“I believe you did.”
“I meant to say insanely romantic.”
Mitchell’s hand reached down and slipped under my dress. A crooked grin appeared on his face.
“Please tell me you haven’t been panty-less all day because had I known, I’d have snuck you away a hell of a lot earlier.”
“Nope. I slipped them off when you were packing your backpack.”
Mitchell rolled us over so that I was on my back and he hovered inches over me. His hand slid back under my dress. When his fingers slipped inside me, I let out a soft moan.
“Mitchell,” I gasped, pushing my hips into his hand, silently demanding more.
“You’re so fucking sexy. Do you know that?” he whispered against my ear. His unshaven face brushed against my skin, causing another rush of excitement, fueling my building release.
“Oh God, Mitchell, I’m so close. Faster, please.”
When he slipped another finger in, pressed up and hit the exact spot I needed him to, I came undone. His name flowed from my lips as my orgasm rippled across my body. It felt like it went on forever. Mitchell’s mouth was everywhere. On my lips, my neck, whispering into my ear. Before I could come back to my senses, he pushed inside me. Slowly moving in and out, the two of us became one, kissing passionately. Our bodies pressed as close as we possibly could with two layers of clothing between us.
It was heaven on Earth.
Mitchell’s hips rocked against mine, another orgasm building.
“I’m going to come, baby.”
I wrapped my arms around him, drawing him closer. The moment I felt him grow bigger, harder, I softly called out his name before his mouth crashed against mine, and we fell together with thousands of stars shining above us.
“I’ve got sand in my ass,” I said.
The silence over the phone was priceless. There weren’t many times I could render my brother, Tripp, speechless.
“Do I want to know why you have sand in your ass?”
I let out a chuckle. “Romance on the beach, my good brother.”
“Oh, hell. Sex on the beach is not one of my favorite things.”
“Well, when you’re with the woman you love and she says she wants you, it means fucking sand in your ass and between your bal—”
“Stop right there, bro. Sounds like y’all are having fun. Does she think you’re leaving today or did you break down and tell her?”
I walked over and shut the bedroom door. Corina and her mother had gone for a walk along the beach, but I didn’t want to risk her coming back and overhearing.
“She is clueless. Thinks we’re heading back to Texas today. Her mother knows, of course, because I asked for Corina’s hand in marriage.”
“Awe, look at you being all traditional. Cord’s right, you have turned into a fucking Smurf.”
I laughed and pushed my hand through my wet hair. “It was the least I could do. Corina’s family is amazing. Her mom is great. I’m not sure how she did what she did as a single mom after Corina’s father died. I think she and Mom would get along.”
“Yeah, I have the highest respect for single parents. I’ve seen a sad case or two come through our San Antonio office. I’d like to rip the heads off of some of these loser dads who knock up a girl and then take off. Dicks.
Walking to the window, I saw Corina and her mom sitting on the beach, staring out over the water.
“Do you think I’m moving too fast, Tripp? Asking Corina to marry me?”
“Not at all. Nothing says y’all have to turn right around and rush to have the wedding.”
I let out a deep breath. “I don’t want to fuck this up. I always feel like I’m walking on water, so afraid to screw up again.”
“Mitch, Corina loves you. She trusts you one hundred percent and I have no doubt that if you asked that girl to marry you, she would jump into your arms screaming yes. From the moment the two of you laid eyes on each other, it was obvious. Trust your heart, dude.”
Smiling, I leaned against the windowsill. “You been taking lessons from Dad or something?”
Tripp laughed. “Let’s just call it personal experience. Had I listened to my heart back in the day I would probably be…”
His voice trailed off. I knew what he was going to say. He would probably be with Harley right now.
“You’re right about Corina,” I said, changing the direction of the conversation.
“You giving her grandma’s ring?”
My heart soared at the idea of Corina wearing our grandmother’s emerald ring. When dad’s mom passed away two years ago, we all drew for the ring. Waylynn and Amelia had passed on it, giving us guys the chance to someday give it to the person we wanted to marry. I lucked out. It had been in my safe until the night of the fire when I’d taken it out and was looking at it, dreaming of someday giving it to Corina. When I heard the call about the fire, I put it in the side drawer of my nightstand. My mother would have killed me if she had known.