“Turn me on so completely that I can't control myself,” he replied. He kissed my throat right where my pulse was beating out his name. “I wanted to make that last, but I couldn't stop as soon as I started. I can't control myself with you.”
“It was perfect,” I told him, and meaning it. He pulled back and looked at me. His eyes were vibrant blue around his pupils that then lightened into gray. They were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was difficult not to just stare into them and forget everything. “Perfect.”
His face melted into a smile just before he leaned forward and kissed me. His five-o'clock shadow was rough on my lips, but I wouldn't have stopped kissing him even if he had been made of sandpaper. I loved the way he tasted far too much to stop.
He pulled back just as his stomach grumbled against mine. His brow came together as he looked down at the offending noise and I couldn't help but giggle.
“Good thing I brought you some food,” I told him.
“Yes,” he said slowly, looking me up and down with a wolfish, hungry grin. The way he was gazing at me had me forgetting about food entirely. I was heating again with just the intensity of his gaze. “That means I don't have to take a break to run downstairs.”
I knew now I would never be able to get enough of him. Instead of quelling my need for him, this had only whetted my appetite. Now, my body knew just how amazing he could make me feel and I would never want to stop. I licked my lips, ready for more. Ready for a whole night of more.
And judging from the way he was looking at me, so was he.
Chapter 18
I was surrounded by masculine strength and I didn't want to move. This is the way to wake up, I thought, snuggling a little bit deeper into Bastian's arms. I was fairly certain I had died and gone to heaven. Or at least, my version of heaven included my back pressed firmly against Bastian's front in all our naked glory.
“Good morning, sleepy-head,” Bastian whispered, his breath tickling the small hairs on my neck.
I rolled over and opened my eyes, finding myself positive I was in heaven. A blue-gray heaven that shone with affection for me. “Definitely a good morning.”
He smiled, lighting up the room. “It's almost dawn. Would you like to join me out on the water today?”
I bit my lip. I wanted to so badly, but I didn't want to ruin his morning ritual either. “I don't know how to paddle-board,” I reminded him gently.
“I'll teach you,” he promised, kissing the tip of my nose. I chewed my lip for a moment, but his smile never wavered. He wanted to teach me and, truth be told, I would have learned how to hang-glide on paper mache if he wanted.
“Okay.”
He lit up even more and I loved it. “Get your swimsuit and I'll meet you at the beach with a board,” he promised, leaping out of bed. He was so beautiful, scars and all. I could watch him all day.
I followed him out of bed, moving much more slowly. Every muscle in my body had the most wonderful aches. Last night had been amazing. The best sex of my life amazing.
I went to the door, looking back just in time to see his wonderfully perfect ass disappear into a pair of board shorts. I grinned, excited to spend the morning with him and scampered back to my room as quickly as I could.
I put on my own swimsuit, debating between the bikini or the full piece for a good thirty seconds before deciding on the bikini. If I lost my top, I wouldn't mind having him help me look. I put on a pair of board shorts, ran a brush though my tangled hair, put on some spray sunscreen, and used a little mouthwash. I don't think I had ever gotten ready that quickly.
Dawn was almost here by the time I hurried down the wooden porch steps to where Bastian waited for me. I loved that he was wearing men's board shorts instead of his full-body wetsuit. I loved his scars as they were a part of him, but I loved that he wasn't ashamed of them with me.
I put my palm on his bare chest, loving the rush of adrenaline I got at just touching him before spiking it with a quick kiss. He grinned.
“You ready?”
“As much as I can be,” I replied with a shrug.
“Raise your hand up,” he commanded. I complied and he placed one of three paddles he had out in my outstretched palm. “Perfect fit. Now, come with me.”
I followed obediently as he handed me a long surfboard and together we entered the water.
“Have you ever been surfing?” he asked, as we waded out to where the waves no longer mixed with the sand.
“Once,” I answered. “But I never actually stood up.”
“This is easier,” he promised. “Now hop on your board and we'll swim out a little further.”
I climbed up onto the board, feeling unsteady even as I lay on my stomach with the long paddle tucked underneath me. Together we paddled out to where I wouldn't be able to touch before sitting up on the boards. I knew the water was deeper here, but I could still see every grain of sand through the crystal clear blue ocean. A small school of silver fish flitted across the sand before disappearing from my sight.
Bastian floated next to me, sitting on his own board as he looked at the horizon. The sun was coming up gold and setting the sky aflame. I gasped. It was magical to be out here, floating with my feet in the water as the sun came up. Just as the last inches of the giant ball of light left the horizon, he leaned over and kissed me.
I closed my eyes, feeling his warm tongue and tasting the salt of the ocean while the sun heated my skin. No, this is heaven, I decided, losing the rest of my thoughts to his gentle lips and tongue.
I sighed with contentment when he pulled away. His kisses were magical. He grinned at me. “You ready?”
I nodded. “Yup.”
“First, we'll go to our knees,” he explained. “Find the sweet spot, where the balance is best.”
“That's what she said,” I quipped. Bastian burst out laughing, stopping in his demonstration and nearly falling into the water.
“Just get up on your knees,” he told me, splashing water at me with his hands.
I stuck out my tongue at him. “Again, that's what she said.”
This time he used his paddle to splash me, drenching me instantly. I wiped the water from my eyes and slowly wobbled my way up to my knees. The board dipped and swayed with the rolling ocean waves, but it actually took less balance than I thought it would.
“Excellent,” Bastian praised me. I glanced up at him, proud of myself and wobbled. He smiled. “If you fall off the board, ditch the paddle. You can always get the paddle back once your back up. Go ahead and get it ready.”