Page 30 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Ella eyed her, the corners of her mouth curling in a way that made her lips utterly kissable. “Mmm. I’m not sure,” she said. “I’d hate to have to be rescued again.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Riley’s face warmed, but she held Ella’s gaze. The afternoon sunshine illuminated the gloss across her collarbone, neck, and chest. A fire blazed inside Riley, remembering the feel of Ella’s skin beneath her fingertips. The tree with the creepy fingers seemed to lean towards them, eager to eavesdrop on their conversation. Bustling voices carried up from the courtyard below.

“That’s good to know.” Ella’s attention dropped to Riley’s mouth before bouncing back to her eyes. “But for now, sesta is calling me.”

“Alright.” Riley swallowed. It was definitely hot out here today, and her dry throat had nothing to do with the fiery stare and the attractive woman wielding it. “Boa noite, Ella.”

Something flashed over Ella’s features, and she lingered a moment too long before uttering an adorably clumsy “tchau” and disappearing into her cabin.

Ella’s absence pulled a plug, sucking all the energy from around Riley. She missed her as soon as the door closed.

She pressed her forehead against her board and blew out a breath. Boy, am I in trouble.

Chapter Nine

Ella

Ella woke from her nap covered in sweat. The AC was blowing cold air through the room, but her mind couldn’t peel away the dream fogging her senses. Riley’s touch lingered on her skin, the imaginary sensation of her lips on Ella’s. Her tongue…and how good it felt sliding between her legs.

Ella’s hand dipped into her pyjama shorts. Yep. She was incredibly wet.

With a sleepy sigh, she brushed over herself, the images fresh in her brain. Her dream might not have been real, but the way Riley had caressed her shoulders and chest earlier was. Her touch was somehow firm and soft at the same time. Meaningful.

Her clit ached thinking about Riley’s strong hands.

Would she fuck me the same way?

God. Ella felt herself get wetter. She heard it as her own fingers quickened their movement, and she kicked the blanket off her legs.

Warmth rippled outwards, tension building in her muscles. Her libido had finally sprung from its hiding place and now demanded her full attention.

She’d been in a tangle over whether Riley was attracted to her or not, but the woman’s flushed face and adorable awkwardness had confirmed it. If Ella hadn’t been knocked off her game from the Maeve incident, she might’ve kissed her there and then.

Riley was attracted to her, and that gave Ella a boost she desperately needed. Self-care had multiple forms, after all.

The dream kisses filled her mind again, but it was like having an itch that she couldn’t quite reach. Ella didn’t want to indulge in the fantasy; she wanted the real deal.

But for now, this would have to do.

She closed her eyes, picturing Riley’s face as she rubbed circles over herself. The backdrop of Riley’s cabin fleshed out her imagination as dream Riley pushed her back on her bed. There was no need for longwinded undressing here. Ella wanted it hard and fast, so that’s what dream Riley gave her. Her tall and muscular frame leaned over her, her fingers exactly where Ella craved them. It wasn’t long before the fuzzy feeling tightened in her chest, and her orgasm mounted. Her breathing was laboured as she hovered above release.

The one thing she couldn’t get right was the sound Riley made. Would she moan or whimper? Groan? Would she talk dirty? Tell Ella what she wanted? Fuck. She’d like that. The thought almost made her combust.

“Riley,” Ella murmured, and the sound sent shockwaves through her body. Riley’s face became focused, fresh in her mind. She could see the slight widening of her eyes. The dimples in her cheeks. She said her name again, louder, meaning it as she brought herself to climax, and she tipped over the edge. She came hard, abs contracting and forcing her upright as the feeling consumed her.

The climax faded quicker than she’d have liked, but it still hit a spot. It’d been some time. She let out a chuckle as the dreamy fog lingered in her brain. Riley, she echoed in her head.

Maybe Winnie was right. A good shag was just what she needed.

* * *

Admittedly, the island’s uncertainties made Ella nervous. She couldn’t speak the language and imagined her feeble attempts resulting in finger-pointing and the locals’ uncontrollable laughter.

But Senhor Arenoso’s words breezed through her mind. “You hold the keys to your own life.”

So, with her phone smashed and the idea of hiding in her room alone more embarrassing than being an English stereotype, she decided to push herself. With a new pep in her step, she ventured down to the courtyard, freshly showered and wearing a yellow sundress that brushed against her calves. Her skin still felt tight from sunburn, but Riley’s aloe vera had eased the pain a little.

She heard the market before she saw it. Voices and chatter carried up from the courtyard in lively Portuguese. Rows of wooden stalls covered the stone slabs, and what must’ve been the entire island’s population was milling between them, browsing homemade crafts and textiles displayed underneath large beige parasols.