Page 29 of Never Leave Me
This time, he didn’t resist, was incapable of it. He turned into her, tasted her more slowly, relishing her lips, the softness of her mouth, the warmth of her breath. He didn’t want to stop this time, would have kept going endlessly, shamelessly, if not for the clapping and cheering.
He broke away, and for long seconds afterward, he sat in dazed silence. Had he kissed Ellen not just once, but twice? Had he really been so bold?
His blood thrummed, and every atom sparked with extra charges.
“It’s so wonderful to see a young couple like you so much in love,” Mrs. Fletcher was saying.
Ellen didn’t contradict the older woman but instead rested her head against his shoulder. He wasn’t overly proficient in the various signals young women gave out, but he sensed this was an invitation to hold her. With as much casualness as he could muster, he draped his arm around her. Although he feigned calmness, he was sure she could hear the wild thumping of his heartbeat.
He half wished Dr. Fletcher would start clinking his spoon against his goblet again. But to Harrison’s disappointment, he didn’t.
A short while later, when the band started the first number, Ellen stood and held out a hand to him. “I know you’ve already crossed dancing off your ‘Always Wanted To Do List.’ But you haven’t crossed dancing in a rainforest paradise off it.”
He accepted her offer and and rose to his feet, struck by how happy and relaxed she was. And how healthy. Her face radiated a glow that warmed his soul. This was what he’d wanted for her—to be happy and healthy. No matter what the future held, he’d cherish this memory with her forever.
8
ASELLENBEGANto swipe their key card, Harrison tickled her again behind her ear with the long feather they’d found on the beach.
“You’re incorrigible,” she whispered, unable to hold in her laughter.
She’d teased him all the way back to their room with the feather until he’d stolen it from her and began to tickle her instead. Before she could open the door, he brushed the feather up and down her neck. She spun and attempted to grab the feather, only to find him inches away.
With his own breathless laughter echoing in the hallway, he pinned her hands together then drew a tender line down her jaw to her chin with the feather. His gaze followed the trail and ended up at her lips.
He hadn’t kissed her since the clinking against the water goblets. Of course, she’d thought about his kisses, but they’d been busy learning how to tango and cha-cha and rumba and dance all the dances Harrison had never been able to do before. Then afterstaying up all night dancing, they’d had breakfast on the beach and watched the sunrise with the other guests.
Perhaps they could share one last kiss to conclude the beautiful memory. There wouldn’t be anything wrong with that, would there?
She peered beyond Harrison to a couple across the hallway. They were trading kisses with one another and wouldn’t care if she and Harrison decided to share some affection too.
Harrison brushed the feather across her mouth, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made her stomach clench in anticipation. Surely, he was thinking about kissing her again. But he was too much of a gentleman to steal another kiss, no matter how much he might want to. If she wanted one, she would have to initiate it. But should she?
Before she could rationalize further, she wrapped her arms around his neck and stretched up until her mouth hovered next to his. At her boldness, surprise flashed in his eyes.
What was she doing? She wasn’t experienced with men. What if she’d read him wrong? She needed to pull away. It was one thing to pretend at dinner and another to carry on now.
She began to lower herself, but he let go of the feather and gripped her arms, as though to prevent her from leaving.
Did he want another kiss too?
She hesitated but a moment before brushing her mouth across his. For several heartbeats, he remained motionless, letting her dust his lips in an enticing flutter. Then in one swift movement, he pressed her back against the door. His mouth claimed hers, bringing an end to the teasing and instead plunging her into an oblivion of pleasure.
His lips moved against hers powerfully, as though he couldn’t get enough. And she responded the same way, digging her fingers into his hair and letting herself get swept into the deep current.One thing was certain, his kisses weren’t sating her. Rather, they had the opposite effect of making her want more.
“Hey, you two,” came a laughing voice from the other couple. “Take it inside.”
Mortification rippled across Harrison’s face. He released her and fumbled with his key card and the handle, unable to open the door quickly enough. Once they were inside, Ellen pushed the door closed, leaned back against it, and gave a shaky laugh.
Raking a hand through his hair, Harrison was already stalking toward the small table lamp by the cluster of sofas. He flipped on the switch, casting soft light around the room and making the infinity pool glimmer an enticing aqua.
He walked to its edge, thrust his hands into his pockets, and stared down into the water. His back was stiff and straight, the sure sign his mind was fast at work trying to process something.
“We did a good job pretending for everyone tonight, didn’t we?” She held on to the doorknob, her knees still too weak from his kiss to trust herself to walk.
“Did we?” Harrison didn’t turn.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I think we deserve an Oscar for our acting.” She tried to make her voice lighthearted, sensing Harrison’s mood had somehow shifted the moment they’d walked into their suite.
