Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,46
me that he was the one testing my limits. This was his night. My part was to follow his rules. Though I did everything but verbally beg for more, his teasing continued, never delving deeper or satisfying the part of me that longed for his attention.
After dinner he took my hand and led me out past the palm trees to the long Oceanside pier. Despite the beautiful atmosphere, my frustration had grown beyond want to need. I silently cursed myself for the last few wasted nights. I cursed him for what he was doing and what he could do. My urgency was palpable. I wanted—no needed—to hurry back to the resort so that he could explore my limits in private.
“Patience,” he murmured close to my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. As if he could read my thoughts, he added, “We’ll both get what we want. But before we do, I need to be sure you’re ready.”
Ready?
“I’m ready. I promise.”
His deep chuckle was quickly lost to the roar of the surf.
The water and sky were no longer blue and sparkling. Old-fashioned street lamps, every fifty or so feet, cast circles of light upon our path. The soft illumination gave the illusion that the boardwalk was suspended in space. With the cover of night, the sea had become a black tide, invisible but for the whitecaps and the gentle rocking of the pier. The sky shimmered with stars. We paused at a simple wooden bench just outside a circle of light, and Nox gestured for me to sit. My pulse quickened and mind spun when instead of sitting beside me, he knelt before me. Electricity ricocheted through me as he leaned down and kissed the inside of my knee.
“Nox?” I asked. Drawing out his name, the one-word question revealed a hint of my hidden Southern drawl. With his warm breath skirting my thighs, I nervously looked from side to side, wishing we were alone.
Ignoring my silent plea, the menacing grin I’d grown to adore made Nox’s eyes sparkle as he gently pushed my knee to the side. I sucked my lip between my teeth, stifling a moan. The cool sea breeze was a stark contrast to his warm breath against my drenched sensitive skin. Slowly, he brushed his large hand over my leg, moving it down, and capturing my ankle. Just as I was about to speak, though I wasn’t sure what I would have said, he lifted my foot and removed my shoe. Then he did the same with the other one.
“Damn,” Nox said, standing and offering me his hand. “Even in the dark, that was a fucking fantastic view.”
A rush of blood filled my cheeks as I stood, barefoot, short, and confused. “Why did you…?”
He touched my lips. “Remember, tonight is about no questions, just trust.”
I nodded against his finger. He took my hand in his and began walking toward the end of the pier, while my shoes dangled from the long fingers of his other hand, the hand that I wanted somewhere else. After a few steps I understood what he’d done and why. It was the wooden slats of the pier. In the dark it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for me to walk without getting my high heels caught. I leaned closer to his arm as the strong wind blew inland, pushing the skirt of my dress against me. It wasn’t just my skirt. The cool air made the evidence of my arousal tingle, reminding me how close Nox had been, yet still so far.
As we walked, we talked casually about the ocean and our shared love of water. Our fingers intertwined as we discussed dinner. It was as if I wasn’t nude beneath my skirt and our lives wouldn’t diverge in only two more days. We laughed about the people around us and made up stories about their lives. Nox was certain that I wasn’t the only woman in my predicament, confident that each one who passed in a dress was enjoying the sea breeze as much as I. Though my vulnerability was potentially public, with him I felt safe and private.
By the time we made it back to the car, my tension had mellowed, but I was still ready to return to Del Mar. The man who’d placed my shoes back upon my feet was indeed my prince charming; however, my best friend was wrong: the clock would strike midnight.
Not wanting to think about the end to this fairytale,