The sand is soft but not enough, and I let out a hard breath when I land. Macon’s heavy bulk falls on top of me, our hips colliding. He reacts quickly, though, catching most of his weight on his elbows. I’m surrounded by him, his arms bracketing me, his hips nicely cradled between my spread legs. I’m so aware of how warm and solid he feels and the way my body suddenly wakes up that I can’t breathe for a long moment.

“Shit, Delilah,” he says on a husky chuckle. “Are you okay?”

His eyes search mine, genuine concern in their dark depths. I smile despite the growing warmth between my legs and the increased pace of my heart. “Oh, God, you were right,” I say with an exaggerated wail. “I’m a grape. You squished me like a grape!”

He laughs, a slow, deep rumble of sound, and I try my best not to notice how that makes certain things push and prod in areas that are growing more sensitive. But I do. My thighs clench as my nipples tighten beneath my flimsy shirt and bikini top.

I don’t know what he sees in my eyes, but his laughter dies down, his lips parting on an indrawn breath. His gaze grows slumberous, sliding to my lips and holding there.

The air heats and swells between us. The blunt tip of Macon’s thumb touches the corner of my mouth, where a hair clings. He lifts it away before caressing the edge of my lip. Every nerve in my body fires with pleasure.

I see the knowledge of that in his eyes, the answering want. His head dips closer, our breath mingling, becoming one.

“Delilah . . .” He gives me every chance to say no. But I don’t. I can’t.

His lips brush mine, and then I’m the one surging forward, meeting his mouth. Or maybe we move together. All I know is that we’re kissing as if it’s sweetly painful, like we’ve waited so long it’s almost too much to bear. And it’s so good. So very good, the feel of his mouth flowing over mine, learning the shape of me as I learn the shape of him.

He makes a noise deep in his throat, a protracted groan, a needy request for more. Liquid heat pours over me, my mouth opening to his. He tilts his head, his tongue sliding in for that first taste, and I slowly break apart beneath him, my mind going hazy, my body on fire. God, I need more. I need everything.