Chapter Seven
The sweat from our joined bodies trickles down around my throat and trails down my back. It doesn’t stir me, though. I’m perfectly cocooned with Nate passed out to the side, water lapping against our toes.
I set up the afternoon to see if the spark I felt last night was real. The moment I set eyes on him pumping his own cock in the sea, I knew sex would be involved today. The intensity and overwhelming need to be close to this man is a shock, though.
My stomach chooses this moment to alert me to the need for food and makes a repulsive howl.
“Was that your stomach? Jesus, woman.”
“I’m blaming you. I didn’t bring you here for sex. I wanted food.”
“Did you hell.” He looks me over, running a hand across my thigh. “You coerced me into fucking. Nothing to do with food.” My mouth curves upwards. Hardly coerced. He smirks. “And then I warned you. Once we started, I wasn’t going to stop.” He kisses the corner of my shoulder before pressing up and sitting back on his heels.
My eyes rake over his toned body before they reach his semi-hard cock. My lip slips between my teeth as I think about all the fun we could have back at the bungalow where there’s a bed.
“Let’s eat.” I stand, avoiding his molten eyes, and walk over to the small table laid with a selection of fresh fish, fruit and other island delicacies.
“Are you going to put your clothes back on?” he asks, surprise in his tone.
“No. You’ve seen me naked. There’s nobody here.” I cast a glance over my shoulder and find Nate still on his knees, staring after me. It’s the sexiest vision I’ve ever seen, and my heart gives a thump of appreciation.
“Gabby, you’re killing me.” He hangs his head while the chords of muscles pop along his arms.
“Not yet I’m not. We’ll see about that later.” I wag my eyebrows at him and take a seat before grabbing a bottle of water from the cooler to the side. The ice water quenches my thirst. My legs cross at the ankle, and I fold my arms, pushing my boobs up, and wait for him.
“Fuck.” His curse isn’t low enough not to be heard, but I’m enjoying his discomfort.
“Come on.”
He grabs his trunks before joining me at the table and taking the water bottle I’ve already opened, downing it before he offers me a platter of tuna carpaccio and cut vegetables. I fill my plate. I really have neglected my stomach.
We eat in companionable silence for a few minutes. In between mouthfuls, I try to study Nate. His brows are drawn close, and I can almost hear the calculator in his brain adding everything up. That’s not what this is about. Not for me, anyway.
Getting lost in someone else with no worries or concerns is as perfect as the island destination we’re on. There’s something about Nate that makes me want to change my usual MO. I’ve been so lonely, I hadn’t realised how starved for companionship I’ve become. No harm in indulging now I’ve found someone packaged up as deliciously as Nate. And being around someone else is a damn sight safer than staying holstered in my room.
“How long have I got you to myself before the ski is back for us?” Nate doesn’t raise his eyes from the food.
“A couple of hours. But don’t get any other plans, Mister. I might have designs on you myself when we get back to the bungalow.”
“Now, who’s being presumptuous?” He finally breaks his staring contest with the food and looks me in the eye. Confusion swirls beneath those luscious eyes like he’s trying to work out the sum I’ve just given him.
“I figured you’re a safe bet considering you’ve already fucked me senseless on the beach.”
“After last night, I’m surprised. There was a part of me that thought you might be one big fucking tease.”
“No. Just one of my rules.”
“One of many?”
“Maybe.” I take a mouthful of vegetables and enjoy the playfulness between us.
This wasn’t an accident. Nate is right. It was planned. Having someone to share my day with is such a simple thing, but I seem to have forgotten the pleasure in it.
Maybe I never knew it in the first place.
After we’ve eaten the food, we lie out on the beach, soaking up the sun and waiting for our ride back. He’s quiet beside me, but the silence between us is heavy with questions. It’s like I can hear the wheels of Nate’s mind going over everything between us, but the familiar sound of the high-pitched jet skis soon disturb our relaxation. My eyes snap to the horizon the way Manuel should be coming in. It’s only a few moments before they come into view and the waving hand assures me these are the guides from the resort and not anyone more sinister. Our private island retreat is over.
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