He pointed somewhere behind me. I looked out of the window, spotting a small tower in the corner. “The condos right over there. They were just built right in front of the coast. It’s convenient. Close to my job. Right down the street from the market and only a short walk to my boat… speaking of…” he smirked.

I laughed. “What?”

“You still haven’t answered me about the boat thing?”

“What exactly will we be doing on this boat?”

His eyes focused on mine. “Do you really care for the answer to that question?” His leg brushed my calf, but something else was there—his hand. It ran up my thighs, nearing my heat. I clenched as he got closer but purposely kept his hand in the center, feeling weak as I helplessly let my legs fall apart.

“I don’t,” I breathed. “I’m just curious.”

“So many questions, huh?”

“Tons…”

“Let me answer them out there,” he pointed towards the water. “Out at sea where no one can watch us. No one can hear us. No one will matter outside of us.” I watched as his tongue ran over his lips, his hand moving higher.

He was right there, provoking me, expecting an answer. “You think we should jump right into this?”

He shrugged. “I told you, Chloe. Don’t think. Don’t wonder too much. Just let it be.”

I inhaled and then exhaled deeply, reaching under the table and holding his hand. His brown irises sparked from the sunset, shimmering as he looked me over. The sun made them appear to be an amber color, as clear as whiskey.

He looked at me as if he wanted to take me right there on that table. But he knew better. He was a wise man with a lot of self-control. That came in handy when it came to my desires.

“Okay,” I finally responded. “Fine. I won’t think. I won’t wonder.” I leaned over the table, and he did the same. Our lips touched, but instead of kissing him, I sank my teeth into his bottom lip and sucked.

“Fuck,” he groaned, eyes hooded, fixated on my mouth as I pulled away.

“I’ll just let it be.” My voice was breathy, full of seduction.

“Damn right,” he groaned. He tossed some money on the table and grabbed my hand. Within seconds we were out of the restaurant, me with my heart racing and him with a hard cock that he tried so hard to conceal. I couldn’t believe I had this effect on him. I mean it was Mr. Black. We knew each other well, but who would have thought we’d be where we were now?

Kissing.

Grinding.

Holding.

Hugging.

Touching.

Caressing like lovers, right before fucking like wild animals.

God, this man did so much to me. To my body and mind and even my spirit. But it wasn’t bad. It was good. Theo allowed me to forget reality, which was what I needed that summer.

I needed to forget.

To let go.

To get exactly what I’d been dying for all those years.

Him all over again.

Thirteen

She didn’t want to go home yet, which was more than okay with me. She’d complained about her dad causing her stress and said something about a caregiver that she knew would actually look out for him.

Instead of driving back to Primrose, I took her to the beach, hoping it would clear her mind. We walked the shore, her arm linked through mine, a soft smile touching her lips.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked, glancing down at her.

She peered up at me before pointing her gaze to the ocean. The waves clashed with gentle force, the sun causing the blue water to shimmer. “I’m just thinking…”

“About what?”

“Well, tomorrow, on your boat.” She looked up at me again, stopping mid-step as her lips twisted. The face she made was cute. Confused and childlike. “Is it an all afternoon thing or…?”

“Ahh.” I smiled as she did, knowing exactly what she was getting at. Turning in her direction and placing my hands on her waist, I stepped in closer, my mouth pressing on her forehead. “Do you want it to be an all-day thing?”

“I think at least four hours would work best. Food, music, and drinks included of course. Does the boat have a deck?”

“A pretty big one,” I assured her.

She clapped her hands ecstatically, bouncing on top of the sand. “Good! Maybe I’ll bring my bathing suit to tan a little. I haven’t been able to all summer.”

“You kidding? You don’t need a tan.” I tugged her slim body into mine again, and she blushed as my nose skimmed her jawline. When my lips found the shell of her ear, I murmured, “You’re perfect, baby.”

I felt goose bumps crawl along her skin, her lips parting as she slightly gawked.

I couldn’t help my laugh. This girl had no clue what I was capable. She was accustomed to young men, boys that were impatient and too eager to bust a quick nut. But for me, I was patient. I wanted my lover to achieve ultimate bliss and satisfaction, and then I’d go for the kill.

Drilling.

Pounding.

Screwing.

Grinding.

Even licking.

The pussy would surely be mine. I’d leave her thinking for days, wondering what more I could do to make her mind and body feel truly amazing.

“What are you thinking?” Chloe questioned, brows piqued.

I fought a grin, shaking my head and grabbing her hand, continuing our walk. “Oh, nothing, Little Knight.”

We stopped and faced the ocean. Chloe released a long sigh, as if she’d been in need of a relaxing moment like this for a long time. I drew her in tighter, and her hand pressed on my chest as she leaned into me.

“So, no more Trixie?” she asked.

“Nope. No more.”

“Was she upset about you breaking it off with her?”

“Not too much. I mean, we weren’t exactly dating. I’d set the rules a long time ago.”

“Just sex,” she whispered, voice defeated as she dropped her head.

I turned, cradling her face in my hands. “That’s all it was. Nothing more. I swear.” I struggled with what to say next. I didn’t know if I wanted to share deeper feelings, but when her hazel eyes connected with mine, I had no choice. She expected answers, expected to know why I’d replaced Trixie with her again. “She… didn’t exactly fill the hole I felt inside. It was kind of pointless, to be honest.”

Her frown was faint. “Is that how you feel about me?”

I stepped back, folding my arms. “Did you really just ask me that question?”

“Yes, I did.” She stepped forward, limiting the gap between us. “I want to know, Theo.” Her hand ran down my arm, her finger tracing the outline of the lion tattoo I got when I was thirty-two. “Do you consider me someone like Trixie? A quick fix? Someone you know won’t deny you?”

Her hand continued traveling down, meeting at my belt buckle. She tugged on the metal that secured it, vaguely running her tongue across her lips as the buckle clinked. Then her hand dropped, and she softly ran it across the bulge in my pants, the bulge that was now hard as a rock.

My breathing stifled, my hormones getting the best of me. Reeling her in, I listened to the soft gasp that soared with the salty breeze, and when my fingers slid through her shorts and beneath her panties, she panted, but her hand still remained on my cock. “You know damn well you aren’t just a quick fix to me. We have history. Chemistry. You think I had this with Trixie?” I looked between us, my fingers delving deeper. When she didn’t respond, I said, “Answer me, Chloe. Talk to me.”

“No,” she whispered, pressing her forehead against my arm. “No, I’m sure you didn’t.”

“No is correct. I know you can deny me. You’ve done it before. I also know I can trust you, which says a lot because I don’t trust just anyone.” My mouth hovered above hers. She wanted a taste, just a small one if nothing at all, but I held back, listening to her breath hitch and then return to normal, feeling as she tried hard not to make her knees buckle.