She could relate. She had to be careful not to say anything that would make him suspect she wasn’t Dear Annie. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him to come hear her speech, but if she made a fool of herself at least there’d be one friendly face in the crowd.
No, she’d pull it off. She had to.
Guy opened his dessert box and offered her a spoon. “You can’t refuse me after I carried you all the way down the trail.”
Reluctantly, she grabbed the utensil. “That is so not fair. We hardly know each other and you’re already using guilt against me.”
“Deal with it.” He threw her a playful wink then dipped into the container. Slipping a spoonful of mousse into his mouth, he shut his eyes and moaned.
His expression was one of pure bliss and she couldn’t help but wonder if that was what he looked like when he… No, she refused to go there. But she was having such a good time with him.
“Now your turn.” He dipped into the box again then held the spoon to her lips. “Open up.”
She backed away, keeping her mouth tightly sealed.
“Come on. I promise it’s the best ever.” He tilted his head to the side and lifted his brow. “You’ll love it. One bite then I won’t pester you anymore.”
“Promise?”
“You have my word.”
Huffing, she smiled. It was the least she could do after he’d carried her to and from dinner. “Okay.”
He fed her the creamy chocolate whip and she had to agree with him—it was the best she’d ever had.
His gaze was transfixed by her mouth and there was no mistaking the lust in his eyes. She swallowed the dessert and had an overwhelming urge to kiss him again. She could stop at that, if she forced herself. It wasn’t as if she were a wild heathen who didn’t know how to control herself.
So what that her nipples were positively aching for his touch. It didn’t matter that her very core pulsed with longing. She didn’t have to give in to his hypnotic pull. The air between them grew thick with possibilities but she could resist.
Guy twirled a lock of her hair around his finger and she clenched her fists, hanging on to her resolve by a thread.
“What’s going on in that gorgeous head?” His smile was warm and genuine, but his stare lit a fuse deep inside her that she feared would be her undoing.
“N-nothing.” If she wasn’t careful, she could get herself into trouble with him—big, wonderful trouble.
He grazed his knuckle over her cheek. “Tell me. Nervous about your speech?”
She nodded mutely.
“You’ll wow them…like you’re wowing me.” His expression grew serious, dangerous even. He threaded his fingers through her hair and gently tugged her head back.
She shut her eyes as he brushed his lips over hers, soft as the sea breeze. All her objections melted into the night as he slipped his chocolate-flavored tongue into her mouth and continued the exploration he’d begun hours earlier in his room.
Weak with desire, she let him lay her back on the sand. She hooked her arms around his neck and shoved the apprehension from her mind. Had anything ever felt so good? Her pussy pulsed with primal need.
He let out a deep growl to match her moan. It seemed as if the ground beneath them actually shifted. Then it happened again.
A woman screamed somewhere in the distance, shattering the quiet.
Oh God.
The earth really had moved.
Earthquake!
Chapter Four
Guy helped Laura get to her feet as he scanned the beach. A few couples headed toward the path from the opposite direction. “Everyone okay?” he called to the group.
“Fine,” a woman answered. “Nothing’s been damaged. I called my roommate up at the hotel. Just a minor tremor.”
Laura heaved a sigh. “Thank goodness.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
A sudden breeze chilled the air and she shivered. “I think I’d like to call it a night. That was a little too much excitement for me.”
He schooled the disappointment from his expression as he picked up his to-go box and Laura’s shoes. “Piggyback again?”
She pointed down the beach. “There’s a shortcut somewhere along here. I saw it on my resort map. It’s not far. I can walk.”
“Darn. I was looking forward to carrying you again.” He took her hand and they strode to a break in the dunes.
She was barely limping now. “I think this is it. Yeah, that’s my house just over that ridge.”
Too bad it wasn’t farther. He’d miss her tonight, although he had a feeling she might make an appearance in his dreams. She’d be wearing a lot less. He pictured her in a black bra with matching panties and a garter belt. Silk stockings covered those long legs and she wore mile-high spike heels.
“What are you grinning about?” She ribbed him with a sharp elbow.
He chuckled as they neared her place. “You.”
“Did I do something to amuse you?”
Damn, he loved her smile. “Definitely not.” He walked her to the door and lifted his dessert container for her to see. “Mind if I come in to dispose of this?”
She eyed him for several seconds. “As in eat it or trash it?”
He let out a put-on sigh. “It’s not half as sweet as what I’m really craving.”
She slipped her key into the reader, laughing. “Where do you come up with this stuff? You can stay for a minute, but no more.”
That would work, to start. He glanced next door and relaxed a little when he saw no sign of life inside the empty villa. He followed Laura inside and tossed the box of mousse into the kitchen trash.
She grabbed a bottle of red wine from the counter. “Want to get the glasses?” She gestured toward a cabinet then rooted around a drawer for a corkscrew while he retrieved wineglasses.
They carried everything out to the pool area and set it on the table. Laura pressed a button on the wall and the jets started in the attached hot tub. She flipped a switch and suddenly the pool glowed pink from underwater lights. “Pretty cool, huh?”
The colors cycled through the rainbow as he strode the perimeter of the yard, stealing a few glances toward the back of the house next door. “Very nice. Romantic.” He met her at the table and took the wine bottle from her. As he twisted the corkscrew, he wondered why she’d started up the whirlpool. Was it an invitation?
He poured them each some wine and was about to suggest a moonlit swim when she spoke.
“Don’t think that I’m asking you to stay just because we’re out here. One glass, then you’ll have to go.”
He didn’t bother to hide his disappointment. “You’re going to deprive me of all this?” He swept his arm through the air. But what he didn’t want to miss out on was her.
“I plan to enjoy the hot tub with a good book.”
He hung his head. “You’re such a tease.”
“Not at all. I just want to take advantage of all the amenities here. Besides, I distinctly remember saying you could stay a minute. Time’s almost up.” She perched on the end of a lounge chair and sipped her wine.
He straddled the other end of the chair and sat. “You will let me stay long enough to finish my wine, won’t you? Or is that another teaser?” He dropped his gaze to her cleavage and imagined dipping his tongue between those magnificent breasts. His mouth watered and his cock twitched to life.
When she cleared her throat, he met her stare. “Would I deny a glass of wine to the man who swept me off my feet? Not only do you have my gratitude, but I owe you an apology too. I shouldn’t have given you such a hard time tonight. I guess I have trouble trusting men.”
Guilt kicked him in the gut. But he couldn’t tell her what he really did for a living or his true mission on the island. “No apology necessary. I came on like gangbusters. I should be saying I’m sorry to you.”
She shook her head, grinning. “Then we’re even.” She sipped her wine.
&nb
sp; He shifted closer and waited for permission that it was okay to kiss her again. When her eyes fixed on his mouth, he took that as a sign and cupped her cheek.
Rather than letting him kiss her, she took the lead and pressed her lips to his. She leaned into him and sank her fingers into his shoulder as she stroked her tongue over and around his for a wine-flavored kiss.
He liked this new, more confident version of her. His erection picked up steam until something wet and cool doused the flame in a split second. Breaking apart from her, he gasped at the tipped wineglass in her hand and the big wet stain over his crotch.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” She backed away, looking as though she’d burst into tears at any moment. “I’m such a klutz, I can’t do anything right.”
So much for the more confident version. He took her glass and set it on the ground next to his. Catching her hands, he stilled her. “That’s not true. I suspect you do a lot right. You’re a writer and you’re going to give a kickass speech tomorrow and I can’t wait to hear it.” He pulled her against him, pleased that she didn’t resist.
She laid her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You wouldn’t have a pair of size-thirty-eight pants lying around, would you?” He slid his hand lower on her back to the swell of the top of her ass. Despite the sticky wetness in his crotch, his cock pressed against his fly.
She chuckled. “Sorry, I just loaned out my last pair to somebody else.”
“What?” He held her at arms’ length and resisted a laugh. “Do you have a washer and dryer here?”
She shook her head. “Only a phone number for the laundry service, sorry.”
He wanted nothing more than to strip his clothes off and make love to her but she’d think it was too fast.
If Harry arrived on the morning flight he’d never have another opportunity. He’d never wished one of the fugitives he sought wouldn’t show up but deep inside, he hoped Harry would take his sweet time getting to the island. “I should go.” He climbed off the chair then offered her a hand up.
She stood and he wrapped his arms around her.
“I’d like to see you in the morning,” he said.
She lowered her gaze but didn’t say anything for a minute. “I don’t—”
He held a finger to her lips. “Nope, I won’t take no for an answer. Now you owe me, after the baptism you gave my pants.”
She started to shake her head but he didn’t give her time to turn him down. He pinned her against the wall then captured her mouth in a kiss that was anything but gentle. He plundered and tasted and took. She needed to know how much he wanted her, how intensely he craved her.
When he broke away, her eyes were wide with wonder and her lips were swollen and glossy. He was pleased not to notice any regret in her expression.
“See you tomorrow.” He gave her another passionate kiss to hold her until morning. But it wouldn’t hold him. He saw a cold shower in his immediate future.
Laura locked the door, leaned against it and shut her eyes. Why was her traitorous libido making it so difficult for her to resist Guy? She should listen to her head and stay far, far away from him. Giving in to her desires would only lead to heartache—and incredible, unbridled passion.
She recalled those kisses and the way she’d felt in his arms—safe and attractive and hungry for more—as if she was the only woman in the entire world. Even now, minutes after he’d gone, her pulse continued to race and her knees were still weak.
A dip in the pool would cool her down before the hot tub. She changed into the black one-piece bathing suit, her only wardrobe purchase before the trip. Lucky for her budget that she and Diana wore the same size dress, although her sister’s taste was definitely more risqué than her own.
Standing before the full-length mirror in the bedroom, she assessed her figure and tried to see herself as Guy did. She didn’t look half bad. Yes, her breasts were proportionately too large for her body, but she had long enough legs to carry it off. And thankfully, her foot didn’t even appear swollen anymore.
When she studied her face, she frowned. Maybe she ought to wear her contact lenses for the rest of her stay. Not that her decision had anything to do with Guy. It just made sense. Her glasses would only get all steamed up in the hot tub and make it difficult to read.
After putting in the contacts, she headed outside. The night air had dropped in temperature enough that she opted to forgo the pool. She set her book on the ledge of the tub then climbed inside.
The warmth and the bubbles immediately relaxed her. She slid across the seat until she reached the spot where three jets hit her back. Leaning her head back, she stared up at the stars and sighed. She couldn’t help but imagine how much nicer it would be if Guy was there with her.
She conjured an image of him, sitting across from her, wanting her. Welcoming the fantasy, she allowed herself to savor the lush sensations—his taste, his scent, the rough feel of his hands on her skin.
A delicious quiver rolled over her skin as the ache inside her grew. Tendrils of torrid cravings curled through her and every cell in her body seemed to wake and vibrate.
She lifted a couple inches off the seat until one of the jets sent powerful pulses to the juncture of her thighs. Slipping her hand between her legs, she pictured Guy touching her there, tasting her, sliding thick fingers inside the swollen lips of her sex, in and out as her intimate muscles clenched and convulsed.
She teetered on the precipice of satisfaction. Her lips parted on a moan. Guy tormented her with delight like she’d never known until she detonated with bliss, collapsing against him. She shuddered with pleasure, crying out.
Capturing her mouth, he swallowed her sighs, kissing her as she’d never been kissed before, loved her as she’d never been loved.
Thoroughly spent, she draped her arms over the edge, gulping in heavy breaths of salty air. Would this be all she ever had?
Making love with Guy, however enticing, would leave her more empty and alone than ever when he walked away. She’d been down that road too many times to open herself to any more pain.
Yet she yearned to believe that he was different from all the others. He’d stick around after he got what he wanted. But hadn’t she always thought that when she met a new man?
Something rustled in the bushes behind her. Whipping around, she scanned the hedge, searching for the cause. Heart drumming, she scrambled out of the hot tub and grabbed her towel. She made it inside in seconds and locked the door.
Could someone have been watching her?
Touching myself.
Suzanne would say it was only a natural thing, nothing to be ashamed about, but her cheeks flamed. She thought about the circumstances when she’d first met Guy. Maybe her assumption that he’d been a peeping Tom hadn’t been wrong after all.
But he was such a nice man and she liked him a lot. Her suspicious brain overruled that defense. She tied the towel around her then hurried to the nightstand and grabbed the paper where she’d written his cell number.
The more she considered the coincidences the more she convinced herself that Guy was spying on her. She should have known he was too good to be true.
He answered on the second ring.
She peered through the glass doors into the pool area, searching for him. “Where are you?”
He didn’t say anything for several seconds. “Laura? Is everything okay? I’m in my hotel room.”
How could she be sure? “Can I have the number there?”
“You dial the room number, three-fourteen. What’s going on?” His voice deepened with concern.
“I-I thought I heard someone outside.”
“Call security. I’ll be there as fast I can.” He hung up.
Shaking her head, she phoned his room and he picked up. “Yes?”
“It’s me. I was just… Never mind. I’ll call security.”
“I’m putting my shoes back on then I’m heading over there.”
“Thanks.” The line went dead before she could apologize for jumping to conclusions. She found the number for security and phoned in her concerns. The woman assured her an officer would check it out immediately.
That done, she pulled on a sundress then headed to the living room and paced the floor. Her heart leapt when the doorbell rang. After checking the peephole, she let in a uniformed officer.
“I wanted to tell you I was here. I’ll be looking around the perimeter so if you see a flashlight beam, that’s me,” he said with an accent she couldn’t quite place. He strode back outside and she saw Guy running up the walk as she was about to shut the door.
He came in and hauled her against his massive chest. “Thank God you’re okay.”
She nodded but couldn’t say anything for the lump caught in her throat. She wished his embrace didn’t comfort her as much as it did. Depending on him for anything was beyond foolish. He’d be gone from her life in a matter of days.
Something tapped on the glass sliders at the back of the room.
“It’s the officer.” Guy took her hand and led her over.
She unlocked the patio doors and they stepped outside.
“I think I’ve found the problem.” The officer led them to the back corner of the hedge and pointed his flashlight toward the ground.
A gray bunny munched on grass. Scattered around her were half a dozen pink babies that couldn’t be more than a few hours old.
“Aw.” Laura crouched to see but Guy pulled her away.
“It’s best not to disturb them.” He draped his arm around her shoulders possessively.
She wished that didn’t feel so damn good.
“He’s right, ma’am,” the officer added.
God, she felt like such an idiot. First she mistook a rabbit for a prowler then she’d practically accused Guy of being a pervert.
Guy walked the security officer out then returned to the patio and faced her.
“I’m sorry that I—”
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “I don’t blame you for suspecting it was me in the bushes. I have a track record, after all.” A crooked grin lifted one corner of his mouth.
Deceptively Yours (Wanton Weston Women, Book Two) Page 7
