My body responded to each syllable he spoke and each touch of his skin on mine.

“Drake, I need to—”

He cut me off. “I know what you need, and I’m going to give it to you. More than once; I promise. Now, turn around.”

When I did, I found him on his knees, and before I could utter another word, his mouth was on me. Watching him spread me with his thumbs and lick me was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen. My hips bucked toward his mouth.

“My girl is a bit impatient today.”

It wasn’t impatience; it was greed. I knew what he could do to me, and I wanted it all. It was as if I was drunk on him. I could feel everything and knew what was happening, but I was so turned on that I was dizzy with lust.

His hand came up behind my right leg, and he lifted it over his left shoulder.

“God, you’re beautiful. So swollen and ready for me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I need you. Please.” I was hoping he heard me, because I could barely hear myself over my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

He definitely did. At first it was only his tongue inside me, then one finger, and then two. His palm massaged my clit until I was on the precipice of falling apart.

“That’s it, babe,” he said in a low voice. “Give it to me. I want to taste every bit of you.”

That was all I needed—my orgasm instantly claimed me. I was sure I was going to topple over and crash through the glass door. Drake’s hands steadied me, and I was thankful his strong shoulder supported me.

But when he stood and cupped my face, I saw it. The look in his eyes was one I’d seen in my past but never thought I’d see again. It was then I believed this man might love me. When he kissed me, I felt it, the tenderness I’d dreamed of.

It was then and there I knew I was in love with Drake Prescott.

“It’s your turn.” I smiled and waggled my eyebrows.

“You don’t have to. I was kidding when I said tit for tat. Knowing that I pleasured you is enough.”

Was he insane? Giving him no time to argue, I slid down his body, and his stiff shaft bobbed as if it was greeting me. Now on my knees and eye level with it, I took him into my mouth and ran my tongue along the underside of his hardened shaft. His thick vein was my initial target. I sucked and licked and took him into my mouth as deep as I could. He was a large man; he hit the back of my throat, and I hadn’t taken him all yet.

My left hand grabbed his tight ass while my right hand fisted his cock where my mouth couldn’t reach. I pumped and sucked him, hard and fast.

“Lucy . . .” He groaned and fisted my hair. “I’m going to come. If you don’t want me to, you need to stop.”

No way in hell was that happening. My pace increased as my tongue worked double-time, my cheeks hollowing with each suck and pull. Drake moaned and moved his hips as he guided my head—faster and faster until his muscles clenched and he stilled. Warm saltiness, all Drake, slid over my tongue and down my throat.

Water splashed over us as he lifted me into his arms and hugged me. “God, you’re stunning.”

My heart was on fire. I wanted to tell him—no, I needed to tell him how I felt. A war raged between my head and my heart, but my head won and I just couldn’t do it. Not yet.

He reached for the shampoo and began to wash my hair, giving me the best scalp massage I’d ever had. We continued to wash each other, appreciating every nuance of the other’s body. Once we were done, Drake shut the water off and wrapped us in plush oversized towels folded on the counter.

After we dressed and I quickly dried my hair, I studied the man who owned my heart. He was wearing navy cargo shorts and a red T-shirt, which made me smile.

Drake glanced down with his arms stretched to the side. “What? You don’t like this outfit?”

“I love it. It’s all you.” I grinned. “Throw in a bit of white, and you’re our flag.”

He chuckled. “Ha! I didn’t even realize. What better colors are there?”

Pride. That was what Drake had. Pride in our country. He would make an excellent president one day.

We went out to dinner and then enjoyed a quiet night at home before his family arrived the next day.

• • •

We woke up to sunshine and the smell of bacon. When our eyes popped open, both of us sat up and looked at each other, inhaling deeply.

“Smells like my mom has breakfast going,” Drake said with a grin. “Believe me when I tell you that if we don’t get down there soon, we’ll be eating cold cereal.”

“Then let’s go.” I jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“Just throw your bathing suit on under your clothes,” he called out. “We’re going on the boat today.”

I took a step into the bedroom. “Oh . . .”

Gorgeous, that was what he was. Drake had on black board shorts and was pulling down a white tank top. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at his broad chest and chiseled abs before they were hidden from view.

He slipped on his Nationals cap so it rested backward on his head, and his lips curled up into a mischievous smirk. “Lucy?”

“What?” It completely escaped me for a moment that I was naked and staring. “Oh yeah. Let me get dressed.”

Drake chuckled while I fumbled through my luggage. Once I put on my black bikini and a sundress that doubled as a cover-up, we were out the door.

He wasn’t kidding when he said we needed to hurry to the table. Everyone was already up and enjoying their meal. Tina was in the kitchen when we walked into the dining room, making more bacon and eggs.

“I’m going to see if your mom needs help,” I told him.

“Okay, do you want me to come with you?”

“No, go enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be right there.”

I stepped into the kitchen, leaving Drake with the rest of the family.

Tina looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Lucy. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes, thank you. The bed was very comfortable.” Heat rose in my cheeks, and not because I was standing near the stove. “Can I help you with something?”

“Thank you, sweetie. I just kicked Gretchen out and told her to go eat before the men devour everything.” She smiled kindly. “You’d think my only daughter would know that by now. She used to say that growing up with four brothers was the best weight-loss plan.”

I smiled. “I’m here now, so if you want to go eat, I can finish.”

“Nonsense.” She flipped the omelets onto a plate and turned the knob on the stovetop. “I’m all done. Let’s you and I go eat.”

Tina carried the omelets, and I brought a plate of bacon into the dining room. Once I got to the doorway, I stopped and took in the scene in front of me. The rectangular table was set impeccably. Three low vases full of colorful flowers marched down the middle of the table. I counted four chairs on each side, and one on each end that his parents occupied. Gretchen sat between Jack and Dane on one side, and Drake was sitting next to Josh on the other.

They were all laughing and teasing each other while enjoying a meal together, a family dynamic that was unfamiliar to me and so very special.

Drake looked up and caught my eye. His brows drew together in a questioning look. I relaxed my shoulders and stepped forward to place the plate on the table. We all exchanged morning greetings as I sat next to Drake.

“Have you ever been to the Outer Banks, Lucy?” Rick asked while his wife and kids looked at me, waiting for my reply.

I took a sip of orange juice Drake had poured for me. “No, this is my first time, but from what I’ve seen, I love it.”

He nodded. “Then I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where are you off to next, Dane?” Jack asked him.

“There’s a tournament in Myrtle Beach, then Atlanta.” Dane slid a piece of bacon in his mouth. When he was done chewing, he said, “After Georgia, I head north and try to secure my sponsorship if I win the next two events.”