Page 145 of All at Once

As I carefully get up to go use the restroom, I feel his grip tighten around my shirt, my body immediately growing awake from the movement.

I didn’t quite know what to say last night. To be honest, Istilldon’t know what to say. So I thought the best way to help was to just be there for him.

“You okay?” I ask after Luca blinks awake.

We stare at each other for a few long seconds, remembering the events of last night before he exhales deeply.

“I’m worried about him,” Luca admits.

I nod. “What can I do?”

He strokes my cheek gently with his thumb and gives me a half-smile. “Nothing. I’ll call him later to check in.”

“Okay,” I say.

He pulls me into his chest and presses a kiss into my hair. “I’m really sorry that last night ended like that. I know how important everything was for you.” I feel him exhale. “It was important for me as well.”

Any lingering disappointment from the evening dissipates after hearing that my feelings were also on his mind.

“Luca, don’t even worry about it. I understand.”

I quickly forget about it altogether when he starts placing a trail of kisses along my neck.

“Still…,” he says as my giggles abruptly switch to breathy moans when his lips graze against my ear. “I’d like to make it up to you.”

My voice barely translates into a whisper. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

“How free are you this afternoon?” He smirks into my neck.

_________

And while Luca didn’t need to make up anything to me, he still managed to brighten up the entire morning. After suggesting to bring some fresh fruit to the beach, we share a variety of some of the tastiest melon and berries I’ve probably ever had.

“You know early mornings are really growing on me,” I tell him.

“It’s 11 am.” He snorts before taking a bite of his watermelon slice.

“For me that’s early.” A grin forms across my lips when I notice how relaxed he looks again. “Really though,” I explain. “Like yesterday I know I was groggy when I woke up, but after I got ready it wasn’t that bad. I’m really starting to like waking up earlier now.”

“I’m glad you see the beauty of an early morning now,” Luca says playfully. “The hardest part is just getting out of bed.”

“I guess the one time you were right,” I tease.

“If by that you mean the one time you’lladmitthat I’m right, then sure.” When I snort, he adds, “Although I don’t really mind being wrong sometimes for you.”

I lean in to kiss him softly. “Your lips taste like watermelon.”

“Really?” He glances at my lips amusedly. “That’s funny because all I can taste is you since last night.”

I almost drop my fork with the way he looks at me as he ensures I seeexactlyhow he bites down onto the next piece of his watermelon. Grazing his teeth onto the fruit slowly. Before dragging his tongue teasingly over it.

For my own sanity, I really need tostoplooking at his mouth. I’m still shocked at how that was a highlight of my night when his lips were probably on my clit for barely even a minute.

Even when we’re back at his suite, I try but fail to politely watch as he packs his things before he has to check out of the resort shortly. I know I said I wouldn’t look at his lips, but my plan is desperately failing.

Maybe it’s the fact that this is the first time I’ve been around a guy who I’ve seen completely naked, but I can’tnotvisualize him without clothes now. And he’s not helping dwindle my distracted state. Not when a few of his golden strands dangle as he tilts down while meticulously folding one of his shirts. All I want to do is mess up his hair. But then my attention quickly moves to themuscles extending across his hands, already feeling a bit dizzy. “How do you expect me to do anything with you looking at me like that?” Luca asks.

“Maybe that’s the point.” I lick my lips. “You could bedoingmuch more important things right now.”

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