***
By the time Daniel and I returned from our walk, the three other guys were starting on the beers.
“We need to think about doing a grocery run for dinner,” Ricky said. “I’m starving already.”
“The usual?” Joey-G offered. “Burgers and brats.”
Daniel and I took seats next to Ricky. Joey-G was on his other side and Eddie was seated across from us.
“And what does Alexandria like to eat?” Eddie asked as he glanced in my direction.
Daniel grabbed my hand and held it tight. “What would you like for dinner, Lexie?”
I turned to Daniel. “Whatever you guys are having is fine.”
“Burgers and brats it is,” Joey-G said. “Let’s head for the supermarket in ten.”
When I snuck a glance at Eddie, he was scowling. Then he jumped to his feet. “I’ll meet you guys at the car.”
“Going to see Cyndee with a ‘y’ and two ees?” Ricky teased.
Eddie didn’t respond. He just hurried toward the concession stand.
***
Ten minutes later, we stood at Joey-G’s SUV. Daniel pulled Ricky aside and said something quietly on his ear. Even straining, I couldn’t make out exactly what he was saying.
“Yeah, sure, man,” Ricky said as he walked to the back of the car and hopped into the seat behind the driver, the one that had been occupied by Eddie on the way up.
I slid into my seat next to Ricky and Daniel sat next to me. Joey-G took the driver’s seat. We only had to wait a minute before Eddie ran over to the car. I could see Eddie furrow his brows as he noticed that Ricky had taken his previous seat. He let out a barely perceptible sigh, then hopped into the passenger seat in front of Daniel.
“Okay, kids,” Joey-G said. “Food shopping time.”
ELEVEN
True Wind
The drive to the food superstore was quiet. I assumed everyone was tired and as lost in their own thoughts as I was. Daniel gently caressed my thigh with his fingers and played with my knee, which was quite sensual. Even though we were in a crowded car, I would feel myself getting aroused. It made me wonder how long it would be before the guys decided to go bar hopping and I could get Daniel alone in the tent. Daniel must have been thinking similar thoughts, because when I looked over at him, desire filled his eyes.
When we arrived at the market, we all hopped out of the car. The three guys walked a little bit ahead of Daniel and me. Daniel grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear, “This is our first shopping trip together. Hopefully, the first of many more.”
I had to grin. I was glad that Daniel was starting to have a little bit more confidence in me and our relationship.
As we entered the market, Joey-G yelled back to me and Daniel. “Do you two mind getting the sides, buns and condiments? Me and Ricky will get the meat and Eddie can get the plates, napkins and cutlery.”
“Sounds like a plan, man,” Daniel yelled back.
“I don’t mind standing in line at the deli for the sides, if you want to get the buns and condiments,” I said. “You can meet me over at the deli.”
Daniel eyed me. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“I promise I know how to get around a supermarket by myself,” I teased.
Daniel hesitated before he finally let go of my hand. “I’ll be over at the deli counter in a few minutes.”
I kissed his cheek and he left for the bread isle. I grabbed a cart and headed toward the deli counter. The line was as long as I expected it to be for a Saturday; there were about six people ahead of me. I grabbed a number and waited.
A few minutes later, I could feel someone walk up behind me. Without looking, I knew it was Eddie. I recognized his energy. When I turned to face him, he grinned at me. My breath caught when I saw that irresistible dimple of his. Too bad there’s such an asshole attached to it, I reminded myself.
I saw that Eddie’s hands were full with paper plates, napkins and a box of plastic forks, knives and spoons. He placed the items in my shopping cart.
“That was fast,” I said.
“I can be very fast when I need to be,” he said. “How fast do you want me to be, Alexandria?”
I cringed. “Daniel will be right back,” I cautioned.
Eddie leaned in a whispered, “He doesn’t own you, Alexandria. At least not yet.”
I gulped. I wanted to make some kind of snide remark but I came up empty. Luckily, Daniel arrived with the buns, ketchup and mustard. He placed the items in the cart then made a point of standing right by my side. He glared at Eddie.
“Did I mention that I want potato salad?” Eddie said. “The kind with the mustard in it.”
Now I was the one glaring at Eddie.
“And coleslaw, too,” Eddie added.
My number was called, so I asked for the potato salad Eddie wanted as well as coleslaw. When the old woman at the counter handed me the order, I grabbed it and looked at Daniel.
“All set,” I said as I placed the salads in the cart. Then Daniel and I headed toward the checkout area.
Eddie followed right next to us. Unfortunately, we’d chosen to go down an isle with all kinds of personal hygiene items, including condoms. I could feel my face getting hot as we walked by all the Trojans.
Eddie grabbed a box of condoms from the shelf and tried to hand them to Daniel. “You may need some protection tonight, Danny-O.” Then he tapped his temple as if he was pretending to think. He pulled the condoms back. “Or maybe you brought your own, hoping you’d finally get to seal the deal with Alexandria.”
The two men glared at each other.
Then Eddie directed his wrath at me. “Or did you bring the condoms, Alexandria? Maybe you were hoping to finally get lucky with Danny-O. You know our boy likes to take his time. But are you the kind of girl who doesn’t mind waiting?”
He turned to Daniel. “That is the million dollar question, isn’t it? Not all girls like to wait, do they, Danny-O?”
I could feel every muscle in Daniel’s arm tense. If we weren’t in the middle of a crowded supermarket, he would have probably jumped Eddie and beat the hell out of him.
Eddie looked at me with so much raw emotion, it immediately made my chest tighten. I struggled to catch my breath. “But Alexandria knows she doesn’t ever have to wait. I’m always ready, willing and able to rock her world.”
I could feel my knees getting week and right before I dropped, Daniel grabbed me and pulled me close. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead as I stifled the urge to cry.
“I’ll be waiting out in the car,” Eddie said as he turned and walked away.
I buried my face in Daniel’s chest and let out a small sob. “It’s okay,” Daniel said. “It’s okay.”
***
The drive back to our campsite was almost unbearable because the tension between Daniel and Eddie was so thick. Joey-G and Ricky didn’t dare say a word either. Daniel kept me close, as if he was trying to protect me from any further abuse from Eddie.
When we got back to the campsite, Joey-G got the fire going and Ricky set up the barbeque. Daniel and I set out the buns, condiments and side salads. Eddie refilled the coolers with ice and beers. Within fifteen minutes, Ricky and Joey-G cooked the burgers and brats and dinner was served.
We all filled our plates and gathered around the campfire in folding chairs. We ate quietly as the campfire crackled in front of us.
“So,” Joey-G said finally after he swallowed his last bite of food. “Who’s up for clubbing tonight?”
“Count me in,” Ricky said.
Joey-G looked over at Eddie, who was taking a swig of beer. “Sure, whatever,” Eddie said.
Then Eddie glanced over at me and Daniel. “And what about the lovebirds? Are you staying or going?”
Daniel kissed my cheek and then said, “I think we’re going to stay here.”
“Shocking,” Eddie snarked.
“What do you say we leave in about 20 minutes?” Joey-G suggested. “T
he bars will just be picking up when we get there.”
“Sounds good,” Ricky replied.
“I’ll be ready,” Eddie said.
***
After the guys took off, Daniel seemed to relax a bit. “Come here,” he said tapping his thigh.
I sat down on his lap.
“That’s better.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. He looked into my eyes for a long moment. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
I gulped. “What is it?” I asked examining his face. His expression had turned so serious.
He cupped my face in his rough hands. “I want you to know that I’m completely crazy about you. I think I’m…” He swallowed. “No…I know I’m falling in love with you.”
When I saw that Daniel’s eyes were wet with emotion, I thought my heart might just stop beating. I was completely coming undone. I touched Daniel’s tanned face. “I’m falling in love with you, too.”
Without another word, Daniel put an arm behind my back and another under my knees. When he stood, he lifted me with him and carried me into the tent.
I could feel my heartbeat quicken. It had been months since I’d been with a man. Jeff had been my last and we had been together for several years. I suddenly felt like a teenager again.
I could hear the sound of the tent zipper, then it was quiet except for the faint sounds of the gulf waves. Daniel joined me where I was sitting in the tent. We had already unzipped Daniel’s sleeping bag and put it down as a ground covering. We would use my old Hello Kitty sleeping bag like a blanket if we needed it.
He put on a small battery operated lantern, which provided enough illumination for us to see each other now that it was getting dark. “Look at me,” Daniel said.
I looked into his blue eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” he said as he took in every inch of my face. “I never thought…” his voice trailed off as he looked away.
I turned his face back toward me. “You never thought what?”
He bit his bottom lip then swallowed. “I never thought I had a chance with you.”
I ran my thumb along the stubble on his jawline. “But here you are. And I’m all yours.” I gave him a coy smile.
He grinned. “All mine?”
“Every last inch,” I teased.
“Well, then…” he said as his lips crashed into mine.
He parted my lips with his tongue and teased it with his. I loved the way his mouth moved with mine, like a perfectly synchronized dance. Our lips, our tongues, our mouths worked together in perfect union.
I had thrown a tee shirt over my bikini top when we went to the supermarket. It suddenly felt like I had too much clothing on. As if he was reading my mind, Daniel lifted me up far enough to remove my shirt. He ran his index finger from my collar bone all the way down to the top of my shorts. A shiver followed his finger all the way down my body.
Without taking his eyes from mine, Daniel grabbed the sides of my bikini top and pulled it over my head. He let out a small gasp as he took in the sight of me topless and bared to him.
He lay me back down and took my left nipple in his mouth. I could feel more small shivers flow through me as Daniel sucked and nibbled on me. Then he gave me a playful little grin and gave my right breast equal attention.
When he looked at me again, I asked, “Why am I topless and you still have your shirt on?”
He quickly remedied the situation and I took in his wonderful physique. I ran my hand along his muscular chest and he inhaled sharply. Then he began kissing me again. His kisses were urgent and hungry.
Daniel’s hand touched my bare stomach, then he slid his hand down over my shorts and began to touch me between my legs. I didn’t want him just touching my shorts, though. I wanted him touching me. Everywhere.
He was getting good a reading my mind, because a moment later, he grabbed the sides of my shorts and slid them down. My bikini bottoms came down seconds later.
Daniel took a moment to examine every inch of my naked body. Then he put his hand under my chin. “Look at me,” he insisted.
Our eyes locked. “Tell me what you want, Lexie.” There was a hard edge to his voice and his eyes grew stormy.
“I want you,” I managed breathlessly.
“Only me?”
“Only you, Daniel. Only you.”
His mouth crushed mine as he kissed me savagely. Then he whispered in my ear. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m all yours, Daniel.”
He looked at me again with such intensity, I thought I might melt. “Mine,” he said. “All mine.”
“All yours,” I reassured him.
Daniel placed small kisses from behind my ear all the way down my neck, sending a wave of shivers through me. Then he kissed along my collarbone and down my chest. When he got to my breasts, he playfully teased each of them with his mouth, nipping and biting them.
I could feel my desire for him grow and my core began to yearn for release.
As he kissed his way down my stomach toward my belly button, my nerve endings were all activated. He playfully licked my belly button and a bolt of electricity shot through me. I let out a moan of pure delight.
“Oh, Daniel,” I whispered. “I want you.”
He slid his swim trunks off and I took in the sight of his magnificent erection. I couldn’t have wished for a sexier body. He bit his bottom lip as he studied my face. “Do you like what you see?”
“I love what I see.”
He kissed me again with so much passion and so much desire, I felt as though I could burst into a million little pieces. “I want you,” I nearly pleaded.
As he carefully slipped two fingers inside me, I was suddenly aware of how wet I had become.
“You’re so tight,” he whispered.
“It’s been a while since…” I trailed off, suddenly embarrassed by my admission.
“It’s okay,” he said softly as he continued moving his fingers inside me. “Is there anything else you want?” he teased.
“Make love to me,” I said.
He removed a condom from a front pocket of his overnight bag, removed it from the package and slipped it on. He moved between my legs and then lowered himself into me. He was gentle at first as he slipped between my legs.
“How does it feel?” he asked. He seemed to be afraid he was going to hurt me.
“Wonderful,” I whispered. The feeling of him inside me, filling me, was marvelous. After dealing with the heartbreak of Jeff’s betrayal, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the intimacy and deep connection of sex.
My confirmation seemed to give Daniel the freedom he needed to fully engage. His thrusts became harder and deeper and I could feel an orgasm building in my core.
“Look at me,” Daniel demanded.
I opened my eyes and looked into his. They were full of so much desire, I nearly gasped.
“I want you to see me,” Daniel said. “Only me. I want you to see what you do to me, Lexie.”
“Oh, Daniel,” I moaned as I started to climax.
He pressed his lips against mine to stifle my sounds of pleasure and I had the vague recollection that we were outside, in a tent, and not completely in private. That small bit of risk, of being overheard or caught in the act, sent me over the edge and I had the most intense orgasm of my life. I was completely and totally undone.
Daniel followed and I watched as he shuddered. “Oh, God, Lexie,” he moaned as he took in a breath and made a final thrust.
We collapsed into each other, both spent. Neither of us moved for a few moments, savoring the connection we shared. Then he withdrew and a wave of sadness unexpectedly poured over me. Even though he was only a few feet away, dealing with the condom, it felt too far away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he lay back down beside me.
“You’ll think this is stupid, but I already miss having you inside me.” When I snuck a peek at him, he was grinning.
“I’m able to give repeat performanc
es,” he said. “You’ll just have a wait a few minutes if you want an encore.”
I gave him a quick kiss on the nose. He returned the gesture. “Do you have any idea how crazy I am about you?” he said.
“I think I have an idea.”
He kissed my nose again. “I absolutely adore you.”
Then he gave me a soft kiss on the lips. “And I’m completely and totally I love with you.”
“I love you, too, Daniel,” I whispered.
I didn’t have to wait much longer for my encore performance.
TWELVE
Body Dragging
I was awakened to the sound of rustling in the tent next to us. It was already light outside.
Daniel smiled as he awoke. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said, then planted a quick kiss on my lips.
“Sounds like your friends are getting up,” I said as a caution.
“Ready to face the day?” he asked. I knew he was also asking if I was ready to face his friends and if we were both ready to face Eddie.
I nodded.
We both changed into fresh clothes and I pulled my unruly hair into a pony tail.
“I love your hair pulled back,” Daniel said.
I smiled. I noticed his hair was sticking up in a few places, so I tried to flatten it down with my fingers. “There, much better,” I said admiring my quick-fix hair styling technique.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Ready?”
“Let’s do it,” I replied.
When we climbed out of the tent, Joey-G was also climbing out of his. I could hear a female voice from inside his tent whine, “Joe–eeee.” She stretched the second syllable of his name out for what seemed like an eternity because her voice was so shrill. Then she yelled, “Help me out of this thing.”
Joey reached back into the tent and pulled out a small, dark-haired girl. She had such a large voice, I was shocked to see that she was so tiny, maybe only five feet tall.
“Joe-eeee,” she whined again. “You said you’d walk me to my car.”
Joey-G put his index finger to his lips in an attempt to quiet the abrasive young woman. “I’ve got a splitting headache; please keep your voice down.”
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