Pleasure Beach

by P. J. Mellor

  Besides, after her last flamboyant exit, she’d remembered she had no purse and no money or credit cards. No way to pay for the cab she’d so adamantly insisted she’d take.

  Marc reached her in less than three strides. “Kinsey,” he said in a low voice, his mouth close to her ear. “Please. Come back and have dinner.”

  “I shared another part of myself with you, Marc—assuming that is your name. And what did you do? Blew me off with some flip remark. As if—as if—” To her horror, her voice was choked with tears.

  “As if I didn’t care? As if what we’ve shared together meant nothing?” He gripped her arms and pulled her from the bar stool, her breasts pressed flat against his heaving chest. “Hmm? Is that what you were going to say?” His fingers bit into her upper arms. “Who did you call this afternoon, Kinsey? For that matter, is Kinsey your real name?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “of course it’s my real name.” She sniffed. “I called to check my messages, not that it’s any of your business.” He didn’t need to know she’d been so lust-crazed that she’d blown off her sister and had to call to make sure Karly hadn’t called out the National Guard to launch a manhunt.

  He crushed her to him, kissing the top of her head. “What are we doing to each other?” he asked in a ragged voice.

  In response, she could only shake her head.

  He tilted her face to his with his index finger under her chin. “I know we agreed not to discuss anything personal. We agreed to keep it on a first-name-only basis. I breached that agreement by asking what you did.” He swallowed and met her gaze. “I—I’m sorry. If it would help, I can tell you what I do. I’m—”

  “It’s not necessary, Marc, really.” Besides, with his work-roughened hands, swagger, boots and huge belt buckle proclaiming him the champion calf roper of 2001, it was a no-brainer. He obviously made a living with his hands, and if he wasn’t a cowboy, he was at least a farmer of sorts. And, judging by the car he drove, a fairly successful one. Of course, she knew he could be one of those types that sank every cent he earned into his vehicle.

  She’d never dated anyone who actually did physical labor for a living. Not that she was a snob—it was just the way things worked out. She glanced down at Marc’s chapped thumb rubbing small circles on her arm. It was actually sexy as all get-out.

  “We only have a few more hours, tops,” he said in a low voice, his eyelids hooded. “Do you really want to spend it fighting or giving each other the third degree?”

  “No,” she said softly. “Can we go back to the beach house? I’m not hungry.”

  “Me neither. Except for you, sweet thing. Only for you.” His lips brushed against her mouth. “Let’s go home.”

  Kinsey sighed in contentment and leaned against the side of the hot tub. “I still haven’t used my bathing suit,” she reminded him.

  “How about next weekend? Can you get away?” He nuzzled her shoulder.

  “Yes.” Oh, my God, did she sound too eager? “You’ll still be here?”

  “I have the place rented for the month, so I’ll be here for the next three weekends.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Please tell me I won’t be spending them alone.”

  She pulled his mouth down to hers and let him know in the only way they seemed good at communicating that she’d be delighted to share the weekends with him. With only a few more hours to create memories that would last until the next weekend, talking was the last thing on her mind.

  8

  “Kinsey? Kins! Are you here?” Karly’s voice carried through the bathroom door.

  Weary from the weekend, the walk from the shopping center at which she’d insisted Marc drop her, and crying her eyes out since she’d let herself into her sister’s house, Kinsey stood from the bubbles and wrapped herself in a bath sheet. “Yeah, it’s me. Just a sec.”

  She padded to the door and turned the lock. The door immediately flew open, her sister barreling into her.

  “Oh! Sorry. Didn’t know you were so close.” Karly stomped over to the commode and sat down. “Well? Where have you been? More importantly, with whom? And don’t lie to me, Kins. I know your mysterious weekend beach trip and short call to tell me you weren’t dead had something to do with a man. And my gut also tells me it was not Dr. Dull. Out with it!”

  All their lives, Karly and Kinsey had told each other everything. Yet now, when it felt so damned important, so life-altering, she felt herself wanting to close Karly off. Hold her weekend with Marc close to her heart. Her own sexy and oh-so-personal secret.

  But Karly waited and, by the look on her face, would not back down.

  “I decided to take your advice—”

  “My advice? About what?”

  Kinsey cleaned the now empty tub, stalling for time. Karly reached out to grab the brush from her sister. “Would you stop doing that, Kinsey, and talk to me? I know you. I know something monumental happened to keep you away all weekend. Spit it out.”

  “Like I said, I took your advice about having a final fling before I marry Zachary—”

  “Oh, my Lord! Please tell me you didn’t tell Zach you’d marry him!” Karly clutched Kinsey’s arm.

  “No, of course not.” The way Karly slumped against the toilet tank would have been almost comical if Kinsey didn’t feel so guilty at hiding things from her. “And you’re right. I did meet someone. In the elevator on the way to my room.”

  “Woo-hoo!” Karly pumped her fist in the air. “Go, girl! I knew you had it in you! So…I want, I need details! Give.”

  Karly reached into the cabinet and pulled out her stash of licorice. Both twins kept a stash. It was used to celebrate and commiserate. Karly took a piece and passed the sack to Kinsey.

  The sisters chewed in companionable silence. When Karly began looking pointedly at her, Kinsey knew it was time to throw out at least a tidbit of information. Would Karly think she was a terrible person? The thought was a physical pain. The rest of the world could take a flying leap, but if Karly thought badly of her…

  “What the hell is this?” Karly held up the miniscule red dress between her thumb and forefinger. “And what’s all over it?”

  Jack McMillan slipped into the padded booth in the bar at Marc’s favorite steak house in Corpus Christi, a scowl on his tanned face. “What are you doing back? I thought you were taking my advice and getting an entire month of rest.”

  Marc sipped at the sweating gin and tonic, then carefully placed it on the soggy napkin before answering. “I am. Just visiting for the evening.”

  “Uh-huh. That’s why I got the call from my service to meet you here ASAP? There’s something going on. I know you.” He glanced at his watch. “I have a dinner date in less than an hour. I suggest you spit it out.”

  “I met someone.”

  Jack’s green eyes crinkled with his broad smile. The new short cut of his red hair made it seem to stand at attention. “Great! About damned time! So, what? You don’t need my permission to date, buddy.” He waved away the waitress and leaned in. “You do look sort of tired, now that I think about it. You haven’t experienced any more chest pains or other symptoms, have you?”

  “No! Of course not. If I had I’d have called you sooner than this.” He shredded the edge of the cocktail napkin with his thumb. “It’s just, well…man, this is stupid.” He threw some bills on the table and stood. “Forget I called. Tell Mardee I said hi.”

  “Wait!” Jack grabbed Marc’s sports-coat sleeve. “Like I said, I know you. I know you didn’t call and ask me to meet you here for no reason. What’s going on?”

  Marc looked down at the open, freckled face of the man who’d been his best friend since undergraduate days. Jack was right. He had called for a reason. What was the big deal about sharing information on his weekend?

  “So, what’s her name?” Jack asked when Marc reclaimed his seat.

  “Kinsey.”

  “And where did you meet this Kinsey?”

  Pictures flashed in Marc’s mind, causing hi
m to become partially aroused at the memory. “In the elevator at the Breakers Hotel.”

  “The one in South Padre? I thought you decided not to attend that conference?”

  “I had, but decided at the last minute to go since I was going to be in the vicinity anyway.”

  Jack snorted and glared at him. “Marc, that’s exactly my point with this enforced vacation! There’s a reason it’s called a vacation. What the hell made you go to a medical conference?”

  “Proximity.” He waved his empty glass at the cocktail waitress, who nodded. “Hey, if I hadn’t gone, I’d never have met Kinsey.” The waitress brought a fresh drink and left. “She’s a kindergarten teacher.”

  Jack’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, yeah? Not your typical date. Something you need to announce, big guy?”

  Marc frowned into his drink. Was there something more than blistering sex? He would have liked to believe there was. He genuinely liked Kinsey, could possibly be growing to love her. She had to feel something, too. His gut told him it couldn’t all be one-sided. “It’s too early.” He grinned at his friend. “But let’s say I’m cautiously optimistic about this one.”

  “Wow. That is big. What’s it been? A year since the princess dropped you? More?”

  Monica, dubbed by his friends as “the princess,” had left her stiletto imprints on his heart almost a year ago to the day that Kinsey had walked into his arms. Marc blinked. “You know, I hadn’t even thought about Monica for a long time.” At least, not since he’d met Kinsey. “Thank you so much for bringing her up.”

  Jack spread his hands and shrugged. “Hey, that’s what friends are for.” He waited for Marc to take another drink, then asked, “So…is Kinsey hot?”

  The heat zipping through Marc at that question had little to do with the alcohol. “Yep. Definitely. But I didn’t call you to have a junior high locker-room discussion about the possible future mother of my children.” He set the glass on the napkin. “I need a favor.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Do you still have a friend on the police force in South Padre?” Jack nodded and Marc continued, eyes searching the room to make sure no one overheard. “I want an artist’s sketch of her. Then some information. I want her last name, where she lives and where she teaches.”

  “You don’t know these things?” Jack asked incredulously. Marc shook his head. “Why don’t you just ask the woman? Why all this cloak-and-dagger?”

  “Because we agreed to, well, first names only. After I found out she taught, she clammed up. I want—no, I need to know why.”

  Jack shook his head and chuckled. “You sly dog! Although, as your cardiologist, I have to say I’m a little worried about how much rest you’ve actually been getting. But as your friend, I want to shout from the rooftops that you’re finally over your slump! Gimme five!” The men slapped hands and Jack sobered. “Just promise me you won’t overdo it. And if you experience any discomfort, I want to know about it. Immediately. Got it?”

  “No problem.”

  Jack looked at his watch and stood. “I gotta go.” He clapped Marc on the shoulder, squeezing affectionately. “It sounds like this one may be a keeper. Keep me posted.”

  Marc watched Jack stride through the doorway, then slumped back in the booth.

  A keeper.

  Kinsey haunted him. All he had to do was close his eyes to feel her skin, hear her voice. Her scent was forever imbedded in his senses. Was this love? Had he actually fallen in love with someone he had known for only two days?

  He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and stared at it. It would violate their agreement to call her. If he did, she might not show up next weekend. He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

  Jack had a reason to worry about him. Kinsey was consuming him from the inside out. He glanced at his watch. Four days, nine hours and fifteen minutes—give or take a few minutes—until he could hold her again, hear her sweet voice, taste her.

  He groaned and looked down at the phone again, now once more in his hand. It would take only two punches of buttons to bring up the number she’d called.

  Before he could think about it again, Marc did it and slipped lower in the booth while the call went through.

  One ring. Two rings. Three, then she answered. It was her. He’d know her voice anywhere.

  “Hello?” She sounded slightly breathless and he wondered if he’d interrupted something—like her bath. His vivid recall slammed arousal into him at warp speed. “Hello?” she said again.

  Should he answer her? Would she be irritated or angry that he’d called? Maybe she missed him as much as he did her.

  “Hello!” she yelled. “I can hear you breathing! Who is this? If you don’t answer right now, I’m hanging up.” Before he got up the nerve to reply, a distinctive click rang in his ear, followed by empty silence.

  He sat for a long time, phone in hand, staring at the display. If he hit REDIAL, he could hear her sweet voice again. But she might think it was a crank call and become frightened. Frightening her was the last thing he wanted to do.

  Yet if he identified himself, she might get angry that he’d broken the agreement.

  Repocketing the phone, he stood and slowly walked to the door. The night was clear, stars bright. He flicked the locks on the Jaguar and slid inside. The view from the deck of the beach house was probably spectacular. But he wouldn’t enjoy it.

  Not alone.

  The drive from Corpus Christi to South Padre Island was interminable. Exhausted, Marc dragged himself from the car and trudged up the stairs to the deck. Tonight even the sound of the waves hitting the shore sounded lonely. He let himself in and, not bothering with lights, made his way to the master bedroom.

  Closing the curtains against the spectacular view, he stripped and climbed into bed.

  The sheets and pillows smelled like Kinsey.

  Within seconds his erection formed a little tent in the sheet. He glared at the telltale proof of her affect on him. Now that he’d found her, how would he ever get through the week without her?

  Taking matters into his own hand, he pumped and thought of Kinsey. Her scent surrounded him. He squeezed and pumped faster. He could see her breasts, taste them. His breathing became ragged. Faster. Harder.

  “Kinsey!” Her name erupted from his mouth while something else erupted farther south.

  “Say something, Karly.” Kinsey wrapped one of her sister’s robes around her, trying to ignore the memory of Marc’s hands on her body that just telling about him had caused. Karly sat on the deck of the tub with a stunned expression. Please don’t hate me!

  Karly slowly shook her head, a small smile forming on her glossed lips. “I’m speechless. Wow. I can’t believe you actually took any advice from me!” She held up a hand. “Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing! I’m just surprised.”

  “I made a terrible mistake, didn’t I?” Kinsey twisted the robe belt between tense fingers and dropped to sit beside her sister.

  “Don’t be ridiculous! You saw something, or, rather, someone you wanted, and went for it. It’s about time you acted spontaneously. If we didn’t look so much alike, I’d worry we weren’t truly related,” she joked.

  All the ways she’d “gone for it” flashed through Kinsey’s mind. Was it getting hotter in here?

  “Kins? I asked when you plan to see him again. You do plan to see him again, don’t you?”

  “Um, yes, I do. I mean, I will.” She paced to the tub and back. “Next weekend, in fact.” At her sister’s raised eyebrow, she continued. “At the beach house I told you about. Same time next week. And, I hope, the weekend after that and the weekend after that. But,” she shrugged, toying with the belt of the robe, “we’ll see how this next weekend goes.”

  She dropped to her knees in front of her sister. “Karly, I think I really could grow to feel something for this guy. I know I was the one who imposed the limited exchange of information, but now that we’re apart, I realize I don’t know nearly enough about him.”
>
  Karly brushed a strand of hair from Kinsey’s face and said, “There’ll be time. From what you tell me, he’s just as taken with you. Trust me, he’ll be waiting for you and just as anxious to be together again as you are.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Kinsey stretched and yawned. “I’m exhausted! Great sex really wears you out.” The sisters exchanged knowing grins. “Is it okay if I stay here tonight?”

  “Of course. Brad is going to be out of town until midweek, so Cassie and I would love the company. You know where everything is. I stuck your clean clothes in the guest-room closet when I couldn’t find you at the hotel. Brad parked your car in the garage. Your purse is in the drawer by the bed.” She stood and stretched, rubbing the small of her back. “I’m going to get some sleep. Six comes early. Cassie spent the night with a little friend down the block. They’ll go to school together and then she’ll ride home with me, so sleep as long as you need.”

  “Thanks.” They parted in the hallway. “And, Karly?” Her sister turned to look back at Kinsey. “You were right. Great sex does make a big difference. Regardless of how all this turns out, it’s taught me one thing: I can’t marry Zachary. I have meetings most of tomorrow, but I’ll call him and arrange to meet so I can give back the ring.”

  Karly ran over and embraced her sister. “Oh, Kins! I know you’ve made the right decision. Once Mom and Dad think about it, they’ll agree. Don’t look so worried.”

  “Easy for you to say. You already faced them down.”

  “They’d never admit it, but I know they realize I made the right choice for me. They just want you to be happy. And face it, that would never have happened with Dr. Dull.”

  Kinsey laughed and shook her head. “No, you’re probably right. Now, go to bed. Good night.” She shoved Karly in the direction of the master bedroom.

  Alone in the guestroom, tucked beneath the cool sheets, her body burning for Marc, Kinsey wondered if he missed her even a little.

  Four interminable days later, she knocked once and let herself into Karly’s large country kitchen. “Hello! Anyone home?”