“Great idea. Is it going to rain?” She tilted her face, looking up at the few gray clouds rolling by.
“I think we’ll be ok for a while. But, you never know, it is Florida after all.” I laughed.
We waded out into the calm blue water, and as she swam, I watched reverently. I swam after her.
I had to touch her, away from her father—from Dex. Out here she was all mine.
Something brushed against my leg. I dunked my head into the water and saw a huge loggerhead turtle swimming along the bottom of the ocean. Popping my head out of the water, I searched for Penny.
“Penny, look.” I pointed my finger down below. She nodded then dunked her head into the water. I lowered beneath the surface and watched as she swam with the turtle.
It was a sight to see for sure.
I wanted to touch her.
Share her excitement.
Feel her joy.
I wanted her to love me.
NINE
PENNY
Seeing a loggerhead was magical.
Being near o
ne in the wild was intoxicating. Hopefully my mother was right and this would bring me good luck.
I dipped down to the sandy bottom and turned as the large turtle headed my way. The large turtle swam closer, brushing past me.
Theo stayed back, watching, as I reached out a hand to skim across the turtle’s back. Giddiness filled me; I couldn’t believe this. My heart contracted when I looked over at Theo. He did this for me. This man brought me to swim with turtles. He listened to what I said, and he picked something he knew meant the world to me. A future with Theo flashed before my eyes.
I wanted it.
Moving closer toward Theo, I left the turtle behind. He swam off in the other direction as Theo and I both surfaced. I removed the snorkeling equipment from my face and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Thank you,” I said.
The sun played like a kaleidoscope across his face, making his eyes shine bright. He pressed his lips lightly against mine.
“I need you now,” he breathed across my skin, making goosebumps arise.
We were alone, not a person around for miles. He swam me underneath the bridge until my back pressed against a pillar.
“I need you, too,” I whispered, wrapping my legs around his waist.
He pressed himself against my body, and a moan escaped my mouth. My core heated as I ran my hands down his structured back.
“Fuck, I have the condoms in the car. I can go get them. After the other day I threw about fifty in there.” His smile caught me off guard, and I laughed a little at how cute he was. His boyish grin lit up his face.
“I’m on the pill.” I wanted him. I needed him bare inside me. “We don’t need a condom.
“Yeah?” he asked. I nodded. “Fuck, I want to feel all of you.” His husky voice held a sense of urgency I found endearing.
Grinding my hips into him, I held on tighter. His hands lifted my ass higher as he trailed kisses down my neck. Teeth sunk into my shoulder as I leaned my head back against the pillar. I was ready for him.