Sidelined

Skye closed the bathroom door and let the dress fall from her shoulders. She stepped out of her heels and placed her earrings on the counter. The lingerie was still wrapped in tissue paper. She unrolled it and held it up to her naked body.

She carefully dove head first into the lacey contraption. Thick black straps held the bits of fabric in place. It was mostly all lace. The most beautiful lace Skye ever remembered wearing. It felt soft and sexy where it hugged her breasts and hips. There was silk panel that ran from her navel to the tops of her thighs. It didn’t leave much to the imagination, but Ben had already seen everything. She wanted this to be different. This was the first time she was wearing something for him. The scalloped edges of the lace narrowed to create an open V between her breasts. Her entire back was exposed and the little covering her bottom was lace. She inhaled sharply and shook out her hair. This was it.

When she opened the door her eyes had to adjust to the lack of light. Ben had lit a few candles next to the bed. He was sitting on the opposite edge, looking at the ocean roll in under the moon. A breeze from the open balcony door made the candles flicker.

“Hey,” she whispered.

He pivoted from his spot on the bed. “Hey.” His eyes studied every line and curve of her silhouette.

Her hips swayed as she walked toward him. “Like your surprise?”

He nodded. “You look amazing.” His palms landed on her hips. He pressed against the lace.

Skye didn’t need the courage from the wine. She was on fire for him. Her body knew exactly what she wanted. She nudged Ben back on the bed and crawled forward to straddle him, planting her thighs against his. She needed to take all of it in. The way his eyes filled with lust for her, the way his rapid breath felt on her neck, the way his hands explored her curves. Thirty days was an eternity when you wanted someone this badly, but Skye needed it. As Ben held her with his gaze, she knew he wanted all the same things. Skin on skin was louder than words sometimes.

She grinned as she took his face in her hands, tracing his sharp jawline with her thumb, admiring the symmetry of his face.

“If you don’t kiss me now…” Ben teased.

Skye toyed his lips with her tongue, and his mouth parted. She gave in fully to the kiss, pressing hard against him, her breasts thrusting forward to melt into his chest. It was as if he was drinking in all of her. His tongue danced faster as she locked her fingers around his neck. He rocked back until the bed had fallen under them. Every nerve in her body burned. Ben’s hands moved from her back to her hips, until he discovered the lace panties under the lingerie.

“I love all these surprises.” He grinned.

“I might have some more.” Skye yanked at the buttons on his shirt, forcing the sleeves off his sculpted arms.

“I have a few for you too.”

She started a trail of kisses on his throat, layering them down his chest, his skin was warm.

“Remember what I promised you our second night together?” Ben toyed with the V and the edge of the lace around her breast. His thumb ran over her nipple, and Skye had to stop from bucking under the contact.

“What was that? I don’t remember.” Her hand landed on his belt buckle and tugged it free. She wanted everything inside those pants.

“I said you were going to want me.” He laughed, rolling her so she was under him. The room spun, but Skye knew it was the magic in her veins making everything so dizzying. Like a fever consuming her limb by limb, it had spread to the sweet spot between her legs.

He hovered over her, his beautiful body bare and golden in the moonlight. “So, Skye Stephens. I said I’d wait. But you have to tell me. I want you to tell me.” His hand roamed lower, pausing against her stomach before pushing up the hem of the silky front panel. His hands slid between her thighs.

Her hips rose to meet him, aching on all sides, wanting him so badly to consume her. One finger began to tug at the panties. Skye let out a moan.

“Tell me, baby.” Ben’s gaze was fierce.

All the desperation and passion that had built all month gripped her from within, clawing to be unleashed. Knowing, the only way she can feel whole, to feel free, is to be with Ben in every way possible.

“I want you.” Her eyes flashed to his, hoping he’d take her right then, fill her, and rock her until she was completely breathless and limp in his arms.

“What was that?” He began to slide the tiny straps over her hips, peeling the panties off her legs.

Skye arched toward him. “I want you. I want you here. And I want you now.” She pulled his mouth towards her, crashing his lips against hers. Ben let out a groan as her legs parted, allowing him to settle between them. She felt the weight of his body press against her.

“Take me now. Please.?

? It didn’t matter to her if she begged. He needed to know this was everything she had waited for. Her body was meant to be entwined with his.

A smile spread across his face. He reached for the nightstand and Skye heard him tear into the foil packet. Seconds later he kissed her. Light and smooth at first, but then deep and hard as his body surged to meet hers.

“Oh God.” Skye bowed off the bed, taking him deeper. Digging her hands into his back, she clutched at him trying to find balance in the bliss that consumed her.

Ben eased out gently, and Skye’s head rolled to the side, in the background she could hear the waves crashing against the shore. That’s how she felt—like the ocean was carrying her on the surface then dropping her into a pool of ecstasy as the water circled her limbs. Was it possible to drown in total desire?