Chapter 19 Lilly
NINETEEN
LILLY
Sunrays dance on my eyelids, and my eyes pop open, not wanting to lose a single moment of this perfect reality—better than any dream or fantasy I could have imagined.
The curtains dance in the light breeze, and I pull myself up against the headboard.
My gaze moves to him. Ian’s fast asleep, his chiseled chest rising and falling with deep breaths.
My chest expands with feelings for him—the life-altering kind.
I am in love with him—utterly, undeniably, incommensurable.
There’s no point denying when my heart sings all the love songs for him, humming even unwritten ones.
My heart constricts, knowing I have him for now, but once we return, then what?
Go back to pretending? I’m not sure if I can do that.
I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for him—this all-encompassing love.
It fills up my lungs that I breathe him in and out of me in an endless cycle.
I am sure I never will be the same for anyone else—he’s my person, my other half.
Suddenly emotional, I roll out of bed, tiptoeing outside not to wake him up. I brought several swimsuits with me, but I am mostly naked. Our villa is the most secluded one, giving us unobstructed privacy. No one can peer inside. He’s not the sharing type. And neither am I.
Diving in the pool, I thread my arms and legs through the water, doing a few laps.
I miss him next to me, even though he’s only a few feet away. He’s a magnet drawing me in. Ignoring his pull is impossible.
I feel him long before he makes his presence known. It’s as if the air carries his essence, enveloping my senses from all directions.
I tilt my head and see him at the edge of the pool in all his naked glory. His body is pure male perfection: tall, ripped, imposing. He rakes a hand through his hair, arranging it into a sexy mess.
My eyes trail over him, drool gathering in my mouth. Stretching his arms above his head, he dives into the pool and swims underneath, surfacing right next to me.
He cages me between his strong arms. There’s no escape, not for my body nor my heart. I am trapped in his midnight blues, losing myself in this fascinating man.
“You weren’t there when I woke up,” he says in a low, gruff tone, telling of his need.
I feel the same.
Craning my neck, I palm his face. “I wanted to let you sleep longer.”
“I prefer to wake up to you.”
I brush my nose against his, caressing along the stubble. “What am I going to do with you, Ian?”
He purses his lip in a hard line sketched with frustration.
A knock sounds, and he says, “Turn around. No one gets to see you naked but me.”
His intent look sends a throb between my legs. His possessiveness is not only endearing, but it also makes me hot.
I turn around, hearing him shuffling for a pair of pants and opening the door.
When he returns, he places the tray on the surface of the pool. I tread through the water and take a few sips of orange juice.
As we dig into the scrumptious breakfast, he asks, “What do you want to do today?”
I am about to answer when he quickly adds, “An activity that won’t exhaust you, because tonight you’re mine.”
A delicious tremor rolls down my spine and wetness gathers between my thighs—that’s the norm with him.
I never thought I’d be this sexual creature, but with him it’s more—carnal desire rolled with emotional need.
His unapologetic want for me is a potent aphrodisiac, drugging all my senses and making me high on him.
I feel free, sexy, desired—a potent combination that makes me lose my mind over him.
I push the tray, and it floats away while I sashay to him.
Lifting on my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck. “So, no zoo today?”
“You’re unleashing the animal in me just fine,” he groans.
How I love that I can do that.
“And we wouldn’t want that.” I tease, continuing to play.
“Oh, you want it all right. It’s your fault my cock is constantly hard as fuck. So, make it bearable,” he demands in a hoarse voice.
A tremor rocks me, instantly making me wanton. He’s so sexual it wouldn’t surprise me if I turn into an addict, craving another blissful high. Combined with his cock stretching between us, ready to impale me, it’s a wonder I can still play the seduction game.
“I have to, don’t I, since I’m the reason?”
He grips my chin, biting into my neck. “Yes, you’re the reason behind my permanent state of want and need. It’s your mess.”
“And I have to clean it up, don’t I?” I rasp, my thighs clenching.
“Keep talking like that, and I’m hauling you back into bed and won’t get out until they throw us out.”
I giggle, feeling light-headed. I want him to do just that.
“Come on, let’s see that zoo you wanted before I change my mind.”
He’s so selfless, so intent on making all my wishes come true that I fall even deeper in love with him. It was na?ve of me to think I could keep us from happening.
He has dug in my chest, rooting himself there, taking ownership of my heart.
All the way to the zoo, the sexual tension drips between us like honey—thick with desire, sweet with the promise of release. I am a horny mess. Not repeating that mistake. Delayed gratification is not for me.
Luckily, when we reach the zoo, my attention switches. It’s an exotic paradise, birds of assorted colors and shapes flying above our heads, creating raucous sounds.
The humidity has sweat breaking on my nape, but the visual makes it all bearable—rich green vegetation.
Seeing a koala, I squeal, pointing at it. It’s the cutest thing possible, but when I spot the baby koala in its momma’s arms, my eyes well with tears.
I bury my face in his chest, crying—overwhelmed with emotions, all of them good.
“Hey, baby, what’s the matter?” he coos gently, caressing my back.
I look up at him, saying through a hiccup, “They’re too sweet.”
His features dawn in understanding, as if I am adorable while crying over a baby koala.
He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll be right back.”
I watch him go to someone from the zoo staff. He’s in a deep discussion while I watch, entranced, the image in front of me. What I wouldn’t give to hold one.
Ian returns, and the biggest grin stretches on his face as he grabs my hand. “I want to show you something.”
We follow the employee inside the zoo building toward the spacious and clean cages. A few moments later, he comes back carrying the baby koala.
My mouth gapes as I glance at Ian. He scratches his neck, watching me intently while I am simply speechless.
“Really?” I cry out, overjoyed. Is this my life right now?
“Really.”
The zookeeper approaches and extends the fluffy bundle to me. With utmost care, I take it, holding the baby koala in my arms. He’s so soft and delicate.
“How is that possible?” I ask Ian, knowing I can’t keep the baby even if I wanted to.
“A lot of charm and a hefty donation.” He shrugs as if it’s nothing.
“You didn’t have to,” I murmur, filled with gratitude.
He cocks a brow, and I know exactly what that means. For me, he’d do anything. I found my best friend and the love of my life in one. For him, it’s worth waiting until our stars align. Our time will come.
Ian takes a hundred pics of me and the baby koala. Then we help clean the cages as a thank you.
I also got to see pandas. This might be the best day of my life.
On the way back to the resort, I say, “Thank you so much. You’re…” Everything.
“Selfish, because nothing brings me more joy than seeing that delighted look on your face, knowing I put it there.”
I latch onto his arm and don’t let go, not even when we sit in the Jeep—wanting to glue each other together so we’ll never be apart.
My stomach growls, but thankfully, it’s dinner time when we arrive at the resort. I’ll never forget this vacation.
The concierge waits for us, bringing us to a secluded area so we can enjoy our privacy. The staff has been so accommodating, catering to, I guess, a VIP. We always get food delivered; everything is handled with discretion.
We eat while the sun dips low as if the ocean captures it overnight.
Standing up, he stretches his hand out for me. I offer him mine––he has all of me anyway, and he interlaces our fingers. The seconds tick by with anticipation as we speed-walk to our villa. Behind me, the door clicks shut, and he wraps his arms around me, pulling me to his chest.
“And now I have you all to myself,” he growls low—a mix of relief and desperation.
I shift in his arms. “Give me a few minutes.”
Dashing to the closet, I grab some sexy lingerie and go to the bathroom. I take a shower, shave every inch of skin, and lather myself in a creamy oil.
Once I am done, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, feeling sexy. I want to shatter his control, eviscerate the gentleman in him. With a bit of tan, my skin has never looked better, almost glowing.
I slip my legs into the lacy thong, then put on the matching bralette. It’s an intricate design with straps that only add to the sophisticated yet erotic look.
I let my hair fall back and dab a reddish gloss on my lips.
Smacking them together, I step outside and instantly desire coils in my belly.
He leans against the terrace door frame.
A towel hangs low around his hips, the knot threatening to unravel every second—just like me.
Droplets of water glide down his sculpted torso, making me want to lick him up.
Our eyes lock, and the heat in his eyes dizzies me.
“You look sexy as fuck.” He erases the distance between us in three strides, placing his forehead on mine.
I rest my palms on his thumping heart, revealing his feral state. I believe him wholeheartedly. He makes me feel like I am all he sees—bolstering my confidence up like nothing else.
Gazing into his hooded, lust-filled eyes, he crashes his mouth on mine.
The kiss starts sweet as his tongue parts my lips, but hunger swiftly replaces it. Frenzy overtakes our movements, and we give in to the sensual dance of lips, tongue, and teeth.