Page 59 of Eat Your Heart Out
We both ate a slice in silence.
It would be a crime to not take some to the staff. I motioned for a box, and the woman behind the counter nodded and took the rest of the cake along with my card.
Ali smiled and gazed around at the traffic nearby. She seemed so innocent as she sat with me. Hopefully, she would realize what had happened to her wasn’t her fault. I sealed my lips for the time being.
As we waited, I asked, “So, your review?”
She motioned with her hands as if she were a movie announcer with extra drama. “Even the smallest, out-of-the-way place meant for locals… made a treat that melts in my mouth.”
Once we had the receipt and the leftover cake boxed up, we headed back to the shoreline.
Walking without the rock of the boat felt odd after spending weeks on board. I gazed at Ali, whom I wanted to keep at my side. I gulped as we made it to the boardwalk and drummed up enough courage to ask my big question. “So, I was wondering. In three days, we head to Portugal. Would you want to do more than scout restaurants and walk the port area?”
She pressed her hand to her heart. “You mean go on a date?”
My heart thundered. She’d clearly hesitated. Maybe it was too soon, but I pressed on. “I only want one date, not a commitment.”
She traced my chest and stopped at my belt. “I’d rather we go back on board and enjoy time… alone.”
Heat rushed through me as I met her gaze. Adrenaline added to the fire. “Is sex all you want from me?”
Her face went white, and her lips tipped up.
I waited for her answer with anticipation.
She closed her eyes. “Yes.”
My heart shattered. Damn. My pulse thundered. If I didn’t give her a physical connection, I would lose her. Maybe sex had been the biggest mistake, but there was no going back.
I took her hand off my pants and nodded. “The staff is still off the ship.”
As we walked back holding hands, she said, “We’re capable of fending for ourselves for a few hours.”
We made it back to the boat. When we walked into the main cabin, I left the cake box on the table and directed her to my room.
I needed us to feel right, and the bed helped. When we made it, I closed the door behind us, and she took off her clothes. I wanted to give her what she said she wanted, so I stripped like it was easy for me as well.
Naked with her was part of the whole package, and she was gorgeous. Then she cupped my dick, and her touch electrified every part of me. She led me to the bed and tugged me down with her sweet kisses. Her lips were like heaven, but I was in hell.
As the kiss ended, my skin buzzed, but I pulled away. “I can’t not feel… not with you.”
Tears formed in her eyes, and she nodded. “I’m struggling too.”
I hugged her. I couldn’t pretend with her. “I love you, Ali. I can’t stop that.”
She kissed me. Awareness of her rushed through me, and I grew harder. She traced my body, and her touch set me off. We kissed and held each other.
She let out a sigh and arched as she opened her legs. My heart beat wildly as I grabbed a condom and tugged it on. She smiled as I slipped inside her.
With us together as one, I felt whole. We set a rhythm. The rest of the world disappeared when we were together.
She closed her eyes and moaned in ecstasy. I continued the pace until I found my release.
As I collapsed beside her to hold her, she whispered, “I love you too.”
My skin was alert and alive. I gazed at her, but her eyes were closed, and her breathing was even as she slept. Her words echoed through me as an anchor that gave me hope.
