Running his tongue across his bottom lip, still not moving an inch, not touching me. “Well… if you’re about to melt.” Then his face broke into his signature lopsided grin. “I’d better eat you up fast.”
My cheeks flamed. Now my whole body was on fire.
Tossing me onto the bottom bunk, he gently pushed down on my chest until I lay flat on my back. Slowly, he lifted my legs and bent my knees to make room for him to get in. With his gaze still locked on my eyes, he crouched between my legs and slowly slid his fingers over my hips. When he got to the waistband of my shorts, he jerked them down and off, slinging them to the floor.
“There’s not an inch of you I don’t love. I could spend weeks out here on the water. You. Me. This. If everything else in the whole world fell away—you’re all I need.” He kissed my belly and started the slow trek down, tasting me as he went. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” he said breathlessly.
“Yes?” I asked, gasping at his light caresses.
Ignoring my question, he continued to trace his tongue along my skin, stopping only when he got to where I wanted him to go.
Distracted, I begged. “What is it you want to ask me? Tell me.”
“Mmm,” he murmured, blowing wicked puffs of air against me.
“Tell me right now. Nathan—I don’t like waiting,” I squirmed.
Lifting his head, he gripped my hips tightly. “Patience, you harpy. Lie still.” We stared at each other as he pulled me closer. Gently, he stroked my bottom, then squeezed, lowering his head back down, teasing me with one lick. “I’ll tell you when I’m done eating.”
I forgot all about the storm.
Later that night, after the rain stopped, and the ocean stilled, we held each other under the covers. When he fell asleep, I shook him awake.
“Are you ever going to tell me what you wanted to ask me?” I reminded him.
“Will you marry me?”
CHAPTER 17
The Stranger
Scott and I were battered and soaked by the time we finally eased theAdelineinto her slip. The squall hit hard but moved on fast. Scott had most of the gear secured before it could become a problem, and I stayed at the helm. By the time the sky cleared, I’d changed into dry clothes in the cabin, but the chill had settled into my bones.
Crystal and I both headed straight back to her house so we could shower, eat, and get cleaned up before it was time to pick up Natalie. This morning, I asked if I could start dropping her off and picking her up from school. I wasn’t sure how Crystal would feel about it, but she agreed right away.
It feels good to take a hot shower.
I step into the kitchen, moisture still clinging to my skin. A sandwich and a glass of water are waiting for me on the table.
She made me food.
I swallow hard and try not to look all flustered. She’s done this a few times since I moved in, but my body still reacts. After the hospital, no one ever made me food. I want to do something for her.
“How was your morning with Natalie?” she asks as we eat.
“She told me more about her time machine.”
Crystal chuckles. “I thought she had put that behind her since you were back.”
“She considered it. But she’s decided she still needs one. Just in case someone breaks something. Then she can go back and fix it.”
“She gets her imagination from you.”
We both laugh about our creative daughter. But Natalie believes it’s possible, and the best part is she’s doing real research to find answers. It’s something we can work on together one day.
“Did you do much sailing in Miami?” she asks as we eat.
“Yeah. On friends’ boats, mostly. I didn’t own one.” I shrug. “Another one of those things I just know how to do.”
