Page 10 of Not Your Basic Love Story

He took my hand in both of his hands and held on for a few seconds, looking deep into my eyes as if he was trying to see my soul. “Dev.” A shiver ran up my spine, and the hairs on my arms raised in goosebumps.

He released my hand, and with it went the warmth that had been beginning to flood the base of my abdomen. I felt a little lightheaded and dizzy. It was like I’d been holding my breath while he touched me, and I’d only remembered to exhale with his release. Such a simple touch, yet it had stirred some very not-so-simple sensations. Maybe there was something special about him…

Or maybe I was drunk and lonely. Probably that.

Dev grabbed me a new drink and we headed over to an area of the outdoor bar where it was a bit quieter. We stood side by side, inches apart, the thrill of latent sexual tension buzzing between us. I caught Angelina’s attention, and she gave me an excited thumbs up, mouthing, ‘oh my god, so hot!’ I rolled my eyes, but inside I was giddy. She, herself, was quite busy fighting the guys off. A natural flirt, that girl.

“So, how do you like Mexico so far?” I asked.

“The weather is great. I hate tequila, though. I don’t usually drink. It took me all evening to get through one beer, so honestly,I’m a bit out of my element here,” he said. With the noise from the DJ, he had to lean down and talk close to my ear, his breath sending tingles down my neck.

“Are you going on any excursions?” I asked.

“I was thinking about it. Everyone else spends most of the day hungover, napping, so I’ve been wandering around the beach for the most part.”

“You could try snorkelling, or scuba diving.”

He hesitated. “Honestly, oceans freak me out a bit. Plus, it’s not really fun doing that sort of thing on your own.”

I nodded with a sad sigh. “I hear you. I’ve been doing pretty much the same thing. Mexico isn’t really meant to be explored on your own.”

“Maybe one of these days you’ll let me take you out, go exploring together.”

I looked at him, his face so close, and smiled. “I’d like that.”

He leaned closer, his eyes on my lips. My heart fluttered, lips parted, and stomach dropped in anticipation… but as soon as the moment came, it passed. Dev inched away, shifting his gaze to the dancefloor.

I glanced away, uncertain.Had I wanted him to kiss me?He was a perfect stranger! Then again, this was Mexico. The heat, the ocean, the alcohol, it stirred… feelings. It’s not that I’d never fooled around with someone I’d just met. I mean, I’ve had my fair share of one-night-stands before. But with Dev, there seemed to be more to it; another layer I wanted to unravel. It was alluring, yet also made me feel a little uncertain. Was I really in the right place of mind for this? Maybe I needed to let go of all that and be in the moment, as my yoga instructor would say.

I glanced over at him, eyes wandering up his body, admiring the cut of his jaw, the attention to detail in his beard and hair, his stern eyebrows framing dark eyes scanning the crowd as the people danced, seemingly lost in thought. He certainly was sexy.

I broke the silence. “I’m not usually one for dancing, but do you see the girl over there? The blonde in the dress?”

Dev looked from me and back to Angelina. She was on the beach near the DJ, dancing her heart out with two guys who both looked as equally invested in sleeping with her as they were with each other. He nodded.

“She’s my best friend’s little sister.”

“The one who’s getting married?”

I was surprised he remembered such a minute detail. “Yeah. Want to dance with me? I don’t want to lose her in the crowd.”

I was fibbing. I hated dancing. Sure, I wanted to make sure Angelina was okay, but I also wanted an excuse to be close to Dev to see if the feeling of wanting his lips on mine came back. It was the first time in a long time I’d felt that way about anyone, and if it helped takehimoff my mind? All the better.

He reached his hand out, and I took it, my stomach fluttering. Out there with him, the sand beneath our feet, his body close to mine, I quickly forgot I hated dancing. He was such a natural at it and made me feel like I was a natural, too. Every touch on my hips and lower back was firm yet gentle. Respectful, but left me wanting more. A few songs in, I found myself pushing the limits, seeking more of his touch. He followed my lead, and before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around his neck, my face hovering close to his.

I hoped he’d get the hint and kiss me already, but when no kiss came, I had to take matters into my own hands. Feeling brave, I stood up on my tip toes and pressed my mouth against his. His beard tickled my chin, a pleasant sensation that reverberated down through my core. I’d never kissed a man with a beard before.

His lips were still, unresponsive. Perhaps I’d made a mistake, misread something. I began to lean back, but he pulled me closer. His lips matched mine in intensity, and soon our tongues were involved, flicking gently at first, explorative, but quickly becoming bolder.

He kissed like he danced.

My body arched into his as his hands pulled me closer. I could feel him hard against my hip, and that did it for me. Before I could talk myself out of it, I whispered in his ear. He nodded.

After checking in with Angelina, we stole away from the party hand-in-hand, giggling like school kids. While waiting for the elevator in his resort, he pressed me up against the wall, kissing my neck. A moan escaped my lips, and we stumbled inside. Once inside the elevator, I began fumbling with his pants. I was still struggling to get them undone when the doors opened. We tumbled down the hall. He maneuvered his keycard into the slot just in time for us to fall into his room. I unbuttoned his shirt enough for him to pull it over his head. He unzipped my dress and peeled it off of me, sticky with sweat. I tried again with his pants, struggling, but he pulled my hands away with a grin and un-did them himself. There were three buttons! Three!

“What are these? Smart girl pants? Some sort of IQ test before you take someone to bed?”

He grinned and then shut me up by kissing me. We fell onto his bed as he fumbled with my bra. I reached back and unsnapped it for him. “The tables have turned!” I joked.

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