Page 99 of Connected By Stars
“I won’t let go of your hand,” he says, chuckling. He adjusts the cooler on his shoulder as we make our way to the dock.
“We could have just waited until the sun came up. It would have been so much easier.”
“To actually see a sunrise on the water, you have to be on the water before it happens.” We reach the jet skis and set our bags down on the dock. Maverick takes out his phone and uses the flashlight to find the life jackets that are in the storage box next to us.
“Come here, baby.” I walk over to him, and he lifts my t-shirt over my head before pulling on my life jacket over my swimsuit. He fastens it tightly and grins at me. Yanking me to him by the straps, he sweeps his tongue along my bottom lipbefore kissing me. “Ready?” He asks, pulling away and putting his life jacket on.
“I don’t know. After that kiss, I’m thinking we should have never left the bed today.”
Laughing, he starts to put our bags under the seat along with the small cooler. “You are going to love this, trust me.” He holds out his hand while he helps me onto the jet ski before lowering it. I start the engine and back up off the lift before bringing it around to the side of the dock. He hops on behind me this time and wraps his arms around me to place his hands on top of mine.
Making sure all our lights are on, we ease out into the canal in the dark of the night. I’ve been on a boat before, going out with my dad on one of his fishing trips and leaving before the sun was up, but never on a jet ski. The water is pitch black beneath us and smooth as glass. The only sound is the low hum of our motor as we wind through the canal.
I feel Mav’s body heat behind me and snuggle back up against him. His left hand comes down to rest on my thigh, giving it a squeeze.
“I used to do this a lot when I was younger. I would sneak down here when my parents were still asleep and take the jet ski out. I think they caught on to me eventually, but they knew how much I loved watching the sunrise. I’ve never shared a sunrise with anyone on a jet ski before, and the ones at the beach have always been just you and your brother.”
His words flow through me and warm me like a sip of good bourbon. “I’ve never shared a sunrise with anyone else either,” I turn to say to him. He kisses the tip of my nose before I focus on the water before me.
“You’ve become a lot of my firsts, Bell. A lot of firsts that I never knew I wanted or needed.” His warm breath glides down my neck, causing goosebumps to appear on my arms. “I justwant you to know that I don’t take it lightly that you loved me enough to give me your first time and to let you know that I saved a lot of firsts for you, too.”
I blink back the tears and turn my head to look at him. His emotions pour off him, enveloping me with the love he is giving me. “I’m glad we could be that for each other, the firsts that we held on to.”
“Me too.” He gives me his dimpled grin that I love so much. “Ready to hit the open waters?”
Nodding, I grin back. “I’m ready.” Maverick knows these waters like the back of his hand as he weaves through the channels and into the Atlantic. He doesn’t slow down when we get to the islands but keeps going further out. The sky is getting lighter now, making it easier to see, preparing to show itself in a few minutes. He takes us further out, where it’s just the two of us and the ocean.
Slowing down, he shuts off the engine as we float in the water. He reaches in front of me and unfastens my life jacket. He hangs it across the handles, doing the same with his. He wraps his arms around me as I lean back against him.
“Much better,” he whispers into my hair and holds me close.
“So much better,” I agree.
I watch in awe as the sun starts to appear and the water glistens in millions of different tiny diamonds. Orange and red hues fill the sky as the first touch of light lands on us. I’ve seen pretty sunrises on the beach, but never like this. It’s like I could reach out and touch the sun if I wanted to.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“It is,” he breathes against my ear. I notice he’s not even paying attention to the sunrise but focused on me.
“You’re missing the sunrise.” His eyes meet mine. The green is so vibrant against the sun’s first rays.
“I’m enjoying my view more.” Seeinghis eyes on me, I’m unable to look away, completely captivated by his stare. Needing to see him better, I stand up and turn around before sitting back down facing him. I run my fingers along his jawline before gliding across his bottom lip. His eyes briefly close at my touch before opening and searing me with his look. He brushes my hair back before weaving his fingers in my hair.
My lips part with a sigh as he leans forward, his lips touching mine. There’s no urgency in this kiss. He takes his time as if he wants to brand this memory into his mind. My hands go up, finding his back as I lightly caress him, loving the feel of his smooth skin against hard muscle. Deepening the kiss, he lightly bites my lower lip, sucking softly before his tongue works its magic again, leaving me wanting more.
When he breaks away to put his forehead against mine, a deep throbbing has me speaking the next words. “I want another first with you,” I whisper.
“Oh yeah? And what is that?” I see him grin against me.
“Well, we’re the only ones out here. The islands are just a speck in the distance. It would be a shame to let this gorgeous view go to waste without taking advantage of the situation. Have you ever..?” I hesitate to ask. I hate remembering Mav’s past with girls, but I also love it when I’m a first for him, too.
“Have I ever what?” He leans back with an amused look on his face. He’s not going to let me get away without asking him.
“On a jet ski...with a girl...”
“Have I ever taken a girl for a ride on a jet ski?” His eyes dance with laughter. He knows exactly what I’m talking about. I slide closer to him, so I’m straddling him, deciding to play his game with one of my own. I feel him hard against me as I settle down in his lap. His hands cup my ass, causing me to rock against him. “This...have you ever done this.” I move against him more, causing him to groan.
“No, you would be another one of my firsts.” He breathes out, going to my neck and sucking my sensitive spot.
