“Whatever.” He selected one and bit into it.
She opened the envelope. “It’s from Dallas and Eric. They wanted to thank us for doing this.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, such a hardship.”
The maid appeared, smiling, walking briskly from the bathroom. “Everything okay?”
“Everything is great. Thank you.”
“I go now.”
Dakota walked her to the door, and after she left, secured the dead bolt. She turned around to find Tony grinning at her. It was obvious what he was thinking. Too bad she didn’t have a comeback because it was true. She was anxious to be alone with him.
He was munching on his second chocolate. “Dallas say anything else?”
Dakota shook her head, gazing at the flowers and champagne. “I wish they hadn’t done this. This whole weekend is costing them a fortune already. Tom needs a swift kick in his butt.”
“I know. But don’t worry about it. I’m footing the bill.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “No big deal. I haven’t had a vacation in a long time.”
She hesitated, careful not to hurt his feelings. The hotel was expensive. She knew that much for sure. And a suite? He had no idea. “Actually, I’d already planned on taking care of it. She is my sister.”
“Actually,” he said with a smug smile. “It’s already done.”
“What do you mean?”
“I stopped at the front desk before I went to the bar. Gave them my charge card and had them transfer the cost.”
“Oh.” She wanted to ask if he’d seen the bill. If he knew what he was in for. On a construction worker’s pay he thought he could take care of it? Heck, she’d hate coughing up that much. But at least she could and still pay her rent. Yet how could she bring it up without hurting his feelings?
“And yes, don’t worry, I can afford it. You want one of these?”
“I didn’t—” She shut up. What more could she say without getting in trouble? “Anything milk chocolate.” She went over to him, reminding herself she simply had to let it go. He was a big boy.
“Here.” He put a piece of chocolate to her lips.
She bit into it and let the creamy smoothness coat her tongue. “Mmm, heaven.”
“Give me a taste.”
“Too late.”
“I don’t think so.” With a hooked finger he brought her chin up. He kissed her gently at first, and then so greedily her head went back.
She laid her hands on his forearms, thinking she’d slow him down, but instead ran her palms up to mold his rounded biceps. When he put a hand on each side of her hips, the muscles hardened beneath her palms. Wanting his shirt off she went for the buttons. They slid out easily and his shirt hung open.
Smiling against her mouth, he tackled the straps that crossed over her breasts. They wouldn’t be easy to unfasten, in fact she doubted he’d succeed, but she’d let him try while she explored the contours of his chest.
He finally gave up and released her. She wasn’t so eager to abandon her exploration but he took hold of her wrists. “What do you say we go try that nice big bed in there?”
“I’ve already tried it. It’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, thanks, so was the couch.”
“Poor baby.”
“Fine. I don’t want your sympathy. Just tell me how this damn dress works.” He started walking her backward toward the bedroom.
She laughed. “It’s like one of those puzzles. If you can figure it out you can have the prize inside.”
“Ah. You mean the kind that makes me so nuts I tear and rip until I get what I want.”
She stopped. “Don’t you dare. This is a great dress.”
“I agree. Are you going to wear it again?”
“Yes.”
“When? Back home?”
She glared, annoyed with his goading. Although his shirt still hung open, and she knew damn well what that totally yummy chest felt like pressed against her breasts, and here they were wasting the afternoon. “Excuse me, but what happened to one day at a time?”
He put up his hands in surrender. “You’re right. I concede.”
She grabbed hold of the front of his shirt. “The hell with conceding. I want you to kiss me.”
“Yeah?” He got up close, his warm lips brushing hers, and said, “Then take that damn dress off.”
She made a ridiculous noise that sounded suspiciously like a giggle. She didn’t care. Her concentration was directed at getting undressed. Before she even started she was halfway there. No bra. Only thing under the brief dress were uncomfortable thong panties, something with which she really wasn’t happy and Dallas would hear about.
Tony got rid of his shirt and had his shorts off in concert with her throwing off the sundress. All their clothes astoundingly landed on the chair near the window. She pulled the bedspread back while Tony did his best to hinder her progress by trailing kisses down her back.
She’d barely gotten to the sheets when he urged her down onto the bed, stretching over her, kissing her mouth, her eyes, her throat. Shamelessly she ran her hands over his chest and shoulders, down his back, and then cupping his backside, squeezing the solid muscle, drowning in the sensation of his rock-hard penis rubbing her belly and the triangle of hair that absurdly felt as if it were on fire.
“Tony?” His name fell off her lips before she really knew what she wanted to say. When he pulled back to look at her, realization took hold. “I’m glad I’m here with you.”
He smiled. “Me, too.” He brushed the hair back from her face and then drew the pad of his thumb across her lower lip. “Me, too,” he repeated, before lowering his mouth to her breast.
He caught her budded nipple lightly between his teeth and touched the tip with his tongue while he kneaded her other breast. She closed her eyes, amazed at the shivery sensation that controlled her body. She wanted to touch him, too, but she couldn’t seem to get her arms to move.
When she finally overcame her lethargy and summoned the strength to raise her right arm, he gently pushed it back down into the mattress. He kept her wrist captive, not in a scary way, but in a way that turned her on more than she could’ve imagined.
Selfishly she was glad. She wanted to just lie there and soak up all the delicious sensations that her body had been deprived of for too long. As well as she knew her own body, honed her own pleasures, taking care of herself didn’t come close to the way Tony seemed to know exactly where and how to touch her. Knew how to push her to the brink, and then bring her back wanting more.
He took his time, laving her, discovering every curve, every crevice. This leisurely pace couldn’t be easy for him. Not as incredibly hard as he was, his penis prodding her thighs, rubbing her belly as he moved over her.
Her impatience grew with the desire to touch him, and she broke free to run her palms up the side of his hips, and then down his taut backside. He moved against her, his arms shaking with restraint. Moisture formed at the tip of his penis and she could feel it on her belly, feel her own wetness between her thighs.
“Tony?”
He kissed her, the taste of rich chocolate still on his lips. He started slow, a soft brushing, a light nip, but the urgency increased and he parted her lips with his tongue, taking all she gave, taking what he wanted.
When he finally pulled back, his breathing was ragged, his voice hoarse. “Yeah?”
She stared blankly. “I forgot.”
He chuckled and rolled to his side. After touching the tip of each nipple with his tongue, he settled back on his side, his head braced by his hand. His gaze swept her body and then rested on her face.
“Need a breather?” she asked sweetly.
“No, but I figure if I don’t take a time-out, you’ll need more than that.”
“Aren’t we cocky?” She reached down and ran two fingers along the underside of his penis, getting to the head and using her thumb to spread the moisture.
He briefly closed his eyes, muttered a
mild curse and then maneuvered her hand away.
“Sorry, I forgot you needed a breather.” She lay back, moving her hand to a spot right above her breasts.
His gaze followed her hand, watched as her fingers idly grazed a nipple. He took a deep shuddering breath, his chest rising and falling and begging her to touch him.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered.
He met her eyes, his both surprised and amused.
“I mean it.” She moved her hand to his chest, running her palm ever so lightly over his pecs, tracing the muscled slopes.
He chuckled, shaking his head, and by his self-conscious expression she realized she’d embarrassed him.
“The guys at my gym would kill to look like this.” She ran her hand down his flat belly. Touched his arousal, watching her finger circle the head, watching his stomach clench.
He moaned, a throaty guttural sound that turned her on as much as his hand sliding up her thigh. He got to the juncture and pushed her legs apart. Not that it required much effort. She wanted him inside so badly she shook with the need.
When he put his finger inside her, she arched off the bed and clutched at his shoulder. He moved so that he could watch what he was doing; spreading her nether lips and finding that one tiny nub had her ready to explode. It took seconds for her to cry out as the spasms blinded her, rocked her to the edge of oblivion. She wanted him to stop. She wanted it to last forever.
She squeezed her thighs together and he finally withdrew, slowly, reluctantly, his breaths coming raggedly on her breasts. Her eyes seemed as if they were glued shut. Her mouth wouldn’t work. But she wanted more. She wanted him inside.
His muttered oath brought her around and she opened her eyes. He’d sat back and was looking around the room.
“One minute,” he said, got off the bed and went to the chair with their clothes. He found his shorts, and when he fished something out of the pocket, she finally got it.
He started tearing the foil packet open on his way back to bed. She lay perfectly still, waiting, staring at the size of his erection, and gritting her teeth with anticipation. As soon as he sat at the edge of the bed, she was on the move, crawling to him, surprising him with a nip on his rear end.
“Oh.” He turned around, grinning. “You wanna play rough, huh?”
She smiled coyly, and then took another nip.
“Okay.” He finished sheathing himself and then lunged for her.
Laughing, she tried halfheartedly to get away. He caught her ankle and held her until he crawled on top of her, imprisoning her hip between his muscled thighs and planting his hands on either side of her head while he gazed down at her.
He smiled. “You surprise me.”
“Not more surprised than me, I bet.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled and he came down for a kiss, a surprisingly sweet one. He replayed the kiss on her chin, and then on her collarbone. Without warning, he slid inside of her.
Gasping, Dakota tensed at the initial impact. She relaxed, fisted the sheets and arched her back to take him in deeper. He readily accommodated her plunging so far she thought she couldn’t take any more. He didn’t stop, and she wouldn’t have let him. Again and again he pulled out then thrust in until she was trembling from head to toe.
“Dakota,” he whispered. “Now, Dakota.” He threw back his head and the anguished look on his face with his final thrust gave way to a primal cry.
Anyone in the next suite could have heard it. She didn’t care. An exhilarating feeling completely consumed her mind and body. Fueled her greed. She knew she’d want more. Much more. She already did.
Tony lowered himself and covered her body with his. He still suffered aftershocks, making his arms vibrate with a slight tremble. She understood completely.
“Oh, man.” He looked at her, his breathing a series of short rasps. “Wow.”
“Yeah.” She tried to catch her own breath and moistened her parched lips.
He took it as an invitation and kissed her hard and deep before coming up for more air, and then flopping over onto his back. It took little urging on his part for her to crawl up beside him and lay her cheek on his chest.
It took only a minute longer for them to fall asleep.
“HEY.” Tony touched Dakota’s soft cheek and then pushed back the hair from her face.
She slowly opened her sleepy eyes. “What time is it?”
“You’re on vacation. What do you care?”
“True.” She smiled slowly, and then covered a yawn. “Just habit, I guess.”
Still naked, they hadn’t moved. She’d lain peacefully on his chest for hours. He knew the time. He’d been guilty of looking at the nightstand clock as soon as he’d awoken. Mostly out of curiosity because it was already dark outside.
She made a sleepy sound and rolled her shoulder back. “How long have you been awake?”
“A couple of hours.”
She brought her head up, looking fully awake suddenly. “No.”
“Yep.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Watching you sleep.”
She smoothed back her hair and ran her tongue over her teeth. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“Why?” He urged her chin up. “You look beautiful. You always do.”
Her skeptical look turned into a mischievous smile. “You, too.”
“Ah, here we go.” He knew she was trying to annoy him and he shouldn’t react. Hell, he needed to go to the bathroom anyway.
She stopped him when he started to get up. “Okay, my timing might have been ill-intentioned, but I’m serious. Guys at my club seem to spend hours there and they don’t look nearly as good as you.”
He scoffed, embarrassed. “Too much sitting behind desks. All they need to do is get off their asses and do some manual work once in a while. Present company excluded.” Nothing wrong with her ass, round and firm, and her breasts, crowned with those ripe pink nipples…He had to look away.
“You don’t use weights?” she asked, cupping a hand over his bicep, almost reverently following the curve of the muscle.
His ego shot up a notch. “I have a couple of dumbbells at home, mostly to help me loosen up. That’s it.”
She smiled at him. “We’re supposed to order room service for dinner.”
“Hungry?”
She reached for his cock. “Not for anything on the menu.”
10
THE MIX OF WHITE CLOUDS and darker brooding ones created an awesome sunset. Salmons and pinks streamed through the twilight sky and shadowed the grayish blue water below. The moon had already started to rise, tempting Dakota to run downstairs to the gift shop and buy a disposable camera.
But she was too lazy, the view from their balcony too spectacular and Tony was within arm’s length of her. She looked over at him stretched out on the lounge chair just inches from her own.
“Can you believe we go home tomorrow morning?” she asked, reaching over to snag his beer.
With amusement, he watched her take a sip and then put the bottle back on his armrest. “Would you like me to get you one?”
“No, thanks. I’ll just share yours.”
“By all means, be my guest.”
She turned and grinned at him. “I wish we could stay longer.”
“Why don’t we?”
“You know I can’t. I have a court date on Friday and hours of preparation. I still can’t believe I agreed to change our flight tonight until tomorrow morning.”
He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “Aren’t you glad we did?”
She nodded and sighed. “This has been the best weekend of my entire life.”
“The best weekend, or the best sex?”
“Both.” She gave him a mock glare. “You turkey.”
He squeezed her hand. “Me, too.”
“Really?”
He studied her for a moment and then frowned. “You couldn’t tell?”
She withdrew her hand from his. “I don�
��t know what your social life is like. Or how many women you’re seeing. And it’s certainly none of my business.” She sighed. “And frankly I’m not as experienced as I should be.” She pinched the bridge of her nose and tapped her head back against the lounge chair a couple of times. “I can’t believe I just admitted that to you. But I’m sure you could tell.”
“No more beer for you.”
She shot him a puzzled look.
“No, I could not tell, because you were terrific. And I know because I’m probably too experienced. Not recently. In my youth.” He made a face. “I don’t date much now.”
“Oh.”
“One more thing. How experienced is one supposed to be? Is there a rule I missed?”
“I only meant that, in this day and age, a woman, like myself, who’s been to college and law school and out in the workforce, well, one might expect that she’s dated more than I have.”
He hesitated, and she truly hoped he’d drop the subject, but that wasn’t likely. He looked too curious. “Why haven’t you?”
Her fault. She’d said too much. How could she possibly have become so comfortable and familiar with him? Certainly not because they’d made love at least seven times in two days. Talked about everything from terrorism to housebreaking puppies. That is, when they weren’t having long, leisurely sex.
Sighing, she folded her arms across her chest. “Remember how I told you about my short rebellion in college and then finding out my mother had been right?”
He nodded, the curiosity in his eyes replaced with earnest concern.
“Well, it wasn’t pretty.” Most of the orange and pink in the sky had vanished because of cloud cover. The forecast for the island tomorrow was rain. A reminder that the fairy tale was over. “I’d gone with some friends to a frat party one night during my sophomore year. I knew most of the guys there. I loosely considered them friends. At the end of the night and two kegs later, two of them tried to assault me.”
“Ah, Dakota.”
Even in the dim light she could see the pain and rage in his face. She touched his arm. “I wasn’t raped. I hadn’t drunk much but they had, and I messed one of them up pretty badly.”
His brows went up. “You did?”
The Honeymoon That Wasn't Page 10
