To hell with the distance between them. Crew threw off his shoes and socks in seconds and stepped in the water with her. The bottom of his custom slacks were instantly soaked, but he didn't care.
Maybe a part of her was trying to keep him at a distance, but he didn't want that and if she was honest, she didn't want it either. She was just protecting herself, reverting to her old habits. He could feel her withdrawal in the melancholy mood she was in. He didn't know what had brought it on, but he was determined to find out, and refused to allow her to slip away.
"Nothing is as beautiful as you, and I can guarantee you that anywhere you want to go can happen," he said, his hand coming up to caress her cheek. Though it might sound a bit cheesy - par for the course that evening - he truly felt those words as he looked into her eyes.
She took his breath away far more than any sunset ever had, than any of the Wonders he'd been lucky enough to visit. She was a vision, and she was his for now.
Crew waited, his fingers rubbing her delicate skin, but he wanted her to choose the kiss, he wanted her to be in control. She needed that, and then he wouldn't feel the guilt of knowing he'd coerced her into it. He needed her to choose him.
Yes, he could seduce her - easily. But, he wanted more than the night before, more than tonight. He wanted to be with her without thought of an end in sight.
Slowly, she relented; her hands reached into his hair and she pulled his mouth to hers, her tongue demanding entrance. Just having him hold her was enough to lift the unseen burden she was carrying on her shoulders. She knew he was strong enough to carry it for her if only she could bring herself to let him.
He nearly lost his balance in the gently lapping ocean waves as his raw hunger awakened with a vicious groan. Fire licked at his gut, and no matter how she touched him, he hungered for more, his body demanding her total compliance.
Letting her lead him for a few more moments, Crew knew his control wouldn't last much longer, so he began walking them backward out of the cool water.
"Come to my room." She was ready - so was he. He didn't want to start their lovemaking in the sand. He hadn't cleared it with his staff to leave them alone, and it would kill him to be interrupted once he started. He was too damned hungry for her.
She didn't speak, but the slight nod of her head was better than love songs to his ears. Grasping her hand, he led her back up the beach and through the French doors, making a beeline for the elevator.
He looked straight ahead, unwilling to risk even eye contact with anyone. This time, he didn't care if the place caught fire. He wasn't going to be called away from her side.
Doing something he hadn't done once in the last two years, Crew pulled out his cell phone as they entered the elevator and pushed the power button. He felt total victory as the small picture on the screen disappeared and his main means of contact with his staff was terminated.
A small lamp was burning in his room, just enough light so they wouldn't bump into the furniture, but not enough to ruin the moment. Hesitating long enough only to unplug the resort phone, too, he backed her toward his bedroom.
Her body shook as he pushed her gently but firmly, causing her to land with a satisfying bounce on his soft comforter. Tonight was going to be so much more magical than her first time. He now knew how innocent she was, so he would take his time and make her think of no other man but him ever again. He would end any and all thoughts she had of leaving him behind.
Chapter Nineteen
Haley so wanted to cover herself, but she resisted the urge as she lay naked before him. Crew obviously desired her - there was no hiding that he'd been ready to take her the moment they touched - and they couldn't make love while all her clothes were on. But the supreme self-consciousness she'd lived with for so many years didn't disappear overnight. He didn't give her time to dwell on it, though.
She sighed in pleasure as Crew's hands slid across her torso, skimming over her waist, then moving higher and gliding across the sides of her br**sts. He used just his fingertips to excite her skin, making her heart pound and her breathing grow ragged. He knew how to give pleasure, and luckily, she was the sole focus of his desire.
Accepting that this was where she wanted to be, this was where she'd always longed to be, took away the burden of guilt that her grandparents had instilled in her. She'd never truly known pleasure before lying in Crew's arms, and she feared she'd never know it again once this affair ran cold.
Chasing away these negative thoughts, she embraced the woman within her and greedily took everything he was willing to give as his mouth began trailing across her jaw, just grazing the edges of her lips as his sweet breath warmed her face. It was both torment and pleasure, and she was already beginning to fly.