Chapter 13 #2
“Not here,” Madeline whispered. “Not in the sand. I want you, but—can we… maybe… get back in the water? The shallow part?” She grinned, wicked and sweet, brushing her thumb over Kel’s cheek. “Less sand in awkward places that way.”
Smart enough not to hesitate, Kel let Madeline tug her toward the lagoon, heart pounding in her throat, hands still tingling from the imprint of Madeline’s skin.
The sun was warm overhead, the sand hot underfoot, but the water was cool and clear.
It felt perfect as they waded in. She barely had time to catch her breath before Madeline was there, close, pressing into her arms, legs sliding around Kel’s waist with a confidence that made Kel’s knees go weak.
Madeline’s arms looped around Kel’s neck, her face flushed, eyes shining with want and mischief.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” Kel whispered.
Instead of answering, Madeline kissed her, slowly and deliberately.
Kel groaned, pulling Madeline tighter, the world narrowing to the press of Madeline’s thighs around her hips, the brush of Madeline’s breasts against hers, the taste of salt and sun and Madeline’s soft mouth.
Every inch of Kel’s body was alive, thrumming with the knowledge that this was real, that she was holding Madeline Whitley, her Madeline, close against her, and Madeline wanted her just as badly.
The water lifted them, made them weightless, bodies gliding together in the gentle current.
Kel’s hands slid down Madeline’s back, fingers splaying over the curve of her waist and the swell of her hips.
She let herself touch, really touch, learning the shape of Madeline’s body, the way her skin pebbled under Kel’s palms. Madeline gasped when Kel’s hands cupped her ass, pulling her closer, grinding their bodies together.
Heat flared, fierce and electric, and Madeline’s fingers tangled in Kel’s hair, dragging her mouth down to her neck.
Kel trailed kisses along Madeline’s jaw, her throat, tasting sweat and salt and something that was simply Madeline. “God, you’re beautiful,” Kel breathed against Madeline’s skin, kissing her shoulder, her collarbone, and the hollow at the base of her throat.
Madeline shivered, arching closer, her legs tightening around Kel’s waist. “Touch me,” she whispered, voice trembling. “Please, Kel. I want you.”
It was all Kel needed. She slid one hand up, fingers skimming the side of Madeline’s bikini top, brushing the edge of her breast. Madeline moaned, her head falling back, exposing the elegant line of her neck.
Kel’s thumb found Madeline’s nipple, hard beneath the thin fabric, and circled gently, teasing until Madeline’s hips rocked forward, desperate for more.
Kel’s other hand mapped the length of Madeline’s thigh, fingers tracing the sensitive skin beneath the edge of her bikini bottoms.
“Is this okay?” Kel murmured, pausing, needing to be sure.
“Yes. Yes, please,” was Madeline’s breathless response, accompanied by a rolling of her hips that left no doubt.
Kel slipped her hand beneath the fabric, fingers gliding along Madeline’s heat, finding her smooth, open and so ready.
Madeline’s whole body shuddered, her breath catching in Kel’s ear as Kel slipped inside and stroked her slowly, learning every gasp and whimper, every way Madeline’s body arched and softened under her touch.
The world faded to nothing but Madeline’s hands gripping her shoulders, and the taste of Madeline’s mouth.
Kel’s own need was a wildfire, burning through her restraint, but she forced herself to slow down, to savor, to give Madeline everything she’d ever dreamed.
When Madeline’s thighs trembled and her breath hitched, Kel pressed their foreheads together, watching every flicker of pleasure cross Madeline’s face.
“Let go,” Kel whispered. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you. ”
Crying out, Madeline’s body clenched around Kel’s fingers, hips jerking as she came, the sound swallowed by small ripples of the lagoon and Kel’s mouth on hers.
Kel held her through it, kissing away her gasps, and her hands were gentle as Madeline shuddered and finally relaxed, boneless and spent in Kel’s arms.
They floated together, hearts pounding, breaths mingling.
Madeline’s fingers traced lazy circles on Kel’s back, her smile soft and sated.
“Your turn,” she whispered, mischief returning to her voice as she slid a hand down Kel’s stomach, slipping beneath Kel’s bikini.
Kel gasped, the world tilting as Madeline’s fingers circled her clit, coaxing pleasure higher and higher until Kel shook, holding on to Madeline like she was the only thing keeping her afloat.
Madeline kissed her, deep and claiming, and Kel let herself fall, let herself shatter, coming hard with Madeline’s name on her lips.
After, they clung together, bodies tangled in the gentle water, breathless and laughing, drunk on each other and the impossible magic of the island. Kel pressed a kiss to Madeline’s temple, with her heart so full it hurt. “I love you,” she whispered, the words spilling out.
Madeline smiled, eyes shining. “I love you, too.” For the first time in forever, Kel believed it. There, in Madeline’s arms, she was exactly where she belonged.