Lifebound by Leigh Daley Page A

he hadn’t been inside her at all. He wanted that first moment of true sex to feature him inside her, and so far they hadn’t managed to get the timing down just right to make that happen.
    Taking him all the way to climax with such a limited use of touch had also proven difficult, hence the sexual frustration. Despite her insistence that she wanted to be with him, that she wanted to enjoy his moment of pleasure at his side, he was disenchanted with the idea of mutual masturbation. So he focused on her instead, enjoying the way she moved against the sheets and the sounds she made as he brought her to orgasm over and over again.
    His favorite time was when they lay together afterward, his fingers in her hair, as close as they could get without actually making physical contact. He loved the smile on her face and the sleepy way she gazed at him in the afterglow of pleasure.
    “This isn’t fair,” she’d say. “It’s not supposed to be all about me. What about you?”
    “I’ve got exactly what I want,” he’d assure her. “I want to be with you. I want to be able to have you beside me.”
    He was both thrilled and frightened to realize how true those words were and how much he meant it. He just wanted to be with her in whatever way possible.
    On the morning of their penultimate day on the island, he woke with a mixture of regret and excitement. He’d really enjoyed himself at the spa—more than he thought he would, thanks to Adriana—and he would miss it. He’d miss the breathing and the relaxation. He’d even miss the wolfpack continually pestering him for another skating tip. The last couple of days, he’d even felt strong enough again to try doing a few tricks—until Sarka had caught him doing ollies over her flower pots and threatened them all with expulsion until the boards were completely put away.
    But he was also excited. He couldn’t wait to take Adriana home with him. He hoped she wouldn’t feel overloaded by his family. Fortunately, they weren’t the huggy-kissy kind, so he expected she could get away with only a couple of casual touches, like the inevitable hug from his mother. Adriana was more likely to get talked to death at his parents’ house, and he hoped she was ready to tell all about growing up a Velen. The lamia part would have to wait until after the wedding.
    That was the other thing he was excited about. The instant they left the ferry, he was taking her into the first jewelry store he saw for an engagement ring.
    But he was going to ask her to marry him after dinner that very night.

Chapter Eleven
    A driana had heard all kinds of stories about the farewell dinners at Wiccan Haus. Apparently the staff never repeated a theme, but tailored each to the clientele and the state of affairs between the various couples that had inevitably formed. Tonight’s finale found most everyone—Sarka and Cyrus the most obvious absentees—at low tables on the beach surrounded by torches.
    Preston Mitchell—“the suit,” as Josh liked to call him—stepped through the flowered archway onto the beach with a very attractive older woman at his side. Preston had ditched the suit that evening for a comfortable looking pair of slacks, a garish flowered shirt, and a pair of sandals.
    Adriana had only known the investment banker by his all-business reputation until coming here. Tonight Preston actually smiled and looked at ease. Maybe the island had been good for him. Maybe he wasn’t quite as much of a shark as rumor would have it. The older gentleman certainly seemed happy as Sage slipped a lei of tropical flowers over his head.
    “I can’t believe we’re having a farewell luau in New England,” Josh said quietly at her side, fingering his own flower necklace. “I could understand a clam bake, but a luau just seems weird.”
    “There is a reason for everything that happens at Wiccan Haus,” Rekkus said from behind him. “I guarantee you that somebody needs this to be a luau.”
    “Maybe