Chapter 14
Evangeline
I run down the beach, across the sand and straight into the ocean. I shriek at the coolness of the sea as the water chills my limbs. Raphael advances at a much slower pace with his hands deep in the pockets of the trunks hanging low on his hips.
The slight frown on his lips and the lack of zeal in his steps betray his reluctance. Mr. Park Avenue Penthouse doesn’t want to get wet. I chuckle internally.
“Come on!” I shriek, bending over and collecting seawater in my cupped hands.
He stands on the edge of the water, almost cautious as the waves rush up the shoreline to kiss his toes. He’s a sophisticated, urbane man who looks like a billion dollars in a business suit but underneath those expensive clothes is a body built for primal endeavors.
His shoulders are corded with strong muscles, his biceps are perfectly rounded, his carved torso covered in fine silver hairs is the epitome of masculine sensuality. And did I mention the unexpected tribal tattoo on his shoulder?
He moves with the smooth fluidity of a panther. He looks dangerous and delicious and I want his damp skin pressed against mine.
I want to feel the outline of his cock under the thin material of his trunks. I want his fingers slipping under the fabric of my bikini and making me come right here in the middle of the ocean.
“Don’t you dare splash that water on me,” he threatens with a smile on the edge of his lips.
My grin widens at the warning.
He must see the mischief in my eyes because now he has one hand sticking out protectively in front of him. “Eva…”
I love when he says my name like that. I love the way his eyes darken on my frame. “What’s the problem? Don’t want to mess up your billion-dollar hair?” I tease.
“I swear to you, if you dare –”
“What are you gonna do?” I challenge as I lift my arms with a rapid swoop, heaving water at his rippling torso.
He shudders all over when the cold water hits his skin. Frozen in place, he stares at me in disbelief. He didn’t think I’d actually do it.
And then he snaps. “Oh, you’re in trouble now!” he roars. He streaks into the ocean, chasing after me.
Shrieking, I try to get away but there’s only so far I can go especially with the weight of the tide working against me. His arms circle my waist and he tackles me, dunking my entire body into the cold ocean.
“Aaahhh!!!” I yelp and brush the salty water from my eyes as I try to snake my way out of his hold. I kick up my legs, causing water to splash all around and I wiggle my shoulders in a futile attempt to loosen his powerful grip. But I’m fastened against his hard chest, a prisoner in his arms. He’s the one chuckling now.
And wow, he feels good with his body flush against mine, his heart beating against my back. I give up on my shrieking and his laughter fades away and now he’s just holding me, his breath tickling my neck.
His arms are tight around my stomach as our bodies grow hotly aware of each other. My fingers intertwine with his. Revelling in the feeling of his pulsing masculinity, I lean my head back against his chest and I savor the power of his body, barely contained beneath his smooth, tanned skin. He tilts my face with his pointer.
“Eva…” His face lowers to mine and our lips touch. His tense shoulders slacken as we relax into the soft, languid, sweet kiss. When my lips part for air, his tongue sweeps into my mouth.
The kiss intensifies and I groan. Raphael spins me around and my arms lock around his neck as the waves crash softly all around us and the sun shines down on our backs.
I fasten my thumbs into the waistband of his trunks and he just keeps kissing me, his tongue hooking and curling around mine.
I wonder if his knees feel as weak as mine do. I wonder if he has butterflies going crazy in his stomach, too. I wonder if his head feels light. I wonder if he feels like he’s falling in love.
Eva!
I silently chastise myself for yet again getting carried away. This is just a fling. A few hours tucked away on a private island where no one would find us even if they looked. We agreed that this would end the minute we step back into the real world, where he’s my father’s best friend, two decades older than I am.
This is supposed to be fun. Nothing more.
So, I quietly resolve to make it one heck of a day.
He’s still lost in our kiss. He doesn’t see it coming when my fingers tighten on the fabric of his swim shorts and yank it down with all my force, revealing the mass of taut muscles beneath. His eyes pop open as he’s jerked from his daze. He blinks down at me with a cloudy expression that eclipses the sun and for a second, I fear that I’ve taken my mischief too far.
Uh-oh…
His head pivots slowly as he peers around for any onlookers. Aside from a small fishing boat zooming by on the horizon, we’re all alone. Our villa is the only building on this side of the island. But one of the other guests could come jogging around the bend without warning.
Raph is a cautious man, probably still programmed from his years in the military. The fortress he maintains around himself is made of unshakable boulders. I’m afraid that I may have just pushed him too far outside his comfort zo–
His arms sweep up behind me and I feel a tug at my back. Next thing I know, my bikini top goes flying through the air before being swallowed up by the current.
His growl comes from deep in his chest. “Two can play that game, Little Miss Mischief.”
I challenge him as trouble sparks wickedly in my belly. “Then, let’s play it.”
I leap up and twist my legs around his narrow waist, rocking my pelvis against the throbbing column of lust hanging between his thighs.
He pushes his hand under the string of my bikini bottoms and gives my ass a rough squeeze. My pussy trembles instantly. God, I love this.
As his fingers play between my legs, my hands slide over his slick back and I kiss the tattoo on his shoulder. I cling to him as fireworks begin to go off inside my body. One after the other, the tiny explosions detonate at my core. I bite down on his firm pectoral to keep from screaming.
I ride his fingers until my orgasm subsides, fading into the waves. When I’ve recovered, Raphael leans back, looking down into my eyes. I swallow hard against the surge of emotions that rises in me when he looks at me like that.
I want it to mean something. His kisses, his touches – I want it to mean that this thing between us will last beyond our time on this island. This crush is morphing into something more, something deeper. Maybe he feels it, too.
“Come, Eva,” he says as he walks us back toward the shore. “I want to take you to my bed and fuck you.”
Those commanding words are music to my ears. Can’t we stay on this island forever?