He angles his head. “Maybe.”
“What happened?”
“I haven’t known her long enough to be sure.”
Does he mean me? The rip current that’s sweeping away feels all too real.
It empowers me. I think. Actually, it’s getting really hard to think. He’s merely explaining to me that he can understand our parents’ relationship. That doesn’t mean we’re going to hook up.
But it also doesn’t negate my desire to feel the weight of his hard body on top of me. Or behind me if he wanted to take me over the rail right here. I glance at the beach houses on either side of us. There’s decent space between them and nobody is on either porch.
And now my filter is gone. “I think we’ve all been pretty freaked out by this whole secret marriage thing. What would you say about a grudge fuck?”
Yep, liquid courage has definitely gone to this virgin’s head. Somehow I’ve rationalized that sleeping together will get back at our parents.
Austin sputters as he pulls his glass away from his mouth, wiping the back of his hand across his lips. “Us?”
The adrenaline rush his reaction causes in me harnesses a blip of reality. “I’m sorry. That was rude. We don’t have to have sex just because our…” I wiggle my cup as an excuse, secretly hoping he’ll grab it, throw it into the dunes, and wrap my fingers around his erection. “I need to stop talking. I’m not normally like this.”
His expression is too controlled for me to read. “I wouldn’t normally turn down an offer from a woman like you.”
“Then don’t.”
He offers the problem on a silver platter. “I’d need to know that if you were sober, you’d still want to have sex.”
“If you asked me to, I’m one hundred percent certain I would.” Facing him, I position my hands on the sides of my waist, elbows out, oozing my temporary confidence. I might as well be wearing a cape.
He laughs, but more importantly, he trails a hand over my bare arm. “Would you be okay with me touching you?”
I nod. He moves closer, stroking a finger down each arm then back up but following a different path, setting every square inch of my skin on fire.
“Camilla, what would you say if I wanted to kiss you?” He drags a finger high on my cheek before bringing it down, catching the corner of my mouth, and trailing over my lower lip.
The gesture makes me realize my mouth is open again. Good Lord. I dart my tongue out, catching the pad of his finger. “I’d say I’d like that.”
He rotates his hand, moving his fingers under my jaw, tipping my face up ever so slightly, encouraging me to stop staring at his sculpted pecs. Our eyes meet and lock, and my lips hunger for his.
“Are you sure that’s not just the alcohol talking?”
Damn him. I’m staring down a chance to lose my virginity to a sexy-as-fuck older man who is my definition of perfection. I’ll never get a chance like this again. “I’m sure I want this.”
“Then we can talk when you’re sober. I wouldn’t want you to think that I, or my father, would take advantage of a woman.”
Absolute fuckery. Chivalry is supposed to be dead! How can I convince him? If I have to sleep this off, his brothers will be here and my chance will be shot.
My hands shamelessly reach up and flatten on his chest. My fingers might wiggle a tiny bit in his chest hair. And because I’m all in, I step closer, pressing our bodies together.
Whoa! Hello, fuckrod! I have to seize the moment. “Would it help if I swore that the second you walked up the stairs, I wanted to have sex with you?”
Did I just hear those words come out of my mouth? Apparently, I did, and Austin did too.
His crooked smile draws my attention. His lips are so red, so full against his dark stubble in the moonlight. When did it get dark? If I was taller, I would lean in and kiss him. There’s an unexpected drawback to having a thing for tall men. I can’t reach that high.
I’m tipsy. I’m on my tiptoes. But now what? The surroundings sway. Nope, I’m swaying, and the next thing I know I’m falling.
Only I’m not now. I’m suspended in air. Nope again. I’m cradled against his chest. Oh my god, this is embarrassing.
Or is he playing into what I’ve asked for? The shameless, drunk version of me snuggles into the secure warmth of hischest. I walk my fingers up his chest and drag them over his stubble as he turns and carries me inside.
