would be obligated to stay if I knew? It’s always been him for me. But maybe it’s not always been me for him. Maybe it never will be.”
“There’s no sure thing in this world except the sea and the sky.”
“I was thinking that same thing when I came down here.”
“We both have artistic hearts and minds. We process and see a lot of the world the same way. It’s one of the many reasons we’re so close.” Her expression soft, Sophia smiled encouragingly. “I imagine you and Storm were a lot alike and saw the world through a similar lens.”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“You and Journey too. No matter what changes he’s been through, he’s still Storm, and those similarities remain. Like the ocean you love so much . . . it’s permanent, but it also changes depending on the wind, the tides, the density of the water, or the rotation of the earth.”
“Journey’s been through a lot of changing conditions without me.” I frowned as I stared at the water. “We’ve been separated for a long time.”
“Right, but you started falling for the man he is now before you knew he was also the boy you loved then.”
“Yes.” There was no use denying it.
“You put the restrictions on your relationship, honey.” Sophia squeezed my hands. “You modified the conditions. It’s up to you to decide if you love him enough to conquer your fear.”
Storm
CORK OPENED THE door to the apartment and stepped inside first.
Lotus was home. Without seeing her, I knew it. I could feel her presence.
Bright like a beacon—my beacon—she appeared, beaming light everywhere. She was also wet and dripping from her shower, wearing only a white towel tucked into the cleavage between her amazing breasts.
“Oh,” she said, her pretty eyes rounded. “You’re back. I got your message. Sorry you couldn’t come. The surf was great today.”
I’d missed that opportunity to spend time with her, but I wasn’t going to miss this one—or any more if I could avoid it.
“Find something to do,” I told Cork on my way to her. “With the television loud or your headphones on.”
Her brows rising, Lotus backed into her bedroom as I advanced. Stalking her, I kicked the door to close it and walked her across the room into the far wall.
“I guess you missed me.” Her back against the plaster, she lifted her chin.
“I did.” I whipped away her towel, and she gasped. “Fuck, you’re so damn beautiful,” I growled, my nostrils flaring.
Her citrus and salt scent filled my lungs, and the view of her completely naked with only a few crystalline water droplets scattered on her sun-kissed skin tipped me over the edge. Ditching my shirt without explanation, I reached for her.
She didn’t need any explanation . . . she just jumped into my waiting arms.
Lifting her, I wrapped my arms tight around her. I held her close, my long fingers digging into her silken skin at the sides of her breasts, clasping her to me as if both our lives depended on there being no space between us.
Lotus twined her slender arms around my shoulders, getting closer still, her round tits crushed to my chest.
I went straight for her mouth. Her lush lips were a lavish reward. Not bothering with finesse, I plundered my treasure, thrusting my tongue inside. She whimpered, making little mewing sounds as she sucked hard on my tongue.
Hell fucking yes. She was totally with me.
Her arms tightened around me, her nipples fine points. Her shapely legs cradled my hard cock, and I could feel the beckoning heat of her. Breaking the seal between our mouths, I grabbed one of her legs, lifted it, and brought it up around my waist. Then I pressed her into the wall, rocking my erection against her.
“Get your shorts off,” she said quickly. “Please.”
“No need for niceties.” Glaring hungrily at her, I inched back to untie the drawstring. “You want me to fuck you, just ask.”
“Yes. Fuck me, please.” Her eyes were hot, their surface a mirror where she danced abandonedly within flames.
“My pleasure.” I grinned darkly.
Shorts out of the way, I got my arms around her and went for her mouth again. Her arms wrapped around my neck, she kissed me as hard and hungrily as I kissed her. Her ankles were crisscrossed at my back. I didn’t release her mouth, but I made an adjustment. Shelving her delectable ass on my hands, I positioned and drove my cock into her, pinning her to the fucking wall.
Moaning, she tore her mouth