by M. Ullrich
“Okay,” she said shakily.
Emma turned around and smiled, extending her hand. “We’re just going on the boat. I promise, nothing more.”
“I trust you.” And that was the thing—Caroline really did trust Emma.
Emma climbed up on the boat first and helped Caroline. A young man sat behind the wheel and welcomed them aboard. He introduced himself as their captain, Miguel. Caroline couldn’t believe someone who looked fifteen could be captain, but who was she to question Miguel?
“What do you think?” Emma watched Caroline eagerly as she waited for her verdict.
Caroline looked around. She was sure many people would kill to be in her exact spot, but she didn’t understand all the fuss surrounding boats. She felt the steady rocking of the vessel beneath her feet and thought about Ronaldo’s reaction to seeing this charge in Emma’s reimbursement receipt pile.
“It’s okay,” Caroline said with a noncommittal tone.
“Do you feel safe and comfortable?”
The safety and comfort Caroline felt came from Emma’s electric blue eyes and how their depth rivaled the ocean. But Caroline would keep that to herself for now because she was still mad. “I guess so.”
Emma held her hands and pulled her close. She put her lips to Caroline’s ear. “Would you like to have dinner with me here?”
Caroline shook her head. “I don’t like the idea of being out on the water.”
“Not a problem. Miguel,” Emma said, waving the young captain over, “your particular services aren’t required for the evening.” She reached into the clutch she had borrowed from Caroline and pulled out a few bills, handing them to Miguel before Caroline could count how much was there. “I rented for three hours. Would you mind giving us some privacy until then?”
“I’m not supposed to leave the boat, ma’am.”
Caroline wanted to laugh when Emma’s eyebrows rose at the title.
“We’re not leaving the dock, and I promise we won’t damage the boat. I won’t tell your boss. As a matter of fact, I’ll be more inclined to give your boss a raving review if you’re not here awkwardly glaring at me and my girlfriend as we enjoy our evening.”
He looked between Emma and Caroline, his cheeks turning a fresh pink. “Of course,” he said. “I would like it if we exchanged contact information just in case there’s a problem.”
Emma went about exchanging information quickly, leaving Caroline to wonder just how eager she was to start their night. Once Miguel was off and on his way down the dock, Emma turned to Caroline once more. “I think I like this better than a cruise anyway.”
“That’s hard to believe. You love boats.”
“I’m still on a boat, and I have you all to myself. Win-win.”
Caroline’s chest warmed at Emma’s continued sweetness, but she still felt a chill from Emma’s earlier forgetfulness. “What’s in there?” she said with a head tilt in the direction of the cooler.
“Just a simple dinner of bread, cheese, various fruits and olives, and dried meats. The meats are for me, of course. We also have a couple of bottles of a very good wine to go with it. I know you prefer lighter meals, and I can never turn down a spread like this.” Emma started to unpack the contents of the cooler and spread it out on the blanket.
Caroline watched Emma work methodically for a moment before sitting on the pillow beside her. “This scores you a point, but you’re still on thin ice, Ms. Morgan.”
Emma’s eyebrow hitched, and she licked her lips. “I’ll keep making it up to you, then.” A playful spark danced in her eyes but disappeared as quickly as it came. “I also wanted to keep it light because I’m a little nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because we should talk more about what’s next for us, and since my date idea isn’t off to the best start…”
“I’m not okay with anyone making decisions that throw me into uncomfortable situations,” Caroline said, placing her hand on Emma’s forearm. “But I’m sorry for the way I reacted earlier. I let my fear get the best of me, and that wasn’t fair to you.” Caroline traced a faint vein on the inside of Emma’s arm. “We’re okay, and I still want this. Very much.” She dropped her head back and looked up to the darkening sky. “It’s really beautiful out here.”
“I think we would be stupid not to go all in with this once we’re back home.”
Caroline looked back at Emma and nearly gasped at the sincerity she saw written plainly on her face. “I’m not easy to be with,” Caroline said, “and my family causes a lot of problems. I’m a little boring, and I take after my mother. I worry about everything, but mostly about situations I make up in my head.”
“I haven’t been in a real relationship in years, and I understand that family comes first. I can balance out your boringness, and I know I should worry more. I think we can both learn a lot from each other.”
“You also travel a lot,” Caroline said, thrusting the most obvious hurdle into the spotlight. “I’m independent and enjoy my me time, but I also like attention from the woman I’m dating.”
Emma reached over the blanket to make a small meat and cheese sandwich. She popped the cork on the wine and filled two glasses halfway. She handed one to Caroline and held hers up. “To wonderful journeys, beautiful destinations, and unexpected happiness.”
Caroline touched her glass to Emma’s and took a small sip. The wine was delicious. “You’re avoiding.”
“I don’t know what to say because that worries me too.” Emma shifted uncomfortably. “My job has been a problem in other relationships. I’d like to say it won’t be for us, but I can’t promise that. I’ve learned a lot from the past, and I think I can make things a little easier between us.”
“How?”
“Well, for one, I can make sure I speak to you regularly. Call you during my downtime or right before bed, depending on the time zone, of course.”
“Of course.”
“And I could also not take every job that comes my way.”
“No,” Caroline said with a shake of her head. “You’ll not make any major life changes for me.”
“I won’t.” Emma popped an olive in her mouth and chewed. “At least not right away, but I’m not going to want to travel like this forever. I do want to settle down eventually.”
Caroline felt her feet grow cold. “You’re thinking a little too far into the future for me.”
Emma laughed outright. “Caroline, I like you a lot, and I’d be lying if I said I don’t want you to be part of the future I’m planning for myself.” Emma’s easy smile and sweet words warmed Caroline up. “But I’m stating simple facts right now. I will want to settle down. Maybe take two or three trips a year, preferably with my significant other or family.”
Caroline used the food to keep her hands occupied and her mind focused. She spread a soft cheese on a cracker. “Let’s take one step at a time.”
“We date when we get back and keep it between us. Everything else we can tackle as it comes.”
“We date.” Caroline continued to eat for a while, enjoying the simple spread before her, but the thought of Emma being away so much continued to nag at her. “And then you go away on Tuesday.”
“I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I am asking you to be patient and help me figure it out.”
Caroline looked out at the horizon. If she had kept her eyes on Emma, she’d never be able to think. She considered how she had felt during the past week, how Emma had influenced some of her greatest moments, and the genuine happiness she felt at Emma’s side. The undeniable passion was just an added bonus.
She took Emma’s hand. “We’ll figure it out together.” She kissed the center of her palm. “Because this is worth it.”
“I know I paid Miguel to leave us alone for three hours, but I’m starting to wish we could head back to the room now.”
“No.” Caroline reclined against the side of the boat. “This is too nice. Plus, this is our last night here. It should be special.” S
he looked deep into Emma’s eyes and didn’t have to say another word. Their last night in Miami was going to be one Caroline remembered forever, even if things failed to work out once they returned home.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Miguel was sweet,” Emma said as she strolled down the dock with Caroline. She held her hand lazily, naturally, like they had been doing it for more than a week. “I think he was genuinely concerned we’d run off with his boat.”
“That would’ve been something.”
They walked closely and slowly, their movements reminding them their time together was dwindling. They both wanted to savor each passing minute.
Emma paused to pull her phone out. “I should probably call a car.”
“Not yet.” Caroline covered the screen of Emma’s phone. “I like walking.”
Emma put her phone away and chuckled. “Not tired of the humidity yet?”
“I’m used to it by now.”
“Easy for you to say when your hair is always perfect and doesn’t do this,” Emma said, pointing to the ends of her hair, which curled of their own volition.
“I always wished my hair was curly.” Caroline touched her hair.
Emma took Caroline’s hand and held it to her chest. “I love your hair. You always look sophisticated and put together, two things I find very sexy in a woman.” Emma stepped back when Caroline bent forward for a kiss. “I should call a car now because I want to stop at this cute tapas place for drinks.”
Caroline withdrew her hands and stood silently.
Emma tilted her head and stepped forward. Caroline made no move to open up or look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I know this is your job, and I was sent here to make you actually work, but…” Caroline turned her back to Emma.
Emma couldn’t figure out whether Caroline was upset or embarrassed or both. “But what? Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to go to the tapas place. I want to walk with you some more before we go straight back to the resort because I want our last night to be just us. But when I say it aloud, all I hear is I want, I want, I want. We should go to the tapas place. You should see as much as you can before we leave tomorrow.”
Emma had only seen the back of Caroline’s head during her rant, but she could imagine she was blushing, and her eyes were likely closed after saying so many things she probably now regrets. “Will you look at me?”
Emma smiled when she looked at her rosy cheeks. “The tapas place wasn’t for work, and it wasn’t on my must-see list. I want nothing more than to spend the night with you in our room.” Emma paused and had a small epiphany of what she really wanted to do with Caroline. “I want whatever you want, Caroline.” She stepped forward and took Caroline’s face in her hands. “Even if we stay up all night talking on the balcony.” Emma was rewarded with a devious smirk.
“If you really want what I want, then you know we won’t be talking.”
Emma took her phone out again and called a car before Caroline could stop her. “We can take a walk in the morning.”
* * *
Caroline hit the elevator wall with an oof. Emma’s lips could only be in one place at a time, but Caroline could’ve sworn they were everywhere at once. She whimpered at the warmth that crept up her neck in the wake of Emma’s mouth. She pulled Emma back up by her shirt to meet her lips. They kissed deeply, and Caroline wrapped her arms around Emma’s waist to hold her close. She wanted to feel Emma’s body touching every inch of her own. She grabbed Emma’s ass and then her thighs. Caroline felt a fire start to burn in her fingertips, her limbs, and her tongue as it caressed Emma’s. She couldn’t get enough.
The elevator dinged.
Emma pressed her forehead against Caroline’s and laughed as the doors opened. “I know I’m standing, but I’m not sure I can walk.”
Caroline pushed Emma’s hair away from her face and looked into her sparkling blue eyes. “I know what you mean.” They pulled apart as another couple stepped on the elevator. Caroline grabbed Emma’s hand and led them into the hallway, their giggling echoing around them.
Emma struggled to get her key card to unlock the door. She paused and took a deep breath. She tried again slowly, and the small light on the handle finally turned green. She looked back at Caroline. “I guess I was a little too eager.”
Instead of expressing just how eager she was, too, Caroline turned the handle and swung the door open. She grabbed Emma’s collar and backed into the room, pulling Emma along with her. They dropped their stuff on the desk by the door and kicked off their shoes. Caroline tried to concentrate on unbuttoning Emma’s shirt, but she was distracted by Emma biting her neck just below her ear. Ever focused, Caroline opened every button down to the waistband of Emma’s pants. She reached into Emma’s open shirt and filled her palms with her breasts for the first time. She squeezed them gently and felt Emma’s nipples harden against her palms through the silky material of her bra.
Caroline beheld Emma’s smooth, toned stomach. Her skin was so incredibly supple. “You feel so good,” Caroline said as she stepped closer to the bed. “I knew you would. You’re all sun-kissed and soft.” She pulled Emma toward her by the opening of her shirt. She kissed the center of her throat before running the tip of her tongue up and along Emma’s skin. She kissed her deeply while threading her fingers into Emma’s hair. She ran her tongue along Emma’s before pulling back to bite her lower lip. She released it and smiled. “You’re a marvel.” The backs of Caroline’s legs hit the edge of the bed.
Emma unzipped Caroline’s dress and tugged at the thin straps. In a second, Caroline was bare from the waist up. Emma stared at her naked breasts with a hint of wonder in her eyes. “I want to say something romantic, but I’m afraid I’ve gone brain-dead.”
“Good thing you won’t really need your brain for the next couple of hours.”
Emma winked at Caroline. She kissed her lightly before trailing her lips down to her collarbone. She kissed the slope of her breasts next and licked and kissed each nipple in turn. Caroline’s legs began to shake. Emma dropped to her knees and lowered Caroline’s dress slowly. She kissed her hips and ran her tongue along the top of her panties.
Caroline’s heart hammered at Emma’s hot breath against her newly exposed skin. She ran her fingers through Emma’s hair. When Emma looked up at her, Caroline had a flashback to her very first impression, and she couldn’t believe this was the same woman.
“What do you want?” Emma said as she kissed along Caroline’s panty line. “Tell me what to do.”
Caroline’s eyes widened as blood rushed between her legs. With just a few words, Emma had given her all the control and she felt powerful and desired. “Take off your shirt,” Caroline said firmly. Her voice sounded loud in the quiet room, but instead of being embarrassed, it stimulated Caroline’s every sense.
Emma leaned back on her heels and removed her shirt while keeping her eyes on Caroline. She tossed her shirt to the side and waited for Caroline’s next command.
“Bra, too.” Caroline bit her lip as she watched Emma reveal herself. Emma’s nipples were a shade darker than her golden skin and looked delectable as they stood out. “I want you to keep doing what you were doing before.”
Emma danced her fingertips along the top of Caroline’s feet, tracing the delicate bones before continuing a path up her ankles. She ran her palms up the backs of Caroline’s calves and thighs and came to grip her full backside.
Caroline gasped as she felt herself be pulled apart delicately. The air felt cold against her exposed wetness.
Emma leaned forward and kissed Caroline’s hip bone. She kissed an inch below her navel next and then returned to Caroline’s thighs.
“That feels so good,” Caroline whispered. She felt herself grow surprisingly emotional. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been revered or treated with such gentleness. She wanted this moment to last forever. “Kiss me over my panties.”
Emma was quick to obey, pressing her lips
against Caroline’s mound. She inhaled deeply and repeated the move more firmly with her next kiss. She lowered her mouth to Caroline’s clit.
The material between Emma’s lips and Caroline’s skin did very little to dull the sensation. Caroline bucked slightly.
“Bite me.”
Caroline cried out when Emma’s teeth sank into her.
“So, so good. Use your hands.”
Emma gave her ass another squeeze before running her right hand down and around the back of her thigh. She ran the tip of her middle finger along her thong and against her barely covered entrance.
“Take them off,” Caroline barked. She didn’t expect to take on this role so easily, but her impatience outweighed any apprehension she’d usually feel. She stepped out of her panties once they were around her ankles. Emma’s tongue dove into her and found her clit without preamble. Caroline gasped. “Oh my God.” She sat on the edge of the bed to lie down, her legs no longer strong enough to hold her steady, and spread herself wide for Emma.
Emma hummed against Caroline’s wet, heated skin. She licked from the base of her entrance, where her wetness collected against her ass cheeks, and up to her clit. She repeated the motion three times before taking Caroline between her lips. She sucked and licked her clit with no set rhythm, which kept Caroline on edge.
“Please,” Caroline said. “I want you inside me. I want to feel you when I come.”
Emma entered her immediately and slowly, like she was poised and ready for the command. “You’re so tight. You feel wonderful.” She licked quick circles around Caroline’s clit.
Caroline cried out and reached for Emma’s free hand and interlaced their fingers. Her breathing was rapid and sweat started to collect between her breasts. “I’m so close.”
Emma slowed her tongue to a torturously sluggish speed. She lapped at Caroline, her smile so brilliant it could be seen in the dimly lit room. “I won’t make you come until you tell me to.”
