Page 10 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“For privacy,” he says. “Anyone can wander onto a boat.”

I nod. I trust him enough for that.

The cabin is small. The bed takes up most of it and there isn’t any space on either side of it, just more storage benches. I climb up and he follows, pulling off his T-shirt as he hovers over me. He has a tattoo of an anchor over his heart, a compass by his hip and a few others scattered that I don’t have time to examine because he’s kissing me again.

“If we’re only doing this once, then we’re doing it my way,” he says.

“Does that mean you want to tie me up?” Sailors must have a knot fetish.

“Absolutely not.” He licks my neck and I close my eyes at the sensation. “There is a time and place for that, but I want you wild and free.”

God, he feels so good against me. “What does that mean?” I ask.

“You seem really buttoned up,” he says, pulling back from me and tugging at the hem of my tank. “I’m guessing everyone you’ve been with has treated you like a princess. I saw you today. I know how strong you are, how flexible you are. You won’t break.”

I remove my sports bra as he goes for my leggings. I hate that he knows this about me already. This man who has been in my life for a few hours already sees so many things people I’ve been friends with for years have missed. Things the man I was with for years didn’t see.

“I don’t know if I’ll like it rough.”

“It doesn’t have to be rough. Just not restrained.” He has my leggings around my knees and pauses, blinking rapidly as he takes in my body. “Is the panty thing for me or a normal occurrence?”

I laugh as I help him pull the leggings off. “No, they leave lines. My leggings are designed?—”

He waves me off, tossing the leggings to the floor with the rest of my clothes. “Shhhh…explain clothing manufacturing to me after orgasms.”

He stretches across the bed and moves me to my side, placing himself behind me. I shiver in his arms as he does nothing except hold me for a moment, his erection hard against my back.

He kisses my neck, seemingly fascinated by the skin there. “This only works if you’re honest with me, okay?”

“Okay,” I say. He’s constantly asking for my honesty. I didn’t realize how much I had been denying it to everyone or understand why I’m willing to expose myself to him when I was so afraid of him seeing weakness before.

“I have a feeling I know what will make you feel good, but I can be an ass, so I might be wrong,” he continues.

“I’ll tell you.” My legs shake as he moves his callused hand down my side, momentarily stopping to trace my constellationtattoo, the only one I have, then to my waist and between my legs. My breath catches. Instead of going where I want him, he hooks my leg over his, so I’m spread open.

His touch is light as he resumes his journey, happy that I’m now completely where he wants me. “You’re so fucking sexy,” he says. His fingers brush my clit and where I’m wet. After the heat that brought us here, I expected rough and fast. But he’s slow and gentle and it feels so good.

His other arm goes around me so I’m plastered against his chest. I can’t move. I’m trapped with him. And I feel so completely safe.

Not necessarily because of him. No, he’s dangerous. He could make me fall in an instant. I could drown in him without realizing it. But I’ve made my rules. They will keep me afloat.

“How’s your endurance?” he asks.

“Hmmm?” I don’t understand. He dips a finger at my entrance but doesn’t penetrate.

“How long can you last while I tease you?”

I orgasm fine, either by myself or with a partner. “I don’t know.”

“I can do this all night,” he declares. He gathers my wetness and gives my clit the faintest of touches. “Getting you so close you beg.”

I whimper at the thought.

“Maybe I have other ideas.” He enters me with a finger and I moan. “Fuck, you’re so responsive. I love it.”

I was soaked already. He slides in and out so easily, adding another finger. He plays for a moment, his thumb on my clit finding a perfect rhythm as his fingers work inside me. I shouldn’t trust a stranger like this. I shouldn’t be open, but he wrenches it out of me. I can’t deny him.

It’s not sex I need. It’s him. It’s Orion.

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