by Nicola Marsh
Confusion creased Zoe’s brow and Allegra gave a slight shake of her head, trying to convey a lot with one direct stare.
Thankfully, Zoe seemed to cotton on to the need for secrecy and nodded in return. “Yep, that’s me, the numero uno BFF.”
Zoe downed the rest of her cocktail. “Who at this very minute has a date at the day spa.” She slipped off the barstool. “See you later, kiddos. Behave.”
With a wink and wave, Zoe sauntered away, drawing the appreciative stares of every guy in the place.
Allegra elbowed Jett in the gut, grinning at his oomph.
He released her to rub at his stomach. “What was that for?”
“For staring at Zoe’s ass.”
He was too smart to refute it. “You already know I’m a red-blooded male. No harm in looking.”
She stood, turned, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “If you want to look at something, I’ve got something to show you.”
“Have you now?” His arm slid around her waist and tugged her close. “Because you know I’m up for checking out whatever you have to show me, but it’ll have to be later.”
It was then that she noticed his chinos and long-sleeved button-down white shirt. Casual work attire, not island play attire.
“You’ve got a meeting?
“Uh-huh. Kai Kahuna rang me, and wants to get together for a quick chat.”
Allegra’s heart stopped. At least, that’s what it felt like, before it kick-started with a ka-thump and started racing at a million beats a minute.
Surely Kai wouldn’t divulge the competition to Jett. Not possible, considering that’s not how business worked in the advertising world, but for the agonizing moment she’d contemplated it, Allegra couldn’t breathe.
This would be so much easier if she could tell him the truth. All of it. How she’d changed her pitch to not compete directly with his. How she wished they could both get what they wanted. How for the first time in her life she was enjoying relinquishing control a little—albeit in the bedroom—and relishing an intimacy she’d never had.
But she couldn’t say any of it so she patted his chest. “No worries. You go work, and we’ll catch up later.”
“You sure?” A shadow darkened his eyes. “Feels like you’re sitting around at my beck and call, waiting for whatever scraps I can dish out when I have the time.”
Blown away by his thoughtfulness, Allegra cupped his cheek. “I’m under no illusions as to what this is. A fling that’s mutually beneficial for us both while it lasts.” Her palm shifted and she savored the rasp of stubble against it. “So don’t feel guilty about working. Do what you have to do.”
She stood on tiptoe to brush a kiss across his lips. “And when you’re done, I’ll be waiting.”
His gaze locked on hers and what she saw snatched her breath: admiration tinged with something more she dare not identify for fear of reading too much into it.
Jett was transient, a rare moment of unadulterated pleasure in her otherwise ordered world, but seeing the depth of emotion in that one revealing stare had her questioning her own belief system in a way that terrified her.
He cleared his throat and stepped back, the intimacy of the moment broken. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
As she watched Jett stride away like he had a demon on his tail, Allegra knew she hadn’t imagined their connection, and it obviously scared him as much as it did her.
They couldn’t get emotionally involved. It wouldn’t end well.
With an aborted marriage tainting her personally and her business on the skids affecting her professionally, no way in hell would Allegra complicate her life with an emotional entanglement she didn’t want or need.
But what if it was too late?
Chapter Six
After a particularly tough day at the office, Jett would head down to Bondi Beach with Reeve and grab a few beers or hit the surf. It had become a ritual, a way of celebrating after they scored a new client, and then became their usual Friday afternoon wind-down. Jett would look forward to it, when the two of them would don wetsuits, grab their boards, and surf the tensions of the week away.
And there had been tensions. Came with the advertising territory. Clients who approved layouts then changed their minds at the last minute. Clients who demanded their portfolio come first, ahead of the rest. Clients who blamed them when their product didn’t sell.
Yet somehow, despite the constant job stresses, working with Reeve had been fun. Their friendship made working alongside each other easy. Not that they never disagreed, but they always managed to shelve their differences by the end of the day and move on the next.
Business-wise, they’d created some serious magic, boosting the profile of hundreds of Aussie companies and products. It was the reason their agency became sought after in a glutted market, and how they’d built their profile so quickly.
Their first client, a lucrative Aussie food brand, had launched their name and soon businesses had been beating down their door. And not once in the ensuing years had Jett suspected his partner and best friend was screwing him over.
When Reeve’s duplicity had first come to light, he’d refused to believe it. But Jett had always been nothing if not a realist and once he’d accepted he’d lost almost everything, he set about rebuilding his business. He’d also surfed for a week straight, but all the waves in Bondi hadn’t cleared his head.
He hoped he’d have better luck today, as he waded into the ocean and eased onto his board. Catching a wave or two might soothe the yips. And he had the yips, big time. Since that run-in with Allegra at the bar a few hours ago, he’d been a mess.
Thankfully, he’d managed to hold it together for his meeting with Kai, who’d wanted to give him some updated info he’d given the other candidates, and had appeared professionally logical. But the moment he’d walked out of that meeting and headed to his room, Jett had lost it.
Stalking from one end to another like a caged feral beast, alternating between swearing and shaking his head, edgy and uptight and more than a little scared.
Hearing Allegra articulate what their relationship entailed—casual, fleeting, no strings—should’ve made him feel good. Guilt-free sex with a classy woman who didn’t seem to mind being at his beck and call. But hearing her say the words and seeing the yearning expression on her face had been a startling contrast that he was sure mirrored his own confusion.
Hearing her calmly state the obvious terms of their fling hadn’t sat well with him, not at all, and it had been bugging the shit out of him ever since.
He didn’t want a relationship. Was no good at them. Yet having the option removed from the equation somehow made it seem more appealing. And that’s what scared him. He didn’t do emotions. He didn’t do complications. Starting up anything with Allegra: one giant frigging complication.
Not that he’d ever done it, but long distance would suck. Pointless. A fruitless exercise in restraint and cold showers and jerking off. Especially when he’d have the memory of being buried deep in Allegra to taunt him.
Fuck, now he had a hard-on of monumental proportions while lying facedown on his surfboard waiting to catch a wave. On the upside, he had this stretch of coast to himself, and as he paddled toward shore, waiting for the perfect moment to leap to his knees and guide the board with his feet, some of his angst faded and he lost himself in the moment.
Surfing soothed him. He’d done it as a kid, eager to escape the watchful eye of his dad who never let up. “Have you finished your homework? Practiced your violin? Shot hoops? Cleaned your room? Done your chores?”
Man, he’d hated it. Had resented his father because of it. Not that Clive had cared. The minute he’d finished primary school he’d been shipped off to an exclusive boys’ boarding school and had rarely seen dear old dad.
Any other kid would’ve rebelled, but obedience had been so ingrained in him he’d worked like a dog, getting good grades so he could prove to his father he didn’t need a stand-over man to achieve
.
But he’d known the ultimate outcome of their warped father-son relationship when he’d stated at the end of his final year at school that he’d be doing a marketing and economics degree.
Clive hadn’t spoken to him for three months, had taken six to come round to the idea enough to attend a father-son football game at university.
Theirs had been a coolly polite relationship ever since, yet Jett knew Clive would delight in saying “I told you so” when he learned of his agency’s demise.
Jett hadn’t told him. He hadn’t told anyone when he’d packed up the office, canceled the lease, and headed to LA to rebuild contacts in the industry.
He’d sent Clive a brief e-mail, stating the basic facts. His dad, one of Sydney’s top barristers now retired, had responded with few words: “See you when you get back.”
No commiserations, no “how are you?” just a terse answer that could mean anything. Though Jett knew what it meant: recriminations and gloating. Maybe even “I told you, you should’ve gone into law, then you wouldn’t have been duped and ended up a loser.”
Not that Clive would use those exact words, but he’d dress it up in his fancy-schmancy jargon that delivered the same message.
Made it even more imperative that he land the Kaluna deal. Not that his dad’s opinion mattered much these days, but he’d love to be able to prove that when he was down, Jett had what it took to come out on top.
It took another seven waves and two wipeouts for Jett to finally relax, his head clear of topics he’d rather avoid like his father’s approval and Allegra’s casual acceptance of their sex-only relationship.
But when he paddled back to shore and caught sight of a lone figure standing on the water’s edge, her blond hair whipping around her cheeks, her lithe body showcased in a purple bikini, he was catapulted right back to the place he’d been an hour ago.
Befuddled, confused, and wanting Allegra more than ever.
…
Allegra liked to stroll along the beach at dusk every evening. A long-established habit to clear her head at the end of a hard day’s work. While she loved her stretch of Malibu, this secluded alcove on Palm Bay surpassed it for sheer beauty and serenity.
The last two evenings she’d come here, mentally refining her pitch, she hadn’t seen a single soul. Except today. A lone surfer riding the waves like he was at one with the ocean.
She was a lousy swimmer so she admired anyone who would willingly battle monstrous waves. And this guy seemed to have a death wish. He waited for the biggest waves and rode them like a man possessed, seeming to deliberately flout the danger.
Crazy.
On the verge of heading back to the resort, she watched him coast closer to shore and her heart gave a betraying leap.
She knew that silhouette. Knew the shape of those broad shoulders, the narrow waist, the long, lean legs. Knew that profile with a certainty that came from studying the guy in his sleep.
Jett.
Before she could second-guess the wisdom of encroaching on what was obviously his me-time, she waded into the water and waited, waist-deep.
The waves, calmer now, lapped her shoulders as he closed the gap between them. From what she could see of his expression, he didn’t look happy to see her.
Damn. Was this too needy? Would he think she’d followed him out here?
Dumb move. Standing here in the water, racked by uncertainty. It sucked not having a lot of experience with guys, especially worldly guys like Jett, because she had no idea of protocol. She’d never had a fling before and it showed.
Ducking down to neck-deep to stave off a sudden chill pebbling her skin, she treaded water, wishing she could dive under and hide until he’d passed by.
“Give me a second,” he said, as he coasted straight past, leaving her with a sensational view of his back and the way the muscles rippled under the skin as he stood, unclipped the rope from his ankle, and stuck the board in the sand before diving over a wave and heading toward her.
She couldn’t read his expression, had no idea if he’d welcome her or not. “I was out walking when I saw you, so thought it’d be impolite not to say hi—”
He crushed her mouth with his, silencing her babble. Good move. She’d much rather be devoured than waste time justifying her needy behavior.
And she needed him, there was no doubt. One glance, one touch, one kiss, and she was mindless with wanting him, ready to do anything to prolong the pleasure that being with him elicited.
Correction, that being with him sexually elicited, but the very fact she had to clarify meant this thing between them had moved into dangerous territory.
His tongue parted her lips and took control as his arms slid around her waist to anchor her. She clung to him, angling her head for better access to his mouth, giving as much as she got in a searing kiss that was pure, blinding compulsion.
A wave crashed over them and they spluttered, laughing as they took a few steps toward the beach.
“I’m not stalking you, you know.” She swiped wet strands of hair out of her eyes. “I really was out for a stroll when I saw you.”
“I’m not adverse to a bit of stalking, as long as it’s you doing it.” He hugged her closer, the strength behind his grip surprising her, like he needed her to anchor him. “I know I said I’d come by when I finished work but I needed to blow off some steam.”
Uh-oh. Was his pitch going badly? She wanted to ask for purely supportive reasons but didn’t want to broach anything remotely to do with their rival pitches.
“Everything okay?”
He nodded, but the worry darkening his eyes to emerald was unmistakable. “Yeah, nothing a good surf won’t fix.”
“You’re a madman going out there with a teensy bit of fiberglass.” She waved out at the deeper water and shivered. “I prefer you on land, not as shark bait.”
“I don’t know.” The corners of his mouth curved into wickedness. “There’s something to be said for being in the water.”
His fingers delved beneath the elastic of her bikini bottoms to prove it.
Her breath caught and her fingers dug into his shoulders. “We’re in public and this water is crystal clear—”
“No one’s around and what the fish see won’t hurt them,” he said, thrusting two fingers inside her at the same time his thumb grazed her clit.
She groaned, her prudish protests drowned out by the sound of the waves and the breeze that cooled her skin above the water.
“I love how turned on you are,” he said, watching her with an intensity that made her self-conscious.
“It’s how you make me feel.” Like she could never get enough of this, of him.
“How’s that?” He slid another finger in, stretching her, filling her, but not nearly enough.
“Like I’m the sexiest woman in the world.” She arched against him as his thumb picked up speed along with his fingers.
“You are, babe.” He held her firmly around the waist as his fingers pumped into her, his thumb repeatedly grazing her clit until she spasmed around his fingers.
Wave after wave of blissful contractions washed over her, leaving her clinging to him or risk floating away. Not that he’d let that happen. And that was another anomaly she couldn’t get her head around. For a guy she hardly knew, she trusted him. Trusted the way he was with her. And she couldn’t say that about many people.
No expectations, no judgment, a freedom to be with him on her terms that made her feel cherished.
He stared at her for so long, so intently, that she almost squirmed in his arms. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She expected him to kiss her, to make some wickedly sexy remark to lighten the moment. So when he hugged her close and buried his face in the crook of her neck, she was left floundering, unable to do anything but return the hug.
Their quickly developed closeness terrified her. It was one thing to feel safe with a guy, another to become so used to the feeling that she’d miss it when he left.
They had an intimacy she’d never had with another guy, a bond that made her crave more though it was futile.
Allegra had always been a pragmatist, but this jumble of emotion Jett stirred up made the hidden romantic in her start dreaming crazy dreams.
Yep, this thing between them was getting more complicated by the minute, and Allegra had no idea what to do about it.
…
They barely made it inside Jett’s room before he had her up against the wall. Ravishing her mouth. Laving her skin. Touching her everywhere.
That foreplay in the ocean? Tame compared to the sensation drenching her body now. Her scalp tingled as his fingers delved in her hair, tugging wildly. Her nipples ached, desperate for his mouth. Her knees wobbled as he deliberately ground his erection against her, increasing the pulsating need between her legs until it was all she could focus on.
She needed him. Now.
Exploring her sexuality with Jett had been amazing so far, but he’d been the one calling the shots. Time for her to demand and dominate.
“I don’t need the seduction right now.”
His hands paused in their leisurely exploration of her ass. “Then what do you need?”
“You. Inside me.” She placed a hand on his chest and shoved, laughing at his shocked expression. “What’s the matter? Surprised?”
His eyes glowed with admiration. “I like your bossy side in the bedroom.” He held his arms wide. “Go ahead, sweetheart, do your worst.”
She fiddled with the knotted towel at his waist and whipped it off in response. “Where are your condoms?”
He pointed to a pair of cargo shorts lying on the floor nearby and she’d never been so grateful for a guy’s untidiness before. Close and easy access. Perfect.
“Get one,” she ordered, wondering if a dominatrix felt this empowered when she ordered subs around.
Thankfully Jett sensed her urgency and worked fast, whipping a condom out of the wallet in his shorts.
She held out her hand. “Give it to me.”
“You’re talking about the condom, right?”
She smiled. “And the rest. But let’s start with that.”
