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After our time in the cave, we entered our stateroom and haven’t really left. I spend my days wrapped up in Leo, lying out in the sun, splayed on his chest after a day of swimming. Our evenings are spent dining on the terrace of our stateroom—while barely dressed—before locking ourselves in the bedroom for hours and hours.
The sex is insane. I knew it would be. But it’s the rest that worries me. Something feels different—a shift between us. I’ve tried to convince myself that with the ground rules—no feelings, nothing long term, just sex—there’s no danger to me or to my heart. But the lies I tell myself are getting harder to swallow with each passing day. And the crazy thing is I’m too wrapped up in him to care.
Lost in my whirlwind thoughts, I barely register the bed dipping and Leo’s big, calloused hand brushing the hair from my face. “I can tell you’re awake. Your breathing has changed.”
I open my eyes to find Leo’s face right above mine. Goddamn, how does he manage to look so handsome first thing in the morning? He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt and a pair of board shorts, and with this naturally bronzed skin, he looks like a surfer, like someone who was raised on the water rather than the streets of Brooklyn.
“Happy birthday, butterfly.” He kisses me on the lips. “Did you think I would forget?”
I smile wistfully. “I almost forgot myself. It’s like we’ve been living in a time warp.” A rush of melancholy hits me, as it always does around my birthday, because my mama and papa are no longer here to enjoy it with me. I usually celebrate with Yulian and Rowan and whatever friends are willing to make the trek across the Atlantic. This birthday will be different.
“What’s wrong?” Leo frowns. “Something is bothering you.”
“Oh, it’s… you know, sometimes birthdays are tough.” I wave a hand in front of my face, but he stops me, covering my hand with his own. “I was hoping Yulian would be back by now. It would at least be nice to hear from him.”
“I get it,” he murmurs, sweeping my hair back from my face. “I used to dread my birthday after Mama died. No matter how many presents I was showered with or how many other family members joined to make it special, it was never the same. Always felt like she was missing.”
This man. Reaching out, he strokes my jaw with his knuckles. How does he always know the right thing to say? “Usually, I can distract myself, but sometimes it catches up with me,” I admit. Rolling onto his back, he draws me into his strong chest. “I never imagined I would lose both parents before I turned twenty-five, you know?” My mother’s death a few years ago was a long time coming, not that it made it any easier when she finally succumbed to liver failure. I don’t want to wallow any longer, so I burrow into him and say, “Let’s do something fun today.”
He pushes me onto my back and leans over me, bracketing me between two strong arms. “I have some ideas. But first, for your birthday present…” With that, he plants kisses along my neck, trailing downwards as he peels the covers from my upper body. His hands wander while his mouth focuses on my left breast. Flicking the hard point of my nipple with his tongue, he sucks it deep into his mouth, taking long pulls until I’m panting and breathless.
Just as his hand wanders below the covers, my stomach growls like a monster come to life. Leo pulls away, and I immediately feel the loss of his touch. “Food can wait, my pussy can’t!” I attempt to argue.
“Other way around. Your pussy can wait for a few minutes while you eat.” He narrows his eyes playfully. “Greedy girl, didn’t I give you enough orgasms this week to last a lifetime?”
I smirk. “Yes but… as you say, I’m a greedy girl.” I sit up and let the covers fall away. Birthday suit for the birthday girl. Leo goes off to a side table. I hear the distinctive snap of a match being lit, and then he’s walking towards me carrying a tray laden with all the things. Coffee, warm croissants and fancy pots of jam to go along with them, a selection of berries, cheese, toast, poached eggs, and smoked salmon. And a cupcake with a birthday candle in it.
“Make a wish, butterfly.” He spreads out beside me propped up on an elbow.
I freeze, unsure what to wish for. Seconds pass by, and Leo doesn’t miss my hesitation. He tilts his head. “Do you need some ideas?”
“No.” I frown. Why is this so hard? Suddenly it comes to me.
I want you.
I want this.
I want things to go back to how they were before you broke me apart.
When I open my eyes, Leo is staring at me. “Are you going to tell me what you wished for?”
But there’s no point in sharing that, so I stick to safe territory. “I wished for more orgasms.”
He smirks. “Well you know what they say…” He leans in and nips at the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Be careful what you wish for. But first…” Leo plucks the cupcake from my hand. “Open up.” I do as he says, opening my mouth and taking a bite, moaning in pleasure.
“This is delicious,” I say between bites.
“I agree. Delicious.” He feeds me every single bite, right up until the last morsel. When my lips wrap around the final bite of sweet goodness, I draw his finger into my mouth, sucking the chocolate residue clean off it. “Good girl,” he growls. “I like to see that mouth put to good use.”
I laugh and grab a pillow to toss at his head, but he’s too quick and ducks out of the way. Smiling, I lean back on the bed, needing a moment to digest the hit of carbs and sugar. Just as I close my eyes, Leo’s cell phone rings.
“I should take this,” he murmurs, picking up the phone.
“Who is it?” I ask. Leo’s selective with the phone calls he answers, so this has piqued my curiosity.
He pauses for a moment. “It’s your brother. He’s video calling me.”
“Oh, fucking hell,” I exclaim, jolting up from the bed. I’m excited about Yulian calling, but this seems like a really bad moment to see him. “You should take it. Just… go somewhere private,” I plead, acutely aware of my lack of clothing.
