As he continued to study me, the light in his eyes dimmed, his eyebrows knitting. I had a sudden urge to cover myself or wrap my arms around my chest. I hardly shied away from anyone, especially Kelton.
I did a mental shake to rid myself of any self-doubt then shimmied out of my thong, watching him the entire time. He licked his lips as I stood naked in the bathroom, surrounded by candlelight, flowers floating in the tub, tension hanging in the air, and steam and lust swirling around us. I clutched the half-heart charm as my nerves perked to life.
I inched closer to him, hoping he wasn’t having second thoughts about us, about his love for me or mine for him. Or was he rethinking the long-distance relationship?
I hooked my fingers in his belt loops. “I love you, Kel.”
Without so much as a warning, I was in his arms and he was lowering me into a warm bubble bath filled with jasmine flowers. I squealed as he knelt down outside the large oval bathtub, his pensive expression never wavering.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I picked up a flower.
“It’s not what’s wrong. It’s what’s right. For so long I closed off my heart, afraid of what would happen if I let someone in. Even when I told you I loved you at Dillon’s, I truly didn’t grasp the strength of the feeling until now.” His hand disappeared under the water. “You deserve the world, Lizard, and I want to give it to you. No matter if you’re in Miami and I’m here, we’ll work it out. And”—his hand coasted up my thigh—“I just want this night to be perfect.” His confident tone, the love in his eyes, and his smile erased any reservations I’d had about what he would do when I flew back to Miami.
Tears pricked my eyes. “Are you getting into this bathtub with me? Or are you going to talk all night?” Not that I didn’t want to hear what he had to say, but actions were always louder.
He chuckled as he quickly stood, shucking his jeans. My mouth dropped open, heat pinching my cheeks as my gaze lingered on his erection, imagining how he would feel inside me. He grinned like an ass as he climbed in—all six feet of hard ridges, tight abs, colorful tattoos, toned thighs, and impressive package.
I scooted forward as he eased behind me. When he was situated, he pulled me back to him. Then he snagged the soap from the tray and began lathering my body, concentrating on one breast with the soap and the other with his hand. Warmth slithered down my stomach. Excitement soared up. The night was just beginning.
29
Kelton
My fingertips were shriveled, and the water was lukewarm at best. For the past thirty minutes, Lizzie had been mush in my arms as I’d lathered her body, feeling her perfect breasts in my hands, kissing her ears, her neck, anywhere I could as we sat in the tub. I took my time, not wanting to rush the evening. Although when she had first arrived I’d wanted to throw her on the bed and release the need that had been building since I’d first seen her again after seven years. Even more when she’d been standing naked earlier with a shy look, curvy hips, long legs, and those soul-stealing eyes with that square pot of gold shining brightly. Hell, the gold speck was one of her attributes that had snared me from the moment I’d met her in the fifth grade. My mind reeled at the fact she was there with me. I wanted to make new memories with her. I also wanted to cherish those that we had from the past. Good or bad, those times had defined us.
I snaked my hand down, found her sweet spot, and began to move my finger in circles. She whimpered as I teased her awake.
“Baby doll, I’m going to get out. But I don’t want you to move.” I wanted to get a couple of things in place before I laid her on the bed and worshipped her.
“Hurry up. The water is getting cold.” She shivered.
I climbed out and toweled off. “Two minutes.”
Her gaze traveled like a race car over my body until she put on the brakes, skidding to a stop on my painful hard-on. Yep, I had been rock hard since she’d walked into the hotel room. But I didn’t care about the pain. The pleasure would come soon enough. Besides, this night was about her, about showing her how much I loved her.
I darted out of the bathroom, grabbed my bag, removed a large purple feather, and placed it on the nightstand. The woman at the flower shop had thought I was nuts when I asked her if she sold feathers. I’d had to repeat myself a couple of times before the shop owner came out from the office. I wasn’t about to explain why I wanted it. Luckily, the shop owner had some left from a flower arrangement she’d made on a special request.