“No. You are doing it all wrong,” Rachel cried, emitting a flood of giggles.
It had been five days of utter bliss, and though she knew their time was coming to an end, she refused to think about it. She was growing attached, but she pushed that to the far recesses of her mind as well. She couldn’t focus on what tomorrow would bring; she allowed space in her brain only for what the two of them had right at that moment.
Ian was spectacular in every single way, even in his imperfections, which she liked about him. He had a cowlick that wouldn’t behave no matter how many times he brushed his hair. There was also a small scar on his forehead; she really wanted to know how he’d gotten it, but she didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to get more attached.
Their days and nights of lovemaking were more than she could have ever imagined, and he was also funny and sexy and made her never want to leave this penthouse suite.
But she would.
After their time was over, she would walk away with her head held high, and she’d have an experience that she would most likely carry with her for the rest of her life. She’d gone into this with her eyes wide open, and she refused to have regrets about it.
“I don’t see how I’m doing it wrong. This is just ridiculous,” Ian said with a scowl.
“Obviously you don’t know how to just let go. The whole point of Pirate’s Cove is to battle for rights so you can become the most feared and famous pirate the world has ever known. You aren’t even trying,” she said as she collected more gold. She’d won again.
“I have better ideas of games we can play,” Ian told her as he flicked the board away and grabbed her quickly, pulling her into his lap.
“I thought you said I was wearing you out,” she said with a grin as she kissed his square jaw.
“When would I ever have said such a thing?” he asked in horror.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think it was right after our shower a few hours ago.”
“Then I was a fool. I could never get enough of your delectable body,” he said as he began kissing her neck.
“Mmm. You can do that for about a million more years,” she offered, leaning into his mouth, enjoying the trace of his tongue along the sensitive skin of her neck.
He took her right there on the couch, and then she lay in his arms, sated...
“You’d better not go to sleep or the walls will rattle,” he said with a laugh.
“What?”
“The people in the next suite over were pounding on the walls because you were snoring so loudly.”
“I do not snore,” she gasped in horror as she glared at him.
“Oh yes, you do,” he teased as he kissed her neck.
“That is an absolutely terrible thing to say, Ian,” she said with a pout.
“I’m just teasing you. Your snore is really quite cute, very delicate like you,” he said.
“I do not snore, and I warn you that I am anything but delicate,” she said as she sat up and climbed on top of him, already forgiving him and feeling a stir in her body.
Ian had opened up something inside of her, and she couldn’t get enough — was greedy for more all the time.
“We need to leave this room for a while. I think I’ve forgotten what the rest of the world looks like,” Ian told her as his hands gripped her h*ps and he pushed his wakening arousal against her heat.
“I’m happy to stay right here,” she countered, pushing down against him in temptation, not wanting for him to let her go. They had only two days left, and she was battling sadness at the thought. She wasn’t ready. A week just wasn’t long enough.
“I am, too, but I have a surprise planned for you,” he said, piquing her interest. Rachel always had loved surprises.
Though he was saying the words, he was now hard and pushing against her core.
Rachel moaned as he surged inside of her. Yes, she would certainly miss this.
Ian made slow, sweet love to her, almost bringing her to tears as he looked deep in her eyes while his body moved within her.
Her pleasure overtook her in a sweet wave, and she collapsed on top of him, feeling drained emotionally and physically.
An hour passed as she lay there in his arms, on the cusp of sleep and consciousness. His hand held her behind and squeezed as he kissed her lips, and then he sat her up.
“We are leaving this room,” he said with a laugh. “Go and take a shower…alone.” He added as he set her on her feet.
Rachel practically floated into the bathroom; she stepped beneath the shower spray and quickly lathered herself with sense-entrancing body wash. As much as she didn’t want to leave their small haven, she was looking forward to whatever he had planned. It would be one more memory for her to carry with her when her mysterious lover disappeared forever.
They didn’t talk of exchanging numbers or speaking again after their week was up. This was a fling only — they’d both made a firm agreement on that, and she considered it the smartest course. Even if he asked, she’d have to say no.
Her thoughts burst forth in a jumble. Her life was moving in a new direction. She was going back to Italy. They didn’t have a future together. All they could possibly have was meeting once in a while in foreign places. Though that idea was appealing, she could see only heartbreak coming her way if they went that route.
It was going to be hell on her to let Ian go after only a week, but meeting with him every few months would make her crave him more. She wouldn’t do that to herself.
When she stepped back into the living area, dressed and ready to go, she was happy to see him in a pair of fitted trousers and a tucked-in dark blue dress shirt. He looked incredible no matter what he wore, but in that attire, his appeal was sinful indeed.
“That was quick. I guess you are eager to get started,” he said as she walked up to him and looped her arms around his neck.
“I can’t seem to get enough of you,” she replied, and her lips found his. Ian didn’t hesitate, but took her mouth in a possessive kiss. Oh, how he could kiss, stirring low in her midsection, and making her melt against him.
“Yes, you have me quite bewitched, Rachel,” he said, pulling back and looking into her eyes. His dark pupils dilated and she wanted to crawl back into bed with him. “What a spell you have me under, woman. We must leave now, or we’ll be late,” he said as he gently pushed her from him, then took her delicate hand in his, placing a gentle kiss on her fingers so she wouldn’t feel rejected.