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“And you didn’t,” I say softly.
“No. When they came around and tried again, offering me lessons, I made up excuses. Told them I was into martial arts. I didn’t have time for swimming lessons because I was too busy with jiu jitsu. We moved to the Village. I kept their heads spinning with all the classes I took, the competitions I won. Then, karate. It took four years to get that black belt, which was followed by tae kwon do. Five more years went by, and I was traveling the world competing, and they forgot all about swim lessons.”
“I’ve heard the staff mention your job, training the new recruits to fight,” I say. “You must be good at it.” I reach over, taking his hand in both of mine. My voice trembles as I bring us back to the harrowing moment we need to uncover, “But how did she die?”
His green eyes pierce mine. The sadness I see in them overwhelms me as he says, “She drowned.”
My heart sinks into my stomach.
A wave of nausea flashes over me. I think of the fear in his voice when he berated me at dinner over my swim. I put the pieces that broke his heart together. “And you were there, alone with her. And couldn’t swim.”
He nods. “I couldn’t save her. I tried, but water was filling my lungs. I was sinking like a boulder. I was lucky I managed to drag myself up, to grab an edge of the kayak and wait for help.”
He doesn’t tell me how she got into trouble, how she came to be in the water, unable to save herself. How she drowned. And I don’t ask.
I won’t push him any further.
There’s so much pain in his eyes, I just want to take it away. I lean in, pressing my lips against his. He leans into the kiss, returning it with warmth. The passion behind the kiss grows. He slips a hand behind my head, tangling his fingers in my hair.
As he’s kissing me, I reach down by my side, pressing that button I saw him use on our last flight. A quiet motor hums as the arms of the chairs sink down into the leather bench. Perfect. I’m really getting the hang of being a Beauty, aren’t I?
I put a hand on his chest, guiding him down onto his back. He holds a hand to my face, cupping my cheek, watching my face as I lean down and unbutton his shirt one button at a time. He rises up, bringing his shoulders off the bench. I help him slip the shirt over his arms.
I pause a moment to take him in. He’s so vulnerable like this, the sadness in his gaze, him beneath me for once. I love to see this side of him. I run my hands over the smooth skin of his warm, bare chest.
He closes his eyes, relaxing under my touch.
I grab the hem of my own shirt, pulling it up and over my head, tossing it to the floor. As I reach to unclasp my bra, his eyes open to enjoy the view.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he says. He reaches up, caressing my breasts. My nipples rise under his gentle touch. He runs his hands down the sides of my ribcage. His hands are so big, they wrap around me, making me feel cocooned and safe.
I unlatch his belt, undoing his pants. I kick off my shoes and stand up, my bare feet sinking into the soft carpet. I hold his gaze as I slip off my pants and panties. He gives me such a look of wanting, a deep ache hits my soul.
I want him just the same.
He lifts his hips, ridding himself of the rest of his clothing. We’re both naked, the plush leather cool against our skin. I take his semi-erect cock in my hand, coaxing it to life with easy strokes. He’s quickly ready for me and I’m already wet, welcoming the sensation of the cool air on my bare skin, the feel of the expensive leather…
But it’s the connection between us that makes me so ready for him right now.
I climb on top of him, easing down onto his cock. He gives a deep moan, grabbing my hips. I slide my hands over his chest. Our eyes lock and we share a soft, secret smile as we begin to rock together.
I ride him, hands on his chest to anchor me as pleasure builds inside me. His cock is so big, so hard, sitting on him like this, it feels so good, filling me, giving me the friction I need. I bend down, wanting him, and he leans up, his mouth finding mine.
We share a deep kiss as we move together, chasing our pleasure.
I feel awful for him. To lose your mother in a freak accident like that, then to blame yourself. To live the rest of your life with that guilt in your heart? It’s unbearable. I’m overwhelmed with empathy for him.
I try to show him with my body, I try to heal him with pleasure.
We come together, me lying over him, him reaching up to wrap his arms around me. He says, “Come here, beautiful,” and pulls me close. We lay like that, naked under a soft gray blanket he’s found, and hold one another for a long time.
I feel a little shy and guilty as we put on our clothes, leaving this cubicle to be cleaned. There’s one more free one and we move to it to shower and change. He goes to check on his dad, the doctor, and Angel while I take the first shower.
As I lather my hair in the small space, I think about the ring.
He went to great lengths to not only get it for me, but to find out what I would want. I remember the tiny diamond I used to wear. I loved it, but this ring…
Instantly I loved this one more. How could I not? It’s not only a work of art, but also a piece of history. I can’t believe he tracked it down and bought it for me. And I love that he accepts me just as I am. He doesn’t try to change me or buy me something he likes.
