by Lyn Horner
Trailing after her as she sorted through blouses wasn’t too bad, but standing by, holding the things chosen while she dawdled in ladies lingerie got to him big time. He watched her examine bras and panties in a rainbow of colors. Imagining her in those scraps of lace and nothing more, he turned away, knowing he’d make a spectacle of himself if he didn’t.
The amused glance he got from a guy who walked past with his wife or girlfriend actually made him blush. When Talia finally strolled over to him with the dainty items she’d picked out, he knew from her impish grin that she was well aware of his discomfort and had prolonged it on purpose.
“Having fun?” she teased.
He grunted. “Oh yeah, tons of fun.”
“Let me pay for everything.” She led the way to the cashier’s desk. “Then, if you’re still willing, you can give me a ride back to the hotel and you’ll be rid of me.”
“What if I don’t want to be rid of you?” They halted behind two other customers waiting to check out. “What if I want you to spend the rest of the day with me on my boat?” he whispered in her ear.
“You own a boat?” Talia turned her head to stare at him.
“Don’t look so surprised. This is Tampa. We’re within a few miles of the bay.”
“I know but I didn’t think … .” She pressed her lips together and looked down.
“That I could afford a boat?” Getting no answer, he said in amusement, “Of course, it’s not exactly a yacht.”
She shot him a sidelong glance. “Thank you for the invitation, Nate, but I really should check in with Detective Lovett. He may want me to come in to the station.”
He frowned as they shuffled forward in line. “He has your cell number, right? Wouldn’t he have called if he needed you? Besides, it’s Sunday. I’m betting he took the day off.”
She continued to make excuses, but with persistence he finally convinced her to go. Since it was an unusually warm day, he also talked her into buying a swimsuit so she could get some sun. She changed into it at the hotel when they dropped off her new clothes, adding jeans, a casual white shirt and tennis shoes, last minute purchases Nate couldn’t wait to see her take off. Maybe he’d help, he thought slyly.
It was early afternoon and they hadn’t eaten since breakfast, so they made another quick stop at a convenience store. They picked up deli sandwiches and side items along with beer and bottled water, adding ice and a cooler to keep everything cold. Then they headed for the marina.
Watching Talia’s jaw drop and her eyes widen when she saw his twenty-eight-foot Corsair, Nate grinned in satisfaction. “Welcome to the Theresa.”
“You told me it wasn’t a yacht,” she said, sounding dumbfounded.
He chuckled. “It’s not. It’s a cabin cruiser.”
“But it’s so big and … and beautiful.”
“Thanks. I like her.” He climbed onto the boat and steadied her as she stepped aboard. After they buckled on life vests, he pointed to richly upholstered lounge seating arranged in a u-shape. “You can relax here or sit up front next to me.” Releasing the mooring lines, he added, “Or you can put your new bathing suit to good use on the sun deck.” He waggled his eyebrows and leered at her.
She shot him a narrow-eyed look and flipped back a lock of hair – once more released from its constraints. “I’ll be fine right here.” She plopped down on the port side lounger, swung her legs up and leaned back.
Grinning to himself, Nate stepped to the helm and eased the Theresa out of her slip, slowly putting on speed as they cleared the marina. He dropped into the captain’s chair and glanced over his shoulder at Talia. She sat with her face to the wind, pale blonde hair flying out behind her. He caught his breath, enthralled by her beauty. Intercepting his fascinated gaze, she smiled broadly, showing perfect white teeth.
“This is wonderful,” she called, voice floating on the wind over the low growl of engine noise. “I love it.”
“I can see that.” He yearned to keep watching her but turned his face to the front, not wanting to ram into some other boater or ground them on shallows. Guiding the craft into deeper water, he pointed to an island at the mouth of the bay. “That’s Egmont Key. See the lighthouse? It was built in the 1850s and it’s still in operation, although I heard the Coast Guard is planning to shut it down.”
“How sad. I love visiting historic places.” Talia said at his shoulder. She’d come to stand beside him, leaning on the passenger bucket seat. “Could we stop there and look at the building close up?”
“Sure. You know, I store a couple blankets in the cabin. How about if we spread one in a quiet spot on the beach and have a picnic?”
“That sounds nice.” She flashed another bright smile. “I’m getting hungry.”
*
A while later, having enjoyed their visit to the remarkable old lighthouse, Talia helped Nate arrange his soft woolen blanket on the sand and set out their picnic. He extracted a beer from the cooler and offered it to her. She hesitated briefly then accepted the icy-cold can. “I used to enjoy an occasional beer when I was young, but I haven’t had one in years,” she said pensively, tracing a finger down the sweating metal container.
“Then it’s time to try one again, and you’re still young, babe.” He winked, popped the top on his can and saluted her with it.
She laughed softly, opened hers and returned his gesture. “Thank you for saying that even if it isn’t true.” She took a swallow of her brew. “Ahh! I’d forgotten how bracing it tastes, especially on a warm day like this.”
Gulping down a hefty mouthful, he chuckled. “You need to let your hair down and enjoy yourself more often, honey. Now, I’m starving. Let’s dig in.” He tore the cellophane from his hero sandwich and bit off a large chunk. “Mmm, good,” he mumbled, contentedly chewing.
Talia took a much smaller bite of her chicken salad on wheat and had to agree. It was surprisingly tasty considering it had come pre-made. They ate in companionable silence, splitting small tubs of coleslaw and potato salad, using plastic forks and paper plates she had thrown into their basket at the store. Her second beer hit the spot, washing everything down, but she embarrassed herself with a loud burp.
“Sorry!” she gasped, covering her mouth, feeling her face grow hot.
Nate grinned and shook his head. “Hey, we all have to let out a little air once in a while.” Enforcing his point, he belched twice as loudly as she had.
They both laughed like silly children. Realizing she was a bit tipsy, Talia declined a third beer, but Nate had no such qualms. He opened another can and sipped leisurely. Stretching out his long legs, he leaned on one elbow and commented, “If you mean to soak up some rays, you’d better do it now.”
She squinted at the westward traveling sun. Nervous about removing her outer clothes in front of him, she said, “It’s getting kind of late. Maybe we should head back.”
“Naw.” He checked his watch. “It’s only a little past three. We’ve got a couple hours. I’m going to strip down. You might as well too.” He peeled off his black t-shirt, causing her to stare at his chest. It was just as sexy as she remembered. Then he stood and started to unfasten his pants.
“Wait! You don’t have a swimsuit on, do you?”
He paused, hands at his fly. “No, but I’m wearing boxers. They’re just as good. Of course you can cover your eyes if you want to.” A joking smile played across his lips.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she huffed, irritated with him for flustering her and with herself for sounding like a prudish old maid. To prove she wasn’t, she shed her cotton blouse, kicked off her tennies, rose and shimmied out of her tight jeans. Haughtily tossing her head, she boldly faced him … and forgot to breathe at the sight of him in knit charcoal boxers that fit like a second skin, outlining his lean hips, upper thighs and the manly bulge at his groin.
Tearing her gaze away from that disturbing part of him, she caught his hot umber eyes looking her over from her breasts down to her bare legs and back up. Ev
en in her modest one-piece navy swimsuit, she felt naked.
Belatedly meeting her eyes, he cleared his throat. “I, uh, brought sunscreen. You’d better put some on.”
“Yes, I’d better,” she said hoarsely. “You should too.”
“You first.” Squatting, he dug a tube of sunscreen from the pocket of his discarded pants and handed it to her. “Use plenty. The sun’s strong this far south, even in winter.”
Nodding, she sat on the blanket and squeezed a generous dollop of the creamy sun block into her palm. She spread it over her arms, shoulders and chest above her swimsuit then down her legs. Nate sat beside her, leaning back on his hands. She felt him watching her but carefully ignored him.
“Now you,” she said, tossing him the tube and lying back with her eyes closed, determined not to stare at him as he had at her. However, the small sounds of him applying the stuff to his body tempted her to peek, and then she couldn’t look away. Her heartbeat accelerated. She fought an urge to reach out and touch his glistening shoulder as he bent to coat his legs. The tattoos decorating his arms seemed so much a part of him now that she couldn’t imagine him without them.
Finished, he turned his head and caught her gazing at him. He smiled knowingly. “Will you put some on my back?”
She hesitated. His request was innocent on the surface but danger lurked in his umber eyes. He exuded sex appeal. Her stomach churned at the prospect of touching him. She shouldn’t do it, but … .
“Alright.” Sitting up, she took the tube, knelt behind him and squirted a line of sun block across his shoulder blades. His skin felt hot beneath her hands as she smeared the thick white cream down his hard-muscled back. Her fingers and palms tingled, telegraphing hot sensations to distant parts of her body.
“Mmm, feels nice,” he murmured, bending his head forward when she glided her slick hands up to his shoulders and neck.
“You need a haircut,” she said, struggling to steady her voice.
“Think so? Wearing it a little long and scruffy fits my tough, tattoo artist image, don’t you agree?”
Her hands paused. “Perhaps. Do you have more than one image?”
He laughed low in his chest. “Don’t we all show one face to the world but keep another, private one hidden?”
“I suppose you’re right,” she admitted, again rubbing his back. God knows there were facets of herself that she masked behind her hardnosed FBI agent persona.
“That should do it,” she said, sitting back on her heels and rubbing excess cream onto the tops of her hands.
He scooted around to face her. “Want me to put some on your back”
Did she, she wondered, staring at him. If her touching him was so stimulating, what would his touch do to her? She knew the answer and realized she very much wanted to feel his hands on her. “Yes,” she said, voice catching, eyes locked with his.
He nodded, nostrils flaring. “Turn around,” he ordered.
She obeyed. Trapping her hair, she pulled it out of his way over one shoulder, and waited, breathing fast. When it came, his touch was light and gentle, but it sent waves of fire crashing through her. She had trouble sitting still as he slowly smoothed his cream-coated hands down to the small of her back, where he traced one finger along the top edge of her swimsuit, setting off more fiery sensations. Sliding his hands upward, he caressed her neck and toyed with the tied straps of the suit’s halter-top.
Talia gave a start when he released those ties. Grabbing the straps as they fell forward, she shivered at the feel of Nate’s lips on the side of her throat. She closed her eyes and instinctively tilted her head to the opposite side, giving him better access, gasping when he nipped the super sensitive spot below her ear. He licked the tiny pain away, gripped her arms and turned her toward him.
Then his mouth seized hers in a fierce, hungry kiss, setting her whole being ablaze. She found herself locked in his arms with her own arms wrapped around him, breasts pressed to his chest. As eager for this as he was, she gave herself up to his kisses and his touch. She moaned in pleasure when he tugged the top of her suit down and bent to kiss her breasts. Hot and greedy, his mouth closed around one taut nipple, turning her into a quivering mass of need.
Within seconds, they were both naked and tangled together on the blanket, exploring each other. Nate’s hands and lips caressed her everywhere, driving her half mad. He coaxed her thighs apart and fingered her tender folds until she thrashed her head back and forth, imploring him to take her. Showing more sense than she was capable of at that moment, he took time to fish a small packet from his trusty jeans pocket.
Although grateful for his care, she wanted to scream impatiently as he tore open the foil packet and unfurled the condom down his jutting penis. When he finally positioned himself between her thighs and entered her, she cried out in reaction.
“You okay?” he asked, voice rough with desire. “Am I hurting you?”
“No! It’s just been a long while and … you feel so good.”
He laughed softly. “Well then, you’d better hold on, baby. Because I can’t go easy. Not this time.”
“I don’t want easy. Just do it!”
He growled in reply and began to move, pounding into her faster and faster. As desperate for release as he was, she clung to him, matching him stroke for stroke until the rising waves of pleasure finally crested, hurtling her heavenward on a cascade of bliss. Seconds after her, Nate roared in satisfaction.
“My God! That was … incredible,” he panted, resting his forehead on hers and supporting his weight on his forearms so as not to crush her, proving himself a true gentleman.
Struggling to catch her breath, she made an agreeing sound and let her clinging arms fall to the blanket. After a few moments, when they were both breathing more easily, he withdrew and rolled onto his back beside her. He clasped her hand, brought it to his lips and trailed kisses from her wrist to the tips of her fingers.
“You’re one hot babe, Tally Werner.”
Pleased and a bit flustered, she gave a nervous laugh. “Thank you. No one has ever said that to me before.”
“Yeah?” He turned his head to gaze at her with hooded eyes. “Then the men you’ve known must be blind and just plain stupid.”
She smiled dreamily. “No one calls me Tally, either, except for my dad.”
“Do you mind me calling you that?”
“No. I … kind of like it.” A chilly breeze fanned her bare skin, making her shiver. “It’s cooling off.”
Grinning, Nate propped himself up on one elbow. “I could warm you up,” he said, cupping her breast and teasing the crown with his thumb, causing her to shiver again, not from cold this time. Then he glanced up and grimaced. “Damn! There are dark clouds moving in. Much as I hate to, we’d better dress and head back. I don’t want us to get caught in a storm.”
Disappointed because she longed for him to transport her to heaven again, she was forced to agree. They dressed quickly, packed up the remains of their picnic and hurried to where they’d docked the boat. Barely making it across the bay to the marina before the rain started, Nate tied up the Theresa and they dashed to his car. Within seconds, the downpour began in earnest, beating on the roof and buffeting the vehicle with powerful gusts of wind.
“I’d have a hard time seeing to drive in this,” Nate said, squinting in an effort to see anything beyond the windshield. “We’ll have to wait out the worst of it. Then I’ll take you to your hotel. Okay?”
“Of course. I’m glad you noticed the clouds. I’d hate to be stuck on the island or out on the water right now.” The mere thought made her tremble and hug herself.
“Hey, you’re shivering again. Scoot over some and I’ll come hold you.” He maneuvered past the center console and lifted her onto his lap. His arms enclosed her, sharing his warmth, making her feel safe from the storm raging around them.
Sighing tiredly, she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for today, Nate. It was wonderful.”
&nbs
p; “Yeah, it was.” He kissed her brow. “Why don’t you take a little nap while we wait, honey? I’ll keep you warm.”
“I know you will.” Totally relaxed, she dozed off.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Talia stepped off the elevator with Nate at her side. His hand lightly gripped her elbow as they traversed the carpeted hall toward her room. She was feeling slightly groggy after her brief nap cuddled on his lap during the storm, and although she didn’t need his support, she welcomed his warm, familiar touch. He had declared he would walk her to her room when they arrived at the hotel, and she hadn’t argued. Truth to tell, she didn’t want to see him go.
“Here we are,” she said, halting outside her room. It took a moment to find the key card in her bag, stuffed with her computer – she never left it unguarded in a hotel room – and personal items, as well as a towel she’d brought along. Coming up with the card at last, she started to insert it in the lock mechanism, but the door opened slightly on its own. She froze, heart suddenly thumping in her chest.
‘The door isn’t locked,” she whispered, mouth dry as paper.
“Stand back,” Nate said in a grating undertone.
“No!” she hissed, reaching for her Glock. Much easier to locate than the key card, she drew it from her bag. “You stand back. I’m the one with a gun.” She heard him expel an impatient breath but he did as she said.
She pushed the door open a few inches. Hearing no sound from beyond it, she gave another, harder push. Still hearing nothing but her own raspy breathing, she felt cautiously along the wall for the light switch. Finding it, she flipped it on with her gun, not wanting to possibly disturb the intruder’s fingerprints.
Light filled the room. Talia groaned at sight of the mess within. Tables and chairs had been overturned, bedside lamps and the television screen smashed. The bed itself was ruined. The duvet and pillows had been torn open, scattering feathers all over the room, and the mattress viciously slashed. Poly foam stuffing protruded from the gaping rents.
