Page 20 of Endless Whispers

Charlize jumped in before Mick could argue his point further. "We'll make another attempt to get some of the women to talk and seriously consider getting a guard or two on board. We need all the leverage we can get."

"Good. Keep pushing forward, but remember to take care of yourselves. You've got each other's backs, and that's invaluable. Stay safe, both of you. I’m really glad you decided to work together again."

As the call ended, Charlize and Mick remained seated by the water's edge. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and taken with it their last bits of energy. They were cast instead into the cool embrace of twilight. She could close her eyes, lay her head back, and sleep right there. But after a few long minutes, Mick’s hand was on her shoulder.

“We’ve got to get these women to trust us. We need them to talk.”

“Would you risk it?” She challenged him. “If it were you?”

Mick laughed at the question. “Just like most things, I think you could talk me into it. And that’s what we’re depending on here. You need to do your thing.”

“My thing? What exactly is my thing?”

“When you dig your heels in, become relentlessly determined, and don’t shut up until you get your way.”

“Oh that thing. Yeah, I can do that.”

“Should we swim?” Mick asked, pulling her to her feet and then pretending to give her a little push toward the edge of the dock.

“Try it and I’ll drown you.” She needled his side with her elbow.

“You think you’re so tough?” He turned her and held her body against his.

“Tougher than you. Don’t make me show you.”

With a rush of impulsivity, Mick leaned down and kissed her lips. It was both shocking yet not surprising at all. A long time coming. Melting in to his arms she let the sound of the waves create the rhythm of the kiss, the movement of their bodies.

A far-off car horn blared and broke them apart. He stared down into her eyes, searching her face for a reaction. Finally he spoke, his arms still wrapped around her.

“I know you’re stronger than I am. I’m weak as hell when I’m around you.”

CHAPTER 18

CHARLIZE

There was no other way to get through this. They were falling. Careening toward the ground without a soft place to land. And so they would make that soft place in one another.

It was both selfish and short-sighted. Impulsive and dangerous. And yet she knew from the moment he kissed her there would be no turning back. The deserted beach was calling out to them. A siren song of relief. The promise of ecstasy on the sand.

They didn’t speak, they could hardly pry their lips away long enough to breathe, let alone find anything to say. Words were dangerous. Charlize knew either one of them might say the wrong thing. Create doubt that they should keep going.

Mick lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around him. Effortlessly he carried her off the dock and his feet were soon sinking in the sand as he kissed at her neck, sending chills through her body.

This moment required a vulnerability she hardly felt prepared for. To give herself over to him in the sand, under the moon and stars was all she wanted, but she also understood it was baring herself in more ways than one. She craved order. Prided herself on her ability to remain in control. This was not planned. Not well thought out, but as he laid her on the sand, all thoughts left her mind. There was only the heat between their bodies. The sound of the waves. The feel of his hand beneath her shirt.

“Mick,” she gasped out as he squeezed and nibbled his way across her chest. The exhilaration was enough to make her want to shriek. She panted out his name a few more times as he stripped her clothes away. Pulling at his shirt, she lifted it off his body and tossed it to the side. For a brief moment the light of the moon cast a glow behind him as he hovered over her. His muscles chiseled and flexed, sweat gathering on his chest.

She reached for his belt, frantically pulling it away. She was desperate to be filled by him. A longing in her core to finally know what it would feel like to take all of him. To take every ounce of exhaustion and defeat they were feeling and turn it into a blaze of passion.

“Take me, Mick,” she breathed into his lips.

“Charlize,” he said, pulling back slightly and brushing her hair away from her eyes. “I’ve wanted you for so long. I never wanted to lose you.”

“You have me now. Right now.” She unbuttoned his jeans and slipped them over his hips. She was ready for him. All of him. Without another beat of hesitation he entered her wet core, plunging deeply, filling her.

The soft sand was on her back. The stars above her head. And the only man she was certain truly understood her was taking her to the brink of sheer ecstasy. If there was a perfect moment in this life, she was living it.

His breath was rapid and his biceps rock solid. Mick’s eyes locked on hers. She felt the heat in her body grow as she tensed against his firm pulsing shaft. He pinched at the peaks of her breasts, nibbled at the soft spot where her neck met her shoulder. He knew. He knew her well, even though they’d never ventured down this path before. Every spot was tantalized as he brought her to climax.

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