“Yeah,” I whispered. “A bit. With him.”
“Well, I honestly never thought I would be having this conversation with my older sister. No offense, Gigi, but I also figured you for vanilla all the way.”
“Me too. But with him, it’s different. I’m different. I know it’s only a holiday affair, but I want to please him. He is almost totally cut off from everyone, cool and remote. One minute he is so tender with me, almost as if he really likes me and the next, he’s telling me to get lost.”
“He sounds like a bastard.”
I laughed. “No, he’s too well mannered to be that.”
“Your life is your life, bambina, but I do have to say it. Don’t do this just for him, BDSM isn’t something to dabble in.” Her voice was weighted and I wondered what exactly my little sister had experienced in her short twenty-two years. She had left home so young, alone and in a business that often sexually abused women.
“Miss Buchanan?”
I looked over my shoulder to see a young waiter standing hesitantly on the sand. “One second, Cosi.” I walked up the beach to address him. “Yes?”
“I’ve been asked to give you a message.” His dark eyes skimmed over my exposed curves quickly before landing on my face. At least he had the decency to blush.
I smiled warmly at him as I took the envelope. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any cash on me.”
He once again noted my bikini-clad form. “No problem, Signorita, enjoy the sun.”
With my phone tucked between my ear and my shoulder, I ripped open the envelope and sighed when I read the compact script written inside.
“What?” Cosima asked impatiently.
I fingered the letter and smiled hugely. “I have to go, my Frenchman is waiting.”
He had been waiting for me on the other end of the beach just off the shore in a small, sleek motorboat. A man offered to Jet Ski me out to him, but I ignored the offer, giving him my bag to take out to the boat while I walked into the ocean, eager to swim the distance.
Sinclair watched the entire time, his eyes a physical touch on my skin. I was a skilled swimmer and the velvety brush of the azure waters against my skin gave me confidence. When I reached the boat, I grasped the ladder and paused, tipping my head back as water streamed off me. He didn’t offer a hand as I swung onto the deck and I had to hide a giggle behind my hand when I saw the lust written across his stern face. My eyes flickered down his linen shirt to his worn denim shorts and noted the bulge there. It had only been a dozen hours since I had last seen him and yet the sight of Sinclair, strong legs braced against the rocking waves and skin kissed gold under the sun, stirred something intense inside me.
“Hello Sinclair,” I said, surprised by the huskiness of my tone.
My voice snapped him out of his trance and he strode over to me, gripping the backs of my thighs to lift me swiftly, easily into his arms. His hands were hot on my bottom and his lips were instantly on mine, sweeping possessively into my mouth. I groaned against his tongue.
“I missed you last night.” His voice heated my skin as his lips skimmed across my throat, down to my shoulder where he lightly sunk his teeth.
My heart warmed like a small furnace in my chest. God, I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to hear those words from him. I tipped my neck to the side, giving him greater access and shuddered as he took advantage, sucking and nipping on the delicate skin.
“Me too.” I sighed, sinking my fingers into his lustrous mane. “Don’t send me away again.”
“No,” he agreed, his hands flexing on my ass.
We made out like teenagers, his fingers traveling up and down my body, eager to touch every square inch while his mouth worked wonders on mine. When we finally broke apart minutes later, we were both panting. We were so close, staring at each other, that we breathed the same breath. Electricity crackled in the air between us until finally, I grinned. I watched his features crack and break out into a glorious smile. Giddiness bubbled in my chest until I couldn’t contain it and giggles frothed over. He began to laugh too, rich throaty laughter that made him squeeze his eyes shut.
We were being stupid and silly, just like teenagers fresh in lust – in love – but I didn’t care. My heart raced and I could feel my skin glow. My holiday affair had just become something so much more. And though he didn’t verbally acknowledge it, I knew somehow that Sinclair felt the same way.
“What are we doing out here?” I asked as he let me slip down his body to my feet. His erection pressed into my belly and I shivered at the familiar feel of it.
“I thought you might enjoy going snorkeling with me.” He looked down at me, a small smile lingering at his lips.
“You thought right.” I smiled, filled with happiness.
The future, those thoughts about going back to reality, where he had a girl friend and I wasn’t bold, were pushed firmly to the back of my mind. I was determined to enjoy the rest of my time with him, no matter what.
He nodded and took my hand to lead me to a small
seat beside the wheel. I realized that the resort staff had already dropped off my bag and I quickly checked on my camera. We were the only people on the boat and it appeared that Sinclair intended to drive it. He winked at me as he started the engine, obviously catching the surprise on my face.