Good Vibrations (Welcome to Paradise) Read online

  We continue with our lips freely occupying the others and our hands deceptively close to operating on their own accord. I can sense that I'm already in too deep. All I can do is pray that I'm as strong tomorrow as I am right now, here in this moment.

  He unbuttons my jeans and slides them down my pale legs. Kneeling, he remains eye level with my center, leaning gracefully forward, his nose and mouth land on the apex of my thighs. My mouth drops open in shock as my middle heats up. My right eyebrow shoots up when I hear him inhale and then feel his hot breath released back onto me, my knees weakening at the sensation. He slides his nose against my wet panties and upwards not stopping until he lands between my breasts.

  "This won't do at all," he says, unfastening the bra as if he's done it a million times, which he probably has.

  My back is arching my exposed chest toward him, an offering he’ll hopefully accept. The playfulness has disappeared, only to be replaced with a lustful burden. A crease forms across his forehead, backing my intuition. He kisses me quickly to cover then says, "Let's move to the bed."

  Taking me by the hand, he leads me to his platform bed that sits as the dominant feature in the open space. We stop at the edge and he strips his own jeans off before we slowly lay down together. Looking at each other, we study, learning the other’s features. His leg slides between mine. His are long and muscular, and I wonder if he plays soccer or tennis.

  He looks me over, taking one of my breasts in his hands and kneads. “You’re incredibly sexy,” he says.

  I have a decent sized chest, average, I suppose, but he seems satisfied and his words make me feel beautiful. Eyeing each other without a word, we give one last out of this unexpected turn of events. Neither of us takes it and we move closer, our bodies tangling.

  He rolls on top of me, taking the lead and suddenly we’re moving together, intense pleasure I'd long forgotten building quickly. Our kisses are fevered and we moan in unison pushing the other towards our mutually desired goal.

  Evan’s tongue enters my mouth, and unlike the frenzy we felt moments earlier, this time it caresses mine. His hands glide along the side of my body then stop and gently play with the back of my knee. He pulls it up, wrapping his arm around my thigh and holding it against his side. This new position makes me squirm with desire, needing more.

  My mind focuses on his fingers tucking under the sides of my panties as he continues trailing wet kisses down my body, over my hips, as he removes my panties.

  Lifting up abruptly, he stands at the base of the bed, his eyes locked on mine while he removes his black boxer briefs. Black equals bad boy. Will wore white.

  I prefer the black.

  My breathing deepens as anticipation starts to peak. He lowers himself back down, hovering over me. A small smile reveals his appreciation of my body beneath his. I've never felt more confident or comfortable being naked in my life, and I briefly consider leaving on this high. But knowing his history with women, I’m curious as to what makes them cry when they have to leave him. I have a strong suspicion it's related to his skills in bed. As a matter of fact, I'm counting on it.

  On his hands and knees above me, he lowers himself down, resting his body lightly on top of mine as he kisses me again. Our lips part and we look at each other. I can’t hide the fire I feel for him as his erection presses against my center, adding the fuel that makes me heat and lust for more—more contact, more sensations, just more of all of him.

  "Are you sure about this?" he asks although we both are well aware that no woman ever says no to him.

  I try for casual. "Never more." I don't know how I sounded, but he definitely gets the message. His lips find mine with more pressure, but yet still gentle in their quest.

  He pulls back and stretches toward the nightstand, pulling the drawer open to retrieve a condom. Sliding down my body, he kneels between my legs, taking the packet between his teeth, and ripping it open. As I watch him put the condom on, I realize I hadn't taken in the full view properly. His cock is larger than I've had inside me before and I’m daring enough to think it’s handsome. Wow! I can’t believe I just called it handsome.

  When it's covered from tip to base, he leans over me in a push-up position, his gaze roving from my middle to my stomach and stopping on my breasts to admire. His eyes flicker up to meet mine and a small smile forms on his lips. "You ready for me?”

  I nod, feeling a bit breathless at the moment.

  With that, he drops himself back down and slowly pushes into me. My head lulls back and my eyes automatically close. I feel his breath and lips against my neck as a low rumble escapes him. "Mallory." His voice is low and raw, bordering on wild.

  My eyes flutter open to take in the sight of Evan on top of me. His head is buried into my neck and hair as he moves gracefully. The act itself surprises me. It's not that it doesn't feel amazing, but it's more like he's making love to me rather than fucking. I thought we had an understanding that we were going to fuck—maybe not a verbal one, but an understanding of what this was when we started.

  My body responds to his and I join him in the action. I moan and my voice is breathy and uncontrolled as I wrap my arms around him, pulling my body closer to his. I spread my knees further apart and he lifts above me, going even deeper as our connection intensifies.

  Pulling my thigh up, he anchors it with his arm while thrusting faster and harder, our breathing becoming jagged when his fingers find my most sensitive center. Playful, deliberate moves make me jolt reflexively under his touch.

  As his mouth moves steadily along my jaw, I can tell he's nearing his release. That knowledge, along with these overwhelming sensations twisting inside, sends me into an abyss of sexual vertigo, something I haven’t had in well over five months and nothing as glorious as this before. While I'm lost in my own orgasmic heaven, Evan reaches his peak. My mind lands safely back on earth as he soars in his release while his breathing and moaning into my neck makes my skin react and tingle.

  He relaxes on top of me for too short of a time before he rolls off, tossing the condom in the trash can near the nightstand. The action reminds me that this is his everyday, nothing special to him. I try to remain happy in the here and now, and by the smile on Evan's face when he flops down next to me, he is too.

  A leisurely kiss is placed on my lips before he says, "You're a really beautiful girl." He pauses. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

  "Immensely," I answer without hesitation because it's true. I actually did enjoy myself, which is more than I can say about my previous sexual encounters back home. As much as I hate it, he was right in what he said earlier at the diner. He does have me all figured out. This annoys me, but doesn't seem important anymore after what we just did.

  "Would you like something to drink?" he asks, sitting up.

  "Yes." I glance at the clock. "I'll take my wine and a glass of water please."

  He laughs as he saunters across the room into the kitchen area completely naked. After grabbing two bottles out of the fridge and our wine, he returns to my side and hands me my glass. I sip the wine as he opens the bottle of water for me. Alternating between the two, thirsty yet needing something stronger than water to keep my mental state in check, I crave both.

  Watching him go into the bathroom, I hear the shower start seconds later. He pokes his head out. His smile is huge as he suggests I join him. "Come in here with me."

  Now I hesitate, but I don’t know why. He senses my reluctance and comes back to the bed and sits down next to me. Taking my hand in his, he tries to comfort me. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We just made love, Mallory. I want you to shower with me." He tugs at my hand and I give in, following him into the steamy room. The warm water relaxes my body as I think about his words 'made love' when he steps into the shower stall behind me. He's right. We did just make love. This stall is very close quarters, and he amusingly prods me out of my thoughts when he asks, "Can you share?"

  I tilt my head surprised by his lightheartedness. "Yeah, of cour
se, Evan. Sorry about that." I'm embarrassed for hogging the water.

  Stepping aside, I let him under the water. He runs his fingers through his hair, soaking it under the spray. Looking back down at me, he says, "I like the way you say my name."

  "Really? How do I say it?"

  He shrugs. "Um, I’m not sure. It's your accent, I guess. Where are you from?"

  "Colorado."

  "Ah, that must be it." He taps me on the nose while reaching for the shampoo. Squirting a capful of shampoo into his hands, he massages it into my hair, dragging his fingers carefully through to the ends of my long hair. I've never had a guy do this before and it's erotic on a physical and an emotional level. I hum my pleasure aloud which makes him chuckle. As he rinses my hair, he asks, "Repeat?"

  "Absolutely, magic fingers."

  That makes him laugh even louder, enjoying the ease and fun of the moment. I return the favor, adding a few fun flair techniques I developed myself, causing him to groan in pleasure. Minutes later, we dry off, and he says, "You're different now."

  It's just an observation, but it shows how perceptive he is. "I feel more comfortable after what we did."

  "Any regrets?"

  "Not yet. I can't promise I won't have any tomorrow though."

  "What you're saying is that I have tonight to make sure regret never crosses that pretty face of yours?"

  He's attentive and caring which makes me question that maybe this whole bad boy thing really is just an act. My changing feelings don't matter though because he's been more than clear how this is going down. We've only got tonight and I need to enjoy it.

  When I walk back into the main room, he's already dressed, but hands me a t-shirt, a pair of briefs, and ibuprofen. "I'll get your suitcase out of the car, but you can wear these if you want." He hands the pills to me, and adds, "You might need these before morning."

  I'm not sure why I would, but figure it will help with the soreness of sitting on that airplane for more than five hours.

  I take the clothes, dropping the towel. Evan watches me dress with interest as a darkness clouds over his eyes. He comes closer as I pull the shirt over my head and then he's on me. His hands are on me, his lips are on mine, and his legs are tangling with mine.

  All of Evan, all on me.

  I kiss him back before he abruptly turns and leaves the room, walking outside and up the path towards the car. This gives me a minute that I desperately need for clarity. I sit on a barstool, swiveling and taking in my surroundings. I have so many questions, but with the short amount time we have together, I don't want to waste words on topics that don't really matter in the end. I feel giddy inside that he just assumes I'll stay with him. He's already accepted that as fact which leads me to believe he wants me to be here as much as I want to spend more time in his arms.

  He returns with my heavy suitcase in his hand and walks to the corner of the room, moving about like it weighs nothing. He sets it down on its side in the corner, and while scratching the back of his head, asks, "Are you hungry or tired? Do you want to watch a movie or go to bed?"

  He's quite a caring host, and I appreciate that in him. "I'm still full from the earlier meal, but I am tired."

  I watch his reaction and as he stands in the middle of the room, he seems befuddled. For some reason, though I know it can't be true since we’re on his turf, he seems out of sorts. I walk over to him taking his hand in mine, and say, "I'm really tired. Can we just lie together until we fall asleep?" I know that cuddling is probably pushing his personal limits, but I want that closeness with him. Anyways, he can always say no.

  "Yes."

  My lips part, but I catch myself before it drops open all the way, and smile. He's a riddle that isn't easily solved. Unpredictable.

  "I know you have your suitcase here, but if you don't want to dig out your toothbrush you can use mine." He looks at me as if he's waiting for more than just a yes or no answer.

  "It's no problem. I carry mine in my purse," I reply, walking to my bag. He doesn't say anything and retreats into the bathroom. By the time I walk in there, he's already done. He leaves the bathroom in silence, giving me privacy.

  When I walk back into the main room, it’s dark and he's already in bed. The curtains are drawn along the wall of windows that face the mansion on the other side of the pool which makes me realize that they were open earlier when we did … the deed. I try not to wonder if anyone lives there and saw us. That would embarrass me too much, so I block that thought from my mind. I slide under the covers just as his arm goes out to hold me. He tucks me into his side. My eyes feel heavy as my breath slowly steadies in sync with his, a calmness washing over me.

  I dream of Hibiscus flowers and trade winds, tropical storms and white sheets, bronzed skin and crying girls at airports.

  Chapter 3

  I attempt to roll over, but can't. My eyes flash open and I gasp. Where am I?

  The weight of an arm draped over me is heavy and hot breath hits the back of my neck. Will? No way! I don't care how drunk I get, I could never be drunk enough to hook up with him again after what he did. And I don't feel drunk, a little sore, but not drunk. I look at the hand holding mine against my chest and don't recognize it. It's nice looking though. Freeing my hand, I drag my fingertips lightly along the muscular arm and up until the warm body stirs and tightens around me.

  My eyes adjust to my surroundings which give me a sense of where I am—Evan, Hawaii, traveling. Another mystery solved and my dignity is still intact even though I broke my rule of no one night stands. It’s nice being here for the summer where no one will judge me like they do at home. More importantly, I feel good about my choice, what we did, and that's what he gave me, a choice.

  Without moving, he whispers, "Mallory?"

  I snuggle back, pressing against him even more. "Yes?"

  "Are you having trouble sleeping, baby?"

  Why do I like that sound of ‘Baby’ so much? "When I woke up, I was wondering where I was?"

  "I'm that forgettable, huh?"

  I giggle softly. "Unfamiliar surroundings, that's all." I'm starting to feel more awake.

  He props himself up on his elbow behind me, and I roll onto my back and under what appears to be an adoring gaze. "Do you want to go for a swim in the pool?" he asks.

  I don't want any of this to end and not wanting it to end means still going along with it while I can. "Okay."

  He rolls out of bed and reaches his hand down for mine. Graciously accepting, he helps me to my feet. I want to kiss him and am about to but his smile lessens as he looks at me, his other hand rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze drops away for the briefest of seconds and when his eyes return, they are confused, mystified. My hand is released, and he walks away. I don't know what just happened, but he looked at me like I’m an enigma of sorts.

  The door opens, letting in a faint light from the outside, and I follow now unsure in my decision to stay. He was happy, endearing in bed and now… now he's back to the guy in the Maserati.

  I walk outside and see him strip his briefs off just before diving in. Walking to the edge of the pool, I sit down with my feet dangling in the warm water. Swimming the length of the pool, he touches the other side then comes up for air. Gripping the edge of the pool behind his head, he asks, "You’re not coming in?"

  I shake my head, confused by him. In the silence of the night, I hear the rustling palm fronds high above my head, the tide crashing on the beach, and Evan’s every stroke through the clear water as he swims closer. He stops, takes my legs in his hands, and floats in front of me. Staring into the blue of his eyes, his beauty has depth and yet his heart is so closed off. Regret was imminent. I had just hoped that it wouldn't come until morning.

  "I'm sorry, Mallory."

  I tilt my head down to look at him. He’s all wet and glorious in the water. "Why'd you act like that?"

  Releasing me, he sinks under water avoiding my question or maybe he needs time to come up with the right answer. When he surf
aces, he tugs my legs forward dragging me down into the pool. He pins my back against the side of the pool, pressing his chest against mine. One of his hands finds my waist, and he says, "I don't know, but I'm sorry. I could see I hurt your feelings and I didn't mean to." His face is inches from mine, his breath chilling my wet skin.

  I pull an 'Evan move’ and drop from the confines of his arms straight down into the water. When I’m fully submersed, my languid body frees the tension, and my mind clears. I feel him against me. Opening my eyes, he’s glaring at me under water. He embraces me and carries me upwards for air. The air feels harsh against my throat as I gasp and then cough.

  He shakes his head, angry when he speaks. "Are you trying to do yourself in?" Swimming to the side of the pool, he stares out into the blackness from where the sounds of the ocean drift toward us. "Don't pull that shit again."

  I’m taken aback by his reaction and words fumble from my mouth to fill the awkwardness between us. "I wasn't doing anything. I was only under for a few seconds. I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I scared you."

  "You were under for at least a minute, and I don’t know your water skills."

  "My water skills?"

  "Do you even know how to swim?" His tone is harsh and it makes me defensive.

  "Yes. Why are you so mad?"

  He dives under, pushing off the wall, and swims to me. Feeling his way up my body, he reaches my mouth and kisses me. I don't return the kiss… at first, but give in knowing this is obviously how he copes with his anger and because he's so sexy when he's angry.

  The rage dissipates from his face as we part. His hand moves to the base of my neck and he pulls me closer. I glide gracefully through the water to him wrapping my arms and legs around his body. He holds the edge of the pool, supporting us then pushes forward, pinning me against the wall. His kisses become more aggressive as his tongue sweeps into my mouth like it owns the place, and he presses his erection against my already tingling sex.