Page 63 of The Other Half

“What’s that?” she called over the wind. Her finger pointed to the top of the white lighthouse jutting out from the small clump of trees on the island.

Pulling back on the throttle, the boat settled into the water until we bobbed on top of the soft waves. “Cana Island Lighthouse.”

“It’s so cool!”

“It’s over one-hundred-fifty years old. That lighthouse has steered ships around Baileys Harbor for over a century.”

“It’s awesome.”

“We can climb it sometime. They open it to the public all summer long.”

“Really? I would love that!”

“Then consider it a date. This looks like the perfect place to anchor for a while.”

It was quiet here. The majority of the boat traffic was closer to the marina, and the view of Cana Island Lighthouse stretching above us in the distance provided the perfect backdrop for our day.

I dropped the anchor over the edge of the boat and waited until I felt it catch. When I turned back, Poppy and Hank shared a spot in the sun on the stern seat, each stretched long while they absorbed the rays. Cassie was stripping off her shorts, her tank top already in a pile at her feet. The sight of her in that tiny pink bikini had my erection pressing against my board shorts in seconds. She pulled out an oversized towel and flipped it in the air, letting it settle onto the floor of the boat. Kneeling down, she smoothed it out before lying on it. That bulge in my trunks only grew looking at her sprawled out before me.

“Do you need some sunblock?” she asked, holding up a bottle.

“I’m good. I don’t burn.”

“I don’t want wrinkles.” She scowled before putting some in her hands and rubbing it on her face. Unable to remain even several feet away, I moved to her side and settled down beside her. The sun already heated the towel, and it felt warm beneath me while I rolled onto my side.

“I’ll put it on your back,” I said, itching to caress her soft skin.

“Thanks, Jake.” After handing me the lotion, she rolled onto her side. The tiny string holding her top on stretched tight across her back. With a secret smirk, I started rubbing the lotion into her skin, sliding my fingers to the bow and giving it a tug. It gave no resistance as it unraveled.

“Jake!” She laughed, clutching the top to keep it from falling off. “You ass!”

“No one but me can see you down here. The sides of the boat are shielding us.”

“Except for all the tourists with binoculars climbing the lighthouse.” Looking over her shoulder, she quirked a brow before letting out a defeated sigh. Releasing the forearm holding her suit in place, she let it free. With one more tug on the knot around her neck, I watched the top fall to the floor. The sight of her exposed breasts had me heated to scalding.

“Better?” she asked with a coy smile, rolling onto her back to give me a full view.

“Perfect,” I whispered, then leaned down and captured her lips with mine.

Her moan pushed into my mouth when my fingers drifted across her nipples. Those soft hands of hers spread across my back and pulled me down into her. Letting her guide me, I settled over her and kneeled between her legs, our lips continuing the dance I knew I’d never tire of.

“Someone will see us,” she lightly protested when my fingers moved to the ties at her hips holding up her bottoms.

“There’s no one out here but us,” I whispered back when I gave one a tug. It unraveled, and she whimpered while I pushed her bottoms off to the side. Only one strip held them in place, and I brushed across her heat while I moved to it.

“Oh, God,” she breathed when my fingers teased her bundle of nerves before moving to undo the other tie. When it came undone, I pressed the ties aside and looked down to see her bottoms fall away, showing me the soft smooth skin that begged for my touch.

Thick lashes batted over desire-laden eyes while she looked up at me. My own desires were ready to explode with just one look. Barely able to contain my own pleasure, I pulled a condom out of my pocket and put it on while she panted below me. Lowering myself between her legs, I pressed at her entrance. Her parted lips pulled me toward them, and I captured them with mine while I pressed inside. Deeping our kiss, I pushed inside her, and that dizzying wave of ecstasy pulled me back under again. Our bodies connected, our bond deepening with every thrust of my hips and every frantic grab of my back while she pulled me into her. Never had I felt the power of so many emotions rushing through me than I did when I was inside her. Overwhelmed with emotions, I closed my eyes and let the waves wash over me while she cried out my name again.

Collapsing in a heap beside her, I pulled her into my arms. “That was so much better than fishing,” I breathed.

Laughing, she pressed up against my chest. “I hope that isn’t what you do on your charters!”

“Nope.” I kissed her head and closed my arms around her. “That is for you and you alone.”

“Lucky me.” She chuckled.

In this moment, I was certain there had never been a time I’d been happier. Hell, I bet there wasn’t another man on the planet happier than me. Or luckier, I thought while I looked down at the beauty draped across me. My intentions of treading lightly into this new relationship were blown away. I’d gone headfirst off that cliff and I was enjoying every second of falling for her.