Page 12 of Beyond Me

Rich sobered up and nodded.“Yeah, sorry, man.We settle up on Friday.No more screwing with you.”

“Good.See ya later.”

I headed out of Captain Crow’s and found her talking to some shithead by the tiki bar.I hung back, intending to break up their little party if it got serious, but a few seconds later the guy walked away, and she looked disgusted.She grabbed the railing as she almost tripped down the steps, hit Duval Street, and began walking.

I followed.The swing of her hips and the curve of her ass were better than Monet’s water lilies and sweeter than theMona Lisa.I enjoyed the view, wondering if she was going back to her hotel, and that’s when she stopped in the middle of the busy street and tried to rip off her shoes.

I was distracted by the sudden flash of her thighs as she leaned over.Her skirt flipped up, but too soon she jumped, toppled to the right, and poised for a bad fall.I swooped right in and caught her.

Sweet heaven.Her body felt perfect in my arms, full of softness and heat.I righted her, then knelt to finish removing her shoes.The shock and arousal in those inky eyes confirmed I was right.All I needed to do was play on her body’s reaction, steamroll past her defenses, and get her into my bed.

Then keep her there.

“You!”she gasped.

I grinned.She was adorable.My hands tingled as I ran them up her leg and stroked the trembling flesh of her knee.I wanted to keep going higher until I dove into her sweet, hot pussy, but I kept my control.I’d already screwed up once.A second time would be deadly.

“Just your normal prince on horseback,” I said easily.If I kept it light and friendly, she may not give me a tongue blistering.At least, not the kind I wanted.

Her brows drew in a fierce frown, but she didn’t move away.Her face flickered with an array of emotions before she seemed to settle.“Are you stalking me?”she finally asked.

“Now, that would make me creepy.I was just barhopping with the guys and noticed you.Were they your friends?Mackenzie and Cassie?”

“Yes.”

“Did you leave because of me?”

She seemed surprised by my question.“No.”Letting out an annoyed breath, she backtracked.“Okay, yes.I went to find someone else.”

Hot jealousy chopped through me, but I kept cool.“Did you?”

“No.There are too many assholes in Key West.”

I laughed.“Asshole Central, huh?”

Her lips tugged in a grin.I ached to press my mouth over hers and feel the lush curves.“Yeah, something like that.Why are you following me?”

“Because I’ve been thinking about you all day.Because I fucked up and wanted to apologize again.Because the thought of you finding some other guy to smile at and touch makes me want to go apeshit.”

Her dark eyes widened.“That’s a lot of reasons.”

I chose my words carefully, knowing it was a turning point.“I’m not a liar.I want to spend some time with you so you can make your own decision and get to know me better.I’d like to walk with you, enjoy your company.May I?”

I wasn’t used to asking women to spend some time with me.It was always the opposite, and suddenly I felt a flash of vulnerability.What if she said no and refused to talk to me again?I waited her out and realized how important it was that she agreed.How bad I wanted to spend more time with her—in bed and out.

“Okay.”

I almost sagged with relief but managed to keep my man card.“Great.Where are we headed?”

“South Beach.”

“Sounds like a plan.”I fell in pace with her as we made our way down Duval.I’d been coming to Key West for years now, and I always loved the free spirit of the people.From the sunset parties, to the sailing and revelry, it was a place to get lost and yet somehow manage to be yourself at the same time.“I wanted to let you know Tracey is okay.I made sure she slept it off and took her home.No one bothered her.”

“Good, I’m glad.I was worried.”

She swung her hands back and forth like she was a bit nervous.I saw her teeth reach for her lips and confirmed she was a biter.Unfortunately, that just made me want to experiment with the other places on her body I could bite, so I firmly veered away from the image.

Down, boy.

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