31. SUMMER BEACH
SUMMER BEACH
IVY
I lay on the bed, staring through the catamaran’s cabin skylight at the vast blue sky—which I’d grown to love even more over the last couple of weeks—before pulling myself into a sitting position and dangling my feet off the side of the bed.
Clutching my phone, I messaged Jai, updating him about the recent developments in my love life. My eyes settled on Karson’s chiseled arms as he stirred and rolled onto his side, my phone lighting up in my hand.
JAI: Awesome, haha. I knew you guys would get it sorted. I met someone too :)
A smile crept over my face at the thought of Jai meeting someone special.
IVY: Damn, that’s so cool, Jai! xx Miss you, little bro
He’d been too busy hanging out with his surfer buddies during school to date much. I cast a glance toward Karson, still sleeping, then crept quietly out of our cabin.
Stretching my towel out across the wooden deck, I stared dreamily up at the clouds shifting through endless shapes.
So this is what bliss feels like. I wanted to remember this feeling forever. Closing my eyes, the sun warmed my skin against the cool breeze.
“Hey, beautiful,” a familiar voice soothed a few minutes later.
I opened my eyes and raised a hand to shield them from the sun. As I sat up, smiling up at his powerful frame, my breath caught in my throat, and I patted the towel beside me for him to join me.
“So, I hope you’re not scared off after our conversation last night,” he said, his face aglow.
“I thought I might have dreamed it,” I said, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. “And no. Living together sounds as wonderful today as it did when you asked me last night.”
A flock of birds squawked overhead. As we stared into the distance a landmass caught my eye. “Oh, look!” I pointed as it came into view.
“Ahh, Sydney Heads. The gateway to the harbor. We’re almost there,” Karson said, standing and looking closer.
When I jumped to my feet, he stepped behind me, cloaking me in his arms as we watched the rocky escarpment grow larger.
“So, do you think it’s been a pretty good do-over, Firefly?” One corner of his mouth tugged up.
“Pretty good?” I said indignantly. “A great do-over, more like it,” I breathed, pulling his arms tighter around me. “Even better than the first one.”
“Ahh, the perfect do-over.” He chuckled lightly. “Would spending almost every minute in the cabin have anything to do with that?”
“You got me.” I laughed, grabbing the rail as we rose and dipped over the waves. “And this boat is unbelievable… just like home, except better.”
“Especially now we’ve christened it… but I think we should create a few more memories before we dock.” He traced the back of his hand along my thigh.
“Oh, you think so, huh?” I covered his hand with mine.
“I know so.” He reached beneath my top, his hand trailing upward before cupping my breast softly.
As I turned to face him, the boat lurched violently, throwing me off-balance.
“I gotcha,” he said, circling me in his arms again as the boat settled into a steady rhythm and we looked out over the sea.
I dragged myself from the hypnotic pull of the waves. “We’re almost there,” I murmured. “So, what’s the plan? Are we staying on the boat while we’re in Sydney?”
He chuckled. “If you’re okay with it, I’d love that,” he said, the light catching in his eyes and turning them as blue as the sky above.
“I could stay on the boat forever and be okay with it.”
He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it, his face lighting up a moment later. “By the way, did I mention I’m taking you shopping when we get there?”
“Shopping?” I repeated, surprised.
“For some clothes. Not that I don’t”—he smirked—“love this look on you. But lesson learned, never send the chauffeur to buy clothes.”
“Hey! I think I pull off the retired sailor look pretty well.” I struck a pose, running my hand over the oversized aqua-and-yellow spray jacket that clashed perfectly with my red-and-white-striped capri pants.
He shook his head, laughing.
“But yes, something in my actual size that looks absolutely nothing like these would be great.” I giggled, tugging up the oversized pants.
“Sorry, I guess Maurice’s taste is more…”
“Geriatric?” I smiled. “It’s all good, he did his best and he’s a sweetheart. Besides, I’ve barely needed clothes.”
“Good point.” He cast me a smoldering glance. “Any complaints?”
I smiled at him through my lashes. “Absolutely none,” I said, shaking my head.
“Well, before we berth, what do you say we go below deck and get those horrific clothes off you?” he murmured into my ear, not moving.
Giggling, I raced away, disappearing down the stairs before jumping onto the bed and peeling off the hideous clothes, stripping down to my black bra and panties as he stalked in.
His eyes fixed on me as the corner of his mouth lifted into a dimple. “You’re fast.” He smirked, moving closer. “But not fast enough,” he teased, lunging onto the bed.
Shrieking, I darted to the other end of the bed, just out of reach.
“There’s no escaping me now, Ivy Lawrence,” he said, his voice low as he crawled across the bed and caught my ankle. “I want to take my time with you.”
“Well then… what are you waiting for?”
Kneeling, he gripped the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it over his head, exposing his chest.
My breath caught as it fell to the floor.
He unbuttoned his cargos and let them fall, his eyes still locked on mine as he stepped free.
Coming closer, he leaned in, tracing a slow line along my thigh with the tip of his tongue.
I sank back into the pillows, a smile curving at the corner of my mouth as he hooked his fingers into the edge of my panties, sliding them down.
“God, I want you,” he said softly, sliding the fabric away. I lifted my hips, my body already responding as his hand traced upward along the inside of my thigh.
His touch moved higher, slower now, deliberate, as I trembled beneath him. A low moan left him as he leaned in, his mouth finding mine again.
Drifting lower, his lips brushed across my neck and shoulders. He moved lower, my stomach tightening as he paused at my midriff, tracing warm circles around my navel with slow teasing strokes.
He inched lower, unhurried and deliberate, and I drew in a sharp breath as he reached my center, the first flick of his tongue stealing my breath.
My hands threaded through his hair. “Karson…” My breath caught as my body pulled tighter with every slow stroke, ecstacy building steadily until it hit hard.
Trembling, I fell back against the pillows.
He scattered kisses across my waist, then lifted his head. “Wait,” he murmured, reaching toward the side table. There was a sharp rip of foil, before his weight pressed down on me, his mouth against mine.
With a deep groan he pushed inside me as my arms wrapped around his back.
I drew him closer, our bodies moving together slowly at first, then faster and deeper as we clung to each other.
The boat rocked gently beneath us, the movement carrying through us as his warm mouth grazed over my neck, leaving my skin tingling.
I pressed my hands against his chest as he rolled us over until I was above him.
“You feel so good…” His body tensed beneath me as I braced one hand on his chest.
His hands found my waist, guiding me over him as the need between us built again, stronger this time, until neither of us could stop it.
“Ivy!” His voice broke.
Something inside me gave way as I pulled myself toward him—shuddering, we clung to each other as it took both of us, the last tremors slowly fading.
Twisted together in a hot tangle, he ran his finger down my cheek as I smiled at the beautiful pale flecks in his eyes.
“You do know you’re my queen, don’t you Firefly?” he said, weaving his fingers through my hair.
Smiling, I brushed my fingertip across his bottom lip. “I love you, City Boy.” I beamed, and kissed him, smoothing his bedraggled hair as the corner of his mouth lifted.
“Please tell me to stop if this is terrible timing,” he said with a lazy smile, “but we need to talk about the shopping.”
“Karson Wells, I’m starting to think you’re a shopaholic,” I giggled. Laughing, I sat up as he dodged the pillow I threw at his head.
“Guilty as charged.” He smiled. “Gus will be waiting for us when we dock. Does that timing work for you?”
“Sure, I’m up for a shopping spree, plus it’ll be nice to see Gus again.” I laughed. “You’re clearly no fan of these clothes though, are you?”
“Oh, no, they’re real keepers.” He cringed playfully, his forehead wrinkling .
“And yeah, I’m glad you’ll get to see Gus again.
He’s retiring soon. I don’t know how I’ll ever replace him.
He’s been underpaid for years, so I decided to give him the Jaguar as a parting gift.
He’s obsessed with it.” He smiled lazily.
“That’s so awesome, he’ll love that.” I rested my hand on his bare chest, watching it rise with each breath. “You know, Maurice might not be the best stylist, but he’s a great chauffeur. Maybe he’s your guy.”
“Hmm, he’d be pretty much perfect. Good idea. I’ll reach out to him when the time comes.”
***
A series of thuds sounded before the boat bumped against something solid, then we heard the crew throwing the lines onto the mooring posts.
Our trip was over.
We showered and dressed, then headed to the deck where the crew was gathered. After thanking them, we said our goodbyes and walked hand in hand out onto the street.
“Karson, my boy!” Gus said with a huge grin. “What a relief to see you on dry land again. It makes me nervous when you’re out at sea.” He shivered. “Can’t you just stick to your supercars?”
“Gus, you do realize more people die in high-powered car accidents than drown at sea, right?” Karson smirked, pulling him in for a hug.
“Well, I didn’t say it was a rational fear, I’m just glad to see you on dry land.”
“Gus, you remember Ivy,” Karson said, tilting his head toward me. “And Ivy, you remember Gus.”