Games (Timeless Series)
Page 32
“Then you’re a foolish woman. I’d be more than afraid, were I you.”
She moved to stand beside him, so close he felt her shrug. His hand clenched into a fist to keep from reaching out and touching her. He could barely make out her features in the moon-hidden night, but he didn’t have to see her to know she looked like an angel who’d come to earth to make his life a living hell. The dark that dulled his vision sharpened his other senses. He caught a whiff of her essence, flowery with a hint of muskiness. The scent more than made up for his lack of sight.
“Then, foolish I’ll be, for I find I like being in your company and you’re always avoiding mine.” Her clipped English accent invaded his senses further and sent more signals to his groin.
“There’s a reason for that,” he hissed. “You pretend innocence, but you have to know this is not a good idea.”
“I feel safe enough with you,” Penny said, offering another shrug, her gaze remaining on the black waters. “I’ve never been one to run from mischief, and I know I’m skirting convention, that I shouldn’t be here with you, but here I am.”
Parker closed his eyes, sending up a silent prayer. He should just walk away. As much as he knew he should leave, he truly didn’t want to. She held him spellbound as usual, the urge to find out more about her—to see what was deep inside of her—too great to subdue. Instead of leaving, he opted to satisfy his curiosity and asked about the subject that interested him the most, her fiancé. “So, you’re to be married?”
“Yes. I am,” she replied in a voice filled with relief.
“Tell me about your intended.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Whatever you wish to tell me.”
Penny thought for a moment. “Well, he’s handsome and funny and we get on well.”
“I should hope so,” Parker said, grinning at how unenthusiastic she sounded.
“Why’s that?”
“I would hope you get on well, if you’re getting married.” When she shrugged and didn’t add anymore to the conversation, he prodded, “That’s it? That’s all you have to say about him?”
“He’ll be a faithful husband?” At his bark of laughter, she grinned and said, impishly, “What more would you have me say?”
“That you’re madly in love with him and can’t wait ’til you’re together.”
“Of course I’m madly in love with him and I can’t wait until we’re married.”
Amused, he chuckled softly, remaining silent. The clouds shifted. A sliver of moonlight escaped, illuminating the deck. He kept his focus on her before hers returned to the water. In the added moonlight, he’d caught a glimpse of ambiguity. He sensed something else. Annoyance. She obviously didn’t like that he saw more than she wanted him to see. At this point, he doubted she had such a fiancé waiting.
After several uncomfortable moments, she lifted her chin higher, purposefully seeking his eyes, her glare turning defiant. “What?”
His smile deepened. If the lovely Miss Layton had any idea of the vision she presented to him, with her hair flowing freely and her night clothing covering but not hiding her luscious curves, she’d run from him. The thought of nothing impeding what he craved underneath her night rail and dressing gown was too heady to imagine. His calm restraint amazed him. Schooling his errant thoughts, his gaze roamed over her features.
“He’s not the love of your life,” he taunted, if only to wipe that sudden appearance of overconfidence from her face. “I realize that now.”
“Oh?” Like quicksilver, her expression changed to one of vast amusement. Still, she quickly lowered her eyelids, clearly uncomfortable with his scrutiny.
Parker bit his cheek to keep from laughing outright. “Yes. I’m certain of it.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“Your eyes tell me so every time I gaze into their fiery depths.”
“That’s preposterous. My eyes say no such thing,” she said, dismissing the idea with the wave of her hand.
“Liar,” he whispered, leaning closer. “I bet if I could see them now, they’d be shouting.”
“No.” Shaking her head, Penny took a step away. “You speak in riddles.”
To stop further retreat, Parker gripped her face with a thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at him. He smiled, noting in those oceanic liquid pools what she couldn’t hide. Attraction. “Then, how about what this tells me?” he murmured softly, just before his lips descended, covering hers.
He tamped down a raging hunger and kept his pace unhurried for one simple reason, to quell her concerns. When Penny narrowed their distance, Parker swallowed triumph. Need, want and desire exploded inside him when her hesitant hands reached around his nape.
She kissed like an innocent angel, and God help him, he wanted more. Softening his lips, enticing her to yield all to him, his tongue slid inside her mouth. Her moan floated somewhere above him, unleashing more yearning. By their own volition, his hands found her breasts, cupping their unbound fullness. His fingers stroked and circled. Her nipples hardened into nubs and another soft moan sent a shot of lust straight through him. He groaned in pure delight.
Desperately, he fought to keep his rampant yearning in check, for he had no intention of letting her bolt. Not now when she was exactly where he’d dreamed of having her since the moment he’d spied her that first night on board ship.
He continued, leisurely stroking with his hands, and using his lips, mouth and tongue as expertly as he could in efforts to mark her with this kiss. Branding her, so that she’d somehow remember him. Finally, before he lost all reason, he tore his mouth away. He glanced at her face and what he could see in the darkness had him closing his eyes, reaching deeper for control.
Disappointment and confusion were evident in her passion-filled gaze. The innocent look laced with the heat of desire, sent another jolt of need pulsing through him. Ignoring the longing to lay her down on the deck and have his way with her, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, gaining more control.
“Now I know so,” he whispered seconds later. His chin rested on her head; her dainty body nestled in the circle of his arms. “You’d never kiss like that if you loved another as you claim.”
She stiffened and tried to pull away, but he held her steadfastly in place.
“Please, release me,” she begged, her voice barely loud enough to carry over the splash of the water hitting the boat.
Parker heard self-loathing in her tone. Recognized it because it’s what he felt for himself at this very moment. He’d promised Lucas and for one crazy moment he’d almost given into his need to have her. For one crazy moment he’d lost all honor.
“I’ll let you go, but not before imparting my warning. I gave my word you’d be safe from me, and I’ve no intention of going back on my promise. Be wary, Miss Penny Layton, for I only have so much restraint and your taunts have already pushed me beyond those restraints.”
“You lay the blame for this on me?”
“No. I took what I wanted just now, and I know I’m more at fault; but I only finished what you started. Leave it alone. Don’t keep pulling the tail of the tiger unless you’re willing to ride because if you don’t stop, I can assure you, you will receive the ride of a lifetime.” When she didn’t move and stood silently staring at him as if he’d grown a second head, he nodded toward the stairs. “I suggest you go back to bed. Leave me be and I’ll return the favor.”
Finally, she found her wits and scurried off as if the devil was after her. Perhaps she was wise to run, he reasoned. At that moment, he did feel much like Satan wanting to seduce an angel of God. He turned his gaze back to the water and sighed.
It would be a long, lonely night.
Temptation, the third in the Timeless Series, is due out in August 2013.
To be apprised on new releases, email her at sandyloyd@twc.com to be put on her mailing list, like her on Facebook www.facebook.com/sloydwrites or follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/sloydwrites. For more in
formation about Sandy visit her website at www.sandyloyd.com.
About The Author
Sandy Loyd is a Western girl through and through. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she's worked and lived in some fabulous places in the US, including South Florida. She now resides in Kentucky and writes full time. As much as she loves her current hometown, she misses the mountains and has to go back to her roots to get her mountain and skiing fix at least once a year.
As a sales rep for a major manufacturer, she’s traveled extensively throughout the US, so she has a million stored memories to draw from for her stories. She spent her single years in San Francisco and considers that city one of America's treasures, comparable to no other city in the world. Her California Series, starting out with Winter Interlude, are all set in the Bay Area.
Sandy is now an empty nester. Time Will Tell is the first in a series of connecting historical romances as well as a couple of contemporary romances. To date, she has published eight books besides Time Will Tell—four contemporary romances and four romantic mystery/suspense /thrillers. She strives to come up with fun characters—people you would love to call friends. And we all know friends have their baggage and when we discover what makes them tick, we come to love them even more. She doesn't skimp on the romance. And because she loves puzzles, she doesn't skimp on intrigue, either. Yet whether romantic suspense or contemporary romance, she always tries to weave a warm love story into her work, while providing enough twists and turns to entertain any reader.
Amazon Links to Other books by Sandy Loyd
Contemporary Romances
The California Series
Winter Interlude – Book One – http://amzn.to/VsPzQ3
Promises, Promises – Book Two – http://amzn.to/X6901Q
James – Book Three – http://amzn.to/SuwaTR
Second Chances Series
Tropical Spice – Book One – http://amzn.to/Vz0QCZ
Timeless Series – Contemporary/Time Travel/Historical
Time Will Tell – Book One - http://amzn.to/10zmPM0
Games – Book Two - http://amzn.to/13fG635
Temptation – Book Three Due out soon.
Romantic Suspense
D.C. Bad Boys Series
The Sin Factor – Book One – http://amzn.to/SJvBlx
Running Series
Running Out of Fear – http://amzn.to/VsSoAA
Deadly Series
Deadly Misconceptions – http://amzn.to/WgdSEF
A Matter Of Trust – http://amzn.to/XWJsZ1