Slow No Wake - By Dakota Madison Page 0,56

wait. I’m always ready, willing and able to rock her world.”

I could feel my knees getting week and right before I dropped, Daniel grabbed me and pulled me close. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead as I stifled the urge to cry.

“I’ll be waiting out in the car,” Eddie said as he turned and walked away.

I buried my face in Daniel’s chest and let out a small sob. “It’s okay,” Daniel said. “It’s okay.”

***

The drive back to our campsite was almost unbearable because the tension between Daniel and Eddie was so thick. Joey-G and Ricky didn’t dare say a word either. Daniel kept me close, as if he was trying to protect me from any further abuse from Eddie.

When we got back to the campsite, Joey-G got the fire going and Ricky set up the barbeque. Daniel and I set out the buns, condiments and side salads. Eddie refilled the coolers with ice and beers. Within fifteen minutes, Ricky and Joey-G cooked the burgers and brats and dinner was served.

We all filled our plates and gathered around the campfire in folding chairs. We ate quietly as the campfire crackled in front of us.

“So,” Joey-G said finally after he swallowed his last bite of food. “Who’s up for clubbing tonight?”

“Count me in,” Ricky said.

Joey-G looked over at Eddie, who was taking a swig of beer. “Sure, whatever,” Eddie said.

Then Eddie glanced over at me and Daniel. “And what about the lovebirds? Are you staying or going?”

Daniel kissed my cheek and then said, “I think we’re going to stay here.”

“Shocking,” Eddie snarked.

“What do you say we leave in about 20 minutes?” Joey-G suggested. “The bars will just be picking up when we get there.”

“Sounds good,” Ricky replied.

“I’ll be ready,” Eddie said.

***

After the guys took off, Daniel seemed to relax a bit. “Come here,” he said tapping his thigh.

I sat down on his lap.

“That’s better.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. He looked into my eyes for a long moment. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

I gulped. “What is it?” I asked examining his face. His expression had turned so serious.

He cupped my face in his rough hands. “I want you to know that I’m completely crazy about you. I think I’m…” He swallowed. “No…I know I’m falling in love with you.”

When I saw that Daniel’s eyes were wet with emotion, I thought my heart might just stop beating. I was completely coming undone. I touched Daniel’s tanned face. “I’m falling in love with you, too.”

Without another word, Daniel put an arm behind my back and another under my knees. When he stood, he lifted me with him and carried me into the tent.

I could feel my heartbeat quicken. It had been months since I’d been with a man. Jeff had been my last and we had been together for several years. I suddenly felt like a teenager again.

I could hear the sound of the tent zipper, then it was quiet except for the faint sounds of the gulf waves. Daniel joined me where I was sitting in the tent. We had already unzipped Daniel’s sleeping bag and put it down as a ground covering. We would use my old Hello Kitty sleeping bag like a blanket if we needed it.

He put on a small battery operated lantern, which provided enough illumination for us to see each other now that it was getting dark. “Look at me,” Daniel said.

I looked into his blue eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” he said as he took in every inch of my face. “I never thought…” his voice trailed off as he looked away.

I turned his face back toward me. “You never thought what?”

He bit his bottom lip then swallowed. “I never thought I had a chance with you.”

I ran my thumb along the stubble on his jawline. “But here you are. And I’m all yours.” I gave him a coy smile.

He grinned. “All mine?”

“Every last inch,” I teased.

“Well, then…” he said as his lips crashed into mine.

He parted my lips with his tongue and teased it with his. I loved the way his mouth moved with mine, like a perfectly synchronized dance. Our lips, our tongues, our mouths worked together in perfect union.

I had thrown a tee shirt over my bikini top when we went to the supermarket. It suddenly felt like I had too much clothing on. As if he was reading my mind, Daniel lifted me up far enough to remove my shirt. He ran his index