Page 72 of Lie With Me
Tripp’s answering look reminds me a little of Jackson when Ginny used to point out something that wouldn’t be possible for us poor mortals to achieve, but gods likethemcould with their endless amounts of money.
Turns out, I’m right.
We breeze through security, no one even batting an eye as Tripp blindfolds me and leads me to our gate. He charms the gate attendants and guides me down the air bridge. From the sounds of it, everyone he speaks to in passing is in on the fact that he’s doing his best to surprise me.
When he finally removes the blindfold, we’re seated in first class, and a flight attendant is pouring us champagne. “Here you go, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll be taking off shortly.”
Neither of us corrects her, though my diamond sparkles brightly on my finger sans an actual wedding band. Tripp clinks his glass against mine. “I’d say that was pretty successful.”
Looking around, I realize there’s no one else in our section of the plane, and they are closing the doors. “Where are the other passengers?”
“Back in coach. I bought out first class so we can enjoy our time together.” His hands tangle in my hair as he kisses me passionately.
Even though we don’t have sex, we bring a whole new meaning to the term mile-high club that ends with me riding his fingers while he shields me with his body.
I don’t even want to know how much he paid for the attendants to leave us completely alone during the flight. But I’m glad he did.
Tripp can’t keep me from hearing them announce over the speakers when we arrive in Florida. My heart pinches at his thoughtfulness, remembering when I told him I’d never been to a beach but always wanted to go.
Emotions flood my eyes as he smiles and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I know it’s a little early, but happy birthday, Viv.”
It’s dark when we leave the airport. The air is balmy and thick with the smell of salty ocean andfragrant foliage. We drive for another hour, and I enjoy every second of the journey over the Sanibel Causeway.
There’s live music in town as we drive through Sanibel. Businesses are lit up with glowing lights strung between palms, and the laughter of the locals. And even though it’s late, the water is calm and peaceful on the short ferry ride to Captiva Island, where we’re staying.
The island is quiet, and small enough that we rent a golf cart to get to our waterfront rental, doing our best to contain our laughter as we take turns driving. The house, however, is huge, and way larger than we needed for just the two of us. Every inch of the three stories is decorated in cream and gulf water blue, with touches of sand and shells. There’s a jacuzzi in the master suite, with a balcony that overlooks the backside of the house.
Giant palms decorate the grounds, the edges lined with leafy trees tall enough to hide the yard from the neighbor’s view. The pool is gigantic, and just beyond the edge of the grass is a small beach that leads to a personal boat dock.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper as Tripp wraps his arms around me from behind.
“You look good out here. You look good everywhere, but especially on this balcony. Maybe I should ask the owner how much they’d be willing to sell the place for,” he says, nuzzling my neck.
“What is with you and Jackson bullying peopleout of their homes?” I laugh, placing my hands over his where they rest on my waist.
“We just want our women to have everything they deserve.” He slides his hands from beneath mine, and starts to drag my maxi skirt up my legs.
“Your women? You sound like a caveman.” My voice is breathless as he exposes me to the fragrant air. Something about the tropical flowers doesn’t seem to bother his senses like the roses at the club.
Tripp lowers to his knees behind me, pressing on my lower back and gently guiding my ankles apart until I’m bent and spread before him. He tastes me from behind with a long, languid stroke of his tongue, his hands kneading my cheeks where he holds my skirt out of his way.
“Fuck, you always taste so goddamn good,” he whispers before licking me again. His words pull a moan from my lips, my fingers tightening on the railing as he devours me until I come so hard my legs shake, and I nearly collapse.
“Tripp?” I ask as he rises.
“Yeah, Viv?”
“I’m not going to break. We can have sex. I need you.” I turn and capture his lips, loving the way I taste on his tongue. All the pent-up tension from not having him inside me unfurls between us as I force him back into the bedroom and tear at his shirt. Buttons fly. Seams rip. We must have had the same idea because there are already condoms waiting on the nightstand when we fall onto the bed.
It’s reminiscent of our first night together. Wildand passionate yet comfortable. Tripp is tireless as he worships my body and caters to my every need in between rounds. We come together, then wrap ourselves in white robes and cook the food he asked the host to stock the fridge with, since the store was closed by the time we arrived. There’s steak and wine, and when those are finished, we stay entangled in each other until the sun begins to come up.
The balcony doors stay open, the sun bathing our naked bodies in a tangerine glow as it rises. The only reason we finally rest is because we made it through the entire box of condoms.
It’s the most perfect birthday present ever.
“I don’t know about this. I’m honestly fine with staying here in the warm sand, looking for shells while you swim.”
“I promise you, Viv, I won’t let you go. Look at how calm the water is. It’s part of why I picked this place. It’s quiet, calm, and perfect for you to tread water.”