"Readyforouradventure?"Wyck leaned across the console of the Range Rover to steal a kiss, his smile boyish.
"More than ready." Harper laughed happily, beyond ready for their romantic getaway. "I still can't believe you won't tell me where we're going."
Wyck shot her a rakish smile and waggled his eyebrows. "You'll see soon enough. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."
Rolling her eyes at him, she squeezed his hand and did as he recommended. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been on a true vacation. Building her real estate career had required lots of nights and weekends and continuing education classes in between.
Since returning to Carrington Ridge and unexpectedly launching Legacy, her days had never been busier. Yet the work here fed her soul in a way her old career never had. Building McMansions and upscale townhomes in Raleigh catering to transplanted techies had been profitable, sure. But if Harper was honest, it had also been soul-sucking.
The hum of the tires on the asphalt and the soothing tones of Chris Stapleton on the radio had Harper's eyelids growing heavier and heavier. She wanted to enjoy the deep green of the summer trees and the wildflowers on the side of the road as well as trying to figure out exactly where they were going but it was a losing battle.
A deep bass buzzing in her ear made her frown and she swatted irritatedly at the thing touching her face. She only needed a few more minutes. Trying to snuggle back down into her pillow, she slowly realized her cheek wasn't resting on soft, cool fabric. In fact, the surface she was trying to snuggle into was hot and hard—and not in the good way.
Her eyes fluttered open to see Wyck's stormy grey irises regarding her with mirth. "There she is." He placed a kiss to the palm of the hand he was holding. "We're here."
Blinking against the bright light that suddenly assaulted her eyes, she sat up and scrubbed at her face. "I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep." Her eyes widened in shock as her head turned from Wyck and she saw what was outside the windshield. Nothing but sand and blue water met her gaze.
Wyck chuckled. "Yeah, about two and a half hours ago."
"Where are we?" she asked as her lips began turning up. She loved the beach.
"Atlantic Beach. The North Carolina one, not the New Jersey one. You didn't sleep for that long." He pecked her cheek and grinned. "C'mon. Let's go check out the house."
Harper jumped out of the car and took in her surroundings. They were parked on a crushed shell driveway next to a yellow cottage on stilts. To either side were clumps of palmetto and banana trees swarming with pink bougainvillea. In front of her, nothing but beach. She pulled in a deep breath of warm, salty air, and laughed at the antics of the seagulls as the rode the air currents over the white caps of the incoming tide.
Pounding steps disturbed her reverie and she saw Wyck hauling bags up the wooden stairs to the front door which was painted a happy turquoise. She quickly grabbed her purse and a tote bag and followed him in.
Her smile widened as she took in the space. Everything was white, blue, and breezy. The owners had remained true to the ocean theme, adorning surfaces with starfish, shells, and, her personal favorite, octopi.
"Oh my!" she gasped, her gaze taking in the full wall of windows at the opposite end of the room. It looked like she could walk straight out into the sea. Strong arms wrapped around her as she stepped closer to enjoy the view.
"Like it?" Wyck's warm lips met the sensitive skin behind her ear, and she shivered.
"I love it!" She lay her head back against his shoulder. "We always said we'd vacation at the beach someday."
Turning her in his arms, his hands cupped her face as he gazed intently into her eyes. "I want to make all of your dreams come true, Angel."
His lips met hers tenderly, sipping at them until a soft moan escaped her. Like the sound was some sort of siren call, Wyck pulled her more tightly against him, his kisses turning more demanding and desperate. "I need you, Baby," he rasped.
In response, the fingers of one of Harper's hands tangled in his thick hair and the other palmed the erection already straining his shorts.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" He growled at her and, suddenly, she was hoisted over one broad shoulder.
"Wyck!" Harper squealed, laughing at her sudden upending. "Put me down, you caveman!"
"I will in just a minute," he responded, smacking her ass and carrying her through a doorway to the right of the expansive living room. She didn't get to see much other than more blue and white before she was dropped unceremoniously onto the bed. She bounced once on the big, king-sized mattress before Wyck was between her thighs and claiming her mouth again.
Before she knew what had happened, they were skin to skin, hot and slick from the humidity and desire. She whimpered as he sucked a nipple into the hot wetness of his mouth then flicked it with his tongue. He knew every inch of her body now and exactly what to do to make her completely lose herself.
Hands in his hair again, she pulled him back up to her mouth. "Don't make me wait any more. I need to feel you inside me."
Instead of surging forward, Wyck sat back on his knees. His grey eyes flashed dark and stormy as they roamed up and down her body. She squirmed a little, not sure if his intense perusal made her uncomfortable or turned her on more.
"So fucking gorgeous," he said huskily, as his big hands, callused from his labors, took hold of her thighs and pulled her toward him.
Her core pulsated with anticipation as she watched him align himself with her center and slowly push his way in. She moaned as he stretched her until he was fully seated inside her.
"Ready, Angel?" Wyck asked, kissing the inside of her knee as he lifted her long legs over his shoulders.