Page 16 of Come Sail Away

Sully was on his third song when she came out of her thoughts. A couple ambled in, taking a seat at a table that appeared to have been reserved. She recognized the woman as Lacey Walker. The handsome man at her side leaned in to whisper in Lacy’s ear, his honey-colored, shaggy hair fell back exposing the glint of an ear ring. They both smiled before he kissed her cheek and sat back. Lacy’s husband, Clay, she thought. A pang of jealousy wound through her as she realized how much she longed for that sort of long-term relationship, secure, loving, sharing, and happily-ever-after. Her gaze shot to Sully. Famous people rarely had permanent relationships. She sighed, a dull ache inside.

Harper ordered another glass of wine. In between songs, Sully took a moment to chat with Lacey and Clay. The couple left a short time later.

For some reason, she was gripped by the memory of being on the outside of the group looking in, the way she was during those turbulent high school years. She shook her head.

The next thing she realized, Sully had abandoned his stool and had moved closer to her as he performed.

Then she saw only him. Heard only him.

It wasn’t fair. She had no defenses against his alluring voice, his charming smile, his seductive eyes. And no matter what anyone in the room thought, tonight, she knew without a doubt, that he was singing to her.

He broke into Michael Bolton’s “Now That I Found You.” Her pulse raced faster. His mood seemed to change instantly and he was light and playful as he sang Michael Bublé’s “Everything.” He finished with “When A Man Loves A Woman.” If she hadn’t been sitting, her knees would have buckled. It was almost more than her heart could bear.

* * *

They didn’t pass a soul on the way back to his villa, which was surprising because it was only ten o’clock. Harper didn’t say much as they walked, only seemed tense and distant.

He held the door open for her when they arrived, inhaling her floral scent as she crossed in front of him. He grabbed her hand and turned her to face him. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“You did great this evening,” was all she said.

“Thanks.” He smiled and gently dragged her up against him until their bodies met from chest to toes. Her gaze held his, resisting a bit, as his mouth angled toward hers. But he didn’t pause, didn’t stop. As soon as his mouth touched hers, she relinquished whatever inner struggle she was dealing with. Then she was all over him like bees on honey.

He kissed her long and passionately. Their tongues tangled, both straining for a deeper connection. A whimper bubbled up from her throat.

Still just inside the entryway, they groped and clutched each other. Wanting more, much more, he slid an arm beneath her knees, lifted her, and marched into his bedroom. She circled her arms around his neck.

“I want you so much,” he said huskily. “More than I have wanted anything in my life.

“Same here.” She slid her hand into his hair and pulled him back to her for another kiss.

He dropped and rolled onto the bed with her. She squealed with playful surprise.

They kissed in wild abandon, shed their clothes in wild abandon, opened up to each other in wild abandon.

Sully palmed her cheek with one hand, searching her eyes. “I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I want us to have this night together.”

She paused long enough to murmur, “yes,” and kissed him again. Deeply. Hungrily.

He stroked her body, cupping and fondling her breasts, tracing his fingers over her flat belly, and dipping them between her legs to discover her wet and ready for him.

She was so responsive, his cock jerked in anticipation. Her hips rose to meet the long, slow glide of his fingers. Her knees fell apart, opening her to him even more. He played with her, until she moaned and arched in orgasm. She reached over and took his shaft in her hand.

“Mmm, wait,” he growled.

He rose, patted around until he found his pants, then his wallet, and retrieved a condom. As he knelt over her again, he ripped open the foil packet. She watched as he rolled the sheath into place.

“Oh, yeah,” she said. Her tongue swept across her lips. “Forgot about that.”

He positioned himself, found her core, and slowly entered her. She groaned, long and throaty. The sound spurred him into a couple of thrusts, and then he set a deliberate rhythm that he maintained until she bucked her hips and came again, bringing him to the brink until he thrust even deeper inside her with his own orgasm.

He leaned down, bracing his weight on his elbows. They were both breathing hard, their bodies slick with perspiration. He kissed her and nibbled her lips.

“We have our own private pool,” he said. “How about a dip?”

* * *

The water felt cool and refreshing on her overheated skin. She pushed off the side of the pool and glided to the other end and back. Sully was right behind her, shadowing her. When they reached the shallow end again, he grabbed her and pulled her close, running his free hand along her ribs and then cupping and gently squeezing one of her breasts.