Chapter 26 - Chapter 26

I slowly smiled as I woke up to the feeling of hands roaming over my and up my arm and to fingers lacing with mine. Not a bad away to wake up. I peeked one eye open, seeing the lightness slowly start, knowing the sun would be rising soon. I turned my head, glancing at Howie over my shoulder, enjoying the smile upon his face. He rolled me onto my side and lifted my leg, his hands slowly trailing over my overly sensitive core. We had truly spent all night in each other's arms and it looked like he was ready for one more time; as was I. The topic of afterward still hadn't come up, and I was even more scared. I hadn't wanted to break this wonderful mood, so I sat back and enjoyed

"Are you okay?" he whispered against my neck and I moaned in response. Sensitive I might be, but I was already wet and ready for him. He shifted and pulled my hips closer and slipped into me. He wrapped his arm around me and he found a slow and sweet pace, our moans soft. "Do you have any idea how much you turn me on?"

"I think the many rounds last night was some serious proof." I ran my nails along his arm before moving to lace our fingers together and resting them on my stomach. I pushed my hips back against his, the movements so enjoyable and leisurely.

"You feel like Heaven in my arms, you know." He kept placing the lightest of kisses over my neck. I was even more lost to him and he didn't even know. I tried to keep the tears at bay, just wanting to get lost in all these sensations.

"You made me reach the stars; you still are."

"I can't even explain how much that means." His hands moved mine and together we pinched my nipples, our pace picking up. I groaned, pushing back against him harder as his lips and teeth latched on to the side of my neck. On top of our little gift exchange, we would be both be going home with bite marks, bruises, scratch marks and quite a few love bites. Throughout the night there had been many frantic moments and all mind fucking blowing.

"Oh sweet Jesus, Howie," I cried out, feeling so close.

"That's it baby, please join me." He pushed deeper into me, if that was even possible and I held onto both of his hands, not even sure when I clutched the one hand that my head was laying on. I bite my lip as the tears fell, right as I came and a gasp left my lips. I couldn't utter anything else, knowing that the water works I was holding back would be heard through the cry. He groaned as his hands squeezed mine, and I withered within his embrace.

After a few moments we both turned our gaze outside, watching the light blue hue change to the start of pink and orange. As much as I hated leaving his embrace, I wanted something more. I stood up and wrapped the sheet around me and smiled at Howie.

"Come on," I said as I grabbed my phone. He slipped on his boxer briefs and grabbed his phone as well. We could feel the boat slow down as it made its way back to the dock. "One picture."

"Of course." His arms slipped around me and he pulled me back against his chest, resting his chin on my shoulder. I snapped the selfie, catching the sunrise behind us. I also made sure to catch all the marks. He handed me his phone and I took another. But then he turned me around, took his phone and captured a picture of us just staring into each other's eyes. God, those chocolate eyes were really something I could get lost in. Well hell, I've been getting lost in them.

His thumbs stroked over my cheeks and it was on the tip of my tongue to ask about everything, to see when he was flying back, to see if we could keep talking, but I couldn't push the words out. They got lodge in my throat and it was one of the hardest things to swallow. Fuck, I thought this cruise was to help mend broken hearts, not make them shatter even more? I wanted to be mad at my friends for pushing me to do this, but I couldn't. And though it was painful as fuck, I was grateful to have had this time with this man.

"We're docking," Howie uttered, still staring in my eyes. I could feel the boat shutter as we lined up with the pier and then felt the engine cut. God damn, that was like a knife to the gut. 'Say something,' my mind screamed at me. But still nothing was coming out. "Guess we better get ready to head off."

"Oh," that was all I could say, and yet, that didn't convey anything. Howie left to go back in the room and slip his clothes on. I followed him as he went to the door and stopped, his eyes searching mine, wanting to say something as well but stopping.

"Goodbye Theresa," he said breathlessly against my lips as he gave me a soft kiss and walked away. I watched his back noticing he took the stairs rather than the elevator and broke down.

"Goodbye Howie," I muttered through my tears.