Page 46 of The Viper
Rain drummed against the sand, against our skin, washing away sweat and salt and whatever last threads of pretending we’d been carrying. He framed my face and searched it, the way men who keep people alive search for telltales before they move.
“What are you going to regret in the morning?” he asked, and it wasn’t teasing.
“Not this.” My voice didn’t shake. “I’m tired of watching my life through a monitor, Lucas.”
His hand slid to my throat, not to hold, but to feel my pulse stutter hard against his palm. “Then tell me what you want.”
“You,” I said simply. “Right now. Just—” I swallowed. “Just you.”
16
LUCAS
The rain poured down in warm sheets, soaking us through, turning the beach into a silvered haze where the line between sea and sky blurred. Lexi’s laugh cut through the storm, wild and untamed, her dress clinging to her curves, every contour illuminated by flashes of heat lightning. My shirt was plastered to my chest, heavy and useless, and the storm’s energy pulsed in my veins, mirroring the fire that had been building since I’d first laid eyes on her. She stood there, drenched and defiant, her green eyes daring me to cross the line we’d been skirting since that night in the bar.
I couldn’t hold back any longer. I yanked my shirt over my head, the wet fabric slapping the sand as I tossed it aside. The rain stung my bare skin, cooling the heat that had been simmering all day.
Lexi’s gaze raked over me, her lips parting, a spark of hunger in her eyes.
She didn’t hesitate—she reached for her dress, peeling it off in one fluid motion, the sodden fabric hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Her bra and panties followed, a quick flick ofher fingers, and they joined the pile, leaving her bare under the storm’s gaze.
Her body was a revelation—curves that begged to be touched, skin glistening with rain, every inch of her glowing like she’d been sculpted by the sea itself. My cock hardened instantly, straining against my jeans, a primal reaction I didn’t bother fighting.
I peeled off my boots, unbuckled my belt, and shed my jeans and boxers, letting the rain wash over me, unashamed. Lexi’s eyes darkened, her breath catching as she took me in, and I felt the air shift, charged like the lightning flickering overhead.
I stepped toward her, taking her hand, our fingers locking tight, and led her back toward the ocean. The waves lapped at our feet, cool and inviting, the water rising to our ankles, then our calves as we waded in.
She reached for me with her other hand, her fingers brushing my cock, bold and unapologetic. The touch sent a jolt through me, sharp and electric, and I caught her wrist gently, my voice rough with want.
“Careful,” I said, trying for a grin that sounded clever in my head but came out half-stupid. “You’re gonna start something we can’t stop.”
She shook her head, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders, her eyes fierce. “No talking,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “I want you. Now.”
Those words broke me. I pulled her against me, our bare bodies colliding, skin to skin, the rain and sea blurring where one ended and the other began. My mouth crashed into hers, hungry and claiming, and she met me with equal fire, her lips parting, her tongue teasing mine. Her hands roamed my back, nails grazing my skin, sending shivers down my spine, despite the warm air around us.
I lifted her, her legs wrapping around my waist, and carried her deeper into the ocean, the waves buoying us as I kissed her neck, tasting rain and salt and the pulse of her desire.
The ocean seemed to hush around us, the waves softening, the storm’s roar fading to a gentle murmur, as if it knew we needed this moment. The water lapped at our waists, silky, cradling us as I held her close. She was everything I’d ever wanted—fierce, untamed, a storm wrapped in skin—and I lost myself in her, the world narrowing to the feel of her body against mine, her breath hot against my cheek.
I shifted, my hands gripping her hips, possessive, claiming what she’d freely given. She arched into me, her breasts pressing against my chest, her nipples hard from the cool rain and raw want. I kissed her there, my mouth exploring, teasing, drawing a moan from her that echoed over the water. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, urging me on, and I gave her what she wanted, my tongue circling, sucking gently, until she was gasping my name into the night.
“Lucas,” she breathed, her voice breaking on a wave. “Please.”
I didn’t make her wait. I positioned myself, the water slicking our skin, and slid into her slowly, savoring the way she enveloped me, tight and warm, the ocean adding a liquid heat that made every sensation sharper.
She gasped, her head falling back, exposing the long line of her throat, and I kissed it, nipping softly as I thrust deeper. The waves rocked us, a primal rhythm that matched our own, each movement pulling me further into her.
She was perfection—her body moving with mine like we’d been carved from the same stone, her hips grinding against me, meeting every thrust with a hunger that set my blood on fire.
I thought about that first spark in the bar, the way her touch had ignited something I couldn’t name, and now it was a blaze,consuming us both. I was possessive, my hands anchoring her to me, my mouth claiming her lips, her neck, her shoulders, but I kept it tender, letting her guide the pace, her pleasure fueling mine.
The ocean calmed further, the rain softening to a mist that kissed our skin, the storm holding its breath for us. I lost myself in her—the way she clenched around me, her breaths coming in sharp, ragged gasps, her nails raking my shoulders.
She was everything—strong, vulnerable, alive—and in that moment, I knew I’d never wanted anyone like this. My thoughts splintered, reduced to her: the heat of her core, the salt on her skin, the way her eyes locked on mine, dark and endless with desire.
We moved together, the water our cradle, the night our witness. I thrust harder, deeper, feeling her climb toward release, her body trembling against mine.
“Come for me,” I murmured against her ear, my voice rough with need.
