I wonder when the last time my body felt that release was. How long was that pent up inside me? I change into a bathing suit, knowing that Charlie wants to go snorkeling today. As I do, I realize that I’m not ready for any more activities. I haven’t waxed in ages and I consider for a second that I’m not on birth control. I used to have an IUD and the hospital confirmed that I don’t still have one. Protection was the last thing I thought I needed, but now I’m angry with myself for not having it. Good thing there are plenty of other activities we can get up to, though the thought of having him inside me isn’t far from my mind anymore.
He emerges from his bedroom clad in his bathing suit.
The waterproof camera is charging as Charlie approaches the breakfast spread and pops a blueberry in his mouth. The tension is thick in the air and all I can think about is how his tongue felt on me and how I want to feel him inside me. I’m startled by how strong these thoughts are, how badly I want them.
“You wanted to swim,” I manage to squeak out from the couch. His head lifts from picking over the food and he looks at me, really taking in the sight of my bare skin. I watch his eyes follow the edges of my top to my bare stomach and along my legs. I cross my arms over my stomach, trying to hide myself from him, as if it would make a difference.
Charles strides over to me, crossing the room in two steps before kissing me on the lips. His mouth is minty fresh, surprising me. He cups my face in his large hands and I melt inside, kissing him back. I rest my hands on his hips, digging my fingertips into his skin.
“Yes, let’s go swimming,” he says, pulling away and offering his hand to me. I take it, ready to go wherever it might lead.
Chapter 8
IfeellikeIblink and our first week of vacation is gone. We both agree to take it slower after that first day, trying to let cooler heads prevail. This hasn’t stopped me from waking in his bed naked a few times after late nights spent exploring each other's bodies.
He learned that I’m ticklish around my sides and I learned that kissing below his ear makes him weak in the knees. I would wake most mornings to find him gone, already plugging away at work, six hours behind what everyone else was doing. Charlie tries to keep his work time limited once I wake up, even if it means he has to wake early to accomplish this.
He and Jack were able to find a nice rhythm that involved Charlie both setting Jack up for the next day and taking care of loose ends at the end of Jack’s day.
On this particular morning, I wake to find Charlie propped on an elbow, watching me. I groan and pull the sheet up over my bare torso to cover my face.
“Don’t do that, I look like a mess,” I whine, not ready to expose my morning breath and mussed hair, though he’s already seen it all. I enjoy the sound of his laughter as he pulls the sheet down and away from my face. He rolls over so he is on top of me, one knee gently spreading my legs apart so he can settle between them.
“Why not? I love looking at your face.” He presses a kiss to my jaw. “And kissing you and making sure you know that I will worship your body as long as you let me.” His mouth drops over my nipple and he sucks on it.
Over the week, he has discovered many ways to awaken my body from its deep slumber. Right away, I feel a rush of desire as he gently rocks his hips into mine, and I let out a noise that can only be described as a whimper. I am embarrassed by how easily he undoes me.
“I have morning breath,” I object. “Don’t we have to go on a massively long hike tomorrow? You can’t tire me out today.” My objections fall on deaf ears as Charlie leans up to kiss me on the mouth, a hand tangling in my hair.
“Yes, we do have the hike tomorrow, but only if the weather cooperates and it looks like we’re due for a rainy day,” he confirms, sitting back on his haunches. I wait, knowing that there is more to come.
“Today, I scheduled a boat tour and guided snorkeling, so you need to wake up. I waited as long as I could but we’re going to be late.”
I grab his pillow and pull it over my face. “But we’re on vacation and that means sleeping however long I want,” I whine.
Charlie promptly pulls the pillow away, pushing the stray strands of hair out of my face. “That is not the point ofthisvacation. We have already had five days of barely leaving this villa or even getting dressed. We have things to do, like massages and snorkeling. We cannot lie around in bed all day.”
“Challenge accepted. Besides, I couldn’t get up if I wanted to.” I sit up on my elbows, leaning forward to brush a kiss against his neck. He’s been talking about wanting to get out and see more of the island so I won’t begrudge him these adventures, but I’ll put off getting out of bed as long as I can.
“And why is that?” he asks dubiously, his finger tracing a line down my neck, following the curve of my breast.
“Someone is in my way,” I say, looking at him, raising my eyebrows. He rolls over to his side of the bed and I smile, thinking about how easily we fell into his and hers sides of the bed.
“Now you have no excuse. I’ve already worked on three different deals today and you are still in bed!” He gets up and walks over to my side. My eyes track him as he moves around the king size bed. He leans over as if to kiss me, before just scooping me up in his arms. One hand slips under my knees and the other rests comfortably on my back, holding me tightly against him.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my body tense with alarm. He walks into the bathroom, stepping into the large walk-in shower. I start squirming, murmuring my protests before he sets me down. I think for a moment I’m spared, but then he twists the knob, starting the spray.
“Oh my God,” I exclaim as I am pelted with ice cold water. “CHARLES!” I shout, trying to get out of the water, but he presses me against the wall, pinning me there with a kiss. His arms and legs bracket me to where I am, and after more kissing, I barely notice the water temperature.
We manage to shower, purely shower, together before getting ready for a day out on the boat. I wrap the towel around my hair, walk back to my room, completely naked, to get clothes.
“You are a sin, woman,” Charlie says, watching me walk away. I glance at him as I turn the corner and catch his eyes on the bare skin of my back. “Move your clothes in here,” he calls after me. It gives me a thrill, the thought of him not being able to take his eyes off me.
I air dry as I pick out what I want to wear, not bothering with drying my hair since we're going swimming. I tease Charlie a little longer by gathering my clothes in my hands and returning to his room, still bare-ass naked.
He grabs me and pulls me against him. “I swear,” he growls in my ear, kissing me as he runs his hands from my back to my ass, which he uses as leverage to pull me tighter against him.
“Charlie,” I admonish gently as he gives me a raspberry, ticking my neck.