by Aimee Duffy
‘Some things aren’t worth wasting breath on. We have a little time left together, why not make the most of it?’
She felt so stupid she couldn’t meet his eyes. After all it was her who insisted on time limits. Even if she kept breaking them.
‘Come here,’ he said, patting the space between his legs. ‘The view’s great.’
‘I’m sure it’s exactly the same here.’ But she got up anyway and lay back against his chest.
Zack packed away their lunch then held her close. ‘Remember I’m not the only one being evasive. You still won’t tell me why you’re so anti-relationship.’
She nodded, not knowing what else to do. He’d probably think she was mad too, just like Elle and Gem did. And she wasn’t sure she could open herself up like that if he wasn’t willing to do the same. Some things were probably best kept out of this so they could enjoy their time together.
His arms tightened around her. ‘Just tell me one thing. It’s not because someone… hurt you, is it?’
She’d been devastated when her ma left, but she had a feeling that wasn’t the kind of hurt Zack meant.
‘No, never.’ She turned in his arms and straddled him, hoping to take his mind off the conversation.
It worked. His hands started roaming around her body, pulling her closer.
She kissed him lightly, then sucked his lower lip between her teeth. His growl was feral and his eyes blazed, so she knew this was the end of the conversation. Zack crushed her against him and kissed her like he’d never kissed her before. She explored his glorious back with her fingers and may have dug her nails in too, but she was way beyond remembering to be gentle.
As he dragged her onto her feet, all but ripping her clothes off, she was glad they’d made the embarrassing trip to the pharmacist because she had a feeling they were going to need them all by the end of the afternoon.
***
The drive back wasn’t a comfortable one. Despite the blanket, they both had sand in places it should never be and she was sure half the beach had made its way into her hair. But that didn’t keep the smile off her face.
Since they were running late separate showers were a must or they’d never have made Elle’s reservations. And even though Elle grumbled a little about cutting it fine, dinner went down without an argument and for the first time since she’d met Zack, she saw just how well he and Elle could get along.
Gem was distracted during the meal, even though Elle kept trying to drag her back into the conversation. When desert was done and Ciara’s sundress was a little tighter than it should be, Gem caught the eye of her crush.
‘I’m going to dance with Milo,’ Gem said.
Elle rolled her eyes. ‘We didn’t see that coming.’
After sticking her tongue out at Elle, Gem was off across the dance floor and jumped right into Milo’s arms. He lifted her up like in the end dance scene from Dirty Dancing and if that wasn’t clue enough that he swung for the other side, Ciara didn’t know what was.
‘She knows that guy’s gay, doesn’t she?’ Zack asked.
Elle shook her head. ‘She’s blissfully unaware, even though we tell her every chance we get.’
Zack laughed. ‘She hasn’t changed a bit.’
While they shared childhood stories about Gem and her passion for everything male, Ciara watched the topic of conversation and her new crush. Milo didn’t seem completely uninterested. He ground his hips with hers, even raunchier than Baby and Johnny ever did and she wondered if he maybe didn’t swing both ways.
Just then the music came to a stop and Milo bent Gem over backwards, one leg between hers, and kissed the shit out of her.
‘I don’t think he’s gay,’ Ciara said to them.
They both followed her gaze and laughed.
‘Well, if anyone could turn him back to the vag it’s Gem,’ Elle said.
When the next song started, Gem looked like she had a hard time staying on her feet. Milo wasn’t his usual gracious self too which made her more convinced they had him wrong.
‘Wanna dance?’ Zack asked her.
‘Yes please.’ But then she remembered Elle. ‘Um, you two can go first though.’
‘I’m not dancing with him! Go have fun. I’ll do the Instagraming tonight. Time for the world to find out about Gem’s talents.’ Elle smirked.
Ciara took Zack’s outstretched hand and followed him around the table. ‘We’ll be back soon.’
‘Just make sure you don’t put on a show like Gem and her boy toy. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my dinner down if you do,’ Elle jibed.
‘We won’t,’ Ciara said.
‘I’m not making promises I can’t keep,’ Zack said, pulling her onto the dance floor.
He could move much better than her, despite having watched the dances for the last two nights. Saying he held her indecently close would be an understatement. If they were naked there wouldn’t be a part of her that wasn’t flush against his skin.
The temperature flared again but she didn’t bother to lie to herself this time. Zack could make her flush from just a look, but now that they were grinding to the music and she could feel exactly how much he was into it, she was beyond turned on.
‘This is getting ridiculous,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve come today and I still want more.’
He nibbled on her earlobe and slid his hands down to palm her bum. ‘I’m not done yet.’
He squeezed her against his growing erection so she had no doubts about what he meant.
‘I think we need to hurry up and get back to the house,’ she said, not sure if she could wait that long.
‘Later. Right now I want you on the edge.’
His smirk was so unfair.
‘I’m about to topple over it if you keep rubbing me there.’ With every sway his erection was rubbing her clit into a frenzy.
‘That suits me too. Do you know how hot you are when you come for me?’ he asked, his eyes darkening.
Her already flushed face felt molten. ‘You wouldn’t dare do that to me here.’
Zack cocked a brow. ‘Is that a challenge?’
Shit. She remembered too late what Elle said the day before when she won the race. ‘Don’t, Zack. Please don’t.’
He laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not into public displays. When you come later it will be in my bed and on my tongue.’
The flood of moisture in her panties from the possession in his voice was startling. Who’d have known she’d be into cavemen lines?
‘Sounds like a plan,’ she said and let him swing her around the dance floor.
Chapter Fourteen
Ciara was so hot and sticky she couldn’t sleep another second. Peeling her face off Zack’s chest, she took stock of her surroundings.
His room was a mess, totally destroyed from their too-hot-for-each-other-to-make-the-bed antics. Her dress was next to a smashed lamp on the floor near the dresser where he’d taken her first. She didn’t mind that he’d broken his promise to use his tongue since she’d come twice in a row as he’d taken her furiously.
The paintings had fallen from the walls and she was sure even three levels up, Gem and Elle would have heard her but then again Ciara wasn’t the only one having fun last night. Gem hadn’t come back alone and she and Milo had been just as keen to get privacy.
‘Good morning, Ireland.’ Zack’s voice, thick with sleep, made a shiver run down her spine.
‘Morning,’ she said, snuggling back into his chest to hide her face. Who knew what her hair looked like and morning breath wasn’t sexy.
He didn’t seem to agree, because he pulled her up to share his pillow and cupped her cheek. She did her best to breathe through her nose.
‘Guess we were wrong about Milo,’ he said.
Ciara grinned and tried for a non-breathy answer. ‘I hope Elle had headphones to drown out the noise.’
He smiled and twirled a strand of hair around his finger. ‘What do
you want to do today?’
Brush her teeth, shower, brush some more…
‘Whatever you want, but I’m going to go for a swim first,’ she said, remembering the camel-toe incident, although she was sure the day before must have burnt off at least a thousand calories.
‘I should probably get some work done.’
He sighed and she was about to ask why he bothered if he hated it but he pulled her into a kiss that made her very aware of how naked they both were. Questions forgotten, she made use of the fact the sheets were also on the floor somewhere and pressed herself against him.
But then she pulled away, just in case her breath knocked him out or worse, made him run for the hills. Not that he was minty fresh either, but she loved the taste of him to the point she worried about her sanity.
‘I’ll let you get on,’ she said, slipping out of his hold.
‘I wish you meant that literally.’ Zack grinned.
‘You’re insatiable,’ she said, stunned. ‘I thought after yesterday you’d need at least 24 hours to recover.’
But he didn’t seem to. He was already growing hard and would more than likely be up for another marathon session.
‘You do this to me,’ he said, sliding his hand down his stomach. ‘You sure you don’t want to get your workout here?’
Grabbing his dick, he stroked lazily and she recognised the look that came into his eyes. He really was insatiable. She bit her lip, torn between wanting to help him and being unable to stop watching him pleasure himself.
‘This doesn’t feel as good as being inside you,’ he said, fisting his hand tighter and sliding it all the way up so the tip disappeared behind his fingers.
Ciara’s core clenched, remembering all too well how it felt to have him inside.
‘I don’t think you’ve had enough yet, either,’ he said, but the strain in his voice was more evident now.
She picked the condoms off the bedside table – the only thing still left on it – and ripped the packet open with her teeth. Pushing his hand away, she covered him down to the base, making sure to squeeze as she did.
Zack groaned and took hold of her nipples, teasing them into sensitive peaks. Lust crashed through her, holding her hostage and she straddled his hips, unable to wait a second longer.
He grabbed her hips before she could take him in, but she knew him well enough not to be disappointed. Sliding his fingers inside was easy since she was more than ready for him and the action made it worse. She gasped as his thumb found her clit and swirled.
‘You’re always ready for me,’ he groaned.
His patience must have expired because after pulling his fingers out he thrust up and filled her completely.
Ciara clenched him tight, savouring the feel of him inside even though there were inches to spare. She lowered further until he was on the bed and her bum was almost touching his thighs.
Rising, she took his offered hands, linked her fingers with his and studied every detail of his face. He really was gorgeous, laid out in the early morning sun waiting for her to take him. She’d never appreciated him properly all those times when he was filling her over and over, driving her closer to another toe curling orgasm. Not until now.
She’d never noticed the way his chest heaved or the way his jaw and eyes clenched tight when the pleasure of what she was doing got too much to bear. And, most mesmerising of all, she’d never noticed how he watched her when she went into a slow burning orgasm that stole her breath.
Still, she swung her hips, intent on driving him towards his goal but something had shifted between them as she kept eye contact throughout. He looked a little awed and she couldn’t help feeling the same as she watched his eyes close as he trembled with his own orgasm.
Totally magnificent.
Absolutely terrifying.
Because there was no doubt now that she was being dragged into dangerous water and she didn’t think she had the strength to swim back to shore.
***
A week in and Ciara couldn’t believe she’d thought Santorini was dull. Her time had been filled by Zack to the point she was amazed she had any energy left at all. They’d gone scuba diving, seeing the volcanic stones and bottomless depth of the Caldera. Just yesterday he’d taken her to Thirassia with a picnic and they’d spent the whole day exploring the Potamos and Manolas settlements.
Even though she’d ditched her early morning exercise regime for a more fun start to the day, they’d still gone swimming in Korfos twice and had lunch in the tavernas.
And everything seemed to work out with Gem and Elle too. Metrosexual Milo loved being pampered as much as her friends so he’d spent every day playing the replacement BFF and after his shift he’d switched to the Milo who knew how to treat a woman.
Since it was their last day in Greece and Milo was off work, Zack agreed to take the yacht out for the day. Elle grumbled about risking her life but Gem was happy since she could catch up with her sunbathing and, unlike the jet ski, there was almost no risk she’d fall off.
Soon they were bikini clad (Zack’s shorts and Milo’s speedo withstanding) and sailing out across the ocean. While Gem and Elle stayed back from the front of the boat, Ciara stood by the railing with Milo, enjoying the wind rushing by.
‘Is this your first time sailing?’ Milo asked, noticing her excitement.
She shook her head. ‘When I was little we went on a boat trip in Tenerife. I didn’t get to see any dolphins or wales though.’
She’d been gutted about that.
‘There are a few dolphins out this way.’ He pointed to the right. ‘They hunt for food there.’
Elle must have heard them talking because she shouted at Zack. ‘Take us left! I’m not being tipped to my death by shark wannabes.’
‘Learn to sail and you can take it wherever you want, Elly,’ he shouted back.
Milo chuckled. ‘They’re always like this?’
She nodded, rolling her eyes.
‘This is mild,’ Gem said. ‘You should see them when they really go for it.’
Elle gave them an insight to the real problem – Zack – and threw in a good few examples to make her case stronger. So she wasn’t dragged into the debate, Ciara went down to the galley to make up a pitcher of mojitos with all the ingredients they’d brought. She’d never have guessed a boat could have such a pretty kitchen with appliances for absolutely everything. And it wasn’t small either. She reckoned the Muirs could fit a good few chefs in here and have a party on deck in the middle of the ocean.
Maybe that was the point in having it, though god knew why when they had a house the size of theirs.
She took the pitcher and a load of plastic glasses up to the deck and realised they’d stopped moving. The ocean really was beautiful and she could see the whole curve of the island with the white houses scattered around greenery and more rural, rustic areas.
‘There’s something you don’t see every day,’ Zack said, appearing beside her.
‘I can make things myself you know, I don’t need to ask the staff to do it for me.’ She held up the jug to prove her point.
‘What’s got you all fired up? I was talking about the view.’ He jerked his head to indicate the island across the water.
‘Nothing,’ she lied.
The truth was, she’d been too scared to ask if he was joining them in Ibiza, but had been losing sleep wondering if he’d come. No one had mentioned it, not even Zack and she’d tried to bring it up but they were always busy and she didn’t want to spoil the time they had left.
‘You’re a crap liar,’ he said with a grin. ‘But I’m not going to push. Let’s get this party started.’
He took the pitcher to the front where the others were sprawled on sun loungers.
‘You better be careful. Elle will freak if the captain of the ship gets sloshed,’ she teased, pushing aside the fact this might be their last full day together.
‘You’re absolutely right,’ Elle said, sitting up on her sun lounger
. ‘No cocktails for you!’
Zack shook his head and handed his cousin the jug and cups. When Elle handed Ciara a glass, she took a long drink and silently thanked Gem’s super fast internet for the recipe.
‘I’ll just have to enjoy it this way,’ Zack said and then pulled her into a not-so-friendly kiss.
His tongue left no inch of her mouth untouched and she was gasping for air in seconds.
‘Ew, do you two mind? Anymore of that and I’ll need to bleach my eyeballs. And the sockets,’ Elle complained.
Ciara reluctantly pulled away and saw the mischievous glint in his eyes, giving her an idea. ‘I think we should go swimming.’
‘I think the two of you need your baby making bits removed,’ Elle countered. ‘It’s really not normal.’
‘She must have a resilient fufu,’ Gem said, making Ciara’s cheeks burn and her chin drop.
Milo tried to smother a giggle and failed.
Bitches, all of them.
‘Elle go worry about your own sex life, or lack thereof,’ Zack said.
Even though she knew he was sticking up for her, she gave him a light dig on the shoulder. ‘That’s mean.’
He raised an eyebrow, then lowered his voice. ‘When you get off this boat I’ll show you how not-mean I can be.’
She barely heard the retching sound – probably from Elle, not when he looked at her like he wanted to eat every inch of her.
‘Last one in…’ she said, taking off to the railing.
Zack was over faster, then did a perfect dive into the water sending some spray back onto the deck. Gem cursed and Ciara giggled, thinking it served her right for the vag joke.
He surfaced all wet and sexy, so she decided to show off a little and somersaulted off the boat. It backfired when she landed dodgy and lost her bikini top along the way.
‘Bugger,’ she said, kicking her feet out and spinning to see if she could find it.
‘What’s wrong?’ Zack asked, swimming closer.
‘I’ve lost my top!’ She tried searching with her hands next and got a mouthful of bitter, salty water.
‘Is that an Irish expression or are you being serious?’ he asked.