His aviator sunglasses hid his dark eyes, but his smile showed approval of my bikini. He picked up the pace as the sun beamed against his golden tan, and the beautiful scenery behind him made it seem like he was posing for a high-end magazine.
When he finally reached me, he didn’t say anything. Instead he pulled me in his arms and kissed me hard and passionately. I was already out of it mentally when I noted the image of him walking towards me, but once his lips met mine, I lost complete control of myself. I allowed him to take over my mind and body; and whatever he wanted I was willing to do, so his kiss took over me in a way I couldn’t explain.
I tried to reach up to further the kiss, but he was too tall, and my toes sank into the sand. His lips spread into a smile at my failed attempt. Slowly bending, he brought me down with him. He sat on the sand, and I nestled on his lap, straddling him. I was able to deepen the kiss as I rustled my fingers in his hair. His arms were strong and secure around me.
Now that I was sitting on him I felt in control. I took over, trying to overpower him. I bit down on his bottom lip, and he moaned. The vibrant sound from his throat hardened my nipples. He traced his hands along my curves; his touch made my lower belly twist with excitement, and I arched into him. I’d never wanted a man this much.
Marcus DeLuca had to be a dangerous man because I was caving in too soon; it was just too soon to feel this attachment, to feel and want him so desperately. When something seems too good to be true, it’s exactly that.
Chapter Eight
I pulled away from the kiss, trying to catch my breath. I couldn’t see his eyes, so I snatched off his sunglasses then grabbed his face with my hands. I looked into his eyes, trying to find his reason, the reason why I was there. All I saw was sincerity in his eyes.
His chest was pulsing as he took in some air. “Mia, you’re so beautiful … seeing you in this bikini, I can’t control myself.” I sighed, leaning my forehead against his. “You’re killing me.” He whispered to me, closing his eyes and caressing his thumb against my cheek.
“And you’re killing me, Marcus.” I shook my head. That kiss was too much, too passionate. A kiss like that was meant for two people in love, not meant for two people getting to know each other. I stood, and his eyes squinted with confusion.
Turning from him, I walked further into the ocean, deep enough for the waves to splash my thighs. Crossing my arms, I stood there and watched the blue waves angrily dance in the distance.
Marcus was beside me instantly. He gently grabbed my hand and turned me to face him. “What’s wrong, Mia?” He asked with worried eyes.
It was hard for me to explain my feelings without it coming out the wrong way. Waving my hand in the space between us, I said, “I don’t know Marcus. I don’t know what this is, you know?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I don’t know what this is either, Mia.” He sighed. Leaning closer, he grabbed my face. “I’ve never felt this way for anyone, but you have to trust me when I say we’ll be fine.” He leaned in and kissed me. This time it was softer and warmer.
I wanted to trust him, but it was so hard when I’m always let down. Pulling away from his kiss again, I shook my head. “I don’t know if I can do that.” I turned and quickly made my way back to our towels without looking back. My feet sank into the sand with every step.
I reached our towels and grabbed my cover-up, pulling it over my head. When it was completely on, Marcus was already in front of me. His shoulders were hunched forward with his hands on his hips. He was looking down, shaking his head and trying to catch his breath.
I crossed my arms, waiting for him to say something, and after a moment he looked up. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why can’t you trust me?” I bit my lip, contemplating whether to just let it all out. Screw it. I’m the type of person that needs to say how I’m feeling. I can’t keep it bottled up inside even if it sounds wrong.
“I’ve only known you for what, four days? And I’m already telling you things I’ve never told anyone…and those kisses the first night and today: those were not ordinary kisses, Marcus!”
“I know.” He leaned in to me, but I brought my hand up to stop him.
“Let me finish. Then you can talk.” Placing his hands back on his hips, he gave a small nod. “Trusting people in general is hard for me. You have to understand I came from a life where it’s normal for the people you love and trust to just disappear. I don’t know what a mother’s love is, my father was taken away from me at a very young age, and the one person I had left, the one I ran to for every problem, every heartache, he was…” I fought to hold back my tears when speaking of Michael. I dropped down on the towel Indian style. I felt him beside me, not saying anything just listening. I continued without looking at him.
“When I was in college, I met a man who told me all the right things. I was young, gullible, and I believed everything he said. After a year in a relationship with him, I found him with his wife and six- month-old daughter in a nearby park. When he saw me, he pretended as if I didn’t exist. It took me a long time to get over it, but I did eventually.
“My senior year of BU, I met another guy. He was also smooth and knew how to manipulate me. Then I caught him in my dorm room with my roommate. After that I told myself I would never get attached, never allow myself to take another man seriously…and I haven’t. Yet here you are, another man with all the right things to say, and I’m slowly falling for every word. I just got to the point in my life where I accepted being alone not only in a relationship but alone. I have no family, my only friend is a guy I live with, and I'm okay with that.” I turned my head to face him, trying to show him in my expression that I was sincerely fine with it.
Biting his lip, he shook his head. “Mia, I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. I really am, but please don’t make me pay for other's mistakes. I don’t know where this is leading, but I want to see where it goes. I feel that we could be something, but I can’t prove myself to you if you don’t let me try.” He shifted closer, placing his arm around my shoulder and pulling me in. I laid my head on his chest. “Can you just try? Not just for me but for us? We could have something special.” Lifting my chin with the tips of his fingers, his eyes met mine. His stare deepened with reassurance. “Can you do that, Mia? Can you at least try?”
Letting out a deep breath, I closed my eyes. “I'll try, but if you screw up once, I don’t care how small, I'm out. Do you understand?” Shooting my eyes open, I gave him a pointed glare.