by Elle James
Elaine gasped and stared down at her hands as if she'd find the answer to her inexplicable draw to Craig. What was it about this man that inspired her to such lusty imaginings? These feelings weren't something she could explain away as a chemical reaction.
She'd never considered love anything more than a chemical reaction to the body's need to reproduce. She'd always assumed her hormones would tell her when it was time and then she'd want to have sex. In the past, the chemical-induced urge had never come, and even with her fiancé she'd lost interest.
Was her body faulty? Were the chemicals out of balance? Is that why she couldn't get excited to the point of orgasm with a man?
Daring to look up, she stared into Craig's eyes. They were as pale as the night was dark. She felt a tug in her lower abdomen and a strange throbbing between her legs. Was this the chemical reaction she'd been waiting for? And if so, what an idiotic time to turn up!
The little boat slowed when they entered an open area half the size of a football field. Elaine eased around in her seat and stared to the far end of the lake. The light glinted off the silvery scales of floating carcasses.
“There they are!” she cried, pointing ahead, her fear of the water temporarily forgotten.
The stench of rotting fish and vegetation filled her nostrils to the point she almost gagged. Pulling her collar up over her nose, she stared ahead as the boat chugged closer to the pool of death.
“So many dead,” she whispered, careful not to open her mouth too wide for fear of breathing in more of the unpleasant smell. She'd encountered her share of disgusting odors in the lab at the university but this -
“How much of this stuff do you want?” Craig asked behind her.
“One of each species should be sufficient.” She pointed out floating fish. “Can we get close enough to collect that fish as a specimen?”
“Do you have bug repellent in that bag?”
“Excuse me?” She turned back toward Craig.
“Bug repellent.”
Buzzing tickled her ear and sent a quiver down the back of her neck. Elaine smacked at the annoying noise, hitting her neck. “I didn't think to bring any.”
Craig shook his head, reached under his seat and pulled out a can with a green plastic lid. “Catch.” With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the can to her.
Elaine let go of the seat and leaned forward to catch it in both hands. The boat rocked. The motion rattle her so much, she dropped the can and clutched the seat again. The cylinder clanked against the metal floor and rolled to Craig's feet. So much for being the grand adventurer.
“Here, let me.” He grabbed the can and ripped off the top. Positioning the can in front of her legs, he sprayed a long steady fog around her ankles, knees and thighs.
The fumes gagging her, Elaine pulled her shirt collar more firmly over her nose.
“Scoot over,” he said.
Elaine slid a little to her left on the bench.
Craig stood, twisted and sat next to her, his hip touching hers.
Breathing became an issue, with or without the dead fish and bug spray. Elaine's lungs worked in small jerky gasps, insufficient to provide oxygen to her brain. That would explain the disconnection with her powers of logic. All she wanted to do was to reach out and touch the thigh pressed to hers.
“Lean forward,” he said.
She complied and Craig sprayed more of the smelly chemical across the back of her hair and down her back.
When she straightened, she looked up at him. Her gaze flicked from his eyes to his lips only inches from her own. “Is that it?”
“Not quite.” For a moment he stared back. Then he reached out with both hands. With his fingers skimming the sides of her cheeks, he leaned toward her.
He's going to kiss me!
Heart in her chest, Elaine hovered on the edge of a mighty abyss. She met him halfway, eyelids drooping, lips puckered, inexorably drawn to him.
His gaze coupled with hers and his cupped hand rose up the side of her face. Then he removed her glasses, pressing them into her hands. “Hold these.”
Without the glasses, Elaine's green eyes peered at him, rounded and appealing in the light from the two boat lanterns. His gaze progressed from trusting eyes to full sensuous lips. Even slathered in smelly bug spray, the scientist tempted him. The sudden urge to lean forward and press a kiss to those lips nearly overwhelmed him. His! hand tightened on the can of repellent and a waft of the potent chemicals blasted out, serving as smelling salts to his senses.
Holy cow! He'd almost kissed her.
Craig sat up straight, sprayed his hands and leaned forward again to wipe them against her cheeks.
The pungent smell took nothing away from those mystically green eyes or silky smooth skin. And the breast rubbing against his sleeve ignited nerve endings best left! extinguished.
His fingers slipped beneath her hair to distribute repellent to the back of her neck.
Elaine's eyes hovered half closed. The rise and fall of her chest indicated the same difficulty breathing she'd had when he'd held her steady in his arms on the dock. The combination of silky hair against the backs of his hands, tender skin at his fingertips and lips mere inches from his set his heart racing.
Moonlight chose that moment to filter through the trees to the little lagoon. Elaine's face shone with an ethereal clearness, like an angel.
Her eyes widened, then blinked. With jerky movements, she leaned away from him until his hands dropped to his lap. Shaking hands smoothed through her wild hair. “How should we kiss the frogs?”
Craig frowned. From confusion over her words or from the sense of loss her movement created, he didn't analyze.
“What did you say?”
Despite the dim lighting, Craig could see the rise of color in Elaine's cheeks. “How do we kiss - I mean, catch the frogs?”
Jolted back to reality Craig shifted his weight to slide over to his seat. He dug a fishnet from beneath the bench, handed it to her and glanced at his watch. Eleven o'clock? With great effort, he stifled a groan. Six more hours to dawn and he'd moved nowhere closer to resolving his problem.
With a glance across at Elaine holding the net, he realized he'd only added to his problems by agreeing to take the good scientist out for a late-night fishing trip.
No, she wasn't the woman to break the spell. Unlike
Lisa LeBieu, this one had a heart, one he'd surely break when he left this voodoo-ridden swamp.
The scientist glanced around from the safety of the middle of the boat and stared up into his face. “Can we get a little closer?”
Craig did a double take until he realized she meant closer to the dead fish. He lifted a paddle from the floor and dipped it in the water, propelling the boat forward.
Elaine twisted around in her seat, exposing the pale white skin of her neck.
The vision twanged Craig's growing awareness of her.
He knew how soft that skin was and thanked the stars I smelled of bug spray. He dipped the paddle again, an the force of his stroke turned them away from the fis and toward the shore. Moving to the other side of the skiff, he straightened the boat's direction with two compensating strokes. When they reached the fish, he dug the paddle in and slowed the boat to a stop.
“You have the net, scoop it up.”
Elaine leaned forward ever so slightly, her neck craning to see the fish now bumping against the side of the boat. She scooted closer, the skiff dipping down on that side When she could finally see into the water, she leveled net and scooped the fish out, holding it high. A triumphant smile graced her lips. “I did it!”
Her exuberance brought a smile to Craig's face. “Very good. You caught a dead fish. Now, let's move on to t live frogs.”
The excited smile turned downward and her n wrinkled. She slid the fish into the bucket and closed lid. “I've worked with a lot of stinky chemicals and samples, but this fish reeks.”
“Happens when fish die.”
Elaine's lips twisted
and she shot a glance at “Where will we find the frogs?”
“Closer to the shore.”
She turned to look ahead, her expression eager.
“That's also where we'll find the snakes and other swamp creatures, so keep your eyes open.” He wanted frighten her just a little with his perverse sense of humor. His words had the desired effect.
A shiver started at the top of her shoulders and wiggled down her spine. But she kept her back to hum. Her sp stiffened and she focused her attention on the shore.
Craig shook his head. For someone afraid of t swamp, she had spunk. Even when he tried to scare her, she remained on course. She had purpose, a selfless purpose, unlike the people he worked with in New Orleans. There, they would chew her up and spit her out for fun.
His eyes narrowed and he studied her closer. Or would they? Somehow, he could bet she'd hold her own if she believed in her cause.
“There! I saw one hop into the water.” She turned, her face wreathed in an excited smile. “Did you see it, Craig? Can you get closer?”
Her use of his name caused his heart to skip a beat. Craig shook himself. Had the voodoo queen done more to him than turn him into a frog by day? Why was he mooning after this stranger? She wasn't anything near his type. Maybe another trip to the witch was in order. Surely his years as a skilled negotiator counted for something?
The skiff bumped against the shore, jolting Craig out of his musings.
Elaine yelped and held tight to her seat. When the boat stilled, she looked around. “I don't see any frogs and what happened to the noise?”
As if someone had a hand on the master switch, the natural clatter of crickets and frogs had shut off. Silence surrounded them.
“Be still and quiet,” he whispered. “They'll return.”
The two sat quietly, barely moving except to breathe.
Then a cricket chirped, followed by another and soon the entire swamp roared with activity.
Elaine smiled up at Craig. A frog hopped into the water next to the boat. Her focus shifted to the water, Elaine held the net ready and leaned toward the edge.
With the smooth strokes of a natural-born swimmer, a frog the size of Craig's fist sailed on the surface. Elaine reached over the side and slapped the net at the frog.
When she pulled it from the water, it dripped empty. Her brows furrowed behind the rims of her glasses and her lips tilted in a pout. “Dam. He was a nice-looking one.”
“Next time set your net in the water just below the surface and lift up when the frog swims over the top.”
“Like this?” She leaned over the side and lowered the net in the water.
“Yes. Now hold still and wait for the next one.”
Minutes passed. Elaine held still throughout, determination written in her pursed lips.
Soon a frog swam within range.
Elaine's body tensed.
When the frog swam over the top of the net, Elaine jerked the net up. Frog and net dripped water all over the front of her white blouse. “Wooohooo! I got one!”
Craig gulped. The smile on her face combined with the water across her chest sucker punched him in the groin. The lacy edges of her bra and the smoothly rounded globes beneath pressed against the transparent wet blouse.
Holding the net over the open bucket, she dumped the frog in with the dead fish, and then she slid the lid in place. The frog inside hopped, hitting the top with a bonk.
Craig flinched. He could relate to the frog. How frustrating to be so small and at the mercy of larger, carnivorous creatures. Not to mention, stuck in a container with a stinky dead fish. Craig's stomach clenched, and then knotted even tighter at his next thought. Dissection. “Are you going to dissect him?”
Elaine tilted her head to the side. “Of course. I have to study the effects of the pollutants on his skin, liver, heart and other organs.”
With a sick feeling, Craig looked away. Was his fate to be someone's science experiment? If he didn't find someone to love him, that's what could happen. Either that or he'd be snake or alligator bait. Which would be worse having his brains scrambled or digested slowly by a snake?
Perhaps getting the scientist to fall in love with him wasn't such a bad idea. As trusting and naive as she seemed, the chore shouldn't take long. He stared across at her. Would a few flowers and dinner in a nice restaurant work on a woman as smart at Elaine? And maybe after dinner they could make love into the wee hours of the morning.
The breasts shining through her blouse called to him. He could imagine his hands cupped over them, her dark, wavy hair splayed across a clean white pillowcase.
“What's wrong?” Elaine glanced up at him and followed his gaze to her blouse. “Oh my goodness!” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why didn't you say anything?”
“I was enjoying the view.”
Anger flashed from green eyes, and her brows dipped low on her forehead. She turned away and plucked at the material to lift it off her skin. Futilely she blew down at the wet fabric, but it didn't dry immediately. With a huffy breath, she kept her back to him. “I guess there's nothing to be done. If want more specimens, I'll have to live with it.” She threw a narrowed glance over her shoulder. “But you could have the decency not to stare.”
Craig shrugged. “Sorry. I'm just a man. Can't help but admire a pair of right pretty breasts.”
She swung her legs over the bench to the other side. But her heel caught the edge of the bucket, knocking it sideways. The lid flew off and frog and fish slid from inside.
“Get him!” Elaine dove for the frog at the same time as Craig. But the amphibious hopper leapt beneath the bench seat she sat on. “Can you see him?” Elaine lifted her feet and scooted back on the seat.
Craig could see one scared frog hunkered low. Just as he lunged for the creature, the frog hopped. Elaine toppled off the back of the seat, but Craig caught the escapee.
“I got him!” Craig scooped the dead fish back into the bucket and tossed the frog in after it, closing the lid down tight.
When he looked around, Elaine lay at the bottom of the boat, her shoulders shaking.
Craig reached out a hand. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
Her shoulders continued to shake, but she didn't answer.
Worried, he crawled over her seat and squatted next to her. “Did you break something?” His hands ran up her legs, checking for broken bones. When he reached her hips and waist, she exploded in uncontrollable belly laughter.
“What a funny pair!” She clutched her side and gasped.
Tears streamed down her face. “My glasses...” laughter. “... can you find my glasses?”
“No, oh wait, there they are.” He plucked her glasses from her hair and handed them to her.
“I'm sorry, I can't help it ....” She held the glasses in one hand and swiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her other arm. “I can't get up.”
Craig glanced around. Her ankles were still draped over the bench, as she lay sprawled in the bottom of the boat. He slid her feet off the seat and wrapped his arms around her. “Just hold around my neck. I'll get you up.”
Elaine's arms encircled his neck, her glasses still clutched in one hand. With their faces only inches apart, he could see the way the tears clumped in her long black lashes. Her pink cheeks glistened with moisture and her hair framed her face like fine black lace. And those lips.
The bug spray should have been enough of a reminder to keep him away, but his gaze locked on her lips and there was nothing he could do to stop his next action.
Craig leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. The satiny texture drew him closer. His tongue pushed past her teeth and entered her open mouth to taste her sweetness.
He barely acknowledged the clunk behind him when her glasses dropped to the bottom of the skiff.
With her hands threaded into his hair, she pulled him closer. Her wet shirt soaked against his dry one, drawing attention again to her breasts. How he wanted to see them, touch them and
taste them.
He cupped his hand over a firm rounded globe, reveling in the warmth generated through the wet fabric. Dare he toss aside her blouse and take those luscious -
Elaine's fingers fumbled for his buttons, pushing aside the fabric to delve into his chest hairs.
Where had the prim and proper scientist gone? Who cared? As far as he was concerned, she'd just given him an invitation to reciprocate. Hot damn, let the games begin!
His lips still locked with hers, he reached a hand between them and unbuttoned the front of her blouse. When he shoved the shirt over her shoulders, he leaned back to stare at the perfect orbs encased in silky white lace.
She reached up and unsnapped the center clasp, unleashing her breasts to his view. Dark, rosy brown aureoles puckered in the night air. He reached out to cup first one, then the other, tweaking the tips to hardened peaks.
Laying her back against the bottom of the boat, he leaned over her and took first one then the other nipple into his mouth. The smell of flowers assailed his nostrils - a scent vaguely familiar to him. With his hands massaging her breasts, he moved up to press a kiss to her temple. “Not enough,” he whispered into her hair.
“Want more,” she moaned, nibbling at his neck.
Craig loosened the button at the top of her khaki slacks and slid the zipper downward. His knuckles grazed the smooth skin of her belly to the top of her curly mound.
His own pants felt like they'd explode, he was so hard for her.
A buzzing sound pushed into his consciousness. He swatted at his ear, but the buzzing grew louder.
“What's that noise?” Elaine asked, pushing his hand from her breast.
Craig skimmed his hand down her torso to duck into the waistline of her pants. “What noise.”
Elaine pulled his hand from her pants and shoved Craig off her. “That noise.”
Craig sat up and listened. The buzzing he assumed was a mosquito had grown into a loud steady hum. “Sounds like a motorboat.” He glanced down at Elaine, regret burning in his gut and lower. Beneath Elaine's staid exterior burned a passion as hot as Madame LeBieu's voodoo fire.
He reached out and pulled her to a sitting position. In a swift deft movement, he pulled the edges of her lacy bra together and snapped the clasp in place. His fingers lingered against her breasts. “We'd better go.”
