CHAPTER 24
OTHER THAN THE MORNING OF Davis’s arrival, he and Nicole hadn’t spent very much time alone. Davis consciously made that decision. He didn’t want to interfere with her routine, and, if he were honest, he wasn’t ready to finish the conversation they started almost a week ago. But he couldn’t stand being away from her. Just knowing that Nicole was near, soothed him. However, he couldn’t use the excuse of not wanting to interfere with her recovery much longer. Nicole only had one more day left of treatment, which meant that he only had that amount a time to make some big decisions.
Davis was still conflicted about what to do about their relationship. He spent his days on the island taking long walks and thinking to the point of exhaustion. His mind was like a faucet and wouldn’t shut off. It was probably the first time since the plane crash that he had been away from everything and completely unplugged from the world. Jane was still running the business. When they did talk, it wasn’t about work; it was about DJ and Rayna since they were staying with her while he and Nicole were away. Teena had been a godsend and continued to take care of the kids at Jane’s home. Davis made sure to check-in at least once a day.
He hiked a path that led to the lagoon where he and Nicole had made love too many times to count. Davis had had it cleared but left some foliage for privacy. It held a special place in his heart. He stopped short when he spotted a half-naked Nicole sitting on the bank with her shapely legs swaying in the water. Warning bells were going off in his head. This is a bad idea, he thought, but couldn’t help himself from approaching her. He looked heavenward. How do You expect me to be rational when you’ve given me my water nymph back?
Nicole was lost in her own world.
Davis moved silently toward her. It was too bad the little red string-bikini she was wearing wasn’t silent. It spoke to his body loud and clear. The color complemented caramel skin that glowed from being in the South Pacific sun for the last month. Flashes of kissing every inch of her ran through his mind like a movie. Davis felt his cock jump at the thought of being inside her. It had been too long, but until they came to some decisions about their relationship, he had to keep his hands to himself. That was going to be one tall order. He adjusted himself inside his shorts, hoping she wouldn’t notice his excitement before announcing himself.
Davis cleared his throat. “Hey. I didn’t know you were out here.”
Her hair clung to her face and droplets of water rested on her long lashes. Her pouty, full lips gave way to a smile. “It’s one of my favorite places on the entire island. I’m sure you can imagine why.”
He couldn’t stop smiling like a fool. “Yeah. Mine too.” Davis moaned inwardly as he took a seat next to her. Her full breasts looked as if they were going to burst out of her bikini top. He would give his left kidney to taste one of those tightly pebbled buds. The blood in his body was all flowing to one place. He needed to get a handle on it quick, especially since he vowed to himself not to touch her.
She returned his smile with one of her own. “What’s that look for?”
“I didn’t expect to see an angel sitting in our lagoon.”
Nicole pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. “Angel, huh?” She hopped down into the water and waded over, sliding in-between his thighs. “Maybe I don’t want to be an angel. Maybe I want to be a little devilish.” Her hands started to slide up and down his legs getting closer to where Davis was now sporting a full hard-on. He captured her wrists before they made it to their destination. His voice was strained. “This is probably not a good idea.”
Her big round eyes looked up into his. He knew that look. The one where they were more green than brown. The one that said I need you and made him go batshit crazy. She was going to make this difficult. “C’mon, Nicole. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“The right thing would be for you to get down in this water with me and let me wrap my legs around your waist. And then for you to pound me so hard that by the time we’re finished neither of us will have the strength to move.”
Davis was having a hard time regulating his breathing. He rested his forehead on hers, then brought her hands up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You have no idea how much I want that too.”
“Then fuck me.”
“No.” He sucked in a breath, shocked by his self-control.
Nicole managed to break free of his grip and cupped his face in her hands. Her eyes were heated by lust and determination. “I’ve allowed you to hide from me all week. You’re my husband, and I’ve decided to fight for you. I know I messed up, but I won’t let you walk away from me. What we have is special.” Nicole moved in closer, pressing her body flush against Davis’s rock-hard chest. She stepped up onto her tip toes and slowly, ever so slowly, touched her lips to his. The kiss was mixed with hunger and desperation. She wouldn’t let up the pressure until Davis gave in.
He lost it. Davis gripped her waist and took over the kiss. All the months of dreaming about touching her came crashing down on him, breaking his resolve.
Nicole ran her hands all over his body. She kissed him back with everything she had inside.
Davis tore his lips away from hers.
It took a moment for Nicole’s brain to register what was happening. Their breathing was labored and uneven.
Davis could barely form words and was holding on to his restraint by a thread. “You make me want . . .” He was still trying to gain control of his mind and body. “Not like this. Not when so much is unresolved.”
Nicole placed her hands flat against his chest. She was terrified. Not because Davis was physically withholding himself, but because she couldn’t reach him emotionally—and she might never be able to. She was desperate. “You’re mine, Davis Chatham, and I’m yours. If that is the case, we have the rest of our lives to get it right. We don’t have to wait to make love. We can be together AND fix us.”
“You’re in recovery.”
“Ugggggghhh . . . You can’t keep using that excuse. I will be in recovery for the rest of my life.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m done with treatment. I had my last session this morning, and everyone is packing up to head home. So, that excuse is no longer valid. We have problems, Davis. I know that . . . big ones.” Nicole pressed her sex into his hardness. “Let’s start over at a place that we both can agree is fantastic between us.”
“You won’t quit, will you?”
“No. I won’t. Like I said, we have our problems, but sex has never been one. Let’s start where we can agree because I believe we have the rest of our lives to resolve our differences. And guess what? When we fix those, there will be a hundred more to pop up.”
Davis released his hold and stepped away from her. “Nicole, you and I both know that I’m no good for you. I drove you to this place. We should head back.”
Nicole stared at him in disbelief. “Davis. That’s not true.”
He wouldn’t look at her. His voice was firm. “You and I both know it is. Look, I’m going back to the house. Are you coming?” He held his hand out to hers.
She didn’t take it. “I’m not going to let you do this.”
He dropped his arms. “I guess that would be a no. I’ll see you back at the house.”
Nicole watched him walk away—no—he was running away. He was doing a lot of that lately, and she planned to put a stop to it.