by Aliyah Burke
“Kassidy,” he rasped, doing his best to give her a way to say no.
“Justice.” Her tone was as deep and husky as his had been.
“I didn’t bring you out here for this.”
Her fingers dug into his shoulder blades. “You keep pushing me away. I’m wondering if you’re even attracted to me.”
The words were whispered but he had no trouble hearing them. Putting them nose to nose, he held her gaze while he took one of her hands in his.
Guiding it between them, he growled, “Does it feel like I’m not attracted to you or that I don’t want you, Kassidy?”
Her fingers clasped around his shaft and he could feel the sweat begin to bead on his brow.
“Then why stop?” she asked.
“I don’t want you to think that’s why I asked you out here with me.”
She lightly licked his lips and removed her hand from where it sat against his hardness. Cupping his face in her hands, she sighed. “I tell you what. When you’re confident I won’t think that, you let me know. Because I want you, Jamal ‘Justice’ Graham. But if you want to wait until we’re off your boat, that’s fine too.” She kissed him and rolled to her feet. “I’m going to get a drink.”
He followed her with his gaze and when she vanished down into the cabin, he cursed a blue streak. How could she even fathom the idea he didn’t want her? He’d never been so hard in his entire life. The time it took him to count to ten was the time it took him to stand and gather the towel she’d been lying on, her glasses, and head for the steps.
Licking his lips, he headed into the main cabin. At the bottom he turned and saw Kassidy putting ice into a cup and pouring some water in as well. She stopped and stared at him, her eyes wide.
Justice moved toward her, dropping the towel and her glasses to the floor. Silent, he plucked the glass from her hand and placed it in the sink. Wrapping his arms around her, he cupped her butt and lifted. Without direction, she hooked her legs around his waist and her hands caressed the back of his head.
He backed them into the double berth and laid her back upon the made bed. Lips grazing hers, he reached around to one knot holding up her top and pulled. He mimicked the action for the second one.
Pushing up, he pulled the jade material away and found himself staring at her breasts. Full and firm with pebbled tips the color of dark chocolate, they made his mouth water.
“Perfect,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to cover one point.
As he laved his attention on the bounty before him, Kassidy writhed and moaned beneath him. Her tone became higher and higher the longer he suckled her.
“Justice!” she cried, her hands against the back of his head.
Rolling a tip in his mouth, he undid the button of her shorts and somehow managed to shed them from her body. Despite the hold she had on him, he sat up and stared down at her near-naked state. Her bikini bottoms were the same color as the top had been.
Seconds later, they were sailing through the air to land somewhere of little consequence. With a growl of pure male satisfaction, he smiled at the vixen watching him with hooded pleasure and lowered his head back down. He trailed his tongue down her body until he reached her thighs. Nudging them wider to accommodate his shoulders, her quivering reverberated through him as he dipped closer.
Chapter Six
Kassidy screamed as the world around her shattered. Her fingers dug into Justice’s skin as she floated down from her cloud of bliss. He moved up her body, kissing his way along her skin. The moment his mouth covered hers she shifted beneath him, wanting more, wanting the feeling of completion she knew he would bring her. His tongue stroked deep and brought her a taste of herself intermixed with his addicting flavor.
“Kassidy,” he murmured.
He rubbed against her before pushing up and reaching to the side. Her body grew wetter when she heard the rip of the foil packet. Keeping her eyes on his, she bit her lower lip when he shed his shorts and boxer-briefs.
His shaft jutted out, the tip leaking a drop of moisture. She sat up and reached out to wrap her hand around the warm length. With her other hand, she took the opened packet and with great pleasure sheathed him. She offered no resistance when he guided her back to the bed. With a single unhurried motion, he slid fully inside her. Her gasps of pleasure couldn’t be contained.
“Justice.”
“Right here, beautiful,” he uttered.
Biting the inside of her cheek, she nearly came apart again when he began to move. He buried his face in the side of her neck, muttering things which made her skin prickle and toes curl with their heated descriptions.
Back and forth.
In and out.
She barely registered that the cries and pants were coming from her. Dipping her head, she squeezed her eyes shut and undulated with him. He increased the speed of his thrusts. She moved with him, taking all he gave and asking for more.
Justice captured her hands and stretched them over her head, intertwining their fingers. “Open your eyes, beautiful. Let me stare into your gray eyes as we make love.”
They were heavy but she managed to follow his directive. His brown orbs were waiting. Nose to nose they moved in perfect tandem while they completed the age old ritual. He held her gaze, refusing to let go.
Flames burned nigh out of control within her and she placed one foot flat on the mattress. So close, she could see the edge of the chasm she so desperately sought. Justice knew and took her there. Her orgasm nearly blindsided her with its immense intensity. She gasped and arched into him as the waves of pleasure crashed over her. Not long after, Justice stiffened above her and she could feel his release even with the protection.
Hearts pounding, they lay there in silence, waiting for breathing to return to normal. Justice pulled out and for a moment his heat left her. Then he returned and drew her in close. A contented sigh left her when a light blanket covered her naked body. Sinking into his warm, hard body, Kassidy fell into slumber with his deep breaths escorting her. When she woke, he murmured to her and stroked her back until she succumbed to sleep again.
The next time she woke, she found herself alone. The boat still rocked gently and yet now she could tell the sun was beginning to set. The deep colors poured through the vents and windows, bathing the entire area with a rich golden glow.
Taking her time, she stretched and got dressed. Pulling on her shorts over the bikini bottoms, she quickly made the bed and folded the extra blanket. She stopped and grabbed a fresh glass of ice water before climbing up onto the deck. Justice stood there in the cockpit area, one hand resting easily upon the wheel. A smile turned up the corners of his mouth.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said.
“Hi.” She moved to his side.
He gave her a kiss then drank some of her water. “Sleep well?”
“I did. What are you doing up here?”
“Watching the sunset. I love the way the colors bounce off the water. Sunrises are even more beautiful.”
Resting her head against his shoulder, she watched in silence. When all that was left was the remaining light of day, she looked up at him.
“Hungry?” she asked.
“Yeah. You wore me out.”
Rolling her eyes, she snorted. “I’ll go get something whipped up.”
“Holler when it’s ready. It’s going to get chilly fast so we’ll eat in the cabin. I’ll start up heading back.”
“Great.” She kissed him quick and headed back down into the cabin.
It didn’t take her long to get acquainted with the galley. She found some music and had that going while she fixed the meal. The sound of the engine told her he was getting them back to port. In the ice box she found some fries and some hot dogs, so she made that up.
“Justice!” she hollered up the steps.
“Ready?”
“Just waiting on you.”
“Be right there,” he yelled back.
She divided up the fries and gave him two hot
dogs. He came down as she was in the process of carrying the plates to the small table.
“Hope this is okay.”
He took his plate and grinned. “Perfect.”
Dinner was relaxed and afterward, dressed in one of Justice’s shirts to help ward off the chill, she stood at the helm and took them back to Quiet Harbor.
Justice took over when the harbor came into view. “You’ll be doing this one day, Kassidy.”
“You think so? Because I bet all those people, you included, would prefer their boats stay unharmed.”
His laugh warmed her, dark and decadent as it was. “I wouldn’t throw you to the sharks right away, beautiful. I’d be there with you.”
Leaning against the railing, she stared at all the lights on the docked boats as well as those still heading in. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to be driven.”
“Fine. You navigate and I’ll drive.”
“You were too good. You didn’t get lost.”
“I will next time.” There was velvet promise in that statement.
Glancing in his direction she gave in to the smile. “Hmmm. Go out with a man determined to get lost. I don’t know about that.”
“I promise I’ll keep you safe and warm. All you have to do is teach me about the stars.”
“That can be arranged, I think.”
“Wonderful.”
She watched in silence as he expertly pulled the boat up to its slip and tied them off. Remaining on the deck while he went down, she stared up and focused on the star-studded sky. Her gaze on Orion’s belt, she sighed and realized she was falling in love with Justice Graham.
“Falling or fallen?” she asked the sky.
“Falling or fallen what?” Justice questioned.
Embarrassed at being overheard, she merely shrugged. “Just talking to myself.”
“Right,” he murmured in her ear. “Here I thought you were trying to decide if you were still falling or were ready to admit you’ve already fallen in love. If you want my opinion, fallen is my choice.”
Trailing her fingers along his arm, she sighed dramatically. “Fine, I admit it. You caught me. I love your boat.” She stepped carefully onto the pier and glanced over her shoulder at him.
In the lights she could see his narrowed gaze. The warning was playful, but there. She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Keep doing that, Ms. Barrow, and you’ll find your sexy butt back on the bed below deck.”
She couldn’t help herself and did it again. Justice vaulted over the rail to land beside her. One swift motion and he had her tossed over his shoulder and got back on the boat. The clothes she’d put on a short time ago, soon found their way to the deck of his room. The gentle lapping of water against the hull was combined with the sounds they made as they again indulged with one another.
Kassidy awoke cradled in Justice’s embrace, more content than she believed she’d be. The boat rocked and with a small sigh, she burrowed closer to the man holding her. He nuzzled her hair and whispered something in his sleep. She lay there until he seemed to settle back to sleep, then she began to inch her way out of his arms.
* * * *
Justice awoke alone. His hand clutched air where before Kassidy had lain with him. Cracking open his eyes, he couldn’t begin to explain his relief at seeing her still there. She knelt on a bench seat in the main cabin, staring out a small window. The morning sun filtered in and around her. He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment. He could sense her indecision and see it, as well. Kassidy had a cute way of nibbling on her lower lip when she was uncertain or indecisive. Like she currently did now. After the fifth time she glanced in his direction, he slid silently from the bed and pulled on his jeans.
Resting a shoulder against the wall, he asked, “Planning on running?”
Her body jerked and he knew she still had believed him asleep. With an easy motion he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
“No,” she whispered.
Despite her hesitation with her answer, Kassidy turned easily in his arms and gave him a kiss that made him more than ready to carry her back to bed.
“Good to hear,” he said after the kiss. “Hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Give me five to get dressed and we’ll go get some.”
She nodded and rotated her body so she could once again see outside. He got dressed in record time and entered the main cabin to find her in the exact spot.
“Something got your attention?” he queried, kneeling on the blue cushion beside her.
“Just admiring the way the sun sparkles off the water.”
“I’ll take you out some morning to watch the sunrise.”
“I’d like that.”
“Come on, let’s grab a bite.”
After a moment of discussion, Justice held the door of his car open for her. He wasn’t ready to end their time and had a feeling if she were in her own car she’d be leaving after breakfast. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was barely 0730.
“Do you have plans for today?”
Her question shocked him. Why he wasn’t entirely sure. “What’d you have in mind?”
“Lunch with my parents.”
Out of the corner of his eye he could see the tension in her body. Did the thought of having him meet her parents scare her that much?
“Kassidy, look at me.” She did. He took one of her hands in his, using his thumb to rub circles on the smooth skin. “I would love to meet your parents, but I have to tell you, the way you’re sitting here all tense just at the thought has me worried. Do you not want me to meet them?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what? You look like you would rather be marched to your own execution.”
“I…I…”
“I don’t want you to do anything you’re not ready for, Kassidy.”
“The last guy they met… he was—”
“I don’t need to know, Kassidy. I’m not going to pry into your past. That’s not how I am. You want to talk about it and I’ll listen, but you don’t owe me any explanations.”
“My past relationships have been failures.” There was a gut-wrenching agony riding on that admission.
“Mine, too,” he said kissing the back of her hand. He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, shut off the engine, and faced her. “Look, Kassidy. I figure they failed because I wasn’t with who I was supposed to be with. A thing that I hope won’t happen again. I know the parking lot of an IHOP isn’t very romantic but who cares. I’m falling in love with you, Kassidy. So your past relationships, in my mind, weren’t supposed to be a success. Because if they were then we couldn’t be.”
Her eyes were wide as she stared at him and he reached over to stroke two fingers down her cheek.
“And I, for one, like the idea of we.” He kissed her. “So, while we eat, decide if you want to do lunch with your parents, because I’m game.”
Over breakfast he stared at her. Kassidy’s face gave away the indecision that swarmed her over the thought of the luncheon. He mulled over the information she’d given him about the previous man in her life before him. Some man named Alex. Somehow he bet there was more, a whole lot more, to the failed relationship than “he was a loser.” He bet that contributed to why she kept part of herself private.
“I’ll give them a call and set up a time when they want to do lunch.”
Her admission, while expected, surprised him. He stared across the table and met her gaze. Deep in the depths he could see her nervousness but they were steady.
“If you’re sure you’re ready, Kassidy. I don’t—”
“I’m ready, Justice. I’m just nervous.”
He smiled at her, reached for a hand, and laced their fingers. “I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise. No references to how I love the feel of your naked skin on mine.” Her eyes grew large and he chuckled at her expression. “I’m kidding, beautiful.”
“That’s not nice,” she snipped.
>
“Sorry. Badly done. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and withdrew her cell phone. While she talked, he continued to stroke the back of her hand. She ended the call and looked at him.
“What’s the verdict?”
“Two.” She glanced down at her wrist and back to him. “I have to get going so I can change and get to church.”
“Let me join you.”
“Of course. Visitors are always welcome.”
Waving for the bill, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. Silence reigned until their receipt arrived. He paid at the register and they walked out hand in hand. At the harbor, he parked near her car. After getting the address for the church he kissed her and remained there until she drove out of sight. Then he hurried to his apartment to get changed himself.
Outside the Harbor Point Baptist Church, his breath hitched when he watched her step from her car and approach him. It was a short-sleeved dress with an uneven hem the color of melted honey, matching some of the curls in her hair. Heels of the same color graced her feet and in her hands he noticed a small pocketbook.
Her gray eyes sparkled as she neared him. “Hey,” she said when she’d reached his side.
“Hello, beautiful,” he replied, fighting the urge to lean in and kiss her. “Are your parents coming?”
She shook her head and slid her arm through his. “Not today. Mom is at the hospital visiting a friend and dad is getting some sleep before the lunch. He just went to bed about seven.” They walked a short way before she nudged him and whispered, “You look really good, Justice.”
He smiled, pleased she’d noticed. “Thank you.”
At her side, he couldn’t help but enjoy how she never let him feel left out. She introduced him around and everyone welcomed him. The sermon was wonderful and he let the preacher know that on the way out. The tall man with a shaved head heartily shook his hand.
“Welcome to Harbor Point Baptist, son.”
“Thank you. Wonderful service today.”
The brown eyes staring at him twinkled. “Yes. There is something very uplifting about undying love.”
