Holding it over the grass, he freed the cork and waited for the initial foam to stop running from the bottle. He poured both of them half a glass and handed her one, then set the bottle on the lid of the cooler and turned back to her holding a small white box. When their eyes locked, all humor had been replaced by an intense seriousness. Something she hadn’t seen much of from Jackson.
His natural settings were Charm and Flirt. She had a feeling most people rarely saw his serious side. He covered it up with the jokes and playful personality he portrayed so well. But he’d shown her what lay beneath in their talks about their pasts. And he was showing her now…but for what reason this time?
“Champagne and a gift?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Someone’s stepping up his game.”
“I’m not playing games with you, Vanessa. It’s important to me that you know that.”
For a long time she studied him, hoping his underlying meaning would appear in his caramel eyes or in the stern set of his stubbled jaw. She didn’t find it, but what she did find was sincerity. Something honest, something pure, letting her know she wasn’t just another conquest. Another notch on his headboard.
“I believe you,” she answered softly.
A palpable relief settled over him. “Open it.”
She removed the lid and pulled out a beautiful silver necklace. A two-piece pendant hung from the bottom. At the top, a square aquamarine sea glass bead dangled from its corner, and beneath that was a pewter—
“Starfish.”
She smiled up at him through watery eyes. “Sea star.”
He flashed her that brilliant white smile that hinted at his dimples. “Whatever. Here, let me help you put it on.”
A few seconds later it was fastened and the cool metal of the sea star warmed where it rested in the center of her chest. “I love it, Jackson. Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome. Now we can have dessert.” Setting his glass on top of the cooler next to the bottle, he kissed her long and slow. “Take off your suit, then lean back on your elbows. You can leave your legs straight or bend them, but I want them open. ”
“What happened to worrying about spectators?”
“Chances are slim to none, and I find that right now I wouldn’t care if we had a studio audience. I’m taking what’s mine. Now.”
The commanding tone he used during their sexual encounters both surprised her and sent a rush of heat between her legs.
What she hadn’t realized until a couple days ago was that her need for control exhausted and frustrated her. After years of never letting up, her brain desperately needed a break. A chance to let go and trust that someone else could take over and give her what she needed without taking advantage of her vulnerability.
Jackson gave her that.
He was so in tune with her and her body. He’d known she secretly craved to submit her control even before she did. He knew how far he could push her and when it was far enough. And in only the few days they’d been together, he’d somehow trained her subconscious to instantly let go of her need for control when he slipped into his more dominant role with her.
Gazing up at him through her lashes, she did as she was told.
…
Jax watched Vanessa untie all four bows that held her suit to her lithe body and set the dangling scraps to the side. Though she’d used a ton of sunscreen all week to prevent burning her fair skin, she’d still gotten enough sun for a light base and a few new freckles. He’d never thought tan lines were particularly sexy, but he loved how her breasts and the triangle over her sex were still milky white against the light tan everywhere else.
She leaned back as he’d asked, holding herself up on her forearms. Her legs were bent at the knees but only separated by a few inches. He narrowed his eyes just enough to make his point. “Wider, wahine. I want to see how wet you are for me.”
Slowly she spread her legs, and he fought the urge to gulp in breaths of air. Breathe, Jackson.
He needed to make this count. To create a memory so powerful it would stay with her forever, even if the rest of their days together slipped away over time. He could say it was ego, but he knew better than that. It was fear, plain and simple. Fear that she didn’t feel for him as he did for her. Fear that she would leave, and he’d be nothing more than a collection of memories. But memories faded, and the thought of not even having that small place in her life rattled him to his very core.
Jackson locked eyes with her and stretched out on the blanket between her bent legs. The intoxicating scent of her arousal made his mouth water.
His hands gripped her ass. She bit her lip.
His face lowered and held. She held her breath.
His lips met the soft flesh of her inner thigh before his teeth nipped her.
She gasped before dragging in short bursts of air, her hands fisting in the blanket.
He’d normally make her wait, make her beg. Build the anticipation until she was dripping and writhing without him even touching her sex. It sounded cruel, but in reality it only made her orgasms that much more explosive.
But he couldn’t hack it this time. He didn’t have the strength to hold out on her like he should. He needed to taste her, to drink of her, and he needed it right fucking now.