Finding Love's Wings (17 page)

I'm afraid that if we end up in bed before we are both ready for it, this will just end in disaster. Cami deserves to have more than a man who wants her body. While I want her body, I realize that I want her heart and her soul to belong to me.
 

"Tristan, please don't take this the wrong way, but I understand and I am not ready either."
 

I nod at her and bring my lips to hers, kissing her. Sweet and sensual, much like before. Desperate to control my breathing, I remind myself that I'm trying to comfort her, not bed her. Not tonight. I feel the head of my cock throb as my brain regains control of my erection. My brain and my heart are being lost to Cami. It’s a loss I will gladly take and enjoy.

PART SIXTEEN

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

What am I doing here? Looking down the length of my body, I can see my nipples, erect and throbbing. A warm sensation radiates out from my sex. Peering past my breasts, I see down between my legs a head of dirty blonde hair. The sensation of warm, wet licks on my cleft. My body shudders in response to a building orgasm. My legs stiffen as my orgasm builds, as the man between my legs continues stroking his tongue along my most intimate folds.
 

I reach down, intertwining my fingers in his hair, tugging slightly as my orgasm starts to take me. He lifts his head and I'm met with the beautiful, warm, blue eyes of Tristan Michaels.
 

"Come for me Cami," he breathes across my clit.

And I come.
 

My eyes fly open. I’m trembling and breathing heavily. "Tristan." There's no response. I look down my body: I'm in my tank top and shorts, the sheets on my bed are askew, and my sex is wet and warm in the familiar aftermath of an orgasm.
 

"What the..." I trail off, realizing that I was dreaming about Tristan between my legs. My heart lurches at the emptiness I feel thinking about him, wishing he were here. I hope against hope that he will join me on the beach later today. Stretching, I roll over onto my stomach and search for my pillow, begging to go back to sleep. I catch a glimpse of the clock and see that it is ten in the morning. I groan.
 

Stumbling my way into the sitting room, I see sitting atop the dining room table two dome-covered plates. Padding over to the table, I notice that on my coffee table is a small vase containing one yellow rose in beautiful full bloom. I smile. This has to be Tristan's doing. The gesture is too nice to worry too much about the fact that he sent someone to my suite while I was sleeping.

Lifting the lid off of the closest dome, I see toast, eggs, bacon, and sausage. Lifting the lid off of the other dome reveals a quad stack of pancakes. I lick my lips and take a seat, diving in with gusto as my stomach rumbles.

After eating, I change into my bikini and pull my hair up. As I'm wrapping my sarong around my waist, there is a knock at the door. I freeze momentarily and my heart swells at the idea that it might be Tristan. I call out, "Who is it?" as I reach the door.
 

"Tyson."
 

I pout. Then smile because I pouted at the fact that it’s not Tristan.

I've been sitting out on the beach since about eleven thirty this morning, getting waited on by a couple of cabana boys. It's been very relaxing. Looking out across the water at the low hanging sun, I debate on whether to head on up to my room to tame my growling tummy or finish reading this sexy scene in the book I’d started on the plane when a shadow appears over my book. I feel the hair on my arms stand on end as the electricity of his proximity sends a current through me.

"How are you not a lobster by now?" His tone is teasing, playful. He walks around to sit on the chair next to me.
 

I laugh. "It's called sun block and an umbrella." I raise my eyes to the beach umbrella over my head.
 

"What exactly is the point of sitting on the beach if you are blocking the sun with an umbrella?" I love his bantering.
 

"Well, if you've been watching me as much as I think you have—" I smirk at him, "—then you have seen the umbrella go up and down throughout the day." I pause to take in the muscles in his neck, shoulders, and his chest; his dragon; his pecs and abs, perfectly defined; and the tiny sprinkle of hair that runs from his belly button into his shorts. Breathing heavier than necessary I say to him, "What took you so long to get down here?"

With a chuckle he replies, "Because, I was having way too much fun watching you. Though I nearly had a heart attack when I watched you untie your top. Plus, I was hoping for a glimpse." He is grinning wickedly now.

"You know, Tristan, all you have to do is ask." My mind briefly flashes back to how I woke up this morning, and I flush.

He chuckles again. "Well, if that's the case, then I'd like a peek."

I start laughing harder now. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

"Well, Ms. Enders, given that I'm not wearing a shirt, you can already see mine, so, you know, it’s your turn." His voice has gotten lower and taken on a more seductive tone.
 

I blush at his logic and, as if I was willing them to do so, my nipples harden into tight peaks. Because of my barbells, it's nearly impossible to hide, and it does not go unnoticed. Tristan's grin gets even wider.
 

"Gah! That is so damn unfair," I mumble.
 

He laughs. "Why, because I can see your nipples through your top?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, you get that view and I get what, exactly?"

Just then he stands up, and sure enough, he is hard as a rock. I blush, but am unsuccessful at peeling my eyes away from his erection.
 

"Feel better, Ms. Enders?"

That breaks my trance, and I throw my head back laughing. "You have no idea how much better I feel."

He smiles and sits back down. "Listen, I've arranged for a sunset boat ride for dinner tonight. Would you like to join me?"

I'm shocked by his casual tone and lack of self-consciousness about the fact that he has an erection. It's all I can think about right this moment, what it will feel like buried deep… I mentally shake my head to clear the thoughts. It’s no use getting worked up now. "You say that as if you're hoping I have something better to do tonight than spend the evening with you." He grins at me. "I would love to, Tristan."

"Good. We leave in half an hour."

I gape at him. Thirty damn minutes. He's giving me thirty minutes to get ready for a date? Jesus, I hate men sometimes. "I...uh, should probably run upstairs and change," I say, breathless with irritation.
 

"No need. It's nothing fancy tonight. It's a nice boat and we'll be waited on hand and foot, but the dress code is casual. You have shorts here, and a t-shirt too. That is more than enough. I'm going in my t-shirt and swim trunks."
 

I'm speechless. Why in the world would he want me to have dinner with him in a bikini?
 

"There's a reason for the swim suits and casualness. You'll see," he says. I swear the boy can read my mind. "Want to grab a drink before we go?"

"Uh, sure."

I gather up my stuff, placing my book, t-shirt, water, towel, and sunscreen in my tote. I pull on my shorts and slip my feet into my flip-flops. Despite Tristan's assurances, I'm feeling self-conscious about being so underdressed. I'm sure my hot pink bikini bottoms are visible through these very short white shorts. And my hair is probably frizzy after being out in the sun for several hours. I doubt the half ponytail I've pulled it up into is doing much for me. At least I put on a little bit of makeup before coming down. I don't like going places undone. I usually keep up my appearance no matter what I'm doing, so being forced into going out with Tristan unkempt is a bit of a thorn in my side.
 

As we walk into Blu he leans over and whispers in my ear, "You look beautiful, Cami."
 

A smile creeps to my lips. How does he do that?
 

"It is just going to be you and me tonight, with the exception of a couple waiters and of course the boat captain."
 

I nod and decide to do everything I can to forget about what I look like.
 

We make our way up to the bar and Jessie is there.
 

"Hey, you two. How are you this afternoon?"
 

"Great." I smile at Jessie. "We're headed off to the harbor in a bit for dinner."

"I heard about that." He chuckles.

Tristan stiffens at my side.
 

"How did you know about that?" I ask.

"They asked me to bartend for you guys tonight."

Tristan relaxes almost immediately. "So will you be joining us tonight, Jessie?" he asks.
 

Jessie nods. "I'm just waiting for my replacements to come in. They should be here any minute, and then I will head over there. The boat is already ready to go, just need to take a few things with me. I understand the lady of the boat enjoys Cosmos and the gentleman of the boat enjoys buying her the finest that I can make." He's grinning at me and Tristan.

I look at Tristan, who is grinning like an idiot. He looks at me with an I'm-feigning-stupidity look. "What?" he breathes.

I laugh. "You are so bad. What am I going to do with you?"

Leaning into my ear, he whispers, "Oh, I can think of a few things." His breath caresses my ear and neck, causing shivers to run throughout my entire body. I grin at him.
 

"Can I get you guys your usual?" Jessie asks, interrupting the sensations and goose bumps forming along my body.
 

"Yes, please. On my tab." As I say this, Tristan scowls at me. "You look sexy when you're scowling. I should make you scowl more often." He dramatically deepens his scowl and then busts out laughing, unable to hold the deep scowl he was going for.
 

I join him in taking a seat at the bar while Jessie makes our drinks. As Jessie is wrapping up with our drinks his replacement arrive, and he quickly excuses himself to head off to the boat. Tristan and I sit back, enjoying our drinks and chatting about our day.
 

"Since you were obviously spending time paying more attention to me on the beach, what else did you do today?" I ask him.

"Talked to Tyson, took care of a few other things, planned our boat ride tonight, took a dip in my pool. Tyson plans to have two additional bodyguards fly out here Tuesday or Wednesday. Mainly because of the story, my anonymity, and of course, your protection."

"My protection?" I say, pointing at my heart.

"Yes. With the story and what I have planned for your birthday this weekend, the extra help will be good."

My jaw drops. "What in the world are you planning for my birthday?"
 

"You're just going to have to wait and see." He leans in and kisses my forehead. The kiss sends a layer of goose bumps across my skin.

Changing the subject since I know he won’t tell me, I ask, "So what's the deal with Tyson? He seems like a nice guy. Are you guys friends?"

"He is probably my best friend. Despite the fact that he insists on calling me ‘sir.’" He laughs a bit. "It's his way of keeping a professional image, but he fails most of the time. He is always there for me, and we usually spend a lot of our social time out together. He takes it upon himself to be responsible for me and my safety without hesitation." He's smiling, obviously remniscing.
 

"That explains a lot. He does a good job of taking care of you." The wheels in my head begin to turn. "Does he have a girlfriend?" I ask. I try to sound innocent but fail miserably. Anticipating Tristan's reaction, I start to smile. He scowls at me and I laugh. Loudly.
 

"Why?" He growls.
 

His growl sends a shiver through me. So carnal. And it does things...down there. I try to laugh it off.
 

"Well." I put dramatic emphasis on the word and Tristan scowls again. I grin. "He hangs out with you all the time. Does he have someone in his life?"

"No, I guess he doesn't. Why are you so interested in Ty?" He is glaring at me now, so I play it up a bit.

In my best Austin Powers impersonation I let the drama fly from my lips. "Oh yeah, baby, he is so hot and sexy." I grin from ear to ear.
 

"And what the hell am I, chopped liver?" He starts smiling, so I know he is playing the game.
 

"No, you, Mr. Michaels, are by far the hottest, sexiest, most beautiful person I know." I blush at my barefaced words. I'm not usually so forthcoming.
 

But he senses my unease; he takes my hand in his and gently kisses my knuckles. Then he brings his lips to my jaw and plants sweet kisses along it until he reaches my ear. "You're very sweet," he whispers in my ear. I grin. Clearly my words have him uncomfortable or, at the very least, not knowing how to respond.
 

"To answer your question," Tristan says, "Ty has no problem with women. I just think he feels the need to stay single because of me. I wish he wouldn't because it would make things just a little more fun. If he has to be with me when ever I go out, or when I take you out to dinner, we could double."

I should probably just have this stupid grin tattooed on my face. "I have an idea," I say, enthusiasm evident. "Why don't I bring Jolene out with Mick and Beau? She is a hell of a lot of fun. Her and Tyson might hit it off. Then if they do, the six of us can do our thing and Tyson doesn't have to feel like the fifth wheel."
 

He is smiling and nodding in agreement. "That might not be a bad idea, though I hate the thought of trying to play matchmaker with him and making him feel obligated to entertain her. What if they don't get along?"

"I doubt that. Jolene is very outgoing and generally gets along with everyone. But, you do have a good point. Maybe we can just make a point to introduce them in a little more casual setting?"