StealingThe Bride (8 page)

Hearing
Citra’s words made Leya think of her mother, Vaughn Greenwood, bringing home
cheese, rice, and peanut butter she’d gotten from the welfare line. Not much
but enough that she didn’t go to bed hungry. Shaking off the melancholy
thoughts, Leya assisted Citra in putting up the tables as a truck drove up the
dirt road.

As
if drawn in with the vehicle, soon multiple women carrying babies formed a long
line to receive the offerings. Leya discovered that an American company
supplied the items and other building supplies to help construct toilets in
homes and running fresh water pumps in some of the smaller villages where
people would have to walk for miles to get fresh water for their families. She
also learned that the people loved Kolby and spoke fondly of his visits and
help.

Sweating
in the heat with her arms and legs aching as she distributed goods and
socialized with the mothers and children, Leya felt content just being around
kind people. She couldn’t help but admire them. Their lives may have been
humble, but they gave so much more in respect and appreciation to each other.

At
one point as she had helped the girls from the kitchen take fresh water jugs to
the back for the men who were working, she’d gotten a glimpse of Kolby with a
shovel, digging and hoisting pipes. His T-shirt was plastered to his chest with
sweat and dirt and his head was covered by a hat made of woven banana leaves
just like the other seven men.

He
had his back to her, but as she set her jug down on the wooden slat, he turned
his head in her direction. She couldn’t see his eyes, from the distance and the
shading from the hat covering them, but she felt the intensity of his gaze. She
released the jug and told her feet to move, but her body felt as if it was on
fire and her feet refused to move. Everything inside of her was quivering from
the sight of him. Memories of his kiss, his touch and the feel of him inside of
her overwhelmed her. It was what she had been fighting against all day; her
desire for Kolby.

Now
seeing his generosity toward these people, strangers, there was something else
about him that called to her, pulled at her heartstrings.

She
told herself repeatedly that he was just a guy and this was just a vacation.

Entji
called a break to the men. As they put down their tools and came over to have
water poured first in their hands to remove the dirt, then into small cups for
them to drink they thanked the girls and Leya.

All but Kolby.
Kolby held his hands out for
Leya to wash them, but never took his eyes from her. Now she could see those
steel blue gray eyes and the force of his appraisal was even stronger. Exhaling
a breath she redipped her ladle and filled a cup for him.

“Have
you had something to drink since the meal?” he asked not taking the cup.

“Not
yet.”

“You
drink. The weather is beautiful, but it can also be tricky and you must stay
hydrated especially after being in the ocean for long hours.”

“Okay.”
She drank liberally, but only took half of it. As she lowered her hand, he
removed the cup and turned it so that his lips drank from the same place hers
had been. It confounded her how something so simple could be so erotic. It was
as if he was kissing her and the fervent darkening of his eyes showed he was
thinking the same thing.

He
tipped his head back and finished the water then handed the cup to her; fingers
grazing caused electric currents to race up her arm.

“Are
you ready to go?”

“Whenever you are.”

He
reached out as if he was going to stroke her cheek but he looked at his hand,
as if recalling it still had some dirt on it and pulled away. Not that it
mattered to her, she was just as sweaty as he was and in major need of a
shower. “I’ll be ready as soon as I help them set the last pipe then test it
for water flow.”

“All right.
I’ll be out front helping
Citra straighten up.” Glancing down, she admired the broadness of his chest and
remembered how he looked without the shirt. Clearing her throat, she tried to
distract herself from her naughty thoughts. “What do the words on your shirt
say?”

Frowning
he looked down as if he didn’t recall what shirt he was wearing. “Lend a hand.”

Nodding,
she said, “Figures.”

Smiling
at her, he turned and went back to the men and she went back around the big
building to her own task.

Chapter Six

Forty
minutes later, the Bali sky had turned to a magnificent orange, blue, and
purple as the sunset. The breeze was soft around him and Leya as they pulled
away from the school. At the end of the drive he slowed the moped to a stop.

Shifting
in his seat, Kolby glanced over his shoulder to the woman pressed along his
back. There was still enough light in the sky for him to see the radiance of
her lovely brown eyes and her light maple brown complexion. “I know I should
take you back to the resort, but I want to take you home with me, tonight.”

Pausing
he felt her hands tighten around his waist. She was still, her eyes moving as
if searching his face or her mind for something.

When
she still didn’t speak, his heart began to pound. He had allowed her into a
part of his life that he kept away from other people. The secret of his true
passion and soul he had let her see and now in a way he felt closer to her.
However, his body yearned to close the gap between them, even if everything on
the island concerning them was a facade. He would take it.

She
licked her lips as if parched and he followed the movement of her tongue until
it disappeared inside again.

Lifting
his gaze to hers, he said, “Be with me tonight.”

“Yes,”
she whispered.

Unable
to resist, he leaned back and placed his mouth on hers. The kiss was brief, but
enough to hold him for the moment.

Turning
back to the road he began to guide them back toward the coast. On the road
before the hotel, he turned and traveled a few miles away. After he’d parked
his moped in a covered port where his few neighbors had theirs locked up for
the night, he took Leya’s hand and led her down the narrow dirt lane with thick
vegetation on both sides until they reached a small bungalow. There were six
others with his that sat in a quaint, private inlet right off the beach. They
were all constructed from natural materials, however built in a traditional
style with thatch roofs and all.

Up
the few wooden steps, across the small porch they removed their sandals, he
turned the knob and they entered his Bali residence.

He
flicked on the over headlight adjacent to the ceiling fan in the center of the
room and illuminated the area.

“So
this is where you lay your head at night, when you’re not in the water with
tourist or working with the locals.” Leya was turning around in the middle of
the large one-room dwelling.

“Pretty much.
Sorry it’s not as lavish as
the resort.” He watched her take in the double bed and dresser on one side of
the room then across the space to the small round table with two chairs in
front of a refrigerator and stove.

“That
view makes up for it.” She stepped to the long window in front of the bed that
revealed a massive ocean just yards from where she stood, only a sandy walk
away.

“Yes,
it does.” He moved up behind her and pushed her thick braid to the side then
kissed the base of her neck. The fact that her body was trembling didn’t escape
his notice. He wasn’t sure if she was nervous about being away from her normal
luxury environment, or if it was a response to his touch. He hoped the latter. “How
about I show you the bathroom and we take a shower together.”

She
turned away from the ocean view then laid her hand on his chest and smiled. “That
would be wonderful. I think I must have about ten pounds of dirt on me.”

He
covered her hand and squeezed it. Still holding on to her, he lowered his hand
and pulled her behind him as he went in the direction of the bathroom. The
bathing area might have been the only other room in the small domicile but
Kolby still loved it.

“Oh
my
god,
is that a waterfall shower?” she squealed as
he turned the handle to release the water flow from a wide stainless steel slot
in the tile wall.

“It
is. Sorry, there’s no tub.”

“This
makes up for it.” In her excitement, she didn’t hesitate but a second to take
her hand from his, before she pulled the short sundress over her head and
removed her two-piece bathing suit next.

Standing
back, he leaned against the pedestal sink and admired every inch of her maple
brown skin she revealed to him. His cock agreed with the site before him, as it
thickened and began to rise behind his shorts. All day, he’d worked to keep his
mind away from thoughts of her.

First
during the dive and then while they were around the children at the school.
Besides, having an erection, with all the blood in his body pooling in his lap,
didn’t make it safe to be digging a ditch in the hot sun. Now, he had her all
to himself, and he planned to enjoy every minute of it to the fullest.

She
pulled her scarf from her head then unbraided her hair and stepped into the
stall. The movement of her round ass as she crossed the few feet made his mouth
dry. He wanted to touch and kiss the length of her body, which he planned to do
tonight.

Dipping
her head beneath the full stream, she stood there for a few moments with her
eyes closed. Because of the build of the tub there wasn’t a need for a curtain
and he had never been more grateful for that fact than now. Seeing the water
cascaded along her lush curves, flowing over her breasts and across her belly
until it disappeared between her thighs then reappeared again down her legs was
like sensual poetry. Rhythmic words flooded his mind, describing the feel and
taste of her skin in every area the water touched.

Smooth as silk
and sweet as honey she is woman.

Small and pert,
tight and wet, she is woman.

Firm, lean, and
sinuous you captivate me.

Pulling
her face from the flow, she opened her eyes and held him in her dark gaze.
“A water god and a poet.
Who would have thought?”

Shocked,
he hadn’t realized he’d spoken his thoughts out loud. “You can’t fight
inspiration.”

“Are
you going to stand there all night or join me?”

“A
tsunami couldn’t keep me away.” Yanking the shirt over his head, he dropped his
shorts next allowing her to see how affected he was by her. Going into the
drawer of the small cabinet next to the sink he pulled out a condom from
inside. He only had two remaining from the ones he had purchased from the
resort store when he went to her room last night.

Moving
into the stall, he tossed it onto the shelf beside the soap.

“You
lookin’ to get luck, Kolby?” she asked as she stepped to the side and allowed
him to stand beneath the stream for a moment.

“I’m
a man. I’m always hopeful when a beautiful woman is within reach.” Shifting, he
grasped her waist and pulled her body against his and kissed her. When her lips
parted on a moan, he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and deepened the kiss.

They
stood locked in the embrace for long moments, when they finally pulled apart
they were both breathless. Kolby could see the haze of lust clouding Leya’s
gaze, he was glad to see she desired him as much he wanted her.

Grabbing
the soap they bathed each other, thoroughly. Dropping to his knees, Kolby
enjoyed her giggles as he lifted first one of her feet and washed it, playing
with her toes and then did the same with the other foot. He loved to hear her
laugh and see the wide smile on her face and the brightness of her eyes
reflecting her joy.

He
started at her foot by kissing her ankle then moved up her calf, licking and
suckling her skin. When he caressed the back of her knee with his tongue she
squirmed and placed her palm against the wall, balancing herself. Up along her
toned thighs, he rejoiced at the warm silk against his lips, loving the texture
of her soft skin.

Hooking
her leg over his shoulder, he then placed one hand on her ass and the other on
her hip to help her balance. Staring up at her beautiful face, he didn’t speak.
He wanted to memorize her features for every dream and fantasy he knew would
fill his nights once she was gone.

When
she reached down and fingered his hair back behind his ear, he turned his face
into her palm and kissed it. Focusing on her body, he watched the rivulets of
water pour over her bare sex making an erotic stream along the labia of her
pussy. Suddenly thirsty for a drink of her, he leaned in and glided his tongue
into the succulent
river,
partaking of the salacious
concoction—
air dan Leya
.
Water and Leya.

He
drank deep, loving her with his mouth as he enjoyed the refreshing taste of her
spicy nectar as the firm bud of her clit pressed against his tongue. He couldn’t
get enough of her. Even as she buried her hand in his wet strands, holding fast
as her cream coated him, he still feasted on her until she climaxed the second
time.

After
rising, he held her body to his until only a few sporadic quivers rocked her
body as he kissed her. Her touch stopped him as he reached for the condom. For
a moment he thought she didn’t want to be with him.

“Let
me,” she said, taking the condom she opened it, tossed the packet to the floor.

Standing
back, he clenched his fist at his side, afraid to move or breathe, as she
protected them both. He was aroused. So, hard and ready, he feared that the
slightest of movement may have him shooting his load before he was inside her.

After
she covered his length, her tantalizing fingers teased him, stroking up and
down his dick, even dipped low and cupped his balls in her hand. Groaning,
Kolby slapped his hands against the wall, caging Leya trying to keep his sanity
and allow her time to amuse herself with him. He had enjoyed playing in her
pussy; it was only fair to give her the same privilege.

However,
after a few pleasantly torturous moments in her grasp he couldn’t take anymore.
Pressing his body into hers, he forced her back against the wall and kissed her
ravenously. When her tongue slipped into his mouth, his blood boiled with
desire and his cock throbbed, he needed to feel her around him.

As
he lifted her, she quickly spread her thighs and wrapped her legs around him as
he set the head of his shaft at her opening, pushing inside.

She
pulled her lips away and begged, “Don’t hold back.”

He
didn’t need to hear anything else, thrusting forward, he was glad she was wet
and ready. Slamming into her tight pussy, he knew he’d found heaven on earth.

*
* * *

“I
can’t stay.” Leya stood on the warm sand of the beach and stared out at the
waves rolling in with the evening tide. The evening view was just as
breathtaking and captivating as the first time she had seen it two weeks ago.
She would miss the tropical paradise, but not as much as the silent man on the
shore with her.

She
could feel the energy pulsing from Kolby’s body as he stood behind her, not
touching her. Time was up for her. The days had become nights and they turned
into another day gone. She had never spent as much time with any of her
boyfriends as she had with Kolby on the island. The only time she was in her
room was when she was collecting clothes or dropping off gifts for her friends
and mother.

Every
morning they walked hand in hand to the beach where he surfed and she meditated
and stretched. She attended all of his water excursions, learning the beauty of
snorkeling and perfecting her diving skills. He had even convinced her to try
surfing, but she quickly learned that she preferred to leave the art to him.
They hiked in the afternoons they weren’t at the school or other local sites
giving out medicine, dolls, or supplies to the elderly. Even took an elephant
ride one day.

Kolby
was a surfer with a heart that was as generous as the ocean when it came to the
people of Bali. She had never asked him why he left the States to live here.
The need to walk away unscathed and return home with her soul intact she had to
consider some conversations off limits. However, the long hours through the
night she had made love to him, experiencing the fierceness of passion and his tenderness
had chipped away at her emotional wall.

Not
one moment did she regret, but it was time for her to go.

“Not
even another week or a few more days?” The urgency in his voice was almost palpable.

“For what?
Another day
or two in the sheets.”
She glanced over her shoulder.

He
took a step closer to her. “What if I was offering more?”

Closing
her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her middle. “No. I have responsibilities
on me.”

“Is
it your job? That why you can’t extend your time here?”

She
shook her head. How could she get Kolby to understand comment to something
other than
this
.
Frustrated she stared at the ocean, the only world that he knew. His life and
time were summed up in the swells that crashed onto the sand. He lived a simple
life with few luxuries and the
rupiah
in his pocket. He wasn’t in poverty, but she didn’t see a plan for the future
in his small shack.
Especially not her future.