Page 80 of Embracing Trust

Ryan runs his fingers along the sleeve of my dress. “You still wearing this?”

I laugh. “You thought I’d come out here naked?”

He smirks. “Hey, a guy can hope, right?” He lets out a chuckle. “I thought you’d change into shorts or something. You’re going to get your nice dress all messed up.” He fans the smoke away from us.

“I guess I could ditch the dress.” I stand up and reach for the hem of the dress as I pull it over my head and drop it on a nearby chair.

Ryan grins as his eyes soak up every inch of my body. I’m only wearing my bra and panties.

“Fuck,” Ryan whispers as he stands from his chair.

I reach for one of the beach towels on the chair and toss it to him. He grabs it and stands still as he waits for my next move. Without taking my eyes off him, I unclasp my bra and toss it on the patio.

His breathing picks up and he adjusts himself in his shorts.

I shimmy out of my panties and toss them aside as well and I stand naked in front of him with only the low flames of the fire as our light.

I pick up my towel. “How about a swim?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Ryan swallows hard and removes his t-shirt in one slick movement. I suck in a breath.

I could never get tired of looking at his beautiful body.

He unzips his shorts, and they drop to my patio. He releases the bulge when he slides his boxer briefs down his legs and kicks them off his ankle.

The sun has long since set and a gentle breeze whispers its sweetness on my bare skin. The beach is deserted with only the ocean as our companion and its waves beckon to me.

I grab my towel and take off at a run toward the ocean. I throw my towel onto the sand and run straight into the water as I let out a gasp and a slight scream.

Ryan is on my heels and tosses his beach towel next to mine and the next thing I know, I’m wrapped in his arms.

The waves lap around us as he pushes his hard body into mine and captures my mouth in a searing kiss. Our tongues clash in the darkness, and the ocean embraces us in our own cocoon. He touches every part of me, including my heart.

This is the man I’ve always loved—the man I’ve always wanted. I don’t doubt that Ryan is the man who can mend the hole in my heart my father tore open all those years ago. Ryan is my life raft and saves me from drowning in my insecurities.

Ryan clings to me and I can’t get close enough to him. Our hands move frantically as we grope one another. He picks me up in his arms and hurries to our towels. He wraps one around my shoulders and secures the other around his waist.

“Follow me.” He reaches for my hand, and I take ahold of his as he leads me toward the cove.

We squeeze through the narrow opening of the cove and navigate our steps carefully on the treacherous, slick stones until we’re hidden in this beautiful natural oasis. Our bodies nestle into the sand with the smooth sandstone as our backrest. The soft lapping of the water is a reminder of our solitude.

It’s almost completely black except for the dim ray of moonlight. Ryan turns to me and wraps his arms around me. His mouth covers mine as our tongues dance to our recognizable song. It’s familiar. He’s my favorite movie, the ending to my favorite book—the things I want to do over and over again.

I break the kiss and our faces are close, our breath combining. I stand up and let the towel fall. I straddle his lap.

“Jules.” His breath is heavy, and his head falls back against the sandstone. “You’re asking for trouble.”

My lips move to his neck with open-mouthed kisses and press my bare chest to his.

He hisses. “Jules.” It’s barely a warning.

I support myself on my knees and give his towel a quick yank and his body is fully exposed. I position myself over his length and as I begin to lower myself, Ryan grasps my arms.

“What’re you doing there?” He chuckles. “You know I don’t have a condom with me.”

I smirk. “It’s kind of surprise.”

His eyebrows raise. “What?”

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