Enigma, Maine, Bundle 2

by Iris Abbott

  She relaxed her body until the water completely surrounded her. Amber didn’t dare close her eyes. She wasn’t ready for the inky blackness she experienced when she was thrown overboard.

  Adam reached out a hand toward her. She grabbed it like a lifeline and squeezed tight. He gently tugged her forward, and she let her body flow until it ran into she hit the wall of his well-muscled body. Adam pushed off the bottom, and they rose to the surface.

  She flung both arms around his neck. “I did it! And I didn’t panic!”

  “You deserve a reward.” He propelled them forward until Amber was trapped between his body and the tiled side of the pool. When she was surrounded by his embrace, he lowered his head to claim her lips.

  Amber felt the cold tile press into her from behind. It was a delicious contrast to the heat of Adam’s body which crowded her from the front. She opened her mouth to accept his kiss. Her nipples pebbled, and her thighs clenched in anticipation. She wanted, no needed, to be closer to Adam. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, urging him closer.

  A shiver worked its way down her spine. Her senses threatened to overload from the onslaught of sensations. She was glad to be in the water and wrapped around Adam’s body. Amber didn’t think she was capable of standing. Her body swelled in all its sensitive areas, and a languid heat took control of her limbs.

  Adam pushed closer to her, and she welcomed the warmth of his body. They were the only two things left in the world. All other thoughts had long fled her mind. She let out a low moan. His tongue darted between her lips and explored the inner cavern of her mouth. He caressed her puckered nipples with strong, steady fingers.

  The rough friction of her bathing suit rubbed against her already swollen nipples. She pushed her heavy, swollen breasts deeper into Adam’s caress. A long, slow moan escaped from between their joined mouths. Amber was so enthralled by Adam’s touch. It took her more than a few seconds to register running footsteps.

  “Aunt Amber, Mr. Landis, my mom told me to tell you! Dinner’s getting cold!” Jacob ran out of the house and to the pool.

  Amber heard her name and the echoing sound of footsteps.

  Adam casually dropped his hands away from Amber’s breasts without drawing attention to what he had been doing.

  She unhooked her legs and let them slowly fall from Adam’s waist. “We’ll be right there, Jacob.” She turned and gave her nephew a stern look. “You know better than to run around a swimming pool.”

  “Sorry,” he grinned. “I’m starving, and mom said we can’t eat without you and Mr. Landis.”

  The little boy’s grin was infectious even if Amber’s body screamed for Adam to continue his teasing seduction.

  “Well, it is his house,” Amber reminded Jacob. “We’re getting out of the pool right now,” she promised. She grabbed the ladder firmly with both hands and took a step up.

  Adam was quick to follow and whispered into her ear. “I promise we’ll finish this tonight.”

  Amber glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’m counting on it!”

  Adam stayed close behind her. They grabbed the oversized beach towels and quickly dried off.

  “I need to take a cold shower before we eat. I’ll make it quick though,” Adam told her as soon as they reached the back door.

  She gave Adam a knowing look. “Jacob,” she got her nephew’s attention. “Why don’t you go find out what your mom and Steve are doing? Let them know that Adam and I are going to change clothes. We’ll join you guys in a few minutes.” At least she would be.

  She rushed upstairs. She heard the water from the shower in Adam’s bathroom. She strolled into the bathroom that adjoined her room and stripped out of her bathing suit.

  She grabbed a towel and bent over at the waist so that the wet tresses cascaded down in front of her. She squeezed the cotton towel around her hair and briskly it. She didn’t want to waste time styling. She stood and flipped the mane over her shoulders, grabbed an elastic band, and pulled the damp strands into a ponytail.

  Clothes were next. Her body tingled at the thought of making love with Adam soon. That thought fresh in her mind, Amber searched her things until she found the sexiest bit of lace she owned. She slipped into the pale pink underwear. She enjoyed the slinky feel of the silk as it brushed against her overheated skin. She wished she had time to daydream, but her family was patiently waiting downstairs.

  Suppressing a sigh, she pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and a T-shirt. A quick look in the mirror and she was satisfied with the results. She slipped her feet into a pair of summer sandals.

  Five minutes later, she joined her family and took over the duty of hostess since Adam was still upstairs. She loved her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew dearly. However, she’d be counting the minutes until she and Adam were finally alone!

  SIX

  Amber closed and locked the door behind her sister. One hundred and seventy minutes later, she finally had Adam to herself. She turned and was immediately surrounded by hard male flesh. She’d was so busy fantasizing about their upcoming night together she didn’t hear him come up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her, and Amber willingly went into his embrace.

  “I know you love your family. And they seem really great, but I thought they’d never leave.”

  Amber buried her face into the side of his neck. “Agreed,” she mumbled. She licked the side of his neck. “You taste much better than dinner.”

  Adam swung her up into his arms. “Bet you do, and I plan to taste every inch of you.” He climbed the stairs as fast as he dared while cradling Amber in his arms. He bypassed the guest bedroom.

  This was the first time she’d been in Adam’s most personal space. She glanced around at the immaculate bedroom decorated much like an ocean retreat. Any other time she would have found the room soothing. Right now though, she burned with need. The only thing that could calm the ache deep inside was Adam’s touch.

  Amber had been with two other lovers before Adam. They never made her tingle all over. She was a parched desert, and he was the cooling ocean. She sensed when the two of them came together it would be earthshattering.

  Adam laid her on his bed. Cool sheets brushed against her backside. She used her elbows to prop herself up and watched Adam. He pulled his shirt above his head, exposing his lithe swimmer’s physique. His hands slipped into the waistband of his pants. Amber shot up and slid toward him. “Let me.” She licked her lips.

  ****

  Adam saw the longing in her eyes. He knew the feeling. His body was hard, and his erection ached to be surrounded by Amber’s welcoming flesh. He didn’t say anything. He stepped to the edge of the bed so that he was within Amber’s reach. Her tongue flicked against his belly button, and his erection pulsed.

  “Amber,” he groaned. “When a man wants someone as much as I want you, what you’re doing qualifies as torture.”

  Amber gave him a devilish smile. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that.” She unbuttoned his jeans and gingerly slid down the zipper.

  Adam held his breath until the zipper was safely down. He emptied his lungs in a rush when Amber hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his jeans and yanked them down around his knees. He quickly stepped out of his clothes and joined Amber on the bed.

  She opened her arms and wrapped them around his neck. Amber drew him closer. He wanted to cover every inch of her delectable body. She shivered against him and trailed kisses from his neck to his chest. She found a taut nipple and flicked at it with her tongue.

  His body jerked with pleasure. He cupped Amber’s cheeks and took possession of her mouth. He cupped both of her pert breasts in his hands and lightly squeezed and tugged. Her dusky rose nipples responded to his teasing touch.

  Amber’s moan of pleasure echoed around the room. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed her mound against his erection. She shuddered and arched her back to get even closer.

  Adam greeted her eagerness to join their bodies wi
th small thrusts of his own. His muscles tensed. He was more than ready to sink into her welcoming core.

  He reluctantly moved away from Amber and fumbled with the nightstand drawer. Finally, he was able to wrench it open. His fingers closed around the square foil packet he desperately sought. He yanked it out of the drawer and ripped it open with his teeth. In one quick motion, he slid it over his straining erection.

  Adam impatiently moved back to Amber’s waiting arms. He buried his face in her neck and lightly sucked the sensitive skin. Her pulse jumped under his lips. He guided his erection to her sex. He eased the tip inside and stopped.

  Amber tensed and grabbed hold of his shoulders. “Don’t stop,” she begged. She raked her fingernails all the way down his back.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it!” Adam grabbed her hips with both hands, lifted her lower body off the bed, and thrust inside. Her muscles clenched around his erection. He withdrew and reentered, setting an earthshattering pace that made them both cry out.

  Her body tensed against his. She arched her back and lifted her hips to meet him thrust for thrust. “So close, so close, help me, Adam,” she pleaded.

  He rolled them over without breaking intimate contact. “Sit up,” he urged Amber.

  Amber did as he requested. Her eyes widened when his erection sank even deeper inside her. She closed her eyes and rocked her hips in time to his thrusting.

  His eyes remained open, taking in every detail of her beauty. Tiny gasps slipped between her kiss-swollen lips. Her perfect breasts bobbed and swayed with every bounce. A pink flush started above her breasts and worked it’s way up her neck and to her face.

  His gaze landed on the swollen flesh of the little nub above her sex. He tapped it his thumb. Her moan of pleasure urged him to continue. He increased the speed and friction of his caress.

  Her knees gripped the side of his body. Her hands clutched the headboard. She moved faster. Up! Down!

  She coaxed him toward a climax, but he fought his release. He needed Amber to reach her pleasure first. His erection pulsed with the need to find release. He gritted his teeth and held back. His strained muscles tightened to the breaking point.

  Her nails dug into his shoulders. She threw her head back. Her body shuddered, muscles clenching him tightly. She collapsed on top of him while her body shook from the intensity and power of her orgasm.

  Adam finally let go. He gripped her hips, forcing her down onto his throbbing erection. Every muscle froze as he reached the peak of ecstasy. Just as suddenly the tension left his body, and he slumped against the mattress. She lay on his chest with her head tucked under his chin.

  They quietly panted in the aftermath. A smile of satisfaction dominated his face. It was better than he imagined, but next time, he’d make it last. She was worth every second of the five-year wait. Now that he had a taste of the two of them together, he wouldn’t be letting go anytime soon.

  SEVEN

  The ringing of a cell phone jolted Amber from sleep. She heard Adam’s sleepy reply. She felt him slip out of bed. She sat up and waited for him to finish the call. She was alarmed by his sharp retort to the person on the other end of the line.

  “What’s wrong,” she asked when he finally cut the call.

  Adam ran a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. “That was an old friend of mine. He has connections just about everywhere. They’ve found the remains of the stolen boat a few miles out from where you were dumped overboard.”

  “Remains?” Amber crinkled her brows. “That doesn’t make any sense to me. There haven’t been any storms recently. Who would steal a boat just to sink it?”

  Adam shrugged. “Definitely suspicious. Phillip and some of his contacts have been working on this since I called him from the hospital. They just found the wreckage and identified it. No one’s had a chance to inspect it yet.”

  He walked toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take my boat out and do a little investigating of my own. Do you want to come with me?”

  Amber hesitated. The thought of being on a boat again made her shake. She trusted Adam though, and she had a burning desire to know who tried to kill her and why. “I’ll freshen up and meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”

  Adam nodded. “I was hoping we could take a long, leisurely shower this morning together. But getting to the bottom of your attempted murder should be our top priority. See you in ten,” he promised.

  Less than an hour later, Amber’s clenched fists resting on her lap was the only sign of her nervousness. The ocean was calm, but water still batted against the side of the boat. She sensed Adam was going slower than he usually would. She pictured him in her mind, the ship running full throttle and the wind blowing through his hair.

  She took a few deep breaths and pushed away the image. She needed to concentrate on battling her fears instead of daydreaming about Adam. She was able to take a short swim in the pool yesterday, and she was able to ride in a boat. She only needed to focus. Even with all her concentration, she couldn’t fight the chill that permeated her body.

  ****

  Adam glanced at the woman by his side. He sensed she battled her dread of the ocean. It was one of the reasons he brought her with him. If they were going to have any chance of building a life together, she had to get over her fear. The sooner, the better.

  He double-checked the coordinates Phillip gave him. They’d be arriving alongside the wreckage any minute. He slowed the boat. The proper authorities would be contacted sometime in the next few hours. Adam wanted a chance to look for clues himself first. His top priority was making sure Amber was out of danger. That might not match up with anyone else’s interest in the case. Therefore, he needed to look for himself.

  He dropped anchor where Phillip told him he’d find the sunken boat. “I’m going to go in the water for a look. The ocean’s calm. You’ll be fine until I get back.” He cupped her face with both hands. His lips lightly touched hers. He pressed against her and deepened the kiss a split second before lifting his mouth.

  Amber glanced around. “Where’s your underwater gear?”

  Adam didn’t want to lie, so he told the truth without embellishing. “I’m going to free-dive.” He saw the anxiety-filled look Amber gave him. “I’ve been doing it for years. I’ve had lots of practice, and I’m great at it. I can spend several minutes underwater. I’ll be just fine.”

  Amber shuddered before she slumped her shoulders. “I have a bad feeling about this. Maybe we should wait for the Coast Guard or whoever is going to do the official investigation.”

  Nope, Adam wanted a look first. A nagging suspicion formed in the back of his mind, but he wanted to check on a few things before he broached his idea to the authorities. “I’m at home in the ocean.” And one day soon, she would know exactly how true the statement was. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  Amber’s gaze lingered on him while he stripped down to his swimsuit. He strapped on a dive knife and leaned in to give her another kiss. This one was only a light brush of his lips. He was careful not to let things get out of control.

  The quicker he got a look at the shipwreck the sooner he could get Amber back on dry land. It might take several more playful sessions in the pool and short runs on his boat before she felt comfortable with the ocean once again. He was willing to do all of those things as many times as it took because Amber was more than worth it.

  ****

  Amber watched him closely. She wanted closure. That meant finding out what happened to the boat and the men who’d tried to kill her. However, she didn’t want Adam getting hurt in the process. He was precious to her, and she couldn’t stand it if he got hurt because of her.

  She embraced the second chance they were given. She was holding on to it and Adam. She knew he was special when she first met him. And even though he’d only been back in her life for a few days, she knew her feelings for him were the real deal, and they were strong.

  “Be careful and promise you’ll come back to me.”


  Adam walked over to the side of his boat. He looked at her over his shoulder and winked. “I’m not afraid of the ocean, and in time you’ll feel the same way.”

  Amber listened, but instead of looking at him, she focused on the deep blue of the murky ocean water. It scared her not to know what was beneath the surface. As far as she was concerned, jumping into the water was a leap of faith. Something she wasn’t ready to do, at least not yet anyway.

  A few gray heads bobbed out of the water. “Adam, look!” She pointed to the curious dolphins that seemed to be checking out the boat. She bounced up and down.

  “I’ve seen this pod several times when I’ve been out on my boat. This is a good sign. The dolphin is a symbol of good luck.”

  A couple of the dolphins jumped out of the water as if performing for their audience. “Oh, my,” Amber clapped her hands together in glee. “Look at that! They’re beautiful!”

  “They’ll keep you entertained while I have a look at the boat.” He grabbed the underwater light and stepped off of the ladder into the inky darkness of the ocean.

  Amber held her breath for as long as she could. Finally, after her vision began to fade and she felt lightheaded enough to grab on to the railing, the air left her body in a giant whoosh. She rapidly sucked in sharp breaths, making a gasping sound. How long could Adam stay under?

  A couple of the dolphins disappeared. Amber imagined they followed Adam. It helped to think they might watch over him. The rest of the dolphins clicked and chattered. The noise was a welcome distraction for her. It also helped drown out the sound of the approaching boat.

  Amber gave a small start of surprise when a rubber dinghy with an attached motor stopped next to Adam’s boat. Her body let out a huge shudder. The presence of another vessel gave her the chills. It was reminiscent of the night she was thrown overboard.

  The dolphins, she noted with surprise, moved closer to her and the boat. It was almost as if they were forming a barrier between her and the dinghy. What a silly thought, Amber admonished herself. Dolphins wouldn’t do that, would they?