“But you stayed.”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded. “I guess I found more to stay for coming back than I thought I would.”
We walked in silence a few moments. He cleared his throat, his voice more serious now. “Are you doing okay? Since the other night, I mean? Any... problems?”
I pushed my hair away from my face. “None that I’ve noticed. I haven’t been in a similar situation, so I don’t know if I’m scarred or anything.”
I stopped short of telling him whenever he was with me, I felt incredibly safe. Our eyes met, and he held mine a moment.
“You’re kind of in a situation like that now, walking with me here on the beach... Are you afraid?”
Stopping, I put my hands on my hips. “Are you saying you’re going to try something?”
His eyes went wide. “I would never hurt you!”
“I was only teasing,” I laughed, touching his arm as we resumed walking, feeling bolder somehow. “But I guess you have a point. It is sort of a similar situation.” I stopped again, but this time, I took a breath and said it. “I don’t think I could ever feel afraid if you’re around.”
His expression relaxed and that warm smile returned. It was amazing how it made him look so different—approachable, kissable. I felt the side of his hand brush against mine, and I allowed my pinky finger to curl with his. My chest was so tight. I didn’t want to do or say anything that might break our connection.
After several paces, he pivoted to face the direction we’d come. “We should probably head back.”
The way he stood put him directly in front of me. A few steps more, and I walked right into his arms. Our chests touched, and he lifted his hands to the sides of my face, smoothing back my hair. “We’re pretty far from everything.”
My body was on fire pressed against his, and his thumbs lightly traced my cheeks. My voice was a soft whisper, my chin lifted. “It’s like we’re the only people on Earth.”
His blue eyes penetrated my gaze, and I parted my lips. Blinking to my mouth, I could almost see the internal struggle waging behind those eyes. I remembered Rook commenting on his kickass control, and all I could think was Stop fighting.
A low groan was the last thing I heard before his arms were around me, lips roughly covering mine. He consumed me in a desperate kiss that spun my head. Reaching to hold him, I barely registered him lifting me from the sand. My mouth moved quickly, again and again with his, as a hum of satisfaction ached from my throat.
The noise seemed to enflame him, and I felt his hand scoop under my ass. My legs went around his waist, and I kissed him deeper, as if my life depended on it, as if this moment were the only thing keeping me alive.
Our lips sealed together, bodies touching everywhere, from my hands clutching his neck to his arms around me—everything was united in this incredible kiss. When at last he lowered me again, I held on, not wanting us to part.
He cupped my cheeks and kissed my lips, my chin, my cheek, my nose, my closed eyes, before pulling me tight against him, enveloping me in a hug that was more than warm. It was passionate and protective and so intimate. God, I wanted him so bad it hurt.
Slowly the waves of emotion in my brain subsided. I was acutely aware of us, breathing rapidly, his cheek against
my head. “I’ve wanted to do that for two days.”
Lifting my face, I traced a finger down the line in his chin. “I’ve wanted to do that for two days.”
He smiled, revealing straight, white teeth. “That’s all you’ve wanted to do?”
“No.” Our eyes joined. “I’ve wanted to do a lot more.”
“A lot more?” His voice turned daring. “I was pretty sure you were mad at me this morning.”
All of that seemed miles away now. In this place it was just the two of us, holding each other, breathing each other’s breath, no conflict.
“I can’t remember this morning.”
A low noise rumbled in his throat just before his mouth covered mine again. This kiss was even more intense, and I felt his hands moving from my cheeks to my waist to my back and then lower, cupping my ass. A little whimper came from me as he clutched me against him, and I could feel his erection hard at my stomach. Yes. The word ached from deep in my core. My inner muscles clenched, and all I wanted was for him to fill that need in me.
He kissed me again and again before pulling his head back with a deep breath and another groan. “Kenny.” He hugged me against his chest, working to calm his body’s responses. It was so sexy, I struggled not to tear his shirt off.
“I need to get you back to your car.” He grasped my hand firmly in his and started walking the way we’d come. I followed trying to keep his pace, skipping along the sand. Every minute or so, he’d glance back. I could’ve flown at this point.
Once we were at the boardwalk, he stopped and faced me. The lights were all on now, and they cast shimmering-white circles on the black water. Moths and other bugs flew wildly at the lamps, seduced by their humming glow. I was seduced by him.