Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Skye
My mind reels at his words, each syllable sending electric currents straight to my core.
His hands haven't moved from my hips, but they might as well be everywhere at once.
I'm hyperaware of every point where our bodies touch—the heat of his chest against my back, his thighs bracketing mine, his fingers pressing into my skin through my swimsuit.
The scent of him—expensive cologne mixed with salt air—fills my lungs with each shaky breath I take.
"My way is you submitting to me," he continues, his voice a dark rumble against my ear, his lips so close I can feel the warmth of his breath stirring wisps of my hair.
"It's rough. There will be pain but more pleasure than you could ever imagine.
" His fingers flex against my skin, digging in just enough to make my breath catch.
"I want to tie you up and spank that perfect ass of yours. "
He groans then, low and primal, the sound vibrating through his chest into my back. "God, I love your ass."
My pussy clenches with need at his words, at the raw desire in his voice.
I've never heard anyone talk to me like this before—like they're starving and I'm a feast. It's terrifying and thrilling all at once.
My heart hammers against my ribs so hard I'm sure he must feel it, and heat floods my cheeks, spreading down my neck and across my chest.
I think I want all of that too, but it scares me.
I've never even had sex at all—it would be crazy to jump into the deep end with him for my first time.
The rational part of my brain is screaming warnings, flashing danger signs like a crossing gate, but my body isn't listening.
It's already decided, melting against him like I was made to fit here.
"Just the one night," he says, interrupting my thoughts, his tone shifting to something slightly more controlled. "I don't want to hurt Harper, so this has to be a one-time thing."
I agree with that point at least. Harper is the one person who's always been there for me. The thought of hurting her makes my stomach twist with guilt. But maybe...maybe if it's just once... One night with someone who's practically a stranger. One night that Harper never has to know about.
I just need to get him out of my system.
And the upside is I'll lose my virginity and make more money than I need.
Money that could help Mom with bills, help Justin with therapy, help me finish school without drowning in debt.
The practical side of my brain latches onto this logic, using it to justify what my body already wants.
His fingers inch closer to my pussy, tracing a tantalizing path along my thigh, and I'm fucking panting with need.
I can feel myself getting wetter by the second, my body responding to him in ways I never knew it could.
My nipples harden beneath my bikini top, and I fight the urge to squirm against him.
"Does that sound like something you want?" he asks, his breath hot against my neck, sending shivers down my spine despite the summer heat.
"Yes," I moan, unable to hold back the desperation in my voice. The single word comes out breathy and needy, almost unrecognizable to my own ears.
"Good," he says, sucking my earlobe into his mouth and biting before letting go. The sharp sting followed by the soothing heat of his tongue makes my eyes flutter closed.
I swear I'm going to leave a wet spot on this seat when I get up. My whole body is thrumming with anticipation, nerves and desire battling for dominance. Every cell in me feels alive, electric, hypersensitive.
Without warning, he moves his hand and turns the engine on. The sudden vibration beneath me only intensifies the ache between my legs. I bite my lip to stifle another embarrassing moan.
"I'll show you how to drive this thing," he says, his voice returning to something more normal, though I can still feel the hardness of him pressed against me.
He begins explaining the controls, and I'm surprised I'm able to pay any attention with how turned on I am.
His hands guide mine to the right positions, showing me how to accelerate and turn.
Every touch is casual yet deliberate, educational yet seductive.
His fingers linger a moment too long each time, a silent promise of what those skilled hands will do to me later.
I do like he says and pull away from the dock. The initial jerk of movement pushes me back against his chest, and I hear him inhale sharply, his arms tightening around me reflexively.
He tells me where to go, murmuring directions in my ear, holding onto my hips the whole way there which is maddening.
Each bump of the jet ski over a wave sends a jolt through my body, the vibrations and his touch and the salt air all combining into something intoxicating.
The sun beats down on us, warming my skin while the spray of water provides momentary relief from the heat—both outside and within me.
I wonder if Harper is already waiting, if she'll be able to tell what's happened between us just by looking. I wonder if I'll regret this later. If this fantasy is better left as just that—a fantasy.
But right now, with the wind in my hair and Dominic's hands on my body, I can't bring myself to care about later.
The sea cave unfolds before me, a natural cathedral that takes my breath away. I slow the jet ski as we approach the rocky opening, glancing back at Dom questioningly.
"Go inside," he encourages, his deep voice steady against my ear.
"Yeah, it's okay. Go in," he reassures when I hesitate, and I carefully navigate through the entrance.
My gasp echoes against the ancient walls as the cavern reveals itself.
Sunlight spills through a jagged opening in the ceiling, sending shimmering beams through the space that dance across the turquoise water below.
The surface sparkles like thousands of diamonds scattered across velvet, catching and reflecting light in hypnotic patterns.
The walls themselves tell stories of time—deep purple algae blooms contrast against creamy white patches where shells have embedded themselves over centuries.
Rusty orange mineral deposits streak down in rivulets, painting the stone with nature's patient hand.
The gentle lapping of water against rock creates a haunting echo that resonates throughout the space, a natural symphony that makes my fingers itch to somehow capture this moment, this feeling.
Stalactites descend from the ceiling like delicate stone icicles, water dripping from their tips in a meditative rhythm that's somehow both random and perfectly timed.
Some sections of rock have been polished smooth by countless waves, while others jut dramatically outward in formations that my artist's eye immediately wants to sketch, to study, to understand.
"It's beautiful," I whisper, afraid that speaking too loudly might somehow break the spell this place has cast.
"It is," Dom murmurs against my ear, his breath warm, and I'm not entirely sure whether he means the cave or something else entirely. The ambiguity makes my skin prickle with awareness.
I carefully navigate around a natural curve, and there's Harper, swimming in the crystal-clear water with her jet ski already parked on a small sandy area.
"Just pull over here and I'll push it up on the sand," Dom instructs.
I do exactly as he says, cutting close to Harper's abandoned watercraft.
He shuts off the engine and dismounts in one fluid motion, then offers his hand to help me.
I take it, feeling the strength in his grip as he guides me down into the refreshingly cool water.
"What took you guys so long?" Harper calls out, swimming closer with curious eyes.
I glance quickly at Dom, my mind racing for a plausible excuse. "It took me a bit to get the hang of it," I offer, hoping my face doesn't betray everything that's happened between us.
"Ahh," she accepts with a nod. "Well, what do you think?" She gestures grandly around the cave, clearly proud to show it off.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," I repeat, meaning it completely.
"Right?" Her eyes light up at my enthusiasm.
"Yeah. I think I want to paint it," I say, my fingers already mentally mixing colors that could capture the magical light quality.
"You should," she encourages.
"You paint too?" Dom asks, genuine interest in his voice.
"She does everything art related," Harper answers before I can, her pride in me warming my chest despite my guilt.
"Not everything, but I like to sketch and paint and, of course, digital art," I clarify, suddenly self-conscious about my skills under his intense gaze.
"That's pretty cool. I messed around with sketching a long time ago. Now all I do is for work," he offers, and I remember he's an architect.
"Can I see some of those sometime?" I ask impulsively.
"Yeah, anytime," he agrees easily. "They're pretty boring though."
"I doubt that," I say, genuinely curious to see what his skilled hands create on paper.
"You should show him some of Justin's landscapes," Harper suggests.
"Justin? Your brother?" Dom asks, connecting the dots.
I nod, warmth filling me at the thought of my talented brother. "He's an amazing artist. He definitely could make a living with it, but he wants to be a paleontologist," I explain, pride evident in my voice.
"He can always do it as a hobby," Dom offers thoughtfully. "Sometimes when you do what you love for work, it takes the joy out of it."
"Yeah, I guess so," I murmur, swimming away slightly to let the cool water wash over my heated skin.
But even here, surrounded by this natural wonder, I can't escape the electric current running between Dom and me.
My body still hums with anticipation for what he promised on the jet ski, what I've agreed to.
Each time Harper smiles innocently at me, guilt flickers at the edges of my consciousness, a shadow threatening the sunshine of this perfect day.