Page 2 of Surrendering the Skies

Geneva struggled to swim back into his embrace, but he held her at arm’s length. “That was very mean of you.” She puffed her lips out into a pout. “You’re such a tease.”

He drew his thumb along the curve of her lower lip before releasing her completely. “I’m just trying to make sure you’ll remember what it’s like towantme.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Have I ever given you any reason to make you think I’ve forgotten?”

“No. But, as we already said, this upcoming separation is different.” He squeezed her hand then flipped over and started swimming toward the shore in a slow backstroke. “Come on. Let’s go see what Ash is up to.”

Geneva followed him out of the water and trudged up the sloping sand. As they approached the umbrella, she caught Ash shoving a tablet back into a bag next to his chair. “Hey!” she said. “I thought we agreed—no electronics.”

“I know, I know.” Sitting up, he swung his feet over to the ground and leaned toward her. “It was for a good cause, I promise.”

“Oh?”

“I contacted the front desk at the main building and arranged to have dinner delivered here this evening.” A devilish glint sparkled in his azure eyes and he winked. “Marcus isn’t the only one who knows how to make fancy arrangements around here.”

She stood between his legs and gazed down at him, taking care not to drip water onto his skin or the bag. “It sounds like you’re anticipating we won’t be leaving the cottage tonight.”

“More specifically, the bedroom.” Ash reached out and trailed a finger along the waistband of the bottom of her swimsuit. “But if you’d prefer to swim for a while longer, by all means, don’t let me stand in your way.”

“No, I’m definitely done for the day.” Putting her hands on her hips, she inched closer yet didn’t touch him in return. “Marcus was getting me all riled up in the water, but then stopped. I already told him how cruel he is.”

His hungry stare traversed her body. “Is that so?”

“Guilty as charged,” Marcus said from behind her.

“Well…” Ash drew out the word as he stood up. “The way I see it, we have two options. One, I could pick up where he left off. Or…” Spinning her around, he folded his thick arms around her shoulders and rested his chin on top of her head. “We could torment him in return.”

“Ooh, how devious.” Settling back into him, she stroked his forearms. “Let’s rinse off all this seawater and I’ll try to decide.”

Ducking out of his embrace, Geneva led the way to the tiny cottage Marcus had rented for the weekend. An outdoor shower stood at the rear of the house, positioned to prevent guests from tracking sand inside. As soon as she turned on the faucet, a pair of strong hands grabbed her shoulders.

Ash shoved her against the wall, pinning her with his full weight. Steamy droplets trickled over him, emphasizing the ridges of his broad chest. Cupping her cheeks with both hands, he claimed her lips with a crushing kiss.

She let him probe into her mouth for a few moments before wriggling away. “I thought we were supposed to be teasing Marcus,” she said.

“Don’t you think this counts?” He tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear. “He chose not to seize a magnificent opportunity, so this can be his punishment.”

“You forget how patient of a man I am.” Marcus sidled up beside them. “And you know I don’t mind watching, as long as I get my turn later on.” Reaching between them, he steered Ash’s face toward him with his long fingers and pressed his mouth to the other man’s.

Seeing the two of them together never failed to thrill her. While they shared a kiss, she draped an arm around each of their waists. Ash turned his attention back to her and yanked at her top. “I don’t know why you even bother wearing this thing.” He balled one side in his fist. “It accomplishes absolutely nothing.”

Geneva yelped as he tore the twin triangles of fabric off her and tossed the wet garment to the side. “Even though it’s supposed to be private, I was worried someone might wander by our beach.” Her hand grazed the edge of Marcus’s swimsuit, the bulge in front still prominent. “Besides, he’s wearing even less than I am, and I don’t hear you making snide comments about him.”

“Now, now,” Marcus said. “Let’s not argue on our last day here.”

Ash chuckled. “This barely counts as an argument. It’s more like foreplay for her.”

As he spoke, he caressed the outer curve of one of her exposed breasts. She exhaled and leaned into his touch. “You’re both right. How about, to make everything fair, we all lose whatever clothing we have left and head inside.”

He laughed again, bending down to plant a kiss on top of her head. “Very diplomatic. I’m sure you’ll get your next promotion in no time at all.”

Marcus grabbed a stack of fluffy towels from a nearby cabinet while she turned off the water and collected the remnants of her swimsuit. Sliding the bottoms off her hips, she hung both pieces up to dry in the sunshine then wrapped one of the towels around her torso. Her companions did the same, and she opened the door to the cottage to beckon them inside.

The covers on the bed lay in the same state of disarray as they’d left them earlier in the day. Geneva tossed her towel in the general direction of the bathroom and sat on the edge of the mattress. The breeze wafting through the open windows sent a chill over her damp skin, but she had no doubt the heat blooming inside her would soon take over.

Marcus joined her on the bed first. She ran her fingers through his slicked-back hair as she brought him nearer to her, fighting back the reminders of how long they’d be separated. He guided her down to the pillows, his palm skimming up and down her rib cage, avoiding any sensitive spots.

The bed shook as Ash landed on the other side of him. He circled one arm around Marcus’s chest, encasing him in a firm embrace. Sighing, Geneva laced her fingers through his, above Marcus’s heart. “Do you think we can sneak him on board the ship?” she joked.

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