37

I glance over my shoulder. This part of the beach is deserted, with the umbrellas closed and loungers folded over for the night. “I meant, what part of your body are you thinking of me kissing?”
Cadence looks at me, eyes bright, lips parted like I’ve caught her mid-thought. Chuckling, I lead her to a lounger and unfold it.
“Maximilian,” she breathes.
“Cadence. This is up to you. Let me know if it’s a no, and I’ll take you back to the condo.”

The ego swells, among other things, as Cadence promptly sits down.
She sits down, which means…
This beautiful woman is here with me, the moonlight glowing on the water, the shadows suggesting intimate areas to enjoy each other.
I want to enjoy her, but not as much as I need Cadence to enjoy herself.
I drop to my knees before her, the sand gritty against my legs. “I’ve been wondering what’s under here all night,” I tell her, my hands gentle as I burrow under the hem of her dress. I stroke my way up the curve of her calf, past her knees.
I pause there— after toying with the spot as I carried her back from the beach earlier, I need to claim it now with my mouth.
When my lips touch the back of her knee, Cadence exhales a shaky breath. I keep my mouth on her, dropping open kisses as I continue up her leg, feeling the strength in her thighs as I push up the hem of her dress.
“What will I find up here?” I murmur, heady from her scent, the knowledge I have Cadence open and eager for me.
I thought I wanted her in a bed so I could take my time, see every inch of her, touch every inch of her skin, count any freckles, but I know I can’t wait for that. Cadence should be worshipped, adored, but I can do it here, on the beach with the moon and her breath hushed by the rolling waves.
I spread her thighs, bending to press my lips against her soft inner thigh, close, so close to the apex of her legs. Her legs go on forever, but there’s a prize at the finish, and I’m so close to that prize.
It’s a prize I very much want to find.
Her smell is intoxicating, just as I knew it would be. Better than the wine, better than the rum drinks. Better than—
“Maximilian,” Cadence whimpers.
“I like it when you call me that,” I growl, kissing her silk-clad mound before I peel off her thong.
“I want to hear it when I make you come.” Cadence’s eyes are heavy with want as I stroke my thumb along her crease. She’s ethereal; her dress pooled around her waist, legs pale and long in the moonlight. “I want to hear you call out my name… just like that.”
She hums her assent and spreads her legs wider. “Yeah,” I say in a low voice, the hint of wetness on my thumb as I trail my tongue along her thigh. “I want this pussy. I want to taste it.”
Sliding my hands under her hips, I pull her down the lounge chair so she’s lying flat on her back. “Look at the stars, beautiful.”
The moon, the stars twinkling, and the sound of the rolling waves can’t be more perfect than this before me.
I push her legs apart, position her just so, and chance a glance at her. “Maximilian,” Cadence murmurs, running fingers through my hair.
Running my tongue along her slit, a deep breath. Just a taste. I need a taste.
I can’t screw this up. This is too important—Cadence is too important.
I knew she was before I laid her out like a five-course meal, but seeing her like this—vulnerable—brings it home even more.
I pull back, stroking my finger along her until, with a breathy gasp, I feel her wetness.
So wet. Warm. I bring my finger to my mouth. “Mm.”
She tastes like honey.
Warm fruit glazed with honey. Honeydew melon and… kiwi…

I can’t stop the smile as the Maroon Five song flashes through my mind.
“Max?” Cadence worries her bottom lip.
She’s so beautiful… “My mind just went somewhere it doesn’t need to go.”
She tries to bring her legs together. “If you’re sure…”

I don’t bother to answer because, at this moment, I want nothing more. “How do you like it?” I hold her eyes for as long as she lets me, before dropping her gaze. “Tell me what you like. I want to know everything.”
“However… you like… is fine,” she says haltingly.
“Cadence,” I warn.
“Other men… it’s not for me. It’s what they want.”
“There will be no other men,” I tell her roughly before I claim her with my mouth.