Page 65 of Never Will I Ever

“And what would I be apologizing for, exactly?”

“Oh, I don’t know. For calling me dramatic and insane, to start.”

I laugh. “Why would I apologize for telling the truth?”

His hand swipes at the water, sending a playful splash of it right at my face. “You dick. Take it back.”

Laughter bubbles up from my chest at the indignation in his voice, and I barely have the chance to wipe my face before two more splashes land, blurring my vision. Instinct kicks in, and I swipe my arm across the surface, sending a wall of water flying in his direction.

It’s once I catch sight of his playful glare that I realize my mistake. But it’s too late, because—

“Oh, it’s fucking on.”

He lunges at me seconds later, and I don’t have time to do anything before two hands grip my hips and drag me beneath the surface. I do my best to wrestle myself free from his hold and swim for the edge of the cave, but Avery’s arms lock around me like a vise until I can’t do anything but writhe against him.

We break through the surface a few moments later, both of usgasping for air, but he makes no move to release me. Water drips from his hair and cascades down his face, carving a path that my eyes greedily follow.

Fuck me, he’s…beautiful.

“I’m still waiting on that apology.”

I lick a stray drop of water from my lips and shake my head. “Not happening.”

He lets out a sharp scoff and grumbles, “Of course not.”

A small smile pulls at his lips, though, and my stomach rolls the same way it did earlier. With a feeling I now recognize as anticipation. But for what, I have no clue.

“Planning to force it out of me instead?” I ask, still a little breathless.

His gaze drifts down to my lips, locking there for a minute while his Adam’s apple bobs. The heat and desire in his eyes speak louder than any words ever could, and from the tension lining his jaw, he has no intention of letting them spill from his lips at all.

He doesn’t need to, though.

He wants to kiss me again. Or for me to be the one to drag his mouth to mine.

I’ve caught the same look a few times since getting each other off in my cabin, but he’s never done anything about it. There’s been a little bit of flirting and plenty of banter, which only adds to the sexual tension crackling between us, yeah. Physically, though? We haven’t crossed that line again.

Until now.

Letting desire guide me, my hand curls around the back of his neck and I pull his mouth to mine.

He’s frozen for a moment, just long enough for the thought ofoh, I fucked upto run through my head. But then he melts into the kiss, matching my fervor with his own. My tongue slides against the seam of his lips, coaxing him to open for me so I candive in for more. His soft moan sends a zap of lust straight to my cock before he parts them, and I swallow it down like a man dying of thirst.

Though he was the one locking me in place moments ago, I quickly take control and slide my hands over the globes of his ass, loving the way they feel beneath my palms, before cupping the back of his thighs. I lift him in my arms, allowing his legs to wrap around my waist while his hands find purchase on my shoulders. Our cocks are aligned now, bumping against each other while I shift us until he’s pressed backed into the cave wall.

The hard lines of his body, drenched in icy water, mold perfectly to mine like a pair of matching puzzle pieces. And now that I have him right where I want him, I lose all sense of control.

“You feel so good pressed up against me like this,” I murmur between kisses and nips. “Makes me want to take my time and tease you until you’re begging me for more.”

God, just the thought nearly has me coming undone.

Sliding my hands up a little, I knead the globes of his ass, palming each one while I roll my hips into his. The moan that leaves him could put a porn star to shame, and it stokes the fire raging inside me more.

My lips leave his and skate over his jaw, carving a path along the ridge of it before pressing a kiss to his throat, just below his ear. He trembles ever so slightly as my lips continue exploring his damp skin, working their way down his neck and over his collarbone.

His breathing is quick and shallow, even a bit shaky, and I’m not sure if it’s from the cold, nerves, or pending excitement.

Hell, maybe it’s a bit of all three.

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