16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Kora
W e floated lazily down the river. The easy-moving current carrying us effortlessly through the water. It was always peaceful on the river, and today was no different. I floated along, enjoying the peace and quiet and the surrounding scenery. It wasn’t just nature that held my attention, but Kai. His shirt billowed in the light breeze as he focused on the scene in front of him.
I pulled my kayak up to the left side of his but made sure to stay behind him a bit. I took in his profile as he rowed gently down the river. The concern that had covered his face back at the pharmacy was gone. He seemed uninhibited, and his features softened as he immersed himself in the peacefulness of nature. His face, which was once tense and stressed, now seemed relaxed, and the lines that once creased his forehead had faded away.
The sunlight played across his skin and highlighted the contours of his face and the strength of his jawline. His crystal-clear eyes now sparkled with an inner light. Maybe I’m crazy, but this man seemed to grow more handsome, more alive, the farther we drifted down the river.
He turned toward me and gave me a lazy, crooked smile. I knew I had a goofy grin glued on my face but didn’t care at all.
“It’s beautiful out here, and so quiet,” Kai said, his voice hushed. He reached over, grabbed my boat to pull it next to his, and laid his oar across both our boats. I grasped his oar to lock us together as we continued to float in silence with the calm current.
“It is.” I agreed with him but wasn’t only talking about the river. “When I was younger, my dad and I kayaked every Sunday afternoon when the weather was nice. Then, when I got older and was too cool to hang with him as much, we still made time for a trip down the river.” I pointed up ahead. “There’s a great beach right down a bit and around the bend. We would stop there to eat lunch before we turned around and headed for home. If it was a warm day, it was a great place to wade in the river, and just a bit from the beach is a swimming hole, complete with a rope swing. As I got older, I realized it’s where all the high schoolers went to drink and have fun.”
I laughed as a memory popped into my mind. “One time, I guess I was around twelve, there was a fire pit with beer cans in it. I asked why the cans were there. Dad said he guessed the wildlife had a party. It was our job to clean up after them since they couldn’t do it on their own. I thought he meant the raccoons and deer. I pictured them all huddled around the fire drinking. I didn’t realize he meant teenagers were the wildlife.” I shook my head. “It wasn’t until I was in high school and at a party, sitting around the fire pit, drinking a beer with my friends, that it became clear what he meant.”
Kai’s face lit up.
Damn. How can someone be that handsome? My heart fluttered until he turned his gaze away.
“High school Kora, partying on the bank of a river around a fire pit.” Kai nodded. “I bet you were hot then, also, and had all the guys all over you.
I chuckled. “Not all the guys, but I did date one for all junior year and most of senior.”
“Really? Have I met him yet?”
I nodded and scrunched my face. “Yeah. You have.”
Kai became thoughtful. “I haven’t met many guys our age except Bryson. But I doubt that’s who you meant since he's your cousin and all," he glanced at me with raised brows.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Nope. Not Bryson. We're not kissing cousins."
“Well then, I guess that leaves Trevor."
I nodded.
“Dang. That would explain the evil eye he gave me the other night. I think he still has the hots for you.” He pushed my kayak away from his and started rowing slowly.
“You and Darlene both.” I rowed to catch up. “The beach is right around this bend.”
“Did I tell you I purchased land on the river?” asked Kai.
I sat up taller. “No, you didn’t. Where? Is it close by?”
“Honestly, from this view, I have no idea, but my property has a pebbly beach area that leads down to the water. It seems like it’s used often, as there’s a rough fire pit near the water’s edge.”
“No shit.” I raised my brow and rowed faster. “It’s not the land off Johnson’s Path Lane, is it?”
“Yeah, it’s ten acres off Johnson’s Path.”
“Damn. That’s your beach we always partied on. That property’s been for sale for a while. We heard someone purchased it but didn’t know who. You are planning on staying a while, aren’t you?”
“I’ve got nowhere else to go. Orlinda Valley caught my attention the first time I drove through, and it’s getting better and better every day.” His eyes didn’t leave mine, and my breath caught.
I sucked in my bottom lip and bit down. My nervous habit. “I always thought Orlinda Valley was perfect, but I was wrong.” My voice was a whisper. Barely audible over the singing of the birds and chattering of squirrels in the trees. My insides were doing all types of gymnastics. Darlene was right. I had feelings for this guy, and I still didn’t know his last name.
Kai’s gaze narrowed, and the temperature seemed to climb a couple notches.
“Come on.” He broke the spell as he paddled away toward the shore.
We were approaching Kai’s property. My kayak hit land, and he pulled me from the kayak like I weighed nothing. My arms automatically wrapped around his neck as his lips locked on mine.
The kiss was deep and intense. I curled my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and allowed my tongue to dance with his.
When our lips finally parted, we hovered within millimeters of each other, and my eyes slowly fluttered open.
“Welcome to my home.” He smiled wickedly. “I want to show you something.” He pulled me up the slight incline to the flat acreage just above the water’s edge.
It was a beautiful view. I had stood here before, many times, actually, as we’d partied up here in high school after floating down the river like we just did. We knew no one would ever find us here. “I’ve always loved this land.”
“You’ve been here before? Not just on the beach then?” He laughed.
“Most high schoolers have,” I joked.
“Well, I don’t want to hear who you’ve been here with, or what you’ve done. But come on,” he said and pulled me along.
We made it to the line of trees, and there was a camper parked on the grass, the slides open and the awning out. There were two Adirondack chairs with a table between them under the awning. Out, away from the camper, was a fire pit.
It was quaint, yet homey. My mouth dropped open and I turned toward Kai. “Is this camper yours?”
“Technically it’s called a fifth wheel not just a camper.” Mischief filled his gaze. “Come on.”
We entered the camper, or fifth wheel. It was an older model, yet still in great condition. I swiped my hand over the granite countertop in the galley kitchen and turned a slow circle in front of the flat screen television. “This is great. When did you put this here?”
“Thursday night when I finished work.” He leaned on the counter. “I spent the night last night. Water’s an issue, but it’s a place to sleep, and it’s my own.” His hand brushed up my arm and sent goose bumps popping on my skin.
My eyes followed his fingers as they traveled to my shoulder, and I tilted my head to the side, exposing my neck. I didn’t want him to think I was an easy lay, yet after the day we had, after he had opened up and trusted me with his story, there was nothing I wanted more than him—well, there was one more thing. I covered his hand with mine and placed it around my waist. He got the message and wrapped me in his arms.
I held his neck and rubbed my fingers against the scruff on his chin. “Kai, what’s your last name?”
His gaze burned into me. That molten feeling I experienced Friday night returned, and my heart fluttered madly. His eyes smoldered and glowed in the dim light of the sun coming through the windows.
“How do you know that someone bought this land but haven’t heard my last name? Your aunt and her book club buddies know it.”
I shrugged. “It never came up. Past couple weeks have been busy.”
He gazed away quickly then wrapped his arms tighter. “I guess so. It’s Lawson.” His voice was deep, throaty, and damn sexy.
Lawson. Now I knew everything I needed to know. I knew how sweet and wonderful he was. I finally knew his last name. Those things mixed with his voice and his rugged good looks, and damn, those eyes, caused me to throw caution to the wind. The heat in my gut exploded. I wanted him. I wanted him badly, and I covered his mouth with mine.
It was all me and intense need. I deepened the kiss, and my tongue tangled with his. I slid his shirt from his shoulders, and it fell onto the floor.
I separated our lips, and my gaze progressed down his front. Everything about him was perfect. My hands traveled up his hard chest, and he sucked air into his lungs as I ran my fingers over his six-pack. My pulse raced. I placed my lips on his nipple and played with it with my tongue and nibbled it lightly.
A deep, throaty moan escaped him.
I smiled against his skin and continued to trail my kisses southward. His breathing increased, and I could feel his heartbeat thump against his chest. I slipped my hand into the elastic of his shorts and around to his tight ass. His skin was warm and so soft. I gave it a squeeze.
“Kora.” His voice was deep, and he clasped my arms.
A need deeper than any I’d ever felt before filled me. I wanted to taste all of this man. Feel him inside me again.
No, I didn’t want to. I needed to.
I walked him back and pushed him gently to the couch. He sat, shirtless, his shorts low on his hips, his chest moving up and down, his pupils dilated and drunk with desire. He was pure perfection. I took his hat off his head and ran my fingers through his dark thick hair. The contrast of his dark hair and light eyes made him so damn irresistible. So desirable. So hot, and completely sexy.
I got on my knees between his legs and brushed my hands up his muscular thighs to his manly chest. I gave him a sly smile.
He traced his tongue across his bottom lips and his breaths became rapid.
“Lie back, Kai. Relax.” I kissed just below his belly button, at the small patch of dark hair that disappeared under his shorts. When I glanced up, his head was back, and those crystal eyes were slits of desire and followed my every move. His chest raised and lowered quickly,
I tugged on his shorts, and he lifted his hips slightly to help. I freed his hardness from captivity. It stood at attention. Ready for me. Waiting.
I felt empowered. I did this to him. He wanted me, it was evident. I licked my lips and lowered my mouth to indulge my desire and his need.
I had his full attention.
Groans almost as deep as a growl came from his chest.
I continued to lick and suck and became turned on by his groans.
“Kora.” My name came out as a long deep moan.
I took him one last time, then unhooked my bikini top. I held it out and dropped it to the floor.
He puffed out a breath and stretched his arms toward my breasts, but I shook my head and stood. I was just out of his reach. Slowly, I stepped out of my shorts. He quickly followed my lead and deposited his shorts on the floor.
“Kora.” He held his arms out and gestured me toward him.
I licked my bottom lip and straddled his lap. My mouth found his immediately as his hands slid down my bare back and cupped my ass. The warmth of his hands made me shiver. I shifted to my knees and placed him right at my opening.
“Kora, I don’t have anything.”
I met his gaze. “I’m on the pill and am religious about taking it.”
“If you’re okay, I’m not going to stop this.” It sounded like he had run a marathon.
I smiled against his mouth. “Good, because I’m not either.” I lowered onto him slowly.
I sucked in a breath as he filled me, and closed my mouth on his as a moan of satisfaction escaped my throat.
Sex with Kai was a marathon I enjoyed running. We moved together effortlessly, and his fingers found my sensitive area. He knew exactly what I wanted, and just when I thought I was going to die from all the built-up tension, my body trembled and contracted as warmth exploded from my core to my toes, and I moaned his name.
He brought his mouth to mine and maneuvered us to the floor. “My turn.” His voice was hoarse and husky.
His mouth found my breasts and sucked long and hard on my nipples.
I gasped for breath.
He then slowly kissed his way down my stomach. Teasing me, taking forever to get where I wanted him. “God, Kai. Please,” I begged. I needed to feel the warmth of his lips between my thighs. I wiggled under him as he continued to tease me and circled his tongue closer and closer.
Finally, he reached the promised land. And yes, he had a talented tongue. I moaned his name again and again.
We lay cuddled on the floor when we finally finished, both fighting to catch our breath. Kai put a pillow from the couch under his head and covered us with a blanket. I was warm, relaxed, satisfied, and spent. I napped, wrapped in his arms.