by Mia London
She didn’t need to dive into a new relationship. Heck no. But why not enjoy a little fling while she could? He’d expressed his interest in her, and she was certainly interested in him.
She set the vibe on the nightstand and clicked off the light.
Why not? It wasn’t like she needed mountains of trust in the man to build a relationship on. To build happily ever after on. This would be “happy for right now.”
And a fling would surely be considered adventurous. She smiled as she drifted off.
Nic was so damn anxious to see Cat, he almost left his cell phone on the plane.
Hailing a cab, he texted Cat.
I’ve landed. Give me a few minutes and I’ll swing by and pick u up.
She replied quickly that she would be ready.
He wondered what her day had been like, if she’d ventured off hotel property to draw with her charcoals. He made a mental note to ask if she was being taken only to safe areas. Maybe she’d gone on a tour. The resort could schedule so many fun things; Nic had tried several tours over the years. He thought of planning something for them this weekend.
Every once in a while Dillon popped in his head. If Dillon were alive today, Nic knew Cat would be the kind of woman he would tell his best friend all about.
As he arrived at her door, a small bouquet of flowers in hand, his heart pumped wildly. He’d missed her. In just a few days together, he’d become very fond of Cat and wanted to spend any free time he had together.
His dreams were filled with images of her, some where she was naked in his arms. He’d woken hard for her, and truly if he had a choice, dinner would be the last thing on their agenda tonight. But that wouldn’t be right for Cat. He would just need to keep his dreams and fantasies to himself. She definitely didn’t needed some jerk taking advantage of her vulnerability.
She opened the door in a pale-blue, spaghetti-strap dress. The style gently hugged her curves and the scoop neck showed just a hint of cleavage. Her dark blonde hair was pinned up and a few loose pieces framed her tanned face and slid down her bare neck. She reminded Nic of a model for a high-end women’s boutique.
“Wow. You look incredible.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Thank you.”
With a hand on her waist, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Her skin was soft and warm, and she smelled of a sweet, citrusy perfume. “Ready?”
She flashed her keycard and accepted his hand. He led them to a nicer restaurant than Seaside in the main building.
“Mr. Westbrook.” The hostess greeted him with a smile. “Please follow me.”
Right after Cat had agreed to have dinner with him, he’d called to make reservations, requesting the side with floor-to-ceiling windows. While the sun was still out, they’d get a gorgeous, uninterrupted view of the ocean.
Cat took a seat, her eyes rounded at the scene. “This is beautiful.”
“Isn’t it?” He sat beside her at the intimate square table. His fingers itched to touch her, but he needed to pace himself.
They perused the menu and after deciding on the chef’s seafood special and ordering a bottle of white wine, Nic pivoted to face her.
“How have you been doing?”
“Well, I got to go into town yesterday and do some drawing. I think I told you the concierge put together a list of places I might like. So, I went to an old schoolhouse. It was built in the 1830s and is positively charming.” Her eyes twinkled as she recounted her day.
“I should have asked you to bring your sketchbook so I could see.”
A subtle blush crept over her cheeks. “Okay. Maybe later.”
The waiter poured their wine, and he lifted his glass to toast her.
“And what did you do today?”
“More of the same. This time I walked to where we’d gone Monday night.” She motioned her hand toward the beach. “I found a little area, like a park, and drew for a few hours.”
“You really enjoy sketching.”
She nodded. “I do. I sorta put it on hold when I was planning my wedding. It feels good to get back into it.”
The idea that Cat could take this time and, instead of wallowing in grief, make something great of it warmed him inside. “Good for you. Do you mind me asking, are the places you go safe to be alone?”
She stopped midway from sipping her wine, perhaps surprised by his concern. “Yes. On the list, the concierge marked the best places to go by myself, and then a few where I would need accompaniment.”
“Well, if I’m free, I volunteer to go with you, if you want to check out a particular spot.”
She chuckled and hooked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. But I know you have to work.”
He’d juggled appointments to clear his schedule just in case she was free, something he’d never done before. Their time together on the island would be short and he wanted to cram in as much as he could before she disappeared into her normal life. The way she made him feel was magical, and he’d go with it rather than make excuses. “I have a little free time built into my schedule. In fact, I was wondering if you’d like to do something this weekend.”
“Oh, sure. Like what?”
“Have you ever been parasailing?”
Cat’s instinct was to say no, to proceed with caution. But in truth, she thought parasailing looked exciting. She swallowed. Not only did she want to try it, she wanted to spend more time with Nicholas.
“Parasailing sounds fun,” she said through a dry mouth.
His smile made her tummy flip. “Okay. I’ll look into it.”
Dinner was served. He had the salmon special and she’d chosen the sea scallops. Everything was fresh and delicious. She’d only been on the island a few days and already didn’t want it to end.
After dinner, they lingered over the wine and chatted about his work.
“So anything interesting happen on your trip?”
He scratched his upper lip with his index finger. “Yes. I learned that one of my clients, a bar owner, intends to open another bar in the near future.”
“Oh, good for him.”
“Yup. And good for me.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I also learned that another customer is expecting their first baby.”
“Nice.”
“Why don’t we take our glasses and go walk the beach?” His chin jutted toward the ocean.
With her hand in his, he led them to a vacant cabana on the sandy beach. “We can leave our shoes here, then come back and watch the waves rolls in.”
She nodded.
A relaxation spread throughout her body since being on her “honeymoon” that she couldn’t define. Was it the ocean, or Nicholas? Could it have something to do with breaking up with Jack? Wasn’t she supposed to be feeling miserable?
“What are you thinking about?”
She looked up at Nicholas, pulled from her deep thoughts. “I feel very relaxed, and I think it surprises me.”
Nicholas nodded, gazing straight into her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that. The island can do that to a person.” He grinned. “I don’t mean to bring up a sore subject, but have you thought much about what it will be like when you return?”
She had, and the outlook was bleak. “Yes. I’ve decided to stay here for the rest of my life.”
He froze for a second, his eyes widening before softening, realizing she was joking. “Oh, got me.”
She chuckled. “I have thought about it. When I left, Jack was anxious to try and explain everything. I’m sure he’ll want to try and win me back.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
She shrugged a shoulder. Honestly, she didn’t like thinking about the whole humiliating episode. This honeymoon—vacation, whatever—was a blessed distraction from the images of Jack and that bimbo. A break from the heartache.
At some point, she’d have to resolve what had happened once and for all.
One lesson she’d learned thus far was that maybe she’d changed too much of her life for Jack. Her drawing w
as just one example.
She was thankful when Nicholas switched the subject.
They walked for some distance, passing large national hotel and resort chains, a few that Cat recognized by name.
On their way back to the resort, the sun hung low in the sky, almost as if God set it on the edge of the ocean for the world to admire. A kaleidoscope of color filled the horizon. Nicholas stopped them to watch the sun slowly dip out of sight. He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her torso. She bathed in the feel of his body warming hers and rested her head against his shoulder.
He pressed several small kisses against her neck. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Her tummy fluttered as his breath floated over her skin. “Yes. Simple breathtaking.”
After a few short moments, they continued their walk. She loved how inquisitive he was, how interested he was in her. It was easier to forget about Jack when they were talking about so many other things.
A strange noise lingered in the air. Cat gazed up at Nicholas—his alerted expression showed he’d heard it too.
“What is that?”
He shook his head, narrowing his eyes in concentration.
The intermittent sound, sort of a high-pitched whistle, grew louder as they walked.
At this time of night, it was hard to see much and the beach was mostly clear of vacationers as people moved inside to the nightclub and bars.
They passed a cabana with the curtains drawn and the noise returned.
A woman.
Nicholas looked down at Cat and grinned. He squeezed her hand and kept walking. Once they arrived at their resort property, they took a seat on the double-lounger where they’d left their shoes.
She brushed off her feet and leaned back, sinking into the plush cushion.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked.
“No, thanks. I feel very content.”
He assumed her same position, his thigh flush against hers.
“That was interesting,” she said.
He turned toward her. “Yup—relaxation on vacation.”
Her massage from earlier in the week popped into her head. “Indeed.”
The gentle motion of the sea filled the moment. Moonlight bounced off the waves. “It’s almost like the waves come up, grab your stress, and carry it out to sea.”
Nicholas nodded and leaned close, placing a small kiss on her lips. He pulled back and smiled. “I’m so glad you’re relaxed.”
Mostly relaxed. Being this close to Nicholas, she became unsettled—in a good way.
Inching closer, she laid a hand on his toned chest and kissed him—this time deeper.
His eyes opened, perhaps surprised by her actions. Eyeing the drapes, he stood and unclasped them from the wooden poles they were tied to. The drapes flowed down on each side, leaving only the view of the ocean directly before them.
He returned to her side. “Now, we can have some privacy.”
She smiled. “I like kissing you.” It sounded silly saying it, but it was the truth. She’d thought several times about his kisses and shocked herself that she hadn’t compared them to Jack’s. Maybe there was just no comparison.
With his arm bracing himself above her head, his free hand cupped the back of her neck and drew her in. The tip of his tongue tested her. She opened and let their tongues dance. He tasted faintly of wine, and she craved more. Her hands roamed his chest over his fine cotton shirt. A familiar ache built in her nether region.
What if this went too far? They were outside.
She turned to the side, breaking their kiss.
“Everything all right?” His eyebrows pulled together.
She didn’t want him to think she wasn’t attracted to him. “I’m nervous, I guess.”
“Why? Please don’t be. I love having your hands on me.”
And she loved touching him. But still… She nibbled her bottom lip.
“I know you said you’re not adventurous…”
She nodded.
“But we don’t have to be like that couple up the beach.” He motioned with his chin.
She grinned. As much as she wanted to be with Nicholas, wanted to feel his body next to hers, she wasn’t an exhibitionist.
He leaned closer, laying gentle kisses along her neck and clavicle.
She rested her head back, relishing his firm mouth on her, and exhaled. His masculine scent mixed with the calming ocean waves brought down her anxiety. As his kisses traveled to her shoulder, she felt herself sinking further into the cushion.
She longed to feel his skin. Her hands reached for the buttons of his shirt to unfasten them. She explored his chest, grazing over the smattering of hair and dipping in the grooves of his abdomen.
Without a word, he pushed off the lounger to adjust the back to recline more, then returned to kissing her. He devoured her mouth and pulled her closer. His growing erection dug into her thigh.
The feeling of him being turned on by her fueled her own desire. She shifted under him to get closer. And did she get closer. Unintentionally, the apex of her thigh aligned right with his solid cock. Liquid heat filled her sex.
Oh God.
Nicholas panted in her ear. “Cat, you feel amazing. I want to kiss more of you. Please.”
Night had fallen. The stars were out. It would be hard for anyone to see what they were specifically doing. Not to mention, the drapes on three sides gave good coverage.
Her pulse raced. She could do this—venture out of her comfort zone a bit. “Okay.”
Cupping her jaw, Nicholas tipped her head to the side giving him access to her neck. His kisses traveled down her cheek and neck to her chest. With a small tug on her dress strap, he slid the fabric off her shoulder.
Her breath came quicker, and her breasts grew heavy.
With his free hand, he stroked her thigh, slowly sliding under her dress. His hand gripped the flesh of her ass, pulling her closer.
She moaned at the deeper contact when his cock slid over her swollen lips and clit. Her eyelids fluttered closed, savoring Nicholas’s kisses.
His mouth dipped lower, skirting the edge of her bodice. She bowed her back, aching for his mouth to claim more of her.
He tore his mouth away from her chest, his eyes gleaming even in the darkness. Slowly, his fingertips glossed over the area his mouth had just set on fire and pushed the remaining strap of the dress off her shoulder. Another skate of his fingers over her chest and her dress went lower.
She knew what he was silently asking.
He lowered his mouth and slid his tongue under the edge of her dress, caressing her plump flesh, driving her to the edge of madness.
She’d never begged for anything, but somehow the urge was overwhelming right then.
With his lower hand, he bent her knee and shifted over her again.
“Mmm.”
His hand massaged her ass while his cock rocked directly over her clit. Over and over, the stimulation sent the delicious sensation deeper.
Using his teeth, he tugged at her dress, revealing her breasts. Instantly, he laid claim to her nipple.
“Unh.” She arched into the blessed warmth of his mouth, gripping his upper arms and shamelessly pulling herself into him. Everything felt so incredibly good, but God, she needed more.
“Cat, can you come like this? I want you to come.”
Maybe, but what did that mean? How far would he go?
“I have an idea,” he continued. “If you’ll trust me, I want to try something that might work.”
She wanted to trust him. She wanted him to make her come, but she wasn’t ready to risk it all. Biting the inside of her cheek, she nodded twice, fully prepared to tell him to stop.
He leveraged himself up on one arm as he bent her other leg off to the side.
She lay on the lounger in a butterfly position. Slowly, he dragged her dress over her hips, exposing her wet satin thong clinging to her sex.
“Uh—”
“Hang on, Cat. Just give me a s
econd. We can stop if you want, but no one can see you,” he whispered.
His body blocked the view, and from what she could tell, not a soul had passed by the entire time.
He grazed a finger down the middle of her slit over her panties.
“Ah.”
“Baby, you feel so warm and wet. One day, I’ll taste you, and make you come all over my tongue.”
Oh geez. That made her want it right then. To hell with being outside.
His hand reached for his pants.
She froze. She watched him unbutton his pants and lower his zipper.
“I won’t, Cat. I promise.”
No. True to his word, he didn’t try and make love to her. Instead, he brought himself back into alignment with her nether lips. His thick cock stretched inside his soft briefs.
“Fuck, Cat.” He gently rocked up and down, his cock sliding over her slit with just two thin pieces of fabric shielding them from bare contact.
“Ohmigod. That’s incredible.” Her eyelids slammed closed.
His lips crashed down on hers, not letting his hips stop their gentle ministrations. The ridges of his cock caressed her, even through two layers of fabric, she felt all of him stimulating her clit, causing her to climb higher.
His kisses left her mouth and headed south. “Baby, take your hands and hold those gorgeous breasts for me.”
She did as he bid, offering herself to his eager mouth.
He sucked and laved at her nipples, one at a time, all while his hips gyrated over her.
God, it all felt so damn good. Her hips began to move with his rhythm.
He sucked harder and moved faster, his cock grinding against her aching clit, mimicking the act of sex.
It was hot and sexy and so insanely daring. She’d never done anything so crazy in her life. Actually, this would be the second crazy thing she’d done this week.
Never mind.