Page 97 of Parentmoon

Dallas moves in a rhythmic pace, set by a tempo that matches lapping waves and a hanging moon. Time feels eternal as he rocks into me until he reaches between us and sets me off again.

When I finish, Dallas pulls out and sits up on the bed, patting his lap, but I’m already following him.

Like that thread of kisses along my inner legs, I’m tethered to him. He remains upright, seated and strong while I climb over his legs, and place him back inside me. He wraps his arms around my lower back, holding me over him. Crossing my arms around his neck, I move up and down his thick mast like a boat rolling on the calm sea.

Something is happening here. Something I can’t quite define. I’m too Dallas-drunk.

Again, time feels endless as he kisses along my neck and presses me back to nip at a breast. His stamina is unparalleled as we move like we don’t have a care other than being attached on our private yacht of a bed.

He cups my face and whispers my name, breaking my heart while it hammers with life. I don’t want to say goodbye to him. The position we are in is unique while at the same time it’s nothing more than a man and woman coming together. A ritual outside of spoken vows and commitments professed before a god. This is holistic and raw.

I feel treasured and cherished, special even.

Dallas shifts me one more time, removing me from him by tugging at my hips. I follow his lead as he guides me to spin and straddle him once again. Still sitting upright, I’m over his lap with my back to his front.

Reverse cowgirl. I could tease him, but this moment doesn’t call for words. Dallas runs a hand up my back, guiding himself back inside my body. I’m kneeling, feet tucked against his backside. He presses me forward until I brace my arms on his knees. Then he’s moving me, up and down, in measured beats. Tapped in a way I’ve never been, the control Dallas has astounds me. This is a position often reserved for rough and fast but he’s using patience and grace, pressing me forward by my shoulder blade and then guiding me back with his hand on my opposite shoulder. I move like a skilled piston. Our bodies a well-oiled machine.

“Darlin’,” he moans behind me, picking up the pace. His hands fall away from my body, and he braces himself with a hand at each of his sides. His hips move faster. The tension builds deeper.

I touch myself while glancing over my shoulder, watching his expression. His face is pure bliss and a bit of wonder, as he focuses on me watching him.

“Gonna mark me forever,” he says, holding my eyes.

This night will go down in my history as one of the most intense nights of my life.

I want to see him come undone. I want to watch him break under my body.

Pulling off him, Dallas curses, observing me as I move. Climbing over him again, I press him to his back and quickly restore him inside me. I lean forward, kissing his nose and his chin as I lift my hips up and surge back down, building and building and building. Then I sit upright, staring down at his magnificent body.

Dallas thrusts upward once and I gasp. He shatters. Tugging at my hips to hold me in place over him, we are locked as tight as two people can be. His lower body settles back to the bed, but he drags me down with him, keeping me surrounding him.

Slowly, I lower to his chest, and he catches my face in his hands, holding my gaze until our lips meet, and our eyes close, and our hearts feel like one.

If only for tonight.

Chapter 24

In the morning, not only is the bed vacant of Dallas but the house is empty. I shower and dress, fighting tears as I place every necessity back in my toiletry bag and every piece of clothing is refolded and tucked away in my luggage. Time passes like I’m stalling, waiting for Dallas to return while it slowly seeps in that he might be the type that doesn’t like goodbyes.

Eventually, I head to breakfast where I eat alone as I did that first morning. Artie and Ira are gone. Laria and Philip left. And soon, I’ll be leaving.

“Morning, darlin’.” A kiss lands on the top of my head as Dallas stands behind my chair and then seats himself next to me.

“Good morning.” My voice is quiet while my heartbeat rings in my ears. Dallas sits beside me like he hasn’t been missing all morning. His chair is angled toward mine. His body relaxed as he drapes an arm over the back of his seat.

“Think we’ll see Michael and Keli this morning?” My question comes from a need to make conversation. A desire to hold back my anxiety. Why weren’t you in bed with me?

Dallas softly chuckles, shaking his head. “I don’t really want to disturb them.”

“Me neither.” My brittle laugh sounds like the snapping of twigs. Idle chatter fills my mouth. “It was a beautiful wedding.”

Dallas watches me as I lift a cup of coffee to my lips. “I’m glad they worked it out.”

“Me too,” I say a little too emphatically. “And yesterday was lovely.” The catamaran cruise and the evening sunset. A night of sensuality I’ll never forget.

“Sure was.” Dallas’s reply lacks enthusiasm.

“And now it’s time for them to enjoy their honeymoon.” I spare a glance in his direction before focusing on the glistening ocean.