“What?” He grins, sliding me down his chest, and my legs wrap around his hips as my arms lock around his shoulders. “I don’t need everyone seeing my hard-on, so you’re going to help me hide it.”

  “I’m not sure me being wrapped around you is going to help with that,” I tell him truthfully as my core pulses at the feel of his erection against my clit. I’ve been on edge since the moment he showed up at my parents’, and every second with him is making my need for him grow.

  “Then I guess we’ll be out here a while.” He kisses me, and my head tips to the side to deepen it. I press closer against him, as close as I can get, as his tongue tangles with mine. He tastes like the ocean, sun, and Sage, and I realize instantly it’s a taste I don’t just like. It’s something I love and want much, much more of. Feeling him pull back, I blink my eyes open. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I whisper, moving my fingers up the column of his throat to the underside of his jaw, watching his face go softer than I’ve ever seen it. “What?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer. He takes my hand in his, and then my whole world stops and tears fill my eyes as he slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen onto my finger.

  “Baby,” he whispers, pulling me closer, and a sob I can’t control climbs up my throat. Dropping my head to his shoulder, I hold on to him with every part of me.

  “H… how?” I finally get out, and his hand moves to wrap around the back of my neck, holding me tight.

  “Your dad gave it to me.”

  Leaning back, I take hold of his face then look at my hand resting against his jaw and the ring sitting on my finger. A ring that was, at one time, my MeMe’s ring. She used to tell me stories about the ring when I was little, but my favorite one was always how she and my papa got together and ended up married.

  They only went out two times before they got engaged, and not long after that, he left to go fight in World War II. She promised him before he left that she would wait for him to return and would never take the ring off. Even after friends and family told her that he would probably never come home, she kept her promises. She told me she knew that as long as she was wearing his ring that he would find his way back to her. Thankfully, she had been right. A year and a half after he left, he showed up on her doorstep and they got married right away. They stayed married and happy until they passed away within a few weeks of each other. They loved each other from the moment they met, and I knew even as a little girl how very special and rare that was.

  “Tell me you’re happy, baby.”

  My eyes meet his and I shake my head, trying to fight back the tears burning up the back of my throat. “I’m happy.” I rest my forehead to his and run my fingers along his cheek. “Thank you for giving this to me. Thank you for giving me everything.”

  “If I could give you the world, I would.”

  “I don’t need the world. All I need is you.” I kiss him, but he takes over, making it deeper and wetter, only to pull back smiling a moment later when someone yells “Get a room!” in our direction, making me laugh.

  “Maybe we should get out of the water,” he suggests, carrying me back to the sand, where we sprawl out on the blanket I brought. Pulling my sunglasses out of my hair, I put them on then grab my bottle of water. I take a drink as Sage grabs his bag and pulls out his phone that’s ringing.

  “It’s my mom,” he mutters, kissing my shoulder, and I watch him put the cell to his ear then feel my eyes widen when the first words out of his mouth are, “It’s all good, Mom. Swear. She even agreed to marry me.”

  “Oh my God! You did not just tell her like that,” I hiss as I hear Sophie shout out in glee.

  “Baby, she’s gonna find out,” he mutters, and I shake my head then grab my phone and dial my own mom. The last thing I need is her finding out from someone else—that someone else being Chris—that Sage and I are getting married.

  “Hey, honey. Is everything okay?” she asks as soon as she answers, and I bite my bottom lip, not sure how to go about telling her the news. I know she adores Sage, but I also know Sage and I haven’t been together long. “Honey?”

  “Sage asked me to marry him,” I blurt, and then turn to glare at Sage when he chuckles.

  “Oh, baby girl….” She goes quiet, and I hear her move as she tells my dad my news. “We are so happy for you.”

  “Are you?”

  “Yes. Why are you not happy?” she asks, and I hear the concern in her voice and close my eyes.

  “I’m so happy it’s scary,” I tell her honestly, feeling Sage’s lips rest against my temple and his arm wrap around me.

  “That’s the best kind of happy, honey. Hold on to that.”

  “I will,” I promise, leaning into Sage as I stare out at the ocean and the setting sun.

  “We’ll come visit soon and get to planning. I can’t imagine Sage is going to give us much time to plan a wedding,” she mutters, and I smile as tears fill my eyes.

  “I love you, Mom. Thank you for everything, and I mean everything,” I whisper then clear my throat. “Tell Dad I love him.”

  “I will,” she agrees. “Love you. We’ll talk soon.”

  “’Kay.”

  I hang up and drop my cell, listening to Sage as he finishes up his call with his mom, smiling as he mutters, “You’re gonna have to sort all that out with Kim and her mom. I’m not getting into it.” Turning my smile toward him, he shakes his head then kisses my nose. “Yeah, love you guys, too. Talk to you when we’re back.” He pulls the phone from his ear and drops it to the blanket at his hip. “Mom and Dad want us at dinner when we get back.”

  “Sure,” I agree quietly, and his eyes roam over me and heat in a way that makes my skin tingle.

  “Are you ready to go back to the hotel?”

  “Have you seen enough of the beach?”

  “Yeah,” he rumbles, and I breathe a sigh of relief then whimper when the backs of his fingers brush lightly across my nipple through my bikini top. “But I haven’t seen enough of this, and I’m looking forward to exploring every inch.”

  “Sage….”

  “Let’s get packed up, baby.” His mouth touches mine, then his tongue touches my bottom lip before he stands, pulling me with him.

  Shaking with want, I hurry along with him and get us packed up. We rush to the car and back to the hotel, where he spends the rest of the night exploring me, and I return the favor.

  Chapter 15

  Sage

  “HURRY,” KIM MOANS against my ear as I drop our bags to the floor. Kicking the front door closed behind us, I carry her into the house and down the hall past the kitchen and into the bedroom.

  Our flight home was torture; even after spending last night and most of this morning inside of her, it still wasn’t enough. Pressing her back to the wall just inside the bedroom, I take her mouth, kissing her deeper while I slide my hand into the front of her jeans, finding her already wet and ready for me. I groan as I circle her clit then grit my teeth as her hips jerk, causing her pussy to bump the tip of my cock.

  “Sage,” she breathes, and I lean back, keeping my fingers on her clit.

  “This is all your fault. You’re the one who insisted we couldn’t fuck in the bathroom on the plane,” I tell her, capturing her waist with one hand before moving it up her side to rest under her breast.

  “Yeah, because it would have been impossible and gross,” she pants, tugging at my tee. She slides it and her hands up my abs and pecs to my shoulders before stripping it off over my head.

  “We could have made it work,” I say, and her hips jerk again, making my cock twitch.

  “I need you inside of me.”

  “No, I want to enjoy this for a minute.” Her head falls back with a thud against the wall as her eyes slide closed. I pull down the front of her shirt and run my thumb over her nipple while watching as she rides my fingers.

  Gorgeous.

  “Please… I need you,” she whispers, and I pull her from the wall and lead her across the room toward the bed then settle her on her feet in front of me. As soon as her feet touch the floor, she drops to her knees, running her hands up my thighs and over my cock through my jeans. Meeting my gaze her hands slide up, and then her fingers move along the waist of my jeans, releasing the button before sliding the material down over my hips.

  Realizing our height difference in this position, I move and take a seat on the side of the bed, making room for her between my legs.

  “Perfect,” she whispers, wrapping her hand around me. Her eyes stay locked with mine and her mouth opens over the head of my cock, sucking just the tip as she flicks her tongue along the underside.

  “Christ.” My hands wrap into her hair and I pull it away from her face so I can watch her take me down her throat. Feeling her moan around me, my head falls back as she uses her hand in sync with her mouth, twisting and pulling while sliding her mouth up and down my length. Tightening my hold on her hair, I look down at her, finding her lust-filled eyes on mine. “Stop,” I growl, but she doesn’t. She takes me deeper, so deep I bump the back of her throat. “Fuck.” I pull her head back, forcing her to release me with a pop.

  “I wasn’t done.”

  “You were.” I tilt her head to the side and take her mouth in a hard kiss before nipping her bottom lip. “Lose your shirt and bra,” I growl, and she leans back just far enough to tug her tee off over her head, and then her hands move behind her back to unhook her bra, letting it fall from her shoulders. Taking her in, I pull her up to her feet to stand in front of me.

  I move my mouth down her neck to her bare shoulder, licking and nibbling my way down and across her chest before pulling first one nipple then the other into my mouth. I wrap my hands around her hips and slowly slide her jeans down her legs, letting the material pool at her feet. Lifting her in my arms, I twist and drop her to the bed behind me then stand, taking a step back to watch her writhe under my stare.

  Kicking off my shoes and jeans, I wrap my hand around my cock and stroke while she watches, her tongue coming out to touch her plump bottom lip as my cock leaks. “Open your legs for me,” I command.

  She hesitates only a second before her legs spread, and I see the lips of her pussy glistening with arousal. Putting my knees on the bed, I crawl up between her thighs and she arches against me and wraps her hand around my cock, stroking once before I pull her hand away. “Honey, please,” she moans as I pull her arms up over her head, wrapping them around the headboard.

  “Hold on and don’t let go,” I demand, and her eyes heat as her fingers tighten so much her knuckles turn white.

  Dropping my mouth to hers, I kiss her in approval then lick my way down her body, between her breast and over her stomach. Her hips lift when I kiss her pubic bone, and then she whimpers as I slide two fingers through her folds.

  Drenched.

  Holding her thighs open, I run my tongue up her center and groan, lifting her higher into my mouth and circling her clit.

  “Sage,” she pants as her back arches off the bed. Focusing on the tight bundle of nerves, I lift my eyes and watch her head thrash side-to-side and her chest rise and fall rapidly.

  Beautiful.

  Filling her with two fingers, I pull her clit into my mouth and flick my tongue over it, hearing her cry out. As her pussy starts to contract and suck my fingers deeper, I work her over until she comes shouting my name, and then gentle my strokes as she comes down from her orgasm. Kissing my way up her body, I adjust her hips then bury myself deep in one stroke.

  “Don’t move.” I slide my cock slowly out then back into her wet heat, feeling her walls contract on every downward thrust, sending me deeper.

  “Sage, please.” Her nails scrape down my back, and I bite back a curse as my balls draw tight.

  Placing my forehead against hers I take a few deep breaths, trying to control the sudden urge to come as her pussy tightens once more. Leaning back once I’ve gained control over myself, I slide my hands down the back of her thighs to her knees then grab her ankles and pull them around my hips.

  “Hold me tight. Lock your ankles,” I demand, and her feet hook behind my back as her arms tighten around my sides. Dropping forward, I put my fist to the bed on either side of her head and glide in and out of her, loving the way her pussy tightens on each outstroke.

  “Yes,” she breathes, circling her hips to meet each thrust. I know I’m going to come if I don’t change positions, and I’m not ready for this to be over. Not yet.

  I roll us until my back hits the bed, and her hand lands on my chest as her wild eyes meet mine. “Fuck me,” I demand, rocking her against me, and her head falls back, causing her hair to run across the top of my thighs. Fuck, this position isn’t any better for my situation. Seeing her sitting on my lap, full of my cock, her breasts swaying in front of my face, makes my balls draw up even more. Leaning up, I hear her gasp as I slide impossibly deeper, bumping her cervix.

  Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I pull her mouth down to mine as I use my free hand around her hip to rock her into me. “Just like that,” I urge, and her hips dip and roll as her hands travel up my chest to my shoulders, which she uses as leverage to bring herself down hard while my hips slam up to meet her.

  “Sage!”

  “Me, too,” I hiss against her mouth as her pussy starts to pulse around my cock, pulling my orgasm from me. As I fuck up into her, her mouth drops to my neck and she moans against my skin. I groan against hers as I hold her down against me, coming hard. Resting my forehead to her chest, I listen to her breathing even out, and mine does the same.

  “Maybe after I’ve had you a few million times, I won’t want to come the second I’m inside you,” I say, hearing her laugh and feeling that sound slide through her and into my skin. Placing a kiss to her collarbone, I look at her beautiful face, wild hair, and eyes shining with happiness, and I shake my head while my cock twitches. “Then again, maybe not,” I admit, and she touches her smiling mouth to mine. Locking my arms around her, I roll us to our sides, keeping us connected as I settle her against me.

  “Are you hungry?” she asks after a few minutes, and I smile, sifting my fingers through the hair at the side of her head.

  “Are you asking because you’re hungry?”

  “I’m not really hungry, but all I had to eat today was an orange at the airport. I need to eat something so I can take my pills,” she says, and I instantly pull out of her then roll off the bed, dragging her with me as I go.

  “Sage…?”

  “Come on. Let’s get you some food. Are your pills in your purse or your luggage?” I question, starting to leave the room, and she latches onto my arm, holding me in place.

  “I’m okay.”

  “You’re not okay,” I growl, picking up my shirt from the floor, attempting to put it over her head, only to have her bat my hands away. She takes a step back and plants her hands on her hips.

  “I’ve been dealing with this for a long time and know what I need to do to take care of myself. So please, don’t start going all weird on me. I don’t need that or want it.”

  “Baby—”

  “No, don’t ‘baby’ me, Sage Mayson. I need you to hear me when I tell you this. I’m okay, and the minute I stop being okay, I’ll tell you.”

  “Will you?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest, and her body jolts back and her eyes fill with anger and frustration. Fuck.

  “You….” She pulls her eyes from me then jerks her hand through her hair while looking around. Spotting whatever it is she’s looking for, she moves across the room and picks up her shirt. She starts to put it on, but I grab her around her waist from behind before she can.

  “Let me go.”

  “Never.” My hold on her tightens as I lead her across the room to the bed and fall into it with her in my arms.

  “Sage!”

  “I shouldn’t have asked that.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” She wiggles, trying to break my hold.

  “I’m sorry, baby, but I have no fucking idea how bad this is or what you need from me.”

  “I need you to let me go,” she growls, trying to pull free.

  “Anything but that. Now talk to me,” I prompt, turning her in my arms to face me. As soon as we’re front-to-front, I tighten my arms around her and toss my leg over both of hers.

  “You are so annoying!” she screams, trying to shove free, but I don’t let go or loosen up.

  “Talk to me,” I demand, giving her a shake, and her eyes fly up to meet mine then narrow, showing just how pissed off she is.

  “If I were bigger, I swear to God I would kick you in your balls.”

  “Then you’d be kissing them better, baby, so it’s a good thing you’re not bigger,” I mutter, and she glares.

  “Put your balls near my mouth and I’m biting them off.” She snaps her teeth together.

  I try not to laugh, but I still feel a smile twitch my lips. I’ve never seen her like this, and it’s both adorable and hot as fuck. Not the part about biting off my balls, but the rest. “Talk to me.”

  “Fine,” she pants, narrowing her eyes on me when she realizes she’s stuck. “My kidney disease is at a stage three right now. I still have about fifty-eight percent function in my kidneys, which isn’t great, but since I got a new doctor and started my new diet, my function has improved. The last time I went in for lab work, my numbers were even better, putting me at a functioning rate of sixty-one percent.”

  Her body slowly starts to relax against mine as she continues. “For a while, I wasn’t doing so well because of stress and my diet, but I’m better. I will never be one hundred percent. There is no cure for what I have, but right now, I’m all right. And I will keep fighting and working at being all right. If my numbers start to go down again, I will get on a transplant list and go from there.”