by Jill Downey
The dolphins swam in closer, appearing as curious about them as they were about the dolphins. They arced out of the water then disappeared only to reappear again.
Penelope’s face was beaming. “They’re playing,” she whispered in awe.
“Yes.”
They continued to circle for several minutes then swam off, seemingly without a care in the world. Penelope sighed loudly.
“Griffin, that was magical. Thank you!”
“I’m really glad you got to have that experience Pen. Ready to get out?”
“Yes, before I shrivel up.”
Griffin had thought of everything from the rose petals and wine to the gloriously thick steaks that were currently searing on the built-in grill.
“I’m ready for a glass of wine, how about you?” he asked.
“Yes please. Do you want me to get it?”
“No princess, you look way too comfortable. Let me serve you, my lady.”
And she was. Comfortable didn’t even begin to describe it. She was sprawled belly-down on the deck cushions, under the canopy, half asleep. The combination of sun and water, and the lack of stress, had her body feeling like an overcooked noodle.
He trailed his knuckles down her back before handing her a glass of white wine. Her bikini left little to the imagination and most of her bottom exposed; she was happy that he took full advantage, leaning down to kiss one rounded cheek then the other. She squirmed, suddenly fully awake.
“Get rested up now princess, because I have big plans for you later that involve strenuous activity.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“That’s my girl.”
Her belly flipped at the casual endearment. My God, she felt like a sixteen-year-old who’d never been kissed. He turned her inside out without even trying.
They’d just finished dinner and Griffin raised his glass, “A toast, to the best day of my life,” he said.
She clicked her goblet against his and sipped the dry sauvignon blanc, her tongue darting out to lick a droplet from her bottom lip.
“When you do that babe…”
“What?”
“Lick your lips,” he said, his gaze hungry.
She felt like that juicy steak right now and he was about to devour her. An entire day of flirtation and near nakedness had them both hot with need.
“Let me clear the table then we can shower off the ocean water. What do you say?” he asked.
Her voice didn’t even sound like her own when she answered; it was breathless and smoky. “Yes.”
When they went below deck, his eyes burned with a passion so intense she almost had to look away.
“Let’s wait on the shower. I need you now,” Griffin said, grabbing her hand. She let him lead her over to the bed. After pushing the duvet cover off to the side, he lay her down on the crisp sheets that smelled of fresh linen and a hint of the rose petals. He pulled off his trunks and crawled in beside her, naked and fully erect. His warm body against hers filled her with desire.
As his eyes slowly roved over her nakedness, she quivered with anticipation. Now breathless with need, she whispered, “Griffin, you feel so good.”
Untying her bikini top she felt the cool air against her breasts as they spilled out. She smiled as his breath hissed, then he leaned down and lapped at her nipple before drawing it into his warm mouth. He suckled until she was panting, clenching her fingers in his hair. Trailing lower he nuzzled her mound, kissing her through the fabric of the skimpy covering. She felt something deep inside of her begin to unravel.
Her skin felt scorched when his thumbs slipped under the elastic of her bikini bottoms and he slowly pulled them down the length of her thighs. Tossing them aside, he kissed his way back up her inner thighs, burying his mouth in her wet center as she rocked against him. A moan escaped as he licked and sucked on her labia, making her ache with need. When she was writhing under his expert tongue he lapped at her clit before scattering light kisses between her legs, nibbling her inner thighs, then finally returning to her sweet spot. He licked his way back up to her belly, and she gasped when he dipped his tongue into her navel before rubbing his erection against the wetness between her legs.
As she bucked beneath him, he reached into the bedside table and pulled out a foil packet. Ripping it open with his teeth he kneeled, straddling her as he slipped the condom over his engorged penis. His eyes were hooded, glazed with arousal as he spread her thighs wide and positioned himself on top of her.
“Yes,” she said, feeling the tip of his hardness push against her tight opening.
Hands cupping her breasts, he kneaded and massaged, his thumbs rolling over her erect nipples. Her need was almost more than she could bear, she had to feel him inside her. He rubbed his shaft against her sex, stimulating her, gliding, rubbing, circling his hips.
Her voice quivered, “Griffin, please…I…please.” She was ready. She felt as if she’d been waiting a lifetime for it. “Please,” she begged.
He finally thrust, hard. Filling her, stretching her. He withdrew partially and paused, then thrust again, slowly, tantalizingly, all the while circling his hips, between each thrust.
She loved the feel of his weight pressing her into the bed. She wrapped her thighs around him and met him thrust for thrust. His tempo increased, the heat between them building. The sound of his pelvis slapping against her sent her to the edge.
They both burst into climax at the same time. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut as she raked her fingers down his back. He collapsed on top of her and buried his nose in her hair. “Holy hell Penelope.” His words sounded like a caress.
They lay spent, their breath slowly returning to normal. He rolled off and she felt a moment of loss, but then he pulled her on top of him and cradled her to his chest. He kissed the top of her head and she was content again.
She may have dozed but she became aware of Griffin’s teeth biting her earlobe and him whispering, “Let’s shower then go up and do some star gazing. You won’t believe what a night sky is like, so far removed from light pollution,” Griffin said.
She stretched lazily and sat up.
He eyed her hungrily. “I don’t think I can ever get enough of you. You’re addictive.”
She smiled like a Cheshire cat with the cream. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”
Looking suddenly serious, he said, “Never, until now.”
Her warm body tingled. He led her into the shower, and they took turns washing each other. He squeezed some shower gel into his palms and began massaging her shoulders and arms then her hands.
“Turn around,” He said softly, as he poured more of the lavender scented bath gel onto a washcloth. He lathered her back and her bottom, then the backs of her thighs. She sighed, heavenly.
After he finished, she returned the favor. When they stepped out of the shower he said, “Let me dry you.”
She wrapped one towel around her head turban style and handed him the other one. He rubbed her skin briskly. After they were both dried off, he took her hand again.
“Come with me. I want to give you the moon and the stars.”
They ended their night on deck, naked on the lounger with Penelope’s back snuggled against his chest, her hips sandwiched between his thighs. He ran his hand down the soft skin of her arm, then her belly, his feather light touch branding her.
“Not sure I like feeling this out of control,” he said softly.
Instead of answering, she pulled his head down for a kiss. In the moonlight his face was shadowed but eyes blazed with heat, penetrating deep into her psyche. She was lost and incapable of resisting her attraction.
The only sounds were their breathing and the gentle waves and water lapping at the bow. An unexpected meteor shower gave them plenty of chances to wish upon the stars. Magical.
25
Griffin sat in the parking lot without starting the car, his face set in an unreadable expression.
Penelope reached over and squeeze
d his shoulder, “Is there something wrong?”
Still staring straight ahead, he said, “Stay with me tonight. Don’t go home.”
“But Griffin, we both have to be on set early tomorrow morning, and I haven’t studied my lines. I have Archie to think about too.”
He turned, his eyes burning with intensity. “Won’t Dolly watch him for another night?”
He caught a flash of longing flicker across her face, “I’m not sure it’s such a good idea…this is moving too fast. I wouldn’t trade our time yesterday on the boat for anything in the world, but now it’s time to get back to reality.”
He turned in his seat to face her, then reached across and brushed his knuckles along her jaw, “Too fast for who? Not for me. I want to be with you. I want you in my bed tonight.”
“Griffin, where do you think this is all going to lead?”
“I’m not thinking about that, I’m thinking about now. I’m thinking about you curled up next to me, in my arms all night long.”
“All I can see are the reasons we should be putting on the brakes,” she admitted.
“I get that, but can we just see where this takes us? Baby come home with me, be with me, I need you tonight.”
Penelope bit her bottom lip, obviously weighing her choices. She lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes and slowly smiled, “You win. I’ll call Dolly; if she’s okay with it, I’ll come home with you.”
He grinned broadly before starting up the car. As the powerful engine roared to life, she made the call.
After dinner they decided to watch the sunset from the beach. The last sliver of the orange globe had just sunk into the sea. “That sunset was incredible, like a wildfire in the sky,” Penelope said. They had spread a blanket out on the sand to watch the spectacular show of fiery reds, oranges and yellows, as colorful as any artist’s palette.
“Let’s take a walk,” Griffin said.
He jumped up and reached down, hauling her to her feet. He didn’t release her hand, just intertwined his fingers through hers. The soft sand was still warm from the sun, and the stars emerged as night fell. It was high tide and they wandered to the edge where the waves kissed the shore.
“Griffin, where do you see yourself a year from now?”
“I have no idea. Before this film came along, I’d been restless…thinking about a change of address.”
“To where?”
“Again, not sure. I’ve thought about moving back to the South of France. I lived there for a few years after college. My mom still has family there. It’s easy since I’m fluent in French. The work I do for my nonprofits, I can do from anywhere.”
“Did you ever think of working for your dad’s company?”
“I tried. Don’t have the stomach for it. I prefer my freedom. Another strike against me with my father.”
“I’m sure he wants what’s best for you.”
“Maybe. But much to my old man’s disappointment, none of us have followed in his footsteps. No one’s interested in carrying his torch. My brother Kyle is an attorney and takes care of his legal stuff. My sister Faye and I sort of coasted along. Dad’s still on the Board of Directors. I think he’s holding out hope that one of us will change our minds someday. But the company doesn’t need us.”
“What was it like growing up with everything you could possibly need right at your fingertips?”
“Besides the fact that my father was busy running an empire, and mother was a self-centered billionaire’s wife, big into high society and the privilege it afforded her? Honestly, I didn’t know any different until I struck out on my own. I might sound bitter but I’m not, thanks to my siblings.”
She squeezed his hand. “I envy you your relationships with you brother and sister.”
“In fairness to my mom, she loved us, did the best she could considering her own childhood. Growing up, she relied on her beauty to get ahead and had a phenomenally successful modeling career. Then she met my dad and followed her heart and the money.”
“I’m afraid everyone is winging it when it comes to parenting.”
He grinned at her. “I’m her baby, so of course when I did get her attention, she spoiled me, but it was of the smothering variety.”
“I was lucky in the mom department. She was my best friend,” Penelope shared.
“In a lot of ways, Kyle served in more of a parental role than my parents. We had to stick together. We were shipped off to the finest boarding schools, weren’t exposed to any other way of life. Then I went to Columbia University. I liked that it was in New York City; I thirsted for a bigger life…more action. It was there that I got a glimpse of diversity…a look at privilege and poverty living side-by-side.”
“That must have been an eye opener.”
“Yeah. It was profound.”
“What did you major in?”
“Non-profit Management. Pretty demanding curriculum.” He grinned. “Cut into my party time, but academics seemed to come easy for me.”
“I’m intrigued.”
He smiled, “Good, that’s right where I want you, completely captivated. What about you? What makes the beautiful Penelope Winters tick?”
“Well you already know about my mom and that I have no brothers or sisters. I never knew my dad. I’m kind of a loner anyway. Not sure if that’s because of my career choice or my nature really.” She smiled up at him. “I’ve always had a few great friends which made up for the lack of siblings. In high school I couldn’t wait to get away from the small town I grew up in. I waitressed and saved up my money to move to Hollywood and chase my dreams.”
“You moved all by yourself?”
“Yeah, it was pretty scary.”
“Makes me feel like a sheltered prince.”
“That’s because you are one,” she said, laughing.
Griffin’s forehead furrowed. “You’re joking, but I look at my brother and sister and see how happy they are. They’ve both found their mates...their niches. Recently I’ve been wondering about myself…what’s wrong with me? Why don’t I have any ambition? Why do I avoid commitment like the plague? The more I think about it, the more I realize that I’ve been running.”
“From what?”
“From myself.”
She looked up at him under the brilliant star lit sky. “Do you know why?”
“I’ve reached the conclusion that I don’t like what I see if I slow down for too long.”
“What do you see?”
“A man without a purpose, one who is hiding…hiding behind his privilege…a man who’s alone. I think I’ve mistaken being needed or needing someone as too much responsibility. A loss of freedom. You know, a while back you said you’ve only been with two men in your life. Truthfully, I’ve been with lots of women, but I’ve never let anyone in.”
“You’ve never been in love?”
“Nope.”
“That’s so sad.”
“I’m not normally given to introspection, but lately it seems like I can’t avoid it. I’ve been pondering life’s meaning,” he said, trying to laugh it off.
“Maybe it’s just the natural progression of things,” she said. “The twenties are for exploring, adventure, finding out who we are…separate from our families, ya know?”
“Maybe. But lately it feels like there’s a void in my life. If I didn’t know better, I’d have to call it loneliness.”
“I’ve certainly felt lonely…as cliché as it sounds…even in a crowd,” Penelope said.
His thumb caressed her bottom lip. “What I’m feeling with you is all new to me. I feel contented when I’m with you. That scares the shit out of me. I’m afraid of these feelings you’re stirring up.”
She studied his beautiful face, so earnest. “Griffin, I’m very drawn to you as well…but I’m certainly not ready to dive into anything serious.”
“I know that. I respect that, but I’m trying to be one hundred percent honest with you.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I’m not
asking for anything more than a chance to see where this attraction leads us.” He pulled her into his arms. Bending down he kissed her softly. “You’re different from anyone I’ve ever known.”
“How?” she asked, her voice husky.
“I can’t put it into words. There is something otherworldly about you. Like you somehow float above us mere mortals,” he bit back a laugh. “I know that sounds stupid. I get the sense that there are many layers and a depth to you that leaves me yearning to know more. I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.”
She sighed, then murmured, “Kiss me again.”
This time he hungrily covered her mouth with his as his hands slid down to cup her bottom. She reached under his shirt and her hands rode up his abdomen and settled on his chest.
“Let me make love to you. I want to take you home and kiss every inch of you,” Griffin said, his voice rough with need.
“Yes," she said, against his mouth.
When they reached Griffin’s house, he picked Penelope up and carried her inside, not putting her down until they were in his bedroom. They made love and fell into a deep sleep.
Sometime in the wee hours of the night, Penelope awoke to the soft sound of a piano. She wrapped a sheet around herself and, lured by the beautiful notes, went to investigate. She found Griffin at his piano, completely absorbed in the music he was creating. The backdrop of the waves crashing to shore made the whole thing feel as if she were in a dream.
His upper torso was bare, and he had on a pair of gray sweatpants, his hair the usual unruly mop. She stood quietly, leaning against the wall admiring his beauty. As if sensing her presence, he glanced up from the piano keys and met her gaze. His eyes were dark and intense with some inner firestorm she could only guess at.
“Don’t stop on my account,” she said softly.
He paused from the haunting melody he’d been playing to segue into the soulful ballad, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” by James Taylor. Her breath caught when he began to sing. His voice was warm, the tone cozy and mellow with perfect pitch. Her pulse fluttered and as if on its own volition, her body moved to stand behind him. She rested her hand lightly on his shoulder and leaned down to touch her lips to his hair. Her lover.
