by Gina Gordon
After last night, she knew she needed to find a cure for her Cole-lust. Otherwise, a week from now, she’d be in big trouble. Giving in to her desire while in a tropical paradise was one thing, but giving in at home was an entirely different, and unprofessional, story. There was no way she was sacrificing the best job she’d ever had—and risk the label of sleeping her way on the board—for a good lay. A great lay.
He straightened out their bodies, and his hands moved from her ass to her waist, then cupped her breasts.
“Please, Cole,” she whispered. “I need—” Her chest heaved when his hand lowered and fiddled with the tie of her robe.
When she looked up at him, he hesitated. That same hesitation she’d seen the night before, and only minutes earlier when he’d shied away from touching himself, flashed across his face.
He opened his mouth, then closed it, wanting desperately to say something, but he just couldn’t.
This time-out was doing nothing to reduce her desire. The heat from his body was still singeing her skin. Still tightening and curling up her insides so she felt she had no other option but to burst from the seams.
She clasped her palm on his cheek and lifted his head to look deep into his eyes. He could say anything he wanted, and it would rev her up. He could say “T-shirt” and she’d be a puddle at his feet.
He gave her a half smile. “I want to have sex. With you.”
Relief washed over her as she kissed his lips, running her fingers through his hair. “I like that thought.”
When her hand paused near his mouth, he quickly turned his head and sucked one of her fingers into it. Heat bloomed between her legs, and she let her head fall back on a gasp.
The man may not be able to tell her in the manner she craved, but he knew exactly what she wanted. Exactly what she needed.
Him.
He sucked lightly on her finger, then let it go. He bent to nuzzle her neck and tongued her skin with open mouth kisses.
Her core ached. She wanted this man inside her. Inside every part of her. With more want than she’d ever experienced. The fact that he was trying to give her what she wanted… Well, didn’t that just tug on her heartstrings and make her want him even more.
More than was appropriate. More than she’d ever get from him in return.
She shook off the blistering need. This man wasn’t the man. He was too closed off and judgmental. He may not even be capable of love. She saw it in his eyes and everything he did. Distant. Aloof. Solitary. And she needed someone to love her for the woman she really was, the Penn she was every day with him, not the facade she put on when she was with her family.
If she was going to fall in love, she wanted a man who was all in. One who was willing to get naked—body and soul. One who accepted her just as she was. No reservations. No games.
But just for the here and now… Who could resist such an incredible man?
His hand slipped between her legs, and he cupped her sex. He groaned when he found bare skin and swiped his fingers between her folds. She knew she was wet. Just the sight of him in the doorway this morning had her warm and achy. But now, with his lips on her skin and his hands in the place she needed them the most, she was positively ready. Ready to beg. Ready to give in to anything he wanted.
No, she didn’t want to fall in love with Cole Murphy. But fuck him? Oh, yes. She’d wanted to do that since the day she’d walked into Bistro for her very first interview.
She shivered again as he circled her clit. Her pleasure increased with each soft swipe of his finger and when he slipped two inside her, she groaned and shook in his arms. Fuck, who was she kidding? She didn’t need dirty talk. She didn’t need to play some coy little game. His thumb continued its assault on her clit while he slowly, surely, brought her closer and closer to reaching the pinnacle.
She had no idea sex with Cole would be so explosive.
She needed to soak it up. Savor it. Revel in it. Get in as many dirty minutes with him as she could, because as soon as they set foot in Toronto, they would go back to being just friends, and the walls he’d built up between them, the same walls that disappeared a little every time they were intimate, would once again leave her in the dark.
Which was exactly why she couldn’t give this man any more than her body.
She walked them over to one of the chairs in front of the sliding glass doors. A gentle breeze blew into the room, cooling her down from the heat of his kisses. He whipped her around to face outside and wasted no time tearing off her robe.
He placed his hand on her lower back and guided her to bend down. She braced her palms on the seat of the chair. She looked over her shoulder and spread her legs, letting him know she was ready. Willing. Wanting exactly what he was pulling out of his shorts.
The water crashed in front of them. Palm trees swayed and birds chirped. The surroundings were romantic. Beautiful. It was the complete opposite soundtrack for the out-of-this-world sex going on in the room.
Cole grabbed on to her hair with one hand and the other grasped her bottom. He squeezed hard, and with the strength of his grip, he was also opening her up, exposing the one spot she’d never given up. But she knew if Cole suddenly switched gears, she’d be on board.
“Condom,” he grunted.
She felt the loss of him immediately when cool air settled over her bare bottom. But he was back to her in no time, the condom wrapper already open and falling to the floor before he reached her.
When he was sheathed, he thrust inside her, hard and fast. Sweat broke out across her skin as pleasure built higher and higher with every one of his strokes. He pulled her hair and her head snapped up. She lifted one foot and placed it on the seat cushions. The change in angle was exactly what she needed to tip over the edge. A few more thrusts and she was soaring, tumbling into the vortex of an orgasm that tightened her entire body.
She grabbed the cushion for balance when her inner muscles shuddered.
He grunted behind her. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Two quick pumps and he bellowed, his pelvis flush against her ass as he convulsed inside her.
Long moments later, when they had both steadied themselves and their breaths weren’t as heavy and staggered, he pulled out and stepped away.
She was suddenly cold, empty, and it reminded her how much she felt this way every day. Void of a real connection. A connection that was more than just about sex.
She had that connection with Cole. Even before they’d had sex, they were connected, whether they’d wanted to admit it or not. They had…something. And it was exactly that something that got her out of bed each morning. The thing that kept her satisfied, even though she was alone. Because she knew, if she really needed to, she could call him, and he’d be there. Even if it was only to open a jar of pickles.
Which made it even more important for this thing between them to be kept a secret. The less people knew, the easier it would be for them to slip back into their normal roles when they returned home.
Eventually, the only proof she’d have of their fling was her memories. So she was going to spend the rest of their time making them as memorable as possible.
…
As he watched Penn bend to pick up her robe and slip it over her shoulders, Cole felt alive. More carefree and light. Maybe even stood a little taller, straighter. All because he’d just fucked the woman of his dreams. And he’d fucked her real good.
In his thirty-two years on this planet he’d never felt so good about himself. Never had he thought having sex with Penn would be the elixir to his life-long bad mood.
However, last night and again this morning, she’d pushed him much too close to the boundaries he’d welded into place a long time ago. Penn had a dirty mouth… And he liked it. Which was a hell of a surprise. With her, it was somehow intimate. Trusting.
She’d dipped into frightening territory, bringing back a flood of memories from his childhood he’d kept hidden, suppressed. But she was opening his eyes to a new world, to a new way of looking at
his past, which somehow made it less damaging.
“We should get to breakfast,” she said as she brushed past him, but he grabbed her arm and twirled her around.
He might not be able to give her what she wanted in bed, but he could definitely give her his athleticism.
“I want to be there for everything on that itinerary.” He pressed his body against hers. His cock, still hanging out of his shorts, pressed against her stomach. “It’s a good way to scope out the competition so we can win that trophy.”
That was a good save. A great save. She’d be surprised to find out he wanted to spend time with her and her family. But no one was more surprised than him.
It made him feel like shit. Vivian had given him the very best family imaginable, and he was grateful each and every day for her generosity and love. Spending time with the Fosters felt like cheating. But this… This was a chance to pretend he was the star of his own after-school special. To erase his own childhood.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I honestly didn’t think you’d care.”
She was giving him the challenge face. That sexy I-dare-you look that never failed to get his cock erect. At home, he didn’t have the luxury of doing anything about that face—of testing just how far she’d be willing to take it. But here, he had every opportunity to challenge her right back. They just needed to make sure there was no one around to witness their exploits. The last thing he needed was a tabloid scandal.
“I do care.” He swiped his finger down her chest and pulled aside the robe, exposing her cleavage. He couldn’t deny it. He missed it—her cleavage. Her wholesome family attire left too much to his imagination.
“I miss these. You’re not dressing nearly naked enough for my liking.” He pulled the fabric even farther, exposing one entire breast. She gasped, stumbling back until her legs pressed against the couch.
She cocked her head and rolled her eyes. “My family doesn’t want to see my cleavage.”
“But I do.” He leaned in and sniffed her neck. God, he loved her scent. Clean, flowery, but not overpowering.
She shook her head. Her tongue peeked out and wiped across the swollen, most beautiful lips he’d ever seen. “They don’t know about my tattoo.”
“So you’re hiding it.” His mind flashed back to the night before, and to the night of Sterling’s bachelorette party when he’d seen the boudoir photos of a semi-nude Penn.
She shook her head again, refusing to look him in the eye.
“Why do you let them put you in a box? Here, you’re almost nothing like you are at home.” It made no sense at all. She was perfect. Successful. Beautiful, inside and out. How could she not want her family to see every part of that?
Finally, she met his gaze, determination washing over her face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.” He smiled. Satisfaction at being right coursed through him. But he wasn’t going to push.
“Look, you don’t know anything about my family— And they are my family.” She emphasized the word to get her point across. “So, let’s just stick to the plan.” She poked him in the chest. “Winning that—”
He cut her off with a kiss. Heat smoldered between them, residual heat from the sex they’d just had, along with new heat. A more potent fire flared—if that was even possible—as their lips tangled with a flurry of moans and whispered curses.
It wasn’t hard to see that she liked him calling the shots. Her eyes flared with desire every time he demanded something of her. She had used sex to wiggle her way into his psyche. It had changed him, even if only minutely. So why couldn’t he do the same for her?
He rested both hands on her shoulders and pulled away, his breaths heavy and staggered. “I really don’t like you,” he muttered. At her stifled whimper, he realized his mistake and ran his hands down her arms to grip her wrists. “I mean, I don’t like this Penn.”
He’d surprised himself with that comment. Her inability to filter her thoughts and actions had always made him a little uncomfortable. But seeing her like this…stifled, with that vivacious light missing from her eyes, it was hell to see.
She turned away. “It is what it is.”
Not if he had anything to say about it.
It wasn’t lost on him that every time they were alone together that light returned. Even now, her eyes sparkled with more than just desire. They sparkled with safety. Comfort. While that pleased him to no end, it also made him sad. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing that required approval. Nothing that was the least bit worth hiding. He was going to prove to her that her family would welcome the changes, embrace the real Penn.
When they were both showered and dressed, they headed to the lobby to meet her family.
She was wearing a white dress with flowers. And cute little flip-flops that matched the color of her toenails. She’d piled her shiny black hair on top of her head and had secured it with a pink paper flower. But what should have been cute on any other woman was downright sexy on Penn. He wanted to take that flower and use it to get her off. To stroke the soft paper over her clit and watch as she shook in his arms.
They reached the lobby, and suddenly, Dave grabbed Penn around the neck before bringing her in to swipe his hand over the top of her head. “Are you ready to eat some sand today, Pennie?” Dave played the annoying older brother really well. Like, Emmy nomination good.
“My hair, you assho—” She tore herself away from his grip with a sneer.
In what world did Penn ever stop herself from uttering a curse word? There was that goody two-shoes image again. Cole would have to do something about that.
Baby Hannah let out a wail from her stroller, and Beth immediately bent to comfort her. Everyone’s attention swiveled toward the baby.
Penn’s entire family was waiting for them. Only Harold and Dave wore the Foster Family Fun-cation T-shirts. This time, the color was a teal blue. Did they have a different color for every day of the week?
Where was his T-shirt?
He huffed under his breath. For the first time since he’d arrived, guilt washed over him. He shouldn’t be thinking about iron-on T-shirts. He should be thinking about the club and how it would help so many kids and families. But he was here for a good cause. Not just for his sanity, he was here for Penn.
“I hope you brought your A-game, celebrity chef.” Dave pointed at him. “Beach volleyball is my specialty.”
“Specialty or not, you’re going to lose.”
When he looked down, Penn stared up at him with appreciation, maybe even a little awe. She had done so much for him over the last three years without even knowing it. Backing her up with her family, helping her beat them was the least he could do. And he would have done it for nothing, even if she hadn’t done her damnedest to come on to him. He was a red-blooded male. There was only so much teasing he could take.
Watching and feeling her shudder in his arms was the sexiest, most erotic thing he’d ever experienced, and he wasn’t leaving this island until it happened again. Many, many, many more times. As many times as her body would allow. Because even if he was tapped out, he had hands, a mouth, and a tongue that he could put to good use.
Chapter Seven
Penn’s mouth almost dropped to the ground when she stepped out of their rental car. Several chickens and a rooster ran around in the dirt. One of the chickens came close, even hopped through her legs as it chased after the rest of the birds.
Cole walked around the front of the car to join her. “We’re a long way from five stars, aren’t we?”
She looked down at her plastic flip-flops and silently thanked the heavens for her decision to wear them this morning. “You could say that again.”
After breakfast, they’d gone back to their rooms to change. He’d shown up at her door, urging her to hurry up so they could meet her family for the next challenge. It was all a little too cute. A little too perfect. And a little disappointing…because after the week was over, she might never
see that eager face again. He’d probably go right back to carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
She walked up to the sign beside the doorway to the tour office. Pictures of men, women, and children in buggies covered in mud stared back at her. “Wait, this is a mud buggy tour company. As in, you ride the dune buggy through the mud?” She whirled around. “On purpose?”
She looked up at Cole who was now standing beside her and gave him her best puppy dog look. “I don’t. Do. Mud.”
“I know.” A devious grin curved his lips. “This is going to be so great.”
She groaned. “You get way too much pleasure in my pain.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from the big bad mud.” He went to kiss the top of her head, but then retreated, surveying her family to see if anyone had noticed his almost sign of affection.
She stepped away, giving them some distance. Giving herself some space to remember her boundaries. The more time they spent together, the harder it got to keep their hands and lips off each other, even if it was only a tiny peck on top of her head.
The jingle of keys caught their attention when her father emerged from the tour office. “Today’s challenge is a mud buggy race.”
Her entire family hooted and hollered in excitement, even the little ones who were already covered in mud.
Cole was already flying high from their win in beach volleyball that morning, where she’d scored the winning point. Including the kayak race, they were now up by two. She had no doubt he was excited to make it three.
Attendants fitted them with goggles and a helmet, and they were given ragged jumpsuits to put over their clothes and bandanas to cover their faces.
The protective clothing had seen better days, and God only knew how many people had pulled on these coveralls.
She tied her bandana around the lower part of her face, securing it with a double knot at the back of her head. The only parts of her that were exposed to the elements were her nose, a small sliver of her cheeks, and her feet.
“I’m guessing you don’t mind if I drive?” Cole asked as he went to the driver’s side of the buggy and hopped in.
