All Night Long

by Melissa MacNeal

  DeSilva sat straighter. How much did she know about the captain’s spying habit? Her pretty face, slightly flushed from the sun, showed no sense of disgust or betrayal. Yet.

  I want you. You know I do!

  Lola sucked air, staring at him. Honest to God, his lips hadn’t moved!

  “Motion detectors trip the audio effects at each table,” he explained with a little grin. “The voices seem to change to match the situation, and no matter which booth I’ve sat in, the messages are never the same. A marvel of modern technology, wouldn’t you say?”

  Take me right here. Under the table.

  Lola giggled, covering her mouth to control her bite of banana.

  Rio gazed at her girlish grin, wishing he had time to pursue this playful thread of conversation—to sample the sweet, tropical taste that would linger on Lola’s lips. Right here—or under the table, indeed. His cock was testing the seam of his pants, demanding attention like that damn banana got.

  He glanced toward the doorway, clearing his throat.

  “I want to tell you, before anything else happens today, that I’m sincerely sorry for the way you were treated last night,” he said softly. “And I’m even sorrier that I didn’t call it to a halt. I hope you’ll forgive me for following Skorpio’s orders instead of…listening to my heart.”

  Lola blinked, leaning closer. That was an apology—something she had to think about to recognize. Fletch believed that love meant he never had to say he was sorry—not that he had any concept of how sorry really felt.

  But Rio seemed genuinely distressed. A little crease appeared between his eyebrows as he tentatively reached for her hand, which made her wonder if something awful was about to befall her.

  His touch sent a tiny lightning bolt up her arm and all through her system, and Lola was once again aware of how romantic this Spaniard was. Rio seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve in a way that would make most American men shudder.

  So how did he know what happened to her last night?

  Do you want to hear my deepest secrets?

  “I—I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying,” she hedged, glancing at that dog on the wall.

  When it returned her gaze, she refocused on Rio, watching his eyes for signs of another head game. Or just body language that said he was dodging some important issue.

  Rio sighed, looked toward the door to be sure Skorpio wasn’t lurking there. It was risky, staying here this long, but he had to tell her the whole truth or Lola would believe he was only playing the hero, to look good.

  He wanted to be her hero. The king of her castle.

  “That medallion Aric was wearing?” he began, brushing her leg with his. An accident, yet it wasn’t. He got a gratifying thrill when she nudged him back.

  She nodded, already guessing where this would lead.

  “It’s a wireless mini cam. It belongs to Skorpio, so Aric—”

  Lola closed her eyes against a wave of revulsion.

  “So the captain saw everything,” she wheezed. “Which explains how he recognized me in the crowd so quickly today. My shades and hat were on film as I was buying them.”

  Her voice faded and she put her mind into Rewind. “Which means he also saw me sell my ring—”

  Rio nodded, restraining a grin about that one.

  “—and then he saw what I did in the men’s—”

  Close your eyes and kiss me…down there.

  Her expression curdled. Those recordings were starting to annoy her.

  “Not really,” Rio insisted, scooting closer. “The camera was pointed at the top of the wall during most of the…activity.”

  Lola nipped her lip. Rio knew.

  And while they were all consenting adults here, it still bothered her that this kind, compassionate man had heard the grunts and groans…Aric’s impassioned words as she’d sucked him to climax.

  Which meant Skorpio had either blabbed or—

  “This is why I’m apologizing, Lola,” he breathed, praying she didn’t walk out on him. He felt like a kid copping a feel in a dark theater, but putting his hand on her bare knee at least established the contact he craved.

  “While it’s true I was operating the monitor at the captain’s orders—and he was sitting right beside me as we watched you,” DeSilva went on, “I could’ve walked away. Could’ve told him where to put that monitor. But I didn’t.”

  I know what you did last night. Do it again.

  She looked away, batting back tears. “I’m sorry for what you saw.”

  Sorry didn’t nearly cover it. She’d never felt more mortified in her life.

  “Don’t apologize, querida!” he whispered. “I heard how Aric conned you into that men’s room, so it wasn’t totally your idea, was it?” he asked gently. “I’m not telling you this to hurt you, Lola mia. I want you to know the facts, in case Skandalis and Aric deny them.”

  The smooth skin of her knee…a freshly shaved leg. Mother of God, but he wanted to run his hand up her shorts—which would be the worst thing he could do right now.

  Higher…faster…harder!

  Lola chuckled in spite of the way those damn voices seemed to be directing DeSilva’s hand, not to mention this conversation. But even in the dimness of this deserted club, she could see how much he wanted her—and her wet panties cried out for his warm fingers to find them…to rip them off. But he was showing amazing restraint, for a man who drank champagne from her snatch the first time they were alone.

  “You’re not finished breaking the good news yet, are you?”

  Rio smiled ruefully. He admired her for taking this so well; for not caving in or accusing him of anything. Yet.

  “I also admit that, yes, we listened in on your conversations,” he continued. “Because that pack of cigarettes in Aric’s pocket—?”

  An icky bubble of apprehension swelled up, like swamp gas in her gut.

  “That’s where he had his microphone.”

  “That little shit!” Lola scowled, slapping the table.” That dirty, low-down—letting me think we could actually have some fun—evading Skandalis—and he was recording the whole thing! I’m sure the captain loved every fucking second of that.”

  “He was damn proud of Aric for setting things up the way he did, yes. Thought he was due for a raise.”

  “Yeah, well, I raised him—and I won’t be doing that again!” She got so pissed she had to stand up—which forced Rio out into the aisle ahead of her. “That lying, sneaking little—”

  Let me stick my tongue in your—

  “Oh, would you just shut up?!” she rasped, glaring at the figures who frolicked on the wall.

  That damn dog didn’t drop his gaze. Like maybe he could smell where she wanted to be licked.

  Lola closed her eyes, exasperated. DeSilva was going to think she was nuts, cussing the canned voices. And playing the drama queen wouldn’t score any points with him, either.

  She had to hand it to him, though: he was spelling it all out. Standing beside her—standing by her—while Aric had taken every advantage.

  Lola sighed. “But then, I knew he was the captain’s snitch, didn’t I? I was stupid to think he’d lay aside his loyalties, just because some woman old enough to be his—”

  “Shhhhh.”

  Rio listened carefully for intruders, with his finger on Lola’s lips…wishing she’d kiss it, to show that she still accepted him. Still trusted him, even though this thing with Aric had blown his credibility. “I’m thinking we should go back to the suite—”

  “You told Skorpio we’d be there?”

  “No!” Rio replied, more vehemently than he intended. “But I did contact him on his two-way, right before you so creatively cleared your path back to the ship. I told him the suite was a disaster area, and that you’d taken Aric hostage.”

  Tie me up and go down on me, sweet thing.

  Lola snickered. She was still peeved, but the timing on these canned voices was, well—uncanny.

  “You were t
here?” she asked. “And you saw how I left him?”

  Now here was an image worth getting in trouble for! DeSilva seemed impressed with her survival skills.

  Rio smiled. “He was still wearing the camera, remember? I watched you tie him up, mi vida. I was cheering you all the way, hoping he’d—”

  Lola’s face fell. “Then…you saw what else I did to him. Again.”

  He took her hands between his, feeling the thrum of her pulse. What a woman she was, to feel remorse for giving another man the pleasure he himself craved. Just as he had regretted witnessing it last night.

  “This time, you were getting even,” he said with a wicked glint in his eye. “Our boy was in a world of hurt when I walked out on him to come after you.”

  “You left him on the couch?” She giggled, itching to kiss him.

  “Damn right I did. He could easily have freed himself, but he was too busy whining about having to pee.

  “And meanwhile,” DeSilva continued, patting his shirt pocket, “I took the microphone and that medallion with the mini-cam. I want to be damn sure Skorpio never gets that advantage over you again.”

  “I…thank you,” she breathed. She had an odd feeling someone was spying on them now. Or was it because that dog beside the lady’s feet was still looking at her?

  It did have a man’s facial features. And it looked ready to talk to her.

  “I’d let you have those devices for your own devious use,” the security agent was saying, “but then you’d be even more of a target for the captain’s vengeance. He’s saying you need to be punished for…flying under the radar. Defying his authority.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” she murmured. She could’ve sworn that dog winked at her.

  Hey, good-lookin’. I can smell where you’re cookin’.

  Rio coughed to cover his laughter. Lola’s expression was priceless as she tried to pinpoint which of those carved figures beside the table had said that.

  “So what would you like to do now?” he asked. “I’m going upstairs, because I want to be sure Skorpio has seen Aric in the predicament you left him in—tied with such pretty scarves, no less. So the kid can catch the lecture he so richly deserves.”

  “And to see if he’s peed all over my couch.”

  “It won’t be pretty, either way.” Rio glanced around the cavernous club room again, wondering if he should mention an additional option. With a hand on her back, he started toward the door: it was only a matter of time before Skandalis either found them here or summoned him for some trumped-up assignment.

  “You could go wherever you wanted to, Lola mia,” he said in a low voice. “I understand why you wanted to go ashore today, after the games they’ve played on you. Now’s your chance! The captain and Aric are upstairs—and I’ll be there to distract them from your absence.”

  Lola’s heart thudded hard at that idea, yet it went out to DeSilva, as well. He understood. He was bold enough to play devil’s advocate and pretend she’d gotten away again, just to give her some freedom. He was willing to catch more trouble in her behalf.

  If her imagination was once again playing her for a fool, well—so be it. She might as well mislead herself as wait for Cabana Boy or Captain Scandalous to do it again. Might as well go into that suite with Rio, because Skorpio would demand his due for this little prank, and it wasn’t a bad idea to have a witness. Better yet, a confederate.

  “I shouldn’t pass up this rare opportunity to see my betrayer in such a bad, wet way,” she ventured. “I hope we’re not too late.”

  She paused, noting how the pattern of the Greek frieze repeated itself as it wrapped around the room. That dog was here by the doorway, too. Still looking right at her. Still ready to speak to her.

  “Freaky,” she murmured. “Just too damn freaky, that dog is.”

  DeSilva chuckled and took her hand. Before they reached the sunlight that came up the stairway, however, he pulled her into the last dark corner. The kiss that had hovered between them for the past hour drove her to her tiptoes, and his lips were there to catch it.

  Her hips found a table edge…still kissing him as he lowered her backwards, Lola parted her legs so he could step between them. Rio deepened the kiss, swatting away the drink menu and ashtray, and whatever else had been there, until he’d coaxed her flat on her back.

  The ridge of his erection left no doubt about what he really wanted while they exchanged sighs and unspoken vows about things to come, kissing—kissing uncontrollably. He rubbed his cock against her crotch, knowing better than to drop his pants—just as Lola grabbed his ass, knowing this was as far as it would go right now.

  She tasted soft and eager, and the wet silk of her inner lips made him crazy for the lips farther down, where his cock could only dream of being. Rio kissed her with a hard desperation that shocked him, before he finally forced himself to stop. To get off her.

  It wasn’t nearly enough for Lola, either. He could read that need in her short, ragged breathing as she clung to him.

  “I wish—”

  “I do, too,” he murmured against her ear, “and as soon as we can, we’ll make that wish come true. Promise.”

  She nodded eagerly, her eyes taking up half her face.

  “Meanwhile,” he added, tracing the upper edge of her lush lip with his finger, “you have to be ready for anything, Lola mia. And you must believe that whatever I do, it’s so that I can be with you again. As soon as we can.”

  Lola considered this, studying his slender face in the dimness. He was right, of course: neither Cabana Boy nor Captain Scandalous was very happy with her right now, and they’d both demand payback. Perhaps at DeSilva’s expense.

  “That’s what I want, too,” she replied softly. “Shall we go face them—together?”

  Rio allowed himself one last taste of her. Then he took her hand again, blinking against the sunlight that poured through the picture windows.

  You’ll be back, a whisper followed them down the lounge’s stairs. You still want to fuck me, baby.

  Lola blinked. Then she walked a lot faster.

  21

  Things weren’t pretty when she and Rio entered the Aphrodisia suite. Skorpio was muttering, overturning the sofa pillows and looking beneath lamps and behind the furniture. Odette stood at the window fuming, her arms crossed beneath her small breasts. Then Aric emerged from the bathroom—in her bedroom!—buttoning his shirt.

  “You caused quite an uproar here,” he remarked with a scowl. “If you think for one minute you’ll get away with taking me prisoner, think again, Priestess!”

  Lola stifled a laugh and let go of Rio’s hand. The captain and Odette had turned to look at them, and it wasn’t in her best interest—or Rio’s—to appear too chummy.

  “And why are you whining about this now?”’ she asked coolly. “Why didn’t you make a fuss when I was tying you up? It wasn’t like you were really asleep! You knew I was playing a little game with—”

  “Little game?” Odette cut in. “It’s no game that my medallion is missing!”

  “Rio took it, I tell you!”

  “But he told me—” Skorpio’s expression resembled a storm at sea. “What’s the real story, DeSilva? And why weren’t you here sooner to clear this matter up? You were the one who warned me of the catastrophic conditions in the suite.”

  DeSilva felt himself losing it, so he took a moment to assess what sort of trap he might’ve walked into. He’d done nothing against regulations. But he also recognized the power of the ones who challenged him: it had never paid to get crossways between Skorpio and Odette. Even fully clothed.

  “All right, so I got your attention with that story,” he admitted. “And I got you up here to see how Aric had failed at his assignment to keep track of Lola. And yes, I myself removed the wireless cam and the mike because I thought they’d done enough damage.”

  Odette bristled. “But you have no right—”

  “I am the chief of security on this ship, and I make decisions
about the safety and well-being of our guests,” he reminded her. “I’ve put your belongings in a safe place—”

  “You did not have my permission to—”

  DeSilva let out a short laugh at that one. “It wasn’t my idea to use your medallion and microphone, Odette. I merely confiscated them so—”

  “You’re overstepping your authority,’’ the captain snapped. The lines around his obsidian eyes rippled with displeasure.

  “And you’re going way out of bounds on this one, Skorpio!”

  Rio crossed the floor, clenching his fists in his pockets as he faced his superior. “For chrissakes, this is a fantasy—a game you’re playing with Lola,” he said in a terse whisper. “And she won this round, even though you had all the technological advantages! Lighten up!”

  Skorpio scowled past him, nodding toward her. Pissed because DeSilva had divulged their surveillance secrets.

  “You’re taking her side, then?” the captain demanded. “Invoking your authority against me—the man who hired you—and in favor of Miss Wright? That smacks of insubordination!”

  Lola wasn’t standing for any more of this. She, too, stalked over to where the captain was standing. “And what do you call it when Aric lied to me to—”

  “He was doing his job,” Skorpio informed her in a coiled voice. “He was reporting to me as he was required to do, no matter what you asked of him. The fact that he got some…satisfaction from it is just another little bonus, isn’t it?”

  Lola’s face blazed as bright pink as the scarf that lay knotted on the coffee table. Another day and another island were passing her by, because of this man’s arrogance. And while she’d learned a few tricks—gotten a few illicit kicks—from becoming his love slave, she was still being denied what she’d originally wanted from this handsome Greek.

  This whole situation was wearing thin.

  “All right, fine!” she blurted. “Since this all seems to be because of me—because I agreed to this love slave scenario—I’m buying out of it now. Mr. Kingsley assures me my credit will be restored, so total up the tabs Dennis ran up. I’ll pay you off and be done with these head games.”