by Snow, Jenika
When he grinned after several long, uncomfortable seconds, her palms became clammy.
He lifted his scuffed-up hands, his fingernails grimy, and pulled his cigarette out of his mouth, snubbing it out.
“They had cinnamon. I hope that’s okay,” Adrian said a foot from her. When he was seated, he slid her muffin across to her.
“Thank you.” She glanced back at where the guy had been seated, only to see his empty chair and the scent of cigarette smoke lingering in the air.
Brea couldn’t stop herself from looking down the boardwalk. There was no sign of him in either direction.
The feel of Adrian’s fingers flexing on her flesh drew her back to the present.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded and licked her lips, tasting her vanilla coffee covering the soft skin. “I’m fine.” She looked into Adrian’s eyes, saw the crease of worry between his brows, and lifted her hand up to smooth it away with her finger. “I’m fine, really.”
“You would tell me if you weren’t, right?”
“Absolutely.”
After their breakfast he stood, smiling down at her. “Come on. I want to show you something.” His hand was stretched out, and she didn’t hesitate to take it.
They walked down the boardwalk, the smell of salt in the air growing more intense as the sun continued its ascent. He led them onto the beach where people were already setting up umbrellas and towels. It was still fairly early, but she had no doubt the beach would fill up quickly, especially with the temperature forecasted to reach in the high eighties.
They must have walked for ten minutes, the twists and turns he took causing her curiosity to grow. The silence between them was comfortable, and it gave her time to think about last night. He’d been very comforting and understanding when she’d told him about her past. There was a small part of her that regretted opening up and showing the ugly side of her life, because it would make what she had to do in the end that much harder.
But he’d opened up to her as well, and now she felt this bond formed between them that was strong, unbreakable. It was real.
Towering rocks stood to their left like a mountain growing before them. The ocean was to their right, the waves picking up as the time passed, crashing against the shore and turning the sand a darker shade of beige before the water absorbed, lightening it up. The sound was calming, a gentle whooshing noise that could have lulled her to sleep.
“It’s right over here.” He veered off to the left, toward a small cave that was nearly invisible as two large, protruding outcroppings concealed it.
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he smiled down at her, brought her hand to his lips, and kissed her fingers. He led them toward the cave, but his steps were slow, languid.
Once in the cave she immediately heard the sound of dripping water as it echoed around them. The deeper he led them into the cave, the closer and clearer the noise of the water became. The scent of wet earth filled her senses.
Adrian’s big body blocked her view, but his large frame was silhouetted by the light that became brighter the farther into the cave they went. The walls around them were close enough that she could place her hands out beside her and lay her palms flat on the rough surface. This had to be claustrophobic for Adrian, being so big and muscular.
And then the walls opened up and the smell of fresh seawater filled her nose. When he stepped to the side, a beautiful pool of water and trickling from the rocks were revealed. Her breath caught, and she found her hand going to her mouth, blocking the gasp that would have spilled.
* * *
The look on her face had made bringing her here better than he could have imagined. That gasp of pleasant surprise as she saw the pool had his chest swelling with pride.
He’d found this treasure trove when he first got to the city. His thoughts had been dark and turbulent, and all he’d wanted to do was escape. He’d driven until he saw the coast, then started walking down the beach without a destination in mind. The alcove had been small, but he just wanted to disappear into the darkness. It seemed fitting for where his thoughts had been that day.
“The seawater comes in through right there,” he said as he pointed to the right. An opening at the top allowed the sun to filter through, casting the pond in a morning glow. “I came here to clear my head, think about where my life was heading now. I find myself coming here a lot. I try to imagine what my life will be like as the years pass. If I’ll be happy, if I’ll ever be able to make someone else happy.” Her full attention was on him, and he took a deep breath. “I thought maybe if I brought you here, it would help you clear your mind, too, think about what you want out of life.”
She looked at the water, then back at him, her smile growing. “Thank you.” She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest. “It’s beautiful, and I’m so glad I decided to come here with you, not just to the cave but to escape the shitty box I’d placed myself in.” She dropped her hand back to her side and looked at the pool. “With you I feel free,” she whispered.
This trip had been meant to put a smile on her face, to have them growing closer, and he felt like they’d accomplished that.
He felt like he’d found that missing piece to his soul.
16
They found themselves in the pool of water not long after entering the cave. It had been Brea’s idea, and she was honestly surprised she’d suggested it. Now here they were, wading in the water, the look on Adrian’s face telling her his desire was climbing … just like hers.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said softly, and her heart jumped to her throat. He pressed his wet, hard body against hers and made a slow sweep of his tongue up her throat. She closed her eyes and moaned. He had his arms wrapped around her, cushioning her back as she leaned against the rock edge of the pool.
Her arousal pounded through her like a stampede of horses, causing her breaths to puff in rapid succession. Although she still had her panties and bra on, still embarrassed by the scars that covered her skin despite Adrian’s acceptance and empathy, there was no doubt Adrian could easily see her nipples as they stabbed through the material, chilled from the ocean water. As if he’d read her mind, he dragged his lips down her neck, over her collarbones, and sucked her achingly taut nipple into his mouth.
She found herself unable to hold her head back. Brea moaned deeply and speared her hands into his hair. The short strands were wet and smooth under her fingertips. She used her grip to pull him closer. Her mouth fell open when she felt him suck more of her breast into his eager, hot mouth.
“Oh God,” she said softly.
“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he murmured against her breast. “Let me carry you, hold you.”
She immediately did as he said and felt the stiff outline of his cock pressing against her pussy. “I’m so ready for you.” Never in her life had she spoken so openly about her sexuality, but with Adrian she felt like she could.
His groan vibrated against her nipple, causing a spike of electricity to travel right to her clit. The small bundle of nerves swelled even further, and she pressed her pussy against his shaft, needing to feel more of him.
“I want to be inside of you so badly right now, Brea.”
“God, I want that, too.”
He groaned loudly. “Wrap your arms around me.” When she did, he removed his arms from around her and with deft fingers pulled her panties off and set them on the rocky ground beside them. Adrian ran his finger down the center of her sex, parting her folds and then pushing the digit inside of her.
“You’re so slick with your need for me.”
“Please,” she whispered.
“Shhh, don’t worry, baby. I’m going to take care of you.” His groan of need filled her with longing. Her inner walls squeezed his finger seemingly on their own, as if they were doing all the thinking right now. When he added a second finger, she was forced to bite her lip to stop her moan from spilling.
“Don’t hold back.” Word
s so deep and rough they sounded ominous, Adrian’s voice whispered over her flesh. He continued to suck at her nipple, alternating breasts until the flesh felt tender and heated. He gripped her ass, holding her to him as he pressed his cock against her, mimicking the act of fucking and making her wish they were doing the real thing.
The pool was shallow enough for Adrian to stand, the water just touching his shoulders and giving him enough leverage that he could swivel his hips, press them up and into her so she grew closer and closer to climaxing.
She wanted to reach down and pull his boxer briefs down, grip his cock, and shove it deep inside of her. He used the free hand that gripped her ass to reach between their bodies and pull his shaft free. He removed his fingers from her clenching pussy and started rubbing the tip of his dick along her folds, parting the lips and driving her insane with desire.
“God, baby, you’re driving me fucking crazy.” The crest of him teased her clit, causing the tiny bud to engorge even further. Faster and faster he rubbed himself along her folds, skittering along her pussy hole, yet moving away so quickly she wasn’t able to impale herself.
“Baby, as much as I want to drive right into you without anything in our way, I didn’t bring any condoms.” Hot breath tickled her ear, and she could hear the carnal need in his voice. He wanted her, just like she wanted him, but they were at an impasse. She didn’t say anything, just closed her eyes and absorbed the feel of him. She was so close to coming that the very thought of telling him to stop was abhorrent.
“You’re close, aren’t you, pretty girl?” His mouth was back on her throat, licking and sucking. “I’m going to make you come so fucking hard.” He added a little more pressure to her clit, and just like he’d promised, she exploded. Maybe she would be mortified later, but right now she rubbed herself on him, riding the high of pleasure.
When she came back to reality, she opened her eyes and saw Adrian watching her with a hungry gaze. She wanted to feel his cock inside of her, but the risk of getting pregnant was not something she could even entertain right now, not with where she was at in her life.
“Maybe we can pick this back up in the room?”
“God, I hope so.” He chuckled and kissed her. He held her for long moments and then helped her out of the pool of water. She stood there, her bra transparent, the bottom half of her body exposed. Picking up her pants, she debated putting on her wet panties but decided against it. She slipped her shirt on, the material instantly getting wet from her damp skin. Putting on wet jeans was damn near impossible, and as she shimmied her ass into them, she heard Adrian chuckling.
When she finally had them on, she looked at Adrian. He had this hard expression on his face.
“As much as I like what you’re wearing,” he said and swallowed, “I’m going to end up beating some guy’s ass because your tight little nipples are poking through your shirt.” He walked over to her and leaned in to kiss her. “Here, sweetheart.”
His shirt hung from his fingers, and she gratefully took it. Keeping her front toward him, she peeled off her top and bra and lifted her gaze to his. He stood there watching her, water sloughing off him in tiny droplets. There was a moment where she stood there, enjoying the view of him half-naked. A drop of water slid down the hard planes of his abdomen and soaked into his boxer briefs.
“The way you’re looking at me wants me to say fuck it and let everyone get a view of me claiming my woman again.”
A shiver coursed through her at his deep words. When she had her bottoms on and his shirt, she watched in feminine appreciation as he removed his underwear and slipped on his pants. When he caught her looking at him, her cheeks heated and she glanced down, picking at the hem of the tee. It went well past her thighs, but she didn’t care. It smelled like Adrian, and she felt a sense of safety knowing something of his was wrapped around her.
He was right. They did get quite a few looks as they walked back to his vehicle, but they were all from the women who couldn’t help but gawk at his bare chest. Jealousy was an ugly trait, but she couldn’t help as it rose up and claimed her. She found herself moving closer to him, pressing her side to his, which resulted in a rich chuckle coming from him. Cutting a narrow-eyed glance up at him, she knew damn well her jealousy had been transparent.
“Is my girl jealous?”
She pursed her lips, never before having felt jealousy over women looking at her man. “Kind of hard not to when half the female population on this beach can’t keep their eyes off you.” She smiled. “Then again, I can’t really blame them.”
“I like you being possessive of me. It makes me feel less like a damn Neanderthal over my obsession for you.”
Her cheeks felt hotter over his admission.
They made their way back to the truck, and he helped her into the passenger’s seat, letting his hands linger on her hips. The height made her eye level with him, and being so close to Adrian had her body heating with remembered pleasure. Still her arousal churned inside of her, on a slow simmer not fully extinguished.
How could she leave when, for the first time in her life, she felt like she was really living?
17
Brea leaned back on the bed, sweat causing her hair to stick to her forehead and the back of her neck. Every possible inch of her body was deliciously sore. Adrian’s passion for her was insatiable. After they’d gotten back to their room, he’d torn the clothes from her body, kissing and touching her like he couldn’t get enough.
“When you are well loved, you have this glow to you. You look fucking irresistible.” Adrian was on his side facing her. Sweat glistened along his body, the physical proof of how hard they’d gone at it covering his muscular form. The sliding door was slightly open, and the breeze from the ocean blew into the room, shifting the sheer curtains so they danced seductively.
“I wish we could just stay here and not worry about life,” she said as she moved to lie on her side and look at him. She was being honest, wanting to be that way always with him. For so long she’d kept how she felt deep down, not admitting it to anyone, not even herself half the time. It felt good to be honest. “We could just lie in bed all day naked.”
His groan was satisfying as he covered her body with his and started kissing her. “I thought you’d worn me out, but…” The hard length of his erection prodded her belly, and a cry of need left her. “Like I said. You’ll definitely be the death of me.” He curved his pelvis into her. “But what a way to die.”
* * *
Adrian had just dropped her off at her house, and Brea tossed her overnight bag on the bench by the door. She took a minute to just inhale deeply and savor the foreign feelings running inside of her.
Happiness wasn’t a common emotion that she was familiar with, but she found that the more time she spent with Adrian, the more that emotion grew inside of her, claiming her, taking over all that ugly darkness Cameron had given her.
The steady beep of the alarm system informed her that she needed to quit daydreaming and reset it. She couldn’t let her routine falter. Not now. After she checked the bag under the bench, she went into the bathroom to get cleaned up.
She stared at herself in the mirror. Here she was, still smiling, still feeling like there was one thing she never knew she’d ever have … hope.
Leaving Adrian hurts, like someone ripped my chest open and tore out my heart.
She turned and started the shower, waiting for the water to heat, thinking about how her life could be with Adrian, how she wanted it to be if things were different.
Once she was out of her clothes and in the shower, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the water sliding over her body. It felt good, but not as good as Adrian’s hands on her. Just picturing what they’d done in the hotel room, then in the cave, and then again in their room—Adrian bringing her to climax several times—had her need growing tenfold. He was a patient, thorough lover, making sure she was pleasured before he found his own.
When she leaned against the tiled wall, a small
gasp left her at the coldness from it. Her body felt hot, which had nothing to do with the water trickling over her body. It had everything to do with how Adrian made her feel.
But that arousal soon left as worry and heartache settled deep inside of her.
“God, how am I ever going to leave him?”
* * *
A fist connected with the side of his jaw, and pain exploded at his temple. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, and Adrian turned his head to the side, spitting it out and then grinning when the white mat became crimson. It had been a while since a fighter had landed a blow on him, but this asshole was holding his own.
“I’ve been waiting for this fight for a very long time.”
His opponent had a Brooklyn accent and was a bulky motherfucker, with barely a neck on his shoulders and a nose that looked like it had been broken one too many times. This guy was a street fighter, one who knew his way around a good alley scrap with brass knuckles and head butts.
“Hope I’m not disappointing.” Adrian dodged another hit and kicked his leg out, causing the guy to fall backward, his head slamming into the mat. A dazed expression passed across his face before he shook his head and stood again. He charged Adrian, using all his brute strength to slam him against the fencing that surrounded the cage.
They grappled for supremacy, and his opponent went for a choke hold. A meaty forearm pressed against his throat, momentarily cutting off his airway. Adrian head butted him, feeling bone slam against bone and then hearing the gruff roar of his opponent right before he stumbled back and gripped his head. Adrian didn’t waste any time.
Using the distraction, he sucked in air and charged forward. The two fighters fell to the ground, arms and legs a tangle of muscle until Adrian got the upper hand. He hauled the guy up to his feet, reared his arm back, and punched him in the jaw once, twice, and on the third time the fighter’s eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground.
