Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
The sun feels fabulous against my skin. Anthony’s private little beach is the perfect place to work on your tan. His house sits in a little alcove. There are rocky outcroppings on both sides, providing privacy in such a way that you can’t see the neighbors on either side. It’s almost like having your own little island. As I look out to the ocean, I find it peaceful, not a ship or sailboat in sight.
“I brought you some iced tea and the sunscreen.” Anthony plops down beside me, kicking up sand as he settles into his spot. “Let me slather you up. I don’t want you getting burned.” I hum with pleasure as he rubs sunscreen on my body.
“How did I get so lucky to have you? You cook, you clean, and you’re a stud in the sack,” I tease, but as I look at him, I can see that his expression is serious. “What’s up? You look like you’re frowning.” I watch him as he seems to struggle internally with something. My heart pounds wildly. Did I scare him away with the truth of my childhood?
“I’ve been thinking about something since we spoke earlier today. It was something that you said when we were talking about your parents.” I bring myself to a sitting position so the sun’s glare doesn’t disrupt my view. My heart drops into my stomach.
“What did I say?” I ask and wonder what I could have said to him that would cause him to ponder it since this morning.
“You said that he talked to your mom like you weren’t his kid. That he was always gone, and you wondered why a father would want to be away from his family. The thing that bothered me the most was when you described the note he sent to you four years ago. Would you mind if I hired someone to look into your mom’s past?”
“My mom wasn’t a whore, Anthony. If you think you’ll find out that she was, then you’re wrong.” I am furious he thinks my mom had a sordid past. I try to twist away from him, so he doesn’t see the anger in my eyes.
His hands come to my shoulders, and he forces me to face him. “I don’t think your mother was a whore, babe. I think your dad isn’t your dad, and I wonder if I can find out the reason you ended up with him as your father.” He pulls me into his arms. “I love you, and I want to figure out a way to help you understand your past. I know it weighs heavily on your mind.” His hands tenderly rub my back. My heartbeat normalizes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry with you. It’s just that my dad was always saying mean things about my mom, and I feel like I need to protect her...or at least my memory of her.” I lean into his embrace, knowing I’m safe in his arms.
“I understand. I’d do the same if anyone said a bad thing about my mom. You already know that I think my mom is a saint.”
I lean back and look into his eyes. “Your mom is a saint; she raised you, and that couldn’t have been easy,” I tease, feeling better than I did a few minutes ago.
“I want to do this, Em. I have a gut feeling about something. Do I have your permission?” I stare into his eyes and see the pleading look. He loves me, and I love him. I can’t deny him anything .
“I don’t want you to waste your money. I think my mom would have told me if I wasn’t his kid.”
“So, is that a no? Or is it a, ‘you can do what you want, and I won’t stop you, even though I think you’ll find nothing?’” His head tilts to the side in question.
“You can do what you want. However, I don’t think you’ll find anything.” Trying to lighten the mood, I add, “I’ve had a passing hope that somehow I was switched at birth or something crazy like that. I am the only one in my family with red hair.” I pick up the end and bring it in front of my eyes as if expecting it to change color. “My mom told me I had a recessive gene.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting. Okay, I need your mom’s maiden name and the town she grew up in.”
“Her maiden name was Adrianne Marie Helms, and she grew up in Dallas, Texas.”
“Perfect, thanks, babe.” He takes my hand, and in one motion, he pulls me to my feet. “Let’s go for a swim.”
“I’m afraid of the water, Anthony. I never go past the point where I can see my toes. There are many things in the ocean that you can’t see,” I say with concern. “I’ll stay here on the beach and watch you swim like I always do.” I have stayed out of the water the entire time I’ve known him.
“I’ll take care of you. Come on.” He tugs on my arm, trying to drag me toward the water. “If you’re going to live at the beach, Em, you’re going to have to learn to love the water.”
Against my better judgment, I relax and let him take me to the water’s edge. I think about the creepy ocean things like sharks and jellyfish as I slowly make my way into the cold saltwater. As soon as I lose sight of my feet, I grab his neck and wrap my legs around his waist. There is no way I’m letting my feet touch the ground. “Don’t drop me,” I plead.
“I got you. You don’t need to be scared,” he tells me as I shake in his arms. “You look beautiful with the ocean as your backdrop. Your red hair is blowing in the breeze, and the sun’s rays highlight every curve of your body. I get hard just looking at you.” His lips touch mine briefly, and his tongue darts out then retreats—he’s such a tease.
“Kiss me. Don’t tease me, Anthony. I want to feel your lips on me,” I beg.
“Oh, you’ll feel my lips on you. I plan to taste every inch of your body today. I told you I have an oral fixation.” This time, his lips press firmly against mine, and his tongue slides into my mouth as he slowly explores me. I can hardly breathe when he finishes the kiss.
The feel of his erection is no surprise. Anthony has an insatiable sexual appetite. “I gave in and came out here with you, but there is no way I’m having sex in the water.”
“No worries, I just wanted to take a quick dip, to relax and enjoy the water. Doesn’t it feel great?” His hands grip my ass as he pulls me closer to him. My breasts brush against the hairs on his chest, causing my nipples to pucker and tingle. The sensation makes me squirm ever so slightly. My change in position has him pushing against my entrance. The only things stopping him from full penetration are his shorts and my suit.
“Anthony! What are you doing?” I try to back away from him as I feel one of his fingers slide inside my bathing suit bottom and slip into me. Oh shit, that feels amazing. I can’t believe how he can turn me on so quickly.
“Stop squirming.” He pulls his finger out of me and turns me effortlessly, so I am cradled in his arms. I can feel the length of him against my butt cheeks. “Shall we rinse off?”
“Uh-huh,” I respond as I caress his chest and kiss his neck. His muscles are taut from the strain of holding me the last few minutes. I lick the saltwater from that sensitive place that sits between his neck and shoulder. I can hear his breath hitch.
“Let’s go inside,” he says with some urgency.
We enter the house and go directly to the shower. Setting my feet on the tile floor, he turns on the water. He makes quick work of removing his shorts and my bathing suit.
“Do you want steam, babe?” he asks as he turns on the various showerheads.
“No, it’s hot enough just looking at you. Besides, the steam will obstruct my view,” I say as I look down at his erection. I lick my lips as I watch it jump in reaction to my gaze.
“I love that tongue of yours and how it darts out of your mouth when you see something you like. I’m glad you like what you see.” His eyes roam my body. His fiery gaze lingers at the juncture of my thighs, and he chuckles. “Do you remember when we first started dating, and I told you I wanted to see if you were a natural redhead?” he asks as he looks at my bare mound.
“Yes, and I remember the shocked look on your face when you saw I had no hair. I told you that you would have to take my word for it, but you didn’t believe me.”
Anthony’s hand cups my mound. “I like it,” he whispers.
“Mmm.” I let out a soft sigh as he pulls his hand from my girlie parts.
“That will be a place where I let my tongue get out of control today.” His touch and his words are making me quake with want.