Laid Bare Read online

  And it was that knowledge that urged her to tuck tail and run, because without even trying he posed a real danger to her heart. But then again, perhaps if she stayed here and laid herself out bare, offering herself up to him for one night of scintillating passion it would help extricate him from her heart and her mind.

  She knew contact with a human was prohibited for safety reason, but if she erased his memories come morning, what harm could he bring to her or her kind?

  It was faulty logic, but under the circumstances any sort of logic would do because there was something about him, some unexplainable connection between them that had to be explored further before she disappeared from his life once again.

  Even though part of her knew it was dangerous, she drew a shaky breath as she warmed to the idea of seducing him. Then tomorrow, well, tomorrow, after he’d forgotten her, she’d stay hidden until her ankle healed then she’d concentrate on making her way home to become a dutiful wife to a miengu she didn’t love.

  Chapter Three

  After replenishing her life force, Ella returned to the boat house to climb back into the oversized shorts and t-shirt she’d borrowed from a stranger’s clothesline earlier that morning. Even though she hated to take things that didn’t belong to her, she couldn’t very well walk around town naked.

  Once dressed she made her way back to the private dock, to await the handsome man from her past. Nervousness invaded her stomach when she finally spotted him coming her way, returning to his ocean-side cottage after a long, hard swim out to sea. Her mind raced with questions while her skin prickled with uneasy anticipation.

  Would he recognize her after all this time?

  Steeling herself she stood back and observed him as he gripped the dock and lifted his long lean torso from the sea. Water dripped from his magnificent body and when his glistening eyes locked on hers, she sucked in a sharp breath, the pull between them every bit as powerful today as it was all those years ago. Ella watched him and waited, anxious to see how he’d react to her.

  He slowly climbed to his feet and when he reached his full height, towering a good foot over her, his brow furrowed in bewilderment, clearly taken aback to find someone on his dock.

  Surprise on his face, he reached for his clothes. “How…who?”

  “It’s been too long,” Ella murmured under her breath as she gazed at his nakedness. It made her want to shed her own clothes, to return to her natural form.

  With his hand hovering over his pants, confusion clouded his eyes and he glanced at the distant houses dotting the dark cove. “Do I know—” then suddenly, before he even completed his sentence, his head spun back to her, his clothes forgotten as awareness dawned on his face.

  Ella held her breath and waited.

  He stood up, his gaze darting to her legs. At first surprise registered in his eyes—then perhaps a bit of disappointment when he glimpsed her land legs instead of her sea tail—but then…well…then something else seemed to take possession of him. As a very sexual being herself, Ella knew exactly what that something else was. Desire.

  Instead of going for his clothes, his eyes leisurely trailed upward again, visually caressing her body in a way that made her tremble. She could feel his heat reaching out to her, caressing her and pulling her under like a warm, rogue wave.

  “It’s you,” he whispered, his voice husky from both desire and amazement. “Jesus, it’s really you.”

  As years of yearning for this man twisted her insides, she bit back a breathy moan, elated that he’d recognized her, but even more thrilled to hear the need lacing his voice. It was that need that spoke volumes and told her that he hadn’t forgotten about her either.

  “Yes, it’s me,” she returned without regard for the secrets of her people, but knowing that come morning she’d wipe his mind of her no matter how hard it would be. She realized she wanted him to remember her, wanted him to reminisce about their time together after she disappeared beneath the sea, the same way she would think about every moment of this stolen night, when she was locked in a loveless marriage.

  A low tortured noise sounded in his throat and pain haunted his eyes when he asked, “Where have you been?”

  Ella took a tentative step closer, craving so much from this man. “All that matters is that I’m here now.”

  His gaze moved over her face, assessing her. “I’ve been looking for you,” he murmured and she didn’t miss the tremor in his voice, the undeniable need lacing his words when he added, “I’ve been searching for so long now.”

  Desperate to know more—everything—about him, she rushed out, “What’s your name?”

  “Liam. Liam Jackson.”

  “Liam,” Ella repeated thinking it was the most beautiful name she’d ever heard. “I’m Ella.”

  His smile was slow, shaky when he admitted, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Ella.” Just hearing him say her name for the first time and knowing he’d been thinking about her all these years filled her with a new kind of want.

  “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either,” she admitted honestly and as her body beckoned his touch, she placed her hand on his shoulder in a means to hurry along the intimacy. She wanted him, had needed him for so long now that she didn’t want to waste one more glorious second of the night.

  He stroked her arm and she shivered beneath his touch, the strange bond between them tremendous, even after all this time. “I never had the chance to thank you.”

  Ella smiled, “Seeing you alive and here today is thanks enough.”

  His brows furrowed and conflicting emotions passed over his eyes. “What took you so long to come back?”

  Ella frowned, unsure of what to say. How could she tell him that meeting him like this was forbidden, and that after tonight, after she wiped his memory—something she should have done fifteen years ago, yet couldn’t seem to bring herself to do—he’d never remember her again?

  He stepped back to examine her, his gaze heartily drinking her in. She could tell by the look on his face that he was still shocked to find her standing on his dock.

  “You’re just as beautiful as I remember,” he whispered and everything in the way he studied her promised of something far more intimate. “Except now you’re all grown up.”

  His beauty took her breath away and there was nothing she could do to stop her body from quaking, but she knew she wasn’t just reacting to him physically. Even though it wasn’t logical, and they were from diverse worlds, she wanted this man on a whole different level.

  Her breath grew shallow as she looked at his nakedness. “So are you.”

  He studied her face and suddenly seemed unsure. She could almost hear the wheels spinning as his mind raced with unanswered questions. “That day, that day you saved me, you took off before I had a chance—” She touched her fingertip to his mouth to silence him.

  “Shhh…”

  He closed his mouth, instantly understanding now was not the time for questions.

  Another shiver moved through her and he must have mistaken it for something else. He stepped closer and gathered her into his arms like it was the most natural thing for him to do. Her body molded into his and she felt his blatant need as his cock pressed against her stomach.

  His soft whisper covered her like a blanket and she could sense his trepidation when he asked, “Are you okay?”

  As she looked up at him she feared she’d never be okay again, especially if she followed through with her plan to seduce him. But she’d come too far to back down now, and it was clear just how much—and for how long—they both wanted each other.

  Taking care with her ankle, which pained less thanks to the sea water, she moved against his hard body, letting him know why she was here, what she really wanted, no needed, from him.

  “Ella,” he whispered in a shaky voice, and everything in the quiet way he spoke her name brought them to a deeper level of intimacy. It was as if they’d known each other their entire lives. Then again, p
erhaps they had, perhaps the time they’d both spent thinking of the other helped counteract the time they’d spent apart and made this reunion feel all the more familiar to them.

  Off in the distance the sound of laughter broke the silence of the night. Even though they were draped in darkness on his dock, hidden from probing eyes, it was still a reminder that they weren’t really alone. Without concealing his erection, Liam stepped back and gathered her hand into his.

  His gaze panned her face, searching for answers and the intent look in his eyes spoke of such need and desire it made her insides quiver. “Can you stay?”

  “For a little while,” she answered. “But then I—”

  He didn’t let her finish. Instead he slid his fingers through her damp hair and dropped his mouth to hers. Her body pulsed with pent-up need as his warm salty lips met hers and stole her ability to think straight.

  Giving in to her baser urges, she opened for him, granting him entry while she savored the incredible taste of his mouth. His kiss was so tender, so achingly gentle that it took her by surprise. His hands circled her waist to draw her in tighter, and when her body became pliable in his arms, letting him know in no uncertain terms what she wanted, a low growl of longing sounded in his throat.

  Her nipples tightened with arousal and pressed against his bare chest, her body needing more—so much more…

  Liam broke the kiss and cupped her chin. His big, rugged hands were gentle on her face as the rough pad of his thumb stroked her cheek. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

  “Was it worth the wait?” she asked, teasing him as her body flushed hotly.

  “Well worth it.” His hands moved to her waist as he added, “You’ve been in my dreams since I was a teen.”

  “And you’ve dreamed about kissing me?”

  He gave her a sheepish grin. “Well, the dreams usually start out that way.”

  That brought a smile to her face. She loved knowing she was the star of his teenage fantasies. Feeling bold and playful, her tone was full of want when she asked, “Then shall we finish it?”

  The invitation in her voice seemed to provoke him into action. His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared as he stroked a tender caress over her neck, her arms, her stomach. His hands moved easily, a careful exploration, and everything in his expression spoke of a deeper want—a man searching for so much more than quick, hurried sex on his dock.

  She loved the way he touched her, a light feathery caress over her contours that sent shockwaves racing through her. When she whimpered in erotic delight, he drew a sharp breath and she sensed his control was faltering.

  She wasn’t sure who moved first, but they were back to kissing each other, their lips moving hungrily and with much more desperation and urgency this time. Desire moved into her stomach as she touched his body, eagerly running her hands over his sculpted frame, reveling in the feel of his hard muscles beneath her exploring hands.

  “I love the texture of your skin,” she murmured, palming his shoulders, his back, his firm buttocks, still unable to get him close enough.

  He groaned as his lips left her mouth to trail her body, stopping to bury his face in the sensitive crook of her neck. He sucked in air and she knew he caught the tang of her arousal as it curled around them. He gripped the hem of her shirt and peeled it from her body. An agonized look moved over his face as he stared at her bare breasts.

  “Gorgeous. So fucking gorgeous,” he murmured, bending to draw one pebbled nub into his mouth. His swiped his tongue over her engorged nipple, his breath scorching her skin. Ella quaked, her passion soaring to new levels. Everything in the way he touched her was deeply intimate, highly erotic and had her aching to lose herself in him.

  As he paid homage to her other breast, his fingers moved to the button on her shorts and he deftly popped it open. As basic elemental need took over she moved her hips, pushing against him eagerly as he slipped a hand inside her shorts. A growl ripped from his lungs when he swiped a finger between her folds and found her wet and wanting.

  Tortured eyes moved over her face and his voice sounded labored when he said, “Baby, you’re so wet and I’ve barely touched you.”

  Lust streaked through her and she gave a breathy, intimate laugh. “That’s because I’ve wanted you for a long time now.”

  He blew out a slow breath of his own, and his laugh was edgy, churning with passion. “Believe me, sweetheart, I know all about wanting.”

  With that he parted her dewy lips and dragged his finger over her swollen sex. Small ripples pulled at her cunt, and Ella cried out in bliss, unable to believe how close she was to orgasming from that simple touch alone.

  Liam gave her a sexy grin, like he was fully aware of how near she was to tumbling over.

  “Please,” she whispered, so needy that she wasn’t above begging.

  “Oh no, not yet, baby,” he said, completely in tune with her needs. “I’ve waited for you for fifteen long years and there is so much I want to do to you first.”

  Her entire body pulsed in anticipation, because there was so much she wanted him to do to her, so much she wanted to do to him.

  He ripped her shorts open and she wiggled her hips when he dropped to his knees to pull them to her ankles.

  When he saw she wasn’t wearing panties he groaned loudly and tapped her leg. “Lift your foot.”

  She raised her damaged leg first then took extra care to balance on her wounded ankle. Wanting to mask her injury she gripped Liam’s shoulders for support and put all her weight on him, but astute man that he was, he sensed her discomfort.

  His brow furrowed. “What is it, Ella?” he asked, and the sincerity in his voice warmed her insides.

  “Everything’s fine,” she assured him, loving the sensitive, caring side of him.

  He opened his mouth to protest, but she jutted her hips forward and stroked her finger over her clit, not wanting anything to break the intimacy between them. She needed to seize this moment, because she might not ever have this opportunity again. With desperation fueling her on she rushed out, “I need you to lick me, Liam. I need to feel your tongue on my pussy.”

  “Sweet fuck,” he bit out, raw lust swimming in his eyes as she parted her folds, offering herself up to him.

  With that he leaned forward and gave her a long, leisurely lick, going all the way from the bottom to the top.

  Ella cried out at that first sweet touch and gripped his hair to hold his mouth to her. Hot blood raced through her veins as he introduced himself to her cunt, his gentle licks becoming more heated, more urgent as she moaned in pleasure.

  “So good,” she cried out and listened to her voice carry in the dark night as the breeze whipped over her skin and the dock swayed beneath them. But she didn’t care who heard her. Ella needed this more than she ever needed salt from the ocean.

  As he indulged in her body, he gripped her ass and pulled her in for a more thorough taste. He pressed a burning kiss to her cunt, and then looked up at her, his expression tender, hot. Raw. “By God, you’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.”

  The emotion in his voice caught her off guard and the intimacy in the way he talked to her had her heart racing and her body quivering. She looked at his beautiful cock and her mouth watered, eager to suck his bulbous crown, to savor his cream. “I want to taste you, too.”

  His nostrils flared and he shook his head, and even though she could sense his mounting need he said, “I’m not near done with you.”

  With that he dove back in and his mouth took full possession of her pussy while he dipped one finger inside her wet heat.

  “Jesus,” he cried out as her muscles clenched around him. “You’re so tight.”

  He pushed his face in deeper and made erotic lapping noises that sounded like the surf kissing the sandy shoreline. She threw her head back. The sweet smell of the ocean mingled with Liam’s earthy aroma and brought her passion to new heights. He continued to devour her and in no time at all, small qu
akes began at her core. She was close. So close. Liam must have sensed it too. He slid another finger inside and pumped deftly.

  Heat seared her blood and an ocean breeze that rode in with the tide did little to cool her. Pressure built inside her, rising higher and higher until she was sure she was going explode. Every nerve in her body came alive and her blood ran hot, heavy.

  “Come for me, Ella.” She looked at him and the desperation on his face became her undoing. “I’ve waited so long to taste you.”

  As his voice gave way to soft persuasion a whimper escaped her mouth. He touched her deeper, with more purpose, and as her mind shut down she began moving her hips, pressing against him, seeking what her body craved. A myriad of senses overcame her and in no time at all she went up in a burst of flames, the pleasure so intense she had to grip his shoulders to hang on.

  Her pussy clenched hard and she moaned in sweet pleasure, every erotic pulse bringing fulfillment like she’d never before experienced.

  As she completely came apart he continued to lick her, the soft blade of his tongue coaxing the last of her release, nurturing and prolonging it for as long as possible as he drank her in.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered when her body stopped spasming and her heartbeat began to slow down.

  Looking disheveled and wild with need, Liam climbed to his feet and with exquisite gentleness pulled her in close, holding her tight against his body. His lips found hers and she could taste her sweetness on his tongue as he kissed her.

  Needing in the most unfathomable way to pleasure him the same way he’d pleasured her, she wrapped her hands around his massive cock. As she stroked him, she wondered how they’d ever fit together. But deep inside her she knew they would. Despite the fact that they were worlds apart, her heart told her they belonged together.

  His body shuddered as she gave a gentle squeeze and when she slipped her other hand between his legs to massage his balls a look of pure bliss came over his face and she could tell he was desperately trying to hang on.