Victoria leaped from her chair and cheered.
“That was . . . fantastic,” she said.
Ben smiled and nodded. “It was a stellar wave and he rode it for all it was worth.”
She wanted to go to Alex and hug him, to tell him how magnificent he’d looked out there. But she knew he was in competition mode, and since she dealt with athletes in her business, she knew he didn’t need the distraction. Right now he needed to focus on the waves.
Alex had moved from the quarterfinals to the semifinals. And Victoria was in awe. It was as if he was one with both his board and the monstrous waves.
She’d never seen anything like it.
By the end of the day Alex was tied at the top of the leaderboard with two other surfers.
Ben gathered up some paperwork. “There’s a party and bonfire on the beach again tonight for the surfers and other attendees, sponsored by the promoters. With food and drink. Alex and I want you there with us.”
She linked her arm with his, feeling warm and cared for again and happy that Ben had told her he wanted her there with them. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. Alex is going to spend some time in post-competition meetings. How about you and I go surf for a bit?”
She cocked a brow. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You know you want to get out in that water.”
She pointed to the high-rolling waves. “I do not want to go out in that water.”
He laughed. “I’ll take you to another beach. One that has smaller waves.”
She had to admit that watching the guys surf made her itch to try it. It had been years since her last attempt. “Okay.”
He took her hand and led her through the hotel and out front. “Wait here and I’ll get the boards.”
He stopped to talk to the valet, then disappeared. By the time Ben returned with two surfboards, the valet had pulled up an SUV. They strapped the boards to the top of the vehicle, climbed in and they were off.
She hadn’t left the hotel area since she’d gotten here, but now she was eager to see more of the island.
She’d almost forgotten it was the holiday season. Sure, the hotel was decorated thematically with trees and garland and seasonal wreaths, but the lack of cold weather—and snow—made it feel a lot more tropical and much less like the holidays. Just the way she wanted it.
But now as they drove past decorated homes and buildings, she started to feel the holiday spirit. Green and red décor abounded.
“Christmas is coming,” she said.
“Yeah. Alex and I will hang out here until after the holidays. What about you?”
“I’ll be here.”
He gave her a quick look. “We should spend Christmas together.”
She smiled, again a warm feeling suffusing her. “I’d like that.”
He pulled down a narrow street and parked in front of a beach.
“The waves here aren’t as high,” she observed when they got out of the SUV.
“Yup. It’ll make it easier for you to catch a wave.”
She pulled off her sundress and kicked off her sandals, leaving both in the car. Ben drew off his shirt and tossed it inside as well.
“I can carry one of those boards if you’d like.”
He gave her a look. “Why? You’ve got me.”
She leaned into him and brushed her lips across his. “Okay.”
He wrapped his arm around her and tugged her close, kissing her back, letting that kiss simmer, turning it into one that made her boil.
When he pulled back, she was breathing hard. “Now I need to cool off.”
He looked around. They were alone, so he took her hand and placed it on his erection.
“So do I.”
“Too bad we’re not in the hotel room. I could take care of that for you.”
He backed her against the car and kissed her with a hard, driving passion, his body pressed against hers, his erection rubbing her clit. Passion exploded and she suddenly wanted him inside of her.
The beach was deserted and there were no other cars around.
“I need you to make me come, Ben.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Hang on.”
He reached inside the front of the SUV, grabbed something and then shut the door, locked it and said, “Come on. I know a private place where no one can see us.”
He left the boards stowed and took her hand, leading her down the walkway a short distance to what looked like a lifeguard shack. There was another one a ways down the beach, manned by a lifeguard. This one was older, bleached out and seemingly abandoned.
He shoved a shoulder into it and the door gave with a creak and a groan.
“Are you sure about this?”
“No one uses it,” he said. “And trust me, I’m going to get you off fast.”
“I like the sound of that because I need to come.”
He shoved the door closed and there was a hook to lock it, which he used. Then he turned to her and kneeled, drew her swimsuit bottom down and put his mouth on her pussy.
Shocks of pleasure ignited her like a fast-moving wildfire, taking her from a frenzied passion to out of control in seconds. She tethered her fingers in Ben’s hair and held on while he licked and sucked her sensitized flesh, making her gasp and writhe against him, pushing her sex against his face as her orgasm hit.
“Yes. Oh, Ben, yes, I’m coming.”
Her climax was wild and made her legs tremble. Ben wrapped his arm around her and held her close to him while she bucked against him, still quivering from that epic orgasm.