Page 85 of Without a Hitch
“I’m going to teach you to have fun and relax,” she says with authority.
“If you don’t step back and stop touching me, I will show you my favorite way of relaxing really soon.” My voice is hoarse, and it broadcasts my lack of control around her.
She tilts her head and moves her body closer to mine. My nostrils flare, and my muscles burn with the effort of holding still while being so tense you could bounce quarters off my pecs. Her hands slide up my chest and wrap around my neck. She encourages me to bend at the waist with a gentle tug so her lips land at my ear.
Her quick breath hits the sensitive flesh there as she pants lightly. “Tilly.” I groan but don’t move to embrace her. If I do, I’ll come undone. Instead, I watch in approval as her little body shivers in response to my tone.
“Later, lover. Right now, we need to talk.”
My hands fly to her backside, and I grab two handfuls, giving each cheek a rough squeeze. “Then I suggest you move this ass before I penetrate it.” The words even shock me. I’ve never been this demanding with anyone, but apparently, I’m incapable of controlling this side of myself around her.
I don’t know if it’s a mewl or a squeak that escapes her throat, but she moves faster than I’ve ever seen her, and I follow in hot pursuit, the baby trackies forgotten until my cock swings around inside them like a giant inflatable balloon marching down the street in a Thanksgiving Day parade.
“How the bloody fucket do men walk in these things?”
Tilly’s eyes go wide with mirth as she calls over her shoulder. “I think most men wear underwear, Lochlan.”
“That’s a hard fucking no.” She’s sprinting around the bungalow, grabbing things in each hand. I stalk behind her because I can’t stop until my hands are on her in some way.
I follow her laughter out onto the patio, and my body relaxes at the sheer joy on her pretty face. She points at the hammock with the book in her hand. “Sit.”
I comply and gingerly fold myself into the swing, but I can’t relax. The damn thing sways, and I windmill my arms to keep from toppling out the other side. I know she’s excited about this thing, but has she ever actually attempted to sit in one?
She hasn’t stopped laughing, but at least, for the moment, I’m not in danger of falling on my face.
“Scoot over.”
I spread my legs wide to straddle the hammock and place my feet on the ground to keep my balance. “Are you fucking with me?”
She displays her teeth one by one in a slow, sexy smile. Leaning forward, I’m tempted to haul her into me so I can claim her mouth, but she waves with her hands. She’s on a mission, and I can’t seem to say no to her.
Gingerly, I lift one leg onto the floating bed of doom, then the other. It’s like walking on that godforsaken ferry in Rhode Island. I have no control over the way it swings me around. I hear Tilly’s laughter, but I know I’ll end up face-first on the patio if I glance at her.
“I’ll hold it still,” she explains while holding the material under me. I get my entire body into the death trap with a heavy sigh. “Now, lie down. Relax.”
I cast her anare you out of your damn mindexpression, but she’s watching me with something too close to love in her eyes, and it knocks me for a loop. Literally. I drop my head into the dark blue padding and turn my gaze to the sky.
“Okay, lover. Hold these.”
As her supplies land on my belly, I don’t get a chance to reply more than an oof. She moves forward, and fear hits fast.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m climbing in with you.”
Before I can say anything else, she flops down beside me. We swing wildly, and I grasp for her like a lifeline. I wrap my arms around her and haul her to my chest so that when we hit the ground, she lands on top of me.
But it doesn’t happen.
We sway side to side, then just as quickly as we took off, it settles into a slow, gentle rhythm.
“You thought we were going over.” She laughs into my chest.
“Is this going to hold the both of us?” I look at the metal hook attached to the end of a braided rope.
“Take a deep breath, Loch. Close your eyes and breathe.”
Lifting my head, I stare down into her shimmering brown eyes. In this light, I see flecks of gold that match her tanned skin as her silky brown hair blows in the breeze. Then I do the last thing I expect.
