Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I know everything’s not like it was before,” he says. “I need to earn your trust back, and I don’t want to come on too strong. We really can just sit at the pool and talk, and I mean that.”
“I know. We’ve never done anything I didn’t want.”
A vine quietly slides along the ground beside me as we walk. The island air is thick with humidity, my clothes already wet with sweat. The rush of the waterfall is a dull roar that gets louder as we approach it.
“I still want to leave the island,” I say. “I need you to know that. I’m here because I don’t have a way off, but when I do, I’m going to look for Mae.”
“I understand. Would you want me to come with you?”
“Yes. I wasn’t sure you’d want to. You’re important here.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll do everything I can to help this place, but if you leave, I want to come with you.”
The waterfall comes into view. No matter how many times I see it, I’m still in awe. It’s at least two hundred feet tall, and it spills into a crystal-clear spring.
Marcus is quick about getting his clothes off and diving in. I look around in every direction, not fully trusting that no one else can see me.
“You don’t have to get in.” Marcus is submerged from the shoulders down and he pushes back his wet hair. “I just wanted to cool off.”
“I want to get in, I just ... worry that someone can see.”
“Our perimeter is completely guarded. I made sure of it.”
I don’t know why I’m feeling self-conscious today. I swim here often in just my bra and underwear.
After taking off my boots, I remove my T-shirt and slide out of my pants. Marcus’s eyes are locked on me, more reverent than hungry.
“Oh.” I moan with happiness when I step foot into the cool water.
Marcus grins at me and goes back under, emerging by the waterfall. Standing beneath its powerful spray is the best back and shoulder massage on the island.
The pool is deep in some places and shallow in others. He’s standing where his feet can still touch the sandy, rocky bottom of the pool. I swim over to him, refreshed from going under the cool water.
We move away from the spray and I put my arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around my back, bending his knees so we’re at eye level.
“Things aren’t the same as before,” I say. “But maybe that’s good. Maybe we understand each other better than we did before.”
He leans closer and kisses me gently, his stubble grazing my lips. Something inside me relaxes, like a knot of tension finally giving way. When he deepens the kiss, I moan into his mouth, desire building hard and fast.
I’m dizzy with want when he moves his hands down to my ass, cupping it as he pulls away and moves closer to the waterfall. I close my eyes as he swims right into the cascade, his long, strong arm getting through it with just a couple of strokes.
We’re in the small cave behind the waterfall, concealed from anyone’s sight. Only a few faint rays of light break through the thick curtain of falling water.
He uses his arms to push himself up onto the slate slab of the cave, then reaches to lift me up onto it. He brushes the wet hair away from my face and kisses me again, his hand wrapping around my waist.
I climb onto his lap, grinding against him. A groan rumbles out of his chest.
“I can’t,” he says, regret lacing his words.
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t trust myself. When I’m with you like that, I’m out of control. And we’re sitting in a cave made of rock.”
I go still. “Oh.”
“I want something else.” He rubs his thumb over my nipple through the wet fabric of my bra, his voice husky.
Need throbs between my thighs. I understand why he doesn’t trust himself, but it doesn’t change how badly I want him.
He slides two fingers beneath the waistband of my underwear, murmuring, “Can I?”
Oh. God. Yes.
“Mm-hm,” I manage, warmth settling low in my belly.
“Lie back.”
I breathe in the cave’s earthy, fresh scent as he pulls off my underwear, then moves over me to slide my bra straps off my shoulders until my breasts are freed.
“I know I need to work on telling you how much I love you.” He murmurs against my skin, the warmth of his breath making my nipple harden. “But I’ve never had a hard time showing you.”
I sigh softly, my nails grazing lightly over his scalp as I rake my hand through his thick hair. He takes his time, teasing my nipples with his mouth until I’m frantic with need.
My back arches off the ground and I try to push his head lower. A short breath that’s half groan brushes over my skin.