Chapter Twenty-Four
Zoe
When I step into the clearing from the beach to the main resort, Jace calls out to me to stop. I contemplate ignoring him but stop after a few more steps. It’s right at the edge where it’s darkest before stepping into the lit walkway. I’m not jealous. Seriously, I’m not.
Damn it. I don’t have any claim over him. We’ve made less than zero solid promises to each other, so it’s fine if he hooks up with someone else. That’s complete and utter bullshit. I wanted to scratch her eyes out.
But what’s worse? She got to hug him, and I didn’t. I couldn’t. If I went up there and threw her off him, everyone would’ve gasped in shock and horror. Especially my mom.
“Zoe?”
I turn to face him as the shadows keep me from seeing his eyes. “Yes?”
“You know that’s part of the deal, right?” He steps closer until his eyes are visible as they search mine. “The groupies. The women who want to latch on to a celebrity before they make bank so they can ride the money train.” He rolls his eyes as he shifts from foot to foot on the pebbled sidewalk. “Not that I think there’s any chance I’m going to break out now after all these years. But these women don’t care about me as a person. It’s the fame they’re clamoring for. I’m not interested in her today, nor was I the first night she approached me.”
“Yes.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I know that. I’ve seen it millions of times, and while I can’t deny I was a tiny bit jealous….”
His lips dance upward as he closes the space between us. “Color me intrigued by that statement.”
“Stop.” I give a halfhearted chuckle and playfully shove his chest. “I wasn’t worried that you’d head off with her.”
“Oh, really?” He arches his eyebrows.
“Fine. There’s a part of me that wanted to yank her hair and toss her down on the ground to stake my claim.”
“Really?” His voice is deeper as he steps into me. We’re so close his heat mingles into mine.
“But….” I glare at him. “I couldn’t because we aren’t a couple, and even if we were, everyone would’ve been shocked if I wrapped my arms around your neck, told you how proud I was of you for taking that risk, how beautiful the song was, and–”
His lips land on mine, and I sling my arms around him, drawing him closer. As I inhale his scent, I shiver at the need coursing through me and the relief of his solid frame holding me as his hands caress my back. He tilts his head, and our tongues lick the flames of passion higher and higher.
When his hands drop to my ass, and his hard cock grinds into my sex, I gasp and dig my nails into his skull. His lips leave mine as he trails them along my jaw and to my ear. “Thank you. That means a lot to hear you say that.” His voice is rough and vulnerable, making the butterflies in my belly dance. “I wouldn’t have sung if you weren’t here. You gave me the strength to fight my demons and take that risk.”
“Lord.” I shudder from head to toe. “That’s one hot pick-up line.”
He pulls back and cradles my face. “I’m not trying to pick you up or to trick you. I do appreciate your support. I’d be stupid not to on so many levels. Mainly because I’ve fought wanting you for years.” He gently kisses my lips, sucking the bottom one between his lips. If his intention is to send me flying over the edge, he’s doing a damned good job of it. “But also, I trust that you wouldn’t lie to me. Your job is talent acquisition. If you think I’m good, you know what you’re talking about.”
“I do.” The hope in his eyes makes tears sting mine. He’s been through so much, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep from being his next blow. “When Dad gets here, I’m going to talk to him.”
“Okay.” He nods while swallowing hard.
Finally, he’s able to see reason. I smile and jump into his arms. “Thank you. I know you won’t regret it. You saw how everyone responded to you.” I laugh as joy fills my heart and pull back. “I mean, that groupie should have given you the first–”
“Shut up,” he growls and lifts me off the ground until my legs are wrapped around his waist. “I’m not interested in anyone but you. And it’s been that way for years.”
I jerked backward and stare at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’ve not been with anyone in almost three years because I wanted to be sober, but more importantly, it was because if I couldn’t be with you, I wasn’t taking second best.”
I can’t speak or think for several seconds as my eyes sweep over his face. How is that possible? I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you’re willing to go through this with me. That you’re willing to take people’s criticism of us as a couple and weather it together. Because the second I started singing, I knew I couldn’t walk away from you.” He licks his lips. “What do you say? Are you willing to give us a shot?”
“Yes.” I laugh and slam my mouth against his and squeal at his enthusiastic response. His hands are everywhere at once and the combination of his touch, the light breeze teasing my skin, and the crashing of the waves onto the shore puts me on edge. I want–no–I need him. Right here. Right now.
I slide down his rock-hard body, taking great pleasure in rubbing my sex against his jutting cock. When I’m rewarded with a growl, I giggle at his frustration.
Smack. His hand lands against my ass, causing my eyes to snap open.
“Little girl, don’t tease me unless you plan on making me an honest man.”
“And how do I do that?” Adrenaline rushes through me as my heart skips a beat.
At this point, I’ll do just about anything he says. I scrape my fingernails down his chest. But before they reach their destination, he grabs my hand and spins me around, my arm stretched behind my back.
His lips graze my neck. “Walk into the woods.”
“Okay.” Within a couple of steps, we’re out of sight, and he stops.
“Hands on the tree. Ass pointed toward me.”
Really? Right here? My bikini bottoms are instantly drenched. It’s one thing to have sex on a private beach, but we’re a couple hundred yards away from a crowd of people. And the way I screamed while coming earlier today is going to send out a search party for the woman being eaten by a bear. Do they even have bears here?
Smack. “Not fast enough.”
“Shit.” I place my hands on the bark, causing it to bite into my palms.
“Good girl.” His teeth scrape my neck as his hands make quick work of disposing of my bikini top and bottom. Jesus. My eyes widen with excitement and worry that someone will catch us out here with me naked as a jaybird. His hands caress everything, stopping to play with my breasts, tweaking and tugging on my nipples and stroking my belly as he drops to his knees. “Ass out, baby. And spread those legs nice and wide for me.”
Oh, my god. His lips and tongue trail along the inside of my thigh, dancing closer and then farther away from my dripping sex.
“Darlin’, you’re so wet. Your thighs are soaked. Do you like what I’m doing to you?”
I nod my head in agreement.
“Not good enough.” He smacks my ass again, causing the walls of my sex to constrict. The pressure of my walls pressing against my G spot sends convulsions throughout my body.
“Yes, I love it. But I don’t want anyone to hear.” I suck down the fragrance of the beautiful island flowers and that ever-present saltwater.
“Too bad.” He grasps my ass, spreads my cheeks apart, and slips his tongue between my lips, sucking and eating my flesh as if he’s attempting to clean me, but it’s no use. As soon as he swipes away my desire, a fresh wave of wetness coats my thighs.
“Darlin’.” He leans back, slipping his hand along the inside of my leg. “That’s some sweet pussy. Do you want my fingers inside that tight hole?”
“Yes, please.” I wiggle my ass toward him, almost begging for him to relieve the ache building inside of me.
“How do you want it?” He slides along my swollen lips, teasing my core but never breaking the threshold.
“Please….”
“Please, what?” He wraps his arm around me and flicks my clit, teasing me some more but not giving me the full attention I need.
“Just do it!” I whimper and claw at the tree bark, no longer concerned that anyone could be walking along the trail and overhearing us. “Fuck me with your fingers and stroke my clit before I–”
He slices into my heat as he pinches my clit, tugging, twisting, and rubbing the twitching bundle of nerves.
“Oh, my God, yes.”
As he chuckles, he trails his tongue along my ass while drilling my sex. My mouth hangs open as he brings me pleasure that I didn’t know was possible. Soon, my gasps fill the air around us, and every muscle in my body quivers for release.
When he adds a third finger and spreads them, hitting every inch of my insides while lashing over my G spot, I gasp while trying to remain upright.
“That’s it, sweet girl.” He fingers fuck me harder, deeper, quicker, and slower. His movements drive me to the edge and then skirt away again until my head is spinning. “Come all over my fingers. Squeeze them. Show me how this cunt is going to milk my cock.”
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Jesus. Please don’t fucking stop.” My voice is raspy as stars shoot behind my eyes. Nothing has ever felt like this. What is he doing to me? Before I wobble to the ground, he stands, spins me around, and claims my mouth. The taste of my sex on his tongue sends another wave of desire down my thighs.