Her blush told him all he needed to know, but he wanted verbal confirmation, too. Finally, Kendall gave a jerky shake of her head. “No, I’ve never worn it before.” She didn’t quite look him in the face. “I was feeling good and confident so I put it on.”
Being around this woman was like watching a flower bloom in real time. He had no illusions; he wasn’t the cause, not really. He was just the tool at hand she used to facilitate the growth. What a fucking privilege to play that role. He took another step closer. “And how do you feel right now while you’re wearing it?”
“Really good,” she breathed. “I feel absolutely indecent.”
“You look indecent.” He couldn’t help the rough edge in his voice. He didn’t want to. “I thought you were a nice girl, sweetheart, but you sure as hell seem intent on tormenting me.”
Her lips curved. “I am a nice girl.”
“Mmhmm.” He didn’t touch her. He didn’t trust himself to go that far when they stood in the middle of a beach full of people. “So nice you’re about to get a lump of coal for Christmas.”
She laughed. “Strangely enough, I’m not even sorry.” Kendall trailed a single finger down his chest, tracing the faint line of his muscles. “How do you feel about hammocks?”
Alex blinked. “What?”
“I saw some advertised, but I think they’re a little back from the beach in the shade.” She gave another of those small, secret smiles. “I haven’t been on a hammock since I was a kid. Might be just the kind of experience this vacation needs.”
He caught her hand, but forced his feet still. “What about your friend?”
“Grace has an agenda for today, so she was going to be abandoning me before too long anyways.” She hesitated. “But you’re right. I should let her know.” She gripped his hand and dragged him behind her to the bar where her friend had posted up. The woman gave them a significant look, but just shook her head as Kendall rattled off some excuse and then hauled Alex behind her toward the hammocks scattered just inside the tree line. They weren’t exactly private, but it seemed most people had gravitated to the beach and the bar, so the area surrounding them was mostly deserted.
Kendall stopped in front of one, but Alex didn’t. He scooped her into his arms and turned around to sink carefully onto the network of interlaced rope. It gave beneath their weight, folding around them so they were cradled in it. “There.” He held still while she shifted so she could face him. “You have me in a hammock, sweetheart. Now what are you going to do with me?”
Chapter 10
This wasn’t part of the plan, but in that moment, Kendall decided that it didn’t matter. She had Alex for now and that had to be enough. Who cared if it didn’t check any boxes or make any kind of logical sense? She enjoyed every moment she spent with him, and she couldn’t say that about much else in her life these days.
She laced her fingers through the hammock and used the hold to pull herself a little higher on Alex’s body until they were lined up perfectly. The give of the rope made it nearly impossible to straddle him effectively, but she made do. “Well, first thing’s first. I’m going to kiss you.” She waited a beat for him to nod and then did exactly that. It started out light and almost sweet, but she ached too much to let it stay there.
Because Alex was right. This swimsuit, knowing he saw her in it and wanted her… It had her so twisted up, she might explode if she didn’t get relief soon. If she didn’t get him soon.
He coasted his hands up her sides and urged her back a little. “I have to—” He used his thumbs to tug her top to either side, baring her breasts. “Christ, Kendall.” He sounded like he was in complete agony because of her, because he wanted her so desperately.
She wanted him just as much. She felt crazed with it. Kendall kissed him again, dragging her breasts against his chest. It felt wicked. So incredibly wicked. The sensation was only heightened when Alex slid his hand down her spine and into her bottoms, reaching to push a single finger into her from behind. “Oh!”
“I can’t get enough of you.” He dragged her higher on his chest and pushed a second finger into her. The new position allowed him access to her breasts and he wasted no time capturing one nipple and sucking hard. “You’re like a drug I don’t want to quit.”
“I feel the same way,” she gasped. It was because of that vacation sex. It had to be. Surely she couldn’t possibly feel this strongly for a man she’d just met, no matter how skilled he was at coaxing orgasms from her.