Stranded In Paradise

by Jennifer Cole

  Noting his spotlessly clean hands and neatly clipped fingernails, it was clear tinkering with cars wasn’t something he did in his spare time. There was evidence, however, that he did something with his hands. When he’d taken her hand in his, the telltale signs of calluses could be felt. And she’d be lying if she didn’t admit her excitement at not finding a wedding band on his finger. Sure, that didn’t mean anything, but it was something.

  There was more than just a physical attraction toward the stranger. Despite the anger she’d sensed he was feeling over his situation, she felt a seductive pull and did not fight being drawn to him.

  * * * *

  The soothing tone of her voice had wrapped around him and in an instant, his situation didn’t seem so incredibly shitty. After he’d nodded in agreement, Kendall excused herself and disappeared behind a closed door at the back of the garage. Without warning, Dax felt as if he were free falling, helpless to stop himself.

  The weight of an angry stare slammed into Dax as if he’d been hit in the solar plexus. From the corner of his eye, he watched as Haydn followed his movements while he gathered his briefcase and suitcase from the back seat of his rental car.

  “If you so much as…” The contempt in Haydn’s voice had the hair standing up on the back of Dax’s neck.

  In an instant, the need to mark Kendall as his resurfaced. Taking a deep breath, Dax squared his shoulders, pulling himself to his full height. Meeting Haydn’s approach, the two men stood almost chest-to-chest, posturing for dominance.

  “Go on home, Haydn,” Uncle Mel said evenly. “We’ll see ya in the mornin’.”

  “But Mel, I don’t like it that Kenny’s gonna let him come home wit her,” Haydn said bitterly.

  “The lady just offered me a place to stay for the night, buddy.” Dax stood his ground. “I promise she’ll be safe.”

  “Ya gay?” Haydn asked, hocking another mouthful of tobacco juice, this time into a spit cup.

  Lifting his chin in challenge, Dax raised his brow in warning.

  “Go home, Haydn,” the old man said again, in a firmer tone, leaving no room for an argument.

  The younger man hesitated a few moments before snarling an obscenity and stomping out of the building to head down the road.

  “Never mind him, the boy means no harm. He looks out fer our Kenny like she’s his little sister,” the older man said on his way out the door. “You take care, son,” he added with a wink. “Come on boys, let’s git on home,” he called to the two dogs as he closed the door behind him.

  Haydn would like to treat Kendall as more than a sister, Dax thought, as twinges of jealousy raced through his body. Clenching his fists at his sides, he tried not to think about her with another man. The possessive thoughts regarding the cute mechanic once again stopped him cold. Where in the hell were those feelings coming from? Hell, he didn’t even know this woman and yet here he was, jealous at the thought of her being with someone else.

  The door Kendall disappeared through moments earlier opened, drawing his eyes to her. His breath hitched as he took her in. The ball cap had been discarded and her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of her neck. Damn, it was curly…his biggest weakness. Blood rushed to his cock as he thought of her on her knees before him, his hands fisted in those soft curls as she stroked his thick shaft with her mouth. The grease mark had been scrubbed from her gorgeous face, and she was now dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a navy blue t-shirt that hugged the swells of her upper body seductively. Her womanly curves called out, taunting him. Dax’s mouth went dry, his tongue sticking to his pallet. His loins ached to have her straddling them. Beautiful full breasts teased when she slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, causing them to jut toward him.

  “Are you all right, Dax?” She smiled brightly, cocking her head to one side.

  Dax was afraid to speak; unsure sound would even come out. He wondered if she possessed any inclination of the effect she had on him. At the moment his raging hormones were threatening to back her up to the workbench and rip the jeans from her body before plunking her ass atop the bench so he could slide himself into her warm, wet heat.

  “Uh, yeah,” he muttered hoarsely.

  “Great. Let’s go.”

  After Kendall pulled the door closed behind them, Dax followed her across the small lot toward a green tarp. She removed the tarp, revealing a Harley Davidson Road King, and handed him a helmet. As she swung her leg over the seat of the bike, his mouth began to water. He knew the wide-eyed stunned look on his face was what prompted the soft giggle to escape her lips when she glanced over her shoulder at him.

  “Are you coming?” she asked.

  Almost, baby, just give me another minute. The sight of her straddling the motorcycle nearly finished him off. Now that was all he needed, to blow his load in his Armani suit, walking around with a big wet come stain on the front of his pants for the world to see. For Kendall Zurich to see. Come on, you ass, get it fucking together.

  Reaching for his briefcase, she settled it across the gas tank in front of her and directed him to climb on behind her. Not realizing how difficult the task would be with a fucking boner, he did as instructed, positioning himself on the back of the bike, praying like hell she couldn’t feel his rock-hard cock pressing against her backside.

  “We’re not going far,” she said over the rev of the engine. “Just rest your suitcase on one thigh and hold on.”

  The erotic vibrations of the machine beneath him, was almost unbearable. This was going to be the most painful ride he had ever taken. With one hand settled on the luscious curve of her hip, he gritted his teeth as she hammered the throttle.

  Chapter 3

  The ride to Kendall’s took them to the outskirts of the town. They drove up the lane and parked in front of single story cottage-style log home, nestled in and protected by dense woods. A tire swing hung from a big old oak tree in the middle of the front yard. A colorful rose garden adorned the front of the house. A wrap-around porch held two rocking chairs and a porch swing.

  On the seat of one of the rockers lay a big old orange cat.

  They climbed off the bike and removed their helmets.

  “Welcome to my little piece of paradise.” Kendall beamed proudly.

  “Honey, it’s beautiful,” Dax replied honestly.

  “Thanks,” she said with an accompanying shiver. “Come on, you’d probably like a shower. I know I would, and I’m famished.” She giggled, rubbing her belly.

  The aroma of pot roast greeted them as he followed her through the front door. His own stomach rumbled angrily, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

  At the end of a tour of her home, Kendall left him alone in a spare bedroom. After taking a shower in the en suite and putting on fresh clothes, he felt like a new man.

  Wandering around again, Dax admired the simple, yet functional design and layout of her home. The furnishings were modern, accented with a light country flare and a gentle feminine touch. It wasn’t frilly and girly, but rather comfortably unisex and felt like home. He found his mind wandering and liked where it headed. This was their home, with a couple of kids running around, himself sitting on the couch bottle-feeding a baby while Kendall worked in the kitchen preparing their evening meal.

  As Dax gave his head a shake to clear the vision in his mind, he found himself standing in the doorway to the kitchen watching Kendall dishing out their dinner from a slow cooker on the counter. The sight of her took his breath away. Freshly showered, her blond curls were still slightly damp. Clad in a pair of denim shorts that teasingly hugged her round ass and a pastel pink tank top. He saw she wore a black bra by the strap peeking out, and wondered if matching panties caressed the flesh under her shorts. The fresh clean scent she exuded drove his senses crazy.

  As he stood in silence watching her, he noticed her stiffen suddenly, raising her head as if distracted from her task.

  * * * *

  Kenny sensed her gu
est behind her, felt the weight of his stare. Catching a whiff of Dax’s mild cologne, her nipples hardened painfully and the clean pair of panties she wore grew damp.

  She tensed. “I hope you’re hungry,” she said, surprised at the breathlessness of her voice. Turning to meet his gaze, her breath caught.

  His hair was damp and tousled as if he had just towel-dried it. A pair of khaki shorts hung low on his slender hips, and a button-down striped shirt adorned his upper body with just a single button fastened around his belly button. The sleeves were rolled to his elbows and she noticed the head and partial body of a cobra tattooed on the inside of his left forearm. A dusting of dark chest hair teased her, but not nearly as much as the dark trail leading to the treasure below the waist of his shorts. He stood in the doorway, barefoot—a big turn on for her. Kenny didn’t think there was anything sexier than a guy in bare feet. And the man standing in the doorway of her kitchen was the sexiest thing she had ever laid eyes on.

  “Starved,” he answered, his voice low, deep.

  The two stood staring at one another for several heartbeats before the loud squawk of a bird outside an open window caught their attention.

  “Uh, would you like beer or red wine with dinner?” she asked, sinking her teeth into her lower lip to keep from begging Dax to touch her.

  “Which would you prefer?” he countered.

  Kenny chuckled as she picked up their plates off the counter. “Actually, I’d really love a cold beer.”

  “Then allow me, my lady.” He winked. Opening the fridge, he grabbed two bottles and popped the caps as he carried them to the table.

  Engaging in small talk while eating, they enjoyed their meal, combined with the sounds filtering through the open kitchen window of night descending upon them. When they finished, Dax rose and cleared their plates, carrying them to the sink and started running the water to wash the dishes.

  Kenny smiled from the table, content to watch him work in her kitchen. Very quickly she found herself enjoying the confident graceful movements of his body.

  “You don’t have to do that, Dax,” she told him as she approached the counter, picking up a dish towel to dry.

  “Nonsense. You prepared us a fabulous dinner, I don’t mind showing my appreciation by cleaning up.”

  “Well, if you keep this up, I might just keep you around,” she teased. Wouldn’t that be nice?

  With the kitchen tidied and everything put away, Kenny found herself unsure of what to do with her houseguest. No, that wasn’t true, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with him. They were adults, and consenting adults could do whatever they pleased. But would he be consenting, she wondered, trying to tamp the excitement building between her legs.

  Positive she was sending the right signals, Kenny decided she would wait for Dax to make the first move. For a moment her thoughts froze. A wedding ring didn’t mean this handsome stranger didn’t have someone warming his bed at night.

  “Would you like to sit outside for a bit, before calling it a night, Kendall?” he asked when he noticed her staring at him.

  “Yes, I’d love to,” she answered, hoping he picked up on the huskiness in her voice. “I spend a lot of time out on that porch.”

  “You head on out, honey, and I’ll grab us another beer.”

  Kenny shivered in response.

  * * * *

  As he stepped out onto the porch, Kendall was seated in a corner on the swing. When she patted the cushion next to her, his heart raced. Sitting down beside her, Dax handed her an uncapped bottle of beer.

  The voices of the crickets and bullfrogs in the air sounded like a symphony. The hoot of a nearby owl joined the growing chorus of night sounds. The air was cool, the smell of heavy dew carried in a gentle breeze.

  Ah, this is the life, he found himself thinking. He gave his head a shake. The calm night air, my woman by my side.My woman?

  “Are you married?” Kendall looked at him wide-eyed, appearing surprised as the question slipped past her lips. Her nervous giggle had Dax grinning. “Shit, I’m so sorry, Dax. I’m just making conversation.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” He grinned, trying to put her at ease. “I’m not married. No girlfriend either. And before you ask, I’m not into guys.”

  Kendall laughed aloud. “Oh, I knew you weren’t gay. You exude a raw animal masculinity that is totally hetero.”

  A jolt of desire headed straight to his semi-erect cock.

  “How about you?” Dax mentally crossed his fingers, willing a negative reply. “Where’s your significant other tonight?” If he had a woman as fine as Kendall Zurich, there was no way in hell she’d ever be left alone. “Haydn wasn’t very pleased about me staying here with you. Are, uh…you…and he…”

  She shook her head.

  Yes! Dax mentally ‘high-fived’ himself. Get a grip, dumb-ass.

  “That stray is the only man in my life.” She nodded toward the fat orange cat, which didn’t appear to have moved from his perch on the rocker. “Well, he and my Uncle Mel.”

  “The old fellow is really your uncle, huh?” Dax mused, thinking she had to be adopted, because there was no way they were biologically related.

  “Yup, he really is. Uncle Mel and my father were brothers, five years apart. Uncle Mel was the oldest, he never married nor had children of his own. He has always been like a second father to me,” she said. “When my parents were killed, he stepped in to make sure I stayed on the straight and narrow. He’s very protective of me.”

  Dax raised his brow and looked at her in question. “He let you invite a complete stranger home with you. How is that protective? I’d kill any guy who even thought about going home with my niece.”

  “Believe it or not,” she began, and then laughed, “Uncle Mel is a very good judge of character. Kind of has a sixth-sense when it comes to people. If he suspected for one minute you were an asshole, he wouldn’t have even called me in to speak with you at the garage. And he most definitely would not have allowed me to offer my spare room to you.” Pausing, Kendall took a swallow of beer. “So tell me, what kind of law do you practice?”

  “I specialize in family law and dabble a little in corporate.”

  “Wow. Those are totally opposite ends of the spectrum,” she said with a laugh.

  “My father’s firm likes to have a hand in everything. My meeting tomorrow is with the Waterston Corporation and if I can land the deal, it will be a huge asset to the firm. I’ll have to call them first thing in the morning to reschedule, I suppose, since I’m not going to make it.”

  “There is no doubt in my mind, Dax Winslow, you’ll win them over.”

  Her confidence warmed him. And there was something in her voice he had never heard before.

  They sat quietly, listening to the night.

  Carried on the gentle breeze, Kendall’s natural fragrance tickled Dax’s nostrils. A scent unique to her alone, it aroused him, making his body ache with intense need. He would have loved nothing more than to lay her back on the porch swing and make slow, exquisite love with her until they both collapsed from exhaustion. His mouth salivated to taste her, devour her. He needed to feel her flesh under his fingertips as his hands caressed her into a state of erotic bliss. To feel her womanly body wriggling beneath him as he plunged himself into her. The thoughts nearly drove him over the edge.

  Unaware of how this sweet country maiden would feel about the big bad city wolf preying on her innocence, he decided he’d leave the ball in her court. If she gave him the right signals, he would be all over her like ‘white on rice’.

  “You were right, Kendall,” he said quietly, glancing over at her. “This is paradise.”

  She gave him a bright smile. “I like that you call me Kendall.” Her look then turned wistful. “My mother was the only person to ever use my given name. I haven’t heard it in four and half years. The entire free world calls me Kenny.”

  “That’s a shame, because your name is beautiful.”

  They shar
ed a look, a few moments of silence.

  “So, I’m guessing your father wanted a boy?”

  “Yes. Well no, not really. I think all fathers want a son, but my parents were thrilled and very fortunate just to have me. My mother suffered a horrible miscarriage five years before I came along and the doctors told her she would never conceive again. They were devastated and gave up trying. Over time, her body healed, and five years later she found out she was pregnant, and lo and behold, here I am today. She became very ill shortly after my birth and underwent a hysterectomy, so I was left an only child. Now, to answer your question about my father wanting a boy, he gave me my first baby doll. And I still have her.” She chuckled. “But, I also had every Tonka truck ever made, played PeeWee hockey, Little League baseball and football in high school. And as you know, I love working on cars.”

  Dax laughed. “And I’ve no doubt that you were spoiled rotten, honey.”

  * * * *

  Kenny shivered at the endearing term he called her. It was the third time he’d called her honey that night. Suspecting he probably didn’t even realize he’d said it, she dismissed it as a slip.

  “Tell me about you,” she said. Her interest in this man was growing at an alarming rate. She wanted to know everything about him; his likes and dislikes, what his family was like, his turn ons…

  “Well, I’m the youngest of five boys, and a third generation lawyer.”

  “Very impressive,” she stated.

  Though his shrug was casual, Kenny felt his discontent.

  “Two of my brothers are junior partners with the firm. The eldest is a doctor, and the second eldest a politician. I can tell you, it’s a ton of fun during holidays.” He rolled his eyes.

  Kenny found herself thinking about how great it would be to belong to a big family.

  It had been just her and Uncle Mel for so long she’d forgotten what it was like to have lots of loved ones around. She had several friends who came from large families and secretly envied them as they bitched and complained about this sibling and that sibling. Deep down she knew that to feel the love of so many people would far outweigh the tribulations of meaningless arguments.