“Want to see where we’re going?” he called.
Tingling with awareness of burgeoning feelings for him, Kimber joined Finn in the cockpit. He maintained the throttle while referring to a map stored under a clear acrylic dashboard to keep it flat and dry. He was using a ruler, compass and dry erase marker to chart their course.
“We’re here,” he said, pointing to a dot on the coast of Sri Lanka. “And we’re going here, to Male.” He pointed to another circle next to a tiny island west of Sri Lanka.
“The Maldives airport is in Male, right?”
“Right. It’s probably the best place to meet up with your boyfriend. From there it’s just a hop and a skip in a water taxi that will take you to your private quarters.”
In light of her recent revelation about Finn, she felt uncomfortable talking about the accommodations Gil had made for them. “Where did you learn all this?” she asked, gesturing vaguely to the boat and the big steering wheel.
Finn smiled fondly. “My dad. He was a Navy pilot—I grew up around boats and planes.”
“Ah, so that’s why you moved around so much.”
He nodded.
“Are your parents still living?”
“Yeah, they’re retired in Pensacola, Florida. I get back to see them when I can.”
“Any other family?”
“I have a sister in Birmingham. She’s married with two girls. How about yourself?”
“I never knew my father—he died when we were young. My mom and sister are in Atlanta.”
“So you plan to stay in Atlanta after you’re married?”
She shrugged. “I suppose so.”
“What kind of law do you practice?”
“Property law, mostly probate. And divorce, of course.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
She nodded, then told him about the Pennington case. “I might be apologizing the rest of my life to Gil for screwing up our vacation, but I’ll never regret missing my plane to help my client.”
She half expected him to make a joking remark. Instead, he said, “And she’ll never forget it.”
“I think when I change jobs,” she mused, “I might look into family law.”
“You’re changing jobs?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to work with one’s spouse, so probably. How about you? What took you to Dubai?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to be where everything is happening, and right now, that’s Dubai.”
“So you don’t think you’ll ever move back to the States?”
“I never rule out anything. I like being able to pick up and go whenever I feel the urge.”
“Ever been married?”
“Nope.”
Kimber laughed. “You said that as if you don’t ever intend to be.”
“Yep.” Suddenly Finn pointed. “We have company.”
Kimber turned her head and gasped. “Dolphins!” Two dolphins raced alongside the boat, jumping out of the water in tandem.
They saw other sights as the day wore on—a giant tortoise, several swordfish and countless schools of smaller fish throughout the forests of vibrant coral that thrived a few yards below the surface of the crystal-clear water. Kimber learned to keep her camera close at hand. They lunched on sandwiches and fruit that Finn had packed, and chatted amiably about music and movies and books. Kimber acknowledged to herself it was good they would be parting ways in the morning, because the more time she spent with Finn, the more things about him she discovered she liked.
To top off an amazing day, they chased a matchless sunset of pinks and blues and oranges. Kimber realized sadly that she didn’t want the day to end. But the sooner she reached Gil, the sooner she could shake this growing infatuation with Finn.
“Are we on schedule?” she asked. They were surrounded by darkness, with only the moon and the lights of the boat to reflect on the inky water, and her eyes were growing heavy.
“Actually, we’re ahead of schedule. If we drop anchor in another hour or so, we could both get some rest and head out at sunrise. That would still put us in Maldives about 8 a.m.”
She nodded, stifling a yawn. “Sounds good.”
He laughed. “Why don’t you go to bed? The sheets and pillows are in the overhead compartment.”
“What about you?”
“Leave a pillow and blanket out for me. I’ll sleep up here.”
She stood, feeling tense over things she shouldn’t be feeling, but wanting him to know that she’d had the time of her life.
“Good night, Finn.”
“Good night, Fancy Pants.”
She went below and located the cabin lights and the linens. The couch folded out to make a comfortable double bed. She set aside a blanket and pillow for Finn. Then she changed into the most modest of the lingerie outfits she had—red tap pants and a camisole—and climbed into bed, expecting to be lulled to sleep immediately by the rhythmic movement of the boat.
Instead, she lay there, eyes wide open, mulling over the desire coursing through her body for the man above deck.
It was crazy, a passing attraction to a man with whom she’d shared close quarters for the past two days. Finn Meyers was unlike any man she’d ever known—it was only natural she would be intrigued by him and his raw sexuality. Especially since he’d flirted so outrageously with her.
Snatches of erotic memories played over and over in her head—waking up spooned together on the bed, Finn dressing her in the sari, their near-kiss, their real kiss and the sight of him crawling out of bed wearing only his boxers.
Her body responded to those memories, softening and warming. Her breasts ached and her thighs tingled. The boat engine sent a vibration through her sensitized body that only heightened her desire for release. She was toying with the idea of self-gratification when the boat engine slowed, then stopped. Without the noise of the engine, the silence was profound.
The boat’s own wake set it rocking for a few seconds, then she heard the sound of something heavy being lowered into the water—an anchor, she realized. A few minutes later, Finn crept down the stairs, no doubt assuming she was asleep. She could make out his silhouette in the light that shone into the cabin. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he would hear it.
He had gathered the blanket and pillow and turned to go when Kimber made a split-second decision.
“Finn.”
He froze, then turned. “Yeah?”
“Don’t go.”
He took a step closer. “Are you sick? Or scared?”
She swallowed hard. “No. I just want you to stay. Make love to me.”
His breath came out in a half groan. “But what about…?”
“I’m not engaged yet.”
“Kimber…are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He abandoned the linens and pulled his shirt over his head. The shoes came off next, and when Kimber heard the zip of his fly, she realized this was really going to happen…and she wanted it so much.
After the pants were discarded, Finn crawled in on top of her and met her mouth in a hard, hungry kiss. His erection was already stiff against her stomach, her body equally as ready as his. But he took his time kissing her mouth and neck before removing the camisole and feasting on her budded breasts. He sighed against her skin and laved her nipples before drawing them, one after the other, into his mouth. Fire rained over her body.
She cried out and arched into him, running her hands down his muscled back and beneath the waistband of his boxers. He kissed a trail down to her navel, then shimmied the tap pants down. She pushed at his boxers and used her foot to drag them off—she just wanted his naked body on hers.
“Do you have a condom?” she asked.
“Yes, thank God.” He ripped open a packet and rolled it on, then slid his body over hers, settling between her knees. “I’ve wanted you ever since I laid eyes on you.”
“And now that you’ve got me?” she murmured.
He thrust into her and she groane
d at the exquisite fullness. They kissed and lapsed into a slow, deep rhythm that grew more intense with each meeting of their bodies. The slow hum vibrating in her belly grew to a throbbing bass that Finn coaxed to the surface.
“There’s no one here but us—I want to hear your pleasure.”
She sighed and mewled and clung to him as the orgasm swelled to near excruciating tension, then screamed his name when it broke over her body like pounding surf. “Finn…Finn…oh, yes…yesssss…”
Finn set his jaw in restraint, wanting Kimber to experience her climax to the fullest before he lost control. But hearing her cry his name triggered a primal response in him. Every muscle in his body contracted for a mighty thrust. He shuddered, pumping into her with a desperation he’d never experienced before. Before the last of the spasms had rocketed through his body, he already wanted to make love to her again.
CHAPTER TEN
KIMBER WOKE UP smiling. She rolled over and curled into the place where Finn had slept next to her, still warm from his recent departure. Wan light filtered through the cabin door, and she could hear him moving around above deck. She pushed to her feet and wrapped a sheet around herself. Sometime between the first time they’d made love and the third time, she’d decided not to go to Maldives. She wanted to stay with Finn, whatever that meant—a new home, a new job, a new wardrobe, a new language. She’d fallen head over heels in love with him. Gil was a good man, but the two of them had never had what she felt with Finn.
Giddy, she moved to the stairs to coax him back to bed. Under her foot a piece of paper crackled. It was folded and curved, as if it had been in Finn’s wallet or pocket. She unfolded the paper and realized it was the printout of an e-mail message. She started to refold it when she noticed Elaina’s name.
Kimber read the note and went numb, then sat staring at the words, willing them to change. But every time she reread it, the meaning was the same.
At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, Kimber looked up to see Finn, already dressed. The sight of him made her shrink a little inside.
“I didn’t mean to wake—” He saw the piece of paper she held and closed his eyes. “Kimber, let me explain.”
“No need,” she said thickly. “It’s all right here in black and white. I was set up by you and my sister. She purposely rerouted my flights. This was all a ploy to keep me away from a man she doesn’t think is right for me.”
Finn jammed his hands onto his hips and looked down, but didn’t say anything.
“There was never a side trip to Sri Lanka for wood?”
He sighed. “I needed the wood, but it didn’t have to be that day.”
“So on top of everything else, there was plenty of room in that plane for my suitcase.”
He pursed his mouth. “Actually, I could’ve flown my bigger plane.”
Her eyes went wide. “So you could’ve flown me and my luggage in your bigger plane directly to Maldives, but you didn’t.”
“I was just doing what your sister asked me to do.”
“So there was no electrical storm yesterday?”
“Not here.”
“And what was supposed to happen next? Was the boat going to—” she drew quotation marks in the air with her fingers “—break down?”
“No.”
“And what was last night? Another delay tactic?”
He had the good grace to look ashamed. “No. I’d decided on my own to take you to Maldives this morning no matter what.”
She felt like the biggest fool in the world. To think she was seconds away from telling Finn she was in love with him, and all this time, her sister had been paying him to spend time with her.
“Well, since you decided to take me to Maldives this morning no matter what, we’d better get going.”
“Kimber—”
“Please don’t say anything,” she said. “Please don’t make things worse than they already are.”
Finn pressed his lips together, then nodded and turned to climb the stairs.
Kimber felt as if someone had taken a knife to her heart. She hugged herself, determined not to break down, determined not to let Finn know how the gag had wounded her. She took a shower in the cramped bathroom to wash him off her skin, then dressed in the linen pants and shirt, now a little worse for wear. She wouldn’t be as fresh as a daisy when she saw Gil, but it would have to do.
She remained below deck, swinging back and forth between anger and self-recrimination. She couldn’t bring herself to call Elaina because she was afraid she’d say something she would regret. And the kicker in the whole situation was that every time she moved, her muscles ached from having sex with Finn. All. Night. Long.
The engine slowed, sending Kimber’s pulse higher. She hauled her suitcase up the set of stairs, ignored Finn and looked out over the bow. Ahead was a marina with a sign identifying Male. She pulled out her phone to dial Gil’s number, but spotted him pacing the dock.
She’d know those plaid shorts anywhere.
She moved to the front of the boat and waved her arms. He saw her and waved back. She felt Finn’s gaze on her back, but she refused to turn around. She wouldn’t give him the chance to apologize even if he was so inclined. She just wanted never to see him again.
* * *
FINN WAS ABOUT to come out of his skin. Kimber loathed him, rightfully so for what he’d helped perpetrate against her. But he didn’t want her leaving thinking that the sex had been part of the scam. Her boyfriend, the stiff-looking guy in the plaid shorts, was waiting for her on the dock and they were closing in fast. He had to do something quick.
So he killed the engine to float in the last twenty yards.
He left the cockpit and went to the front of the boat where she stood at the rail. He reached down to uncoil a bow line to toss to her boyfriend when they got close enough. They were at fifteen yards.
“Kimber, I’m sorry about what I did. I should’ve called it off before we…before I…” He sighed. “What I’m trying to say is that last night was for real, at least it was for me.”
She turned her head. She didn’t say anything, but he had her attention. Ten yards.
“Go back with me,” he said. “I know you don’t have any reason to believe me, but I’m crazy about you, Fancy Pants. I don’t know what all we’ll do together, but whatever it is, it’ll be great.”
She slowly wet her lips. “That’s it? That’s supposed to entice me to go with you?”
Five yards. He swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid so.”
“Throw me the line!” Gil yelled from the dock.
Kimber turned her head in dismissal. “I believe my sister will cover your expenses. Goodbye, Finn.”
Shot through with disappointment, Finn threw the line, and Kimber’s boyfriend caught it neatly. He was tall, a corporate type with a side part and two-hundred-dollar running shoes. He looked relieved and happy to see Kimber. After tying off the line, he pulled the rail close enough to allow her to disembark. She fell into his arms and he pulled her into a bear hug. Then he whisked her and her suitcase into a waiting water taxi, and they zoomed away in the direction of any one of hundreds of private islands where Gil had an engagement celebration waiting.
Finn felt sick. He’d finally met the right woman—beautiful, smart, funny, sexy—and he had screwed it up royally.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“I CAN’T BELIEVE you’re finally here,” Gil said, squeezing her hand.
“Me neither,” Kimber said over the noise of the water-taxi engine.
“I’m not angry with you anymore. I know you can’t help doing things to make me crazy, but I’m willing to overlook them.”
Kimber blinked at his casual, cutting remark. She studied the face of her longtime boyfriend…and realized in a moment of clarity that his wasn’t the face that made her heart race.
“Gil, we need to talk.”
“Wait,” he shouted, reaching into his pocket. “Let me get this out before anything else happens.” He held up a blue
, Tiffany’s ring box, then opened the hinged lid to reveal an enormous diamond solitaire, glinting in the sun. “Kimber, will you marry me?”
Her eyes watered. It truly was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. Even Elaina would be won over. Her heart filled for all the years she and Gil had shared, and for all the effort he’d gone to for a memorable proposal. He must love her very much.
“No, Gil, I can’t marry you.”
He was smiling and leaning forward to kiss her when he drew back. “What?”
“I’m sorry,” she yelled, “but I don’t love you enough to marry you.”
He looked incredulous. “Since when?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said, patting his hand. “I’m so sorry for messing up this entire trip. I know you’ll find someone someday who will appreciate you more.”
The taxi pulled up to a small dock. “This is your stop, sir.”
Gil looked around, still apparently confused.
Kimber reached forward and closed the box. “Enjoy the rest of your vacation, Gil.”
Looking dazed, he stood and stepped out onto the dock, still holding the ring box. “But where are you going?”
“I’ll have Elaina find me a place somewhere,” she shouted as the taxi pulled away. “Don’t worry!”
“Back to the Male dock, miss?” the driver asked.
“Yes, please.” She leaned her head back and stared at the sky. The lack of pollution here made everything so vibrantly hued. A few days ago she’d been ecstatic that Gil was finally going to propose. Now he had, and she’d turned him down. Timing was truly everything. If she hadn’t agreed to help Della Pennington, she wouldn’t have missed her plane and would at this moment be engaged to Gil, none the wiser that her life was wanting.
And something Della had said came back to her: When you truly love someone, my dear, common sense goes out the window. If you follow your heart, you might get hurt, but you’ll never go wrong.
Kimber sat up. She loved Finn. It made no sense, but it was true. She had to follow her heart and see where it took her.
With her heart pounding, she tapped the driver’s arm. “Hurry, I need to catch a boat before it leaves!” The man bumped up the speed a notch, and Kimber sat on the edge of her seat, craning her neck to see Finn’s boat. But when the taxi pulled up to the dock, the spot where his boat had been was empty.
Sand, Sun...Seduction! Page 7
