by ANDREA SMITH
“I’m simply glad I was able to claim you,” I replied with a laugh. “I’m thinking Easton is going to be getting what-for tonight and Slate right along with him.”
“I know,” she said, laughing loudly. “That was so fucking hilarious wasn’t it?”
She rolled over, so that she was now lying on top of me face to face. I loved her beauty; I loved her heart and the way that she loved me unconditionally.
She lowered her face, her lips finding mine as she kissed me with an urgency that I loved. She was mine. No one else’s, ever.
I felt myself grow hard for her; she felt it too as she pressed her groin against me, rocking her hips almost restlessly.
“Mmm, babe,” I said, moving my lips from hers. “Let’s take this inside, shall we?”
“No, Colin,” she whispered against my lips. “I want you to fuck me here and now, underneath the stars. This is a private deck. None of the others are around and we’re far enough in the shadows they couldn’t see us anyway. Please?”
How could I refuse?
I relieved her of her shorts and panties; she pulled her shirt up and over her head, tossing it aside, leaving her breasts bare to my gaze and within reach. She was straddling me on the chaise, her fingers eager to spring my erection free.
I had never seen Ronnie in such a frenzied state to please me as she was at this moment. She scooted down, placing her hands around the base of my cock, lowering her mouth onto it. Her tongue swirled around the girth of it as she took the full length, moving her mouth up and down, sucking, licking and totally fucking me with her mouth, moaning my name over and over again.
My hands found her breasts, fondling them as my hips moved to her rhythm, totally fucking blown away by the intensity of the head I was getting from my wife. She was devouring me; our moans mixed together, echoing beneath the stars.
And then I saw him.
Cain.
Fucking Cain in the shadows of the shuttered Tiki bar.
Watching us.
Had she known that all along? Was she trying to prove something to him? Or to herself?
My hand fisted her hair as her mouth continued the pleasurable assault on my cock.
“I want to fuck you now, baby,” I rasped. “And I want you to tell me how fucking good it is.”
I saw a flicker of understanding pass through her eyes as they met mine. Yeah. She fucking knew he was there. This wasn’t about proving anything to herself. In that second, I knew this was about showing him that he didn’t stand a fucking chance.
She smiled at me and nodded. I braced my hands on each of her hips, raising her up and slowly lowering her onto my swollen cock. She moaned her pleasure as I filled her with myself.
She arched her back; I could feel the tips of her long hair brushing against my legs. She began moving her hips in a slow, undulating rhythm, moaning my name, telling me how much she loved my cock and how it made her feel.
I arched my back, thrusting into her with more force as she continued to mewl and ride my cock. I knew he was watching; she knew he was watching and, to be honest, it made our fucking that much more erotic. I’m not sure why, other than the fact that we both knew that no matter what, we belonged together, physically and emotionally.
It might have been the fact that we were re-affirming our love and passion for one another in a very primal way, with a witness watching. Each and every stroke, thrust and verbal utterance of the pleasure that passed between the two of us was a testimony of our love and commitment to one another. He was close enough to hear our words and smell the scent of our perfect coupling under the stars this now quiet and solemn night.
“I’m coming, baby,” Ronnie said, breathlessly. “Oh God, Colin I love you so fucking much!” I increased the rhythm of my thrusting; she continued writhing on top of me, until we both reveled in the climax that consumed us. We were oblivious to anything other than us at this moment, and the connection that melded us together with a hot and fiery vortex of pure pleasure.
As our climaxes wound down, she collapsed against me, her lips once again finding mine as we kissed and licked and totally melted together as one.
“I love you, baby,” I whispered, stroking the damp locks of hair that clung to her neck.
“I love you right back, Colin. No one else ever, just you.”
On the sixth day of vacay, my truly love gave to me: Affirmation of our total love and commitment to one another, along with some killer sex…
chapter 7
On the seventh day of vacay…
~ Lindsey ~
Aruba. We had docked in Aruba late last night. I had been so excited for morning to arrive because I was dying to do some exploring. Taz had teased me earlier that the only exploring I wanted to do was from shop to shop. So not true.
I had looked through some of the travel guides on the ship and had found information about a natural pool that was located in a remote area just a little northwest of Dos Playa. Jo Anna, the ship’s event planner had recommended Taz and I sign up for one of the small guided tours conducted using ATV’s, due to the rough terrain along the way, but the whole point was for Taz and I to have some alone time, so I asked Jo Anna to see if she could book us a car rental instead.
I mean after seven days with pretty much hanging with the same people, my nerves were a bit on edge. I craved just being able to go off with Taz for an afternoon of hiking, snorkeling and taking a nude dip in the natural pool if we wanted. I told him I wanted to hunt for sea turtles, which were becoming very rare in this area. Of course, he had made some comment about me being too much of a girly-girl to actually have the nerve to touch one, but we’d see wouldn’t we?
Since the New Year’s Eve party, there had been some subtle and not-so-subtle changes in the group’s dynamics. Colin and Ronnie seemed closer than ever; Darcy and Easton had quarreled (naturally) but had made up, so of course I had been given a blow-by-blow dissertation on their fantastic make-up sex. Cain and Eli weren’t speaking at all, and avoided being in the same room together. Mom and Slate had pretty much gotten past the whole New Year’s Eve thing, but Taz wouldn’t let up on the teasing, which pissed Slate off.
Yes. I had decided some distance from the rest of the group was exactly what we needed, now that we’d docked in Aruba.
I had a packed picnic basket, blanket, our snorkeling gear and towels. I had worn my swimsuit underneath my clothes and instructed Taz to do the same, which was met with an eye roll, so I finally asked him what the hell his problem was.
“They got some bowl games on today, babe,” he admitted sheepishly. “I mean Slate, Eli and me were going to go to the bowl party in the sports lounge and watch them on satellite T.V.”
“I see,” I replied curtly, picking up my handbag. “So, I guess what you’re basically saying is that I’m on my own here in beautiful, tropical Aruba because you prefer to watch freaking football. Is that about the size of it, Taz?”
He shuffled his weight from one foot to the other. “Well, babe, I do have some money riding on this game. And you know, you really didn’t run all this shit by me before you went ahead on your own and planned it all out.”
“Ohh,” I chided, “I totally get it now, Taz. You’d prefer not to spend some alone time with me today because you’ve placed bets on football games and the outcome hinges on you being right there to watch it, correct?”
“Lindsey,” he said, his voice now taking on a stern edge, “this is my fucking vacation, too. You are more than welcome to join us for the bowl games. Spending time together doesn’t always have to be about doing what you want to do, right? Now, I’ve been a damn good sport about everything else during this cruise, doing everything you wanted, haven’t I?”
I didn’t answer him, rooting through my bag as if I were searching for something.
“Haven’t I?” he repeated, annunciating the words even more clearly.
“Whatever,” I said, dismissively.
“Ye
ah,” he snapped, “you know I fucking have. Well sorry, sweetheart. This time you don’t get your way. I’m watching football and that’s the end of this discussion. If you want to go off in a snit about it, that’s your fucking prerogative, babe.”
“Fine,” I said, testily. “I’ll see if Mom wants to go, since apparently, Slate’s blowing her off today as well.”
I grabbed my stuff and left our suite, slamming the door on my way out. I practically mowed Cain over in the corridor.
“Whoa,” he said, backing up a bit so we didn’t collide. “What’s your hurry, Lindsey? I’m pretty sure the beach isn’t going anywhere soon,” he teased.
“Sorry, Cain,” I replied, trying to smile. “I wasn’t actually going to the beach. Had plans to take a trek up north a bit to explore the natural pool and do some snorkeling.”
“Sounds like fun,” he replied a bit wistfully.
“Yeah, I thought so too, but apparently Taz has plans to watch football all afternoon.”
“I’ll go with you, if you don’t want to go alone,” he offered with a shrug.
“Seriously? You wouldn’t mind missing the football games?”
He rolled his eyes, taking the backpack from me. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m sort of on my own right now. There’s no way I’m spending the day near Eli.”
We headed down the corridor towards the staircase to the lower deck. “I actually had noticed,” I replied softly. “I mean it’s kind of hard not to notice, but it’s your business. I don’t intend to pry, but I mean if you want to talk about it, then you should know that I’m a great listener. Darcy has given me all kinds of practice at that,” I giggled.
I got a smile out of him with that one. “I really don’t want to talk about it, but I promise you I won’t be a downer all afternoon. I’d kind of love to explore those rock formations around there anyway.”
“Oh, so you’re familiar with it?”
“I probably saw the same pamphlets as you. I’ve been spending a lot of time reading,” he chuckled. “So, let’s do it.”
“Fantastic,” I replied. “I’ve got a rental jeep booked for the whole afternoon.”
I had Cain drive the jeep because it was a stick-shift, for one thing, and I was pretty rusty, plus the terrain was every bit as rough and rocky as Jo Anna had said. He was pretty good at avoiding ruts and boulders along the dirt road leading to the natural pool.
Once we arrived, we hiked a distance, marveling at some of the beautiful rock formations created as a result of its volcanic heritage. It was in stark contrast to the white, sandy beaches we had left, but it held a beauty all its own.
We found the natural pool which was great for snorkeling, though it wasn’t as large as I had imagined. Cain and I snorkeled for nearly an hour, finding beautiful shells and sea creatures that I’d only seen in books or on television before.
A tour group of about ten people joined us after we’d been there for about an hour. They stopped and talked to us while we were eating our picnic lunch, giving us directions to the natural bridge and some gold mill ruins that were not far off the main road.
It turned out to be a pleasant trip and I was glad Cain had come along with me. As we finished our lunch, he stretched out on the blanket, letting the sun dry off his wet shorts.
I busied myself with packing up the leftovers and shaking out my towel.
“Lindsey,” he said, “I kind of would like to talk, if you’re really serious about being a good listener. I don’t know, I guess there’s something about you that has a calming effect on me. You don’t seem like you’re judgmental or anything. You just seem real and genuine. I like that.”
I sat down on the blanket next to him, cross-legged. Letting the sun hit my face and warm it. “I’d be happy to listen, Cain,” I replied. “And you’re right, I don’t judge. I have things in my past that aren’t pretty, so I know I wouldn’t want anyone to judge me on that. So, feel free to tell me anything you’re comfortable with sharing. It really helps sometimes just to talk about it. I may not have answers, but I sure will listen.”
“Thanks,” he said, with a soft smile gracing his lips. “Here goes.”
chapter 7a
~ Taz ~
Okay, I felt like a semi-jerk with the way I’d handled things with Lindsey earlier. I’m not gonna lie, I could be a real asshole at times. But shit, I needed some male bonding time too, and she needed to get on board with that. I wasn’t going to be some pussy-whipped lap dog; that’s just how it was.
We’d already watched one bowl game and I was a hundred bucks up. Slate was pissed…just like he always was when he didn’t win, or at least come out ahead of me. Eli had soaked him for another hundred on point spread. Hah!
Colin and Easton had even joined us for the start of the next bowl game. I knew Brits considered football to be some kind of knock-off of the real sport of soccer, but I’d also learned that they recognized American football—note that the word “American” has to precede the word “football” in order for everyone to be on the same page here.
Apparently, Darcy and Ronnie had gone on a guided shopping tour for couture as Easton had put it. Thank God Lindsey wasn’t all hung up on that shit. Hell, being married to someone like Darcy would bankrupt someone like me pretty fucking quick; though I doubted if she had even made a dent in my brother’s wad.
“Sammie said she might stop down,” Slate, said, tossing a handful of salted peanuts into his mouth, and washing them down with a cold swig of draft from his mug. “She didn’t feel like doing any more shopping.”
“Say again,” I said, his words now registering in my brain.
“My wife!” he said loudly, as if I were hearing impaired. “She. Is. Going. To. Stop. Down…Here.” He annunciated each word as if he were talking to someone that had to read lips, gesturing with his hands at the same time.
“I heard you the first time, dickhead!” I snarled. “I thought she went with Lindsey to that fucking natural pond or whatever.”
Slate shrugged, obviously clueless. “She just texted me five minutes ago and said she was going to get a shower and then she’d be down. She’s been out by the pool. That’s all I know.”
What the fuck?
“Oh, I saw her leave the ship with Cain,” Eli piped up, rather quietly.
We all knew that there was shit going on between Eli and Cain, but I don’t nose into other dudes’ business like chicks do. Lindsey had brought the subject up the other day and I had only half-listened. The fact that Cain was with her versus Sammie, actually gave me a better level of comfort. Chicks had a fucking propensity to get lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Dudes possessed an innate sense of direction.
“Well, that’s probably better anyway,” I said, downing the rest of my beer. “I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of Lindsey and Sammie going off to find some rock formations and natural pond without having a tour guide, but I figured if you were okay with it, Slate, then there was no need to worry.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, douche bag?” he asked, his eyes fired up.
I leaned back in my chair and chuckled. “It wasn’t an insult, dude. Chill. It’s just everyone knows how over-protective you are with your wife, you know? Always checking in with her, coming unglued if she’s fucking late getting back from here or there. Hell, you blow Lindsey’s phone up when Sammie’s at our house sometimes.”
“Yeah, fuck you,” he quipped, waving the server over for another beer, and not getting his attention.
“I got it,” Eli said, getting up. “This round’s on me anyway. I’ll go up to the bar and get it.”
I was starting to watch the game again when Colin came over and nodded his head toward the door to the bar. “Can we talk outside?”
“Sure,” I said, pulling my legs off of the chair next to me where they’d been stretched out during the game.
I followed him outside of the bar and listened to what he had to say.
chapter 8
On the eighth day of vacay…
~ Cain ~
I rolled over on the sofa in the living room of our suite. It was damn uncomfortable, but this is where I’d been sleeping since New Year’s. My feet hung over the edge and my back was stiff from not being able to stretch out fully.
Shit! Maybe I deserved all of this. This had turned out to be the vacay from hell as far as I was concerned. It was my own damn fault, too. What the hell had I been thinking making a pass at Ronnie? She had clearly given me no signals whatsoever that she felt anything but friendship.
Clearly, she had told Colin about it. I was fairly sure that whole erotic sex scene those two staged just after the New Year rolled in out by the pool was for my benefit. Christ Almighty! I had stood there like a fucking voyeur watching it and getting a fucking hard-on that wouldn’t quit!
It wasn’t that I hadn’t wanted to leave, but I just wasn’t sure if they had even known I was there, after I made my departure from our suite, looking for some solace and time to reflect on the bungling mistake I had just made with Eli.
So, I had walked down to the pool to reflect and calm myself and then, before I knew it, I had company. I moved back underneath the awning of the closed Tiki bar, hoping they didn’t know I was there. But it wasn’t all that far away and to leave the pool area, I would’ve had to walk right past them.
Fuck that!
I sat up on the couch, resigned to the fact I wasn’t going to be able to get back to sleep. It was time I dealt with the real issue though. My back was aching from the climb over those rocks yesterday, trying to find that fucking natural bridge with Lindsey.
We had just found it when out of fucking nowhere, her husband came to a screeching halt in some ATV he had commandeered, jumped off, and closed the distance between us as quick as lightning.
