Trust Me (5 page)

My body is starting to thrum with that electrical current, and my heart is beginning to thunder in my chest.
How can this guy be real?

We eat lunch in companionable conversation, and the food is even better than I could have imagined.

“So, tell me about yourself, Alli.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything, absolutely everything. You’re intriguing.”

“I don’t know about that. Let’s see…I love drama TV, mystery books, photography, and a good love story. Oh, and I grew up on a farm. Um, I listen to eclectic music. I hate sports with a passion. Honestly, I’d rather watch paint dry on a wall. I’m just an average girl, I guess.”
Wow, that sounded super exciting. Subject change.
“What about you?” I ask, trying to get the attention off of me.

“You’re anything but average.”

He penetrates me with his gaze, and I nod, hoping he’ll just drop it.

“Okay, let’s see. If I’m watching TV for pleasure, which is rare, it’s usually a history show. I tend to read biographies or things that will benefit me in the business world. My music preference is also eclectic. Sports is my passion.”

He seems comfortable and laid-back, but every once in a while, he shifts as if he’s regaining control over what seems to be an internal struggle. It seems like we are both dealing with putting ourselves out there in one way or another.

“Would you like anything else to eat?” he asks.

“Oh, I’m good. If I eat anything else, I think you’ll have to roll me out to the car. Thanks for lunch.”

“You’re most welcome. I’m not one to beat around the bush, and I need to put this out there. I want to continue to see you. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings on where I stand on that, Alli.”

Oh, good grief.
At the tone in his voice, that spot between my legs is absolutely throbbing. My body is aching for something, but I just don’t know what it is.
He wants to continue seeing me?
I am staring at him with my mouth hanging open. He grabs my hand, bringing me back down to reality.

“Breathe, Alli, breathe. This is going to be good. We are going to be good.”

He pauses, waiting for me to respond, but I just stare at him like an idiot.
Super suave, Allison.
I nod, trying to take in that action-packed declaration.
Did he just say what I think he said?
We are going to be good?
My heart is saying to go for it, and my mind is trying to process a list of pros and cons with what could happen.

“Why don’t we put on our swimsuits and go for a swim? I had a business dinner engagement, but I’m going to cancel. If it’s okay with you, I want to spend more time together this afternoon.”

For the time being, I’m just going to exist in the moment with this beautiful man.
“Okay,” I say as I grab my bag before I head indoors.

The inside of the beach house is absolutely adorable. It’s done in a classic seashell beach theme, reminding me of scenery I’ve read about in books. The place is decorated in cute cottage wicker furniture with conch shells of all sizes. Shades of blue adorn the pillows, curtains and rugs within the different rooms. I try to mentally catalog every detail to imprint it permanently into my mind.

I change into my red bikini with silver accents. Sam insisted that I buy this, and when she sets her mind on something, there is no arguing with her. I laugh, thinking about when I tried this on with Sam.

When I came out of the dressing room, she did her little diva-snappy thing. “Girl, you gotta drop it like it’s hot.”

Leave it to Sam to keep it real.

As I put on the slightly sheer matching swimsuit cover, I remind myself to give Sam a huge hug for making me buy this.

I walk out the back, and I freeze.
Holy hell.
His body is even better than what I could have possibly conjured up in my wildest dreams. His muscles are perfectly formed. They are just the right amount without being too bulky. His perfectly tanned skin against his black boardshorts is mouthwateringly delicious. And for all that is holy, he has a six-pack.
A six-pack!
Over his left pec, he has a symbol tattoo done in black ink.

I would love to take my tongue and trace that symbol. Stop it, Allison.
I cannot sleep with a man I don’t even know.
Oh, I am going to lose total control of myself if I don’t get a grip.
I’m sure he would love to be mauled by the crazy lady from the beach just because he has a body for sin. That would be so attractive.

He walks right up to me with purpose and puts both hands on each side of my hips. He slowly pulls my body to meet his front, which is all hard male, and our eyes lock.

“You take my breath away. I can feel your need for me. My need is just as bad as yours. I don’t want to rush this, Alli, because I want you to get to know me. I won’t be a one-night stand for you.”

Shit!
That was the single most alluring thing that anyone has ever said to me. Part of me wants to let him have his wicked way with me, right here and now, but I refrain. I swallow hard and continue to get lost staring into his deep dark blue eyes. I feel his erection growing against my belly, and—
holy Hannah
—I don’t think it’s going to stop. I’m scared to death of where this is going, but I’m so excited at the same time. Damien has awoken something in my body I didn’t even know existed.

I have to know if this is his normal behavior with women before I go too far down this road. “Is that what you say to all the girls?”

“No, Alli, you’re different. Come on, let’s go for a walk.”

It’s not a request but a command in order to keep us from going down a path I’m not ready to tread yet. I grab his hand to give my assent.

We are walking along the beach as the water comes in and splashes around our ankles.

Wanting to know more about him, I start with a simple question. “So, can you tell me something crazy about yourself?”

He rubs his chin in thought. “I love fast cars.”

I stop walking as I start laughing. “Really? I mean, really? You consider that crazy?” My voice goes all sarcastic as I finger quote the word
crazy
.

Looking at me innocently, he shrugs as he replies, “What? They’re crazy fast.”

“That’s just so guyish of you.” I roll my eyes dramatically to drive the point home.

“Okay then, what’s something crazy about you?”

I think about it for a minute and decide on the one thing my dad never understood about me since we lived out in the country. “I have a crazy fear of crickets. I loathe the little beasts.” I shudder, thinking about how they just keep jumping with those nasty little antennae things.
Ugh.

He starts chuckling at me.

“Hey, no laughing. This is a judgment-free zone.”

He chuckles harder.

Finally, he gets out, “I thought you grew up on a farm.”

“Hey, I said, no judging.”

I give him a good playful push just as a larger wave is coming in. He loses his balance, and pulls me with him to the ground. We land in the water with me lying on top of him. The waves rush around us, and Damien’s strong arms hold me above the influx of seawater as he pulls himself up.

At that exact moment, I realize I’m straddling his hips. He shifts, and I gasp at the small pleasurable feeling it brings me. We are both starting to breathe heavily as I lean down to taste his lips. Just then, another wave crashes and breaks the intense connection. I scramble and stand up. As I grasp how forward I was being, I blush. Neither one of us says anything about what just happened as we resume our walk.

Early evening approaches, and we return to the house to grab our belongings. After heading inside and changing, I come out the back door and run right into Damien. He immediately puts his hands on my arms to steady me. Images from earlier this afternoon and the feeling of that tiny movement when I was on top of him come to the forefront of my mind. He must be thinking about the same thing as we say nothing for a few minutes while staring into each other’s eyes, completely lost in one another. The energy between us continues to charge to unprecedented levels.

After swallowing hard, I murmur, “Today has been perfect. Thank you.” I lick my lips as my eyes dart to his mouth.

“Fuck,” he mutters, moving his hands to my waist.

Leaning in, he swiftly comes down on my lips with a crushing force. His lips are as divine as I imagined. Lifting me with ease, he backs me up against the door. His tongue is asking for permission to enter my mouth, and I grant it to him without hesitation. Our tongues begin that sensual dance with each other, exploring all we can in this new, uncharted territory.

The desire I felt on the beach comes back full force. I am drenched with want between my legs, and I can feel his erection growing against me as he continues his assault on my mouth. I have never been kissed like this in my life. His hands grab my hips possessively and pull me even closer to him. In response, my hands wrap around his neck as if I am holding on for dear life. He tastes wonderful. His kiss is like a drug, and I’m not sure I will ever be able to kick this habit.

He pulls back slightly and rests his head against my forehead as we rapidly breathe, trying to calm ourselves down.

“Alli, what are you doing to me?”

I don’t know what to say. Without another word, he sets me down, grabs my hand, and leads me to the car.

The car ride back to The Beach Hut’s parking lot is silent as we both seem to be deep in thought. I try to process everything that just happened. My world just flipped and tilted on its axis. I feel so vulnerable with Damien, like my heart is there for the taking, and it scares me.

After we pull into the parking lot, he turns off the car and looks at me seriously. “I need to ask you something, Alli.”

“Okay.” I’m a little nervous by the intensity I see on his face.

“Do you feel comfortable with me?”

His gaze makes me feel like he can see into my soul. To give myself some distance from him, I look at the hem of my dress and play with it between my fingers.

“Um, yes. I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”

From the corner of my eye, I see him rake his hand down his face as he thinks about his next question.

“Do you feel comfortable enough with me to give me your full name? And tell me where I can find you? After what just happened today, I can’t take the chance of never seeing you again.”

Oh, wow. Just wow.
I have so many emotions running through my mind, and I take too long to respond.

Damien continues, “There is something strong between us, and you know it. We can’t deny that, especially with how we both responded to each other at the cottage. I’m afraid you are going to disappear on me because of how intense this is.”

He’s right. Whatever we have is intense. From his last comment, I’m guessing he must sense how scared I am about relationships.

Without even thinking, my mouth spits out, “Scott.”

I want this to be real, but I have to face that my luck this last year or so has not been stellar. I feel raw from putting myself out there.

“Scott?” He sounds confused.

I look his way. “My last name.”

In the dim light, I can see him smile. When his hand reaches out to grab mine, I’m reminded of the intensity between us.

“When can I see you tomorrow? I will clear my schedule for whenever you are available.”

Laying my other hand on top of his, I respond, “Damien, I’m not going to lie. I am a little overwhelmed right now. We have known each other for about a day, and I need to process all of this. You’re obviously busy, and I don’t want you to clear your schedule for me.”

“Spending time with you today took precedence over all that shit. The world will survive.”

I blush a little at his words.

“How about breakfast? I’ll give you my cell phone number, and you can call me when you’re ready.”

The earnestness in his voice stirs something within me. I need to think, but I find myself wanting to see him as soon as possible, too. “That’ll work.”

“Great. Do you want to tell me where I can drop you off tonight? Then, I’ll be able to pick you up properly tomorrow morning.”

He gives me a smile, and I cannot help but answer his smile in return.

“Miami Beach Resort.”

He turns the car back on and starts heading toward my hotel. He appears to be processing the night’s events while I’m trying to get my head wrapped around what has just happened.
Oh hell, this is absolutely nuts.

The roads around my hotel are blocked due to some construction for maintenance. Damien pulls into a lot across the street, right next to the crosswalk, and then he shuts off the car.

“Thank you,” he says.

I look at him quizzically, not understanding what he could be thanking me for.

He continues, “Thank you for trusting me enough to give me your name.”

As I lean across the car to kiss him on the cheek, I can see a muscle twitching in his neck. Right as I am about to make contact, he turns his head and connects with my lips. His lips are soft, and the kiss is sweet. He smells all male with a mix of some erotic spice. He pulls back and puts a hand on my cheek.