Page 45 of Connected By Souls

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time.”

“You wouldn’t be intruding at all. Bella brings Sophia a lot, and Mav usually pops in randomly when my mom makes his favorite food. I’d love for you to meet everyone. Please don’t make me beg because I will.” I grin and lightly bump my shoulder with hers.

“Well, we wouldn’t want to reduce you to begging.” She tries to suppress her smile. Looking out at the water, she looks to be deep in thought. I’d love to know what she’s thinking. She turns back to me, making her decision. “I’d love to go with you tomorrow.”

“Great! Now it’s time to get that sexy body of yours in the water.” Jumping up, I pull my shirt over my head, throwing my hat and sunglasses on the towel. “Race you to the water!” Sliding out of my flops, I run to the shoreline.

“Wait!” She laughs as I dive into the warm water. Coming up to the surface and loving the feel of the saltwater on my skin, I glance back at the shore as she dives in, making her way to me. Wearing only a red bikini, my heart skips a beat. She looks so damn good that it makes my chest ache. I promised myself, though, to make this day full of fun and laughter for her. I don’t want to ruin it by jumping on her at every opportunity just because my dick won’t behave around her. She needs this day to remember how living feels.

Catching up to me, she laughs. “You know it’s not a fair race if you always get a head start, right?”

“Whatever, you just don’t like to lose.” I grin at her and float on my back.

She splashes me gently. “I’m okay losing when it’s fair and square.” She flips on her back with me as we look at the clouds. We float side by side for a while, enjoying the feel of the salt water. “I just love the ocean,” she sighs. “I love everything about it, the way it feels, the way it smells, the sand on my feet. It must be the Pisces water sign in me.” Looking over at me, she asks, “What sign are you?”

“I’m a Cancer, same water sign as you.”

“Hmmmm, our signs are compatible.”

“I don’t need the stars to tell me that, but it’s still nice to know we both love the ocean.”

Hearing a bark from shore, I look over and see Nala with her ball at her feet. “Looks like somebody found their ball in the bag.”

“She’s too cute,” Emma says, grinning.

We swim back to shore and throw Nala the ball a few times until we get hungry. We eat our lunch under the palm tree sharing a bottle of Prosecco, and spend the rest of the afternoon acting like carefree kids. We build sandcastles, hunt for seashells, and lay around in the sun, just enjoying each other’s company.

She tells me stories about her childhood, and I join in with mine. We’re so focused on each other that neither of us notices the rain clouds that have crept up behind us. Before we know it, we feel raindrops on our sun-drenched bodies.

“We better take shelter fast, or we’ll get drenched.” I look at the clouds. “It doesn’t look like a bad storm with lightning, but these rainstorms can come in quick and hard on the water,” I explain.

Hurrying, we pack our bags and walk to the lighthouse for cover. As soon as we reach the path, the rain beats down on us hard and fast. Laughing together, I leave the cooler to get later. Taking her hand, we make a run for it with our bags. Heading for the lighthouse, we run into the open door.

There’s not much in here. The floor is now covered with sand, and some kids must have set up a makeshift table at some point from scrap wood. Driftwood logs are scattered about and can be used as a place to sit. The old glassless windows and open door provide enough light for us to see. Nala sniffs around, checking the place out before laying down on a grassy spot she finds in the corner. Tired from the day, she settles in for a nap.

I look through my bag for the towels so we can dry off, both of us dripping wet from the rain. “It should pass soon. Just a normal Florida rainstorm in the afternoon. The sun will probably be back out when we ride home.”

“This has been the best day I’ve ever had, even the rain part,” she giggles. “Thank you for bringing me here. You have no idea how much I needed it. It’s been….perfect.”

“It’s been my best day, too.” Seeing a raindrop slide down her neck, I reach my finger out to catch it. I hear her breath catch as her chest rises and falls faster. Glancing down, I can see her nipples harden against her swimsuit top. I know I’m treading on very dangerous territory, but I don’t care. I have to have a taste, so I step closer.

ChapterEighteen

Emma

Feelingmy breath quicken from his touch, my nipples instantly go hard. Unable to break his stare, I see the desire in them, making his eyes dark blue. I can smell the salt and sea on his skin as he steps closer. A water drop slides down his sculpted chest, and without thinking, I mimic him and follow the trail with my finger. I hear his breath hitch, and his eyes go even darker. I know if I’m going to run, now is the time to do it, but I’m frozen in place. My body wants him more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.

As if reading my mind, I hear him say in a low warning voice, “Emma, if you aren’t ready for me to touch you, you need to tell me now. I won’t be able to stop once I get a taste of you. I want you screaming my name and forgetting all about the pain you’ve been through. Let me show you how good it is between us.”

“I don’t want to hurt anymore,” I whisper. “You make me feel alive. I…I want you to show me.”

I hear him let out a breath he must have been holding as he grabs the towel and steps closer, backing me up against the table. He reaches around me and lays the towel down before turning towards me. “This is all about you today, baby. I’m going to make you feel so good that your every thought will return to this moment, making you crave me and want more.”

His words instantly arouse my body, causing a deep throbbing between my legs. I feel myself getting wet just thinking about what he might do to me. His fingers trail up my arms, fingering my bikini top straps before he rubs his thumb over my aching nipple. I gasp as heat floods my body.

“Remember what I was thinking about the other day in the truck?” He asks as he rubs his thumb over my other nipple. Not being able to put my thoughts into focus, I try and remember.

“Something about feasting, I think,” I manage to get out.

---