“And those two witches became my non-biological family,” Ian adds, and squeezes me further into his embrace. His expression fleetingly takes on a hint of nostalgia.
All too abruptly, with a small pat from Josh on Ian’s shoulder and an enigmatic stare between them, they both stand up. I gape at them, confused as they nonchalantly brush off the sand from their jeans and start walking back toward the hotel. Uh… hello? Is this some kind of a birthday prank?
“You guys?” I say, staggering. Ian turns his head over his shoulder, blows me a kiss and calls, “Happy birthday. I love you.” As I start up to follow them, Ian points to somewhere in the dark behind me then sinks his hand into Josh’s back pocket. When I turn my head in that direction, tears immediately screen my eyes while my heart leaps to my throat. I jump to my feet so fast I’m pretty sure I break all the laws of physics on the way, and sprint toward Daniel, who’s walking my way with what looks like a cupcake sporting a single lit candle on top. Daniel holds the cake to one side with one hand and absorbs my collision into him with the other arm, pulling me into an embrace that quickly turns tighter.
“Happy birthday, baby,” he says with a kiss to my head. I hug him forcefully, as if he were about to disappear.
“And even before midnight,” he adds with a trace of humor. After some long moments of melting into him, I release him just to stretch up and press urgent kisses all around his mouth.
“I love you so much,” I say, relaxing a little but still hyper.
“Same here, baby. And I'm happy to see you, too.” He gifts me with his naughty side smile.
“Make a wish.” He hands me the cake, which I can now see is inside a paper cup with an airline name branded across it.
“My wish already came true.”
He kisses me softly on my lips and I take the opportunity to breathe him in, deeply.
“Your runner up then,” he says, and I close my eyes and think, but it doesn’t take me long to realize what I want most and I blow out the candle.
You. Forever D.
“Now, let’s go grab your stuff.”
“Sure! Hold on, what… why? Where are we going?” I ask, studying him, confused.
“Surprise.” He plants another kiss on my mouth, a more determined one this time, then brings the cupcake to my mouth. I take a bite and kiss him with my sugary mouth. I slide my hands around the back of his neck and continue dissolving into our kiss, which slowly gathers intensity. After a short eternity of indulging in the wonderful taste that is his kiss, I lead Daniel to my room and am surprised to find out that all my belongings are neatly packed, waiting. To my furrowed brows, Daniel explains, “Ian.” Smiling, he then draws little circles on my arm with his thumb. “Let’s go.” He rewards me with the sweetest smile and my heart slightly tightens.
When we reach the lobby, Daniel holding my suitcase in one hand and my hand securely in his other, a uniformed concierge approaches us and offers Daniel a set of keys.
“Thank you for arranging this,” Daniel says. He slides his hand into his pocket and gives the man in uniform an impressive amount of bills, then takes the keys.
The guy responds with a content, “Thank you!”
“We’ll be there in less than ten,” Daniel says after we're both buckled up in a silver Mercedes coupe.
“Where?” I’m so curious, and excited, and fidgety.
He bends toward me, pulls my hair back so it falls over my shoulder and presses a warm kiss just above my collarbone. Retrieving his lips, he shifts to first and jerks the car forward, beginning our ride.
“Not even a clue?” I ask, resting my jittery hand on his thigh. His mouth quirks into an enigmatic smile, still looking ahead.
“Patience, Hales.”
Which of course leaves me even more restless and attentive to the road, which seems to be void of clues. Not more than fifteen minutes into the drive, we stop at a small harbor accommodating one sole speedboat.
“Good evening,” says an older local wearing a genuine, wide smile in which the two front teeth are missing. He gestures for me to climb on the boat while Daniel brings our bags from the trunk.
“Welcome to paradise,” he says with a charming accent and kind eyes as he starts the engine. It roars, and the water gushes out behind us, moving us into the clear night. I turn to look at Daniel with a peaceful smile, who’s staring at me with the thinnest, most endearing of smiles. I scoot beside him, only to be enveloped into a warm embrace.
“Whatever it is, I love it.” I say, looking at him, and as my eyes trail to his lips he bends slightly for a soft, lengthy kiss.
“Hey, why did you send that text earlier?” I ask, my tone revealing exactly how much I didn’t like it.
A snort of mischief. “To increase the element of surprise? I knew it’d piss you off.” He laughs.
“You’re such a jerk sometimes.”
“Yet another of my many virtues. I’m gifted that way.” He kisses me with an amused mouth.
“This won’t help.” I kiss him back.
“Mmm-hmm.” He deepens the kiss and I am hopelessly sucked right into it. The guy at the wheel, dressed in white linen, glances at us, amicably beams, and speeds up the boat. The machine jumps forward, cutting the water into roaring waves, getting us closer to a slice of serenity inhabited by less than a dozen cottages suspended over the water.
We climb out of the boat, saying good bye to the welcoming local, and start making our way toward what seems to be the lobby at the center of this utopia. I turn to Daniel. “Wow, this looks amazing.”
“Just wait and see,” he responds, lifting my hand to his mouth for a soft kiss. With the key to our “ocean pavilion bungalow”, as the night receptionist calls it, we walk over a wooden deck to a secluded bungalow.
I take in the surroundings, overwhelmed, hardly containing my excitement. It's beyond stunning. The sky is dark but clear, clear enough to accentuate the beauty of the place rather than veil it. The water below us subtly gleaming, whooshing under the floor, and the air so fresh. I’m inside a dream.
I blink my marvel away as Daniel opens a door to unearthly, breathtaking, pampered luxury. My jaw drops as I gape at the space. The villa has a vast open plan master bedroom, an infinity edge pool that starts in the middle of the great room and ends at the balcony. The living room has a glass floor just above the ocean, and there's an amazing deck which has a small wooden ladder leading directly into the water. Words that form in my head can’t seem to come out of my awe-stricken mouth.
“Amazing, eh baby?” Daniel says, sidling behind, wrapping his arms around me, resting them over mine, which are folded on my stomach. He leaves gentle kisses next to my temple, then crouches slightly, resting his cheek on mine. Our fingers brush lightly.
“This is just overwhelming.” I finally manage to let out the words that were stuck in my throat.
It's beyond overwhelming. You are beyond overwhelming.
“It is,” he says, and bends some more for a kiss below my ear. His arms enfold me tighter for a long beat.
“Happy birthday,” he says huskily, yet softly. I turn and kiss him slow, hard and long, then help his shirt out of his pants and slide my hands underneath to feel his warm skin. Relishing in our connection, I take in his delectable scent to the very depth of me.
“Thank you, I love it. I love you,” I say, as I pull back slightly to smile at him tenderly.
Our bags arrive and we are forced to let go of each other. We take a joint tour of the villa, which Daniel explains will only be an overnight stay. He also adds that he'll have to fly back to SF tomorrow evening at the latest, and then to Thailand soon after, thus the very short duration of our getaway. He further elaborates that he managed to squeeze in a whole day to celebrate my birthday despite the hectic schedule of the Thai deal, which I disappointedly learn hasn't been signed yet. The momentary agitated annoyance he tries to conceal while “praising” the obstacles of bureaucracy that prevent the deal from closing, erupts clearly thro
ugh his placid poise.
“This place is... It's the most amazing place I’ve ever been to,” I say, looking at the room after we conclude our short tour.
“Phew, glad you like it,” he says exaggeratedly. Amused, I giggle and lift a lock of hair toward my nose. I need a shower. I smell of BBQ.
I mention that I should take a quick shower to remove the residues of smoke and sand from my recent bonfire, and Daniel says he’ll check up on work in the meantime. When I step out of the purely indulgent hydro spa body shower I dry myself and goofily smile at my reflection looking back at me through the steam-covered mirror. My strong emotions are risking to rip through the tender skin around my heart.
I dry my hair with a towel and button the last few buttons of Daniel’s white shirt that he abandoned on the bed when we arrived. I leave the three upper ones undone. Just before going back into the room I pull on my red thong, his favorite.
“Daniel?” I call, looking for him.
“Outside, Hales.” Daniel’s voice echoes from the deck. I find him lounging on one of the recliners, a low table by his side holding a bottle of champagne that chills in a sweating silver bucket beside two tall flutes. I sink into the recliner at the other side of the table and pivot my head to look at my sexy, bare-chested boyfriend. “A Thousand Years” singing low in the background brings this moment to simple perfection. Daniel admires me with gleaming eyes as he presses a button to shut off his phone, tossing it aside.
“I am in heaven,” I say happily, and close my eyes, leaning my head back. When I open them Daniel sits sideways on his recliner, and pours champagne into the waiting glasses.
“To you, baby, to fulfilling your dreams, or at least having a great time while trying to,” Daniel says, handing me a glass. He then stands up and I shamelessly drink in his bare, toned body with my fervent stare. I halt, gaping, at the erotic trail of soft, golden hair on his bronze skin, framed by a carved V that leads to the hem of his loose jeans. Noticing my focused stare he directs a lustful gaze my way and sits next to me on my lounger.
He takes my glass and sets it aside. I watch him closely as he brings the chilled bottle to my lips and lets me drink. With my mouth full I tilt my head back, signaling that I'm done, but Daniel leaves the bottle in the same position and lets some of the chilled liquid drip down my chin. The champagne flows over my throat and descends further down in cool trails. I let out a short giggle that fades when Daniel reaches to unbutton the rest of my shirt, shifting it sideways. I swallow hard, gazing at him. Then he sensually and ever so slowly moves the bottle from one side of my collarbone to the other, watching the cool champagne with rapt intensity as it trails slowly over my exposed breasts. I watch him watching me, enthralled. A vision of passion personified. My lip quivers with want and I bite it to make it stop. Daniel licks his lips and I gasp, feeling how slowly my skin starts to warm all over, while a deep heat burns under my navel.
Against the coolness of the wine my body heats up. Slowly bending his head toward me while his eyes still bore into my flustered face, Daniel stoops and puts his warm mouth over my tantalized nipples. It's slow, delicious torture as he gently runs his warm tongue over the moist trails of alcohol, adeptly bringing my nerves to a complete frenzy. His tongue descends ever so leisurely down my skin, followed by succulent kisses.
When he reaches the soaked hem of my lacy underwear I let out an audible gasp and tilt my head back, closing my eyes. To my reluctance he slowly inches up again, but as soon as I see his pants and boxers piled on the floor I smile. He gives me his hand, and submissively, I follow his few short steps to the wooden ladder that leads to the ocean. Daniel goes in first and turns to kiss me as I'm seated on the first rung with my legs in the water. He gently pulls my body toward him and I wrap my legs around his waist.
My rear comes into contact with the lukewarm water as my skin connects with Daniel’s warm chest, and the combination of the two makes my blood boil. Once our tongues meet, we thoroughly, fervently explore each other’s mouths, taking our time to reach every hidden spot. As our kisses gradually become hard and demanding, so do our touches and strokes. Soon we are two tangled bodies frantically trying to get closer, dissolving into each other.
When he slides into me the sensation makes me let out a blissful cry that he echoes with a masculine moan. The blend of the water, the night, the breeze, and us is surreal.
“I love you,” I breathe hoarsely into his ear while nibbling on his bristly yet soft skin, his low purr making me cover any exposed area of his neck with kisses and bites. I thread my fingers in his soft hair and pull him to my mouth, squeezing him deeper into me with my legs around him in a death grip. He runs his hands over my back til he reaches my rear and pushes me forcefully into his thrust, spreading me further so I completely absorb him. I arch my back and cry out in sheer ecstasy.
We are utterly absorbed with each other and the divine sensations this deep connection produces. Our bodies, rocking together, cause little waves around us that become tidal when we become crazed, at which point our every movement turns frantic. We rub and grind and gasp loudly in a whirlwind of need, til we both reach the top of our want with utter euphoria, wrapped up in one another.
“Hales,” Daniel whispers to my neck with his head resting in the nook next to my pulsing artery. “I more than love you, baby,” he says, and the few parts of my body that weren’t molten from our recent encounter liquefy.
And I you.
Chapter 26: Every Saint Has a Past
Only when our skin turns unpleasantly pruny do we finally leave the serene ocean. Bathed, snuggled up in bed, exhausted and sated, I rest my head on Daniel’s chest while he draws airy circles on my bare back. I'm not sure what exactly possesses me, but I feel like I can’t wait one more moment to remove even the tiniest of barriers between us. Thinking back on our conversation in which he bared himself completely to me, his overwhelming, grand gesture this evening, and everything we’ve been through, I'm reassured that now would be the best time to remove any unspoken fence we still have between us.
“D,” I say and kiss his chest, which is a creation of steel covered in soft skin.
“Yes.”
“You know how we always end up diverting the conversation away from my sexual history?”
“Yes, why?” he says lazily.
“Well... I guess I want to talk about it.”
“Now?” his body turns a degree tenser. “You don’t have to, surely not on my account.”
“I want to. I want full transparency. I don’t want anything held back between us.”
“Hales,” he warns softly. “You know my punching bag is back home, right?” He tries to loosen up the sudden tension, but I can still sense the inhibition that he radiates with his stiffness. I stroke his chest and plant another kiss on his skin. He waits for me to start talking, while I mentally assemble the puzzle of my glorious teen years before I continue my flow of words. I feel as though the details are clearly reflected by my agitation. The words are hanging on the end of my tongue, jazzing up my blood.
“Well, here's the account of my days as a floozie.” I try to make the subject lighter, because it's clearly hard for my boyfriend to swallow. I glance up to catch his eyes. Daniel's lips don't even move at my try at humor. Au contraire: it's clearly an immense job for him to stay poised, though his cringing tells me what lies beneath the surface. He swallows hard; twists his mouth, disturbed, and nods.
“Let’s put it this way: I wasn’t the relationship type all through my teens and early twenties, though I did enjoy sex.” I bite my lips and seek out his eyes, now squinting under taut, furrowed brows. He just nods again, seems as though he'd much rather not comment.
Jekyll is defiantly fighting Hyde…
“It's not dramatic, or highly traumatic. It is just about a girl who fell in love, well, thought she was in love, slept with her first sweetheart who she thought was her one true love,” I say, and take a deep breath. Daniel clears his throat and stays si
lent.
“Right after that horrible first time, which was so short I didn't even grasp what was going on, I genuinely thought he would carve my name across his heart, and he turned completely indifferent to me.” Daniel’s hand on my back becomes heavier as I continue. “Let alone the fact that I probably didn’t mean as much to him as he meant to me, the douche bragged about our night to his entire posse. Later, I was horrified to hear about it everywhere, flying from mouth to mouth.” My next words are hushed. “I decided that all this 'emotion' stuff was one big joke, and started to enjoy meaningless sex.” Daniel cups a warm hand to my cheek for a meaningful beat.
“Do we know where he lives now?” he asks seriously, and I smile at him.
“It was more than a decade ago, c’mon.”
His mouth presses into a hard line.
“What it did, young and unripe as I was at the time, was make me close up. I built high walls around myself and made a decision to use guys before they had the chance to use me.” I heave out a dismissive breath.
“Basically, from that point on, that was my view of relationships. I never did let myself open up or get hurt again, and as time passed I actually grew to enjoy this carefree behavior.”
Daniel turns to sink his fingers into my hair and lightly caresses it, staying quiet, giving me the full stage.
“Like I mentioned before, I did enjoy sex, and therefore I kept on having it, never giving any of my partners anything but sex.”
“What made you change your mind with me?” he asks, now in a low voice. And before I can answer, he adds, somewhat cross, “I can’t believe I behaved just like that douchebag. The way I treated you after our very first time.”
“There was just something about you that made you get under my skin, against my better judgment and despite conscious resentment.” He gives me a smile that’s a blend of devilish and boyish.
“I’m glad,” he says, and pulls me up so our lips connect. He then sinks his head deeper in the pillow, looks at me sincerely, and says, “I apologize for back then.” “
Inner Core: (Stark, #2) Page 18
