“I guess you’re right. It’s funny, because I’m the one who kept telling my brother that you can’t live in the past. You have to look towards the future. Now here I am doing the exact thing I lectured him about.”
“I think that comes with your position,” I said.
“As president?” she asked.
“As the older sibling. Remember, I have a younger brother, too. And I find I tell him one thing, and then I am doing exactly what I told him not to.” Like traveling thousands of miles to a foreign country just because I’m attracted to a woman.
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one,” she said.
“Nope. I think we have more in common than we realize.”
She said, “If that’s the case, is your stomach growling right now, too? Because I’m starving.”
“Is that a hint to head to the resort?” I asked.
“Either that or find a restaurant, because you don’t want to see what happens when I get hungry,” she chuckled.
“Good thing I planned ahead and had them set everything up for us on the beach. All we have to do is take off our shoes and enjoy.” That would be easy for me, because I enjoyed myself anytime I was with her. Even when we were having heavy conversations. The more I know you, the more I want to know.
She reached over and held my hand. “Thank you for today. Since I took office, I haven’t really stopped long enough to go out and enjoy the scenery like I used to. When I’m with you I feel more like…myself.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it. “I feel the same way.”
Soon we reached the resort and a security team escorted us to our private oasis. Nice job, Logan. I owe you one. I could tell from Reesa’s wide eyes and warm smile that this was exactly what she needed tonight. So do I.
The food was amazing, but nothing compared to the company I was sharing it with. We sat on overstuffed pillows on the sandy beach, chatting about everything and nothing. Our laughter was drowned out by the crashing waves as the tide came in. As the night went on, I kept expecting Reesa to tell me she needed to leave, that she had some early morning appointment. But instead, she snuggled up against me and pulled the blanket around her.
I knew she was tired, and the sound of the ocean was quite relaxing. It would be so easy to let her fall asleep here. But she wouldn’t be pleased with me if I did.
Reluctantly I said, “I don’t want this night to end, but I’m thinking you’re ready to go home.”
She snuggled closer and said, “Not yet. I don’t want this to end.”
Neither did I, but I knew where it couldn’t go. I’d love to scoop her up into my arms and carry her to my suite and make love to her all night. But tomorrow, we would both regret it. Not because the sex wouldn’t be amazing, but it would put the brakes on the good thing we were already doing - getting to know each other.
Fuck. Since when is sex not the goal?
There had to be a middle ground. If I kissed her, touched her, would I be able to stop? My cock didn’t own me. I’ve got self-control. Hopefully enough, because I was about to put it to the test.
Brushing her hair from her face, I tipped her chin up so I could see the moon reflecting in her eyes. “Reesa, I want to kiss you.”
She lifted her hand and rested it behind her neck. “Then what are you waiting for?” she muttered.
As soon as my lips made contact with hers, my body reacted with the need I’d been burying since we met. This wasn’t going to be a peck or a brief taste. I wanted to draw her into me, show her how much I want her, let her know how I felt about her.
That was a lot for a kiss, but damn, if this was all I could give her right now, it had to be enough.
I lifted her up and slid her onto my lap, never breaking contact. Tracing her lips with my tongue, I teased her until she opened for me. Then her tongue danced with mine and she moaned into my mouth.
“Finn.”
I could feel my heart race as I traced kisses from her lips, across her jaw, down her neck and then back to her lips again.
Reesa was the one making the moves tonight. She tugged at my shirt until it was free from my waistband. When I felt her cool hand against my hot abs, I tensed. Reesa was giving me all the signs that she wanted this as much as I did. It was going to hurt like hell, but I had to shut this down. At least for tonight.
The last thing I wanted her to do was think I didn’t want her, because I did, more than I’ve ever wanted someone. But I realized then that I wasn’t just trying to keep her safe physically. I need to protect her heart as well.
I grabbed hold of her hand and stopped its progression. Then I pulled back slightly and said, “Reesa, I could spend the entire night out here with you.”