Chapter 165
**Sara**
The afternoon sun sparkled off the water, creating diamonds across its surface. Tom's thumb traced lazy circles on my arm as we strolled along the path.
A cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and water. My dress fluttered around my thighs, and I caught Tom's eyes following the movement.
"Eyes up here, remember?" I nudged him with my hip.
"Just admiring how the wind plays with the fabric." His hand slid down to my waist. "Very... poetic."
I leaned into his touch. "Next, you'll tell me you're studying the aerodynamics of my dress."
"I could explain the physics involved." His fingers traced my hip. "The way air currents affect fabric tension..."
"Please don't turn this into a lecture."
We walked in comfortable silence, our footsteps crunching on the gravel path. The trail curved around a bend, trees thickening on either side. The sounds of the resort faded behind us.
Tom's thumb traced idle patterns on my waist as we wandered deeper into the wooded area. The path narrowed, forcing us closer together - not that I minded.
"Look at that view." Tom nodded toward a small clearing overlooking the lake.
"Mmhmm." My eyes stayed fixed on his profile. "Stunning."
"You're not even looking at the lake."
"Neither are you."
His hand slipped lower, cupping my ass through the dress. "Caught me."
The clearing offered perfect privacy, sheltered by trees on three sides with the lake sparkling below. Tom pulled me off the main path, backing me against a sturdy oak.
"Finally alone." His breath tickled my neck. "No more pretending to be well-behaved."
"Is that what you were doing? Could have fooled me with those moves under the table."
"You started it with those little sounds you were making." His lips brushed my throat. "Moaning over your lunch like that."
"The food was good." I slid my hands under his shirt, feeling the muscles tense beneath my fingers. "Almost as good as those thousand-dollar wine kisses you're giving me right now."
"Worth every penny." His voice rumbled against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling his mouth to mine. His lips tasted like chocolate and wine - an intoxicating combination that made my head spin. Or maybe that was the thousand-dollar Château Margaux. Either way, I didn't care.
"Mmm." I nipped at his bottom lip. "Definitely worth it."
His hands cupped my face, thumbs tracing my cheekbones as he deepened the kiss. My back pressed against the tree's rough bark, but I barely noticed. Not with Tom's tongue doing that thing that made my toes curl in my heels.
"You taste amazing." He broke away just long enough to murmur the words before claiming my mouth again.
I tugged his hair, drawing a groan from his throat. "The soufflé or the wine?"
"You." His teeth grazed my lower lip. "Just you."
My laugh became a gasp as he traced my lips with his tongue. "Smooth talker."
"Less talking." He captured my mouth again, and nothing was gentle about it this time.
I met his intensity, giving as good as I got. Our tongues danced and fought for dominance. His hands slid into my hair, angling my head to further deepen the kiss.
"Tom," I teased between kisses. "Are you trying to devour me?"
"Trying?" He nipped my bottom lip. "I thought I was succeeding."
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Keep practicing. You're getting there."
His answering kiss stole my breath away. My world narrowed to the feel of his lips on mine, the taste of chocolate and wine, and the solid warmth of his body pressing me against the tree.
"Are you planning to eat me?" I whispered against his mouth, feeling his smile form.
"Yes." His teeth grazed my lower lip. "Every." Kiss. "Last." Kiss. "Bite."
I pushed against his chest, trying to catch my breath. "For that, we need to go back to our room."
"Hmm." His lips traced down my neck. "How about we rent one of those boats I saw at the dock? Could be fun... then head back to the room later."
"Tom." I tilted my head, giving him better access while my brain tried to form coherent thoughts. "I really want to return to the room, but that boat idea sounds good too."
His laugh vibrated against my throat. "We have all weekend. No reason we can't do both."
"Both sounds good." I tugged his hair, bringing his mouth back to mine. "But if you keep kissing me like this, we won't make it to either."
"Like what?" His tongue traced my bottom lip. "Like this?"
"Exactly like that." I nipped at his lip in retaliation. "You're making it very hard to think straight."
"Good." His hands slid down my sides. "That's the plan."
"Evil man." I pushed him back again, straightening my dress. "Boat or room. Choose now before I lose what's left of my self-control."
His eyes darkened as they traced over my flushed face. "Boat first. That way, we won't have to leave the room once we get there."
"Smart thinking, Professor." I smoothed his rumpled shirt. "That's why they pay you the big bucks."
"Among other reasons." He caught my hands, pressing kisses to my palms. "Like my excellent taste in wine and desserts."
"And your ability to thoroughly distract your students?"
"Only one student in particular." His teeth grazed my wrist. "She's very... distracting herself."
"Tom." I pulled my hands free. "Boat. Now. Before we give these trees more of a show than they signed up for."
He laughed, taking my hand as we headed back toward the dock. "The trees aren't complaining."
"The trees don't have security cameras." I bumped his hip with mine. "Unlike that clearing, we just left."
Tom stopped dead. "What?"
"Kidding!" I tugged him forward, laughing at his expression. "But your face was priceless."
"Evil woman." He pulled me close, nipping my ear. "You'll pay for that later."
"Promises, promises." I danced away from his grasp, heading toward the dock.
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