His eyes opened as his chest heaved. “You want that?”
“Yes, with you.” Reaching for the lube, he took it from me with wide eyes. “You know what to do.”
“Okay, but if I do it wrong,” he trailed off.
I shook my head as I gazed into his eyes. “Impossible.” I would take whatever he gave me, but my Luca had always been a quick study. All our practice up to this point was going to pay off, and when he finally,finallysank into me, skin to skin, I stopped breathing. Luca watched my face as we panted together. His words from last night came back to me again. I could feel his love in every touch and glance. The very love I had longed for.
His brow drew together, concern marring his handsome face. “Are you okay, babe? Did I hurt you?”
My fingers curled around his neck to bring his mouth to mine. “The only way you could hurt me is to leave me.”
Luca’s mouth opened to respond, but I slid my tongue in to stop him. My hand went to his ass to encourage him to move. Getting the message, Luca moved at an agonizingly slow pace that I recognized. He drove me wild, breaking our kiss to find a rhythm. Taking me in hand, my prodigy worked me over, grazing my prostate until my back arched off the bed as I came. My contractions around him widened his eyes. “Oh god, that’s tight.”
Stroking and touching the man I loved through his first topside orgasm was all I cared about. When he was spent, his head tipped forward, chin to his chest, eyes closed, and boneless. “Come here, love,” I said, pulling him to my chest. He slipped from my body, making me miss him immediately.
Equally exhausted, I need to hold him close. My left hand went to his back as I sat up with him on my lap. “I should clean us up,” I said.
Luca pushed us back onto the soft pillows, settling. “That was so sexy. Waking up to you stroking yourself like that, right there beside me. It made me wonder if it was me you were thinking about.”
My face split into a grin even though it was difficult to keep my eyes open. “Keep talking like that, and we’ll be going again.”
Luca’s sweet laughter filled my heart. “I’ve got a better idea. Let’s go wash off in the ocean.”
“Hmm. I like that idea. Skinny dipping before breakfast. Another first.”
With newfound energy, Luca climbed off me, then pulled me up and laced his fingers with mine. Naked, we strolled into the water.
After a late breakfast, we spent the afternoon exploring the island. We were equally fascinated by the local crafts and art. I came across a painting by a local artist, painted from what could be the viewpoint of our villa. “I’m going to buy it.”
Luca didn’t respond with more than a smile. “You don’t like it? It reminds me of our beach.”
“No, I love it. But are you sure you want that much of a reminder? What if…”
I cut him off. “I find something I like better? I’ll buy it too.”
He tipped his head to the side. “You know what I mean,” he said quietly.
Draping my arm over his shoulders, I spoke into his ear. “I do, love. But things are different for us. We’ve crossed a line I don’t intend to allow you to retreat from. You’re mine, and I’m yours. If I have to tie you to my bed to prove it, so be it. I’ll buy the rope.”
I pointed to the painting. “I’m going to hang that behind the bed so every time we walk into the bedroom, we’re reminded of the best night and morning of our lives.”
“You do that,” he said, kissing my cheek.
After purchasing the painting, I paid to have it delivered to the villa. We wandered out to the first destination that the travelagent had suggested. The cave system offered a unique tour and an opportunity for a much-needed massage. As we approached the entrance, Luca quickly refused. Squeezing my hand, his eyes darted around the entrance, then he pulled back. “I can’t go in there.” His voice quivered as the breath sawed in and out of his chest. When he dropped my hand to tug at the elastic band on his wrist, I knew something was terribly wrong.
“Okay, it’s okay,” I said, pulling him against my chest. “We don’t have to go in. It was just an idea.” Rubbing his back, I held him tightly until the fear began to subside. He clung to me as he fisted my shirt in his hands. “Are you claustrophobic, or just don’t like caves?”
He shook his head and spoke into my shoulder. “It's more than that.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant, but maybe getting him to focus on something else would help. “Look out there,” I suggested. “The cruise ships are coming in.”
Luca turned and lay his head on my shoulder. Focusing on the water as I rubbed his back, he didn’t speak. I filled the air with nonsense. “My teammates are always going on about the cruises they take in the offseason. Don’t tell anyone, but I don’t like cruise ships. I have a fear of falling overboard and being eaten by a shark or swallowed by a whale. If Decker or Karlsson knew that, they’d never let me live it down.”
Luca lifted his head to look at me. “Your secret is safe with me.” He looked back out at the massive ship docking. “I don’t like them either.”
“Thank god,” I said, “more proof that we’re meant to be.” That brought a smile. “Let’s sit down.”
I kept my arm around his shoulder as we walked to a shaded spot where we could sit and look at the water. Spreading my legs, I pulled him between them and enveloped him in my arms. Lucareclined against me as he breathed. The tension slowly left his body. “I’m sorry I ruined it.”
