She met my gaze with a scowl until I pulled her flush to me and looped my arm around her waist.
“Don’t you dare. You’re perfect.” I planted a kiss right behind her ear. Her body stiffened then slumped against me.
“Hi,” she whispered and kissed my cheek.
“Hi, yourself.”
She giggled and lifted her head. “You look pretty perfect, too. But when don’t you, right?”
We both turned toward Claire clearing her throat behind us.
“You kids have fun. Don’t bring her back until sunrise.” Her brows shot up before she stepped back in the house and shut the door.
“Okay, so I won’t embarrass you. Ready?”
“I told you, you’re beautiful. And we’ll be all alone, so no one gets to look at you but me. And yes, I’m very ready.”
Caterina cupped my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. It wasn’t as frenzied as it had been Thursday night when all that bottled-up passion spilled out and blinded us both. My tongue glided along the seam of her lips until they parted for me. This kiss was slow, the yearning and need boiling over but not rushing us like before. I swallowed her sweet whimpers as our tongues explored rather than attacked, becoming reacquainted with the taste and savoring it this time. I’d savor her for as long as she’d let me.
“We need to get going,” I panted after pulling away. A sexy blush crept up her cheeks as her dark eyes searched mine.
“Sorry, I get lost in you.” She let out a breathless chuckle.
“I’ve been lost in you since Thursday.” I let my thumb fall over her lips. “Let’s get lost together.”
17
Caterina
What wasit about Joe that made me lose every inhibition I had? From the time I met him, I just couldn’t help myself. Ihadto kiss him, or something inside me would implode. Had I ever been this ravenous for anyone else?
Nope. Never.
Whatever I had with Joe was a very unexpected first, and I had no idea how to hold myself back. My attempt to stay away from him had lasted all of forty-eight hours until I couldn’t take it anymore, and I was only in walking distance. What would happen when I left him for real? Clenching my eyes shut, I tried to push the thought out of my head.
“Hey,” Joe whispered and reached over the console to squeeze my knee. “You look about a thousand miles away.” My gaze flicked toward his raised brow, and I cursed the heat drifting down my leg from his touch. I almost pushed my knee into his palm to invite his hand to go higher.
“I’m good. Excited. Annoyed, I still don’t know where we’re going, other than the fact we needed to bring our own food.” I shot him a glare. Between the amazing smells of whatever Joe packed wafting from the back of the cab, his dark T-shirt and worn jeans, exactly what he wore the night we met, my head spun. The last time he cooked for me and dressed like that, my panties had fallen off so quickly, I almost tripped over them.
He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. My skin tingled from the wet warmth of his lips and the tickle of his stubble. Even that first night we’d met, his touches meant something,saidsomething.
“That’s better,” he said, still keeping hold of my hand as he pulled the truck into park. “We have tonight. I know you’re a planner and all, but, just this once, maybe live in the moment a bit, and enjoy it.” He grinned and laced our fingers together.
“I’ve been living in the moment since Thursday. I’m just not used to it.” I choked out a laugh. “But, yes. I’ll take tonight and whatever else we can get.” His smile grew wider, and, hell, I wanted to kiss him again. I turned to climb out of the passenger seat before I leapt over the console for another Joe fix. There would be time for that later, I hoped. I supposed living in the moment meant not rushing it, and although it would be tough, I’d try my best. For more time with him, I’d try anything.
“Where are we?” Joe had taken us to a small, deserted beach. “Can we even be here?”
“It’s public property. Not many come here since it’s so tiny, but I stop by sometimes to think. It’s quiet and has the best view of the lighthouse. Do you mind carrying this? I have two big, heavy bags to unpack for us.” A grin lifted his cheeks before he handed me two folded blankets.
“Sure. Big blankets for such little sand, no?” I asked as I followed Joe onto the beach. Once I let the tension go, excitement stirred in its place.
“We need a place to set the feast I brought us.” He flashed a grin over his shoulder.
“A feast?” My flat sandals filled with sand as I set down the blankets. “It’s really sweet of you to go to all that trouble.” The night was warm but breezy and made it easy to spread out the soft fabric over the sand.
“I own a restaurant, in case you forgot.” He set the baskets on the corners of each blanket to weigh them down. “Besides…” His adorable, shy smile was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. “I like cooking for you.”
“And I like to eat, so we’re a match made in heaven.” I kicked off my sandals and reached for the top of one of the baskets. Joe pushed my hand away and shook his head.
