It was quiet for a beat, and suddenly she felt the warmth of him at her back. Her breath hitched as James moved even closer to rest his chin on her shoulder. The short scruff from his five o’clock shadow tickled her skin.
Slowly then, as if he knew the sensations it stirred in her, James moved up the curve of her neck, his touch teasing her every inch of the way.
“I’ve been looking at you all day,” he said in that deep voice of his. “And I’d have to say I actually have verygoodtaste.”
A thrill shot through her. The sound of his words, coupled with the teasing warmth of his breath at her earlobe, it threatened to unravel her completely. At once, she pictured spinning around, looping her arms around his neck, and pulling him in for a glorious kiss right there on the beach.
Perhaps she really could do this. She could let him in, be in a relationship, and keep fear from getting in the way.
Just as that assurance ran through her mind, James brought his mouth to her neck, grazing her skin ever so softly.
So good.
She closed her eyes and tuned into the full press of his lips at the curve of her neck. Another wave of bliss washed through her as he repeated the action, causing the effects to rush over her in succession, like the tide washing over the shore.
She considered the events leading up to this moment: The hours they’d spent on the wave runner, being playful, teasing, and having fun. Their explosive interaction when she’d first arrived at the villa. The daydreams she’d had about cozying up to him in the hot tub. She reminded herself that this was, in fact, the very man who’d wandered into the pantry at Shimwah’s party and made her heart beat out of rhythm. The man who’d opened up to her about his brother’s loss.
Every detail made the taste of romance all the sweeter.
With his mouth still dangerously close to her ear, James let out a low groan, the sound resonating through her before he pulled away. “Okay,” he said. “I almost forgot about your sample here. The masterpiece is complete. You may turn around now and try it.”
Still in a near-paralyzed state of bliss, Camila let her eyes flutter open. She cleared her throat, then turned to see the concoction he’d put together this time.
There was no bread in this one; instead, a long toothpick bound pieces of meat, cheese, and olives alike. He had the morsels crammed so tight it reminded her of Grandpa’s over-stuffed file cabinet, where—try as she might—Camila couldn’t remove just one folder. The surrounding files always upheaving in the process.
“That looks…interesting.”
A low chuckle rumbled in his throat. “See? I’m good at this too.” The breeze caught his dark, wavy hair then, sending a piece to topple over his brow.
“Yes,” she agreed, hewasgood—at thinning the differences between them. At making her want him more than she’d wanted any man before. Therewaschemistry between them. And Camila was ready to explore it. He’d opened the gates with his affections, kissing her neck from behind. She could give him a little in return.
She reached up then, secured the wayward strand between her fingers, and moved it back to blend with the rest of his hair. And what a fabulous head of hair it was.
Before she knew it, Camila was weaving her hand through the length of it, up and over his scalp, tasseling the damp strands as they fell over her fingers. It felt more intimate than she’d imagined, and the truth of it caused an entirely new thrill to pulse through her.
She lifted her hand, and then repeated the action, the tips of her fingers pressing gently along the way.
James closed his eyes, and a low, raspy sigh sounded somewhere in his throat.
She didn’t want this closeness to end. Not yet. So she let her hand rest at the back of his head, began toying with the short, tiny baby hairs at the nape of his neck. He was so attractive. That strong jaw, squared nose, and handsome brow.
He opened his eyes, roping her in even further with that brooding expression. If there was any reservation left, a sliver of doubt about giving into the pull, it withered in the heat of his gaze.
His eyes narrowed as he leaned in, closing the gap between them. He must have dropped the sample he held because suddenly his palm was sliding softly around the curve of her neck.
More goosebumps.
Another dose of heart-pounding, beat-skipping excitement.
He glanced down at her lips, and Camila exhaled a jagged breath. She couldn’t help but look at his in return, wondering what it would feel like to have that perfectly shaped mouth on hers.
Slowly then, James traced his fingers in the softest trail down her throat. He leaned closer still, gently, until his heated breath tickled her lips.
Yes. Please.
Her eyes fluttered closed as a rush of heat pounded through her chest.
At last he came in, pressing a very soft, very encouraging kiss to her lips.Mmm. So good.
