His head tilted to one side when he spoke. She'd bet this wine he didn't realize he did that when he had a plan on his mind. When he smiled, one side of his mouth lifted a tad higher than the other. He spoke with his hands, just as she did, using them to emphasize a point.
When one hand covered hers, the most natural thing in the world seemed to be to turn her palm up and clasp his fingers. They both went silent, looking at their joined hands. He raised the cover of a bowl filled with strawberries and pineapple, selected the largest fruit, dipped it into a cup of cream, and held it toward her. "Try this. It's local grown."
Christine opened her mouth and bit into sweet, delicious fruit. But in her mind she saw him kneeling, the scent of strawberry shampoo in the air and the cream of her release upon his lips. Christine swallowed. Charlie had to be aware of the way he affected her. Was this all a game, then, not just the teasing, but this whole night? She didn't want to know, at least not now. The laughter died as desire filled his face when she took a strawberry and offered it. "No cream?"
She winked. "You already had cream."
He laughed, fingers tightening over hers. "Will I again?"
"You have to ask?"
He dipped a finger in the cream and offered it. "Start here."
She licked the sweetness with tiny strokes of her tongue as his eyes darkened with want. "Yum." She sucked his finger tip, sliding her mouth down and up again. The change—subtle since he remained a man who thrived on being in control—came with a very slight flush of his cheeks and tremors in his fingers. She rose and tugged him to his feet, pushing the towel away and letting the robe drop from her shoulders. "I want to be near to you with nothing between us."
"Allow me." His arms came around to lock her body to his.
"Holding you, being held, feels so right." They fit perfectly. She had found paradise, and it had nothing to do with being in Hawaii.
"You fit me well."
She could live in the navy depths of his eyes. There were parts he hadn't shown her, secrets she wanted him to tell. But Christine wanted more than just physical joining. She wanted it all, every day of her life. The realization made her pull back, shocked and afraid.
"Christine?" His forehead wrinkled, head tilted. "What's wrong?"
She pushed away 'the real world' and 'after this night'. Nothing mattered but this moment, him against her, and their plans to make all their fantasies come true. Christine stood on tip toe to kiss him. His mouth fused to hers, a torment, a frenzy of tongues and lips. Now, it had to be now. Christine took his hands, pushed him down on the bed, and retrieved the scarves. "Please?"
"You or me?" His steady gaze betrayed none of his thoughts.
"Both." She refused to be shy or embarrassed anymore. She'd be bold, if only for tonight. "Though I'd really like to tie you first."
He grinned and lay back against the carved headboard. "I am at your mercy then."
After several more bouts of intense sexual exploration, Charlie pulled Christine into his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "I'm right where I want and need to be."
"So am I." Her breathing evened and he realized she had fallen asleep.
He should too after all this activity. But he drew back to look at the relaxed lines of her face, seeing her satisfaction and a smile even in slumber. He touched their lips, shifted enough weight to be comfortable yet still be as close as possible, pulled up the thin bed blanket, and listened to her gentle breathing. He could have lost her. They might never have shared this. He didn't sleep but felt relaxed and content as he memorized each line and curve of her.
"My Christine. How can I ever let you leave me?" He murmured as she nuzzled a bit into the pillow. "Can I ask you to give up the things holding you in the mainland: your children, home, job, new found independence? Would you take a chance? Even with me?"
Could I? A tiny voice whispered inside his head. Can I take a chance Christine won't one day become what I lost before?
Chapter Five
I can't believe it. Am I crazy? Christine pushed at her hair. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."
Charlie smiled before he kissed and tugged on her hand. "Come with me." After wrapping a towel around his waist he draped her in the robe, winked, and opened the curtain on the French doors.
The sun set over the ocean in an explosion of red, gold, and orange. Christine gasped as they walked out onto the balcony. The warm air scented with flowers and sound of waves hitting the shore embraced her. The swirling colors painted a picture more beautiful than any sunset she'd ever seen. Charlie held her against his chest as they watched, his arms wrapped around her.
Sea birds calling to each other mingled with the distant sounds of other people: a child calling, laughter, the 'ohs' and 'ahs' as Mother Nature displayed her glory. She entwined their fingers and stood secure in the heat from his body. It grew dusky, yet they remained long after the sun disappeared and stars began to dot the sky. "I saw this in Australia too. The way you seem able to reach up and touch the stars. Their clarity and shine, it's amazing."