switched his mouth to her other breast, thrusting up into her as she rode him.
When he reached between them to rub her clit, she exploded. Lights flashed behind her closed lids, her body clamped around him and milked his cock as he came inside her a moment later.
She collapsed on top of him, falling forward and burying her face against his neck. She kissed his rapidly-beating pulse, savoring the salty male taste of him.
“Lanie,” he sighed, moving his hand up and down her back. “I don’t think I’ll be able to walk anytime soon.”
“You don’t need to,” she murmured drowsily and slid off him. She moved to lie next to him, snuggling against his side.
Grant slipped an arm around her back with one hand, and urged her head to his chest with another. His lips grazed across her forehead.
“You’re amazing,” he said.
Her mouth curved into a smile and her eyes drifted shut. “I try.”
His chest rose and fel
l beneath her cheek, gradually slowing until she knew he’d fallen asleep.
Tonight had changed everything. The realization was just a passing thought in her over-stimulated mind.
Closing off all analytical thoughts, she breathed in the scent of him and let herself fall asleep.
Waves smashed onto the beach and the wind lifted the blanket around them.
Lanie stirred, snuggling closer to Grant with a sigh. She didn’t know how early it was, but there was a hint of daylight peeking through the edges of the blanket.
“Are you awake?” His chest rumbled under her cheek with the question.
Her mouth curved into a half smile. “No.”
“Liar.” He stroked a hand down her back. “You know what woke me?”
“Hmm.”
“Your stomach growling.”
“It did not.” She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.
“All right, I was already awake, but your stomach did growl a couple times in the past half hour.”
“You’ve been awake that long? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because I enjoyed having you asleep in my arms.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead.
Her stomach flipped and warmth spread through her body. She bit her lip, knowing her cheeks were turning pink with pleasure. God, she was so easy.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” she asked to change the subject.
“Mmm. A little after six, I’d guess.”
“Ouch. That’s pretty early.”
“Yes, it is.” He sat up and the blanket lifted off them, letting in a rush of cool air.
“Cold!” she yelped and tugged the blanket off him and wrapped it around herself, leaving Grant sitting up naked.
“Did you say you brought extra clothes?” he asked glancing toward the beach. “Or are they—?”
“In the boat.”
“Right.” He gave a nod. “I figured. Tell you what, just use one of the blankets toga style until the wet stuff dries.”
“Not a problem.”
“I’m going to run down to the beach and grab that cooler. At least we have some food.” He leaned over and rubbed his thumb across her lower lip. “I’ll be back in a few.”
She nipped at his thumb and then gave him an impish grin. “Okay.”
Delanie watched him wrap one of the blankets around his waist and then walk back down to the beach.
She stood up and stretched, easing out all the newly acquired aches in her body. Was this the part where she was supposed to regret what had just happened between them last night? Because she didn’t. Not in the least.
It had felt right. All of it. Making love to Grant and being held in his arms. In fact she kind of had the itch to do it again. Soon.
She pulled the blanket around her, fastening it in true toga fashion before walking down the trail after him.
He stood on the beach, collecting the few items he’d brought out of the boat earlier.
“I don’t suppose you have a cell phone?” she called out. “You know, since I went swimming with mine and all.”
He turned around, his amused gaze running over her. “I don’t. Mine was in the boat under my seat.”
She winced, guilt making her stomach twist. “Right. I’m sorry.”
He waved his hand and shook his head. “Stop apologizing. I can easily buy a new one. I’m just glad you’re okay.” He closed the distance between them and touched the curve of her breast peeking out of the blanket. “So, you’ve done this toga thing before, huh?”
“Hey, I was in a sorority.” She grinned and glanced down at herself and the fleece blanket. “I went to my share of toga parties.”
“I bet. You look beautiful, like a Greek goddess.”
“Thank you.” She lowered her gaze, her smile widening.
It couldn’t get much better than being called a goddess. Speaking of Goddesses, where had the name of the resort come from? Athena’s Oasis.
She glanced out at the water, looking for any sign of a passing boat in the early morning light. Nothing.
“They’ll find us,” he assured her, obviously having read her thoughts. “And we’ve got plenty of food to get us through another night if we need to.”
She knew she could trust him to keep her safe. And, ultimately, get her off this island, even if he had to cut down a tree and make a canoe. Not that it would ever come to that.
She bit her cheek to avoid grinning. She cleared her throat. “So why did your grandfather name the resort what he did?”
“Athena’s Oasis?” He looked at her for a moment, his gaze clouding a bit, and then sat down on the beach. “It all goes back to the coin.”
“The coin?” she repeated, her stomach sinking. Of course. It always went back to the coin.
He gave a slow nod. “Well, as you know, the coin was a silver tetradrachm of Athens, minted in 454-415 BC.”
Minted in 454-415 BC? Her mind spun. Shit. Oh dear God in heaven. The coin was real!
“On one side is the Athens owl and on the other the Goddess Athena.”
What the hell kind of crackhead antique dealer had she spoken to that day? A knock-off. He’d told her it was a knock-off. The jerk had offered her two hundred dollars for it, which he’d assured her was a great deal for a fake. Fortunately, she’d turned him down because of the emotional attachment she’d developed to the coin.
Sweat broke out on her brow. No wonder Grant had tracked her down. Good lord. A coin that was thousands of years old.
“…was passed down through my family.”
“Wait what?” she shook her head to pull herself back to the conversation.
He gave her a strange look, probably wondering why she had a total look of horror on her face.
“The coin was a family heirloom passed down to the first son of each generation of my family.” He shrugged and tossed a rock into the water. “Like I said, it was also my good-luck charm. That’s why I’m not really surprised the boat sank,” he admitted with a wry grin. “It’s all part of the bad luck.”
She blinked, her jaw half open in amazement. Why hadn’t Grant called the police? Or, heck, just hired a hit man to come after her?
The magnitude of what she’d taken from him that morning hit her hard. Her hands shook as she grabbed a rock and mimicked him, tossing it into the water. Had she known what she was stealing that morning, she never would’ve agreed to Bridget’s plan.
She drew in an unsteady breath, wrapping her fingers around another rock. There was no doubt in her mind what she had to do. Return the coin to him when they got back to the resort and hope he forgave her for taking it. And for lying about selling it.
Thinking about his reaction when he saw it eased some of the tension that had weaved through her muscles.
“One thing I just hope you’ll eventually tell me, Lanie,” he said quietly, “is why you took it in the first place.”
Chapter Seven
She closed her eyes. Wasn’t that the question of the decade? The least she could give him right now was an honest answer.
“Bridget Hanson.”
Her confession was met with silence. She opened her eyes, looking at him hesitantly.
His brows were drawn together in confusion, his head tilted to one side.
“Do you mean Brittney Hanson?”
Her cheeks filled with color. Jeez. She hadn’t even remembered the girl’s name right.
“Oh. Yes, I guess her name was Brittney. Wasn’t it?”
His scowl grew even more intense. “What does she have to do with anything?”
“Umm.” She licked her lips, her hands clammy. “I sort of…umm…okay, I’m not defending what I did. It was a bad idea I just didn’t think through—”
“Lanie.”
“Right. Sorry. Brittney was my sorority sister. I guess you two had dated for a while—”
“Two weeks.”
She blinked. “What?”
“We were together for two weeks.”
&nbs
p; “I, umm…” She cleared her throat. Oh God. Please don’t let Brittney have been some kind of nutbag pathological liar. “She’d said two months in college.”
“She lied.” He held her gaze. “But go on.”
Her pulse quickened. Okay. One little lie. Brittney probably had her reasons.
“Okay. When she had that whole pregnancy scare, she said you were unsupportive.”
“Excuse me?” Grant stood up, his gaze narrowed now. “Pregnancy scare?”
“Yes. She said you told her you weren’t ready to be a dad and she should just have an abortion. And then you dumped her.”
“If that little brat had a pregnancy scare…” his words dripped ice, “…it was with another man. I never touched her.”
“Never touched her?” she repeated dumbly. “You mean you guys…”
“I kissed her once. Once, Lanie. And it was a complete turn off.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “We grew up in the same town and ended up at the same college. I’d never had any interest in her, and yet for some stupid reason I took her up on an offer to see a movie one day. Two weeks together. One kiss.”
Her stomach rolled and she suddenly felt a bit lightheaded. “You never had sex?”
“Let’s put it this way. I’m probably the only guy on campus who didn’t sleep with her. Brittney was pretty liberal with her lovers.”
Lanie stood up, walking the opposite way down the beach.
“Where are you going?” he called after her.
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Hey, hold on a second.” He ran after her. “You haven’t told me why you stole the coin and what Brittney has to do with it.”
“You don’t want to know,” she muttered. “Trust me.”
He grabbed her elbow, swinging her back around. “Lanie. I want to know.”
“No, you don’t.” She shook her head and moaned. “It’s absolutely horrible.”
“Tell me.” He didn’t release her, his mouth tightening. “What did Brittney have to do with this?”
She closed her eyes and took a slow breath in. “We were in the bar together the night I met you. We’d had a few drinks. When she spotted you, she told me what you’d done to her.”
Luck Be Delanie: A Chances Are story Page 7