Chapter 14
Absolutely no relationships with a hockey player. Period.
Wetakethescenicroute back to our cottages to walk off some of the huge meal we just ate. I take off my shoes since we’re walking along the beach, and Reno keeps my free hand firmly in his.
“How’s the book coming?” he asks.
“Really good. I’ve been a writing machine, and I’m actually ahead of schedule.”
The moon is full above us, casting enough of a glow for us to see without turning on our phones’ flashlights. Reno stops and tugs me around to face him, his eyes searching my face.
“Are you still interested in being… inspired?” He cups the side of my neck, his thumb wrapping lightly around the front of my throat, and I know he can feel my moan vibrating against his hand. Because he smiles. Smugly.
I wet my lips with the tip of my tongue, and those green eyes drop to watch before making a slow trail back up to my aqua ones.
“I could always use more hands-on experience to enhance my writing,” I say, and I mentally pat myself on the back for achieving master level in the coyness department. Okay, maybe not master level, but at least I didn’t grab his crotch and tell him to rock my world. I’m calling it a win.
“Hands-on?” he asks with a quirk of his brow.
I tilt my head and run a hand up his chest. His wide, very firm chest. “Oh, would hands-on activity be too much for you to handle?” I ask in my sweetest voice. “Or were you wanting to just talk about it?”
Reno chuckles, knowing I’m baiting him and not caring. “How about if I talk about itwhilemy hands are on you?”
“Will it be dirty talk?”
“Is there another kind?” he scoffs with a shake of his head like I’m the most ridiculous person ever.
“Okay, I’ll allow you to inspire me,” I say with faux imperiousness.
“Good,” he murmurs, pulling me forward by my damn neck and dipping his head to take my lips. As soon as his mouth covers mine, my toes curl—freakingcurl—into the sand. No one has ever made my toes do that from a kiss before.
But Reno’s tongue is stroking against mine in a velvety twist of sensuality, and it’s not just his mouth contributing to my knees feeling like jelly. One of his hands has migrated to my lower back and is holding me tightly against his body. I taste the sweetness of the Riesling mingling with the richness of chocolate as we kiss, and I drop my shoes and bag before ringing both arms around his neck.
What feels like an hour later, but also like no time at all, he pulls back with a final soft peck. “There. It’s settled now.”
I lick his taste from my lips. “What was that? A kiss contract?”
He grins, andfuck, he is a pretty, pretty man when he smiles. All white teeth and full lips and model-like cheekbones. And those freaking green eyes that shine in the moonlight. Then his smile fades, and his expression turns serious.
“Just us, right? While we’re here?”
“Of course,” I assure him, dragging my fingers through the soft curls at the nape of his neck. “How long are you staying on the island?”
Reno hesitates for a brief second, as if he’s not sure, before replying. “My trip is supposed to be for two weeks, so I have eleven more days here.” I’m still amazed and offended on his behalf that his ex had the gall to book this resort for their frigging honeymoon.
“I booked for three weeks, so I have a week more than you.”
The wind coming off the sea blows a strand of hair across my face, and Reno releases my neck to brush it away and twine it around hisindex finger. “Will eleven days give you enough time to get through all the spicy scenes you need me for?”
Oof. I feel like a bit of a… pimp-ette when he puts it like that. “It’s not just those scenes. I can also get inspiration from simply spending time with you.” My tone brightens when I remember something. “Like maybe you could go with me to the waterfall on the other side of the island. That’s on my list of places to visit, and if I’m there, I can better describe how everything looks and smells and feels. I promise I’m not just using you for your body.”
His smile is positively feral when he presses his hips forward so I can feel…dear heavens to Betsy, there’s a big ol’ erection against my stomach.
“Does it feel like I’m complaining?” he asks, gravel rasping his voice. “You can use me any way you want, dream girl.”
My kitty cave decides this would be a fine time to clench around nothingness, letting me know she’s ready and willing to indulge in every fantasy this man is promising.
“So that’s a yes to the waterfall?” I squeak, fully aware there’s a waterfall of a more carnal variety currently gushing between my legs.
