Chapter 9

BO

The suite was quiet. Blissfully so. It wasn't that Neptune wasn't here, it was the lack of music. I liked music, which was why I'd gotten into the industry in the first place, but sometimes I needed a break from it.

I sat down on the sofa, surprised by how comfortable it was. It would be perfect to do some reading. And with Neptune gone for most of the evening, I could focus on my own comfort, even down to not getting properly dressed after the bath I'd taken, though I was still wearing a slip and robe. I wasn't so reckless as to wander around in less.

I meant to get up and get my e-reader, but despite the plans, I found my eyes drifting closed and the deep tendrils of sleep taking over. For a brief moment, I thought about fighting it, but then again, I was in private and there was nothing to disturb me, so perhaps now was the perfect time to have a nap.

A world of colour swirled in front of me until a dreamscape took shape. Water lapped against a beach, probably summoned by the sound of the waves outside the ship. I didn't mind, it was nice to walk on the sand, and if it was in a dream, there wasn't going to be any sand stuck in strange places.

The whoosh of the ocean caught my attention, and a figure emerged from the water. It took a moment for his face to form, but it was soon clear who it was.

As was the way in dreams, the next thing I knew, Neptune was in front of me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, causing desire to start thrumming through me in response.

He turned me around so my back was to him, his hands beginning an exploration I hadn't realised I wanted until my hands had been on him earlier.

"Neptune," I murmured.

"Bo," he responded.

The edge of the dream started getting fuzzy and I could tell it was going to fade away before I was able to finish it. Consciousness started to seep back in and it was impossible to hold on any longer, the real world taking shape around me.

Someone cleared their throat, and it took me a moment to realise it was a real sound. My eyes stung a little as I forced them open, to find the man I'd been dreaming about standing in the doorway with an expression on his face that looked as if he wanted to pick up where he left off in my dream.

If it hadn't been so dark, he'd have been able to see my embarrassment.

"I'm sorry," I said croakily. "I fell asleep."

"I guessed," he said. "I'm sorry if I interrupted a good dream."

"You did, actually," the words slipped out before I realised I should keep them to myself.

A smug grin pulled at the corners of his lips. "Is that so?"

"Why do you look like I just told you something good?"

He stepped forward. "I came in because I heard you say my name."

The embarrassment intensified as I realised I must have said that out loud. "Oh, erm..." How was I supposed to respond to him? I couldn't tell him what I was dreaming about.

I got to my feet and faced him, only realising that the shoulder of my robe had slipped down when his gaze lingered there. I reached out to pull it back up.

Neither of us moved and I could feel the tension rising. All because of my dream.

"I have to admit, I'm intrigued to know what I was doing to make you say my name like that," he said, his voice low and full of something that made me think he knew exactly what happened in my dream.

"I'm not sure I should say," I whispered.

He nodded. "Then we should say good night." He lingered another moment before turning around and heading to his room.

"Wait." The word slipped out before I thought about it.

He froze in place, but didn't move.

"I...don't know how to do this."

"Do what, Bo?"

My heart pounded and the after-effects of my dream still lingered within me, making me long for his touch more than I thought possible. Making me want to finish what my head started.

I wet my lips and went over to him, reaching out to touch his back. His skin was warm even through the fabric of his shirt, and I trailed my fingers over it. Rational thoughts were long gone, and all I could think about was whether his touching me would feel as good as it did in the dream.

Neptune didn't move, but I could feel the way his pulse raced. I appreciated the way he was making it clear I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to, even without saying a word.

I moved around to face him, meeting his gaze and seeing a need stronger than I expected in his eyes.

"We were on a beach," I said softly. "Just the two of us. You came out of the water and you weren't wearing very much."

"Less than I am now?"

Despite already knowing how he was dressed, I looked him up and down. "Much less."

His lips quirked up into a smile and his fingers made deft work of the buttons on his shirt. He let it fall to the floor, the dim light of the room reflecting off his skin. "And now?"

"Still much less," I said, my voice hoarse.

"Just how little clothing was I wearing in your dream?" he asked, leaning close.

"Nothing at all."

"And you?"

I bit my lip and toyed with the knot of the cord holding my robe on. The desire written all over his face made me feel bolder than I otherwise would and I tugged on it. The whisper of silk sliding down my skin only made me think about how his fingers might feel if he touched me.

When he touched me.

His eyes darkened as the robe joined his shirt on the floor, leaving me in a small slip that barely covered anything. Gone were all the insecurities I'd ever had about how small my breasts were, or that I didn't have enough curves, here he was looking at me as if I was the most desirable person in the world.

He stepped forward and reached out to cup my cheek in his hand, the gesture surprisingly sweet considering I was standing in the middle of his suite so exposed.

"Are you trying to tell me that you were lying on that sofa barely dressed and thinking about me?" he asked.

"Dreaming, I have no control over what I dream," I murmured.

He chuckled. "And what exactly happened in your dream?"

I swallowed hard. "Do you need me to say it?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"If you want me to do it."

I let out a strangled sound, which I was pretty sure was meant to be a yes. "It started with a kiss," I whispered.

His lips quirked up into a smile. "A kiss is a very good place to start."

My eyes fluttered closed as he leaned in, and the moment his lips brushed against mine, I realised this was going to feel so much better than anything my dreaming brain was able to come up with. His warm hand on my hip sent a bolt of need through me, and I hated the fact I was wearing anything at all.

"What next?" he murmured against my lips.

"You turned me around," I answered, feeling bolder than before.

He did exactly that, pulling me back against his body so I could feel every inch of him. Even through the clothing he still wore, I could feel exactly what this was doing to him, and how much he wanted it.

His lips brushed against my ear and I let out a small whimper. I wasn't sure I had the words to keep explaining the dream to him, but now we were here, perhaps I could show him.

I reached out and moved his hand so it was sitting just under my breast, keeping my own on top of it. I guided it upwards, but he didn't need much direction. His fingers brushed against my nipple even through the fabric of my slip, and my breathing quickened in response.

"Keep showing me, Bo," he murmured as he kissed my neck, echoing my thoughts.

My whole body felt heavy with desire and even if I would have thought I'd feel self-conscious in a position like this, I didn't. Slowly I guided his hand down until it was at the hem of my slip. The moment his fingers touched my skin, I knew there would be no going back.

"Neptune," I murmured.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through me. "That's exactly how you said my name in your sleep."

"Touch me," I begged. "Please."

"That's new."

"You weren't you in my dream," I murmured. "Just a manifestation of my thoughts."

"So you prefer the real thing?" His hand slipped between my legs and I let out a gasp in response.

"Yes." I wasn't sure if I was answering his question, or just urging him on.

It felt as if my whole body was on fire as he pressed his fingers against the perfect spot, the one that no one ever seemed able to find. Thoughts fled my mind and I leaned back against him, my breathing completely ragged. I gripped hold of his other arm, my nails digging into his skin as I fell apart. My body began to shake and the thoughts fled from my mind as a release overtook me, one far more intense than I'd experienced before.

My whole body still hummed with pleasure, and I was too sensitive for him to keep touching. I pulled his hand away.

"You okay?" he checked.

"Mmhmm. Surprised."

"Surprised?" he asked.

Oops. Maybe not my best choice of words. I turned to face him, thinking about the best way to word this. Or thinking as far as I was able to, which wasn't much. The concerned way he was looking at me made me want to be honest, even if it was hard to be.

I cleared my throat. "It's kind of embarrassing."

His confusion managed to cut through his desire. "What is?"

"No one's ever made me come before. I mean, I have. But no one else." I bit my lip and hoped he wasn't about to think I was defective or something.

Instead, a wide grin spread over his face. "Really?"

"You don't have to look so smug about it."

He chuckled. "Oh, but I do." He stepped closer, reaching out to brush some of my dark hair away from my face. "Especially when I make it happen again."

Even though he wasn't touching me, a whimper escaped from me.

He stepped backwards and into the bedroom, holding out his hand to me. Knowing I wanted more of whatever this was, I took it and let him draw me inside.

I barely noticed anything about the bedroom, I was too focused on Neptune removing the rest of his clothing. I stared at his naked form, the muscles rippling as he moved. I wanted to touch him, to make him feel as good as he made me, and I suspected I'd get to, in time.

He turned his attention back to me and my breathing hitched. Slowly, I reached for the hem of my slip and pulled it over my head, leaving me as naked as he was. The cool air wrapped around me, making my skin tingle. Or maybe that was the anticipation.

He stepped closer and pulled me to him, kissing me deeply. His hand skimmed over my lower back, the touch only making me want more.

Need more.

I backed up so that we were on the bed, pulling him down on top of me. He caged me in his arms, an expression of deep need on his face. He slid his hand down between us and touched me. I arched into him, enjoying his touch, but I could tell that it wasn't going to go anywhere.

Concern flitted over Neptune's face as if he could tell the same thing.

"It's okay," I murmured. "We can do something different."

He shook his head. "Show me what you like."

I swallowed hard. "You really don't have to."

"Please, Bo." The way he said it made me feel more desirable than I ever had before, even if doing as he asked would leave me exposed in a completely different way.

"I...erm...normally use help," I admitted.

He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of help?"

"A vibrator." I'd never told anyone before. "It's never been that easy for me."

He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"You're not going to tell me you have one, are you?"

He chuckled. "No, I don't have a vibrator stashed away, I was just wondering whether I could recreate the feel with magic."

My eyes widened. "How?"

"I can show you, if you don't mind getting a bit wet."

I smothered a laugh. "You can make me wet," I responded, my amusement no longer able to be contained.

"I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

"A little. But if you want to try, then we can try," I said. "I just...don't want you to be disappointed if it doesn't work."

"And if it does?"

"Then I'll remember this holiday for the rest of my life," I joked.

An odd smile crossed his face and he moved his hand down my body again, stopping when he reached my centre. "Tell me if it's too much."

I was about to ask what would be too much, but then there was pressure that hadn't been there before. A loud hum escaped from me as it hit the right spot, and I reached out to grab hold of Neptune, not caring what I managed to touch. I wasn't exactly sure what he was doing, though I guessed it was some kind of water magic, but it was doing exactly what it was supposed to.

The pressure began to build inside me. He moved slightly and I gasped. "Yes, there."

My release crashed over me, the intensity even more extreme than before, but Neptune didn't let up, he kept the pressure of the magic in the exact same spot, and even though I was still sensitive, I could feel an immediate second release build. I exploded, with every part of my body tingling and not a single thought lingering in my mind. It was an intense rush like I hadn't experienced before.

The pressure dissipated, and I assumed that meant Neptune had stopped doing whatever it was he'd done.

I came back to, breathing heavily and looking up a little dazed.

"How did that compare?" he asked.

"Good," I murmured. "Really good."

He chuckled. "Excellent."

"I hope we're not done, though." I propped myself up, my whole body humming with spent desire. But now there was more I needed. And it wasn't entirely fair that I'd come three times already while he was still waiting for his first. "Do you have a condom?"

"All of the cabins come with them," he responded, rolling over and pulling one out of the drawer.

"Ah, I remember seeing one in my welcome basket. I thought it was odd at the time. But right now, I'm grateful for it."

He chuckled. "Me too."

I took the condom from him and opened it, not wanting him to think that I was changing my mind about what we were doing.

I reached down and rolled it onto him, getting a groan in response. I pulled him over me, capturing his lips with mine as I guided him into the right position.

I gasped as he pushed inside, wrapping my legs around him and arching upwards. The kiss didn't last long as both of us lost ourselves in the feeling of coming together. My body still tingled from my last release, only making me want him more.

I didn't see something like this happening when I took him up on his offer of using his room, but I wasn't complaining one bit.