“No. But I could use your attention.” Her teasing, seductive tone reminded him of the night he had planned. He’d only had three nights with her so far. None of them long enough.
He lay down, took off his prosthesis, and faced her. The wind played in the foliage on the mountain behind them while the surf crashed rhythmically at their feet. His gaze fell to the curve of her breast, almost covered by her bathing suit top, but not quite. He slid his hands slowly up and over her hip, carefully caressing the bruise there. “How do you feel?”
“Mmm. Perfect,” she muttered. “I love the ocean.”
“I knew you would.” And he was glad he’d been the one to bring her, to give them both this day. He wanted to give them everything.
“How could anyone not love it?” Her eyes fell slowly closed. “How could anyone stay awake near it?” Stopping just below her bathing suit top, he repeated the motion.
“Oh really? Having a hard time, are you?” He let his hand travel all the way this time, and her laugh was cut off when he brushed his thumb over her nipple. Moving to her shoulder, he slipped a finger under the strap, slid it down, and followed with his lips.
“You just close your eyes then. Take a little nap.” He shot a quick glance over to Casey to make sure there were no little eyes on him. Paige looked over too, and they shared a smile at her sleeping face, mouth open with little puffs of breath. Yeah, she was definitely asleep and he wasted no time pressing a slow, tender kiss to Paige’s mouth.
“I love your eyes, your lips. I can’t even think when I’m near these lips.” He nibbled at the edges and let his hand slide down to cup her breast.
With his body blocking Casey’s view, he sucked on her nipple through her suit. He played with her slowly, paying attention to her breathing and what she liked. He’d store that information away for later. “Are you asleep yet?”
“Not quite.” They lay like that for a long time after, her head on his chest, the sound of the waves in the background. He ran his fingers through her hair, letting his hand drift around until it cupped the back of her head.
She rose up to look at him. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome.” He brushed a piece of hair back from her face. She didn’t have any makeup on, but she didn’t need any. He’d never get tired of lying beside her, looking at her face. “So beautiful.”
She dipped her chin, embarrassed by his words. It only made him want to tell her more often.
“Are you trying to make me believe in rainbows and fairy tales?”
“Maybe.” He flipped their positions. “Or maybe I’m a troll.”
She cupped his face in her hands and lifted her head to kiss him. “You don’t look like a troll, and for a big tough guy, you’re pretty romantic.”
“Nah. It’s you.” He stared down at her, losing himself in her blue eyes and not minding one bit. “No one else has ever made me want to lie on a beach and have a picnic or sing in the car.” Or smile and laugh and jump over waves. Or be a father and a husband.
“Me either,” she whispered and pulled him down for another long kiss.
“Ready to pack it up?”
“No, but I guess it’s time.”
He pressed a last kiss to her lips and sat up. “Don’t sound so disappointed. The best part of this show is still to come.” They were going to drive a little ways farther and stay at a B and B. A suite with their own room.
Chapter 29
Paige heard Jake getting out of the shower, and while Casey sang in the second bathroom’s bathtub, she slipped into his. A towel hung low on his hips and drops of water clung to his fine, dark hair that covered his muscled chest and abs. His hair was slightly damp, his face fresh-shaven.
She’d seen him naked before, kissed and touched every inch of his body, but damn.
His eyes caught hers in the mirror and he sent her a wicked grin. “Can I help you with something?”
Busted. “Later,” she muttered, slipping back into her own room.
But not before she heard his deep voice say, “Definitely.”
Ready well before her, he took Casey down to the lobby while she took a little extra time. She fixed her hair that she’d never thought much of before feeling Jake run his fingers through it. She outlined her eyes that Jake told her a hundred times were beautiful and added scented lotion she thought he’d like. Last was a swipe of the cherry lip gloss Jenny had insisted she bring.
She smiled at herself in the mirror, thinking how much Jake was going to like the lip gloss.
They drove to a nearby restaurant facing the water as the setting sun threw its last light across a water-colored sky. The room was full of families and couples talking softly, interrupted by intermittent bursts of laughter. Their table was no different.