by Ravyn Wilde
Gray’s gentle rocking beneath her made her inner muscles clench and release in spasmodic counterpoint to his thrusts. The water’s surge against her exposed clit pummeled her and the strong arms around her waist allowed no escape from the fierce vibrations. She clenched his hips to dig her fingers in, holding tight and tried to keep some small hold on her sanity.
Instead Gray increased her fall into mindless craving as he brought one hand up to tease her breasts. Cupping her and pinching her budded nipples, his fingers tormented her skin while he pressed resolutely up and into her. And still the water beat against her. She closed her eyes and little pinpoints of light exploded behind her lids. Overwhelmed, she screamed and her body flew apart.
The inferno blazing between them was pushed higher with the hammering of the waterfall—the rush to orgasm turned chaotic and out of control. Straining, Gray waited for Joey’s turbulent release and groaned deep in his throat as he detonated after her.
As Joey screamed, her internal muscles clamped and seized around his cock and he gushed into her sweet flesh. Mine, God please mine, he thought raggedly. The fire licked over him, roared in his blood. His muscles contracted, flexed. He pulled Joey closer, his body weakened and yet unable to stop its reflexive action…still working to bury itself within her, over and over again—intent on branding her as his.
Chapter Thirteen
Gray lay with Joey snuggled tight and secure in his arms as they recovered from their lovemaking. He had stumbled out of the water with her in his arms, laying her on the soft sand. As he recovered he glanced up. Fortunately, he picked a shaded area or he would have to move her as her skin burned easily.
He took a deep breath, worked on his courage. He would take his chances with talking to her now. The connection between them couldn’t be just sex and he didn’t want to wait until the day she left before he let her know how he felt. He would make her promise she wouldn’t take away the days remaining if she didn’t like what he said.
“Joey? Sweetheart?” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her tighter against him. Please let her feel the same about him.
She sighed heavily and her voice a sleepy drawl, “Yeah…I’m still alive…barely.”
He smiled at her weak voice. “I need you to promise me something, honey.”
“Ummm, okay.”
Gray shook his head. Maybe now wasn’t the time for this conversation. She seemed to still be in la-la land.
“Joey, this is serious, baby,” he whispered again. He just couldn’t wait any longer to talk to her—he was going crazy with the uncertainty and the constant nervous twist in his stomach. In a short period of time she had become his world.
She stretched against him and raised her head. “Okay, serious. I promise I’m paying attention.” She smiled down at him and waited for him to speak.
“This has been the most incredible three weeks of my life,” he started.
Joey’s face fell. Nopleasenopleaseno. This sounded like a farewell speech…three days early. She would smack him over the head if he ended it now. Or suggested they stay in touch by e-mail and phone when she left. No. No way. The only way to end this would be a surgically quick break.
“I know we kind of jumped into a sexual relationship without spending a lot of time getting to know each other, but I think we’ve backtracked pretty well. I really do know you, Joey. We’ve talked and laughed and argued about almost everything. I know your favorite color is pink, your favorite food is smothered burritos and your favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail. I don’t even think I knew those things about my ex-wife,” Gray paused and looked at Joey. She frowned at him. Did that mean she didn’t want to hear this? He rushed on. “I need you to promise me something, baby.”
She looked at him in confusion. Or maybe he was confused. This had to be the weirdest goodbye speech she’d ever heard. She really didn’t want to do this yet. “What do you want me to promise?” Trembling inside with suppressed emotion, she was afraid he would want her to be cool about their upcoming separation. What if he intended on asking her to not contact him? Her heart fell to her feet.
“Promise me that, well…no matter what you think about what I am about to say, we will still have these next few days together,” he said earnestly.
Joey cocked her head and looked at him like he’d lost his mind. He knew he looked uneasy. She wouldn’t have any idea what he wanted. She sighed. He hoped she wouldn’t want to give him up either.
“Okay, Gray. I don’t know what you’re planning to tell me, but I’ll promise you the few days I have left.” A look of horror came over her face. “Is there someone else? A girlfriend coming back into town or…but no. We already talked about the fact you haven’t been involved with anyone for a long time. What is it, Gray? Please, just say what you need to and get it over with; you’re making me really nervous.”
He reached out to run his hand soothingly down her arm, “There is no one else. Never think that. It’s just… I love you, Joey. And I don’t want to lose you.”
She looked shocked. Oh, this couldn’t be good. He felt all of his dreams screaming in denial. And then she smiled. And burst into tears.
“Oh my God, Gray. I can’t believe it. I have been…trying…so hard to be strong…and realize…”
“Joey, sweetheart it’s okay, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he wrapped her in his arms and gently whispered endearments. “Baby, please.”
He didn’t know. He thought he upset her with his announcement. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she sat up and spoke to him in earnest, “Oh, Gray. I’m not upset. I’m just so happy you feel the same way I do. I love you, too. But, Gray, I don’t think I can do this as a long-distance relationship—I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything but missing you.”
He sighed in relief and felt his body relax. He leaned over to take Joey’s mouth in a gentle kiss. He could taste the salty sweetness of her tears. His. She was his. Everything would be all right. He pulled away from her and whispered against her lips. “Hell, no. If you don’t want to live in paradise, I’ll move to California with you. I can handle anything—even the smog and craziness of L.A.—if I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
“Oh, no.” Joey said without even thinking about it. “We’ll stay here. I’ll have to go home and take care of some things but Hawaii is definitely the place to be for this erotic romance author.” And Joey pulled him back to her.
Several moments later Gray leaned back and grinned with wicked intent into her big brown eyes. “I’ll come help. It’ll go faster and I want to make sure you don’t leave any research material behind!”
Joey laughed out loud. “You are such a maniac…is creative sex all you want from me?”
“No, baby. Remember what you said. It’s not the sex…”
“It’s the story,” she finished with him.
And her story had just begun.
About Ravyn Wilde
Ravyn Wilde was born in Oregon and has spent several years in New Guinea and Singapore. She is married, has three children and is currently living in Utah. Ravyn is happiest when she has a book in one hand and a drink in the other—preferably sprawled on a beach!
Ravyn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and e-mail addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Ravyn Wilde
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales from the Temple I anthology
Hidden Enemies
Let Them Eat Cake
Luke & Jezebel
Uncontrolled Magic
Unholy Magic
Undying Magic
Written in the Ruby
Zylar’s Moons 1: Zylan Captive
Zylar’s Moons 2: Selven Refuge
Zylar’s Moons 3: Zylan Rebellion
Print books by Ravyn Wilde
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV anthology
Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales from the Temple I anthology
Feral Fascination anthology
Luke & Jezebel
Men to Die For anthology
Sexy Summer Fun anthology
Vampire Sentinel 1 & 2: Inherent Seduction
Zylar’s Moons Volume 1
Zylar’s Moons 3: Zylan Rebellion
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
By the Book
ISBN 9781419902482
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By the Book Copyright © 2012 Ravyn Wilde
Edited by Marty Klopfenstien
Cover design by Syneca and Irene Adler
Photo: 1418336 Ontario Ltd/Shutterstock.com
Electronic book publication June 2005
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