Bastian grips my hips once more before relaxing his fingers, opening his eyes, and smiling up at me. I return the look before leaning over to rest against his chest and listen to the beat of his heart. He runs his hands up and down my back, and his skin is so warm and comforting that I just want to fall asleep in his arms.
No…don’t sleep.
For a moment, there is a vision of bright lights behind my eyelids. I sit up abruptly and grip Bastian’s shoulders. My hands are shaking, but he doesn’t take notice. He runs his fingers down my sides and over my ass before he starts massaging my thighs.
“Relax, baby,” he says quietly.
“I don’t want to.”
“You want to go at it again?” He grins broadly as he sits up and wraps his arms around me. His lips press against my shoulder, and he sighs. “You might have actually worn me out.”
“So you do have a stopping point?” I snicker.
“Just a little break,” he says, correcting me. “You have to let a man catch his breath every once in a while.”
“Why should I?” I ask. “You’ve taken mine away.”
“All part of the service, madam.” He twists and turns me until I’m sitting on his lap, secured by his embrace.
I trace the edge of his jaw with my fingertip. His skin is smooth to my touch, and I wonder when he managed to get a shave. I don’t remember him ever leaving my side, and I wonder how long I have been with him on this island. I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve had sex. I don’t recall ever stopping to do so much as get a drink of water.
Bastian lightly touches my lips with his and then stares into my eyes.
“Stop thinking,” he says.
I’m not sure if his words are a command or a plea.
“But none of this makes sense,” I say. “How did I get here? Why am I here at all?”
“Shh.” He presses his finger to my lips, silencing me. He holds my cheek to his shoulder and kisses the top of my head. “I want to stay like this forever.”
“So do I.” I turn to look at him, offering him my most sincere smile.
He smiles back at me slowly. His eyes twinkle as he grins, but there’s something deeper inside—something full of regret. I want to ask him why he looks that way, but I can’t bring myself to form the words.
Without warning or the recollection of moving, we’re back on the beach, sitting in the sand as the waves wash over our bare feet. I’m back in the blue bathing suit I don’t recognize, and Bastian wears smudged, sandy cargo shorts. The sun is setting in brilliant hues of orange, red, and purple. A group of pelicans fly in front of us, diving for their evening meal.
I’m exhausted—insanely exhausted—but I still feel a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a long time. I feel calm and safe as Bastian casually tosses his arm over my shoulders, and we watch the sun sink below the horizon.
“This isn’t real, is it?”
“What is real?” Bastian asks with a shrug. He looks at me and gently runs his hand over my arm. “Do you hear my voice and feel my touch on your skin? Have I made you come so hard you think you’re going to lose your mind?”
“Yes,” I say with a nod. “I can’t deny that. I’ve never felt like this before.”
“Life is made up of experiences, Kandace. Have you had an experience here?”
“Yes.” I nod to emphasize the words. Everything he says is absolutely true.
“Then what else do you need?”
What else indeed?
I lie back in the sand, and Bastian joins me. He wraps one arm around my shoulders and brings me up against his chest. His other hand rests against my hip, and he tosses one leg over mine, holding me closely and securely.
“You got me?” I whisper quietly as I close my eyes. I feel disoriented and my head fills with a dizzying fog. I can barely feel the sand on my back. The only clear sensation is Bastian’s limbs wrapped around me.
“I got you, babe. Always. We all do.”