Epilogue
Ihad never considered myself to be a beach vacation girl, but it was hard to argue with an overwater bungalow. Especially when it was atop an aquamarine sea abutting white sand and more palm trees than I could ever hope to count. It had cost an obscene amount of money, but if you couldn’t spend money on your honeymoon, then when could you?
We had a private pool and a covered deck on the roof with an endless view of the wide blue horizon. The interior was warm, gleaming wood and crisp white fabric along with tons of windows and an open-concept floor plan.
“Holy shit, this place is swanky.” I lovingly touched the shining surfaces I passed as we wandered around our home for the next week.
We left our suitcases at the door to explore every nook and cranny. The view from our king-size bed made it seem like we were the only ones in the world here. Of course, there were probably hundreds of other couples spread among the overwater bungalows, the beach villas, and the hotel on shore, but we could pretend, and that was the important part.
A bouquet of fresh flowers adorned our coffee table in a riot of yellows, pinks, and greens. Through the open double doors to the bedroom, a heart of rose petals was visible, laid out on our bed.
I bounded into the room. “We love a place that goes maximum cliché. I’m glad all the hotels seem to do this for honeymooners.”
Sidney slid up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “This might be the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. Appropriate that I’m here with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
I laughed and snuggled up to my new husband.“You don’t have to charm me so hard when we’re already married.”
“I’m going to charm you every day until we die and there’s nothing you can do about it.” He scooped me up bridal style and carried me out to the lounge chairs under striped umbrellas, laying me down on one before getting comfortable on the chair next to me.
The sun was blazing hot, enough to make me sweat, and I closed my eyes against the glow.
“How long do I have to wait before tossing myself into the water?”
“Maybe change out of your clothes first,” Sidney said. “I could do with a dip after that plane ride.”
I luxuriated in the heat, reaching across the space between the chairs to take his hand. “Is it too much to ask for you to strip me down? I should probably have a nap but the sea is too tempting.”
“Stripping you down is no hardship.”
He tugged me toward him and sat me on his lap so he could peel off my shirt and unclasp my bra, teasing my skin with his lips and pulling my nipple into his mouth. I let out a contented sigh and cradled his head.
“You keep that up and I’m going to need to be ravished before I get into the sea.”
He looked up at me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “What a tragedy.”
His tongue snaked over my throat and he nipped at my scent gland to release a burst of honeysuckle.
I moaned and fisted my hands in his hair. “You’re so bad.”
He sucked my earlobe before answering. “Yes, and you married me knowing exactly that.”
His cock tapped me through our combined layers of shorts, and I giggled, grinding down on him.
“Maybe we should christen our place. Get the first fuck out of the way so it’s not looming over our heads,” I suggested.
“I’m happy to take you anywhere, anytime,” said Sidney. “But since you’re already so conveniently in my lap, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
He pressed my hips down and slid one hand into my hair, using it to crane my neck so he could feast on the skin he’d exposed. I shivered. We’d been together long enough that he knew every spot on my body that would undo me and he used that knowledge now, with a perfect sucking pressure on my scent gland that threw my hormones into overdrive and had me helplessly bucking against him.
It was only when my squirming got out of control that he finally raised his head. I looked at him with hazy vision, my heart hammering, and my panties soaked between my thighs.
“Stand up for me. If you can,” he added with a smirk.
I rose on shaking legs, balancing myself on the deck chair.
“Good girl.”
I moaned softly at the endearment as he smoothed a hand down my leg.
“Let me go find our swimsuits in the suitcases,” he said.
I followed him unsteadily. It took only a few minutes to dig out my bright blue bikini and his matching swim shorts.
“Hands to the wall, kitten.”
I obeyed, setting my palms against the warm wood. Sidney got down on his knees and undid my shorts from behind, tugging them along with my sodden panties down to the floor. I jumped when he pressed a kiss to my slick folds.
“I can’t decide if it would be more fun to get you off now or if I should let you store all of this neediness for tonight.”
My personal vote was always now, but then again I was not the most patient soul. I whined, dropping my forehead to the wall between my hands. He stood up sharply and gave me a pat on the ass.
“I’ll wait. You’re more fun when you get squirmy.”
I dragged my nails down the wall. “You’re so mean.”
He pressed up against me. “Only a little. Besides, I’m making myself suffer right now, too.” He ground his hips against my ass for emphasis.
“Well, if you’re not going to fuck me, at least give me my swimsuit.”
He passed over the tiny triangles of fabric held together by string. When he stepped back, I slipped it on slowly, wiggling my hips and sliding my palms over my breasts as I did so to tease him.
“Aren’t you changing, too?”
“I will.” He grinned wolfishly. “Just taking advantage of the view first.”
My cheeks flushed with warmth. I watched with hungry eyes as he pulled off his own clothes, revealing the trim sculpted body I’d known a thousand times over.
“Like what you see, kitten?”
I nodded, biting my lip. “I can’t help it that you’re gorgeous. Besides, I’m legally allowed to look whenever I want.”
Sidney laughed. “Ah yes, one of the lesser-known perks of marriage.”
“Exactly.” I crossed the short distance between us and walked my fingertips up his chest, lacing my hands behind his head to pull him down.
“Are you trying to tease me into satisfying you?” he asked.
“I am shocked! Shocked, I say, that you would even think I would stoop to teasing to get what I want.”
“You’re right. That doesn’t sound like you at all.” He pulled out of my grasp and exchanged his regular shorts for his swim ones before picking me up and carrying me out onto the deck. We plunged into the warm water and broke apart, swimming back to the surface to burst through into the air.
I laughed and swam over to the ladder. “Oh my god! It feels like a bath. I’m never going to get out.”
“I’ll extract you when you start to prune.” Sidney joined me and pinned me against the ladder. “Have I told you lately that you look beautiful when you’re soaking wet?”
I leaned in to nuzzle his cheek and whisper in his ear, “That’s good because you make me fucking wet.”
“You don’t want me to fuck you in the ocean. Salt water will get into unfortunate places.”
I giggled. “Maybe so, but I’m still going to have fun teasing you.”
Sidney growled and bit my shoulder. “Naughty kitten.”
“You knew exactly what you were getting into when you married me.” I slipped out of his arms and swam slowly on my back in the shade of our bungalow. “Do you think they rent snorkel equipment? I bet there’s cute fish in here.”
“We can ask at the hotel when we go in for dinner.”
I hadn’t gone swimming as often as I would’ve liked in my adult life. As a child I’d practically been part fish, spending every spare moment at the community pool. Now it was like a renewal when I bathed in the fragrant ocean and let it soak into my bones. I hummed softly, swishing my fingers through the surface of the water to keep myself balanced. Sidney floated just out of reach.
“You’re too far away.”
He adjusted his floating until we could brush fingertips. “Better?”
“Much.” I sighed happily. “I need a floaty pillow under my head so I can drift forever.”
“If you fall asleep out here, you’re going to drift out to sea and then what the hell am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?”
“Mourn for eternity because I’m an irreplaceable gem and the light of your life?”
“You’re not wrong about any of those things, but I’d still prefer not to have to mourn. Maybe I’ll have to tie a rope around your ankle and attach you to the ladder.”
I dipped beneath the water and swam under him, popping up to let myself wrap around him. I kissed his cheek and tossed myself back into the water like a dolphin.
Pure delight sang through my blood. Being in the ocean reinvigorated me and let me forget my exhaustion as I bobbed in the delicate waves.
Sidney looked like some kind of ocean god of myth. His skin soaked up the sun, and the splattering of ocean droplets in his hair sparkled like a halo.
“You’re exceptionally pretty out here,” I said.
“It’s dangerous to view me in direct sunlight. You’ll burn to a crisp.”
I laughed and swiped back some unruly strands of my hair. “It’s a little unfair, honestly. You get to be out here looking like an absolute snack even when you’re soaking wet and I’m pretty sure that I look like a drowned rat right now.”
“Only slightly drowned.” Sidney chuckled and pulled me toward him. “But drowned or not, you’re always exquisite to me.”
“You’re such a sap and I love it. Never change.”
His stomach growled before he could answer. “Can I persuade you to stop being a selkie for two minutes so we can go get some dinner?”
“Absolutely. It’s my duty as your wife and your omega to make sure you don’t wither from hunger.”
We climbed out of the sea and back into our overwater bungalow, where we showered the salt away and dressed for dinner. Sidney was in simple khaki shorts and flip-flops with a short-sleeved pale blue button-down, while I opted for a white sundress with sunflowers embroidered along the hem.
“Have I mentioned that you look absolutely delicious in sundresses?” asked Sidney.
“Once or twice,” I said as I tidied my wet hair up into a ponytail, “but I’ll never say no to an extra ego boost.”
We walked hand in hand down the boardwalk back toward the hotel. Other couples filtered out of their bungalows as well. The sun was dipping low on the horizon, illuminating the sky with bright shades of coral and tangerine mixed with the fading blue and violet of twilight. The restaurant was right on the beach, the patio raised up on stilts and overlooking the shore. A chirpy beta hostess took us to our seat at a small two-person table where we had a perfect view of the sunset.
I pored over the menu. “Why does it all look delicious? How am I supposed to choose?”
“I’m pretty sure between the two of us we could order everything they have over the next week. We can share to try extra things.”
“You’re so smart.” I grinned at him. “I married a fucking genius.”
We ordered a pair of tropical drinks—a pi?a colada for me and a Mai Tai for Sidney—as well as an order of coconut-crusted tilapia with pineapple chutney and seared scallops with mango salsa.
Sidney looked at me like I’d hung the stars and reached across the table to lace our fingers together, bringing mine up to his lips. “We should go on vacation more often.”
“Literally no argument here.” I smiled at him and traced the back of his hand with my fingertips. “I quite enjoy getting to hog you all to myself.”
Soft music played in the background, accented by the quiet chatter of the other guests. As the sun began its descent, the staff lit up torches around the restaurant to give everything a warm glow. It was as close to paradise as I had ever been.
Our food arrived, and we tucked close together to eat off each other’s plates. Every mouthful was a burst of flavor that had me eager for the next before I had even swallowed.
“Sweet fuck, this is so good.”
Sidney groaned softly as he ate a bite of scallop and followed it up with a sip of his Mai Tai. “I’m going to have to learn so many recipes. I can’t go the rest of my life never tasting this again.”
I giggled and toed off my flip-flops beneath the table, teasing his ankle as I snared it between my feet. “Won’t that just make you homesick for this place then?”
“Maybe so, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Live music began when we’d finished our entrées. The musicians gave a traditional flare to modern music that was pure delight to the ear. I bounced along in my seat while we waited for our dessert to arrive. Our server arrived at the end of the first song with two small pineapple ginger sundaes dripping with rum sauce and disappeared again before the next song started.
Sidney brought his chair around the table so he could sit next to me while the music played. His arm draped over my shoulders and I alternated feeding myself bites and passing some over to him. I nestled against him and let myself drift, eyes closing to appreciate music and the warmth of his body.
The musicians played for another couple of hours. By the time we wound down for the evening, I was yawning again. The staff led everyone back to our bungalows with the flickering torches to light their way. Once we were safely inside our own, I let Sidney press me against the door for a slow, delicious kiss that gently roused me.
I stood on my tiptoes and pressed myself closer. “I need to sleep before we do anything too elaborate, but I’m not opposed to some luxurious makeouts.”
“If you think I’m letting you go to sleep tonight without an orgasm, you’ve obviously forgotten who you married.” Sidney let his forehead rest against mine and slid his hands down my back. “You can lie back and I’ll do all the work.”
I laughed quietly. “That’s what I like to hear. I’ll return the favor tomorrow.”
He scooped me into his arms and I wrapped my legs around his waist so he could carry me more easily to the bedroom. Sidney laid me out on the rose petals and indulged in more sweet kisses that I felt down to my toes. His hips rocked gently between my thighs. I whimpered at the slow grind and used my heels to push him closer.
His mouth left mine and I tipped my head back, offering my throat. His teeth grazed the tender skin and he dropped wet, sucking kisses down the expanse of my neck, inching slowly down the rest of my body.
I shivered, arching up as he tugged down the spaghetti straps of my dress and pulled the fabric away from my breasts. I groaned and bowed up as his lips wrapped around my nipple with the curl of his tongue. His hands dipped beneath my skirt and pulled off my panties.
His name melted into a sigh. I closed my eyes to focus on the insistent touch of his mouth and exploring hands.
“I can’t decide if I would rather see you naked or if I should peel the dress away as needed.”
“I have no complaints either way,” I said softly. “Any way that you want to touch me is the best way.”
“So accommodating.”
“I’m easy to please.”
Sidney slid his fingers between my thighs. “We’ve only gotten started and you’re already dripping, kitten.”
“If you think I can get through more than two seconds of you being a sexy beast without soaking through my panties, obviously you don’t know who you married.”
He dipped two fingers inside me, my muscles clamping down automatically on the digits. We groaned in unison and I flexed my hips. He worked me over with no haste, stroking a smooth rhythm that had me panting and squirming. He continued at that same unhurried pace as he brought his tongue to my clit. I gasped and whined, lifting my hips against his mouth. It didn’t matter how much I squirmed, requesting without words, he never once moved faster or harder, content to unravel me in his own time. He always seemed to love when I shattered for him and reduced myself to begging for every touch.
The only sound was the slick squelch of him finger-fucking me and the desperate, needy noises he coaxed from my lips.
He lifted his head. “Eyes open, kitten. You know the rules.”
I tugged on his hair and pressed against the back of his skull, my need for sleep replaced by an unrelenting desire for him. “Please, please, please. I need it.”
“Need what?”
“I need you to fuck me. Right now.”
“Since you asked so nicely, I suppose I can indulge you in one more thing tonight.”
I spread my thighs further apart, my legs shaking with anticipation. “Yes,” I whispered with a breathy moan. “I’m so fucking ready.”
Sidney rose up and I held my breath as he angled his cock at my entrance. I keened as he sank in; the stretch and friction of him, the delightful sensation of my body giving way to him pushed me to the precipice. His fingers took over his tongue’s work at my clit and my back arched like a cat, groaning out his name. “Fuck, Sidney. Yes. Right there.”
He still hadn’t picked up his pace, preferring the slow luxury of grinding against me exactly as he pleased.
“I don’t have the patience for this.” I whined. “Please.”
His hips snapped, choking off my protestations. “Since when is impatience rewarded?”
“Exceptions should be made for our honeymoon.”
“Oh, is that so?” Sidney laughed.
“It is!”
“If you insist.” He fucked hard into me and moved his fingers in eager circles over my clit until I was shaking, my sounds incoherent as he tossed me over the edge. My pussy clamped on his cock and his movements became more erratic.
“Sweet Jesus, kitten. I’m never going to get used to that grip.”
I was too preoccupied by the flare of pleasure, the swell of sensation that constricted my core and had me arching off the bed with a scream that was probably audible to every single temporary neighbor.
I rocked my hips desperately to continue the rhythm and ride out the rest of the orgasm. His hips drove deep and he pushed me over the edge one more time before he finally gave in himself with a curse that echoed my name. Warm heat bloomed in my depths.
I relaxed in increments, my muscles lazy and used, my pussy aching for more even though he was still seated inside.
“Best honeymoon ever,” I said with a laugh.
Sidney leaned over me, letting most of his weight relax. “This is only the first day.”
“Yeah but I’m optimistic.”
I stroked my hands down his sweaty back and lifted my face to plant a kiss against his throat, breathing in the sweet citrus and clove scent that clung to his skin. “You smell even better after sex. Got all those hot, musky alpha pheromones going.”
He growled deep in his chest and my cunt gave a sharp squeeze in response that cut off the sound as he inhaled sharply.
“We should get cleaned up for bed. I need to refuel if you’re going to work me out like this every day that we’re here.”
“You have to get off me for that.” I poked his side playfully.
He sank more of his weight onto me and slipped his arms under my back, holding me closely. “No. Maybe I’ll stay right here forever.”
“I won’t complain about you squishing me. Absolutely nothing is stopping me from falling asleep like this.”
Sidney sighed deeply and rolled off me. He disappeared briefly into the bathroom and returned with a warm, damp cloth to tidy me up before climbing in next to me and pulling the thin blanket over top of both of us. I snuggled in and fell asleep instantly.
When I woke the next morning, it was to blazing sunlight. The ocean was lit up as if diamonds were scattered across its wavering surface. I looked over and found Sidney still asleep on the pillow, breathing softly.
I peeled myself out of bed and did a quick wander around our bungalow to reorient myself. There was a white slip of paper inside the door on the floor. I picked it up, finding that it was a notice that breakfast had already been delivered. I pulled open the door and found a covered basket waiting for me. Hauling it inside, I found two bottles of water, tropical fruit, and a container of pastries. I set the bounty on top of the small table that looked out to sea and checked the coffee maker to be sure it had enough water before adding two hearty scoops of the grounds that sat in a jar next to it. It bubbled away happily and I went back into the bedroom to wake Sidney.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” I kissed his cheek and threw myself down on the bed, cuddling up to him like I was a koala.
He groaned and draped a lazy arm around me, curling into my warmth. “Morning. Why are you up so early?”
“Too much sunlight to sleep.”
He laughed softly and peeled one eye open. “I don’t know what I expected from the tropics.” He sat up gingerly and sniffed the air. “Coffee?”
“Yep. It’s brewing as we speak and they sent us breakfast in an adorable basket.”
“I suppose I could get up for adorable baskets.”
I poked at him until he finally rolled out of bed. We sat at a small table and he dished up our mango and pineapple chunks while I prepared our coffees. When I returned, there was a pastry on each of the small plates alongside the fruit.
Breakfast was a quiet, relaxing affair. We ate slowly, indulging in the delicious food and the perfect view. Once we’d had our fill, we stretched out on the lounge chairs in the shade, each with a book in hand to while away the morning.
“They should have a super lounge chair so we can snuggle.”
Sidney chuckled. “It’s a little warm for snuggling, but if it were a bit cooler, that would be perfect.”
“Spoilsport. Don’t you want to get all sweaty and gross in a non-sexy way with me?”
He reached over and dragged my deck chair over to him, unlatching the switch behind me so that my bed lay out flat. I squawked as I fell backward and he rolled over to lie on top of me.
I giggled helplessly. “This is the incorrect kind of snuggling.”
“You loved it last night.”
“That was then; this is now.”
He nestled in close, sandwiching me between his body and the deck chair, hands inching dangerously close to ticklish spots.
“Don’t you fucking dare. I will yeet you into the sea!”
“Try to stop me.”
It was all the warning he gave before his fingers danced along my ribs in the exact way that had my nerves exploding. I bucked and flailed, gasping for breath and laughing hysterically as I shoved at him.
“Mercy!” I shrieked.
His brief torment ceased immediately and he pressed an apology kiss to my throat.
“Divorce!”
Sidney laughed and nipped at my earlobe. “Nope. You’re stuck with me.”
Desire pulsed through my blood at the weight of him on top of me. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one affected by my wild movements when I’d been tickled, because his cock had come to life and was tapping me to get my attention.
I giggled. “Good morning to you, too.”
Sidney wiggled his hips against me.
“None of our neighbors can see us here, short of some of them swimming over. Do you want me to take care of that?” I offered.
“I’m not sure there’s any situation in which I’d say no to that.” He laughed and rocked gently against me.
“Roll over. I’ll take you for a nice ride before we go for a swim.”
He obeyed my instruction and climbed off, replacing me on the deck chair when I stood. I grinned down at him and wrapped his half-hard cock in my hand to give him a gentle stroke. I flexed my wrist and eased myself down until I could wrap my lips around the tip, taking him in and delighting in the low groan of pleasure.
I wasn’t after getting him off like this, but he was always fun to tease. His ass cheeks squeezed and pushed his cock deeper in between my lips.
“Never going to get tired of this,” he murmured.
My pussy clenched around nothing and already I could feel the slick gathering between my thighs. I kept up a slow pattern, mouthing his shaft, tongue twirling at the tip, and gentle hands smoothing down and over his thighs. His breathing was broken and uneven as I worked.
It was one of my favorite sounds.
Once he was good and riled up, his cock impossibly firm in my hand, I rose up. Instead of sinking down to face him I turned away to look out to the sea. I braced a palm on his thigh and used my other hand to guide him to my entrance. My hips rocked, bringing him in inch by inch as he moaned, until I was seated fully in his lap.
His palms lay over my hips. I lifted up and paused before he slid out of me, freezing with a low moan as his fingers slipped to where we were joined and spread me apart. I shuddered at his touch.
“Pretty sure we both get magnificent views right now. Take me back in, kitten.”
I slid down slowly, already panting. I set a comfortable rhythm. The sea was dazzling before me, almost as incredible as the rising sensation behind me. Sidney flexed beneath me and met my movements with a thrust of his own.
“Oh, fuck.”
He coated his thumb in my slick and teased my asshole, sinking into me to the first knuckle, and I paused, my breath stuttering. My hole twitched and clamped down around him. Sometimes I wished he had two cocks so he could fill me entirely and I could be overwhelmed every time we came together. I took a deep breath and started up again. I reached down to my clit. My touch was frantic and I picked up speed with my hips, sensation tangled through every inch of me, urging me onward.
“You look so fucking hot taking all of me right now.” He groaned and thrust his thumb a little deeper.
I whined, clenching my pussy and squeezing around his thumb. Tingles of pleasure danced on my nerves. I drove myself down on him and dug my nails into his thighs with an increasingly desperate keen.
“Come on, kitten. You can get yourself there.”
I rubbed furiously at my clit, trying to concentrate so I didn’t falter in my movements. The exertion in the heat had me sweating, my temples sticky. It always took me longer to come like this. The bigger the orgasm, the bigger the buildup, and with both of my holes occupied, and my clit being tended to, the rise of it choked me. I fucked hard against him. The friction drove me closer until my whole lower half was tingling.
“Please,” I begged. My thighs shook, trembling from the effort I exerted.
“You can do it. Come on my cock like a good girl.”
My reply broke off, the friction on my clit tipping me over the edge. My muscles seized, and I snapped my eyes closed with a cry.
He bucked up into me. “Good girl. Just like that.”
Before he could praise me further, I felt his body contract and heat swell deep inside me. My fingers never strayed from my clit, even as I moved wildly, seeking every bit of pleasure I could bring from it. When my legs finally gave out, I eased back, resting my sticky hand on his leg to brace myself.
“You know,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of exquisite things in my life, but watching my cock disappear inside you set to the backdrop of the ocean might be top of the list.”
I giggled and leaned down across his legs. “I tired myself out.”
“How about I pick up some floaties from the hotel and you can chill out on the water for a while?”
“That sounds like perfection.”
I rehydrated myself while Sidney went about his task and returned with two giant inflatable tubes and some rope to secure us so we didn’t float out to sea.
We passed the rest of the morning on our tubes until the heat of the day drove us into the shade of the hotel patio, where we sipped blended cocktails and ate ceviche and coconut bread. The afternoon brought naps and a soak in our tiny private pool before we ventured back to the hotel for another sunset dinner.
Vibrant, lively music filled the air and space had been cleared for dancing. We split some pork and pineapple tacos and coconut shrimp before taking to the dance floor ourselves.
I didn’t know any of the steps but it didn’t stop Sidney from twirling me around the dance floor until I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. By the time I begged to sit down, it was fully dark. Sidney hoisted my feet onto his lap while we rested and indulged in a pair of margaritas.
The next few days followed the same blissful pattern—breakfast on the deck, lounging the day away with fabulous food and swimming, and evenings of music and dancing at the hotel. On occasion, we added in some jet skiing and paragliding.
As the week came to an end and I was packing up my things, I stared out at the ocean. “I know this would probably feel less special if we got to be here every day, but this place is growing on me real fast. I could be an island girl.”
Sidney laughed quietly and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I’m happy to return anytime. But as much as I love the islands, being with you is the only paradise I need.”