The Right Temptation

by Diane Escalera

  While she took in every inch of the patio, he took in every inch of her. He’d always felt something had been missing from the tropical oasis he’d recreated from a picture in a home remodeling magazine. Kayla’s beauty completed his vision.

  “Thanks,” Nico said. His love for the outdoors had inspired his work. He’d poured a lot of sweat into it, but it had been well worth it. He spent most of his free time out here.

  “I can’t believe you have a swimming pool.” She dropped his hand, walked to the edge of the water and squatted to dip her fingers.

  His house looked deceiving from the outside. It appeared smaller, but once inside, took on a life of its own. That’s what had sold him on the home. He wouldn’t take credit for the kidney-shaped swimming pool because it had already been in place. But he’d had the concrete resurfaced and now the pool gleamed. “I redid all the tiles around the perimeter,” he said, proud of the finished product. He’d been right to go with royal-blue tiles. The contrast with the turquoise water looked really cool.

  “You even have a tiki bar!”

  “Yep. I built it.”

  “The swing, too?”

  “I bought the swing. But I built the trellis above it.”

  Kayla went to the swing and scooted into it. She rocked back and forth, grinning the whole time. “I love it out here,” she said, tossing her head back and letting her mass of curls flow with the breeze.

  See? Chicks liked to swing. Main reason he’d put it there. Of course, he’d never imagined Kayla would be the first to enjoy it. Okay second, after his mom, who loved the swing too. “Yeah, this is where I come after work to unwind. Can’t wait to get this cast off so I can swim again.”

  He’d stayed out of the pool because he didn’t want to get the thing wet. He didn’t need a smelly cast. His mom had tried to convince him to do what he did when he took a shower–put a plastic bag over it. He couldn’t be bothered. The heavy weight of the damn thing would’ve probably drowned him, with his shit luck.

  “I can make it so you can swim now,” Kayla said.

  When had she developed the ability to crush a man with one look? And how come, all of a sudden, he didn’t give a rat’s ass about wetting his cast? What was a little funk if it meant getting Kayla in the water? Maybe even naked. What were the odds that she’d packed a bathing suit? Even if she had, Kayla in a steamy bikini didn’t seem like hardship. Nope.

  “Yeah?” he said, open to the idea, even when he knew what it would lead to. Trouble with a capital T. For a while there, he’d lived for trouble. He hadn’t totally become a pillar of society. Every now and again, he still raised a little hell.

  “Get me something plastic and I’ll hook you up,” Kayla said. She stopped swinging and leveled a look at him.

  Her wicked smile could’ve shattered the defenses of Homeland Security, let alone his. Kayla didn’t just want to hook him up. She wanted to hook up. Period.

  Chapter 5

  Kayla watched the tall palm trees sway gently with a night breeze. Tropical flowers, cheery hues and aromatic scents encircled his lush patio. The gorgeous landscaping, his stunning craftsmanship had taken her by surprise. What else did Nico have in store for her?

  God, she could swing here all night and be perfectly content. Or she could coax Nico out of his clothes and into the swimming pool, which would also make her happy. No. Scratch that. She’d be ecstatic. He acted all hard, but Kayla had already pierced his armor. Her female powers of persuasion were weakening him, and she’d barely done a thing. Imagine if she got him in the pool. Two words came to mind: wet sex.

  He ambled over. “Want to go in the pool?” His eyes turned darker, almost as black and dreamy as the night.

  Kayla thought she’d come prepared, but she hadn’t packed a bathing suit. Of course, she hadn’t expected him to have a swimming pool. She could take a dip in her undies. On the other hand, lace and thong didn’t leave much to the imagination. Did she really want to put it all out there so blatantly? No. Kayla had a little more class than that. She wanted Nico’s respect. He’d think she behaved the same way with every guy. And she definitely did not.

  “Actually, I’d rather watch you from here,” she said, using her bare foot to swing. “But don’t worry. I’ll jump in if you start to drown.”

  “Gee thanks,” he said. Nico gripped the chain and halted the swing’s motion. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  His pointed stare unnerved her. So did the swell of his hard biceps. His sexy tattoo peeked out from the short sleeve of his t-shirt. Dangerous. He gave off such a bad boy vibe. She’d played by the rules, for the most part. She welcomed a little hazard and risk in her life. “Okay. I’ll let you drown,” she teased.

  “Not that,” Nico huffed. “I meant swimming alone.” He plopped next to her and started swinging again.

  His warm body filled the space meant for two averaged-sized people. A muscled thigh rested against hers. Hot flash. Somebody get her a fan. “Sorry,” was all she could manage.

  “Don’t be. Didn’t really feel like the hassle anyway.”

  The vibrant atmosphere snagged her attention again. She inhaled a fragrant bouquet, which comingled with his earthy scent. Yum. Nico’s slice of paradise. “You did a great job out here. I’m really impressed.” Her body eased against his. Paradise repeated in her head.

  “Wait ’til you see what I do with the master bathroom.”

  He made it sound like she’d be returning for more visits. Kayla angled her face toward him and smiled. After her taxing day at the hospital, decompressing with Nico felt like heaven. She didn’t want to be anyplace else.

  A Bruno Mars song came on and her shoulders automatically bounced in tune with the music. “This is the life,” she said, and meant it. Throwing her head back, she swung her long hair in the air. She didn’t require a lot to be happy. A comfortable home, meaningful job, the love of a good man… Yep. So long as she had the basics, she didn’t sweat the rest.

  She’d seen the hardships, the life struggles of her parents. Through it all, they’d maintained an unshakable bond. True love had stood the test of time. Kayla had discovered their secret to happiness. Her mom and dad were best friends. They laughed with each other. They laughed at each other.

  She cast him a sideways glance. Could a guy like Nico go the distance? He’d grown up without a father. Probably had a totally different outlook on marriage and happy endings, but then, he’d had a vastly different experience.

  She’d fantasized about her own happily-ever-after. Silly as it may have sounded, Nico had always factored into those dreams. What had drawn her in then felt much more potent now. Kayla closed her eyes. Everything felt so right. Just like she’d known it would. It didn’t matter that they’d been separated all this time. Absence had definitely made her heart grow fonder. Nico acted casual, but underneath beat the heart of a lion, a man who radiated warmth and substance.

  She sat up and placed her hand on his thigh. A simple touch filled her with overwhelming need. “Nico…”

  Her words were swallowed by his lips.

  It felt surreal. She turned to him, gave him the green light because she’d ached for him for too damn long. Nico’s hand bunched her curls and guided her into a deeper kiss. That he’d initiated it made it more exhilarating. She’d come prepared to do all the work, but she wouldn’t lie. For all her independence, when it came to love, she wanted to be swept off her feet.

  Omigod. His kisses were scorching. They heated her up like a blowtorch. He kissed her with a hot fury that telegraphed the same level of desperation. Whoa. The man could kiss. His velvet tongue played an artful game with hers, and every delicious stroke stole a piece of her sanity.

  His body felt like steel, and Kayla couldn’t help it when she climbed on his lap. One hand grasped his rock-hard bicep. The other held his face, because she’d die if their lips came apart.

  She ground her hips into him and he groaned into her mouth. It didn’t matter that her legs were folded awk
wardly in the swing. She only cared about the growing erection pulsing between her legs.

  Take me. Her body screamed and hollered inside. She rocked against him, kissed him with all the passion she felt, smothering his sexy groans with her whimpers. His cast got in the way, but she worked around it, positioning herself so he didn’t get frustrated. She wanted nothing to distract from his pleasure.

  His kissing style had definitely evolved, but back then, he’d weakened her knees just the same. This version of Nico was hungrier, darker, much more practiced. He knew what to do, and when his big hand glided over her breast and cradled it, she smiled into his mouth. She’d never been this easy with a man. And she probably should’ve made him work for it. But who was she kidding? Nico could take what he wanted. He could have it all.

  The chemistry between them electrified the air. It could’ve doubled as a bug zapper, obliterating any insect flying nearby. Her hands roamed his body, molding those perfectly defined muscles. She slipped them under his shirt because she needed to feel bare skin. Smooth. Hard. Hot to the touch. Her fingers streaked over his abs, ribs, and ridiculous pecs.

  Kayla broke the kiss, but only so she could catch a quick breath. Her hands went back to work. She stroked his baby-soft hair, massaged his temples. Nico opened his eyes. Flame flickered in his dark irises. “What are we doing, Kayla?” he asked in a gruff voice. One hand cupped her ass.

  She pressed kisses to his throat, then sucked in a patch of skin. So good, she could’ve swallowed him whole. “We’re getting reacquainted.” She lapped his Adam’s apple. Their eyes met, and she took his face and let her thumbs trace his handsome features. His moist mouth beckoned her, and she claimed his lips, nipping the shapely top one, sucking the fuller bottom.

  His stark gaze never left hers. And yet, a part of him still held something back. She could feel the tension in his body, the battle waging inside his head. Kayla wanted to put him at ease. They had more than a physical attraction. Nico needed to free his mind and let her take him on this journey. Only then could he see what she already knew. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” he said, tilting his head back when she went for his neck again.

  This, from a man who’d initiated the kiss. “No?” Kayla pressed against his massive erection. Instead of riding him–which her body so wanted to do–she kept still and let him sort through his feelings. She inhaled lingering traces of cologne that blended effortlessly with his natural male scent. Nobody said she couldn’t mark her territory. Nico would be sporting a hickey by the time she got through with him. If he’d lied about a girlfriend, he’d definitely be in the doghouse.

  Nico’s eyes turned to two little slits. She swore she heard a hiss when she nibbled his earlobe. Good. She wanted that guard down. His hand went from her ass to her breast. He cupped it, squeezed it, got in a helluva good feel before moving to the other one. She rocked the swing. Motion kept the friction in play. She pressed her hands to his thighs and leaned back so he’d have full access. His head dipped down and she mashed her chest into his face. Nico smothered himself in her cleavage. He kissed wherever bare flesh peeked out, used his chin to push down her top so he could have more.

  Kayla watched his hungry mouth on her. She’d fantasized about this a million times over, but oh God… She bit her lip because it felt so damn consuming. Her imagination hadn’t done the man justice. He took his time tasting, teasing, licking with a hot tongue that induced a steady stream of pleasure.

  She wanted to remove all barriers, strip off her clothes. But no. Slow and steady would win this race. The more Nico hungered, the easier it would be to convince him. Not that he protested. After all, he did have a good portion of her boob in his mouth.

  “Your brother is gonna kill me,” he said against her chest, breathless and breathy and sexy as hell.

  “I think you can take him,” she reassured, squeezing his strong upper arms.

  His gaze flicked up at her and he grinned. “Probably. But that’s not the point.”

  She knew what he meant. But this wasn’t about her brother. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a woman now. It doesn’t matter what Jesse thinks.”

  Nico stopped the swing with his foot. “Believe me, I noticed.” He gave her a smoldering look. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  That made her smile. “So are you.”

  The shake of his head came after a smug look. Guess he appreciated the compliment. “You’re Jesse’s sister, for Christ’s sake.”

  “And that automatically means we can’t be attracted to each other?” She fastened her arms around his neck.

  He looked up to the sky and sighed. “It means that I should respect my boy’s wishes and leave his sister alone.”

  Not a chance. She took his chin and forced him look at her. “What if his sister doesn’t want to be left alone?”

  Nico fought to keep a straight face but he couldn’t fool her. “Seriously? You really want to do this?”

  Bet he sucked at poker. He didn’t bluff very well. “What do you think?” she said with an inquisitive smirk.

  “Right now, I don’t know what to think.” He scrubbed a hand down his face.

  Jesse would’ve applauded his restraint. Speaking of which, somebody’s dick had a totally different take on the matter. She rubbed against it for good measure. “Don’t act like you didn’t know.”

  “That was a long time ago,” he said, grinding his lower lip. “I figured you’d forgotten about me by now.”

  Impossible. She braided her fingers with his. “You figured wrong.”

  “We can’t–” Nico stopped and looked at her. He shook his head. “I think this is insane.”

  “I think you think too much.” She gave him a mind-blowing kiss.

  When their mouths parted, Nico licked her taste from his lips. “How do you expect me to respond to that?”

  He looked so hot and flustered. “You already did.”

  “Huh?”

  “You kissed me back.”

  He laughed. “Couldn’t help it.”

  “See? We have the same problem.”

  “We have a problem, alright.”

  He didn’t seem to have a problem holding her hand. Their fingers were still clasped real tight. “We also have a solution.” She winked at him.

  Nico shot her a wary look. “I got a feeling that solution of yours is gonna cause me some headaches.”

  “The Nico I knew didn’t scare so easily.” She massaged his swollen deltoid muscle. “Getting soft in your old age?”

  “Getting smart.”

  She dropped his hand, climbed off his lap and sat in the swing. “Okay, Einstein. Have it your way.”

  The shocked look on his face gave her pure satisfaction. “Sorry,” he said, his voice low and heavy. “I shouldn’t have…” He let out a frustrated sigh.

  Shouldn’t have what? Melted her with his kisses? Kayla understood his reluctance. Hell, she respected him for it. But she wouldn’t let it stop them. Not with the volcano raging inside her, raging inside him even if he pretended it didn’t exist. Yep. Before the weekend was over, Nico would finish what he started. And Kayla would make sure of it.

  Chapter 6

  What the fuck was wrong with him? Twice he'd acted on impulse and let his dick do the thinking. Nico knew better. And yet, he didn’t stop himself, even with red flags flapping violently, the sirens blaring inside his head.

  Kayla wasn’t one of his typical one-night stands. The chicks in his life knew how things worked. Good times. Good sex. But no checking their cell phone for calls or texts, because Nico never made any promises. He didn’t consider himself a jerk either. His intentions were clear from the start. Amazing how many women accepted those terms. Naturally, some of them thought they could change him, make him fall in love or something. Like that would ever happen. Once they realized they couldn’t, they either made a gracious exit or stayed on for the sex.

  It wouldn’t always be this way. Eventually, he’d cut the crap and get serious.
When he did, he’d fully commit to one special woman. But that was in the future. Right now he only cared about making something of himself. When the time came to settle down, he’d have the means to provide a decent life for his family.

  He didn’t aspire to be the CEO of a major company. That didn’t mean he didn’t have goals or dreams. He had drive, valued hard work. Benjamin LaCosta had taught him how to be a man. Both his uncle and mother had instilled an important lesson: family came first. Family meant everything. He carried that mantra close to his heart. And one day, he’d make them proud.

  Kayla rose from the swing. She knocked his thoughts right back to the moment, and to his dilemma. He’d been effective at controlling his emotions. It took a lot to rattle him. Kayla had done so little, and yet here he sat, all twisted up inside. Damn her for having so much power over him. He felt helpless against it. How the hell did a man deal with that? He had no experience to draw from because no woman had ever gotten to him this way. He couldn’t believe she’d wanted him all these years. It should’ve scared the shit out of him. And she did! But he also felt like a stud. Look at the woman. What guy wouldn’t want to be the object of her affection?

  He watched Kayla stroll leisurely to the swimming pool. She had more curves than a winding country road. His hand had felt that luscious body, had even touched her soft breasts. He swallowed the lump in his throat. Damn. He wanted her.

  Her brother served as a convenient excuse. That's not what held him back. He could handle Jesse. Kayla, on the other hand, gave him serious doubt. He didn’t want a relationship. A casual affair would never work. Not with her. He knew somebody would get hurt. His gaze skittered over her frame, stopping at her rounded ass molded by tight-fitting jeans. It wasn’t too late. He could save himself if he walked away now.

  But what did he do? He got up and walked over to her instead. So what if she gyrated seductively to the slow sexy song that had just started to play. She moved like a siren, swaying and swiveling her shapely hips. Her body spoke its own language, one he understood.