Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
“Yes.”
“I used to own a big bike, so I guess I’ll be fine.”
“It might be too small for you, though.”
“That’s what I thought about you at first.” The corner of his mouth lifts, and I want to swipe that devilish smirk on his face.
Heat snakes through my belly as I remember how I lost control last night, how good it felt to have him inside me, and how we both came seconds apart.
I want him again. What the hell is wrong with me? Is this my life now? Horny whenever he’s around? Horny even when he’s not?
“Let’s go.” I bump his arm, which is a mistake because it’s like bumping a rock, and walk ahead of him.
Oliver pulls my arm, turning me around, before he wraps those huge arms around me. It breaks something in me. I haven’t been hugged like this in a long time. Mom is the same height as me, so a bear hug is out of the question.
I’ve forgotten how good it feels, how safe it makes me, so I hug him back and burrow my face in his hard chest, savoring this feeling and inhaling his musky scent.
He doesn’t let go, so I let my hands travel under his shirt and along the taut muscles of his lower back. We had to buy a tie-dyed souvenir shirt with “Not A Tourist” in big, bold letters and shorts because of course he didn’t bring any.
“Oli, please. If you continue doing that, the only diving that’s gonna happen is me in your pussy.”
Immediately, I drop my hands and lean back, lifting my face to look at him. The sun shines behind him, and dammit, he looks like a God. Built like one too.
We ride a moped that’s small for him, but he surprises me yet again. He doesn’t complain and simply follows the directions I give him—sometimes accompanied by hard smacks on his back and yelling.
It’s a thirty-minute ride, and as I look out over the cliff, I notice the low tide. Perfect.
We walk the rest of the way in silence, being extra careful not to trip over the jagged edges pressing against our soles. The rocks are slippery in places and coated with thin films of seaweed.
Excitement bubbles in me when the air fills with the tangy scent of salt and the distant crash of waves. The tidal pools come into view, and Oliver sucks in a sharp breath.
It makes me so damn proud to see his reaction. I love my island. I love my home. Every single thing about it is beautiful and perfect, and this is one of my favorite spots. It’s where I go when I want to swim in peace, when I want to distance myself from the world, or when I simply want to quiet the chaos in my head.
“Jesus, it’s beautiful.” Oliver’s voice is low and filled with awe.
That I understand. No expensive camera can do justice to how it looks in person. I come here at least twice a week, and I’m still left speechless every single time.
The crystal clear blue water glistens under the sun while tiny vibrant fishes dart between the underwater rocks.
I’m about to turn and say something sarcastic to Oliver when he yanks the shirt above his head, revealing washboard abs, and jumps into the natural pool.
For someone who came from the big city, that dive is a 10/10 for me.
When he resurfaces, he laughs. “Come on, Oli. The water’s so cool.”
I let him wade across and smile to myself. All of the other lawyers before him were arrogant assholes. If they could, they would grab our land from us and leave us with nothing but the clothes on our backs.
When news of another negotiator reached me, I went scorched earth, which was why I greeted him with zero politeness and a hundred percent fury.
Big mistake.
Who would have thought he was like this?
I shimmy out of my dress, leaving me in my bikini, and leap after him. I break the surface beside Oliver, shaking my head and sending droplets of water flying to him.
He laughs and swims closer to me, pushing my wet hair out of my face. With his hand cupping my jaw, he kisses me slowly and tenderly, molding his lips to mine.
Just like that, I melt into him and feel the familiar tingle of excitement and anticipation running through me.
When he breaks the kiss, he rests his forehead on mine. “I understand why you don’t want tourists to spoil this place. I’d be angry too if someone tried destroying it.”
I lean back to look at him. “The locals don’t have problems with a few tourists, but thousands a month? We can’t handle it. We’re peaceful people. That much chaos would drive us crazy.”
“I know. Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to my brother.”