Page 14 of Beyond Me

“Do you know how fucking gorgeous you are?”

She bit at her lip and looked worried.“No, I’m not.”

I laughed.Again, a first.I’d never had a woman completely reject a compliment.“Oh, yes, you are.Look at you.Your hot little body wrapped up in a little black dress.I want to strip it off, taste you everywhere, make you come.Make you scream.”Her pupils dilated and she panted, holding still as I stroked her hair, her cheek, her naked shoulder.“But right now I’m just going to kiss you, Quinn.”

I fisted my hands in her hair and held her still.Lowered my head.

“Okay,” she whispered.

I smiled before I claimed her lips with mine.

THE HEATseeped into my skin, my bones, my muscles, and began to burn me alive.Warm water swirled around my ankles, the sand was firm and damp under my feet, and he trapped my head so I couldn’t move.Not that I wanted to.The strength and bit of domination gave me a dark thrill.No man had ever wanted to kiss me this bad.And I had never wanted to be kissed like it was as important as my next breath.

His lips covered mine completely, as if savoring me, like an appetizer before the holiday dinner.I rested my hands on his shoulders for balance and enjoyed the sensation.Slow, sweet, exploratory.His tongue traced the seam of my lips for entrance, and I allowed him full access.

His tongue plunged into my mouth and the world exploded.

I gasped at his delicious taste, a slight sting of alcohol and a raw hunger that devoured me alive.He moved his hands from my hair to cup my face, his tongue dipping in and out of my mouth as if gathering honey, taking me over completely until the ground shifted and I could only cling to him, wanting more.He nipped my bottom lip, then sucked.The sharp pain gave way to heat that flicked my skin, tightened my nipples, and made me crave something really, really bad.

“So good,” he groaned.“Like candy.”His deft fingers stroked under my chin, down my neck, and across the swell of my breasts.I twisted in his grasp and tried to get closer, but he only laughed and kissed me deeper, while his fingers touched my nipples.

I forgot we were on a public beach and almost begged for him to pull down my dress.I felt achy all over, so I pressed against him and those hard muscles surrounded me with a power I wanted everywhere—over me, under me, in me.“Oh God, I want—”

“Yes, baby, me too.I want to touch you, kiss you, fuck you.”His dirty words made me gasp, and he swallowed the sound, moving his fingers from my breasts to my rear.He cupped my ass and pulled me hard against him.His erection seemed massive behind the ridge of his jeans.I imagined him slipping between my thighs and I moaned again, sinking into an animal state where I didn’t care about anything except slaking the ache.

“James.Please.”

He breathed heavily, and when he finally lifted his head, those aquamarine eyes sucked me in, foggy with lust and naked want.I went to reach for him again, but the sound of laughter close by made me stiffen as reality leaked in.Holy shit, I was on a public beach with people everywhere!This was not like me at all; I was an extremely private person.The thought of strangers watching me practically climb on him with my dress exposing my girly parts freaked me out.Shaking, I tried to pull back, but he realized I was upset and tightened his hold.Tucking my head under his chin, he pressed a kiss into my hair, gently caressing my back.

“I can’t believe I did that,” I muttered against his chest.His T-shirt was soft and smelled like Snuggle dryer sheets.

“Shh, my fault.I got crazy.I want you so bad, Quinn.I’d love for you to come back to my house so we can finish what we started, but I think it’s too soon.I screwed up once, I’m not going to do it again.”

His words both comforted and disappointed.I halfway wanted him to haul me in his arms, drag me to the hotel, and give me no choice.My brain began to uncloud, and I realized he was right.I loved the idea of having a quick night, but honestly, when it came to ripping off my clothes and actually having sex, I kind of liked to know a guy better.

His control confirmed another layer of my trust.Did he do it on purpose?And if so, did it really matter?We both wanted each other.We had the week stretched ahead of us, and my goal was to let go a bit and live.What was I fighting so hard to protect?

I relaxed in his arms and enjoyed being wrapped up tight.Safe.Weird, I was always the one in charge and taking care of people.Had anyone ever mademefeel protected?“Thank you,” I finally said.“Things got a bit out of control.”

His chest rumbled with laughter.He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.“I like the idea of getting you so hot you forget we’re in public,” he teased.He pulled back and tipped up my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.“But don’t get me wrong, Quinn.I’m not going to be able to wait much longer.You make me a little crazy.”

I smiled.“Crazy is good, right?”

He kissed me again, slow and sweet, with the moonlight streaming over us.“Yeah,” he said softly.“Come sailing with me tomorrow.”

I tried to think if I’d made any plans.I had none.Mackenzie had been insistent we separate until our breakfast meeting on Tuesday.It was all in her master plan to make sure we came back with two less virgins and one who finally orgasmed.So embarrassing.“That sounds like fun.”

“Good.Come to the marina at eleven.”

“You have a boat?”

He grinned.“Sure.My parents taught me all the necessary skills for success in life.Tennis.Sailing.Keeping a stiff upper lip.And preserving appearances at all costs.”Darkness flashed and stole some of the humor in his eyes, but then he was kissing me again and I didn’t care.He groaned and finally stepped away.“You’re addicting.I can’t keep my hands off you.”

Pleasure tingled in my veins.I wasn’t the type to inspire men to want to rip off my clothes, they usually would rather discuss a situation or be friends.I was glad the dark hid my pink cheeks so I didn’t look like a virginal idiot.“Fishing?”I asked.

“Do you want to?”

I shook my head.“No, I feel too bad for the fish.”

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