After Him: An Enemies-To-Lovers Romance (Virgin Island Series Book 1)

by L. L. James

  While he shook his head, she took the opportunity to inch her hands up his neck. Warm, springy curls wrapped around her fingers and Carm delighted in their softness. For some reason a sharp thrill rippled through her at the small, intimate discovery.

  Marek leaned his head toward her, tugging his hair out of her grasp and whispered in her ear, “If you wanted to touch it, sugar, you should have asked. I’ll let you touch any part of my body you want to, if you ask nice.”

  Heat flared in her cheeks and Carm felt her face flush with embarrassment. The man was physic. There wasn’t a thing that snuck past him.

  Meeting his amused gaze, she attempted a flippant response, “Don’t flatter yourself, sugar. And trust me, it’s the only part of you I want to touch.”

  Marek splayed his hands across her curvy hips and slid them lower. Coming to rest just on the sides of her butt, he squeezed and pulled her closer until their bodies were flush against each other. Wanting to resist him, Carm let out a frustrated breath when, instead, her body melted against him.

  “Are you sure about that, cheri?”

  She avoided looking at him and questioned instead, “Why does your accent become heavier when you’re angry or aroused? I’ve noticed you start dropping your t’s. It’s the same as when you wake up in the morning. Do you work at smoothing it out?”

  Marek spun her in a slow circle, digging her feet into the soft sand. He was smooth, she had to give him that. He knew how to move easy and loose. It made her wonder if he moved like that in bed. Argh. I’ve got to stop thinking like that.

  Carm felt hot breath whisper along her neck. Shivers ran down her spine as he said in her ear, “I’m flattered you notice so much about me. Makes me almost think you care. And any time you want to test that arousal theory, you let me know, oui?”

  Deliciously achy pulses began low in her abdomen. Her limbs went liquid and heavy at the erotic images his suggestion brought to mind. Never before had Carm felt so needy for a man and she found she liked the sensation.

  It was like a powerful drug. It filled her with heady desire and melted her insides. Enjoying the rush, Carm was mildly shocked by her willingness to embrace it when just hours ago she’d run from it. With the surprise came the sudden clarity that she didn’t have to be a victim to it, afraid of what it might make her do. Passion.

  No, she realized on a flash of insight that she could use it, control it to gain what she needed before she let in consume her. Consume them both.

  Lifting her eyes to meet his probing gaze, Carm smiled with all the power of a goddess. Pure joy shot threw her and she threw back her head and laughed, the sound rich and evocative. She ran her hands up the back of Marek’s neck into his hair and tugged his head down for a long, drugging kiss. Using teeth and tongue, she embraced her newfound knowledge and gained a deep groan of desire from Marek.

  As she pulled back, Carm flicked her tongue one last time over his lips. She felt the shiver that ran through him and loved it. The extraordinary power of simply being female was going to get her everything she wanted. And he was going to give it to her. Not tonight, but soon.

  Marek felt his world tilt unsteadily below his feet as he gazed in Carmen’s seductive eyes. Something had changed for her in the last few minutes and some inner voice warned him to back away. But he couldn’t, he was drawn to the look on her face and could not turn away for anything. She entranced him.

  Then it hit him, the change in her. Carmen looked like some Pagan goddess, powerful and enchanting. It drew him and put his guard up simultaneously.

  Marek tilted his head toward the sky and sent a quick prayer to Fate and the Moon Goddess. Whatever they had done to her tonight he was grateful for. Now was the time to finish what they’d started.

  Sliding his hands back up her body Marke reached for her hand and silently guided her off the beach. He sent Landon a quick nod as they passed his friend and shook his head at the obscene hand gesture Landon made in return.

  They reached their table and Marek swooped up their shoes and kept on going. Carm remained silent behind him, but he could feel her energy like a tangible force.

  When they reached the bungalow just down the beach where they were staying, Marek unlocked the door and pushed it open. Carm anticipated him and slithered past, out of his reach. Lust and passion weighed heavy in his gut, churning with burning intensity. He needed her tonight.

  Before he could stalk toward her and carry her to one of the bedrooms, Carm spun on him. “I’m not going to sleep with you tonight, Marek. I want you, I won’t lie about that. I want you more than any man I’ve known, but I’m not going to sleep with you.”

  Marek stopped and stood still, unsure if he’d heard her correctly. Surely she wasn’t going to back out now. “What did you just say, Carmen?”

  He stared at her hard trying to figure out what kind of game she was playing. She’d been all over him a few minutes ago on the beach. And up on Mt. Liamuiga? He hadn’t imagined that. He wanted her and she him, so what the fuck was the problem?

  Marek scowled and waited for her to go on. At his intense frown, she folded her arms across her voluptuous chest and smiled sweetly, confusing him further.

  “You want sex, Marek. Hot, down and dirty, no holds barred sex—“

  “That’s the idea.” Marek interjected dryly.

  “I want sex too.”

  A hammer hit him in the gut at those words and flared his desire to a fever pitch. Taking a step toward her, Marek swore when she held up a hand to stay him.

  With her back straight and her bearing proud, Carm declared, low and firm, “I want to have sex with you, Marek, but not now.”

  Frustration ripped viciously through him. “Why the hell not?” He demanded, his voice harsh with need.

  Carm glided over to him and placed a cool, smooth hand on his clenched jaw. She had no idea that she was baiting a hungry wolf. Didn’t she know it was dangerous to stroke an angry animal? Hell, maybe she did and was testing his control. At the moment he didn’t understand a fucking thing about her.

  “Because, Marek, I don’t really know you. I know next to nothing about your past—,”

  “I don’t talk about my past, cheri—,”

  “And you know virtually nothing about me. Lastly, and you already know this, you don’t love me and I don’t love you. I want love, Marek. Sex with you tonight might be an amazing experience for me, but tomorrow? In the light of day I’ll have regrets, and I don’t want regrets with you.”

  Marek felt his jaw tick under her slender hand and growled, “You ask for the impossible. Why can’t you just take what I offer now? I promise you won’t regret it, I won’t let you.”

  Carm smiled softly and dropped her hand. Squaring her shoulders she stated in a voice ripe with conviction, “Because I deserve better than that, Marek. I demand better than table scraps and what’s convenient for you to offer without risk. When I choose to be with a man he’ll get all of me. Nothing halfway. I expect the same in return. And don’t make me promises that you can’t keep.”

  He watched her walk away, his gut swirling with emotions. “So that’s it then, even though we’ve already been together once and we’re already fucking married?” He hollered and stalked to the door.

  Carm nodded over her shoulder, “The first time neither of us remember, Marek. I screwed up once, I won’t do it again.”

  Marek swore violently and yanked the door open, “You’re a wicked woman, Carmen Hogue. You won’t stop until you own a man’s very soul, will you? Well, I won’t give you mine sorciere. It belongs to me, and me alone.”

  Marek stepped through the door and slammed it shut, leaving Carm staring after him. Anger tore through him, tangling with another emotion he refused to believe was fear.

  Shit, he needed a drink.

  Carm woke to the sound of waves lapping gently against the shore and sunlight streaming in through the open window. She rolled over and stretched her hands over her head and yawned. A memory of her doing
the same exact thing yesterday flashed through her mind and Carm whipped her head to the spare pillow.

  She was alone. Not that she should have really been worried considering the nasty showdown she’d had with Marek last night. He’d been upset by her stance, but she wouldn’t back down. Couldn’t. She had something so much better to gain.

  A wild yellow canary landed on her windowsill and fluttered its vibrant wings. The little bird spotted her and cocked his head to the side and chirped. Carm watched in delight as the canary ruffled his feathers and began singing.

  The little bird was a bright spot of color in the cool white-toned room. His brilliant yellow feathers practically glowed in the morning sun.

  With one last song the tiny bird flew away leaving her alone again. Since her arrival two days ago she’d seen more color and brilliance than ever before. The joy of the West Indies could definitely steal her heart.

  Sitting up, Carm dragged the crisp white sheet with her and placed her feet on the beige sisal rug. She spotted a small clock on the dresser and noted it was just past seven in the morning. She remembered Landon saying they’d head back to Tortola around nine, so she stood up and padded into the living room.

  She wondered if Marek had even come back last night or if he’d spent the night with someone willing to do what she wouldn’t. Ugh! Was that jealousy rearing its green head?

  Carm shook her head, disgusted with herself and peeked into Marek’s room. He’d left the door wide open last night and was fast asleep in the middle of the bed. Absurdly pleased that he had come back, Carm grinned and tip-toed silently back to her room.

  Dropping the towel, she stood naked in her room and made her way to the bathroom. After a nice, hot shower she’d go in and wake Marek up, but for now she wanted some time to reflect on her plan of action before she had to deal with him.

  By the time she’d showered, dressed in the same clothes she’d worn yesterday and applied what little makeup she found in her purse, it was past eight. Letting her damp hair hang loose about her shoulders, Carm strode barefoot to Marek’s room to wake him up.

  She found him dripping wet in the middle of the room with only a skimpy white towel slung low around his waist. Her breath hitched at the sight of his golden skin glistening with water. His back faced her and she felt her mouth dry up as she gazed at the rippling display of muscle across his broad shoulders.

  Carm raked her eyes greedily over every inch of him down to the expanse of his hard, disciplined legs. Every inch of him was a gorgeous shade of golden brown.

  She sighed and ran her gaze hungrily back up his body to his hair. She was right, when his hair was wet it was quite a bit longer. It hung in wet clumps down to his shoulders, the ends already curling in solid rings of sun bleached blond. She loved the different shades of his hair, from the dark brown base to the pale gold streaks.

  Marek must have heard her sigh because he whipped his head around. He half turned toward her and she almost swallowed her tongue at the display of rigid muscle that ripped down his abs to a scrumptious vee at his hips. The ring of dolphins stared back at her from below his navel, drawing her eye down.

  Raking her gaze back up, Carm found it hard to breathe as she surveyed his hard chest and defined, gorgeous arms. But what got her most was the way his eyes sparkled, clear and mysterious in the morning light beneath his damp, thick lashes.

  He continued to glare at her as he rubbed a hand over his unshaven jaw. A day’s growth shadowed his face, making his translucent eyes stand out even more. He was without a doubt, the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on.

  Finally he broke eye contact and muttered, his tone resigned, “What do you want, Carmen?”

  Finding it hard to talk around the sawdust in her mouth, Carm swallowed a few times and cleared her throat. “I just wanted to wake you, but I see you’re already up. I’ll go now.” She finished lamely.

  A wicked gleam came into Marek’s eye. At that look, she knew she should leave but couldn’t turn from the sight of his bare flesh. Warning bells sounded in her head as he smirked at her, telling her to run for the hills, but her feet were frozen in place.

  He grinned and crooned with false sweetness, “Don’t rush away on my account, cupcake.” Then he dropped his towel, giving her an unhindered view of him.

  Carm gasped and felt her eyes go big with shock. Oh. My. Word. She couldn’t help but stare at his exposed flesh.

  The man was bronzed all over. Every square inch of him. And there were quite a few inches. Holy crap, is that thing for real?

  Covering her open mouth with her hand, she spun on her heels and ran.

  Marek’s mocking laughter followed her.

  Ten

  Marek watched Carm out of the corner of his eye as they made their way through the airport back to his jeep. The flight had been very interesting with Landon’s non-stop politically incorrect chatter and Carm’s perpetual red face. She hadn’t looked him in the eye once the whole flight and when he ventured to ask her a question, she stared out the window while answering. At least his little stunt had kept her mind off her fear of flying.

  The look on her face after he’d dropped his towel had been priceless. Marek had never seen a female so flustered by the sight of his cock. It had taken all his control not to laugh. As he’d bit the inside of his lip, he’d silently lectured himself with the reminder that he was no doubt the first naked male body she’d seen.

  He felt a perverse satisfaction at that, knowing he was the first man for her. In her.

  He was still pissed at her though and felt no guilt or remorse for his juvenile antics. Not after the way she’d so coldly shut him down last night. In his opinion, the frigid brat deserved it. Might make her think twice about what she was passing up. He’d had to spend last night drowning his libido in booze and had still spent a restless night aching for her.

  So if he took a cheap shot to get even, big deal. It was his turn to make her squirm.

  Once they reached the jeep, Marek opened her door and closed it behind her before striding around to his side. He climbed in and stuck the keys in the ignition. He began turning the engine over then stopped. Turning to face her, he studied her from behind his sunglasses. “Are you going to ignore me for the rest of your stay, sugar? Unless we get things squared away quick with this whole marriage crap, you might be here for a while. Could get lonely without me to talk to, cheri.”

  Carm reluctantly turned her attention to him and said, her voice dripping censure, “You are a child, Marek Stokes, you know that? How on earth have you managed to run a successful business?”

  Marek flashed a grin and started the engine, “Pure talent, sweetheart.”

  He heard Carmen snort with disbelief and laughed. Oh, she was a joy to rile.

  Making their way out of the airport, Marek turned his mind to the business ahead. He’d made some calls last night once he’d arrived back at the resort about the person up on the mountain. He knew it could have been a lost hiker or something equally innocent, but the fact that his fields were on the far side of Mt. Liamuiga far away from hiking trails raised a red flag. He’d contacted his field manager for the heads up and hoped to hear something later today.

  But first they needed to go have a chat with Big Bubba. Marek sighed and glanced over at Carm as she stared out the window, before turning his eyes back to the narrow road. This mess just kept getting more and more complicated. And he didn’t do complicated.

  Breaking the silence, he punched on the radio and turned up the volume. Lively calypso music blared from the speakers and he sang along when he recognized the song. He grinned when she gripped her flying hair with her hands and glared at him. He loved the way she frowned with her nose all wrinkled like that.

  As they rounded the bend along the rocky coastline and reached the outside of Road Town, Marek slowed the jeep and glided into town. In the past years some real prosperity had come to Tortola, turning the B.V.I’s into one of the most affluent Caribbean nations. As he made h
is way through town, they passed new buildings in pastel stucco and caught glimpses of the government building with its brick walk and palm trees. The red metal roof of the ferry terminal came into view and Marek waved at a couple standing in front on the sidewalk.

  He continued down the road until he came to Big Bubba’s and pulled into the crowd of cars in the parking lot. Squeezing between two rental cars, Marek shifted the jeep into park and pulled the key out of the ignition.

  Carm gained his attention before he could hop out when she reached over and gripped his forearm. With an eyebrow raised in question he turned to her. Her face had gone pale. Concern etched his brow and he asked, “What is it? Are you ill?”

  Shaking her head, Carm waved her hand toward the bright green building. “I don’t want to go in there, Marek. It’s humiliating enough knowing what I did, I can’t go in there and look those people in the eye knowing that they know.”

  He replied, his voice quiet, “Look at me. No one knows what we did, ok?”

  “You told me we were married in there, in the back office.”

  Damn, she remembered that detail. “Ok well, then that’s all they know. But if you’d like, I’ll go in and question everyone while you wait here.”

  She nodded in agreement and leaned her head back against the seat. “I’ll wait here.”

  Marek spared her one last glance and opened his car door. Maneuvering his way through the throng of vehicles, he noted the size of the early afternoon crowd. Big Bubba’s did great business during the tourist season, packing the restaurant full daily.

  Stepping inside, Marek slipped off his sunglasses and waited a moment for his eyes to adjust to the indoor lighting. Scanning the room, he spotted their waitress from last night at the long, scarred wood bar. Ignoring the buzz of voices and the eyes he felt on him, he slid on an empty stool beside Dara. “Hey there, gorgeous. Got a minute?”

  Dara turned her dark eyes on him and pursed her glossy red lips. “For you I got an hour, handsome. What do ya need?”