Chapter 14
Beckham
Elleryis trying to kill me.
Music from a live band floats in the air around us, mingling with embers of the crackling bonfires scattered along the resort. They are playing a seductive Latin tune, one I’m unfamiliar with. Ellery moves her lithe body in time with the rhythm, and each sway of her hips has me itching to take her back to the beach house and recreate the dance.
Naked, on our bed.
Actually, no.
The bed is optional.
Is it any wonder that, with those sorts of thoughts running rampant in my head, this entire evening has been a lesson in restraint? Because Ellery is pure temptation. A seductress from head to toe.
Especially wearing an outfit meant to drive a grown man to his knees. One of those skimpy little coverup dresses. The loose-knit fabric lets a bit of her bikini peek through, teasing me. Long enough not to be indecent, but short enough to show off her curvy legs and ensure that I’m fighting a raging hard-on the entire evening.
When the music shifts to something slow and sultry, I decide I’ve had enough temptation for the evening.
Quickly standing, I move toward Ellery. Her dancing stops—all except for the gentle, hypnotic swing of her hips. They hold me captive. As soon as I am close enough, I slip an arm along her lower back and tug her into me. She doesn’t even blink. With a bright smile, she loops her arms around my shoulders, waiting for me to lead her in the next dance.
Nothing feels as good as having Ellery in my arms. Her warmth lights a fire in me as we sway together to the melody. Each breath I take is tinged with the scent of apple blossoms and saltwater.
By the time the music fades, I am beyond ready to leave.
“Let’s go, shortcake.”
My hand slides down to capture hers. I head toward the exit, practically dragging her along behind me. Surprised laughter bursts out of her, the sound heating my blood. I hasten my steps toward our ride.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Back to the house.” I stop and press a kiss to her soft lips. “I need you alone.”
Her eyes flare. “O-okay.”
Unable to resist, I kiss her again as soon as she is strapped into the car. Harder this time. I dip my tongue in for a taste, taking extra time to sip and savor. She follows me with a whimper when I pull away to close the door.
I make the drive back in record time.
As soon as we are out of the car, I tuck her into my side.
“Come on,” I say. Then I lead us up the wooden steps and into the house.
After locking the door behind me, I lean back against it, my gaze intent on Ellery as she moves around the space. First, she hangs her bag on a hook by the door. Then, she toes off her sandals. Finally, she peeks at me over one shoulder.
Her smile is an invitation.
I quickly close the distance between us. Her breath hitches when I press my front to her back and my lips find her collarbone. Then, after kissing my way up the smooth column of her throat, I lower my mouth to her ear.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I whisper. “The things I want to do to you…”
My breath feathers along her skin. She shivers.
“Do them, then.” She turns in my arms. “Every single thing you can think of.”
Then she lifts on her toes, capturing my mouth in a fiery kiss. I mirror her every move, giving and taking. Pushing and pulling. When we finally break apart for air, we are both panting and her hands have fisted in the front of my shirt.
There is a wicked glint in her eye.
An even more wicked smile on her face.
“But,” she purrs, “you have to catch me first.”
Before her words even register, Ellery has shoved me back. She dashes up the stairs. I blink in surprise. Then a predatory thrill rushes through my veins and I am on the hunt. Chasing after her. Taking the stairs two at a time while I follow the trail of her laughter.
When I finally stalk into the master bedroom, Ellery’s clothes are already strewn across the floor. Moonlight illuminates her naked curves. She is staring through the open balcony doors, watching the ocean while the wind from the waves plays with her hair.
She takes my breath away.
As soon as she senses my presence, she turns toward me. Wide eyes framed with dark lashes meet mine. I cross the space in two strides, taking her into my arms.
“Caught you,” I rasp.
But, really, I am the one who is caught. She has me completely under her spell. What’s more, she knows it.
“Hmm.” She smiles playfully. “So what are you going to do with me?”
???
Morning sunlight starts to filter through my closed eyelids. I am surrounded by warmth and the comforting aroma of apple blossoms. Floating on a cloud in a sea of nothingness. No nightmares to startle me awake. No moments where I am caught in dark spaces, fighting to get out.
Just peace and serenity.
Comfort that lasts until the outside world starts to intrude.
Trying to hold onto sleep for a bit longer, I burrow my face into my pillow. But, as my surroundings slowly come into focus, so does the feel of Ellery’s soft, feminine curves pressed against me. Every blessed inch of her.
We are tangled together while her body plays the little spoon to my big spoon. I have an arm banded around her torso. My hand cups her breast.
For a moment, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.
I tighten my hold, pulling Ellery impossibly closer, breathing in her scent. She starts to stir and shift in her sleep. The action rubs her backside against my morning wood and pulls a groan from my lips.
A moment later, her eyes blink open. Her face brightens with a sleepy smile when she turns her head and catches me watching her.
“Mmm,” she purrs. “Good morning.”
She looks too damn delectable, stretching like a cat in the sun. All that silky smooth skin is on display. I rise on one elbow, smirking down at her.
“It’s certainly about to be,” I say.
Then I guide my palm down the slope of her waist and over the curve of her hip. She gasps when my fingers slowly skim the folds between her legs. Each stroke is deliberate. Playing and teasing until she starts to writhe against my hand.
It doesn’t take much. She was ready before she woke.
Hell, we both were.
“Beckham,” she whimpers. “I need you.”
That makes two of us. Moving quickly, I roll a condom onto my hard length. She arches her back just as I lift her leg for a better angle. Then I am slipping into her heat. Pressing deeper, one aching inch at a time, until I am fully seated.
“Oh, god,” she moans as I start to rotate my hips.
I take my cues from her breathy sighs and whimpers. Let her every reaction guide me. Digging into her hip with one hand, I glide in and out of her heat with tantalizing precision.
Each move we make is unhurried. Drowsy. Like we are drunk on sensation. Like we have all the time in the world to enjoy each other’s bodies.
Because we do.
At least for the weekend.
This kind of lovemaking is different than what I’m used to. Hell, before Ellery, making love wasn’t even part of my vocabulary. But I don’t know what else to call it.
All I know is that I don’t want it to end.
So I do everything I can to draw things out. Make this last. I slow my thrusts until they are barely more than an undulating wave of deep, teasing strokes. My teeth grit together against the desire for more. More speed. More force.
Instead, we drift along a gently rising tension. Coiling tighter and tighter until I start to feel slight tremors fluttering around my cock. Until her muscles lock tight and her breathing grows ragged.
“Come with me, baby,” I whisper in her ear.
My release starts at the base of my spine, spiraling outward while it gains momentum. I hold myself back, reaching down to circle Ellery’s clit with my fingers, until she detonates with my name on her lips.
“Fuck, Elle!” My words trail into a long, guttural moan. I quickly follow her over the edge.
It takes several minutes for us to come down from the high. For our breaths to slow and our limbs to unlock. When they do, I press a kiss on Ellery’s shoulder.
She giggles lightly.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“Just thinking that you were right. It’s a very good morning.”
“And the day’s only beginning.” I stand, heading to the bathroom to take care of business.
When I step back into the room, Ellery is propped up on one elbow while her hazel eyes track my every move. I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms. It’s difficult not to notice how delicious she looks with the sunshine kissing her bare skin. But I do my best. She pouts when I make no move to come back to bed.
“No time, sleeping beauty,” I explain. “We need to shower. I’ve got a full day planned for us.”
Curiosity gets the better of her. She slips out of bed and pads over to me. “What kinds of plans?” she asks.
“More surprises. That’s all you need to know.”
She bites her lip, pouting, peeking back at the rumbled bed.
“You’ll like them.” I take her face in my hands, tilting it up so I can capture her lips with mine. When we break apart, I add, “Trust me.”
“Okay,” she whispers, looking dazed.
I drop my hands back down to my sides. Then I step back. Ellery’s body sways toward me, reluctant to put any space between us. Before she has a chance to protest, I grab her hand and take a few steps backward, tugging her with me toward the bathroom. My lips curve into a devilish smile.
“Come on, shortcake,” I say. “Let’s go see if this shower is big enough for two.”