Skylar (The Love Family Series Book 1) (5 page)

Chapter 5

The bright afternoon sun sparkled a prism of colors off the metal on the yacht’s bow as it cruised through the water. Waves lapped against the boat as Luke stood behind the wheel, expertly steering the vessel toward an alcove he’d called the perfect hiding spot, which few locals knew existed. The streams of dark blue lightened the farther they got away from the dock. His shoulders eased as he idled into the spot. He cut the engine and dropped the anchor.

She didn’t know a damn thing about boats, other than the ferry that carried them to the mainland.

He stepped back into the cabin and rubbed his hands together. “What do you want to do first?”

She shrugged. “What are my options?”

He grinned. “Lie on deck and enjoy the sun, swim, fish? Whatever your little heart desires.”

She didn’t know about her heart, but her body was craving his touch. She’d stood beside him while he maneuvered the boat. His leg had pressed against hers and his hand had been planted on the small of her back. Since leaving the dock, he’d been constantly driving her need.

“How about relaxing in the sun? I think we could both use a breather.”

He gestured to her shirt. “Not sure that’s wise with your burn.”

“I’ll keep it covered and sit under the umbrella.”

“Why don’t you go below and change, and I’ll get the refreshments.”

She smiled and spun on her feet, heading to the room below where he’d stored their bags. The one bedroom and adjoining bath were small compared to what she was used to, but the boat provided all the comforts of home. Within minutes, she was dressed in her bikini, carrying her cover-up draped over her arm with a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen in her hands. She found Luke on the deck securing the umbrella behind two chairs, where towels were spread out.

“That should work great.”

He glanced up and rose from securing the umbrella. His mouth parted as his gaze drifted down her body to her toes and then back up, meeting her eyes. Her nipples pebbled in response. Her breasts felt heavy and full as she tried to calm her racing heart. The hunger in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. There was nothing he could say to deny his attraction. No words would suffice after the look in his eyes. He cleared his throat.

“This was a bad idea.” He glanced down her body once more, visually caressing her with her eyes. “I should have taken you somewhere cold and off the island.”

“Maybe,” she teased. “But then I’d need your body heat to stay warm.”

She walked to the chair and draped the cover-up over the back. After popping the top open on the sunscreen, she took her time lathering her legs, her belly, and parts of her chest where the pink was slowly fading. He stood still, watching every movement. She silently wondered if he was imagining that it was his hands on her skin everywhere she touched. He was about to find out. She held the tube out to him and turned.

“Do you mind?”

He squirted the sunscreen into his palm and lathered his hands together. He started on her shoulders and arms, in slow motion working the lotion into her skin. He stepped closer and whispered, “You’re teasing me, Sky.”

She playfully glanced over her shoulder when his fingers moved down her back. “I wouldn’t have to if you’d make the first move.” She grinned.

He dropped to his knees and smothered his hands in more lotion before he touched her ass. She moaned as he clenched and caressed the area, running his fingers down the line of her bathing suit, lifting the material to get beneath it. Her heart raced, and it took everything she had to stand still on her wobbly legs. When his fingers went between her thighs, she thought she’d die. He stopped before touching her aching core.

“Funny thing about teasing…” He slid his fingers free and rose behind her, pulling her back against his chest. His desire pressed hard on her back. He caressed her arms, his fingers teasing the outside of her breast. “It works both ways, baby,” he whispered in her ear.

“Sky, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. I wanted to date you, wine and dine you, show you that I’m the right man, the one you never knew you wanted. I wanted to be that for you. I didn’t want you to be forced to spend time with me because of a killer.”

“When have you ever known me to be forced into anything?” She turned in his embrace and ran her fingers up the contours of his chest and behind his neck. “You were right about our chemistry it’s undeniable, Luke. Maybe it’s time to see how far it takes us.”

He held her gaze, his face unreadable.

“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith into the unknown to get the greatest rewards. I’m ready to take that chance with you. Are you?”

His palms rested on her sides, and his hold slid lower with each of her confessions until they rested on her hips and stilled. His brows dipped.
Oh no you don’t.
She stood on tippy toes and crushed her lips to his in a kiss meant to squash his doubts.

He tilted his head and opened for her. His tongue tasted and took as his hands grabbed her ass and pulled her closer. Her breasts pressed tightly against his chest. His racing heartbeat matched hers. He swallowed her moan.

Desire consumed her. They had on too many clothes. She wanted to feel him in ways she’d only dreamt of, to taste him on her lips.

He broke the kiss, his gaze intent. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes.” The word had barely left her mouth before he lifted her by the ass. Her legs wound around his waist and he carried her below deck, kicking the door closed behind him.

He eased her onto the bed, slowly climbing up her body. He lay on his side, and his hand rested on her belly, the tips of his fingers sliding beneath her bikini bottom, where he left them.

“I’ve waited a long time for this.” He looked up at her and held her gaze. “I can wait longer if you need me to.”

“Shut up and make love to me, Luke.”

His lips twisted into a grin. The ribbons of energy surrounding him turned a royal shade of blue as his fingers slid lower, beneath her suit. “You’re awfully demanding.”

“Are you surprised?” she answered.

“No.” He slid his finger through her juices, teasing her without giving her what she wanted, what she needed. “You’re nice and wet for me.”

She opened her legs, giving him better access. “And ready.”

He slipped a finger inside, and her eyes slid closed as he played, stroking the embers of her fire. He eased in two more, stretching her. He latched his teeth onto her bikini top and lowered it out of the way with his mouth. Sliding his teeth over her sensitive nipples, he moved to suck her flesh with his mouth.

She lifted her back off the bed, pushing farther into his mouth, and moaned. His fingers quickened as he rolled her nipple between his teeth, adding pressure. She lifted her hips off the bed, matching his thrusting fingers. She was close, so close.

“More.” She moaned.

He pulled his fingers free and her eyes shot open.

He climbed to the end of the bed. “Don’t worry, Sky. I’m just getting started. The first time you come for me, I want to be inside of you so you can clench around more than my fingers, baby.”

He slid her bathing suit off and sat on his heels while running his fingers up her inner thighs as if admiring her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

He slid off the bed and stepped out of his suit. He pulled on his cock as he held her gaze.

Her heart sped up as he climbed over her, lying on top of her. He slid his shaft through her juices before positioning it, and it took everything she had not to lift her hips so he’d slide inside.

He pressed tender kisses up the length of her neck before touching her lips.

He eased into her inch by solid inch until fully seated. “Damn, you’re so tight, baby. I can feel you clenching me.”

“If you don’t start moving, I may have to hurt you.”

He gave her a devious grin and eased out of her before thrusting back in, setting a pace that stole her breath.

“Next time longer.” He panted as he buried his head in her shoulder and quickened the pace, making her toes curl. Her entire body coiled with need. She ran her fingers along his back, leaving a lover’s mark. He groaned and lifted up, his shaft filling her and touching every nerve ending inside her body. She arched off the bed as her orgasm built to the point that she couldn’t stop.

“Oh god.” She moaned.

“Yeah, baby. Come with me.”

Five more thrusts and she screamed his name as he sent her over the edge and her channel spasmed around him, pulling him with her. He seated himself fully and stilled, groaning as he filled her with his desire.

He remained on top of her as her heart slowed and she caught her breath. He pressed his lips to hers and held her gaze. His eyes sparkled in brilliant blue as he visually caressed her face. Their slick bodies remained joined. “I never knew…”

“That it could be that good?” she teased. “I had a feeling our first time would be explosive.”

He rolled off her and pulled her into the crook of his arm. “You’ve thought about this before, about us making love?”

“More times than I care to admit.” She leaned up on her elbow and rested her head in her palm. “It’s you I fantasize about when I’m using my toys.”

His brow lifted. “You have toys?”

She smiled. “If you’re good, I may have to show them to you.”

“When all of this is over, I’m going to hold you to it.” He kissed her once more and lifted to his elbows. “Until then, we should try to figure out who is trying to kill us.”

He slid off the bed and went into the bathroom, returning with a warm, wet washcloth. He cleaned her and glanced up into her eyes. “We forgot protection.”

“I’m clean. After Ryan cheated on me, I got tested, even though we always used protection, and don’t worry, I’m on the pill. A girl can’t be too careful.”

“I’ve got a clean bill of health, too. After I overheard Amanda’s conversation, I was checked.”

He tossed the cloth into the hamper, slid his swim trunks back on, and handed her the bikini bottoms. “Why don’t you get cleaned up; I’ll fix us lunch and we’ll go relax. Maybe between us, we can figure out who’s doing this, and why so we can stop them.”

He climbed over her body and kissed her once more. “I’ll never get enough of you.”

She smiled and watched him leave, closing the door behind him.

“That just happened.” She smiled, holding the bikini to her chest, waiting for the pitter-patter of her heart to slow.

Day turned into night without incident. They’d relaxed, talked, and ate, enjoying each other’s company in a more relaxed way. The thought of him leaving at the end of the week was pushed to the back of her mind, and she tried as she might to ignore the heartache that was sure to follow. The lull of the water rocking the boat put them easily to sleep as she lay in his arms.

He’d woken her up with sweet kisses the next morning that progressed into making love. She’d never forget their first time, or any time after, clinging to the duration of the time they had left together.

After her shower, she found him on deck and took a minute to admire his shirtless body. He was looking out to sea.

“You aren’t thinking of making a swim for it, are you?”

He chuckled. “No.” He pointed to the darkening clouds farther out. “Hoping our luck holds out and that storm misses us.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his back, soaking in the warmth from his skin. “It’s just another day in paradise.”

He turned in her arms, resting his hands at her hips. “We have to go back today.”

“What? Why?”

“Declan said McGregor checked into the hotel and he’s looking for me.”

“Luke, don’t be stupid. You know that’s not a good idea. That man is out for blood.”

Luke ran his hand through his hair. “Sky…it’s the right thing to do. I dated his daughter, and she’s dead.”

Sky stepped back out of his hold, crossing her arms over her chest. “And what if the killer spots us?”

He let out a lengthy sigh. “That’s why you’re staying on the boat.”

“Like hell,” she clipped out. “We’re in this together, no matter what. You’re not doing this without me. We’re safer together, and you know it.”

His energy signature deepened, and if she looked in a mirror, she knew that hers would match his strand for strand in intensity. 

“The whole reason to come on the boat was to hide until the killer is caught. That’s what Declan and you told me.”

“That’s not the only reason I need to go.”

“We,” she corrected.

“Declan has video of the killer leaving her room five minutes after I left. He wants to see if we can ID him.” He closed the distance between them and pulled her back into his arms. “We’ll be careful.” He kissed her forehead. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” she murmured as she walked away. “I’ll go change,” she called out over her shoulder.