The Fear That Divides Us (The Devil's Dust #3)

“Is this your boat?” Jessica asks, walking further onto the boat.

“Kinda, I’m renting it,” I answer, stepping around her. The boat is big from standing on the dock, shadowing over the dock and other boats nearby, but once you are on it, it’s actually kind of fucking small. The back of it holds an inboard motor, taking up most of the boat. Past the motor, there is a row of red and white leather seats along the back, while in front of that is the captain’s chair with a passenger chair next to it. I walk up to the bow, admiring the triangle of red and white cushions completing the shape.

“It’ll do,” I whisper, stepping back.

Jessica saunters up to the triangle of cushions, looking over the rim of the boat before plopping down belly first on the pillows, kicking off her high heels. I chuckle, untying the boat from the dock. She looks at ease and seems to be enjoying herself. I was afraid she would defy me the entire date, making this a nightmare. I position myself in the captain’s chair and search for the keys.

Finding them located in a cubby under the steering wheel, I start the ignition. The boat vibrates as the motor rumbles through the night air.

“Hold on,” I warn, pulling the boat away from the dock. Once we are off and on our way, I push the throttle forward, letting the boat rip through the tide. Jessica squeals as we fly through the night, the sound of her laughter is one I haven’t heard before. Sure, she’s laughed, but to see her like this, hear the depths of her laughter…it’s new and I can’t help the cocky smile displayed on my face that I brought it out of her. I drive until we are far enough out that nobody can see or hear us, and turn the motor off.

“Oh my,” Jessica gasps. I crawl out from behind the wheel and stagger toward her. The waves the boat caused splash along the side of the watercraft, jolting it back and forth making it hard to walk as we sway harshly.

“The stars are so bright out here,” Jessica murmurs, looking up at the night’s sky. I crawl up next to her and flip over, looking up at the stars.

“Wow,” I mutter.

“I bet you get laid every time you take a woman out here,” Jessica laughs, her eyes wide as she stares upward. My brows furrow, and I swallow the sudden lump in my throat rising from her statement.

Jessica turns from looking at the stars and sits up on her elbows.

“What’s wrong?” she asks softly.

I sit up and climb off the cushions, the conversation heading somewhere I wasn’t expecting. I run my hands through my hair, and find the stereo. I flip the plastic cover protecting the stereo and turn it on. “Painted On My Heart” by Cult is playing. I haven’t heard this song in forever. I turn the volume up, and flip the cover back down.

“What did I say?” Jessica continues.

“Nothing,” I lie, wanting her to drop it.

I blow out a steady breath and return to the cushions, laying on my back and facing the stars. Stars I saw many times as a kid, I just forgot how vibrant they looked over the years. Jessica rolls on her side, her dress shifting up to her hips, revealing a dainty blue triangle between her thighs. I reach down, and slide my finger along the top of the elastic of her panties. Jessica looks down, her eyes becoming heavy with lust as I sweep my finger down further grazing her clit. She lifts her thigh, inviting me in.

I roll over on top of her, spread her legs with my knee and dip my hand down, gliding my finger in-between her wetness. I press my lips to hers, kissing her cherry-glossed lips and don’t hold back. She parts my mouth with her tongue, flicking her tongue against mine. I grab both sides of her face, my thumb circling the apples of her cheeks as I look at her, her blonde hair splayed around her like a halo, the flushing of her cheeks sexy. She reaches forward and unbuttons my shirt, one button at a time, her eyes at half-mast staring at me intently the whole time. I slip my hand between her back and the cushion finding the zipper to her dress. I pull it down, the snug fit of the dress loosening along her frame. I trail my finger along the dress’s straps clinging to her shoulders and glide them down her arms slowly, my lips kissing behind the trailing fabric.

Her firm breasts sitting in blue cups greet me; enticing me. I dart my tongue between the valley of her chest, before giving the side of her tit a bite. She arches her back and moans loudly, her fingers tangling in my hair. Once on my knees, I pull my shirt off as Jessica sits up and runs her hands over my abs, her lips brushing against my belly button. She unbuckles my belt and pulls my pants down my hips. I kick them off along with my boots as she fingers the waist of my boxers and slowly yanks them down, my dick springing free.