Debbi Rawlins - Delicious Do-Over

“I don’t see anyone headed this way,” she said.

“We’re safe. No waves so the local surfing crowd won’t be showing up, and it’s dinnertime for everyone else.”

“What do you mean no waves?”

“That?” He followed her gaze to the small swells that quickly lost momentum before the break. “Those aren’t waves. Not even a self-respecting bodysurfer would waste his time on those ripples.”

Lindsey grinned. “Well, aren’t we cocky?”

“Wait until we get to the other side of the island, you’ll see what I mean. Too bad you weren’t here in December and January when the big waves hit.”

“Were you already surfing when we first met?”

“For a couple of years, mostly on weekends. I lived near Hermosa Beach in Southern California while going to school.”

“You never mentioned it—surfing, I mean.”

“I believe we had better things to do.” Rick nuzzled her neck, and murmured against her skin, “Like now.”

She made a small mewing sound and leaned back, running her palm over his forearms. She had small hands, tiny wrists. Her skin was pale against his. He had to make sure she took care not to burn in the midday sun.

He moved his hand and cupped her left breast through her tank top. She didn’t stiffen as he’d suspected she might, but only sighed. Damn, he wished they were back at his place. Within twenty minutes it would be dark except for the half moon. He had no problem stripping down right here, but he knew she would. And he wanted to see her in the worst way.

He abandoned her breast, moved his hand down. When he slipped it underneath her top, she tensed. But she let him stroke the soft skin over her rib cage, and she even turned her head so that her eyelashes fluttered against his temple. He found her bra, and released the front clasp, then covered her mouth with his.

HER NIPPLES WERE ALREADY beaded and hard, but the shock of the first touch jolted her, making her tear away from his kiss and scan the beach. Murmuring a reassurance, he used his free hand to bring her mouth back to his. She didn’t resist. She felt too weak and hot and hopelessly needy. The touch of his roughened fingers against her sensitive nipple made her quiver, and a whimper escaped from her lips into his mouth.

She was a mess, an utter and complete mess, and he’d barely touched her. She had to slow him down. Slow down her own growing desire to touch him, to feel the hard contour of his muscled arms and chest against her skin. It was too light out. Anyone could walk up and surprise them. That would ruin everything.

Lindsey broke from him again, evading his hand when he tried to pull her back. “Rick.”

He palmed her breast, whispered something she didn’t understand, his warm breath skimming her ear.

Her eyes drifted closed, only for an instant, and he lightly pinched her nipple. “Rick. No.”

Before the word was fully formed, he’d stopped. His hand slid out from under her top. “Lindsey, I’m sorry,” he said, the remorse in his voice thick.

“Oh, wait.” Leaving the comfort of his arms, she twisted around to see him. He looked devastated. “That wasn’t a don’t-ever-do-that-again no,” she said, briefly touching his face. “It was more a I’m-a-big-fat-chicken no because it’s too light out.”

A relieved smile totally transformed his expression.

She laughed softly. “I like you touching me,” she whispered, and watched his expression change again.

His nostrils flared, his jaw tightened. “Good.” His heated gaze went briefly to her breasts before lifting to meet her eyes. “I plan on doing a lot of that.”

She tried to control the shiver that rattled her insides, shook the starch out of her spine. But it was too late. She only hoped her voice wouldn’t fail her. “We should eat. Before it’s too dark.”

He ran his hand up her arm. “Your bra,” he said, keeping his eyes level with hers.

“My bra?” She frowned, glanced down at her chest. Her unbound breasts. Her aroused nipples. “Oh.” She reached under her tank top and fumbled with the clasp.

“You’re killing me,” he said with a shaky laugh, and pushed off the mat, getting to his feet in a flash. “Cola or beer?” he asked, without looking at her.

“Cola.” She finished fastening the clasp, in spite of her unsteady fingers, and wondered if it would be fair to ask him to take off his shirt.

She supposed she had a normal sexual appetite typical for a woman her age, but she never obsessed over a man’s body like she’d been doing with Rick. But then she didn’t personally know any guys who looked like that.

He handed her the opened can, then popped the cap off his bottle of beer. He threw his head back to take a long pull, and she seized the unguarded moment to stare at his fly. Her mouth went dry. He was still hard, impressively hard.

She averted her gaze and guzzled the cola. Maybe she should try calling Mia and Shelby, see if they were going to be out this evening and if one of the rooms would be free.

“I’d give just about anything to know what you’re thinking.”

Lindsey looked up into his amused face, and instinctively her hand went to her warm cheek. Silently, she cursed herself, as if she could do a darn thing about the persistent blushing. It so wasn’t fair.

She blithely pressed the cold can against her heated skin. “Not in this lifetime.”

Rick grinned. “After it gets dark we can go swimming, help cool you off.”

“We don’t have swimsuits,” she said, choosing to ignore his teasing. “At least I don’t.”

“Hence, the after-dark part.”

She laughed. “You did not just say that.”

“What?”

“Hence?” She tried to stand, but had a bit of trouble with the loose sand, and accepted the hand he offered.

She gained her footing, and he could’ve released her. He didn’t. He pulled her close, and she felt the heat of his arousal right through her clothes. She tilted her head back and waited for him to lower his mouth. He lightly brushed his lips over hers, then gradually increased the pressure, leisurely kissing her.

Her eyelids fluttered closed, blotting out the pinkish-gold twilight sky, blotting out everything but the feel of his muscled shoulder beneath her fingers. Her ability to reason evaporated on the sea breeze. If he wanted to make love to her right now, right here, she wouldn’t resist.

Slowly he lifted his mouth. She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her. She almost begged him not to stop.

“Let’s eat, huh?” he said, and with a gentle hand, freed the tendrils of hair that had tangled with her lashes.

She almost laughed. How could he be thinking about food? She nodded, swiftly backed up and looked away, hoping he hadn’t seen the disappointment in her eyes.

He used the other towel, and spread out the goodies he’d bought, being careful to anchor down anything that could blow away. After emptying the paper sack, he said, “We’ll use this for all the recyclables. I’ll sort them later.” He indicated the empty plastic bag that had held the ice. “Trash can go in here.”

Lindsey smiled.

“Go ahead,” he said, with a bring-it-on cock of his brow. “I’ve already heard every smart-ass remark there is about how anal I am when it comes to recycling.”

“Actually, I was thinking that there’s enough food here for five people.”

He patted his flat belly. “I’ve been known to eat for four.”

“Hard to believe.”

“I work it off.”

“Surfing?”

“That, too,” he said, and winked.

Lindsey gave him her best eye-roll, and hoped that he didn’t see the pulse zinging at her wrist and neck. She was going to have to have sex with him soon, no matter where they ended up. Just so she could relax. Knowing it was coming, remembering how he had made her feel that one incredible night, was keeping her teetering on the edge.