"Sure." Shay had a look into the misting glass box. "The boysenberry gelato."
"I would have picked you for chocolate."
"I don't know. Fruit seems to suit the warm weather."
Peter got a peach gelato and they wandered onto the beach, into the darkness, away from the light and noise of the entertainment strip. It was completely dark out there, and only the moon shining on the water provided direction. Otherwise it seemed that they were stepping into complete black space.
It really was quite far from the promenade that ran the length of the beach to the water's edge. As they sat down, Shay could hear the water lapping gently on the shore. The smell of sand and salt was stronger here, or perhaps just less intermixed with every other smell.
Shay could barely see into her tub of gelato. "I have to test the water," Peter said beside her, then got up and stripped of his shirt, tossing it on the sand. "You coming?"
"Sure," she said, putting the tub down next to her bag. Peter walked ahead of her and she stood where she was for a moment, just watching him. The moonlight bounced off his shoulders, just about making him glow. She couldn't really see his features, only his outline, but that didn't make him any less attractive. If nothing else, it only made her feel more comfortable, as his all-seeing eyes weren't piercing her.
Moving closer, she let the water lap over her feet. It almost felt a little warmer than it had during the day. "When was the last time you were on a beach?" she asked.
"A couple of years ago, maybe."
"I can't believe you're not into beach holidays. This is beyond awesome."
She could barely see him smiling. "Come here," he said. Shay felt her heart skip a beat. They were alone now. Out of sight of anyone, almost in their own little world. She could hear him breathing.
Taking a step closer, she took his hand, which was firm and warm, and he drew her closer. "I'm glad I came."
"I am, too," she said, despite having tried to object when he’d suggested it—informed her, more like.
He drew her into another kiss. This time, she felt his whole body along hers, heightening every sensation. His kiss was more demanding now and she relented as he demanded access to her mouth. His tongue stroked hers, drawing her focus deeper into the kiss. Her hands sought his sides, where he felt solid under her touch. She couldn't quite believe she was doing this. Heat pooled in her belly as she sought further closeness.
His lips moved over hers until there was nothing else in her mind and she almost choked a protest as he moved away, stepping further into the water, still holding her hand. Shay walked forward, feeling the water lap her calves. He was moving further in and Shay was transfixed by the sight of him in the water. Admittedly, she'd probably follow him if it were ice water he was walking into.
The warm water was up to her thighs now and it did nothing to cool the heat that was growing in her. She wanted him with everything in her that moment, needed to feel him next to her, but he let go of her hand and dove in, emerging a few meters away, facing her. He said nothing, as if he was waiting for her.
Unwittingly, she moved to him, until his hands drew her towards him, bringing her flush to him. Her breathing was so heavy, she could barely control it. She sought his lips and he welcomed her. She tasted the sea-salt on his lips, unsure if she had ever been this turned on before. His hands travelled down her back, then moved under the shirt to her bare thigh, stroking upwards to her hip. She didn't want to wait anymore; she wanted him now.
Shay moaned with frustration, running her hands over the warm, smooth skin of his abdomen, up to explore his chest. His teeth gently bit down on her lower lip and again she moaned deeply, pressing her hips to his. He was hard; she could feel him through the clothes.
Breaking the kiss, he traced his lips down the column of her neck, grabbing her backside and grinding her to him. Shay didn't know if she could handle such teasing. Her core pulsed powerfully in participation and want, but he kept lifting her up, bringing his mouth to her breast and enclosing on the tight nipple, straining through the thin material of her shirt. She arched back into the teasing ministration, wrapping her legs around his hips.
The sensation he caused as he flicked his tongue over the hard bud pierced down through every part of her. She couldn't take any more of this. She needed him inside her. "I need you," she said.
"Water isn't really the greatest medium."
"I don't care," she panted out. Her legs released him and she brought them back, pulling her bikini bottoms off. She needed him inside her and her hands searched for the button of his pants, but his were already there, undoing the barrier that kept them apart. When ready, he pulled her to him, to his warm, bare skin. Again, she wrapped her legs around him, drawing herself close.
"You sure?"
"Yes," she said with annoyance that he was slowing this down. With the buoyancy of the water, she moved herself until she felt his hard length at her entrance. Water was good that way, giving her as much control as she wanted. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her down on him and Shay felt herself yield. A sense of complete fullness filled her as she took his full length. A part of her mind couldn't believe she was doing this, while another refused to think in any capacity.
Her core pulsed violently around him as he repeatedly ground into her. His hands on her hip had complete control of their movement and Shay felt at the mercy of the overwhelming sensations stealing through her, tightening deep inside her.
Short, sharp breaths escaped her as she faced the urgent sensations that flowed throughout her entire body. With her arms, she held him to her, feeling her breasts rub against his chest. She'd never been this completely uninhibited before, but she needed him to drive this to completion, or she might pass out from lack of oxygen and sheer want.
Her body drew together as his thrusts grew sharper and harder, tensing around their joining as if trying to hold him there. Then the pulsations started, forcefully travelling out from her core, robbing her of breath and consciousness. Her core gripped around him, and her legs held him to her.
She wished the moment would last forever, but the contractions subsided, leaving her drained and her head resting on his shoulder. His skin tasted of salt water and she slowly ran her lips over the muscles around his shoulder.
Tensing, she wondered what happened to her bikini bottoms, but felt them floating around her wrist. At least she wouldn't be running up the beach in nothing but a clingy see through shirt. She smiled and pulled away, working the bottoms up her legs. She'd just done it with Peter and it had been fantastic.
"Come," he said, reaching for her hand.
"Where are we going?"
"Do find a bed."
The tension reasserted deep itself in Shay's belly. The night was still young, it seemed.
Chapter 21
* * *
Peter picked the hotel closest to the beach, which was nice with a proper lobby and a fountain trickling water in the otherwise quiet space. Shay was certainly not going to suggest they go back to the room she shared with Jess.
Still dripping, they walked up the stairs and Peter slipped the card into the door slot, opening the door to an air conditioned space which immediately gave Shay goose bumps.
"Shower?" Peter asked and Shay nodded. She ducked into the bathroom which was nicely decorated in white and brown marble, quite a bit more sophisticated than the hotel they were staying at. After turning on the water, Shay stripped off and got in. She still felt a bit stunned at what she'd just done—not that she regretted it, but she'd never done anything that even came close to qualifying as a dirty little secret. If Jess hadn't known he was here, Shay would probably have kept quiet about it.
Smiling, she let the water flow over her body, washing away the salt. There was more to come this evening and her body was ready and anticipating more. She even felt a little bit naughty, but she loved every moment of it.
A noise behind her told her that Peter had come into the bathroom. She could hear him stripping off a
nd bit her lip in expectation as he pulled the curtain back and stepped into the shower. Okay, she'd had a peek of him naked before, but this was like a feast as her eyes took in his form. He really was perfect—the broad chest narrowing to tight, firm hips. But she didn't have much time to admire as he pulled her to him and their naked bodies came together under the warm stream of water. Ferocious heat flared in her belly again as her hands travelled over his arms and down his back. Her breasts pressed against his chest and she could only describe the feeling as luscious.
Bringing his hand up to her cheek, he urged her head back so he could kiss her again. Butterflies crashed around in her stomach as her whole body pressed into the length of his. Shay felt cherished. A warning sounding in the back of her mind demanded that she take care how she reacted to this, but she dismissed it. She would deal with that stuff later. Right now, there was only touch and taste and the sound of heavy breathing, and kissing. His lips were like a drug. She couldn't stop kissing him.
She could feel his hardness pressing on her stomach and her core flared in response. Reaching down, she ran her fingers down its hard length and Peter's breath caught in response. Shay wanted to sink down on her knees and taste, but Peter advanced toward her, pressing her into the shower wall. It was cool at her back, teasing her hot skin. He pressed his body into her, kissing her deeply. His hand roamed down from her neck, fingers splayed over the skin of her chest, seeking the soft mound of her breast. Tension intensified in her with every touch and she wasn't sure she could take anymore.
Reaching down, he grabbed her backside, lifting her up against the wall, positioning himself at her core. Gravity pulled her down this time and although this was a similar position as in the water, it felt completely different. Again he pressed into her as her weight forced her down on his length. Her breath caught with the onslaught of sensation and her core flared to life, contracting sharply around him and heat burned through her entire body. Her legs shook with delicious tension and a sharp thrust shot an intense wave of pleasure through her, again and again. He wasn't gentle, but she didn't want gentle at the moment.
The pressing force of her orgasm was culminating and Shay could only hang onto his shoulders as her body drew together, focused on his hard thrusts deep into her. Shay moaned as it overtook her, turning her thoughts and body into incoherent mush, existing only in the exquisite pleasure. She heard his cry as he released deep inside her. It felt so right.
Peter leaned heavily into her as he recovered, his forehead to hers. Shay closed her eyes, feeling the lingering sensations still. A warm glow enveloped her entire body. Reaching up, she stroked the hair around his temple until he sought her lips, distracting her from anything else. Tentatively, heat flared inside her again. She was like the Energizer Bunny; she just didn't stop.
Pulling back from her, he smiled, stepped out of the shower and dried himself off. Shay only watched, still leaning on the wall with the warm water flowing over her still longing body. Grabbing another towel, he held it out to her, smiling. "Come on, trouble. Do you want another drink?"
Taking the towel, Shay shook her head. Everything felt surreal enough as it was without adding even more alcohol to her system. Shay dried off and walked out of the bathroom. The air-conditioning was off and the balcony door open, facing the beach. Peter was sitting in a chair on the balcony, the towel wrapped around his hips. The water sparkled with the moonlight and warm breezes caressed her skin.
"Perhaps there is something to be said about the beach holiday," Peter said, smiling with the moonlight highlighting his features.
Sitting down on the other chair, she brought her knees up and watched him—still not quite believing how gorgeous he was. "I have to admit this might be the best beach holiday I've ever had, too. Although, I used to live down at the beach as a kid—every summer holiday."
Peter turned to her. "I can imagine you. The beach didn't feature greatly in my childhood."
"No? I can't quite imagine you as a kid at all."
"I played a lot of sports once I got old enough, but my family didn't really do the sea-side. We've always been urbanites, I guess. Family holidays tended to be cities, or country houses. Nothing so crass as a sea-side holiday. Although we did go to Bermuda once."
"And now your mum lives in LA?"
"Yes, with her American husband."
"You don't go see her?"
"Not very often. We really don't have much in common other than genes."
"And no siblings?"
"No."
Everything he'd ever said about his past indicated a lonely existence. She couldn't really understand the choices he made, but accepted there were likely things she'd never understand about Peter Dunham, and probably didn't want to. The important part was that he lived his life like he wanted to, even if she didn't agree with it. "So why aren't you moving to Shanghai? There's nothing really holding you in London, is there?"
"I like London. It's my home. Shanghai is alright to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I was asked last year to move to LA, but it was the same. Nice to visit, can't live there. I suppose I am a Londoner through and through."
"Obviously, I don't have those ties with the place."
"You do with New Zealand. Would get complicated if you meet an Englishman."
Shay started out at the ocean. "Honestly, I hadn't really thought of it. I am too busy establishing myself to even consider anything like that. I'm not really here to meet someone." She hadn't even considered the implications of meeting someone on her future options. He was right though. If she met someone local, she might have to stay here. She'd never even considered that her overseas experience might turn into something permanent. Two years max was what she told herself, but if she met someone, her choices would get complicated. It all just proved too messy to think about. "You're right. Things could get complicated. Maybe I'll take a leaf out of your book and just stay single."
Peter turned to her, considering her. "Although I suspect that would be harder than it sounds for a girl like you."
He might have a point. If she met a really cute guy, it would prove hard to keep her resolve. Again, it was something she could think about when she needed to. Right now, she was on a beach, sitting naked under a towel. Really not something she expected when she woke up that morning.
"What are you smiling for?" Peter asked, grinning.
"Just how some days take you by surprise."
"A wonderful surprise, too," he said, reaching for her hand and pulling her out of her chair into his lap. His hand stroked up her bare thigh under the towel. The ever-present heat flared to life again. His lips sought hers and any thoughts she had disintegrated. The urgency had lessened and it felt like they had all the time in the world. She wanted to explore his whole body, feel it reacting under her fingers.
There was light stubble on his cheeks and Shay skimmed it with her lips, which ached with over-sensitivity and continued longing. Her stomach dropped again when he shifted his head, claiming her lips. This must be the sweetest thing in the world, she though as she gave herself over to it. At that moment, Shay wasn't sure how she could live without this.
"Come to bed," he said, his voice deep and husky. Anticipation tensed her whole body as she got up and let him lead her inside. Her towel dropped away and she was stark naked in the moonlight. Peter sighed when he turned to her. She couldn't make out his eyes, but she knew he was studying her. Every part of her felt exposed, but this was different—not some urgent coupling.
Sitting down on the bed, he leaned back and watched her. Shay didn't feel self-conscious; she felt beautiful. As she stepped closer, standing between his thighs, he leaned forward, kissing her on her stomach, making her muscles clench under the soft touch of his lips. "There has been something I've wanted to do to you for quite a while," he said as his fingers lightly traced down the back of her thighs. "I think the moment has come."
Chapter 22
* * *
Shay woke with a start, not reall
y knowing where she was for a second. Freeing her arm from the white sheet, she checked her watch. "Damn," she said and scrambled out of bed. She was stark naked and she had to think to remember where her clothes were. The ferry was leaving soon and Jess would be furious if she didn't make it.
"You alright?" Peter asked. He was lying on his back with the sheet riding low, looking utterly delicious. His hair was a bit messy and Shay wondered it if actually made him look better. He ran his hand through his hair and checked his watch.
"Sorry I woke you, but I've got to go. We're off to Kos today. Jess is waiting." Shay ran into the bathroom and pulled on her still damp bikini and the beach shirt on top. Her lips were swollen and her body ached a bit. She'd never been so thoroughly and enjoyably worked over in her life. Even now, naughty images were working through her mind. She almost wished she had time for a morning quickie, but she really had to go.
Returning to the bedroom, she walked over to Peter. "Sorry, I can't see you off, but you'll be alright though, won't you?"
"I am sure I can manage." Sitting up, he stroked down his cheeks, scratching his stubble, watching as she ran around looking for her shoes, which she found on the balcony. Spotting her bag by the door, she was all set. Awkwardness came over her. She needed to leave. "Thanks for dinner, and everything," she said. He was lying back again, with his arm supporting his head. Moving closer, she leaned down and kissed him on the lips. It tasted so familiar and sweet. The urge to just sink down on him and take everything he could offer her was so strong she was nearly overcome by it, but she needed to go, and it was more than just Jess waiting that caused the urgency to get away. His lips really could transfix her, but she tore herself away and moved to the door, stopping before he was out of sight. Turning back, she looked at him. "It was literally the best sex I've ever had, but I think you knew that already."
The Gem (D'Arth Book 4) Page 12