Chapter Twelve
PARKER LEANED ON the railing of her deck, gazing out at the ocean while absently brushing her bare foot along Christmas’s back. The tuckered-out pup lay fast asleep from their busy afternoon. They’d picked up dinner at the Bookstore Restaurant on their way home and had shared a bottle of wine while they ate beneath the evening sky. Parker’s long hair was gathered over her right shoulder, her skin shimmering under the moon’s glow. A gentle breeze brushed her dress against her thighs.
If ever there was a perfect moment, this is it. Right here, right now. They were too far above the beach to be seen, making the whole star-filled sky and beautiful bay seem like their own private paradise. Grayson slid his arms around Parker’s waist from behind and kissed her cheek. She rested her head back against his shoulder and sighed with pleasure.
“I think you were put on this earth just for me,” he whispered against her cheek.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because you were all I thought about when you were thousands of miles away, and when we’re together, everything feels good and right.” He licked the shell of her ear and pressed a kiss to her delicate skin just below.
“What else?” Her eyes were closed, a sweet smile on her lips.
He kissed his way back down her neck and over her shoulder, loving the shivers that trembled through her. “I love seeing you smile and hearing your laugh. Being with you makes me happy.”
She leaned in to him. “Tell me more, but keep kissing me.”
“Oh, yes. You’re definitely put on this earth just for me.” He kissed her shoulder again and grazed his teeth over her freshly kissed skin, repeating the sensual rhythm and reveling in the hitching of her breaths.
She reached behind her and gripped his hips, craning her neck, pushing it toward his mouth. “Grays—” The end of his name was drowned out by a moan as he sealed his mouth over her neck and sucked.
Splaying his hands over her belly, he pressed his hips tighter against her bottom. Her fingers tightened on his hips, holding him firmly in place.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m not going anywhere until you’re fully satisfied.” He gathered her silky hair and draped it over her other shoulder, giving the newly revealed shoulder the same loving attention as the other.
“Tell me how,” she whispered.
Her hands moved up and down his hips in time to every kiss. He tangled one hand in her hair and moved his other arm up her body, and curled his fingers around the nape of her neck.
“First I’m going to kiss your mouth.”
With a not-so-gentle tug, he angled her head just so and captured her mouth in a greedy kiss. Her mouth was hot and sweet, but the kiss was urgent and messy. There was no room for finesse as their tongues tangled and their bodies rocked to an erotic beat. She moaned and whimpered and dug her nails into his flesh just above his waist. He told himself to slow down, but the torrent swelling inside him was too powerful. He turned her in his arms, never breaking their connection.
He groaned at the sensation of her supple curves conforming to his. “So sexy, baby.”
Their mouths crashed together, and he hiked her leg up to his waist, caressing her outer thighs. She moaned into their kiss, clawing at his back. There was no slowing this runaway train. He was lost in the feel of her hot skin, the erratic pounding of her heart against his, and the sensual pleas spilling from her lungs.
Christmas’s head popped up.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Grayson said with more control than he felt. Christmas settled his chin between his paws and closed his eyes.
He framed her face with his hands, and kissed her—hard.
He kissed her again. “Your kisses are so sweet. So perfect.” He kissed her again and brushed his thumb over her glistening lower lip. “You are so mine.”
A MILLION KISSES later, Parker was floating on a blissful cloud. If not for the railing she was leaning against and Grayson’s arms around her, she’d melt into a puddle on the deck. Grayson lifted her into his arms, and he must have seen the confusion in her eyes. She was enjoying being outside. It brought an element of danger and made her feel sexy. He kissed her again—oh, how she loved his kisses. Mine, he’d said. You have no idea how very yours I am. Take me. Love me. Keep me.
“Bedroom,” he said, and let out a short whistle. Christmas stretched lazily and lumbered inside. Grayson closed the door behind them and carried her upstairs.
“Why?” she managed.
“Because I want to feel your softness beneath me as our bodies come together. I want to feel you beneath me, and then I want to see your gorgeous face while you’re on top, and there is no way I’m laying your beautiful body on that hard deck.”
She pressed her finger over his lips. Every time he started talking dirty her body responded in ways she had never known before. “No more promises. I’m not sure I’ll survive them.”
“Okay, baby. You let me know when you’re ready to hear more.”
He carried her into the bedroom. Christmas plopped down on the floor, somehow knowing Grayson had become the alpha of the house. Her big, strong alpha set her down on wobbly legs, still holding her around her waist, and unzipped her dress. He slid the thin material off one shoulder, pressing a kiss to her skin, then repeating the sensual move on the other side as her summery dress fell to the floor. He pulled his shirt off, dropping it to the floor, and took her face in his hands, kissing her again, sweet and tender this time.
He swept her into his arms and laid her on the bed. As he came down over her, his handsome face awash with emotions, his name slipped from her lips like a prayer.
“I’m so lost in you,” he confessed, every word laden with emotion. “So lost.”
She was right there with him, giving herself over to him, and as they fell into a sensual, heavenly rhythm, she surrendered the last of her heart.