Chapter 65

"Something a little dressy," he called out. He preferred naked of course, but for the first time in days he wanted to get out of the house and show her off. To watch the eyes of men heat and appreciate, knowing that it was only him that would be able to touch her tonight.

She watched him for a moment. They’d been sunning for so long that his skin was as dark as the natives. His glossy brown belly and shoulders made the cream linen pants look crisp and cool against his long legs. He shrugged into a wildly patterned purple shirt, fastening the last two buttons. She wasn’t sure why he bothered with even those few; she’d have her fingers in there soon enough.

Dragging her eyes away from him before she did something silly like stripping him again, she moved to the closet. The hangers swished into one another with a click of plastic. Shorts, halter dresses, coverups and bathing suits all shuffled by. Richie was heavy handed with the shopping, not that she minded of course, but everything was just an inch away from dressy. Toward the back, she finally found the one simple sundress she'd bought on their last shopping trip.

Slipping it over her head, she stepped into panties and finally a pair of matching heels and turned. It felt weird to wear shoes again. They’d been happily beach bumming it, traveling down to the beach and back to the house daily. "Okay big guy. I'm as ready as I'm going get." She turned around the skirt flaring out slightly. "Will this do?"

He looked up from his leather thongs, and his big toe crashed into the rattan chair instead. "Sweet Mary," he said softly. Her tanned shoulders held thin straps in a soft, light purple that was tight against her chest before flaring out around her hips to tease her knees. His knuckle brushed against the tight little nipple that pressed against the soft cotton. "You're lovely," he whispered.

She blushed, arching against his hand before winding her arms around his neck. Pressing a soft kiss against at his chin, she smiled. "Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself."

His fingers tightened on her little waist. "Well, now that we're two hot individuals we really should show this town how to party.” He snagged her hand and spun her out and then back against him. "How about it?"

She popped her foot up and leaned into him. "Let’s paint the town purple."

He laughed, lacing their fingers as he headed to the motorcycle he’d rented. The roads weren’t good for cars, but the bike was just perfect. "So can you keep that dress under control or will you be flashing the natives and the tourists?" He threw a thigh over the bike.

She took a glance at the motorcycle then looked back at him "Oh I think I can handle it."

“Ah, but can the rest of the world handle you?”

She laughed, carefully tucking the skirt between her legs. "Don't think I want to flash anyone but you."

"You do have an extremely fine ass, but it’s all mine," he said and gunned the engine. "Hold on, love."

Wrapping her arms tightly around his middle, she pressed herself against his back. "Don’t have to worry about that either."

They took the coastal highway. He navigated the neglected roads until he reached the paved roads along the cliffs. The sun sparkled off the water, rivaling the blue of any stone in a jeweler’s case. He took a left and headed onto the straightaway that led to the ferries, slowing as they came to the commercial docks.

She snuggled against him, enjoying his scenic path. "Where ARE we going, Pony?"

“You'll see," he said vaguely. He drove up to the ticket booth and dug his money clip out of his pants. The air was still heavy with the day’s heat. Navigating through the tourist cars and busses, he parked on the top deck. "Just a little ride."

She muttered against his back about stubborn men, before her hand slipped a little bit lower to tease him. "Still no hints?"

He caught her hand, twisting it into his and away from Mr. Happy. "You won't need your shoes," he said, helping her climb off the bike.

She slipped her heels off and held them in her other hand. "Honey, a girl always needs her heels.” She grinned up at him, “especially short girls like me."

"Well, I'm sure you could find a way to dig those little spikes into the sand and back out, but it would get annoying after awhile." He guided her up the stairs to the observation deck. He lifted her onto the ledge, crowding in on her as the ocean breeze blew his hair back and the dark silk of hers across his chest. He groaned as her fingers slid down inside his shirt, her thumb tracing through his chest hair around a nipple.

She loved touching him. He never made her feel like it was annoying or unwanted. In fact, she was pretty sure he was as addicted to her touch as she was to his. "You take such good care of me," she said, nuzzling against his chest.

"And I always will," he said. A groan turned to a low growl as her lips found his nipple. The quick flick turned into a kiss, just before she laid her cheek over his heart. There wasn't anything quite as sweet as his girl, a sunny day and an ocean breeze. "Tell me about your Pops, darlin'. Do I stand a chance? Or is he going to toss me on my ass when finds out who his baby girl fell in love with?"

Richie was about as far away from her parents’ approval rating as you could get. "We don’t really have to bring our parents into this do we?"

He pulled back, his hand automatically changing from seduction to comfort as she stiffened. “Hey, we don’t have to talk parents if you don’t want to.” His heart stuttered, then evened out. Was she ashamed of him? It wasn’t the first time a woman had turned to him for sex, but didn’t want him for the long haul. A rockstar wasn’t exactly marriage material.

“I don’t care what they think,” she said in a voice he didn’t recognize.

He looked down at her. “Are you sure?”

She cupped her hand against his jawline, rubbing her thumb over the light stubble there. If her parents’ knew what was good for them, they would love Richie, but he didn’t have an Ivy League pedigree, or a family tree that tracked to the Mayflower. “They aren’t much like me, Pony. I’m kinda the black sheep.”

Taking a clue from her body language, he dragged her off the ledge until she stood in front of him. “Well, I always liked the bad girls.”

She grinned up at him. “I do like being your bad girl.”

He linked their fingers so he wouldn't lose her in the throng of people. He’d revisit the parental units thing, but was satisfied with her answer for now. Pulling his shades off his head, he put them on against the sun. “Want to get something to eat or drink?”

“Drink sounds good.”

"Want a girlie drink or a Corona?"

"Corona!" She grinned brightly. "Since when have you seen me do girlie drinks?"

"I'm just waitin'," he said and tugged her up to the bar. "It could happen.”

She smiled brightly at the tender before taking a swig. "Mmm, now that’s almost as tasty as you."

He choked on his first sip and thanked the bartender, who just gave him a knowing smile. He let her lead him back outside as they leaned on the railing, enjoying their beer, trying not to let her parent remark bother him.

He was looking farther and farther into forever with Elena. He’d been raised to respect his elders and especially parents. Was she ashamed of him? Had he read her so very wrong?