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  “Perfect.”

  I poured each of us a glass and handed one to Sophie.

  “To Africa?” I asked.

  “To Africa.” She grinned and clinked her glass against mine.

  We sipped our wine and talked about nothing. Every time we talked, it became easier and easier. When we first met, I could barely formulate sentences around her. My anger with Sophie’s father eclipsed everything else. Now, I could talk to Sophie for hours without once getting tongue tied.

  “So,” Sophie said after an hour of mindless chit chat. “I guess we should probably talk about last night.”

  It was late. Night had faded into early morning and our bottle of wine was dangerously close to empty. I could feel the alcohol coursing through my veins. When I looked in Sophie’s eyes, I saw that they were slightly blurred. She wasn’t entirely sober, either.

  “We can talk about anything you want,” I said carefully.

  “I just…” Sophie began. She trailed off, staring up at the sky without another word. Her cheeks were flushed pink. She was nervous.

  “Are you okay?” I asked. “Because, if we moved too quickly, I understand.”

  “No.” Sophie shook her head. “I don’t feel that way at all.”

  “Then, what are you thinking?” I asked.

  “I guess, I’m just embarrassed.” Sophie sighed. “I was a virgin, and I’m just worried that maybe I didn’t live up to your expectations.”

  I had to fight the urge to laugh. Sophie’s worries were insane. Our night together had been incredible. I still couldn’t stop thinking about it. All I wanted was to go back downstairs and relive it over and over again. She more than lived up to my expectations, not that I’d had any. In the moment, I wasn’t expecting anything. I just let fate take its course.

  “You were amazing,” I said. Sophie’s eyes met mine. She looked more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her. “It was incredible. At least, it was for me.”

  “It was for me, too,” Sophie said quickly. “I just, I know you’re more experienced than me, and I would hate to think that I was a disappointment to you.”

  “That would be impossible.”

  Sophie smiled shyly. Her body relaxed slightly, but she still looked uncomfortable. I wanted to put her mind at ease, to somehow prove to her that her worries were unfounded. I knew there wasn’t anything I could say. The only way she would believe me was with time. The longer I stuck around, the more she would trust me. Instead of reassurance, I settled on asking a question that had been pulling at my brain all day.

  “I am curious about something,” I said.

  “What’s that?” Sophie asked.

  “You’re twenty-six, right?” I asked. Sophie nodded. “Why did you wait until now? I mean, someone who looks like you must have had the opportunity long before you met me.”

  Sophie sighed and shook her head. She seemed more relaxed now, but I wasn’t sure she would actually answer my question.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “That was way too personal. It’s the wine. Forgive me.”

  “You can ask me anything,” Sophie said. “I was just thinking how best to answer.”

  “Okay.”

  “I told you before, I’ve never really had a serious relationship,” she said. “I dated guys in the past. But I was either too young, or the guys were too casual, you know?”

  “What about Sam?” I asked, not sure I wanted to hear the answer. “How long were you two together?”

  “A while,” Sophie said. “But it was high school. I didn’t want to have sex then. I was too young. Way too young. Honestly, the possibility never even occurred to me.”

  “Do you ever regret waiting?” I asked.

  “No.” Sophie shook her head. “I always wanted it to be special. I wanted it to mean something.”

  “Did it?” I asked. “Mean something?”

  My eyes were locked on Sophie’s. She stared back at me. Her face was full of unnamed emotions. A million thoughts flew through my mind, but the most prominent was how desperately I wanted to kiss her.

  “You tell me,” Sophie said.

  I took a step forward. It might have been the wine or just my insane desire for her. Whatever it was, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her. My lips claimed hers with desperation, and I couldn’t tear myself away.

  We lost ourselves in the feel of each other. Sophie’s back was pressed against the metal railing, and my hands flew all over her body. The curve of her hips drew me in further, making me groan and slide my tongue deep inside her mouth. She moaned against my lips and ran her fingers through my hair. I stepped forward, pressing my body harder against hers. She held onto me, and my head spun. I couldn’t catch my breath. I didn’t want to. All I wanted was her.

  “Is that a yes?” Sophie asked breathlessly. She wrenched herself away from me to look up into my eyes.

  “A yes?” I asked blankly. My head was still spinning from that kiss. I couldn’t make sense of her question.

  “About last night,” Sophie said. “Did it mean something? Or, was it just a one-night thing?”

  I grinned and kissed her softly. She sighed and sank into me. Her palms rested on my chest while our kiss grew harder, more intense. Within seconds, I was out of breath all over again.

  “What do you think?” I asked, barely moving away from her.

  “I think we should go downstairs,” Sophie said.

  I nodded vigorously. Sophie laughed and took my hand. She stepped away from the railing and tugged me forward. We made our way downstairs, back toward our rooms. I’d been waiting all day for the chance to be alone with Sophie again, to kiss her endlessly, and see her naked body one more time.

  “My room or yours?” I asked playfully.

  “Mine. Yours. The hallway. The ice machine.” Sophie shrugged. “I don’t care.”

  I laughed and grabbed her around the waist. She was giggling as I unlocked my door and pulled her roughly inside. We were barely over the threshold when my lips found hers. I kissed her long and hard. I wanted the moment to last forever. We had all night. I wasn’t in a hurry.

  “You taste amazing,” I groaned against her lips. “God, I want you.”

  “Prove it.” Sophie’s voice was low and seductive. My dick twitched in my pants. I growled and kissed her again, leading us both toward the bed.

  Chapter 20

  Sophie

  Andrew tore my clothes from my body. His hands were like lightning as they flew over me. Not a single inch of my skin was left untouched. I felt hot flames lick me wherever his fingertips settled. Within seconds, I was sopping wet and desperate for him.

  I had spent all day trying not to think about sex, but being with Andrew was enough to drive me crazy. Just watching him interact with the villagers and take control at the dig site was a huge turn on. I found myself daydreaming about him fucking me into oblivion. No matter how hard I tried to keep my cool, I couldn’t stop myself from becoming flushed with desire.

  Now that we were finally alone, finally able to give each other the one thing we wanted more than any other, Andrew couldn’t seem to control himself. I was naked in seconds, and his lips were all over me as he pushed me backward onto the bed. I giggled as he nibbled my skin and trailed his tongue down my neck.

  “You’re perfect,” he groaned and attacked my tits, biting and sucking on my nipples until I saw stars.

  “Oh god,” I moaned and writhed beneath him. He held me tightly, pinning me to the bed. My head spun, and my legs dripped with desire.

  Andrew slid one hand between my legs. His fingers found my clit, and I cried out. Every new thing he did felt more amazing than the last. He rubbed my clit, dipping his fingers in my wetness and growling to himself.

  “You’re so fucking wet,” he growled and rubbed me faster.

  “Oh god!” I cried out and rocked my hips upward.

  Andrew slipped one finger inside of me. I watched as his eyes rolled back in his head. He wanted me so badly,
and the sight was enough to push me over the edge and make me come. I shot my hips up, pressing myself hard into his hand. I came so hard that my entire body shook. The orgasm took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so fast, but the effect Andrew had on me was instant and intense.

  “Andrew,” I moaned and rocked my hips into his hand again, slower this time. I wanted to drag out the sensations that were shooting through my body.

  He rubbed me softly before pulling away. I whined in protest until I saw that he was finally getting naked. He’d been so focused on me and my body that he hadn’t yet bothered to undress.

  I was breathing hard as I watched him remove his shirt. His perfect ab muscles begged me to touch them. I sat up and crawled to the end of the bed. Andrew’s eyes were locked on my tits as I moved. He licked his lips, and I grinned.

  “Come here,” I begged.

  Andrew stepped forward, and I grabbed the waistband of his jeans. Yanking him forward, I ripped open the button and slid the pants down to his ankles. He stepped out of them as I ran my hands over his chest.

  My hands found his boxers, and I tugged gently, looking up into his face while I pushed his underwear to the floor. His dick was rock-hard. I stroked his length slowly at first, watching as his face grew red. His eyes never left mine.

  Even though we’d done this before, I expected to feel nervous. I thought fear would grip my chest, but in that moment, I’d never felt more confident. I lowered my head and slowly licked his tip.

  “Fuck,” he groaned and tangled his fingers in my hair.

  My lips wrapped themselves around him, and just like that, I took him all the way down my throat. Andrew grunted and growled while I moved my tongue over his cock. He rocked himself forward, using my hair for leverage while I gave myself over to him.

  I sucked him hard and fast, looking up to enjoy the pleasure in his eyes. I could feel him start to twitch inside my mouth, and I pulled away quickly. All I could think was not yet. I wasn’t done with him. I wanted more. I wanted him inside of me.

  The second my mouth left him, he was on top of me. He practically tackled me onto the bed, kissing me deeply while he positioned himself between my legs. I spread them apart for him, wrapping them around his waist and pulling him into me.

  “Andrew,” I breathed as he thrusted his hips forward and buried himself deep inside me. His face was red, his entire body trembling with a desperate need.

  We moved together effortlessly. Andrew fucked me so well that I was soon bordering on the brink of yet another orgasm. My legs shook, and my toes curled as I felt myself spill over the edge.

  “Oh god!” I cried out. “Andrew! Fuck! Andrew!”

  “Say my name again,” he ordered, slamming into me harder than ever.

  “Andrew!” I screamed. “Andrew!”

  He growled and lifted me easily off the bed. He was still buried inside me as he flipped me on top of him. I didn’t stop to think. My hips moved forward on their own. I rode him so hard and so fast that I thought my body might come completely undone.

  Andrew’s eyes ravished me as I bounced up and down on top of him. He dug his finger into my ass and pulled me forward, watching my tits with hungry eyes.

  “You like what you see?” I asked, panting.

  “Hell yes,” Andrew growled and lifted his hips up to meet me.

  I let my head fall back and my eyes fall shut. My body was hot and covered in sweat. I was shaking. My heart pounded so hard inside my chest that I could feel it in my toes, but I didn’t care. I was so overwhelmed by Andrew that everything else flew from my mind. He was the only thing that existed. Just him. Just Andrew.

  “Sophie,” he groaned. At the sound of my name, my eyes flew open and settled on his face. His eyes rolled back in his head. “Fuck, Sophie.”

  Hearing him say my name was more than I could take. I fell forward and caught myself, my hands pressed into the bed on either side of Andrew’s head. My tits bounced against his face as I continued to ride him harder than ever.

  I sought out another orgasm, letting my body lead the way toward undeniable pleasure. Andrew sucked on my nipples and slapped my ass, making me cry out and moan louder and louder.

  “I’m so close,” I said desperately. “Oh god. Yes.”

  Andrew’s grunts were feral as he neared his own release. “That’s it baby. You’re so fucking tight. I love it.” His cock trembled inside of me, and with a few more thrusts, he came so hard that I thought our bodies might fuse together forever.

  My own orgasm followed close behind. I trembled and screamed out Andrew’s name over and over until the waves of pleasure faded. Even after, I couldn’t bring myself to move. I laid down on top of Andrew. He was still inside of me. His arms wrapped protectively around my naked, sweaty body.

  Neither of us wanted to pull apart. The moment was too damn good, too perfect for it to end. I could have laid there, resting my head on Andrew’s chest and feeling his rapid heartbeat against my ear, for hours.

  I relaxed, and he stirred beneath me. He sighed deeply and stroked my skin, kissing my shoulder gently and holding me tighter against his chest.

  “I should probably move.” I laughed softly.

  “Don’t you dare.” Andrew’s arms tightened even more. I giggled and pressed myself closer to him. I felt so safe in his arms. How we’d gotten to that point was a mystery, but I never wanted to let go.

  It was a few more minutes before I forced myself to slide to the side. I hit the bed with a groan. Andrew laughed as he turned to look at my face. I knew my hair was a mess and that my cheeks were flushed, but I didn’t care. I was exhausted and more satisfied than ever.

  “You look beautiful,” Andrew said. His voice was low, softer than I’d ever heard it.

  “I’m a mess.” I laughed and rolled my eyes.

  “You’re gorgeous.”

  I sighed as Andrew pulled me to him. He wrapped one arm around me and held me close to his chest. His breathing was slowly returning to normal, but my own was still ragged. I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. I wanted to memorize everything about this moment, everything about Andrew.

  I traced small circles along the skin of his chest, making him shiver and hold me tighter. Neither of us spoke for the rest of the night. There wasn’t anything to say. Our bodies said everything for us. And yet, when Andrew let out a loud yawn, I found myself wishing he would say something anyway.

  Instead, his body relaxed and small snores rippled from his throat. I sighed and closed my own eyes, hoping sleep would take me prisoner, but knowing my hope was futile.

  Andrew drifted off to sleep easily. I laid beside him for hours, staring at the ceiling and trying not to let my mind wander. Our night together was even better than the last. My body was exhausted, and I was happier than I could ever remember being. I never wanted our trip to end, but sadly, we were leaving for Maine the very next day.

  Falling for Andrew was never part of my plan. When I first moved into the mansion, I hated him. Not only was he being a jerk about my father, but he was rude to me. His house was the last place I wanted to be. After just a couple of weeks, my feelings had changed completely.

  Being in Africa with Andrew was everything. It was an adventure that I never thought I would experience. Sex with him was incredible, and just the thought of it sent waves of desire shooting through my body. If it were up to me, I would never leave the hotel room. We would stay in bed together for days, exploring each other’s bodies and talking about anything that popped into our heads.

  But I knew that couldn’t happen. When the sun rose the next morning, I knew our time in Africa was limited. In just a few hours, we would head back to Maine. Everything that happened between us would either follow us, or it would be left behind to fade into distant memories.

  As I laid beside Andrew, my head tucked into the groove of his arm, fear overwhelmed me. How would Andrew feel about me when we returned home? Would he want our time together to exist only in Africa? Or woul
d he want to keep seeing me?

  These questions plagued me as I tried desperately to fall asleep. Worrying about all the “what ifs” drove me crazy. I didn’t want to work myself up into a frenzy, but I knew that was exactly what I was doing. I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to clear my head. I focused on Andrew’s deep, soft breathing.

  It didn’t help. Instead of Andrew’s breathing, I heard Kaddy’s warning echo once again in my head. “Be careful,” she said. “Be careful.”

  I was so sure that Kaddy was wrong about Andrew. Everything inside of me screamed that I could trust him, that he was a good man. Then, I heard Kaddy’s voice again. And my father’s. Both telling me to stay away, to protect myself.

  But staying away was the last thing I wanted to do. All the distance that once existed between Andrew and me was now gone. We were connected. I loved getting to know him. When we returned to Maine, I wanted things to continue, not end. I wanted to keep seeing Andrew. To continue lying next to him at night. To find out more about his childhood. To find out everything there was to know about him.

  As sleep finally found me, I couldn’t help but feel afraid that, despite my feelings, things between Andrew and me were about to end.

  Chapter 21

  Andrew

  Thursday morning arrived much earlier than I would have liked. Sunlight streamed through the windows, and I groaned, rolling away from the bright light and squeezing my eyes tightly shut. My body ached from the night before. I stretched out my legs and grinned to myself, remembering exactly why I felt so tired and weak. Sophie.

  Her name popped into my head, and my smile widened. I finally opened my eyes and rolled back over, expecting to see Sophie lying next to me. She wasn’t. The bed was empty, and Sophie was nowhere in sight. I sat up quickly and scanned the room. The bathroom door was wide open, but Sophie wasn’t inside. The door joining our rooms was shut, and my own room was small enough that I didn’t have to get out of bed to know she was gone.

  An emptiness gripped my stomach. Where did she go? Did she go next door to get dressed? Or did she regret last night and run away the second her eyes opened?