by Elle James
When Kinsey finally returned to the suite, she wore a secretive smile and carried a dark garment bag.
“I thought you weren’t buying a new dress,” he said.
“I didn’t,” she said and disappeared into the bathroom to shower.
Remembering she’d given him cart blanche for making love to her anytime he liked, still he hesitated. The sound of running water conjured memories of their morning shower and making love beneath the spray.
At that moment, he realized he hadn’t thought of Leigha since the day he’d met Kinsey. Was it possible he was finally letting go?
Not just possible…he knew it was true. He’d carried his grief with him for far too long, not allowing himself to feel anything for another woman. He’d been afraid to again open his heart.
Until Kinsey and her own flavor of sunshine happened to his life. Despite the dire circumstances of their first meeting, she continued to be optimistic, fun and happy. Sure, she had her sad and frightened moments, but she didn’t let them keep her down for long. The woman pulled herself back up and got on with living.
Sam had needed her to show him that life didn’t have to be all gloom and doom. Yes, he had a serious job, but he didn’t have to let the grimness infect his entire being.
The more he thought about how Kinsey had changed his outlook in just a couple short days, the more he wanted to be with her. Naked in the shower. He crossed the room and reached for the door when the shower shut off.
Damn.
He’d waited too long. Now, he’d have to wait until after dinner. Unless…
He knocked on the door.
Kinsey laughed on the other side. “Took you long enough.”
Sam smiled, threw open the door and stood transfixed by the woman poised before him, a towel pressed to her breasts, droplets of water sliding over her skin.
“I stayed in the shower as long as I could.” She sighed. “But you didn’t join me.”
“I’m an idiot.”
“No, just a little slow on the uptake.” She held out the towel. “Make yourself useful and dry me off.”
He didn’t have to be told twice. Sam snatched the towel from her hand.
Kinsey turned her back to him and waited.
Starting at the top of her head, he squeezed the water from her hair and smoothed the towel over her shoulders and down her back. Reaching around her with the towel, he cupped her breasts and patted away the moisture.
As he worked his way south, his cock swelled. At the rate he was heating up, he wouldn’t last long. He stopped on his downward journey, his breath held in his chest and pressed his cock to her backside, praying he could contain his passion long enough to see to her needs first.
Kinsey leaned back, circling her arm around his neck. “Foreplay can be overrated,” she whispered. “I want you. Inside me. Now.”
In a flash, he stripped out of his clothes. Then he whipped her around and caught her face between his hands and kissed her long and hard, his shaft nudging her damp curls. “I crave you,” he said against her mouth. “The whole time you were with Mrs. D, I thought about you, about us, and about doing this.” He reached down, clamped his hands on the backs of her thighs and lifted her onto the edge of the sink.
She held on around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist.
His cock pressed against her entrance, and he almost forgot to stop and think.
But Kinsey did. She reached behind her and grabbed a box, shoving it between them. “Before we get started, shouldn’t you…?”
He gritted his teeth, so past ready to sheath his cock in her juices. “You’re an angel.” He kissed her, ripped open the box and scattered packets across the counter and into the basin. Grabbing one small packet, he tore it open and fitted the condom over his shaft. Then he was back at her entrance, sliding into her sweet, wet channel.
Her muscles tightened around him. She dug her heels into his buttocks, sending him deeper. Kinsey’s head dropped back, her damp hair falling over her shoulders, the overhead light highlighting her pale, golden tan. She was so beautiful, he couldn’t believe she’d chosen to give herself to him with enthusiasm and abandon.
Sam nuzzled her neck and pressed a kiss to the pulse beating so fast at the base. Her breathing was shallow, as if she couldn’t quite catch her breath, and her fingers dug into his shoulders.
“Please, Sam, don’t stop what you’re doing. It feels so good. So right.”
He pumped in and out, balancing her on the edge of the sink as he drove deeper. Almost to that special place, he stopped, blood pounding in his ears.
Kinsey blinked and stared into his eyes. “Why did you stop?”
“I want to make love to you.”
“Isn’t that what we were doing?”
“Sweetheart, that wasn’t all we were doing. And I want this to be special.”
“It is special.” She cupped the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “Please, don’t stop.”
But he disengaged, lifted her off the counter and carried her into the bedroom to lay her out on the bed.
Kinsey held open her arms and parted her legs.
Sam slipped between, picking up where he left off. On the comfort of the mattress, he thrust harder, faster and deeper, taking her to the climax with him.
As he fell back to reality, he realized he didn’t want the two weeks to end. He wanted to spend more than that short amount of time with Kinsey. How could they possibly manage any kind of arrangement? She was headed back to Virginia. He was going back to Afghanistan and then redeploying to his home station of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He’d be on the other side of the country from the woman who, in a matter of days, had turned around his life and showed him what it was really like to live.
12
After rinsing off with Sam, Kinsey dried her hair and slipped into the dress she’d borrowed from Mrs. D, all while moving in the afterglow of making love with a man who’d captured her heart.
She refused to think past the now of their relationship, or she’d fall into a blue funk of depression. And depression wasn’t her thing. The attitude accomplished little and left her feeling hopeless. She wasn’t hopeless. In fact, she’d failed several times and gotten right back up and moved on, proving to herself she could accomplish anything, even when the task seemed impossible.
Once she had her long hair dried in straight lengths, she twisted it up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. Never one to wear heavy makeup, she applied a light blush to her cheeks, eye shadow and liner to her eyelids. A dash of mascara and lipstick and she was ready.
She giggled, her heart pattering in her chest, a giddy feeling washing over her as she pulled the vintage, silver filigree, figure-hugging dress up over her hips and settled the straps on shoulders. She’d seen Michelle Pfeiffer wear a dress just like this one in one of her movies and had always dreamed of being as elegant as the beautiful movie star. Then she looked at herself in the full-length mirror and smiled. She wasn’t a fashion model, but she came pretty damn close in the dress.
A soft tap on the bathroom door reminded her of the time.
Sam called out, “A taxi’s waiting on the street above the B&B. Are you ready?”
She opened the door and stepped out in the matching silver strappy sandals Mrs. D loaned her along with the dress. They were a little tight, but not so much she’d be in pain the entire night. She could even dance in the low heels, if they decided to go anywhere after their dinner. The thought of waltzing again with Sam made her heart light and happy. She could almost forget that she had someone chasing her from the shadows.
Sam stood back, his brows rising up his forehead. Then he let out a long, low whistle. “Wow. Just wow.”
“It belonged to Mrs. D’s mother. She was much taller than Mrs. D. And she kept the matching shoes all these years.” She spun in front of him to give him the full effect. “You don’t think it’s too old-fashioned?”
“I don’t think that style
will ever be considered old-fashioned.” He took her hands and held her at arm’s length. “You’re beautiful.”
She laughed. She couldn’t imagine ever getting tired of hearing his compliments “You said that when I was wearing my shorts.”
“And the statement was true then just as much as it is now. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear…” his voice lowered, “or don’t wear.” He winked. “Because you’re beautiful where it counts most…” He touched a hand to his chest.
Her eyes misted at his words. “Thank you.” Travis had never spoken like that. He’d never said anything as sweet and heartfelt. Being admired for her looks felt good, but to be recognized for what was inside meant more. She stretched up on her toes and kissed him. “I’m ready when you are.”
He led her out of the house, careful to look in all directions and to check the shadows before proceeding. The sun was slipping into the ocean when they climbed into the taxi to the restaurant. Mrs. D arranged the reservation, assuring him her cousin, who owned the place, made the best Greek food and would treat them like family, only better.
Sam texted his brothers the location of the restaurant. They didn’t need to be collected from their ports of entry, as they’d rented cars for their stays on the island. Sam suspected they wanted to spend their time touring alone with their ladies. Having spent time with Kinsey, he completely understood.
But, he was glad they all went out of their way to get together as family for a meal.
As the taxi pulled up to the curb, Sam couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. All three of his brothers stood outside the restaurant, waiting for him, the last one to arrive.
For once, he was glad he was a couple minutes late. He couldn’t wait for his brothers to meet Kinsey, and she’d make a great entrance in the borrowed dress. Sam paid the driver, got out of the taxi and reached in to help Kinsey to her feet.
When he turned back to his brothers, all three were staring, their mouths open.
Mack was first to speak. “Well, Sam. We see you finally learned how to follow orders. Your commander will be so proud. Who is your gorgeous date?” With one hand behind his date’s back, he extended the other. “Hi, I’m Mack, the best-looking brother of the four.”
Kinsey laughed and shook his hand.
“Guys, this is Kinsey Phillips, my…f—” He was about to say fiancée but caught himself before he started a firestorm of questions and ended up saying, “friend.”
“Uh-huh.” Mack winked and brought his woman forward. “This is Dierdre.”
“Dierdre Darcy?” Kinsey’s eyes widened, and she glanced over at Sam. “When Sam said his brother was dating a model, I never expected it to be Dierdre Darcy.” She shook Dierdre’s hand. “Wow, you’re as beautiful in person as you are on television. I’m sorry if I sound like a gushing fan. But…well…I am.”
Dierdre smiled. “Thank you. And I think I have more than a little competition with you and your dress tonight. Where did you find that gem?”
Sam introduced Kinsey to his brother, Wyatt, and his new wife, Fiona, and then turned to Ronin and his lady friend. “I’d love to introduce your date, but I haven’t had the pleasure myself.”
Ronin slipped an arm around the dark-haired beauty’s waist. “Sam, meet Isabella Pisano, my fiancée.”
“You’re serious?” Sam hugged his brother, clapping a hand hard on his back. “How did this happen, and we didn’t know a thing about it?” He let go of his brother and hugged his future sister-in-law. “I don’t know what you see in this jerk, but welcome to the family.”
She laughed and smiled up at Ronin. “He’s special. The man saved my life, and my father’s. I guess I’ll have to keep him around.”
“The Pisanos need keepers.” Ronin winked at Isabella. “They attract trouble.”
“I imagine, with your father’s wealth, you do,” Dierdre commented. “I get crazy stalkers on occasion because of my work. Your family must be plagued by them.”
Isabella nodded. “Sometimes, I wish I could move to America and fade into obscurity.”
“Sweetheart, you’re too beautiful to fade into obscurity.” Ronin kissed his soon-to-be bride. “The maître d’ said our table was ready when we were. Would you like to step inside?” He curved a protective arm around his fiancée and escorted her inside.
Sam smiled and nudged his brother Mack in the side. “Isabella seems to make him happy. I’m glad for him.”
Mack nodded toward Kinsey, who was talking to Fiona about San Antonio. “You, too, old man. You, too.”
Sam opened his mouth to set the record straight about him and Kinsey, but Mack grabbed Dierdre’s hand and led her into the restaurant.
Why should he bother to tell his brothers Kinsey was a paid companion? When they parted ways, his brothers would assume their relationship didn’t work out. He preferred they thought that as the reason, than if they knew the truth.
Sam grasped Kinsey’s hand in his and followed Wyatt and Fiona into the restaurant. When they reached the table to be seated, he didn’t want to let go. The fact was, he didn’t ever want to let go. And that was what made his stomach clench and his pulse pound against his temples.
Kinsey had managed to slip past the defenses he’d erected around his heart. Her smile and optimism washed over the mortar of the wall, eroding it away with every moment he spent with her. He didn’t want their parting to be forever.
Their lives were continents apart. What other choice did he have?
Kinsey enjoyed visiting with Sam’s brothers and their ladies. Being with them was how she’d imagined having siblings should be and what she’d always dreamed of finding—a partner in life who had the extended family she’d always wanted.
They laughed, poked fun at each other and shared information about the parents they obviously loved dearly. The women were as lively as the men and fun to be with.
A sad little knot formed in Kinsey’s belly. One she would have a hard time loosening when she and Sam parted ways. She’d never again see these men, who were such a big part of Sam’s life. Nor would she have the opportunity to get to know their women better.
Kinsey could imagine how they would continue to get together as an extended family whenever they could. Eventually, they’d bring their children together to play with their cousins.
And Kinsey wouldn’t be a part of the happy family as it grew even bigger. She tried not to let the realization bother her. These people were his family. He was her boss, not her real fiancé. This gathering was a job, even if he’d called it a date.
Still, she laughed and smiled. How could she not? They were funny and charming, like the man she was quickly falling in love with.
As soon as the thought emerged, she sucked in a sharp breath and fought the stinging in her eyes. She looked at her hands in her lap to keep the others from seeing the shock on her face.
She was falling in love with Sam. How stupid could she be? He’d specifically said he was not into long-term relationships. She was to keep other women from chasing him, women wanting him to commit to more than he was willing to. His life was in the military, flying helicopters, not coming home to one woman for the rest of his days.
Not that she’d had to deflect any female attention. Kinsey suspected his justification to keeping her around might have been a ruse.
Still, she’d failed at the one job he’d asked her to do—be a companion with no strings. She wanted those strings so badly she ached with the need.
Sam leaned close and laid his hand over hers. “Are you feeling all right?”
She pasted a smile on her face and looked up, hoping he would mistake the shine in her eyes for the glare off the chandelier hanging over them and not for the tears pooling, ready to fall. “I’m fine. Your family is wonderful. You are fortunate to have each other.”
His lips twisted in a wry grin. “Yeah. They’re all right. I can’t imagine what life would have been like if we hadn’t all grown up together.”
“
Like I told you. It’s a bit lonely.” She kept that smile planted firmly on her lips, refusing to let him think she was feeling sorry for herself.
Mack tossed his napkin on his plate. “The meal was excellent, but I’d like to find my hotel and call it a night.” He glanced around the table. “I think I can actually fit everyone into my rental vehicle if you need a ride back.”
“What did you rent?”
“I asked for an SUV, but they only had a full-sized van left on the lot. I can seat nine people.” He laughed and shrugged. “I know, it’s sexy, right?”
They laughed.
“If you don’t mind, that would save us waiting for a taxi to show up,” Sam said.
“We took a taxi rather than searching for the place. Our vehicle is parked at the hotel,” Wyatt said. “So, yes, we’d love a ride.”
Ronin raised his hand. “Count us in. We rode with Wyatt and Fiona.”
The men paid their bill and left the restaurant, still talking and laughing among themselves.
Kinsey liked the easy camaraderie, and loved seeing Sam happy. When she returned to the States, she would miss his smile.
The thought made her depressed and ready to call it a night. She wanted to spend her last few days with the man all to herself.
Sam had watched Kinsey go from cheerful and openly laughing and talking with his family, to reserved and sad.
He slipped an arm around Kinsey’s waist and pulled her close while they waited for Mack to bring the van to the curb.
Kinsey and Sam were first in, claiming the backseat. The others filled the seats ahead of them.
Mack drove away from the restaurant and through the crooked roads, following the GPS device directions to the address of Sam and Kinsey’s B&B.
