“You can’t ever stop staring at my ass, can you?”
I rolled my eyes and looked away, cinching my towel between my breasts as I tried to pretend I didn’t get caught ogling.
“Hey, we have a little time.” He turned me around, backing me against the sink.
“Not that much, and I don’t only stare at your ass.” I narrowed my eyes at his crooked grin. “I stare at all of it,” I whispered.
A heat flashed in his eyes. “I know. You’re not exactly subtle.” Instead of wrapping his towel around his waist, he let it almost fall as he turned and rubbed himself against me.
“Oh my God, Joe…are you giving me a lap dance at 6:30 in the morning?” I brought my hands to my heated cheeks, all of me flushed and hot even though I’d just taken a shower. I leaned against the counter as he turned to face me, cracking up as he gyrated his hips, his abs rippling as he ground against the terrycloth, letting it fall just enough to tease everything but stay covered.
A dirty grin split his mouth as he pinned me in place. “What’s wrong, not enjoying the show?”
I skated my hand down his still damp chest before our mouths crashed together. Our lips and tongues tangled as if this were the last time we’d kiss. He was ridiculous, and mine.
It didn’t feel right to claim him, but I hated the thought of him with anyone else. He wasn’t the type of guy who enjoyed a string of mindless hookups, even before we’d met, so I wasn’t concerned about that. But was it fair to be committed to someone you only saw once a month? For either of us? The joy from only moments ago evaporated like the droplets rolling down Joe’s chest.
“Stop it,” he whispered against my lips. “None of that yet, all right?”
“If not now, then when?” I raked my fingers through his wet hair, hating the same strain of despair reflected in his blue eyes.
He didn’t reply before he unfastened my towel and let it pool at my feet. His gaze held mine as he leaned in for another kiss. This one slow but hungry, his tongue making long sweeps into my mouth as his hand moved between my legs.
Avoidance wouldn’t help us, but I enjoyed every second.
Joe left the restaurant in the early afternoon, and we spent the rest of the day traipsing around town, talking about everything except where I’d be tomorrow.
“This town is really nice,” I said while getting lost in the crashing of the waves as we strolled up and down the beach. “It’s going to be hard going back to city noise. It’s all so peaceful here.”
“It is. That’s probably why I came here. I grew up in the city, but I knew, even then, it wasn’t for me. This is where I belong.” He cast a quick glance toward me, words unsaid dangling between us. He belonged here, that was obvious. The city was all I’d ever known, and I’d never considered the possibility of leaving. It was where I’d grown up and where my family was. As a child, I even dreamed about working in Manhattan and remembered how thrilled I’d been when I’d gotten my first job in Midtown. The world beyond the five boroughs had never occurred to me.
“You’re lucky. Not many know without a doubt they’re where they’re supposed to be.”
“True,” he said, staring out into the distance. “But I never hated knowing that until this week.”
When his gaze stumbled to mine, all I could do was nod.
“I want you with me every fucking day. And I know you can’t be because you have a life and a job that you can’t just leave, but I wish you could. I’m a selfish asshole, but I…” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I want you, and I’ll take whatever I can get.”
My eyes clenched shut when his hands framed my face. The conversation he kept putting off was here, but I wished I could run away from it like Joe had been doing until this point. He pressed a kiss to my forehead then my eyelids and cheeks before returning to my mouth. I felt every ounce of his affection and desperation as his mouth moved against mine, and I gave it right back to him. I hated knowing he belonged here, too. Because I didn’t.
“Don’t give up on us. Please. I want you; I want this. We can make it work. Please, Caterina.”
I nodded, my words trapped behind the lump in my throat.
“Yes?” he asked as he gripped my face tighter.
My voice was sandpaper as I tried to keep it together. “I want this, too.” I reached up to grip his wrists. “I’m not sure how it will work, but yes.”
“We’ll make it work. And you have to come back in October for all that Halloween stuff you have planned.” Joe searched my face, hope illuminating his features and making him seem much younger than his thirty years. His gaze was expectant, almost pleading, and it felt like I’d already started to leave him. Things were changing between us before I’d even gotten into my car.
“That’s true. Wouldn’t be right if I didn’t come back and make sure it all went off without a hitch.”
The Beach Pub wasn’t the only merchant I convinced to sign up for the Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Maria’s Bakery, Boozy Spoons—the ice cream shop that pushed my inebriation over the edge at the festival—and even a couple of the hotels had been interested. I’d been searching for more opportunities like this one for the winter and found a few Christmas events. But I wanted to see how this all went first before I got ahead of myself. I’d started researching for Joe’s sake, but getting the whole town involved for initiatives like this would not only help them in the off-season but maybe even increase their profits in the summer. I took what I’d learned about social media for my clients at work and tried to use it to Ocean Cove’s advantage.
“There’s no doubt it will. You’re smart. And beautiful.” He ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “And I want you to stay mine.”
He’d never called me his outside of his bed before. I didn’t want anyone but Joe, no matter where he was. I’d take whatever I could get, too.
“Because if another man in Brooklyn makes you mozzarella sticks, I’ll lose my shit.”
Raising my gaze to the playful yet determined scowl on his face, I brushed his lips with mine. “I promise; no one but you.”
31
Joe
“Ready?” I called down my short hallway. I’d tried to plan the perfect last night for us, but, now, I wished we’d just stayed in my apartment under the covers. We weren’t over, but I didn’t know when she’d be in my bed again. That made me never want to let her out of it, but I wanted to do something special for her tonight, for us, to make tomorrow less awful.
“Well …” Her heels clicked closer on the wood floor. “If I knew where I was going, I could get ready faster.” I held back a laugh at her frustration. It would have been easy to just tell her, but watching her get so flustered as she attempted to figure it out was half the fun.
When she came into view, my greedy eyes drank up every perfect inch: her strapless black dress and matching heels, cherry red lips, and, fuck me, those glasses. I ran my hand along my jaw as my eyes shamelessly roamed her body.
Her glare softened as she climbed onto my lap. “I’m guessing this is okay?”
“You’re so gorgeous, it hurts.” That wasn’t an exaggeration. My heart seized in my chest at how beautiful she was.
“You aren’t so bad, either,” she whispered before brushing her lips against my cheek. “I like you in a button-down.” She pinched one of the buttons between her fingers. “You look like the hot businessman you are.” She tilted her head, still circling the button with the pad of her thumb. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble just because I leave tomorrow. I would have been thrilled with the Shrimp Scampi from the pub and staying in for the rest of the night.”
“I’m not taking you out because you’re leaving. We’re celebrating the best almost two weeks I’ve ever had.” I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “And because it’s a beginning, not an end. Understand?” I lifted a brow.
Her mouth flattened before she nodded. I still hated to see her go, but I meant every word I said. Even though she was leaving, we were onl
y getting started.
Madeline’s was the closest thing Ocean Cove had to an upscale restaurant and was known for the best seafood on the South shore. Since Caterina loved anything raised from the sea, I thought it would be perfect.
“Would you split oysters with me?” she pleaded when she lifted her gaze from the menu. “No one usually likes them but me, but I’m sure they’re amazing here.”
“I’ll split them with you, but you know what they say about oysters.” I took a long pull from my IPA.
She shook her head. “That’s a myth.”
“You’d better hope so. We’re already one scream away from someone calling the cops.” The corner of my mouth tipped into a smirk when I spied the twitch of her lips.
“Is it weird being in a restaurant when you own one?” She leaned her elbows onto the table and rested her head on her hand. “I would think it would be hard to just enjoy it.”
“Not really.” I swept my gaze around the room. “This place is about as different from the pub as you can get. We’re pretty strict with kitchen hygiene, so I can spot when things are off easier, which, yes, I hate. But overall, I can detach. It’s always been good whenever I come here.”
“You mean your dates usually went well here?” Caterina teased as her eyebrows shot up.
“I’ve never been on a date here. This is where you take a girlfriend, and I never officially had one of those.” I scooted my chair closer to the table and draped my hand over hers, sliding my thumb back and forth along the top of her wrist. “You have me in a way no one else ever has. You should know that by now.”
“I do.” She turned her hand over and laced our fingers together. “I haven’t been myself since I arrived here. I’m different, and I like who I am when I’m with you. You have me in a way no one else ever has, too.”
Things had been so natural with Caterina from the beginning. From the second we’d met, I’d had this odd urge to know everything about her and for her to know me. It wasn’t just the insane chemistry, although we had plenty of that. After spending my entire life holding in or hiding what I thought made me weak, I could tell her. I could show her. Instead of the embarrassment I thought I’d feel, she’d lifted the weight off my chest enough for me to breathe. I was different around her, too. And I liked this better version of myself.
After dinner, we went for a walk around the restaurant. The dining area was surrounded by a large patio. There was an outdoor party with a DJ, and the closer we came, the louder the pulse of the base was under our feet. We couldn’t talk much over the music, but I didn’t mind the silence. I held her hand and led her around like we’d been a couple for years, not weeks.
The tempo slowed with the next song, and I stopped. Caterina turned to me with a wrinkled brow.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dance with me.”
“Here?” She scanned the area around us. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
I pulled her by the waist and grabbed her hand, threading our fingers before I brought our joined hands to my chest. We swayed back and forth to oddly poignant lyrics about fighting and not giving up. Whenever I wanted something, I didn’t stop until I got it. And I’d never wanted anything or anyone more than the woman in my arms. I didn’t doubt things were about to get complicated, and I’d have to fight, but I wouldn’t give up. I couldn’t.
“Doesn’t matter where we are, Caterina.” I ran a finger along her jaw. “Remember that.”
32
Caterina
After we left the restaurant, we ended up at the same beach he’d taken me to on our first date. As much as I tried to relax and have a nice time, a stopwatch ticked in my ears and echoed so loudly through my troubled brain, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
“Did you have your people drop off food for us?” I asked him as I noticed a large bag resting on one of the blankets. The area was almost pitch black with only the light of the moon and the stars in the distance, but there were a couple of lanterns planted in the sand.
“It’s nice to have people.” He winked as he dug into the bag. “I thought we’d have dessert here.”
“Dessert? I can’t eat anything else.” I rubbed a hand over my stomach, thankful for the stretchy material of my dress. “But I wouldn’t refuse taking them on the road tomorrow.” I cringed when Joe’s face fell.
He nodded without lifting his head. “I can pack it for you. I’d planned on packing food for you anyway.” My heart squeezed at his sad smile.
“Are there any rainbow cookies in there?” I sat up on my knees and sifted through the bag in an effort to shift the mood.
“Maybe.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “Like I don’t know my girl has a sweet tooth.”
I stopped searching through the bag and lifted my head, not able to tell him how I felt at that moment but compelled with the burning need to show him. I tumbled back on the blanket and pulled him on top of me, my legs parting as Joe settled himself between them. This felt a lot more like home than my apartment would tomorrow. I threaded my hands into his hair and brought his lips to mine, savoring him for a second before dragging my tongue along the seam of his lips. They parted on a groan, and I let my tongue swirl around his mouth, memorizing his taste and the deep noises erupting from his throat when my nails dug into his back.
I whimpered when he broke the kiss and buried his head in the crook of my shoulder, trailing kisses down my neck and across my collarbone as his hand fisted the hem of my dress.
I dug my heels into the sand as his lips traveled all over my body, crying out when he dipped his tongue into my cleavage and licked along the swell of my breast.
“I told you oysters were a bad idea.” His laugh vibrated against my cheek as he tugged my dress over my waist.
He kissed along the inside of my thigh, almost where I wanted him but far enough away to draw out a whimper of frustration.
“Joe,” I croaked out and rolled up on my elbows, needing to do something with all the dread and frustration swirling around inside me.
“Caterina,” he answered with a half-smile, his eyes hooded and dark.
“I need you.” The words fell from my lips in a plea. This time, I couldn’t wait until we got back to his apartment. I needed him inside me, filling the empty parts that I’d leave behind tomorrow.
Joe dragged my panties down my legs, flinging them somewhere behind him. I was already so wet, the warm breeze cooled my core. He ran his finger up and down my slit before he gave me one, long, and torturous lick, swirling his tongue around my clit before pulling it between his teeth. I spread my legs and pushed the back of his head closer. He lifted my hips and devoured me, his mouth relentless and rough as his hands traveled back up my body, yanking down my dress and cupping my breasts. It was as if I were Joe’s last meal, and he wanted every last bite.
When the tremors started rippling up my legs, I tapped Joe on the shoulder for him to look up. When he met my eyes with swollen, wet lips and a hazy stare, I almost came from that sight alone.
“Please. I can’t wait.” My breaths were quick and shallow as I begged.
Joe straightened to dig his wallet out of his pants pocket and grabbed the foil packet inside. He dropped his pants and rolled on the condom before plunging inside me.
His thrusts were hard and shallow at first, working off the buildup from before, but then they slowed to a languid, torturous pace. He kissed me, deep and slow with his hand cradling the back of my head. Joe was making love to me. He had been all along, but the sadness and fear made the longing between us so strong it scratched at my throat. We’d been having sex since we’d met, but once he pulled out of me this time, I wouldn’t be the same.
“No giving up, right?” he panted as he moved faster. I nodded as tremors rocked the lower half of my body. My mouth fell open as I fell over the edge. Joe muffled my screams with his mouth until he stiffened above me, grunting through his release until he slumped onto the blanket beside me.
“I l
ike dessert on the beach,” I whispered before kissing the top of his head.
He chuckled as he turned toward me, resting his chin on my shoulder. His eyes were glassy and distant, maybe feeling the same shift that I did.
“Want to stay for a while or go back home—to my apartment?” He winced at his slip. The word “home” now carried an unexpected sting.
“Let’s go back. This is nice, but if I’m going to spend tonight naked and eating cookies, I’d rather have a little privacy.” I crinkled my nose at Joe.
“You can eat cookies in my bed anytime you want. Especially naked.” He leaned over to give me a soft kiss, his lips lingering on mine and saying so many things without any words.
You’re supposed to feel a little sad when vacation ends, but it’s not supposed to break your heart.
33
Caterina
I stuffed the last of my clothes into my suitcase and took one last glance around his apartment. It was funny how my stay here felt so normal. I’d almost had a little hope that we’d get sick of each other, and my long drive home wouldn’t feel this … heavy. I’d been dragging from the time I’d gotten up this morning and doing everything in slow motion because I couldn’t find it in me to go any faster.
Joe was up and already at the restaurant when I’d awoke. Dominic couldn’t open today, and no one else had keys. I trudged down the stairs with my suitcase, trying, with no success, to go any faster. I opened the front door and found Joe packing something into my back seat.
No Vacancy Page 17