Love in the Afternoon

by Alison Packard

  “So everyone kept telling me,” Kayla grumbled as she got her first glimpse of the ocean when Sean pulled on to the Pacific Coast Highway. As always, the sight never failed to impress her.

  While she scanned the coastline, Sean slowed the Jeep. The PCH was notorious for its congestion, and the weekend was the worst time to travel on it. Between the beach goers, the tourists, and the residents who lived in the towns along this stretch of coast, there was no shortage of cars, scooters and bicyclists. Pacific Palisades, or Pali, as Sean had called it, was nestled between Santa Monica and Malibu. Many of the homes were built on bluffs that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Kayla could only imagine the spectacular views they offered.

  As they progressed at a snail’s pace, Kayla noticed a number of surfers bobbing in the water. Every so often one or two of them would catch a wave and ride it almost effortlessly to shore.

  “Did you bring your surfboard?” she asked, turning to look into the back of the Jeep. She didn’t see a board, but the cargo area did hold a number of beach towels, and a rubbery looking thing she suspected was a wetsuit.

  “No,” Sean said, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the music playing softly on the radio. The tenseness she’d noticed just minutes ago had passed. “I didn’t think it would be all that much fun for you to sit on the beach and watch me surf.”

  “It would be fun if you were giving me a surfing lesson.”

  He braked as the car in front of them stopped at a light. “Do you really want to learn?” He turned to look at her.

  “Yes,” she said, meeting his surprised gaze. “My mom has this DVD of a movie she liked when she was young. Gidget, with Sandra Dee. We watched it together when I was a kid. After that, all I wanted to do was learn how to surf—just like Gidget.”

  “That movie started the surfing craze,” Sean said. “It wasn’t long after that the Beach Boys became popular and Hollywood started making those God-awful surfing movies.”

  The light turned green and they inched forward with the traffic. “How long have you been surfing?” Kayla asked.

  “I got my first board when I was ten.”

  “Where’s your favorite place to ride the waves?”

  “Hawaii has the best waves. The Pipeline on Oahu is one of the most dangerous surfing spots in the world.”

  “What’s the Pipeline like?”

  “A total rush,” he said as they passed a sign welcoming them to Pacific Palisades. “It was like the first time I had sex,” he added, shooting her a sidelong glance.

  “I’m almost afraid to ask.” She couldn’t help but smile. “But I can’t resist. Why was it like the first time you had sex?”

  His grin was shameless. “Because I couldn’t wait to do it again.”

  * * *

  “Wow.” There was undisguised awe in Kayla’s voice as Sean pulled up to his father’s house. It was a Tudor style home with a steeply pitched roof, ornamental timbering on the gables and an arched entryway covered in stone. Although not as sprawling or grandiose as some of the newer estates, it was still impressive.

  After cutting off the engine, he got out of the Jeep and rounded it to open the door for Kayla. As she gracefully climbed out, Sean let his gaze linger on her legs. She was wearing a multi-colored sundress in blues and greens that bared her toned arms and shapely legs. Her hair was pulled back in a low pony tail, and the only jewelry she wore was a simple pair of silver hoop earrings. She looked drop-dead gorgeous, and when she’d opened her front door earlier this morning and he’d gotten his first glimpse of her, all he could think about was how she’d felt in his arms, and how much he wanted to kiss her again

  “Can you see the ocean from the back of the house?” she asked as they walked side by side to the front door.

  “Yes. The view is amazing,” Sean said, finding the house key on his key chain.

  “I can’t wait to see it.” Smiling up at him, she pulled off her sunglasses and slipped them into her purse.

  He unlocked the door. After they’d crossed the large Travertine tiled foyer, he led her through the formal living room. As they passed the glass curio cabinet just beyond a baby grand piano, she put her hand on his arm, pulling him to a halt.

  “That’s an Oscar,” she said in a hushed tone, leaning closer to the glass. “Best actor in a leading role,” she read the inscription and squeezed his arm. “I’ve never seen a real one before.” Sean couldn’t help but smile at the reverence in her tone.

  “Do you want to hold it?”

  “Oh, no, I couldn’t,” she said with a shake of her head. “If I ever hold one, I want it to be because I earned it. Like your father did. Faded Glory was such a great movie, and he was amazing in it. I didn’t see it when it first came out because I was too young, but I rented it a few years ago. Your father’s performance was powerful.”

  “It was,” Sean agreed. He and his father didn’t get along, but there was no denying that James Barrett was a hell of an actor. “He deserved that Oscar.”

  Kayla looked at him with a hint of surprise in her eyes. “You sound proud of him.”

  “I can separate who he is as a father from who he is as an actor,” he said with a shrug, “and I have the utmost respect for his talent.” He looked at the golden statuette. It sat alone on the glass shelf and had been a part of the house for so long that he rarely noticed it anymore. “When I was a kid, my father’s friends would come over and play poker once a week.” He smiled at the nostalgic memory. “They would sit in the dining room smoking cigars and drinking brandy, or scotch—I’m not sure which. They talked about acting. All of them lived and breathed it. And still do, I’m sure.” He looked back at her. “I used to hide behind the couch and listen to them talk for hours. I learned more about acting by eavesdropping on them than I did in any drama class I’ve ever taken.”

  “And it shows.” Her hand was still on his arm, her warm touch played havoc with his pulse. “Do you remember that eulogy scene you did a few months ago?” At his nod she continued, “You were amazing. There wasn’t a dry eye on the set, and it wasn’t because we put glycerin drops in them.” Her mouth curved in a winsome smile. “It was because you were that good. You were so vulnerable…so raw…that we couldn’t help but feel your pain. You were fearless. Absolutely fearless.”

  “That means a lot coming from you,” he said, unexpectedly pleased by her admiration.

  “It wasn’t just me. It was everyone on the set.”

  “That’s flattering, but your opinion is the only one I care about.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise. “I…I wanted to tell you after the scene. But I was a little intimidated by you back then.” She let go of his arm. He wished she hadn’t. He enjoyed her soft touch.

  “Intimidated of me?” He couldn’t help but grin. “Why? I’m totally not intimidating.”

  “You’re the star of the show, and we’d never been formally introduced. I saw you around the set but I was pretty sure you didn’t know who I was.”

  He grinned. “Trust me, sweetheart. I knew who you were. I just didn’t know how good you were until we started working together.” Astonishment registered on her expressive face. Was it possible she didn’t know how talented she was?

  “So are you going to show me that amazing view?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She was so beautiful it almost took his breath away.

  Feeling like a damn teenager in the throes of his first crush, he managed to nod. “Come on.” Sean put his hand on her elbow and guided her toward the steps that led from the formal living room to the back of the house where the large kitchen and family room were located. “Be prepared to be impressed.”

  She let out a soft sigh. “I already am.”

  * * *

  “It’s almost as if we’re standing on the edge of a cliff,” Kayla said, taking in the sheer magnificence of the view. All she could see was the ocean. From the frothy whitecaps near the shore to the blue-gray waters that seemed to stretch to
infinity. It was beautiful and serene, yet at the same time powerful and mysterious.

  Standing next to Sean on the expansive deck that jutted out over the bluff, she rested her hands on the top rail, unable to tear her gaze from the grandeur in front of her. A gentle breeze drifted past, carrying the unmistakable scent of the sea, and a hint of the roses she’d glimpsed in James Barrett’s garden. The customary coastal fog had burned off early, leaving the sun to caress her bare arms and legs with its gentle warmth.

  “I could never get tired of this view,” she said.

  “I agree.” Something in Sean’s voice made her turn toward him. Heat suffused her body as she met his brilliant green eyes. The sun played over his handsome face and glinted on his golden hair. It seemed almost criminal that he was so unbelievably handsome. Her heart skipped a beat and then began to pound as their eyes locked. Several charged seconds passed as his gaze lowered to her lips, lingered and then lifted. “You’re blushing,” he said with a slow, sexy grin that didn’t do anything to cool the sudden heat in her body. “You do that a lot.” He turned to rest his hip against the railing.

  Not about to admit it was because of his effect on her, she shrugged. “It’s hereditary. I come from a long line of blushers.”

  Sean laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. A sudden, more powerful breeze ruffled his hair, partially covering his eyes. Without thinking twice, she lifted her hand and gently brushed the strands to his temple.

  Spurred on by something she couldn’t seem to control, she trailed her fingers to his cheek. Her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met and his laughter faded. Time seemed suspended, and the air grew taut between them. The only sound she heard was the erratic beating of her heart. It was so loud she was sure he had to hear it.

  Lowering her hand, she couldn’t seem to look away from his mesmerizing gaze. The cool sea air whispered across the heated flush of her body, and the subtle scent of his cologne made her feel almost lightheaded. Could he see how much she wanted him? Because she did. She wanted him desperately and didn’t want to hide it anymore. For the past six months, she’d been playing it safe. Maybe it was time to throw caution to the wind and see what happened.

  “Did I tell you you look beautiful?” His voice was husky, his eyes so intense she could almost feel the touch of his lips on hers by the look in them. She ached for him to kiss her. He lifted his hand and brushed her cheek with his fingertips; his gentle caress caused her knees to tremble. “Because you are,” he said in a husky whisper that sent a prickle of excitement across her skin.

  He traced his fingers to her jaw and when he feathered his way down to the pulsing hollow of her throat, her breath hitched. He noticed, and with just the hint of a smile, he lowered his head until she felt the moist heat of his mouth against hers.

  At first their kiss was gentle, as if they were savoring the taste of each other. Then everything changed. His lips coaxed hers open and the first touch of his tongue against hers almost stole her breath away. She felt his hand skim down her back, and then she was hauled up against his body, pressed so tightly to him that she could feel every inch of him.

  Their kiss turned wet, deep and so passionate that she couldn’t contain her soft moan of pleasure. Sliding her hands up his broad shoulders to his neck, she sifted her fingers through his hair; it was soft to her touch. At the moment it was the only soft thing about him.

  His hands roamed over her back and seemed to burn right through the fabric of her dress. Her breasts felt heavy, and between her legs her muscles tightened as hot desire pooled at her core.

  Lost in their kiss, she arched against him, relishing the feel of his muscular chest against the softness of her breasts. It was as if she couldn’t get close enough and silently cursed the barrier of their clothes.

  Seconds later, she felt his hands spanning her waist and then—almost reluctantly—he pulled his lips from hers. Opening her eyes, she drew a ragged breath and felt her lower body clench with need when she saw unspoken desire smoldering in his gaze.

  “It was all I could do not to kiss you like that on the set.” His voice was low and gravelly. He made no move to loosen his hold on her, which was fine with her. A wolfish grin tugged at his lips. “I came pretty close to breaking my no tongue rule on Friday.” His admission sent a delicious thrill through her.

  “A no tongue rule,” she mused. “That’s very gentlemanly of you.” Resting her hands on his shoulders, she was extremely aware of his muscular thighs pressed against hers.

  Sean’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “I’ll bet you wish Marcus had that rule.”

  “God, yes.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “But after one good bite I think he learned his lesson.”

  Sean’s eyes widened. “You didn’t?”

  Kayla couldn’t help but grin as she nodded. “I did.”

  “I’ll have to remember that,” he said with a smile. “I’d hate to suffer the same fate.”

  Playing with the collar of his shirt, she returned his smile. “Don’t worry, you won’t.”

  His eyes flickered with amusement. “Have I just been given the okay to break my no tongue rule at work?”

  With the way she was feeling, Kayla would let him break any rule he wanted. As many times as he wanted. “How about you break it right now?” she whispered.

  “I can do that,” he said, lowering his mouth gently to hers. She reacted immediately to the smooth warm demand of his lips. Heat simmered in her lower body, and her pulse danced with excitement as his mouth opened against hers. The touch of his tongue against hers was electric. Moaning softly, she caressed his nape and was vaguely aware of his hands gently cupping her buttocks, pulling her even closer to his hard body. God, he felt good. And what he was doing to her felt even better.

  She didn’t want him to stop. Ever.

  But seconds later he did just that. He pulled his lips from her and when she opened her eyes and met his she felt dazed, and her heart raced as if she’d just finished running a marathon.

  “I think I like breaking the rules,” he said and gave her a roguish grin that heightened the beat of her pulse. His hands slid up to the small of her back and rested just above the curve of her butt. “And I might break a few more if we don’t go into the village and have brunch.”

  She didn’t have to ask what he meant. She’d felt the hard ridge of his erection against her abdomen. He was just as turned on as she was. And knowing that she was the cause of his arousal filled her with a certain sense of womanly satisfaction.

  Tilting her head, she smiled up at him. “Aren’t rules meant to be broken?”

  Letting her gaze roam over his handsome face, she had a strong feeling that even if she wanted to resist him, she wouldn’t be able to. His kisses had been the appetizer, now she was ready for the main course.

  “Isn’t that half the fun?”

  Loosening his hold on her, he stepped back but kept his arm around her waist as together they gazed out at the ocean. Her body, like the sea, churned restlessly with the desire he’d evoked in her.

  “Thank you for bringing me here. This has to be the most beautiful spot on earth.”

  “I should thank you.”

  She turned her head and met his solemn gaze. “Why?”

  “I’ve taken this place for granted my whole life. Seeing it through your eyes makes me realize how special it really is. It’s human nature, I guess. But then, sometimes we’re lucky enough to get a wake-up call. Like I did today.”

  Sean’s words filled her with a warm glow that had nothing to do with sex. His voice, like his eyes, was tender. If it was possible to fall even deeper under his spell, she’d just fallen.

  “I’m glad I could be your wake up call.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jared: Do you think about Stefan much anymore?

  Shay: No. Not so much.

  Jared: That’s good.

  Shay: Why is that good?

  Jared: It just is. What is this? The grand inquis
ition?

  The air was filled with a mixture of salt water and suntan lotion. Walking beside Sean as they strolled barefoot along the wet sand near the water’s edge, Kayla was more aware of him than ever. Working and living in L.A., she’d grown used to being around attractive men. They were a dime a dozen, most of them as shallow as a toddler’s wading pool. But there was something about Sean that affected her as no man ever had.

  She could say it was his lethal good looks, or even that sexy as hell grin that caused her heart to pound. But it was more than that. There was a depth and an inherent decency in Sean that she couldn’t help but be drawn to.

  It also didn’t hurt that his kisses made her tremble with need, and ignited a fire inside of her that burned so fierce she thought she might explode. At Café Vida, where Sean had taken her for a late breakfast, all she could think about were the searing kisses they’d shared on the deck overlooking the ocean. Those hot kisses had whetted her appetite for more.

  “What made you choose acting as a profession?” he asked, forcing her from her increasingly erotic thoughts.

  “It chose me,” she said as they passed by two young boys building a castle with the wet moldable sand. Engrossed in their task, the boys didn’t even look up. “When I was a freshman in high school, the elective I wanted to take was filled so I had to pick another one.”

  “And you chose drama?”

  “It was the only other elective available,” she said, watching him as he reached up to brush his hair back. Her gaze lingered on his muscular forearm, and, unbidden, the memory of him holding her in his arms flashed through her mind, reminding her of the feel of his hard body against hers. “I was scared to death,” she said, averting her eyes before her wayward thoughts got the better of her. “I was very shy, and deathly afraid of public speaking.”