X Marks the Spot

by Opal Carew

  “God, baby, I love you so much.”

  Her eyes filled with uncertainty, but then she cupped his face and pulled him into another kiss.

  He grasped her hips and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Now she lay on top of him, his cock still deep inside her. Impossibly, it was still hard.

  She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly.

  This was heaven. Holding her like this. Loving her like this.

  Her breathing settled into a steady rhythm, deep and even, and soon he realized she was asleep.

  He held her close, not wanting to fall asleep himself. Not wanting to miss a single second of her in his arms like this.

  * * *

  Abi woke up to find herself draped over Liam, her ear against his heart, the steady sound of his heartbeat soothing.

  Last night, when he’d turned out the light and cuddled her close, she’d been surprised. She’d known she should be relieved she could just go to sleep without any worry of disappointing him, but she’d been aroused all evening, her hormones not giving her any peace. Lying in his arms, with his warmth and heady masculine scent surrounding her, she couldn’t fall asleep.

  Couldn’t think straight.

  After hours of struggling with her conflicting desires, she’d finally turned to face him, needing to see his face. In the soft light of the moon, his face had had an ethereal glow, making him look almost godlike.

  She’d stared at those perfect features, unable to tear her gaze away.

  Then he’d opened his eyes.

  What had followed had been dreamlike. Perfect.

  Intensely moving.

  Then, when he’d said he loved her, doubt had quivered through her, as it always did. She wanted him to love her so badly. But she knew he didn’t.

  He couldn’t.

  But for the first time in a very long time she wondered …

  Was it possible he actually could?

  * * *

  Liam awoke as he felt Abi move from his body and slip out of bed. He blinked his eyes open to see her hurrying to the bathroom. He pushed himself to his feet and walked to the door she closed behind herself. Then he heard her retching.

  He tapped and walked in, then like yesterday, he pulled back her hair and sat with her through her ordeal. Once she was settled on the chaise, he fetched her a glass of water and gave her a packet of saltines. He sat beside her, his arm around her waist as she nibbled the crackers.

  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Anytime, baby.”

  When she felt well enough to stand up and walk back to the bedroom, he took her hand and walked by her side, but before she sat on the bed, he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

  “Last night was incredible,” he murmured against the crown of her head, then kissed her, her hair soft against his lips.

  “Liam.” She drew back and gazed up at him. “Last night … when you said you loved me, I…”

  His heartbeat stalled and he tipped up her chin, searching her blue eyes.

  “Yes, kitten?”

  She sucked in a breath. “I think I started to believe it.”

  His heart swelled as joy swept through him.

  But then he realized it wasn’t happiness reflected in her eyes, but caution.

  “I suppose I always knew you loved me but I … just didn’t want to believe it.”

  Shock jolted through him. “Why, baby?”

  She bit her lip. “Because it was easier to believe that you never really loved me. Because if you did love me … really love me…” She drew in a slow, quivering breath. “How could you have left me all alone to deal with the pain?”

  Her lip trembled and she gazed at him with such intense sadness his breath locked in his lungs.

  She shook her head. “Maybe love isn’t enough.”

  * * *

  Oh, God, Abi was right. Liam realized he’d been fooling himself all this time.

  And being incredibly selfish. He loved her, yet he’d abandoned her in her time of need. Only worrying about himself and his pain.

  So despite the fact he loved her, and she loved him … Maybe love wasn’t enough. Maybe he’d blown it so completely they could never turn things around.

  His heart ached at the thought.

  She drew away from his embrace and, heedless of his presence, stripped off her pajamas and donned a sundress, then left the room. He showered and dressed, and then he went downstairs and poured himself a coffee. Del walked into the kitchen.

  “Something happen between the two of you last night?” Del asked. “Abi looked pretty upset when she came down and she went straight out for a walk along the ocean.”

  “I didn’t push her into anything if that’s what you’re asking,” Liam said tersely.

  Del rested his hand on Liam’s shoulder and squeezed. “I know.”

  Liam’s gaze shot to Del’s.

  “Don’t look so surprised,” Del said. “Despite the fact we’re competing for the same woman, you’re my friend and I know what kind of man you are. And despite the fact I want to be the one who wins her, I hate that that means you have to lose her.”

  * * *

  Abi walked back to the villa, dreading seeing Liam again. When she’d told him that maybe love wasn’t enough, his eyes had filled with a pain so deep and devastating, it tore at her heart.

  She stepped onto the wooden deck, then went up the steps to the stone patio. Del was lying on one of the lounge chairs facing the pool.

  “Have a nice walk?” he asked.

  “Yes, thanks.” She glanced at the house. “Where’s Liam?”

  “He’s out. He changed tomorrow’s meeting to today.” He sat up and pushed down his sunglasses, gazing at her over the rims. “Abi, you know if you want to talk, I’m happy to listen.”

  She slumped down on the lounger beside him.

  “Did you two have a fight?” Del asked.

  “No. In fact…” She gazed at him, chewing on her lower lip. “I’ve finally come to believe that Liam really does love me.”

  She saw Del’s expression crumple. The anguish in his eyes almost rivaled the pain in Liam’s eyes earlier.

  Almost.

  “I seem to be taking quite a toll on the two men in my life this morning,” she said.

  “I assume that means you’ll go back to Liam, because we both know you’re totally in love with him.” Del’s hands tightened into fists. “I don’t know why I ever thought I had a chance. Especially now that you’re carrying his child.”

  “Well, you see, that’s the thing. Even if he does really love me, and that means he has all along … that didn’t stop him from withdrawing when I needed him most. What if I lose this baby, too?” She sucked in a breath at the pain digging through her. “That in itself would be hard enough. On me … and on Liam. But if Liam were to abandon me emotionally again…” She shook her head.

  Del took her hand, cradling it in his bigger one.

  “I need the man I love to be someone I can depend on. Especially in the most difficult moments.” She turned her head and lost herself in his warm, olive-green eyes. “Like you.” She squeezed his hand. “You’ve always been there for me.”

  He pushed himself forward and knelt beside her, drawing her into his arms.

  “And I always will, sweetheart. No matter what happens.”

  * * *

  Liam had said not to expect him back until after dinner, so Del did his best to entertain Abi all afternoon. They had a nice lunch, then had the chauffeur drive them around the island.

  “The island really is gorgeous,” Abi said as she gazed out the window at the tall palm trees sprouting from flat, grassy terrain, with white sandy beach and the beautiful aquamarine ocean beyond. The sunlight glittered on the water as they passed luxurious resorts on the beach and beautiful luxury homes. As the road curved around a large bay, white boats with brightly colored sails dotted the water.

  Abi rested her h
ead on Del’s shoulder, and all Del wanted to do was go back to the villa and spend time with her alone.

  She smiled at him. “Why don’t we tell the driver we’re done and want to go back?”

  He grinned. “Are you reading my mind?”

  She laughed. “No. Your eyes. It’s clear as day what you want.”

  “And what’s that?”

  She shifted a little closer and took his hand, then brought it to her mouth. The soft brush of her lips against his skin filled him with intense need.

  She smiled wider and rested her hand on his chest. Then she slowly ran it downward. Traveling down his ribs, over his stomach then …

  “Oh, God, Abi,” he choked as she caressed his swelling cock over his shorts.

  She stroked it, then squeezed lightly.

  He grabbed her hand and held it still.

  “Do you really think we should be doing this here? The chauffeur and the others believe you’re Liam’s wife. Fuck, what the hell am I saying? You are his wife.”

  “But the driver is on that side of the dark glass divider and we’re on this side.”

  She tightened her hand around him and stroked. Fuck, he was so hard.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Del pushed the button on the console beside his seat and told he driver to take them back to the villa. Then he dragged Abi into his arms and kissed her with such passion, her hand drifted from his cock to his shoulder, clinging to him as he swept his tongue into her mouth and devoured her.

  When they arrived at the villa, the driver opened their door and Del followed Abi from the car, hoping the driver didn’t notice his state.

  “Are there many staff in the villa now?” Abi asked the driver.

  “No, ma’am. They won’t be back until later this afternoon to prepare dinner. Would you like me to call someone in?”

  “No, thank you. In fact, tell them not to bother with dinner this evening. We’ll eat something light.”

  “Yes, ma’am. If you need me again, just text.” He got in the car and drove away.

  Abi watched the car until it disappeared around the bend, then she grabbed Del’s hand and, giggling, tugged him toward the villa. She dropped her bag inside the front door, then continued through the main floor to the patio, Del on her heels, their hands still joined.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Just follow me.”

  She let go of his hand and raced down the stairs to the wooden deck, then across the sand. She kicked off her sandals, then his eyes widened as her shirt fluttered to the ground behind her. Next, she flung her wrap skirt aside, now in only her bra and panties.

  “Abi, do you think you should be doing that?”

  She turned suddenly and grinned. “Why not? Liam said it’s a private beach. Don’t you want to feel the warm ocean water on your naked skin?” Her gaze fell to his growing cock. “Every part of it?”

  Her hands were working behind her back as she talked, then she dropped the straps and eased her bra forward. As it fell away, his gaze locked on her perfect breasts, the tips rosy pink. And peaking to hard nubs.

  She stroked them, then pushed down her panties in a swift motion.

  Now as she stood in front of him totally naked, he sucked in a breath. The glow of her pregnancy enhanced her already natural beauty. She wasn’t showing yet, but he could hardly wait to see her naked body when it began to swell with the child. It would be so incredibly moving to see her like that.

  He hoped beyond hope that he’d get the chance. That she would still be his.

  “Now you,” she said, her gaze simmering as she watched him.

  He stripped off his clothes, then left them in a heap as they ran toward the water, the warm sand squishing between his toes.

  They frolicked in the water, diving into the waves and laughing. He couldn’t drag his gaze from her breasts as the water splashed over them, then sluiced away. She raced toward him and surged into his arms, then he kissed her, his tongue driving into her mouth. She stroked his cock under the water and he was so hard he was trembling with need. She grasped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist, his aching cock snug between their warm bodies.

  “I think you want to fuck me right here in the water,” she murmured against his ear.

  He kissed her, then pressed his forehead to hers.

  “Do you now? What makes you think that?”

  She pushed her hand between their bodies and stroked the side of his cock.

  “There’s one big reason.” Her hand wrapped tightly around him. “One very big … hard … reason.” She started stroking him.

  “Oh, fuck, baby.” He tried to stop her movement, but she kept pumping him. “I’m so close, I’m not going to be able to hold back.”

  “Mmm.” She nuzzled his neck. “Then don’t.”

  He felt her slickness against his tip, then she eased him inside her. His cock glided right into her, all the way. He held her tight to him, trying not to move. Knowing he could explode inside her at any second.

  She wrapped her legs tighter around him. “Oh, God, you feel so good inside me.”

  Her nipples, hard as pearls, spiked into his chest. He cupped one of her breasts, the nub drilling into his palm.

  She nipped his neck, then moaned softly. “Oh, God, Del. I’m so turned on. Please fuck me.”

  He cupped her ass and drew her back, then drove in deep again. She gasped, her eyes widening.

  “Oh, yes. Like that,” she breathed.

  He pumped again and she moaned.

  Fuck, she was already close to orgasm. He could see it in her eyes. Feel it in the way her pussy clenched around him.

  He guided her back, then pulled her tight again. His cock throbbed with the need to release.

  She nipped his neck. “Please, Del,” she whimpered. “Make me come.”

  He pumped into her, driving his cock deep again and again. Her fingers clenched around his shoulders, digging into his flesh. Faster and faster he filled her until that first moan erupted from her lips. He pumped in slower, deeper strokes now, keeping a steady rhythm.

  “Oh, yes, Del. Yes. Just like that.”

  Then she moaned, her voice echoing across the water, the sweetness driving him over the edge.

  “Ah, fuck.” His aching cock drove deep, then erupted inside her, intense pleasure washing through him in waves.

  Her moans continued and he found her clit and teased it, sending her into another orgasm. Her face glowed with blissful abandon.

  Finally, her moans subsided and she dropped her head against his shoulder. She sighed contentedly.

  “Oh, God, you’re beautiful when you come,” he said.

  She giggled and kissed his shoulder. “Coming is beautiful. Like finding a little pocket of heaven.”

  He laughed and kissed her cheek. “You’re a little pocket of heaven.”

  * * *

  Abi walked with Del across the beach toward the villa, his arm snug around her. It felt good being this close to him. Knowing he loved her. Knowing he’d always be there for her.

  Making love in the ocean, totally naked, so open and free, had been exhilarating. When they got back to the patio, they grabbed some terry robes from the guest bathroom and Del insisted she sit on the patio and relax while he prepared dinner. He returned a few minutes later with a platter of cold cuts, cheese, crackers, freshly cut veggies and dip, and fresh fruit for dessert.

  They ate dinner and sipped lemonade, watching the sun sink low on the horizon.

  “So now that you’ve had this revelation about Liam, what happens next?” Del asked.

  “I don’t know. I promised to give these three weeks a real chance. We’ll take it a day at a time.”

  She found she was twisting her fingers around each other, so she dropped them to rest flat on her thighs. She knew her feelings toward Liam were colored by old wounds. Was she really being fair to him? This was his child and she had to seriously consider the option of staying with him. He had grown …
they both had. And she really did love him. Could they make it work?

  But she loved Del, too. It didn’t seem right somehow. Loving two men. If she loved Liam, was what she felt for Del just infatuation? But if so, would it really have lasted all these years? Maybe being with Del was the right choice.

  “Abi, this is obviously upsetting you. Why don’t you talk about it?”

  “What is there to say? I don’t want to hurt Liam. And I don’t want to hurt you.” She sighed. “But no matter what I do, I’ll be hurting one of you.”

  And that thought hurt her.

  He rested his hand on hers and stroked it. The feel of his thumb brushing her thigh sent a tingling awareness rippling through her. She didn’t want to think about any of this anymore. Liam would be home in a few hours and right now, she wanted to enjoy as much intimate time with Del as possible.

  She stood up and took his hand.

  “After that swim in the ocean, I could use a shower.”

  “Okay. I’ll clear up the dishes.”

  A wicked grin spread across her face.

  “I don’t want to take it alone,” she said and tugged him toward the outdoor shower stall.

  “Oh,” he said, his lips turning up in a grin.

  She turned to him and untied her robe, then dropped it to the ground. She felt warm in the glow of his appreciative masculine gaze.

  He dropped his robe to the ground, too, and she stroked down his flat stomach to his rising cock, then wrapped her hand around it. She knelt in front of him and licked him. He hardened under her tongue.

  “Mmm. Salty.”

  He laughed and pulled her to her feet, then kissed her passionately. Moments later, they were under the warm water, soaping each other’s bodies.

  * * *

  Liam got out of the car and went into the villa. He didn’t see Abi and Del inside, so he walked out onto the patio. They weren’t in the pool or the hot tub, so he walked to the railing to see if they were on the beach.

  He turned around and—Fuck!

  The sight of their two naked bodies under the shower, their hands gliding over each other’s skin … white suds washing down their limbs …

  Abi’s hand squeezed around Del’s thick cock and she began stroking him while Del soaped her breasts. Swirling his hands round and round her soft mounds.