Yours Truly (Billionaires and Brides #2)

by Krista Lakes

  “Noah...” I moaned. Even his name felt wonderful. I hooked my legs around his waist, my hands grabbing at the flexed muscles of his shoulders and arms. I wanted more of him, as much as I could handle and more, but he just kept his perfectly even pace. It was driving me wild.

  I tightened my legs around him and twisted, rolling him under me so we switched positions and I was on top. He grinned and brushed a strand of hair from my face. I began to bounce, his hands going to my hips to match my tempo. I went fast and hard, letting my body take what it needed.

  “Oh, fuck, Izzy,” he groaned, letting his head fall back into the bed. His hips matched my cadence, our bodies meeting with a carnal sound that only added to my lust. He was everything I wanted. His body was heaven made of muscles and blue eyes.

  His hands went wild, touching my hips, my stomach, my breasts, my ass, and my arms. It was like he wanted to touch me everywhere all at once. I understood the feeling as my hands used his pecs for balance. I needed more hands to touch him more.

  He rose to his elbows, driving his full length deep into me. I gasped, meeting his eyes. His face was flushed. I loved that he was panting with want. His erratic breathing and the knowledge that it was I that was doing that to him turned me on like nothing I could imagine. I kept the undulating motion with my hips, watching his face contort with pleasure.

  His thumb went to my nub again, still swollen and tender from his last touches. With the first brush, my temperature shot into the stratosphere. I was the one panting now, balanced on the edge of ecstasy.

  Our eyes met, blue to green, and our worlds exploded. The look on his face sent me spiraling into oblivion. I tried to hold on, to hold back, but I was lost to his release. My body trembled against his, pulling him deeper inside of me. I never wanted to let him go.

  After an infinite moment, I collapsed on his chest. We both were struggling for breath, our hearts nearly pounding out of our chests. He kissed me, his lips soft and gentle as I snuggled into the nook of his shoulder and wrapped a leg over his. I loved the way his heart was pounding.

  “Stay the night,” he whispered. It wasn't a question, but it wasn't a command either.

  “I was hoping to,” I replied, kissing the line of his pectoral muscle. “I'm not done with you yet.”

  He twitched against my leg, already growing hard.

  “I knew breakfast really had been a good idea,” he said quietly. I giggled and kissed him again. I had to agree. Breakfast was a great idea.

  Sandcastle Kisses: Chapter 11

  Noah snored softly in his sleep beside me. I lay in bed for a few minutes, enjoying not only the luxury of sleeping in, but also waking up to a gorgeous naked man. Life was good.

  The light on my phone blinked steadily, telling me that I had a new text message. The only problem was that it was across the room. Noah mumbled something and smushed his face into the pillow, and I had to work hard not to giggle. He was adorable when he slept.

  With a silent smile, I slipped from the bed and walked on noiseless feet to the bathroom. The sheet shifted as I escaped its silky fingers, revealing Noah's perfect butt. I gave it an appreciative look before disappearing to find my clothes.

  Part of the reason I loved my blue dress was that it didn't wrinkle. Wrinkle-free clothes make the “walk of shame” that much easier. I slid it over my head, feeling muscles stretch that I hadn't used in a while. I was sore in the most delightful of places, and the thought made me smile. Noah made me smile.

  I grabbed my phone and stepped out to the back porch to check my messages and call my boss. Dr. Algos would be wondering where I was since it was past my usual check-in time.

  The wood was cool under my feet as it was shaded from the morning sun, but the ocean was alive with sunlight. Every wave sparkled like it was made of diamonds as it danced ever closer to the shore, finally spilling onto the sand to reveal it’s starry soul.

  “Hey, Doc,” I said after Dr. Algos picked up on the second ring.

  “Did you have a nice time?” I could hear him walking along the dock toward the boats, a smile evident in his voice.

  “Of course I did,” I replied, trying to keep my voice innocent.

  “When do we get to meet him?”

  I groaned. “So Devon and Lucas can tease me about falling for another tourist? Not a chance.”

  Dr. Algos laughed gently. I didn't feel hurt when he teased me about my love life. I liked that he was interested enough to care, and yet he never said anything about my choices. He was the “cool dad” who let me make my own mistakes, but who was always there to help pick me up when I fell.

  “I don't have much for you to do today. Since we're waiting on officially getting the Grove, I don't want to start anything new,” Dr. Algos said. I could hear him putting something in the boat.

  “Are you going on a dive later?” I asked.

  “Yes. You and your new friend are welcome to join us, but I have a feeling you are going to turn me down.” I could see his smile in my head. “If you could stop by later, though, and check the shark pups, then you can have the morning off.”

  “I will happily take the shark pups this afternoon.” I grinned at the phone, even though I knew he couldn't see me. “Any update on the Grove?”

  “Just the same goobelty-gook from the lawyers as last time. They keep telling me the sale should go through any day now. Don't worry about that today, though. Go enjoy your tourist.”

  I frowned slightly, but I knew he was right. Worrying about the Grove wasn't going to help anything. The sale would go through, and I could continue my research by next week. It would give me something to keep my mind off of Noah leaving.

  As if thinking of Noah called him, I heard the thump of feet in the bedroom and the creak of a door.

  “All right. I'll check the pups and see you later. Have fun on your dive,” I said into the phone as a tousled and very sexy man opened the porch door. “Bye, Doc.”

  I clicked off the phone and Noah stepped onto the porch. He was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. It was difficult not to stare.

  “Good morning, sleepy head,” I said with a smile. He stretched his hands overhead and the muscles in his chest and arms rippled under the morning sun. I swore my temperature went up five degrees just looking at him.

  “Good morning, gorgeous,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss my cheek before stretching again. It was a simple act of caring that made me feel a warm, pleasant glow all the way to my toes. He liked me. I had no idea why it was so important to me that he did, but I loved that he liked me.

  “Did I wake you up?” I asked, holding up the phone. He shook his head.

  “Nope. I'm usually up at the crack of dawn. This is the equivalent of me sleeping until noon. I haven't slept that well in ages.”

  “Must be the tropical air,” I said coyly. He came to the balcony, putting a muscled arm on either side of me and leaning in close. My heart started beating faster, my body aching to feel him again.

  “Must be.” He pulled back, leaving me wanting more. “Can you play tourist with me today?”

  “I would be happy to show you around the island,” I started, but he shook his head, coming in close again. His legs pressed against mine, pushing me against the balcony.

  “No. Pretend you're a tourist and come play with me.”

  “Okay.” It was hard to think with him that close, with his body against mine. Coherent thoughts on scheduling the day were the last thing on my mind, but I managed to do it. “I just have to check on the pups this afternoon. You can come if you want.”

  “If it means I get to spend more time with you, then I'll go grocery shopping with you,” he said, his voice low and masculine. I giggled at the idea of him walking behind me as I picked out eggs for the entire research team.

  “Can I take you snorkeling?” I asked, looking up into his clear-blue eyes. I could play tourist. I would just play a very well-informed tourist.

  “I was thinking margaritas on the beach, but I'll
take snorkeling with a marine biologist.” He gave me a serious face. “Just as long as there's no test at the end.”

  “Oh, I was going to make you name every species of nudibranch!” I teased.

  “I'm not sure I want to even know what that is.”

  “They're basically sea slugs. Afterword, we can go for margaritas. I know a great spot for both,” I said. I made no effort to move. His arms were still on either side of me, and I had no intention of leaving.

  “You definitely know all the best spots,” he murmured, his lips going to my collarbone. I blushed at the reference to last night. At least I knew he had enjoyed it as much as I had.

  “You better believe I do.” I leaned my head back, giving him better access to the sensitive skin around my throat as he nibbled down my jaw. At this rate, we would never even make it off the porch. “It's a secret spot, but I think I can trust you.”

  He gave me one last flutter of a kiss before stepping back and releasing me from the balcony. “I'll get my swim suit.”

  “I thought I’d interest you in something first,” I growled, stepping forward and putting my hands on his chest.

  Noah grinned. Snorkeling could wait.

  We walked along the sandy path away from the bungalow holding hands. After our morning romp, Noah had microwaved the leftovers from the night before, and we had feasted. I wasn't sure how it was possible, but the pancakes had tasted just as good the next day.

  With full stomachs and happy hearts, we headed toward the research station. We walked by the sandcastle we had built the day before.

  “Look, it's still up,” Noah said, pointing at the castle. Somehow it had survived the tides, and no one had knocked it down. It was still close to being picture-perfect. The idea that the fragile creation the two of us had made was still up and standing made me smile.

  We continued down the path, laughing and talking. Noah pretended to casually bump into me at every opportunity, and I relished it. His every touch was heaven. We walked passed the mangrove peninsula that made up the Grove, cutting through the private property to reach the research facility. It was afternoon now, and I needed to check on the sharks as well as pick up our snorkeling gear.

  Noah glanced around as we walked, and I could see him formulating questions for later. I wondered what he saw with his expertise in real estate. The property was considered prime location for the island.

  “Any questions?” I asked as we walked.

  “I'm on vacation,” he answered with a smile. “I'll ask the questions when you're not playing tourist with me. I'll ask when you're back to being the islander.”

  I laughed. This was going to be a fun day. It wasn't often that I got to play tourist on the island, and I had forgotten how much I loved just visiting places here. I couldn't wait to show Noah my favorite two places in the entire world.

  The research station was finally visible as we rounded a corner and cleared the peninsula with the Grove. It was just a small house, but it held so much more than just people. Four research assistants, the Doc, a staggering amount of sea life, and a wealth of knowledge filled the small building to almost bursting.

  I looked down at the dock to see the main boat was gone and breathed a sigh of relief. Doc would be out on his dive, and the others had hopefully gone with him. I had the place to myself. It wasn't that I didn't want my coworkers to meet Noah; it was that I didn't want them to give him a hard time. I liked him, and I didn't want them scaring him off.

  I turned to see Noah staring at the house, his face blank as if he were remembering something and trying to forget it.

  “You okay?” I asked, taking his hand.

  He shook himself, smiling as he cleared whatever he was thinking from his mind. “Yeah. Just thinking. Is this where you live?”

  “Yeah. I guess you can come pick me up here next time instead of the parking lot,” I said. He chuckled. “Me and four others live and work here. If we are able to purchase some land near by, then I'll be able to do my doctorate research program here too.”

  “What if you don't win?” His voice held a note of concern that made me smile.

  “I don't know. I'm trying not to think about it too much. Once we find out, then I'll make a decision as to where to go next. I really love it here, though. I want to stay,” I said. I took his hand. “But that is not tourist talk. You want a tour? I have to grab my swimsuit.”

  Noah nodded and followed me in the back door. I couldn't remember the last time I had used the front door.

  “Here's the kitchen. There's an attachment over there where we can make the shark food and not get it mixed up with ours,” I told him as we entered the house. He nodded, his head on a swivel as he looked at everything. We walked through the “living room” filled with all sorts of fish tanks, and I gave a running commentary on our research and what we did with all of them. His eyes glassed over a little and I hurried him to my room.

  I peeked in the door to make sure that Brooke wasn't still sleeping. Her bed was neatly made in the corner, and I gave a little sigh of relief. “Come on in,” I invited him. “That's my bed over there.”

  Noah walked cautiously into the room, going over to my corner. He looked strange standing next to my bed, and yet somehow like he belonged.

  “I'm going to change real quick,” I told him as I opened the bathroom door. “Make yourself at home.”

  Noah sat gingerly on the edge of my bed, looking around at my things. I had a poster of the local tropical fish hanging on the wall and pictures of my family pinned below it. He leaned over to look at a family portrait from the last time I was home. A slight smile twitched at the corners of his mouth and I ducked into the bathroom.

  I changed as quickly as I could, managing to brush my teeth, put on waterproof mascara, brush my hair, run a razor across my legs, and get in my swimsuit in less than three minutes. I debated between a one-peice swimsuit and a bikini, finally daring to go with the bikini. Even though we would be in the ocean, I was willing to risk losing my suit. I smirked as I thought about the possibility of losing it on purpose with him around. I came out and handed him a bottle of sunscreen.

  “If you'll get my back, I'll get yours,” I offered, turning around. He quickly stood up from the bed and took the lotion. His big hands rubbed it into my skin in smooth strokes. I had to concentrate on not sighing with pleasure as he did it. “Your turn.”

  He wiggled out of his shirt, presenting his back to me. Well-defined shoulders merged with the perfect muscles of his back and down into a tight waist. I was sad when I had finished rubbing in the lotion; I could have touched his bare skin for days.

  He stretched the shirt over his head as I slathered a little more sunscreen across my face and exposed skin. As he escaped the collar of the shirt, he pointed to the pictures on the wall. “You look like your mom.”

  “Thanks,” I said. I thought my mom was beautiful. “Dad says Jake and I got her smile, but we got lucky and got his brains.”

  Noah laughed, the warm sound filling the small room. His blue eyes took me in, checking me out in my swimsuit. For once in my life, I didn't feel self-conscious; I felt sexy. I liked the way his eyes felt on me, and judging from the reaction in his swim shorts, he liked it too. I was all warm and soupy inside because of it.

  “Let's go get the gear,” he said, taking my hand in his. I had a feeling that a little longer, we would be even later getting to the water.

  I guided him back through the house, stopping in the prep kitchen to pick up some fish for the shark pups. Noah eyed the small bucket of fish warily as I led him out to the pen.

  “I need to feed the pups before we go out on the water,” I said, kicking off my sandals and stepping into the pool. “You want to try?”

  “Pups? That's water. Pups are dogs.” He stood on the edge looking at the four little sharks swimming lazily around the pen.

  I laughed and set the bucket down, stepping out of the pool to take his hand. He frowned, but he slid off his shoes. He followed
me until he was knee-deep in the water before he stopped moving. I let go of his hand and kept going. “Just come stand here. I'll bring one to you. They can't hurt you. They're too little.”

  “Yeah, you say that until Mama Jaws comes to rescue them,” he muttered under his breath.

  I waded out to where one of the baby nurse sharks was resting in the sun. The little shark let me catch her easily, and I brought her over to show Noah.

  I flipped the tiny gray shark over so he could see her tummy. “Look at the spots,” I told him. “Aren’t they cute?”

  Noah raised his eyebrows at the idea of a shark being 'cute', but he looked at her anyway. A little smile came over his face as he saw the tiny, dark polka dots on the creamy underside of the little shark. “They are kind of cute.”

  “Go ahead and touch them. She won't hurt you,” I coaxed. Noah looked at me with his blue eyes big as saucers before reaching out a tentative hand to stroke her skin. The shark held still, letting him caress her.

  “She’s rough and soft at the same time,” he whispered, his smile widening. “What kind of shark is she?”

  “She's a nurse shark. Even full grown, she isn't a threat to humans. She likes to eat crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and stingrays.” I turned the shark back over, letting Noah stroke her back. One of the small lemon sharks came over to investigate, but Noah was too involved in the nurse shark to notice. “You want to hold her?”

  Noah's smile faltered slightly, but he nodded, holding out his hands. His jaw was tight, but the smile and the excitement in his eyes was enough to tell me he was enjoying the adrenaline rush of holding an apex predator in his hands. I put the little shark on his outstretched fingers.

  “How big will she get?” he asked, breathless.

  “Up to fourteen feet and seven-hundred and thirty pounds.”

  “Whoa.” Noah stared at the little two foot baby in his hands.

  The little shark only stayed for a moment before swishing her powerful tail and swimming off into the deeper water. Noah barked a laugh and pointed at her. His eyes shone with excitement. I loved encounters like this: letting someone who was afraid of sharks experience them in a safe environment. It was like magic.