Free Calendar Girl: October: Book 10 by Audrey Carlan Page B

not the warmth of my body and presence next to him.
    With a heavy heart, I picked up my white string bikini. It was made more for desire than for efficiency, but it was on top of the stack Judi had washed so I threw it on. Thinking twice, I grabbed the white undershirt Wes had worn yesterday and covered the suit, giving me a more decent look. If I was going to talk to Wes and find out where his head was, I didn’t want to muck that up by enticing him physically.
    Trudging through the sand on bare feet, I walked the few hundred feet to the tide line. Wes was standing just inside the water’s edge, allowing the waves to tag his ankles and rush back in again. His feet were sturdy in the sand, holding him upright. He wore a pair of loose linen pants that he’d rolled up to the knee and nothing else. For long minutes I just stared at him, more enamored with his beauty than that of the ocean beyond. The long layers of his dirty blond hair ruffled in the breeze, his bare chest a golden hue against the sun’s first rays. I could tell by the rigidity in his shoulders and stance that he was not at ease.
    I approached slowly, making enough noise that he’d hear my footfalls in the sand. He turned his head as I got close. The lost look he’d had left in an instant, obliterated by light and love. Wes took in my body from my feet to my wild mane of hair blowing in the breeze and gave me the one thing I’d wanted since he’d come home: a giant all teeth and gums smile. It stole my breath, and before I knew it, I was running, sand kicking up behind me as I made my way to him. At the last second, I jumped, and he caught me midair and swung me around. I held tight wanting to memorize this, lock it into my heart and soul so that I could visit it any time I was sad, worried, or frustrated. My Wes, the man I fell in love with…a piece of him was back.
    I slanted my lips over his and kissed him. I didn’t wait for him to kiss me back. I just took. Pressed my tongue against his lips and delved in, deep passion-filled licks against his tongue. So much that he lost his footing and fell to his butt in the sand. I landed right on top, straddling his hips. Not deterred in the least, I nibbled on his bottom lip until I heard the telltale growl I always received when I kissed him. He nipped on my top lip, and I gasped, sucking in air. We spent what seemed like forever there. Sitting in the sand, kissing like a couple of teens.
    Wes tasted of mint and the sea air. His skin was cool to the touch against his cheeks, but the slab of his chest pressed against mine was warmed by the sun’s golden rays. I hugged him close, sucked his tongue, and groaned into his mouth.
    He pulled away and we took deep breaths. “Man, you’re a feisty one this morning. I shouldn’t have left you in bed.”
    I nudged his nose with my own and pecked his lips through rough breaths, still not wanting to be far away from his lips. “Why did you then?” His answer probably meant more to me than to him.
    He tickled my thighs, and I giggled into his mouth. “You were sleeping so soundly. I didn’t want to wake you.”
    I inhaled slowly, attempting to slow my rapidly beating heart. “Was that the only reason?”
    He cupped both of my cheeks. “Last night was pretty intense. Maybe I needed a moment to think about it.”
    I adored him more than ever for admitting it.
    Nodding, I leaned back, looping my arms around his shoulders. “Did you come to any conclusions?” I worried my lip with my teeth. He lifted a hand and used his thumb to gently pull the bit of flesh down and away then leaned forward and sucked it into his mouth, soothing it with soft lashes of his tongue.
    Running his hands through my hair, he took in my entire face. “I think you’re good for me.”
    I chuckled. “Well, I’d hope so!” I playfully nudged his chest.
    He shook his head. “No, sweetheart. Last night was eye opening. You took me out of hell like usual, but this time, I was in control in