He kisses me softly, and his kiss is so sweet, it breaks my heart a little. I’m already getting attached — I can’t help it. He’s already under my skin. How can I ever let him go? This was meant to be sex only, but now, it’s already so much more.
“I want to look at you,” he says. “Last night was amazing, but I barely got to sneak a peek.”
I laugh. “What if I don’t want you to look at me,” I say. I’m far from perfect, still a bit heavy, even after all the weight I’ve lost. I’ve seen photos of Clara — she was flawless, and very fit. I’m nothing like her. I desperately want him to touch me, but I don’t want him to see me.
He bites his lip and shakes his head. “You’re beautiful, Gabriella, and I want to see all of you.” He closes the distance between us, and gently pulls up the hem of my sweater. He toys with at the waistband of my pants as he kisses me softly, just above my belly button.
The feel of his lips on my skin makes me melt. I eagerly peel off my sweater, and he slowly slides his mouth up to my breasts.
“Gorgeous.” He traces his tongue along the lace trim of my bra, but he doesn’t explore. He teases.
I reach for his shirt, and pull it over his head. I bite my lip at the sight of his tattooed torso and shoulder — he’s a work of art. I trail my finger along the curves of the design, along the angel’s wings. “What’s the story here?” I ask.
A bittersweet smile curves his lips. “It’s my mother,” he says. “The angel is my mother, and I keep her right here, right on my heart.”
I kiss the angel, and drag my mouth down the ridges of his stomach. He groans loudly, and there’s nothing I love more than the sound of his pleasure. I slide down below his navel, free him from his jeans, and take him in my mouth, but just for a few seconds. I’m teasing too.
He reaches for the fly of my Capri pants, and works it swiftly. Before long, I’m in my bra and panties; a pretty white lace set. I’m vulnerable under his eyes. I wonder if he likes what he sees. I wonder if he thinks I’m pretty.
“You’re beautiful,” he says, almost as if he can read my thoughts. “God… I can’t stop looking at you.”
He studies me for the longest time, all the while trailing a hand along my curves. He hooks a finger under the strap of my bra. “But I’m afraid this has to go,” he says with a pout.
I laugh. “What a shame.”
“Yes, it’s a shame,” he agrees as he reaches back and unclasps my bra. I peel it off, wanting him to explore me. He bends his head, and takes my breast in his mouth. I moan in pleasure as I pull his jeans over his delicious ass.
Soon, we’re both almost naked, and I don’t feel insecure anymore. I just want him to love me. He hooks a finger in the band of my panties, and peels them off slowly. He showers me with soft kisses, and makes love to me.
For the second time. I’m counting.
We hop on the canal boat tour boat. The guide takes my hand and helps me in — he’s a tall and attractive man; tight navy sweater, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, all muscles and tattoos, a real-life Popeye.
We take a seat next to all the tourists. “You like that guy,” Eli teases.
I laugh. “Are you jealous?”
He scowls. “A bit.”
“There’s no one but you,” I tell him. There isn’t — he’s all I think about, all I want.
“So what’s this obsession with the Little Mermaid?” he asks.
“It was my favorite fairy tale growing up,” I tell him.
He takes my hand in his, and studies me intently. I’ve never felt so important and interesting. I know I’m very ordinary, but he seems to think I’m the most fascinating thing in the world.
“She’s the most adventurous of all the princesses. She longs to experience a different world. And she’s willing to do anything for love.”
“Are you adventurous?” he asks.
“Not really,” I tell him. “I kind of wish I were. This is probably the wildest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Really?! A canal boat tour?” he teases.
I shake my head. “You know what I mean… being here with you.”
He doesn’t say a thing. He just smiles, and that’s perfect.
