Hopefully, the storm would pass quickly as he waited it out. With the large overhanging porch, at least he would be dry. There would be no way he would be able to make it back to the mainland alive if he attempted the trip in a kayak. He just reached the porch as the sky opened up and poured.
Chapter 3
“What are you doing here?”
Pierce looked up from where he sat leaning against the house. Millicent, drenched to the skin, stood before him, her hands braced on her hips. “I was kayaking.”
“All the way out here?” she exclaimed, her face scrunched with disbelief. He wondered if she knew how cute she was glaring at him like that. She looked away and walked past him. He watched her every move. Her clothes molded to her skin, outlining her every curve. His mouth went dry when she bent over to fiddle with something on one of the porch railings. He bit back a sigh when she straighten and made her way towards him. He wanted to say something but she went right past him to the front door. Pierce saw the key in her hand seconds before she slid it into the lock and opened the door. She entered the house as an alarm began to beep. She typed in a code and it stopped.
Pierce stood out on the porch. He knew he was gaping at her but couldn’t help it. She turned back to him.
“Are you coming in or not?” she demanded before moving deeper into the house.
Dumbfounded, he followed.
“How?” he finally asked. “Or is this your summer home?”
She glared at him. “The owner was a friend of my father. My dad used to check on the house when the guy wasn’t here. Now I do.”
Pierce followed her through the dark-shadowed house and into the large gourmet kitchen. She opened the back door and disappeared through it. He stopped at the edge. He wasn’t willing to get drenched to find out what she was doing. Moments later, she returned, shutting the door behind her before she turned on the kitchen lights.
“Generator,” she said, walking past him into another room. She immediately returned with two large towels. She wrapped one around her pinned, braided hair. Barely acknowledging him, she went past him again and into another room. This time, he followed her to discover her in a large laundry room. She began to strip off her sopping wet clothes.
She peeled off her jacket and shirt, tossing them into the dryer. She caught him standing there like a statue, staring at her. She paced to the door and his gaze went to the swell of her breasts overflowing the top of her wet, nearly transparent sports bra. He stared transfixed, noticing the jutting of her hardened nipples when she slammed the door shut in his face.
“Pervert,” he heard her mutter behind the door.
Disappointed his show ended and knowing he shouldn’t have been watching, he began to explore the living room while he waited for her.
He wasn’t able to get the image of her torso out of his mind. Her body surpassed his daydreams. Her breasts were fuller and more lush than one could tell under her baggy t-shirts and her stomach was flatter than his. He bet without her sports bra flattening her, she had magnificent breasts. What he had seen had left his mouth dry. They had been so beautiful.
Such a waste to hide them.
* * *
She couldn’t believe he was here. She didn’t want to believe the way he was staring at her when she started taking off her clothes. With the look in his gaze, she would think he was interested in her. Not likely. Not many men on the Cove were interested in her. They told her she was too manly and intimidating. He looked almost disappointed when she slammed the door shut in his face.
His reaction puzzled her as she continued to peel off her clothes. She debated whether she dared add her undergarments to the pile but the feel of squishy panties made the decision for her. She wouldn’t be able to stand herself if she kept them on. She quickly threw them in with the rest of her clothes and wrapped the other towel around her. She remembered Mrs. Anderson had a variety of robes as she started the dryer. She would borrow one of them until her clothes dried. Maybe she wouldn’t feel so indecently exposed. She hoped the storm passed quickly but knew late summer storms could last longer than she wanted. The weather on coastal Maine could be extremely unpredictable.
She stared at the door. Did she dare make a dash upstairs or should she hide out in the laundry room for the next half hour? Why didn’t the Anderson's have a back staircase she could sneak up? She gnawed on her fingernail before she realized what she was doing.
She had never been a coward before. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed open the door and moved into the living room. She wasn’t surprised to find Pierce draped over an armchair watching the door. She held the towel tighter against her and ignored him, heading for the stairs. She wanted to race through the room but refused to give him the satisfaction. She kept her pace steady as she felt his eyes on her. It made her want to hurry out of his view while parts of her anatomy flittered, tempting her.
For a moment, she was torn between dashing up the stairs or turning around and curling herself into his lap. She smiled imagining what his reaction would be if she did.
Her smile faded.
Why did she find the man so attractive? How could she lust after someone she didn’t even like?
What was wrong with her?
She cast him a quick look over her shoulder.
His eyes were still glued to her.
She shivered at the heat of his gaze.
Then she turned the corner, out of his view. She quietly dashed up the stairs and into the master suite. She rummaged through the closet looking for the terry cloth robes Mrs. Anderson favored whenever Millie visited during the summer months. But they had been replaced by silky, sheer numbers. She shook her head looking at the robes that belonged more in a lingerie store than the closet of the woman she knew almost as a mother growing up. When she found some items high-priced call girls would wear, she quickly grabbed the most decent robe she could find. She drew the robe on over her towel but couldn't cinch it. The towel was too thick. It didn't help Mrs. Anderson had always been as thin as a rail. Millie's curves and bust made it impossible to belt the robe with the towel still wrapped around her. She let the towel fall and cinched in the robe as tight as she could. It had discreet, tiny buttons on the front helping to prevent gaping even as it pulled tight across her chest. Millie picked up the towel and returned to the bedroom. She draped it over a chair before she unwrapped the other one from her head, laying it over the other towel. She touched her hair and sighed at the wetness. Her hair absorbed water like a sponge. She wanted to take it down but he was here. She didn't want him to see her hair loose. Very few people saw her with her hair down but it wouldn't dry if she left it up. Her hair was one of her best features. Like her body, she hid it away so people would forget she was a woman.
She preferred it that way.
What should she do?
Stop worrying about it like a ninny, she thought.
Water dripped down the side of her neck. She decided to leave it up. Her hair was such a personal piece for her. She wasn’t ready to reveal that side to him. She was already too attracted to the man and being on this island with him, not knowing how long they would be trapped here was almost too much for her. She wanted to touch him, feel him. She yearned to have sex with him despite the fact she didn’t like the man. She didn’t even know if he liked her.
She shouldn't even care.
Shaking away thoughts of what he would look like naked, posed over her, Millie made her way back downstairs. Her clothes would be dry soon. When she reentered the living room, Pierce stood staring out at the raging storm. His back was towards her. He turned hearing her.
His face went white. Frozen.
What was wrong with him? Millie wondered, and then looked down. She gave a soft gasp.
The robe was glued to her.
It molded itself to her like a second skin! Not only were her nipples still hard and thrusting from the cold, she could even make out her areolas.
Without breaking his stare, Pierce silently pulle
d his long-sleeved t-shirt off and tossed it to her. “Holy Christ, woman,” His voice came out in a cross between a low groan and a growl.
Millie caught the shirt and hid her smile. She placed the t-shirt on the back of a nearby chair. Her hands went to the ties of the robe. She couldn't resist the impulse possessing her. He was watching every move she made. She remembered how he told her he liked her yesterday. She wondered how much he liked her. Perfect time to test it. She untied the robe and slowly peeled the garment off. Did he actually start sweating? Casually, she laid the robe next to his shirt. She picked up the garment and slowly began to put it on when, suddenly, he was there. He yanked the shirt down over her head. He grasped her arms and thrust them into the sleeves as if she were a four year old.
When she was covered, he gave her a long hard look followed by a “Damn you, woman.”
She watched as he stormed out of the house, escaping to the porch and the pouring rain. She could only stare at his muscled back which had been surpassed only by his chiseled front. Oh, my God, she thought. She never would have guessed he would have a chest like that. It was one she wanted to touch, taste, and lick. A smile curved her lips. She glimpsed the effect she had on him revealed by the slight tenting of his pants. Whistling she made her way to the kitchen to see what was there. They would need to eat later if the storm didn't let up.
Chapter 4
Pierce had to get out of there before he did something he would regret. Like take her right then and there. His desire for her was so strong he ached with it. He had to do something. Anything or he would do her.
He stalked to the large wood pile just off the end of the porch. He loaded himself up so high that his arms ached. He hoped it would distract his mind from the vision of beauty he had been shown. He had known she would be beautiful but that…
She was stunning. Lush curves and full, voluptuous breasts he ached to touch. Nipples his mouth yearned to suckle on and the slight curve of her stomach that led down to that part of her body where he wanted to bury himself into. The fact that it was natural and not waxed into an odd shape or bare, hit him like a rock.
He swore.
The image of her in his mind had his cock surging, hardening. No woman had ever had this effect on him since he was a randy teenager.
She was hell on him.
The way she had done it–
Had been on purpose?
Shit. He quickly carried the load into the house, dropped it in the container next to the fireplace. His arms emptied, he followed her whistling into the kitchen. He watched as she rose up on tiptoes to reach something on a higher shelf. His t-shire lifted, exposing the taut curve of her ass and something in him broke.
Before he knew it he was across the room, pressing flush against her. He rubbed against her back, his hands going around to cup her breasts. Her voice came out in a startled, husky gasp. He turned her in his arms, lifting her. He sat her down on the counter and her legs opened to allow him between them, closer.
He paused before he lost all control. He was already straining against his sweatpants.
He found his voice but could only utter, “Yes?”
He needed her consent. He prayed for her yes. He was out of his mind for her. If she said no, he didn’t know what he would do. Somehow, he would have to get away from her and this island.
He held his breath as her silence turned into an eternity as she stared down at him.
The next instant, she grasped his head, and pulled him towards her. She kissed him with a passion that matched his own.
She wanted him. Joy flared within him.
He’d desired this for so long that he couldn’t slow down. He slid his pants down, freeing himself before he shifting her to the edge of the counter. He couldn’t wait. He buried himself deep within her. She was ready for him, wet and hot. He thrust into her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, riding him just as hard. Their kiss never broken as they tore at one another.
Her groans against his lips drove him on, harder and harder. “Oh, my God,” became his mantra as he pumped into her tight sheath. Too fast and too soon a tremor ran through him. He was going to come.
He wasn’t wearing a condom.
He tried to pull back when Millicent gasped hard. She locked her legs around him and pulled him tight. Her head fell back as he felt the orgasm ripple through her. She was milking him with her body. He moaned as his body responded to her release and joined her in a blinding orgasm.
Moments later, he came back to his body. He was slumped on the floor. His back against the cabinets and Millicent draped over his lap. Slowly his breathing returned to normal as did his body.
“Oh, my God,” Millicent whispered. Her head rested against his chest. One of her hands laid against his lower stomach. Her voice became even softer when she repeated, “Oh, my God.”
Her breathing softened and she went slack in his arms.
She fell asleep.
He found enough energy to wrap his arms around her, holding her tight. He final got her. He didn’t want her to run away as his eyes drifted closed.
Chapter 5
Millie awoke to sunlight shining into her face. She was so warm and cozy that she didn’t want to move. The steady heartbeat under her ear told her that she hadn’t imagined what had happened between Pierce and her.
The fact that his arms were still tight around her confirmed it. A sense of home and peace filled her. She tilted her head back and peeked up at him to find him watching her.
“I’m sorry,” she said and her voice crackled. Her throat was suddenly dry.
He raised an eyebrow at her and offered a slight smile. “For what? Drooling on me?”
Her gaze shot to his chest. She had, indeed, drooled on him. Her cheeks blazed red. She shook her head. “No. I feel like I assaulted you.”
He gave a soft laugh. “I believe I attacked you first.”
She smiled in return. “You asked. I took.”
She shifted and felt a stirring response underneath her. Shaking her head at him, she asked, “What would you have done if I said no?”
“You never said yes.” His eyes twinkled with humor at his answer. Then his gaze turned serious. “I would have attempted to swim home.”
“Seriously?”
He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. “Seriously. It would have been the only way you would have been safe from me.” He cupped her face in one of his large hands. “Millicent, I have wanted you since I first saw you. If you hadn’t kissed me, I don’t know what I would have done. Especially after-”
She grinned. “I did that on purpose.”
He groaned and placed his forehead against hers. “I know. You are evil.”
She giggled. “I wanted to see if you liked me.”
“I’ve liked you for a long, long time.” He brushed his lips lightly over hers. “I was under the impression you didn’t like me.”
She returned his gentle kiss. “I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m not attracted to you.”
She moved to get off his lap. His arms tightened around her, sending unexpected warmth through her. “You have to let me up. I must be crushing your legs.”
“That’s okay.” He brushed a kiss against her temple. His hand stroked her back. “I don’t use them that often anyways.”
She laughed and pushed away from him. “By the looks of your body, that’s a lie. You’ve got to let me up so I can get dressed. We have to get back to the mainland.”
He sighed and released her. Millie climbed quickly to her feet. She froze, feeling something shift between her legs. She swung her head and stared down at Pierce. “We didn’t-“
He shook his head. “I tried to pull out before I… but you have legs like steel.”
Slowly, he climbed to his feet. He knew he must look awkward. His legs had fallen asleep a long time before. He moaned from the pain of putting his weight on them and pulled his pants up. She had turned her back to him and was staring out the l
arge kitchen windows that overlooking a large green lawn then the ocean. The sun blazed over the choppy water causing it to sparkle.
“Millicent,” he said. He could already feel her shutting him out as pins and needles drove up the length of his legs. “Millicent-”
“Why do you call me that?”
He looked at the back of her head. He wanted to see her face. He could tell nothing of her emotions through her back. Her tense and stiff back. “It’s your name. Can we discuss what will happen if…?”
“No.” She kept her back turned to him. “We need to return before it gets dark.”
She disappeared into the laundry room. A few minutes later, she returned, fully dressed and began to put the house back the way they had come upon it while he stretched his legs to get them working again.
Five minutes later, she had his kayak tied to the back of her inflatable dinghy. They made their way back to her boat in without speaking. She wouldn’t even allow him to help her paddle. He tried talking to her, but she wouldn’t look at him. She wasn’t going to let him in. Irritation and sadness filled him. He been trying to convince himself it was just lust and the fact he had been celibate since he caught his ex in bed with his best friend. The truth of it was his attraction to her had been slowly blossoming into love and after what happened between them in the kitchen…
Stupid him.
He finally went and fell in love with her.
Stupid.
Chapter 6
What the hell was wrong with her? Millie paddled up alongside her boat. She steadied the boat at the base of the ladder as Pierce climbed aboard. She hoisted his kayak up after him before hooking the dinghy up to the lobster haul.
Welcome to Serenity Harbor Page 44
