back to Karon Beach, the sun had almost set. There was no moonlight party tonight. So, it made it easier for her to see that Julian wasn’t at the beach. The disappointment actually pained her. One kiss had changed her. It had left her wanting so much more than just one.
With a deep breath, Stevie sat on the sand and watched the horizon as the stars brightened the dark sky. Minutes passed, and she knew he was gone. She knew she’d missed her chance at discovering the intensity of what they shared.
Suddenly, a raindrop hit her hand, and she tilted her head up to the sky. Then droplets pelted her as they fell. Stevie couldn’t believe what luck she had. No Julian. But a hell of a lot of rain was drenching her. So she laughed and raised her palms up, feeling the cold rainwater relieve her from the humidity.
Of course, it would rain when I’m in Thailand.
Closing her eyes, she enjoyed it. Loving the way the rain touched and settled on her skin.
When in Thailand.
“This. Right here. Most beautiful sight I have ever seen.”
Every muscle in her body froze at the sound of his voice. Then, slowly and carefully, she opened her eyes to see that his face was close to touching hers.
“You’re here,” she breathed.
Julian smiled, and it caused her heart to clench. A beautiful, painful clench. He set his hands on her cheeks, steadying her face as he placed his lips on her forehead.
“I’m sorry,” she uttered. “My friends didn’t tell me we’d be gone all day. I had no idea.”
He shook his head, and then he kissed the tip of her nose before he let her face go. Stevie turned herself around to see him sit properly on the sand.
“Not gonna lie; you had me worried all day, Blondie. I thought you found someone else to spend your holiday with,” he revealed.
“Me? I thought you found someone else.”
His grin made way for a smooth chuckle. “Nah, Stephanie. Just you.”
Just me.
I like that more than I should.
Why do I like that more than I should?
“Just me?” When she realised she had said it out loud, she looked away, embarrassed.
“Just you,” he confirmed and leant in close.
The silly smile on her face was one she knew was there to stay. And she knew she’d never breathe quite the same again as his mouth inched closer to hers. The slow movements stole the air right from her lungs.
“I want to kiss you again.” His eyes locked on hers.
A flash of want had her blinking. She was completely in awe that someone like him could ever want her. But she swallowed down her insecurities and decided to go with it. Freedom was a drug, and she was addicted to what he could give her.
“Want to or need to?” she asked in a low voice as she reached up and let her fingers trail along his jaw.
Julian flinched, which was the most empowering reaction she had ever evoked from a man.
“Both. But right now, I’m pretty needy.”
Her fingers traced up his neck, feeling him swallow hard under her touch. “I like needy,” she confessed, hoping her attempts at being sexy were coming off well enough.
Julian let out a light laugh. “No, Blondie, you like me.”
The teasing gleam in his eye had her cupping his face. “A needy Julian is nice.”
“How nice?”
“Very,” she said in a breathless whisper and pressed her lips to his.
Sweet Lord.
He kissed her with such tenderness that she was worried she wasn’t kissing right. She had only kissed a few guys. But none had kissed like Julian—careful but with enough possession and passion that it settled in the pit of her stomach. The desire intensified just as his lips did when they moved against hers. The moment his hands reached for her hips, he had her straddle him, and then his hands skimmed up her thighs. After reaching for her ass, he grasped both cheeks and slammed her body into his.
The gasp she made was completely involuntary. When his tongue passed her lips and found hers, Stevie’s hands were in his hair, bringing him closer to her. Their tongues explored and licked. It was too much but not enough. The pressure within her seemed to be out of control, and the only way to relieve it was to let out a soft moan.
The rain continued, pelting them and cooling their kiss for mere seconds. Her dress was stuck to her skin, and she hated it. She wanted to