How to Honeymoon Alone

“Really?”

“I knew that would excite you.”

“You’re like the ultimate true crime fan. That’s what a lawyer is, you know.”

He shakes his head, but he’s laughing. “You’re unbelievable.”

I sit up straighter. “But it’s true! You guys were the first-ever fans. Some of the cases I’ve followed, you must be an expert in.”

“I’m an expert in all things,” he says.

“Right, of course, but like an actual expert.” My eyes widen. “Hey, on second thought, don’t read any of my books. Ever.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m sure I’ve made every mistake in the book when it comes to legalese.”

“Don’t you want that pointed out?”

“Not after the book is finished!”

He stands, stretching. His body should be familiar to me now, after yesterday, but the long planes of his frame, and the muscles of his stomach and chest still beckon me to explore.

“You’ll have to use me before it’s finished, then,” he says.

“You’d take time out of your precious schedule for that?”

Phillip crosses the distance to me. He leans a hand on each armrest. “I think I’d find the time,” he says. “Especially if it would mean reading about a version of myself.”

“Your fictional vacation self,” I say.

“Exactly.”

I uncurl my legs and lie flat on the lounge chair. “What is your hourly rate, anyway?”

He leans down. “Why do you want to know?”

I shrug, trying to look nonchalant. “Maybe I’m just curious to know what last night would’ve cost me.”

His eyes widen, and then he chuckles. The sound is dark. “Baby, I would never have charged you.”

“Mmm.” I spread my legs a little and arch my back. “You weren’t exactly giving legal advice, either.”

“Not a lick of it,” he murmurs and kisses me.

It starts slow and deep. Skin warm from the sun where I drag my hands over his arms. His knee comes to rest between my thighs, and I tug at him to get closer. He lowers, bracing over me on the lounger.

It creaks us.

“Worth the risk,” I say.

His mouth is at my collarbone. “What risk?”

“Doesn’t matter,” I murmur and pull my knees up to grip his hips. Good thing we’re not on the public beach.

His kisses are lazy. He’s taking the scenic route over my skin, and I drag my hands over the broad muscles of his back, not in a hurry, either.

This man was made to be savored.

“I want to keep you here for the rest of our stay,” he mutters, his hand coming up to cup my breast over my bikini top. “You know, if you don’t want any tan lines…”

“Oh, that’s so helpful of you.”

His smile is crooked. “It’s pure selflessness.”

I lock my hands behind his neck and pull him down to kiss him. I don’t think I’ll get enough of that before this trip comes to an end. I’d forgotten how good it feels to just kiss a man and be kissed in return. I could do this for hours.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Against my thigh, I feel him-already hard-and the anticipation makes my stomach tighten.

He tugs the bikini top to the side.

“Whoops,” I whisper.

He gives a wolfish smile and bends to take my nipple in his mouth. I sigh, digging my fingers into his hair.

Best decision ever, I think. Going on this vacation.

The sound of his ringing phone cuts through the moment. I chuckle against him. I’m not really capable of movement right now, my arms and legs are locked around him.

The ringing persists.

“Phillip,” I murmur.

He shakes his head once, fingers still teasing my nipple. “Let it ring,” he murmurs. “I’m with an attractive twentysomething-year-old.”

I laugh again. “That’s not what I meant the other day.”

My mind had pictured women in beautiful dresses and heels, sipping drinks with him in hotel bars in Chicago. Young professionals with similar life trajectories.

The phone stops ringing.

“Yeah, of course you didn’t,” he says. It sounds like sarcasm. The realization that he meant what he said seeps through me like warm honey. Compliment-starved. Maybe that’s what I am.

His mouth closes around my right nipple, and I sigh at the sensation. The tug of his teeth and the lap of his tongue, and the hard, solid weight of his body on top of mine.

“My vacation self,” I murmur, “is very pleased with herself right now.”

He chuckles darkly and trails kisses over the curve of my other breast, yanking the bikini top clean off. Warmth pools in my stomach and spreads out through my limbs.