With a prideful grin, she stroked his arm. Because she had to touch him. The zing of arousal traveled through her. “Congratulations.”
“I wanted to take you out tonight, but Kate arranged a working dinner with area business execs and local politicos. She mentioned wanting to catch up with you,anyway.”
“No time for that. I’m having a working dinner with my team. I want to add a spicy party into the mix for later in the week—maybe a lingerie event—plus, I have a few other ideas I’ll summarize in an email for yourapproval.”
“You’re on fire.” He lifted her hand, kissed her finger. “Meet me at eleven, on the beach. I want to give you a proper thankyou.”
My ultimate fantasy.If she could find the courage to have sex on the beach, she would tell Jaggerexactlyhow she felt about him. And she wouldn’t holdback.
10
The Beach
As Taylor slipped outside,the cool night air whispered through her hair and she tugged her sweater shawl closer. A last-minute change of plans had Kate attending the business dinner with Jagger. And the anxiety about having to spend time with her former friend floated away as the excitement over seeing Jagger continued tobuild.
Now, as she hurried down the walkway, her insides hummed withexcitement.
At the sidewalk’s end, she slipped off her shoes and trudged forward in the cold sand. Her phone buzzed and she slowed to read the incomingtext.
“Stay right there,” Jaggertexted.
From behind, strong hands wrapped her in a hug. “I’ve missed you.” His familiar voice sent tingles skittering through her. “All I could think about tonight wasyou.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Turning, she smiled. “Samehere.”
When he kissed her, she melted into him. “I have a surprise. Youready?”
She slipped her fingers through his and the warmth from his hand calmed her. “Lead theway.”
They strolled down the stretch of dark beach, the lapping waves kissing the shoreline. After passing several large boulders, he stopped. “Our secrethideaway.”
A large Mexican blanket had been spread over the sand and covered with beach towels. Faux pillar candles surrounded the romantic oasis, the flickering yellow light beckoning them over. A stack of folded blankets had been piled nearby. She spied two flutes and a bottle sticking out of a champagnebucket.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “This isamazing.”
As she sat, he lifted the bottle of sparkling water, opened it, and shot her a playful smile. “Hope you don’t mind a twist-top,” he said, and poured theirdrinks.
Laughing, she accepted the flute and he eased down next to her. “Toyou.”
As they toasted, a gust of wind swirled her hair and she shivered. Jagger pulled a blanket off the pile, repositioned himself behind her, and cloaked them in a thick layer of warm cotton. She pulled up her knees and he tightened his hug. Together, they stared at the glittery moonlight dancing on the midnightocean.
He nuzzled her neck, kissed her skin, then he lifted her onto his lap. “I want you, Taylor.” With his arm draped around her shoulder, he kissed her. “I want to make your fantasy come true. Have sex on the beach withme.”
Her breath hitched, her insides pulsed with arousal, and her heart leapt at the chance to be with this man again. Melissa’s motto, “Life is all about making bold choices,” had led her to this special moment…and to this amazingman.
But as she studied his handsome face, all the words about how shereallyfelt got stuck in her throat. “I want you, too,” was all she couldmurmur.
Slowly, they removed their clothing and snuggled beneath the blankets. Just being with Jagger was her ultimate fantasy. Soothed by the gentle ocean waves lapping the shore, she peered into his soulful eyes. His smile melted her. His kiss left her breathless. She tore open the condom packet, straddled him, and sheathed him. Rising up, she took him deep inside her, the ultimate pleasure streaking through her. Instead of moving, she peered down at him, eager to capture the memory of this wonderful man and this specialmoment.
His gaze roamed over her face and body. “You are so damnedsexy.”
Tears welled and she draped herself over him to conceal the unwelcomed emotion. He wrapped her in his strong arms and whispered, “Your beauty and strength are all Ineed.”
Refusing to ruin the moment by crying, she began gliding on his shaft. The onslaught of euphoria stole her thoughts, and she got lost in everythingJagger.
She loved how his hands never stopped moving over her. How he shifted her so he could slip his hand between them and fondle her breasts, or how he caressed her bottom in a way that made her grind into him and growl with pleasure. But mostly, she just lovedhim.
“I’m going to…Oh, Jagger…” Her voice trailed off in a moan as the ecstasy overtook her. Convulsing and moaning through the orgasm, she couldn’t mask the tears flowing down her cheeks. She wished she hadn’t fallen so hard, sofast.
