Had my marriage really deteriorated that far? Had it gotten so bad that I was using some stranger, a handsome stranger but a stranger nonetheless to drive a wedge into the gap that already existed between me and Austin?
I couldn’t, I told myself. More so, I wouldn’t. Sneaking a glance at my husband, I reminded myself of how handsome he was. How desirable. Maybe the romance had faded, maybe he deferred to me a little more often than I liked in recent years, and maybe I questioned him more than he cared for.
Fantasy was normal, wasn’t it? Could even be healthy, if used appropriately. Well, I was worked up and then some right now, thanks to sexy Liam with the tattoo around his hard arm. Why couldn’t, indeed, why shouldn’t I transfer some of that excitement to my husband?
Keeping our earlier debacle in mind, I kept my hands to myself. Instead I began to inch the soft cotton of my tank up, bit by bit, exposing skin for Austin to look at, to lust over.
He didn’t notice. I coughed and raised my top higher, offering a view of my braless breasts, small but firm. Austin glanced over, did a double take and swore.
“Dammit, Anna! Why do you always do this when I can’t do anything about it? You never do when we’re alone. Always creating a barrier. Do you even want to have sex with me anymore?”
“I do too do it when we’re alone!” I retorted sharply, before realizing that his outburst had startled me, hitting a little too close to home. Was he that frustrated as well?
“Name one time in the last six months.” His voice was grim. I opened my mouth; closed it again. He had a point.
I had stopped approaching him, because I was no longer comfortable in our intimacy. I wanted him to be the aggressor, to know that he found me as hot now as he once had. I wanted him to make the decisions, to take control.
I had always been jittery, my mind full. Though I loved my husband, and though he had at one time come closer to emptying my mind of that never ending stream of consciousness, he no longer did. We were so far out of our groove, had been for so long, that I wasn’t entirely sure that we would ever find our way back.
I knew that I could continue to argue, could press the fact that the past didn’t matter, but the fact was that it did. Somewhere along the line we’d screwed up, we meaning me as well, and it was up to us, both of us, to fix it.
If only I knew how. Probably it would have been helpful to probe at this point, to search for an answer or two. But both of us knew that it would inevitably lead to an argument, and figuring in the enclosed proximity, the stress of driving a car that could break down at any minute into the middle of nowhere, the fact that we couldn’t afford to fix the car, and the oppressive heat, heat, heat indicated that the argument wasn’t likely to be a productive one. Taking a deep breath, I tried to diffuse the situation.
“It was really nice of that man to help us out,” I offered, reluctant to call Liam by name, lest that give away the secret that I clutched inside.
“Yes.” Austin’s response was terse.
“Pepper as a car repair. Who’d have thought?” The only reply that time was a grunt, and I pressed my lips together tightly. He was still angry, though he hadn’t told me why.
Deep down, I knew that I deserved it. With a soft sigh, I leaned back again and tried to doze off.
I couldn’t relax. Dammit, now I was pissed off and turned on, all at once. The combination made me queasy. Wishing for an aspirin and some ginger ale, I tilted my seat back and pressed my clammy forehead against the lukewarm glass of my window. And shut my eyes and begged the universe to let me sleep.
As I drifted off on a fitful trip to dreamland, my thoughts were of Liam, of his hard body and intense eyes. Of Liam, and of what it would be like to be with him.
Chapter Three
“Wow.”
When asked where I wanted to go for a trip, I had given the decision to Austin, which had pleased him.
I hadn’t been sure if Vegas would be my thing—I expected it to be ostentatious, lurid, absorbing.
And it was. But it was also seductive.
“Wow.” Austin and I giggled together as we walked slowly through the lobby of The Last Temptation, staring with googly eyes at the cacophony of lights like the wide eyed tourists that we were.
Our argument wasn’t forgotten; I knew that full well. But it was behind us for the moment, a bump in the road to be examined at a later date.
Right now, we were simply a young couple on vacation. A young couple in love.
Surely this, some time away with nothing to do but be together, would help to kick start our marriage. I thought of my dream and shuddered, even as the space between my legs grew slick and hot.
If this trip of all things couldn’t fix what was broken, well, then heaven help us.
I was so tired, so nervous and anxious. The colors and lights, sounds and smells began to whirl faster and faster the further we went, and my impressions of the town were hazy.
That is, it was hazy until I saw him.
Leaning against the counter, his back to us, was a firm male behind that I felt certain I recognized. Same stylishly faded blue jeans, same textured shirt. And though I couldn’t see the man’s face, the slavish devotion on the lips of the woman attending to him was a sight that I well identified with.
It was him. It was Liam, I was sure of it.
A small squeak passed my lips involuntarily, and Austin, who was sorting through the thick stack of our travel papers in search of our reservation confirmation, looked up to see what I wanted with irritation dancing over his features. I was saved the awkwardness of responding, however, for at that moment the hard butt turned around and the gaze emanating from the dark eyes all but swallowed me whole.
“You made it.” The way the words were said, it sounded as if he had been waiting for us. Waiting for me. My throat involuntarily constricted, and I stayed silent as Austin glanced over and grinned.
“Son of a bitch! The man of the hour!” He and Liam did one of those bracing male back thumps that are so hard they make me wince, and over my husband’s shoulder, Liam gave me a quick and saucy wink that nearly had me swallowing my tongue.
“Now we can buy you a drink to say thanks, man.” Thump, thump. Thump. I winced, wishing Austin would stop with the manly beating already, certain that one or both of them would be bruised head to toe come morning. “Everything this afternoon happened so fast, we didn’t get a chance to thank you properly. You sure got out of there in a hurry.”
I felt the burn of those eyes again, sweeping over my tightly pressed together lips. “I was hot,” he said finally, and I kicked myself for wondering if there was a double entendre in his words. “The heat when you guys got there was almost unbearable.” The corners of his mouth tilted up just the tiniest bit as he spoke, his eyes staring directly into mine, and I became aware of the fact that he knew exactly what he was saying.
What’s more, he knew that I knew he knew.
My face flushing brightly, I busied myself rummaging through my purse, searching for a tissue that I knew wasn’t there and that I didn’t need at any rate. I ignored the tightening of my nipples and the heat that rushed between my legs as I considered chanting the multiplication table to myself as a means of distraction.
Just a few more minutes. I just had to get through a few more minutes in this awkward situation, and then we’d go our own separate ways. Hell, I’d make it my mission to keep Austin in the room, so we probably wouldn’t see Liam again for the rest of the trip.
Probably wouldn’t see him again, ever. And why did the thought of that make me feel so damn sad? There was certainly no reason for it.... I barely knew the man.
“Great, we’ll meet you back down here in half an hour.”
I jolted as those choice words pierced their way into my self induced daydream.
“What?” The word held a tinge of panic that had Austin furrowing his brow in confusion and Liam grinning wickedly behind his back.
“We’re going to buy Liam a drink or
two as a thank you, Anna.” Austin rolled his eyes slightly when he realized that I hadn’t heard a word the men had said. “We’re going to check in and freshen up, then meet him down in the casino in half an hour.”
“Oh.” I didn’t like this. I didn’t like it one bit. Mostly because, actually, I liked it too much. “I think I might actually take a nap. Why don’t you two just go by yourselves?”
Austin’s stare narrowed, and I felt my stomach clench. “Anna, we are both going to come down and socialize to say thank you.” I swallowed thickly, looking down at my toes before nodding.
“Okay.” When I finally dragged my eyes back up, I found Austin nodding with satisfaction at my response.
And Liam—Liam was watching my husband and I, speculation and something darker ripe in his expression.
“I’ll see you soon, Anna.” I was sure that I wasn’t imagining the dark, delicious intent in those words. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Uh-oh.
***
Perversely, I took twice my allotted time to ‘freshen up’, sending Austin downstairs ahead of me. In the shower, I let cool water sluice over my feverish skin, washing away dust and sweat and, I hoped, the temptation to be unfaithful to my husband. The delicious siren’s call of Liam’s not so subtle proposition and the guilt that raged over my bone deep need to stay true to the vows that I had taken years before combined deep in my belly, curdling the innocent excitement that had lain there earlier, excitement over time alone with Liam. As I rubbed creamy soap into my skin I berated myself, a reminder that an extramarital attraction, no matter how strong, shouldn’t matter so much. But somehow the reminder did nothing to squelch the burning obsession that was sweeping through my body and invading my every cell.
I wanted to fuck Liam, of that there was no doubt. And even knowing that I couldn’t, shouldn’t and, most importantly, wouldn’t, refused to turn down the rage of hormones that were flooding my cunt.
And so it was with a scowl that I flicked off the water, dried the clear droplets from my skin with the rough towel that had been provided by the hotel. If I took extra care grooming my stick straight hair and dabbing perfume between my breasts, well, that was my prerogative. I shouldn’t have to have an excuse to look good.
At least, that’s what I told myself as I slipped into the midnight colored cotton, a soft slip of a sundress that dipped down over my breasts and whispered around my legs. It had never been worn and had been packed on a whim... I was more of a ripped jeans and discount t shirt kind of girl, truth be told. But whatever the reason I had for donning the soft fabric, I was gratified upon entry to the casino floor. The men were easy enough to spot, seated at a low table close to the bar, and the avid hunger in the four eyes that followed my every step satisfied something deep within me, something I think only a woman understands.
“You look great, hon.” Austin slung an arm casually over my shoulder as I seated myself next to him, nuzzling his face against my neck. “Smell good, too. You haven’t worn perfume for a long time.”
His observation was innocent, but it made my face flame. It was true enough that I hadn’t scented my skin in months, or made the effort in numerous other ways. What had me shifting uncomfortably in my seat was the knowledge that tonight I had done it for Liam, a stranger. A stranger whose hooded gaze was setting my body aflame like nothing ever had before.
“Do you want a drink before we hit the tables, pet?” It took a moment for Austin’s question to sink in, since I was trying very hard not to meet Liam’s stare, the one that I could feel searing my skin.
“The tables?” It was easy to picture the long fingers that were stroking the neck of the amber colored bottle of Corona whispering over my skin.
“The tables, Anna. The blackjack tables. Casino, remember?” I supposed that I deserved Austin’s irritation over my distraction.
“Blackjack. Right. Yes, a drink would be good.” Maybe the liquid would help cool the fever that was creeping over my body.
“Blackjack.” Liam grinned and raked his fingers through the spikes of his hair. “Good. I’m feeling lucky.”
***
Austin tired of the game long before Liam or I did. Blaming the greasy burgers that we’d scarfed for lunch on the road, he held his arm tightly around his gut and bowed out, away from the table, claiming to not feel well.
Though I furrowed my brow in confusion—Austin had a stomach made of iron— I didn’t question him, since I was too busy drowning in guilt for grasping so eagerly at the chance to be left with Liam.
Left alone with Liam.
Alone. Without Austin.
“Do you want me to come upstairs with you, Austin?”
I bit the inside of my cheek as I spoke. I’d go if he wanted me to—of course I would.
But I really didn’t want to. I wanted to stay right where I was, my fingers clasped tightly around the stem of a wineglass, and the smell of sin and Liam’s skin wafting up to tease at my nostrils.
For a long moment Austin appeared to ponder the question. He looked at us both, his eyes speculative, and I held my breath, certain he could read my every thought.
“No.” He said finally. I tried to smother the large, loud breath that escaped from the cavern of my mouth when he finally replied. “You stay and get our money’s worth. I’ll come back if I can.” I nodded, guilt stabbing my gut at the trusting way that he pecked me on the cheek and left me in the care of a gorgeous stranger.
That guilt was quite quickly overcome by the excitement of being alone, all alone, with Liam.
That dream castle of excitement that I had built up so rosily came crashing down around my ears when Liam pushed his chair back, stretched out his lean frame in a manner that begged for a cat like stroking. “I’m done for now, as well. I have to get to work.”
Though I knew that maybe it was for the best, his proclamation made me want to cry, the sadness layered with surprise.
“You work here?”
His lips quirked in amusement. “In a manner of speaking.” Then he touched my hand briefly with his own, the tips of his fingers just barely grazing the tender spot between my index finger and thumb, and the tight knot of tension in the pit of my stomach exploded all over again.
“Walk me to my office.” Two glasses of the house red had added to my agitation, and I thought of refusing on principal, as I did so often with Austin.
The darkness in Liam’s eyes told me that refusing wasn’t an option. I didn’t know him and alarm bells should have been ringing in my head, but all I felt was a desire to please Liam.
“All right.” The words brought with them a curling tendril of depression. A few more minutes, and then we would say good night. I’d been riding on a hormonally charged high all night, the excitement making me giddy, and the knowledge that it was all about to draw to a close had me crashing down low. I didn’t even argue when Liam insisted on paying for my drinks, though I’d always preferred to pay my own way, and I followed silently as, with a hand at the small of my back, he led me through the brightly colored lights and the intermingling odors, the haze of cigarette smoke and the overwhelming array of feathers and sequins to the exit of the casino.
It took me a moment to realize that something in the atmosphere had altered.
“Is there a costume party or something tonight?” The feathers and sequins remained, but there were now just as many people dressed in black leather, fishnets, and rubber.
I felt as if I had walked into a movie and didn’t know my lines. Turning, I eyed Liam, but he didn’t appear to see anything out of the ordinary.
“Are you uncomfortable?” His voice was low and warm. I noticed that he had sidestepped my question, but I didn’t push. I was too fascinated by the people around me.
“No. No, I’m not.”
Liam raised an eyebrow at my answer but said nothing. I was telling the truth, since I suspected that he wouldn’t let me get away with anything else.
I wished that I wasn’t so damne
d conscious of the three fingers that he still had resting at the small of my back. We walked in silence for a moment, down the concourse, before he spoke again.
“Anna, did you do much research into The Last Temptation before you came here? Or did Austin make all of the arrangements?” We had stopped in front of a sign that small and bland compared to everything else in the casino. In small black lettering it read “Lead Me Not”.
Though I wasn’t religious, I filled the rest of the sentence out in my head.
Lead me not into temptation.
“Is this your office?” Unease settled over me. Something was going on here, with Liam, with the casino, and it was going right over my head.
I suddenly wished for Austin to make an appearance.
“In a way.” Liam studied my face, read the worry etched there, then lifted my face with a gentle yet hot touch on my chin.
I jerked away from the touch, for the sole reason that I wanted to lean into it.
“Don’t do that.” My voice was sharp, and danger sparked in Liam’s eyes.
“It can be a dangerous thing to say no to me, pet.” His words were mild, but layered with steel. I shivered, my muscles rigid, and debated running away from him.
Pet. That was what Austin had always called me. My nerves were on high alert, but still I found that I didn’t want to leave. Though Liam made me incredibly nervous, when I searched deep down, I found that I wasn’t truly frightened by him.
The nerves were borne of anticipation, not fear.
“I say no a lot.” I glared at him, and Liam’s nostrils flared.
“So your husband has said.” Liam sounded darkly amused. I stared at him, feeling as though I had been punched in the stomach.
“Austin spoke to you about... us?” Betrayal left a bitter taste in the back of my mouth.
I stepped away, and Liam let me. Even with the added space, I wasn’t able to breathe any easier. Liam had a way of invading space, and it wasn’t merely a matter of being close to me physically. It was more that his... well, I don’t know what to call it besides ‘aura’... invaded mine when he was near, stealthily twisting and turning and working its way in until my own sense of self was firmly clutched in its fingers.
Seduction in the Sun: Adult Romance Box Set (9 Sizzling Tales with BBW, Billionaires, Bad Boys, and Alpha Males) Page 65
