Of course, I wouldn’t, but I didn’t feel the need to enlighten him on that particular fact yet. “Why not?” I raised my bare legs onto the dashboard as I reclined my seat. Absorbing each of the sunrays beating on my skin through the sunroof, I closed my eyes in pure bliss.
I didn’t know why I loved the sun so much. It was bad for my skin in so many ways, but I needed it. Every pore in my body craved it. As every ray penetrated my skin, a coiling tension of some stress factor was released. It was the best therapy a girl could ask for, and it was free, not that I would ever tell Jeanine that. She was helping me out of my three-year rut by showing me it was okay to open up, process my feelings, and move forward.
While keeping his eyes on the road, Kyle caressed his hand up my leg. Once he reached my upper thigh, he gave a light squeeze. “You know exactly why.” His voice was deep.
I could hear the rumble in his chest as if he were fighting to maintain control. I loved that I could affect him so easily. Being desired by a man made a woman feel sexy and confident. It was a sensational feeling.
I smiled up at him, loving the possessiveness in his stare, and I caressed his cheek. “I love you,” I said, speaking my silent thoughts.
“Damn right you do, beautiful girl,” Kyle said as his eyes glowed with affection.
“I do.” I chuckled before leaning over to kiss his cheek. I loved and adored his overbearing confidence.
After a few minutes, we exited the highway. We passed a new sign welcoming us to Camden, Tennessee. I was instantly intrigued by the possibilities as we pulled up to a resort.
***
Kyle walked out of the main building with keys in his hands. Coming to a halt in front of me, his eyes met mine. “We can either swim, go boating, or take a tour of the lake.” He grinned boyishly. “Where to first?”
“Hmm…they all sound wonderful. How about a tour first?” It was the one thing we hadn’t done together before, and I was curious to know more about the Tennessee River. It was supposed to be huge.
“You got it.”
We made a quick stop to our room, so I could change into more appropriate clothing. I chose a cotton plum dress to wear over my swimsuit.
Hand in hand, we strolled across the resort. Kyle and I reached the touring boat just in time for its next departure. We took a seat at the back of the boat, and I snuggled into Kyle. For a weekday, I was surprised to see so many tourists. The Tennessee River suddenly had me very fascinated as I absorbed fact after fact while the boat ventured out farther from shore.
It was part of the Kentucky Lake, even though ninety percent of it was technically in Tennessee. It was also the largest man-made lake with over two thousand miles of shoreline.
As the boat started to round back to shore, the tour guide reached in his pocket and pulled out a few freshwater pearls. He told us they were the state’s official gem. They were stunningly beautiful, shining in the sunlight, and this was the only site of the freshwater pearl-culturing farm in North America.
After exiting the boat, Kyle and I moved along to the gift shop, and I somehow managed to leave with only a white tank top that proudly displayed the resort name and logo across the front. It wasn’t gaudy. It was cute and simple. Kyle had gotten distracted by all the shot glasses with funny quotes on a rack near the door. I laughed when he approached with a small bag in his hand.
He kissed my cheek. “Should I even ask what you want to do next or just start walking that way?” He smirked.
When we reached just outside the store’s wide glass double doors, he molded my softness against his hardness for a longer kiss.
I gently tugged on his lower lip, lingering, before I pulled back. “You know me all too well.”
Kyle growled before dominating his lips over mine in a powerful yet gentle way. Then, he moved his mouth to near my ear. “Maybe we should skip the beach.” His hands skimmed their way down the flowing curves of my dress as his lips mingled with mine.
“Oh no.” I drew back from his kisses that would leave me breathless and utterly defenseless if they continued. “Beach first and then kisses.”
“Deal.” Kyle took a step back and pulled his shirt off in one swift motion.
My eyes drifted down the hard planes of muscle running across his chest, tight abdomen, and delicious arms. As I met his eyes, his clear look of satisfaction was not missed. He knew the effect he had on me, and I instantly regretted my decision to wait.
“Beach for an hour, not a minute more.” His voice was edged with dominance.
“An hour?”
“Don’t push it.” Kyle pulled me flush against his bare chest. He tilted my chin up with his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve been wanting to get inside you all fucking day.” His eyes were fixated on my lips as he exhaled strenuously.
Hiding my own need, I rolled my eyes playfully at his theatrics to distract him.
Kyle pivoted to face the beach, and I couldn’t help but friskily jump on his back. His arms instantly wrapped around my legs to brace me.
“To the beach.” I pointed, snuggling into his shoulder.
On a laugh, he began long strides toward the beach. “Yes, ma’am.”
Kyle and I settled into an isolated spot off to the side. The lake was a tad busier than the previous beach, but I didn’t mind as long as I could soak up the sun and enjoy Kyle’s company in private.
It was a much different pace to have Kyle all to myself. No work, no phone calls, and no distractions were intruding on us. It was perfect and needed, but I had no idea how I would return to the real world of sharing our attention with others.
If only everyday could be a vacation.
“I can see that mind running a mile a minute over there, even with your eyes closed.” Kyle turned on his side and closed the space between us. His hand started making small, steady circles over my stomach.
“I’m enjoying having you all to myself.” I also turned to my side to see his face that I adored so much.
“The feeling is entirely mutual.” His hand was now caressing the top of my hand delicately, and then he moved to stroke down my forearm and back up to swirl over the top of my hand. It was a soft and gentle gesture. “It makes me want to never share you again. Are you having a good time on your mini-vacation?”
“I am.” I smiled affectionately. “You always seem to know just what I need…and when I need it.”
All the noise around us seemed to fade away as we enclosed ourselves in our own little bubble.
“It’s my job to know.”
He leaned forward slightly to kiss my forehead and then my lips. My heart sped up at his proximity. My body was attuned to his touch, his scent, and his voice.
“I needed this, too, Lily.”
“A vacation?” I questioned, not sure what he specifically meant.
“No.” Kyle shook his head in disagreement. “I need you and me…and no one or nothing else in the way.”
“Me, too,” I confessed. “I’m sorry everything has been so difficult and chaotic. My life is normally calm and simple.”
He caressed my cheek. His eyes were soft and sincere. “There is nothing to apologize for, Lily. I want to be here, and I’m happy. It’s just hard to see the constant pain in your eyes. I want to take you away from it, even for just a little while.”
I pressed his shoulder until he was lying flat on his back. I looked down into his eyes. “Thank you.”
His stomach growled, and we laughed.
“Feed me,” Kyle begged.
“Well, surely, I can’t have you starving on me. Up you go.”
I stood and attempted to pull him up with me. His solid form didn’t budge an inch. Grinning, he lifted himself to his feet and wrapped me in his arms.
“Want a quick dip first and cool off?” Kyle’s eyes darkened devilishly.
“No!” I shrieked. I tried to take a step back, but it was useless against his powerful arms.
“Come on, beautiful. Just one quick dip. I want to see the water streaming off your gorgeous tan body.” His tone was lighthearted.
I loved this fun side of Kyle, but I was quickly learning that playful plus Kyle equaled Lily getting soaked.
I needed to distract him quickly. Ever so slowly, I ran the palm of my hand up his chest, feeling his warm skin beneath the tips of my fingers. Reaching on my toes, I laced my fingers around his nape and pulled him closer. My lips parted, and my breathing slowed.
I could see his eyes filling with desire. All it took for either of us was just contact or close proximity, and we would both be yearning each other. Right now, I was using it to my advantage.
His grasp tightened around my hips, and he pressed my body flush against his. His eyes were burning with hunger.
I slowly kissed him once and then tilted my head back. “Time for dinner,” I whispered, “and then hotel.”
“You fight dirty.”
“Only as dirty as you,” I countered.
The man had wanted to throw me in the water again, so I had to fight back however I could.
Kyle threw his head back, laughing hard. I was once again awed at how stunningly handsome he was when he let go.
“Come on, you challenging girl, let’s go eat.”
***
I picked an Italian restaurant for dinner. Our conversation was light while we enjoyed the soft music flowing from the front of the restaurant. The sun and our travels had clearly wiped us out, but I wouldn’t have given up the alone time with him for anything.
Tomorrow would be our final push for Colorado, and it would be the longest day of mile coverage yet. The plan was to be on the road by five in the morning.
We finished the night by catching a comedy at a local movie theater. There was something to be said about going to a movie on a date. It was traditional and cheesy, yet it was a fun, relaxing way to spend time together. I didn’t really care what we were doing as long as we were together.
After the movie, we went straight back to the hotel. Our room door barely clicked shut before Kyle’s hands were all over me as he pinned me against the wall. Passion and need poured off of us, and the only sounds in the room were our labored breathing.
“Clothes…off…now.” Desire roughened his already deep voice.
His gaze was hot and urgent as his hands whipped my dress over my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched it hit the wall and slide down to the floor. I felt the tug of my bathing suit top just as his warm lips kissed a trail down the center of my chest. Each kiss became more eager than the last.
When his lips sealed around my peaked nipple, I gasped, arching my breast farther into his mouth. Sparks launched from my core, stirring, as I anxiously anticipated what was to come. Reaching forward with my hands, I impatiently clawed at his shirt and yanked it over his head. I fervently ached to feel his bare skin against mine.
As if reading my mind, Kyle rid my lower bikini bottoms and his trunks. We moaned in unison as his erection first brushed between my legs before making its way forward to rub tortuously against my throbbing clit.
His muscles flexed as he worked his jaw. “Fuck,” he groaned, briefly closing his eyes.
I could see him silently fighting for self-control.
“I want to make slow, gentle love to each and every part of you, Lily, but right now…I don’t think I can wait that long.” His voice came out ragged as he fought for air while his hands caressed my body like a starved man.
My feelings matched his. My body craved wild, dominant, and rough Kyle.
“Remember how I told you once that I didn’t want sweet and gentle all the time?” I questioned, fighting to pull more air into my lungs. My grip in his hair tightened slightly.
“Lily…” Kyle’s voice was raw and thick. His hands came to my behind and cupped each side firmly.
“You know what I want,” I breathed against his neck. “I want wild and rough and—”
I got exactly what I asked for. After hoisting me up around his waist on a deep growl, he walked over to a small wooden table. He held me with one hand while the other swiped all of the contents of the table to the floor with a loud clash.
My bare skin met the cool table, and I gasped with pure adrenaline and pleasure running through my veins. With a hooded stare and heavy breathing, his eyes made their way from my face to my breasts where his hands grasped them firmly.
“I’ll give you rough…” His hold tightened slightly, squeezing my breasts again. “And wild…” His mouth replaced one of his hands as he sucked on my breast.
A profound tingle went straight to my groin, making it throb.
“And hot, sweaty sex.” He rocked his hard erection against my opening, spreading my wetness in small measured circles.
All thoughts left my mind, except for longing to have him inside me now. My bare feet barely reached the ground to steady myself as I dipped my pelvis forward. I was itching to take him inside me, but he evaded me with a husky chuckle.
“Not yet, beautiful,” he drawled. “Anticipation is half the fun.”
I was ready to lose my mind.
“Now,” I challenged, pinning my lust-filled eyes on him.
It was utterly arousing to be so close yet so far from what I desperately craved. My heart was beating faster and faster with every moment that passed.
I rocked my hips again, making the tip of his thick head press against my delicate clit. I moaned without shame. If he wasn’t going to give me what I wanted, I would take it. I tilted my hips again. This time, I made a full circle, rubbing my sensitive clit against him, before using more pressure to stroke directly over his erection.
“That’s it,” Kyle urged, giving me one swift thrust of his hips.
I bit my lip as waves of electricity swirled in my core.
“Make yourself come against me, Lily.”
The possessiveness in his voice made the wetness between my thighs increase. I drank in the sight of him while I tortured my clit endlessly. A light sweat trailed across his tight brows and forehead. My eyes then met heated dark ones. He was ready to devour me whole. The knot in my stomach intensified, pleading for release.
I was close, so close.
I used my stomach muscles to lift my legs, and I locked them around his lower back at my ankles. I brushed my sex around him once more and cried out. My orgasm broke free, spiraling and increasing with each rippling wave, while I never broke eye contact with Kyle.