The Sweetest Kiss

by Candace Shaw

  Broderick journeyed his hand up her leg and massaged her center through the fabric of her panties. She sighed at his touch as there was still a tingle remaining from her last climax.

  “No. That was just a little sample.”

  A dangerous grin crossed her face. “Bring it on.”

  “Oh, I will, and welcome to the Mile High Club,” he said, patting her inner thigh before pulling her skirt back down as the plane landed.

  “Now, once we get to the island, you can introduce me to the beach club, too.” Goodness, am I that inexperienced when it comes to different places to have sex?

  “Mmm-hmm. Oh I intend to introduce you to a lot of different clubs,” he said, shifting in his seat.

  “Can’t wait.”

  * * *

  “It’s so peaceful out here under the moon and stars. I’m so glad you came. I don’t think I would’ve laid out here alone if you weren’t here. I’d be terrified.”

  They were relaxing on a hammock on the candle-lit veranda off the master bedroom. They’d made love the moment they had stepped into the house. After a long shower together, a midnight dinner and Broderick smoking a cigar, both were completely sated but now neither of them was ready to go to sleep.

  Kissing her forehead, he pulled Tiffani closer to him. She wrapped her legs around his and breathed in deeply. He figured she’d be sleepy by now considering she’d been up since the crack of dawn. He puffed on his cigar and blew the smoke away from her.

  “Thanks for letting me smoke. A lot of people hate it.”

  She shrugged. “No problem. I actually like the smell. Cigarettes, no, but the scent of cigars and pipes remind me of my grandfather. He smoked sometimes when he was alive. Usually for special occasions.”

  “Is your grandmother still alive?”

  “Yes. She has a home in Atlanta, but she goes back and forth between there and Memphis so she can visit with all of her children and grandchildren.”

  “Sounds like you have a big family.”

  “On my mom’s side I don’t. She’s an only child, but on the Chase side, my grandparents had three children. My dad is the oldest and then the twins Darla and Richard. Uncle Richard is Megan, Syd and Braxton’s father. Aunt Darla and her family are in Memphis. She moved there after medical school with her husband, Uncle Francis. They have a medical practice and their children are all doctors, as well. You probably saw them at Sydney’s wedding. All of the bridesmaids were my cousins.”

  “Babe, the only bridesmaid I noticed was you. Goodness you were beautiful and now you’re even more radiant and glowing lying here naked in my arms. You know the island is secluded. We can stay naked the entire time, like we’re in the Garden of Eden...”

  Thumping his chest playfully, she followed it up with a kiss to his neck. “You’re a bad boy, Broderick. As tempting as that sounds, I do want to go into town for some shopping and sightseeing. Is that okay? Just for a few hours?”

  Her body tensed against his for a second, and he knew she was still somewhat guarded. “Of course, babe. You don’t have to ask me.”

  “Okay,” she answered quietly.

  “I’m not controlling, and I would never take away your independence. Now I may be somewhat of a controlling, arrogant ass with my employees but...” he paused and lifted her chin so she could see that he was being honest “...never with you. Personally, I don’t care what we do. I just want to relax with you, see your beaming face and kiss your luscious mouth.”

  “Aww...you’re such a sweetie pie.” Poking out her lips, she gave him a smooch on the cheek.

  “And you give the sweetest kisses, precious.”

  “It’s so peaceful and serene out here, Broderick.”

  “That’s why I bought the place. I wanted somewhere I could escape with no one around. Just me on my own island away from the hustle and bustle. I rarely leave when I come, and I’ve never brought anyone with me. No staff. No women. Just the birds and me.”

  “And you don’t feel lonely?”

  He had to consider that for a moment. He was never lonely. Alone, yes, but by choice. “With the line of work I do sometimes I need to clear my brain from it all. There’s always someone in my ear about a deal, and my business manager is always nagging me to hurry up and make a decision. I never do anything on a whim because it’s my millions and my name on the line. So sometimes it’s nice to get away, fly down here and relax. Usually once leaving here, my mind is clear and I can go back with a plan of action.”

  “Do you have some deals on the table now?”

  “Yes, the biggest one is with Devin and Supreme Construction. I was really impressed with the land he’s about to break ground on. Even Megan and her crew are excited about decorating the model homes. I haven’t signed on the dotted line yet. Still negotiating the money aspect. But when I last spoke to my business manager before I boarded the plane, he said everything was on the up and up. He also updated me on some other possible deals he’s been researching that I’m not really interested in. It’s always good to keep my options open, but for now I’m sticking with the lakefront subdivision and perhaps one more.”

  “Do you have to keep investing your money?”

  Puffing on his cigar, he beamed with joy. “No. I could retire tomorrow and live happily ever after on this island with you and KJ.”

  Broderick froze as the words spilled out of his mouth. He’d said it so naturally and matter-of-factly. Truth was, he could actually see just that. He could envision him and KJ playing football on the beach while a dog ran alongside them. Tiffani would be inside baking cupcakes and making freshly squeezed lemonade and wearing a pink apron and that huge smile that lit up his days brighter than the sun. But she wouldn’t be happy. She’d want her family and friends around and her freedom to live her life as she dreamed with her prosperous bakery, her son and her companion or whatever title she’d given him.

  Nuzzling his neck, she wrapped her arms tighter around his waist and whispered, “We’d have to compromise.”

  Shocked that she would even entertain his fantasy, he shifted them on the hammock so they could face each other. “There’s a compromise?”

  “Of course.” She yawned, which caused him to do the same. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “Only if I can make love to you again.”

  She slid off of the hammock and he followed her back inside the bedroom. She pounced on the bed and pulled him by the shoulders to her as a mischievous grin lined her face. “That’s what I meant by let’s go to bed, silly.”

  Chapter 9

  The afternoon sun beamed down, as Tiffani rested her head on Broderick’s chest as they relaxed naked on the beach. They’d woken up late that morning, cooked breakfast together, then went shopping and sightseeing on the main island. That had been the routine for the past two days. Tomorrow morning they were headed back to Atlanta and the real world. Her thoughts continued to float back to his fantasy of staying on the island forever with her and KJ. Although she knew that was unrealistic, she didn’t mind the forever part. She could actually see herself married to Broderick and being happy. That excited and scared her all at the same time. She knew he wasn’t anything like Keith, but the thought of being married again felt like a noose around her neck.

  Tiffani traced her finger along his washboard abs that she’d had the pleasure of running more than just her hands across. The mere thought aroused her, but she was too exhausted to move. However, he’d been an awesome lover and if he wanted to make love right now she’d do it in a heartbeat. But he was just as tired as she was. He’d snore, wake up for a moment, kiss her forehead and drift back to sleep. She loved the fact that he acknowledged that she was there while he slept. Keith had never been the affectionate type, no matter how hard she tried to make him be. He didn’t believe in PDA, so there was never any hand holding, light kisses
in public or even a tender arm around her waist. Broderick had done all those things and it was genuine.

  Broderick was indeed a wonderful and compassionate lover. Her mind and soul had never been so in sync before during lovemaking. He was aware of her needs and satisfied her to the fullest. No inch on her body had gone unkissed or untouched, and he did it in the most sensual and loving way. She’d feared since Keith’s death that she wouldn’t be able to open up to another man physically because she’d only been with him. However, she was wrong on so many levels. It was a new awakening. A new passionate experience that she’d never known was possible. Broderick made her feel like a woman. A sexy, desirable woman who held nothing back during their lovemaking. She was determined to let him know just how much she’d craved and yearned for him. A part of her also wanted to make him feel needed and special, as well. She hated that for the most part he was alone in his own world. It sort of surprised her that he’d bought the island to be even more alone and had never brought anyone here before. The thought peeved her and she wanted him to know that she was someone he could trust and depend on.

  She placed a gentle kiss to the side of his neck and he stirred with a smile.

  “Hey, beautiful.” His voice was groggy but she could hear the affection he felt for her in his tone. “Did I fall asleep?”

  “Yep. For a few minutes, but you need your rest. You work all the time.”

  “That’s because someone wouldn’t let me rest last night. But I’m not complaining one bit.” He popped her bare bottom. “Oh, and don’t tell Chef Crenshaw, but I love your crepes and homemade biscuits much better. I’ll miss them when we return.”

  “Thank you.” She propped her elbow up and put her shades on her head. “I’m sure it won’t be the last time I cook for you.”

  He pulled her on top of him and kissed her softly. “So on some of the weekends KJ spends with his grandparents, you’ll spend yours with me?”

  “Yes.” Returning his kiss, she felt the slight rise of him on her pelvic area as he nibbled on her bottom lip. “And I must say I enjoyed your omelets. Very cheesy, just the way I like it, with lots of spinach and onions. I was surprised you cook since you have your own personal chef.”

  “You know I wasn’t always wealthy. I learned how to cook when I lived in the group home. And believe it or not I sometimes do so now. Like when I come here, I don’t bring anyone including staff and a brother has to eat.” He sucked on her ear. “You know how much I love to eat.”

  She cracked a naughty smile. “Yes, I do. And I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

  “I’ve created a greedy-for-my-tongue monster.”

  Broderick sat all the way up as she straddled his lap. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he crashed his lips on hers in a hard yet sensual kiss. She couldn’t get enough of him and the way he handled her as if he were placed on Earth only to please her just the way she needed.

  Tiffani opened her mouth more to allow him adequate access to her tongue. He kissed her with so much vigor that it ruptured stimulating quivers down to her aching sex. She desired to have him inside of her that very moment. Tiffani had never begged her late husband to have sex with her, but Broderick was a different kind of man. He was a man who took his time to make sure every inch of her was satisfied. He was a man who was patient and understanding about her inexperience. Overall he was the only man she could see herself spending the rest of her life with.

  “Broderick, please make love to me.” She pulled her lips from his and placed them on his neck.

  “My pleasure. Just raise up a moment so I can grab a condom from under the pillow.”

  Stunned, her eyes shot to his. “You brought one with you?”

  A dangerous grin swept his face. “Always have to be prepared when I’m around you.”

  Once he was secured, she slid back into her original position, but this time he was inside of her. He didn’t move or deliver any more mind-blowing kisses. Instead, he gazed at her with a hunger in the depths of his eyes. That alone caused shivers to course every cell in her body.

  She pushed up fast but back down slow with a slight wiggle of her hips. When she was on top, she could feel his length and thickness in a place she never knew existed, which caused her to orgasm sooner. This time she wanted to savor the moment with him on the beach as the afternoon sun burned hot on her back and his hand clutched her hips.

  Broderick tugged on her breasts, circling his tongue around them as she moved up and down on him at a steady, comfortable pace. She gasped as he squeezed his hands on her butt and pushed her all the way down on him.

  “That’s how you like it, right?”

  “Yes,” she barely mumbled out as he proceeded to guide her up and down on him, increasing the speed with each passing moment. He had yet to actually move and she tensed at the thought.

  “Look at me,” he demanded through clinched teeth. “Just keep your eyes focused on me.”

  His piercing stare was sexy and commanding. Shuttering, the first wave of passion hit her out of nowhere and she clung to Broderick tightly while saying his name over and over. She buried her head in his shoulder but he lifted it up and caught her eyes with his.

  “I want you to look at me. I want to see all of the different amorous expressions I’m producing on your beautiful face.”

  This time she couldn’t answer as a moan rose from her throat and landed on his lips, which lingered on hers. She wanted to kiss him but the intensity of his stare alone caused sounds she couldn’t comprehend to escape from her mouth so loud she was glad they were on a private island. He slowed down a tad, only to speed back up a moment later, but this time he met her gyrating hips with rising thrusts of his own. Tiffani tried her hardest to keep her eyes locked with his as she dug her nails into his shoulders. Tremors soared through her center as she clinched around him with no control of her own as their heat added to the heat of the blazing sun scorching her skin.

  “Oh...my goodness, Broderick...it’s so damn good.”

  “That’s my girl. Look at you handling all of this.” He popped her bottom.

  She nodded in response. She was now completely winded. He swept her up, laid her on her back and placed her legs over his shoulders. With one thrust, Broderick snuggled inside of her once more, shocking her body with exhilarating volts of satisfaction. Pinning her hands to the blanket, he gazed at her with a magnetic desire that made her elated to be a woman. Tiffani squeezed his hands for dear life as he began to unhurriedly stroke her, which caused her to tremor beneath him. Hoarse moans escaped her mouth. With each stroke he initiated, she felt herself following his command, and her hips began to fall in sync with his tempo.

  Tiffani wanted to give all of herself to him. Her mind, body and heart needed to belong to him. Did he know that she’d never felt this strongly for a man before in such a short time? That he’d ignited a blaze in her and caused her to go weak all at the same time from just a simple smile or touch?

  “I’m so glad you came with me,” she croaked out.

  “Me too, beautiful.” He let go of her hands and placed his on both sides of her face. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and raised her head to kiss him with the same fervor as the movement of their hips.

  Broderick’s plunged deeper and faster, manifesting an orgasm that began in her center and rocketed through her body.

  “Is it good, beautiful?” he asked in between their erratic kisses.

  “Oh, yes. So...damn good.”

  “You’re all mine, you hear me?”

  “Yes, baby. All yours.”

  “You gonna climax with me, beautiful?” he asked as his thrusts became untamed and she felt him pulsing inside of her.

  “Yes, Broderick! Please come.”

  Moments later, they had both climaxed and Tiffani lay sated, half on the blanket and half on the sand.
Their lovemaking had scrunched the blanket under them. They cuddled in silence for a couple of minutes until Broderick started laughing.

  “What’s funny, babe?” she asked as her breathing almost returned to normal.

  “Just look at us. We’re covered in sweat and sand.” He glided his fingers through her tangled hair. “You do not want to see your hair. We should probably go inside before a seagull passes by and mistakes it for her nest and lays an egg.” He laughed uncontrollably.

  “You’re not funny.” She sat up laughing as well and noticed they were indeed covered in sand. “Let’s go rinse off under the outdoor shower and then I’ll get dinner started. We have to eat that salmon and shrimp before we leave.”

  “I can’t believe we only have one more night here. Perhaps next time we can bring KJ.”

  “That’s a great idea. I think he’ll love it here.”

  That night, after a candlelit dinner on the beach and an exquisite time of lovemaking in Broderick’s bed, she lay wrapped in his comforting embrace. His head nestled in the crook of her neck as he snored peacefully. Every now and then he’d place a kiss to the back of her neck. Tiffani had never felt so serene and content with a man as she did with Broderick. Even though she never wanted to marry again, she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

  * * *

  “Look at you all tanned and whatnot,” Blythe sassed as she entered the bakery the Tuesday morning after Tiffani returned from the Florida Keys. “And what is that scarf around your neck trying to cover?” She joined Tiffani at the bistro table.

  Closing her laptop, Tiffani groaned as she realized nothing ever got past her friend. “Let’s just say I didn’t go alone.” She lightly touched the scarf that covered a few love bites she didn’t want the world to see. She was too old for such things, plus she didn’t want KJ questioning her again about the mosquito bites on her neck.

  Blythe’s eyes widened and her face lit up. “Oh my goodness! You’re glowing.”