“And you thought dumping me in the ocean would help?”
She got her feet under her and stood, grateful that the water was only chest high and the bottom was covered with soft sand. Ducking down so the water almost reached his shoulders, Luke moved toward her, looking like the predator she knew he could be. Something tightened deep in her body, and a heat that had nothing to do with the sun wound through her.
“Not with the sunburn, no.” When he reached her, he pulled her down into the water with him. “But I thought it might stop me from peeling that suit off you and fucking you on the beach in front of God and everyone. I don’t think Hale’s paying attention to us, but I didn’t think you’d want to take that chance.”
Her gaze followed his to the boat anchored a fair distance away but still very much within sight. She swallowed hard. Knowing that Luke wanting her frayed his unbreakable control was one of the world’s greatest aphrodisiacs. Her body responded like he’d called her. She licked her lips, tasting the salt on them, and he grabbed her hips; his fingertips dug into her flesh in a way that made it clear exactly how hard he was fighting for control. Wedging his knees between her legs, he settled her onto his thighs. She felt the long, hard length of him fitted against the vee of her body and rocked into him, eager to get closer. Grateful for the camouflage of the water, she wrapped her legs around his waist and twined her arms around his neck, playing with the wet curls at the base of his head.
“Was I wrong?” he asked, his lips a breath away from hers.
“No, you were right.”
“I fucking love hearing you say that.” He grinned the perfect cocky grin that simultaneously drove her mad and made her want to kiss the turned-up corner of his perfect lips.
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Let’s see what else I can make you say.” Sliding one arm around her waist, anchoring her in place, he wove his hand between them and into the bottoms of her tankini. He didn’t waste time, slipping his fingers over her aching clit and into her eager sex.
“Luke,” she pleaded, not sure whether she meant for him to stop or take her there faster.
“Shhh,” he said, his lips against hers. “If you don’t make too much noise and thrash about, no one will know what we’re doing. Of course, I’m going to do my damnedest to make you scream.”
He hooked his fingers inside her, curling them until he found the place he knew would take her over the edge. Keeping up a steady pressure with his fingers, he used his thumb to rub circles over her clit. She bit her lip to keep from making a sound, changing her mind at the last minute and biting his instead. She scraped her teeth over the plump flesh while he caught her helpless whimpers with his mouth. In moments, he had her hanging on the edge, taking her right up to the start of her climax before spiraling her down again. He knew her body better than she knew it herself and she had no doubt he could hold her on the line between pleasure and pain for hours if he wanted.
“Please,” she said, against his mouth.
She rocked into his fingers, trying to take what she needed, and his hand stilled, denying her the way she knew he would. They’d done this dance so many times she knew all the steps. It didn’t stop her from trying to rush him and it sure as hell didn’t stop her from wanting him to demand her surrender. She’d made an art form out of controlling everything in her life. Surrendering her body to her husband took their lovemaking to a place she hadn’t known existed before him. A hotter, needier, screaming orgasm kind of place.
“Shouldn’t have done that, sweetheart,” he said, looking like he was glad she had. “Don’t move.”
He slipped his fingers from her body, and she was so close to coming; she had to concentrate hard to keep from following his touch. Keeping her gaze locked on his face, she felt his hands tug at the straps holding up her swimsuit and she flinched.
“I mean it, Claire.” The clear command in his voice sent a ribbon of desire through her. “The water covers everything.” He pulled the straps off her shoulder and peeled down the top of her suit, baring her heavy breasts. Without the thin layer of nylon, the temperature of the water was a few degrees colder, and her nipples pebbled tight. “Stay still and I’ll keep you below the surface. Try to rush me, and I’m going to stand up and take you with me.”
The implication of his words hit her and she inched down a little bit lower before freezing in place. She wasn’t an exhibitionist—not exactly. They’d made love in public, but it had been in a club designed for that purpose and no one could have seen what they were doing even if they’d been paying attention. It wasn’t someone seeing her that turned her on; it was more the idea of doing something taboo. Of getting so carried away in his arms that she cared more about her orgasm than following the rules that governed every other aspect of her life.