After we left the restaurant,we ended up at the same beach he’d taken me to on our first date. As much as I tried to relax and have a nice time, a stopwatch ticked in my ears and echoed so loudly through my troubled brain, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
“Did you have your people drop off food for us?” I asked him as I noticed a large bag resting on one of the blankets. The area was almost pitch black with only the light of the moon and the stars in the distance, but there were a couple of lanterns planted in the sand.
“It’s nice to have people.” He winked as he dug into the bag. “I thought we’d have dessert here.”
“Dessert? I can’t eat anything else.” I rubbed a hand over my stomach, thankful for the stretchy material of my dress. “But I wouldn’t refuse taking them on the road tomorrow.” I cringed when Joe’s face fell.
He nodded without lifting his head. “I can pack it for you. I’d planned on packing food for you anyway.” My heart squeezed at his sad smile.
“Are there any rainbow cookies in there?” I sat up on my knees and sifted through the bag in an effort to shift the mood.
“Maybe.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “Like I don’t know my girl has a sweet tooth.”
I stopped searching through the bag and lifted my head, not able to tell him how I felt at that moment but compelled with the burning need to show him. I tumbled back on the blanket and pulled him on top of me, my legs parting as Joe settled himself between them. This felt a lot more like home than my apartment would tomorrow. I threaded my hands into his hair and brought his lips to mine, savoring him for a second before dragging my tongue along the seam of his lips. They parted on a groan, and I let my tongue swirl around his mouth, memorizing his taste and the deep noises erupting from his throat when my nails dug into his back.
I whimpered when he broke the kiss and buried his head in the crook of my shoulder, trailing kisses down my neck and across my collarbone as his hand fisted the hem of my dress.
I dug my heels into the sand as his lips traveled all over my body, crying out when he dipped his tongue into my cleavage and licked along the swell of my breast.
“I told you oysters were a bad idea.” His laugh vibrated against my cheek as he tugged my dress over my waist.
He kissed along the inside of my thigh, almost where I wanted him but far enough away to draw out a whimper of frustration.
“Joe,” I croaked out and rolled up on my elbows, needing to do something with all the dread and frustration swirling around inside me.
“Caterina,” he answered with a half-smile, his eyes hooded and dark.
“I need you.” The words fell from my lips in a plea. This time, I couldn’t wait until we got back to his apartment. I needed him inside me, filling the empty parts that I’d leave behind tomorrow.
Joe dragged my panties down my legs, flinging them somewhere behind him. I was already so wet, the warm breeze cooled my core. He ran his finger up and down my slit before he gave me one, long, and torturous lick, swirling his tongue around my clit before pulling it between his teeth. I spread my legs and pushed the back of his head closer. He lifted my hips and devoured me, his mouth relentless and rough as his hands traveled back up my body, yanking down my dress and cupping my breasts. It was as if I were Joe’s last meal, and he wanted every last bite.
When the tremors started rippling up my legs, I tapped Joe on the shoulder for him to look up. When he met my eyes with swollen, wet lips and a hazy stare, I almost came from that sight alone.
“Please. I can’t wait.” My breaths were quick and shallow as I begged.
Joe straightened to dig his wallet out of his pants pocket and grabbed the foil packet inside. He dropped his pants and rolled on the condom before plunging inside me.
His thrusts were hard and shallow at first, working off the buildup from before, but then they slowed to a languid, torturous pace. He kissed me, deep and slow with his hand cradling the back of my head. Joe was making love to me. He had been all along, but the sadness and fear made the longing between us so strong it scratched at my throat. We’d been having sex since we’d met, but once he pulled out of me this time, I wouldn’t be the same.
“No giving up, right?” he panted as he moved faster. I nodded as tremors rocked the lower half of my body. My mouth fell open as I fell over the edge. Joe muffled my screams with his mouth until he stiffened above me, grunting through his release until he slumped onto the blanket beside me.
“I like dessert on the beach,” I whispered before kissing the top of his head.
He chuckled as he turned toward me, resting his chin on my shoulder. His eyes were glassy and distant, maybe feeling the same shift that I did.
“Want to stay for a while or go back home—to my apartment?” He winced at his slip. The word “home” now carried an unexpected sting.
“Let’s go back. This is nice, but if I’m going to spend tonight naked and eating cookies, I’d rather have a little privacy.” I crinkled my nose at Joe.
“You can eat cookies in my bed anytime you want. Especially naked.” He leaned over to give me a soft kiss, his lips lingering on mine and saying so many things without any words.
You’re supposed to feel a little sad when vacation ends, but it’s not supposed to break your heart.
33
Caterina
I stuffedthe last of my clothes into my suitcase and took one last glance around his apartment. It was funny how my stay here felt so normal. I’d almost had a little hope that we’d get sick of each other, and my long drive home wouldn’t feel this … heavy. I’d been dragging from the time I’d gotten up this morning and doing everything in slow motion because I couldn’t find it in me to go any faster.
