Page 54 of Visions of You

I gave her a lopsided smile. “They have, so you don’t need to worry about me handing you a pink slip. Though I’ve got big ideas for this place. I just need to come up with the funding to make them happen.”

“You might try offering packages with lodging, diving, and meals combined. The resort I used to work at had a lot of success with that.”

That was already on my list. “Good idea.” I slid closer and moved my hand from the back of the couch to stroke her golden strands. “But I didn’t really come here to talk business.”

She lifted her head, exposing a length of creamy neck. “Did you have something else in mind?”

I moved in and whisked my lips over hers. “Yes. Something completely different.”

I grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her head back. I crushed my mouth to hers, finally giving in to the desire that had been building since the first moment I saw her and that bare shoulder. April’s lips were soft, and when she opened her mouth, I tasted red wine.

Then I remembered something else.

“Oh, shit,” I said, laughing as I pulled away.

She fluttered her lashes, looking slightly dazed. “What?”

“There actually is another reason I came down here. Would you like to join Hailey and me tomorrow at Bahia Honda Park? It’s a beach park on Big Pine Key. We’re going to hang out for most of the day—snorkel, hike, eat, drink, and just have fun. She informed methat you would make a far better snorkel guide than me and practically forced me to ask you. Though I rather like the idea myself.”

April burst into a full smile that warmed my heart. “I’d love to! Does that mean I’m finally going to get you in the water?”

Smiling, I leaned closer. “You can have me any way you want me.”

Chapter Twenty

Gabe

This time,I moved in and kissed her softly, taking a slow, leisurely tour of her mouth. I loved running my fingers through the silky strands of her hair. Breaking the kiss, I stood up and pulled April to her feet. After another soft brush of lips, I wrapped one arm around her upper back and picked her up, sliding my other arm behind her knees.

I carried her up the stairs and to the master bedroom. She wasn’t a large woman, but her weight was still nearly effortless for me to carry. I couldn’t keep my mouth away from hers and lowered my head as I set her on her feet next to the bed.

She smiled against my lips. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been carried like that.”

I opened my eyes. “I hope you approve?”

“Oh, yes.” She ran her hands over my shoulders. “You’re such a strong man. Might as well put those muscles to use.”

I kissed her temple. “I’m hoping to put something else to use.”

“Mmm. We’re in the right room.”

Her sweatshirt had slipped off her shoulder again, and I leaned over to run my tongue over her warm skin. Then, in one fast motion, I ripped it off. She wasn’t wearing a bra and I cupped her breasts in my hands. They were the perfect size—just like the rest of her. Big enough to fill my hands but not so big they were disproportional. She was a work of art.

How could she ever think she wasn’t enough?

I kissed her again, softly touching my tongue to hers. The conversations we’d had about her past lovers made me determined not to be seen in that light.

I wanted to please this woman more than any I’d ever known.

My breath caught as she rushed both hands under my shirt and up my abdomen, fanning her fingers over my chest. Her touch lit me on fire, my blood turning molten as it coursed through my veins. I ripped my shirt off and kissed her deeply, pinning my chest against hers.

She gave a soft moan that made me grip her even tighter.

“Do you have any idea how bad I want you?” I whispered against her mouth.

She opened my shorts and palmed me, and I pushed against her hand. She slid my shorts off, and they fell to my feet. I kicked them off without breaking our kiss.

Our kisses were loud and wet in the silent room. God, this woman turned me on. I wanted to consume her, possess her, make her scream. But that tiny, sad voice she’d used was stuck in my head. I needed to be gentle tonight. I grasped her face in both hands and fluttered a soft kiss across her lips, kissing each corner of her mouth. “I don’t have any condoms with me. We need to use yours.”

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