One to Keep

by Tia Louise

  “So what took you from military man to private eye?” She asked, watching the glow.

  “I used to know the answer to that question,” I said. “Now I think I’m changing my mind.”

  Her brow lined. “Why?”

  “In the past it was about the excitement, the adventure. Then it became more about nailing bad guys and bringing them to justice.”

  She reached up and threaded her fingers in mine. “And now?”

  I exhaled, thinking about how the past year had been, how fragmented I’d felt. “Now I haven’t quite decided.” I didn’t want to talk about my shitty year. I wanted to know everything about her. “So did you always want to teach?”

  I felt her laugh as she shook her head. “Actually, no. The truth is, I was going through a rebellious phase.”

  My brow lined. “What does that mean?”

  “My dad wanted me to be a lawyer, just like him and my brothers, and everyone else in my family.” Her tone changed, and for the first time, she was not so cheerful. “It was my way of taking control over my life.”

  “Sounds like you have a problem with the law.” I gently poked her ribs.

  She relaxed again. “I just have a problem with being ordered around.”

  “A sign of latent criminal tendencies.” Her elbow came back sharply into my side and I grunted, “Violent criminal tendencies.”

  “Patrick!” she cried, and I laughed.

  “No, I understand. It was your life, your future.” She was still leaning against me, and my hand was on the bare skin of her upper arm. “Trust me, I’ve never responded well to taking orders.”

  “That from a guard?”

  “There are different types of orders. And different sources delivering them.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better.” She sat forward and turned to me, reaching for my hands. “Let’s walk some more.”

  I let her pull me up and we started down the path again. After a few moments, her hand moved to my arm, which I bent to hold it. “So what’s so bad about being a lawyer?” I asked.

  She sighed. “Nothing. It just wasn’t what I wanted to do.”

  “You wanted to teach.”

  “I didn’t at first, it was the only thing I knew to do. Then the more I did it, the more I loved it.” She shrugged as we continued. “Every year, I had a new group of kids I fell in love with, that I watched grow and learn and become more confident. I wish some people understood that.” Her tone was irritated again. “It’s not about the money or the recognition, it’s about making a difference. Insisting you’re right all the time and bullying people won’t change anything. You have to do something, be a part of the solution.”

  I stopped, and she stopped as well. Her green eyes met mine before she blinked down quickly. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize! It’s impressive how much you love your work. It sounds like you’re the best kind of teacher, and I’m sure whoever you’re thinking about probably knows it.”

  She stepped forward and kissed my cheek. “Thank you,” she said. “Now I want to know more about you! You have an older brother?”

  “Stuart, yes,” I nodded. “And he’s exactly what you’d expect.”

  She laughed. “My older brothers all spoiled me.”

  “That is not the kind of relationship we have. If you ever encounter the big brother versus little brother stereotype, Stuart is the model for it.”

  Her hand was back in the crook of my arm as we walked. “But it was character-building, right?”

  “No.”

  She laughed again, and it made me laugh, too. “See?” She cried. “You’re laughing. You know I’m right.”

  All I knew was the sound of her voice made everything that was wrong with me feel right. The calm was back, and I felt like I could talk to her and listen to her speak and hear her thoughts all night. We walked some more, then we took a place by the fire again. She told me about her brothers and her favorite aunt—her dad’s younger sister who had moved in with them after her mom left. She talked about growing up with Melissa and about living on the coast.

  We sat with our bodies touching, and we sat apart, with her feet in my lap. But that never lasted long before we were back to bodies touching again. Finally, I looked around at the deserted patio and realized how late it was. I could see she was tired, and I stood, holding out my hand to help her up.

  “I’ll walk you back to the spa.”

  She nodded slowly. We didn’t speak the entire way, and all I could think about were her lips and covering them with mine. I’d been thinking about it all night, but I wanted to handle this one differently—right for a change.

  Stopping at the entrance, I paused, lightly cupping her cheeks. Her green eyes met mine, and she smiled. In a flash I kissed her, opening her mouth, finding her tongue for the first time. My arms moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Our bodies molded together and a little noise escaped her throat. The sound sent a blaze of desire racing through me, focusing directly below my belt. But I wasn’t rushing that. Not this time.

  “Goodnight.” My words should have parted us, but I held her closer.

  Her arms held me tightly as well, and I knew this was different from anything I’d experienced before. All of this was tectonically different.

  Forcing myself to let her go, I stepped back. I couldn’t look in her eyes or I’d never do what I had to do right now.

  “I hope I’ll see you tomorrow.” An ache was in my throat.

  “I’ll call you.” Her voice was quiet.

  I turned away, and my heart, my soul, everything stayed behind as I took the first step and then the second back to the main hotel where I was staying. I’d only made it three feet when I heard her rushing up to me.

  “Patrick?” It was a high whisper, and I immediately stopped, turning to face her.

  She was gorgeous standing in the moonlight, the dry breeze pushing her silky hair off her shoulders. I wanted to cover those shoulders with kisses, wrap my fingers in that hair. She reached out, and I caught both her hands in mine.

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t want you to leave me.” She was breathless. “I know this is fast. It seems crazy, but… I want to spend the night in your arms.”

  Her delicate pink tongue touched her bottom lip, and she didn’t have to ask me twice. Two steps was all it took to have her body secure against mine again. I caught her cheeks and lowered my mouth to cover her soft, beautiful lips.

  Our kisses came fast, hungry, and she held my neck, my face, her hands quickly dropping to my waist, making their way under my shirt to the skin beneath. I loved her touching me. I kissed her jaw, and another noise came from her mouth. The sound killed any hesitation on my part. Breaking away, I looked around for somewhere close I could take her.

  “Come with me,” I said, holding her hand and leading her back the way we came. We weren’t far from the smaller pool, and while it was dark and locked, I’d noticed a break in the bushes when we’d strolled past it the first time.

  Leaning down, I carefully stepped through, and it took me right into the dark courtyard. Going back, Elaine was waiting and when our eyes met, she smiled. My chest rose at the sight of her, and all I could think of was sliding that dress off her body, tasting her, being inside her.

  I pulled her into the small pool area and into my arms again. Our mouths collided, and I only broke contact to whip my shirt over my head. Pulling her back to me, I eased the top of her dress down, allowing her bare breasts to meet my skin, and we both sighed.

  “Mmm,” she breathed, moving her hands to my back and pulling me closer. The little noises coming from her with every breath had my cock straining against my zipper. I wanted to lift her against the tiled column and sink inside her right then, but I stepped back, guiding her to the cushioned lounge chair hidden in the back corner. She held the top of her dress, as if trying to pull it back up.

  “No,” I whispered, taking her hand away and replacing it with mine. Her breas
ts were heavy in my palms, and I circled my thumbs over her taut nipples. Her eyes closed and she lowered her forehead to my shoulder with a little moan. “I want these out,” I said, kissing her jaw, her lips, leaning down to pull a nipple into my mouth.

  Another little noise, and she kissed my neck. “What if someone sees us?”

  I looked around quickly, making sure we were well hidden in the locked courtyard. “Don’t worry, we’re safe here.”

  Laying her back on the cushions, my hands slid down the smooth skin of her legs. I kissed the top of her foot, and she sighed. Traveling higher, I lifted the hem of her dress and my breath disappeared. No panties, and her skin was completely bare.

  “Gorgeous,” I murmured, leaning forward and kissing the inside of her thigh before sinking my tongue between her folds.

  “Oh, god!” Her back arched and she cried out, clutching the sides of my head as I tasted her sweetness. I pulled her up to me, her ass in my hands, and I sucked, nipping her clit then plunging two fingers inside.

  “Patrick!” she moaned as her thighs jumped. Her noises grew louder the more I kissed and sucked her. She was sweet and swollen, a juicy peach I slid my tongue through, circling as she gasped and whimpered my name. My tongue explored every opening and crease, teasing and tasting, until I felt her coming hard against me. Her hips bucked, and I lowered her fast, condom in place. One last kiss and I plunged inside.

  “Fuck me,” I groaned. She was hot and tight and so slippery.

  Her arms wrapped around my neck as her hips continued to rock, and I thrust again, harder. Inner muscles tensed, pulling and massaging my dick so beautifully.

  “Elaine,” I breathed as I kissed her shoulder, holding her body, trying to slow my pace. I didn’t want it to end too fast, but I was powerless against my desire for her. My stomach clenched as need took over and my thrusting grew faster.

  Her body surrounded me, tightened on me, and had me shooting over the edge. My ass tensed with each push and the sound of her moans filled my senses. Everything had gone dark, and my sole focus was the mind-blowing pleasure of my cock shooting off deep between her thighs, over and over.

  “Jesus,” I groaned as my orgasm slowed. My lips were on her neck and her hips moved against me. Her insides spasmed, drawing me out as she held me close, bonding me to her. I couldn’t imagine letting her go.

  I kissed her neck, cupping her bottom in my hands. “You are so fucking amazing,” I murmured, and she started to giggle.

  I leaned up to cover her mouth, smiling as I kissed her, tasting her peppermint kisses as she sighed happily and giggled again.

  “Stop laughing and kiss me,” I murmured against her cheek.

  “Oh, god, I can’t help it,” she gasped, a smile in her voice. “That was fucking incredible.”

  I kissed her again. “Have I told you it’s very sexy when you swear?”

  She leaned forward to kiss me hard, quickly curling her tongue with mine before moving her lips to my ear as she whispered, “As sexy as your groans when you come inside me?”

  My cock was stiffening again. “Damn, woman,” I said with a grin, and she hugged me, her breasts pressing against my chest. “Keep that up, and I’ll have to fuck you again.”

  “Mmm,” she purred. “Please do.”

  I leaned back to remove her dress completely, but she slipped to the side. I disposed of the condom, and she took my arm.

  “I want you in the pool with me.” Her lips grazed mine. “Now.”

  I watched her skip over to the edge, quietly lowering her body as I admired her legs, her beautiful ass, her lined stomach, then her perfect breasts disappearing into the dark waters.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said as she waited, submerged to her neck. I followed her, rolling a fresh condom on before lowering myself in after her.

  “Mmm,” she sighed as I pulled her close, her back against my chest, and slipped inside her again.

  “I know it’s too soon.” My arms were around her waist as I kissed her ear, making my way down to her shoulder. “But I wasn’t sure how I’d get it on me and into you otherwise.”

  She started to laugh, and I kissed her neck. One hand slid down her flat stomach between her legs, and I lightly massaged her clit. Her head dropped back on my shoulder, and she moaned softly. Leaning forwards, I scooped up her mouth, kissing her, exploring her as I held her firmly against me. I was buried in her, hard and deep, and it felt insanely good. The only way I managed to take it slow was because we’d just been this way.

  The water was still heated from the day, and our bodies slid easily against each other’s. Cupping her breast with my free hand, I rolled one nipple between my fingers, as another sigh escaped her lips. My hand between her legs never stopped working, gently massaging as my hips rocked slowly.

  “You’re so beautiful,” I whispered against her ear.

  Her face turned, and she said my name, a soft moan I felt all the way to my core. “I’ve never been like this,” she whispered. “Everything in me wants you.”

  I moved us to where I could stand in the pool, holding her against me in the shallower water. My fingers worked her and her body heated in response. She groaned, and my legs went weak at the sound.

  “I want to give you everything.” I whispered before kissing her neck.

  She kissed my cheek, lifting her leg and turning so that once again, we were facing each other. I couldn’t hold back, and my thrusting became more rapid. Her green eyes held mine before wrinkling closed, a line piercing her forehead as she cried out a long “Ooh!”

  Her thighs tightened around my waist, and everything inside her tightened. It was the most amazing sensation, a gripping from base to tip, pulling me into a frenzy. My mouth was against her temple, and I held the side of the pool as I pushed faster. Our bodies were completely entwined, waves splashing over the tiles as we moved. All sounds and motions disappeared, and I only felt her. We rocked, eyes closed and moaning, until she was pushing up against the pool wall. “Oh, god,” she gasped, legs shaking hard.

  She tensed and released, going from tight around me to almost pushing away, but I held her, staying with her until we finished. Until we were both spent, slowly coming down again, the quivers gradually subsiding from her limbs, calm returning.

  I softly traced a line with my lips down her cheek to her jaw. She leaned her head to the side, easing my progress. “Oh my god,” she sighed.

  I smiled in response and kissed her. “Why aren’t you with anyone?” My mouth moved to her jaw.

  “I could say the same to you,” she breathed. Her voice was lazy, happy.

  I kissed her again, and looked at her lovely face. “Not a single man in Wilmington caught you?”

  Her eyes moved away, and she shrugged. “One did.”

  Jealousy blazed in my stomach. Had she loved him? Did she still have feelings for him? “But you’re not together anymore?”

  “No,” she said, hugging me close, and pressing her cheek to mine. “It’s a little embarrassing.”

  My hands slid over the soft skin of her back as I held her, my lips touching her ear as I quietly spoke. “You don’t have to be embarrassed with me.” She also didn’t have to tell me. But she did.

  “We were together so long… I don’t know why. By the end we were more like siblings than lovers.” Then she turned her face away. “Why am I telling you this? How did we get on this subject?”

  I moved around to kiss her lips. “I asked, and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

  Her nose wrinkled in response. It was adorable. “I don’t think you asked for that much information.”

  “I’m glad you trust me that much. And I’m sorry some dickhead didn’t realize how sexy you are.”

  “I honestly thought something was wrong with me.”

  Catching her cheeks, I tilted her face up, covering her mouth with mine in a deep kiss. “There is nothing wrong with you,” I breathed against her lips before kissing her again. “I want you in my bed.”

&n
bsp; Her arms tightened over my shoulders. “Let’s go.”

  But in that instant, I realized. My eyes moved around the space. “We might have a problem.”

  Her green eyes rolled. “No towels!”

  “Hang on.” I slid out and away, going to the side and pushing my body out of the water. I picked up the thin white undershirt I’d worn beneath my pinstriped oxford and held it up. “It probably won’t help much, but you can use this to dry off.

  She was beside me in an instant, taking it and rubbing it over her wet body. The sight of that almost did me in.

  “That’ll do,” she whispered. “I mean, my dress is strapless anyway.”

  I watched as she stepped in and pulled it over her bare breasts until I couldn’t resist. I scooped her up against me. “You are so damned sexy.”

  “Patrick!” she shrieked a laugh. “Why did I even dry off?”

  Releasing her quickly, I stepped back. “Sorry.”

  But she threw her arms around my neck, hugging against me again. “Don’t ever stop doing that.” Her lips brushed mine. “Ever.”

  My arms were back around her in an instant. “I promise I won’t.”

  Chapter 9 – Best Day Ever

  Dawn pierced through the crack I’d tried not to leave in the curtains, but I didn’t mind. With the growing light, I was able to see her better as she slept next to me, her arm loosely across my waist, her silky blonde hair streaming over my pillow. I had to force myself to keep still and not slide my hand down the smooth skin of her back.

  Last night, I’d made love to her every way I could before we were both falling asleep, still holding each other. Something was happening here—not alcohol, not escape. Being with Elaine Was like… nothing I’d ever had. I wanted to tell her I could fall in love with her as I watched her eyes drift closed and her breathing soften, but it was way too soon. And I had all that shit to deal with back home.

  Still, nothing had prepared me for Elaine. Nothing in my past had this intensity. No relationship, no job, nothing had ever felt the way I did when we talked, when we touched, when her body wrapped around mine. For the first time in a year, I could honestly say what happened with Stacy was for the best. It truly felt like everything had conspired to draw me to this place specifically to meet this woman.