by Fox,Cathryn
“Are you okay?” His rich, sensual baritone aroused all her senses and did the most amazing things to her nerve endings.
Was this guy for real? She resisted the urge to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. Instead, she pinched him. Right on the nipple. It hardened.
Okeydokey then…
“I’m okay,” she squeaked out, pressing against him, loving how good it felt to be in his arms and thinking about how much better this gorgeous hunk of man would feel between her legs.
His striated muscles bunched and his brow furrowed as he glanced down at his reddening nipple, but he didn’t question her action. He just shifted her in his arms and trekked onward. Danielle’s body continued to quiver, but for entirely different reasons now.
As she melted into him, her flesh soaked in his warmth. She inhaled his fresh scent. He smelled like sun, sand, ocean...and man.
She took that moment to peruse the Greek god who had appeared out of nowhere and come to her rescue. His short hair was damp and slicked back, his face was tanned, cleanly shaven. Water clung to his dark lashes and dripped from his even darker hair. Danielle moistened her already wet lips and bit back a moan of pleasure as she continued her leisurely inspection.
His hand slid closer to her ass, repositioning her in his oh-so-capable arms. As his fingers neared the swell of her backside, heat prowled through her.
Packaged against his rock-hard body as she was, it was easy to tell he kept himself fit and finely tuned. She had to admit that she liked a man who took good care of himself.
His brow was furrowed and his gorgeous lips were compressed, set in a grim line. Did the man ever smile? She guessed him to be in his late twenties or early thirties, which was far too young to be jaded.
Although she took him for a well-disciplined military man, she sensed a darker side to him. Underneath that cool exterior, he seemed restless, troubled somehow. Before she could stop it, a strange gurgle crawled out of her throat and she burped.
“Sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, just waterlogged.” Nothing a little mouth-to-mouth couldn’t fix, she mused.
With his lips positioned close to her ear, he said, “I could call for the doctor.”
She had a better idea, maybe they could play doctor. “No, I’m fine, really.”
Alpha that he was, he continued to take charge of the situation and carried her through the door of her cabana. He glanced around and then deposited her in a wicker chair. Strange how she felt absurdly safe in his arms. Back in Chicago she wouldn’t dream of letting a stranger into her place, no matter how much he resembled a Greek god. But there was something about this man. Something trustworthy and fiercely protective that put her at ease.
As he inched back, his gaze left her face and skated over her barely clad body. She watched his nostrils flare as his eyes roamed over her mouth, neck, and chest, and lower. Her nipples swelled under his probing gaze. Dayum…the guy was blatantly checking her out.
“You’re burnt.” Or not.
She threw her arms up in the air and told him, “I was cursed with strawberry blond hair and delicate skin.”
His jaw muscle twitched. “Not cursed.”
Danielle wasn’t sure whether he meant it as a compliment or not but decided to take it as one just the same. She held her hand out, realizing she didn’t even know her rescuer’s name. “I’m Danielle Carrigan. It’s nice to meet you, Mr…” She caught herself before she added “Hardbody.”
He squared his broad shoulders, nodded his head in acknowledgment and met her handshake. “Ethan Sharpe.”
Oh, he of so few words.
She motioned for him to sit. He didn’t.
Once again his eyes narrowed on her skin and she could feel her flesh tighten and tingle although she wasn’t sure if it was from his gaze or the impending sun blisters.
“You need after-burn lotion.” Before she could tell him that she hadn’t brought any, he disappeared into her bathroom and came out with a bottle of green aloe vera gel. Now, how did he know that was there?
He flipped open the cap. “A bottle in every cabana,” he said as though reading her mind. She reached for the bottle, but he ignored her. Clearly used to taking charge, he leaned forward, poured a generous amount onto the front of her arms and rubbed it in with the utmost care. She let out a sigh as he tended to every inch of her exposed skin.
Oh how she loved his attention to detail.
The cool gel felt heavenly against her heated flesh, but not nearly as heavenly as his calloused hands felt. As he rubbed she noticed that his palms were rough around the edges, just like him. Unrefined. Rugged. Bold.
Scrumptious.
She shivered under his invasive touch, enjoying his take charge attitude. As he worked the gel in, ripples of sensual pleasure danced over her skin and brought on a quiver. She wondered if he felt her body’s reactions. She bit back a heated moan as desire twisted her insides.
As she reveled in the feel of his hands on her, her head fell forward. She worked to keep her passion-rattled brain focused on conversation before she ripped off his swimming trunks and forced him to have sex with her. Wild, crazy, earth-shattering monkey sex, that is.
Her gazed roamed to his hard abs and lower, lingering at the juncture between his legs.
Wait…was that what she thought it was? Her pulse raced with pleasure. Okay, so maybe she wouldn’t have to force him, exactly.
He walked behind her, moving with confidence and self assurance. She had to admit, there was nothing sexier than a guy who knew how to take charge.
When his hands touched her back, her body started to tremble almost uncontrollably. Every nerve ending came alive. He began rubbing the gel onto the backs of her shoulders, slowly, methodically. As his thumbs made small circles, her mind took her on an erotic adventure, imagining him stroking another sensitive body part in just such a seductive manner.
As her hair began to dry, it fell into her eyes. Danielle blew a wispy bang off her forehead and shook her head to uncloud it of its delicious meanderings. She cleared her throat, curious about her mysterious rescuer, curious to know what brought him to the exotic island.
“So, tell me, Ethan, what brings you here?” Her voice came out raspy, edgy.
His sweet-scented breath whispered across her neck and made her quake. “My job.” Once her back was sufficiently coated, he circled her again, coming to rest in front of her, giving her a perfect, unobstructed view of his crotch. Nice…
After a good hard look, she glanced upward.
“Military?” she asked. She knew the spa catered to singles looking for escapism from the everyday, as well as those seeking pleasure.
She wondered which one had brought him here.
Surprise registered on his face, and then he nodded. He snapped the bottle closed. “That should keep the blisters at bay.”
With her mind still contemplating that delicious bulge in his swim trunks, she blurted out, “You sure know a lot about burns.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time in the desert.”
She examined his bronzed skin, wondering whether his tan had come from his time on the island or his time on active duty. “Have you been here long?”
His gaze shifted, camouflaging his emotions. “Long enough.” It occurred to her how little he seemed to like talking about himself.
She clicked her lips. “You’re a real talker, aren’t you? I guess you’re a man of action and not words.” Exactly the kind of guy she was looking for.
That brought a smile to his face. “Guess so,” he murmured.
She rolled her aloe-vera-covered shoulders. “Then again, I guess I make up for both of us.”
“Guess so,” he said again, amusement pulling at the corners of his mouth. His gorgeous blue eyes narrowed. “What brings you here?”
“My friends and I needed a little vacation.”
He cocked his head and glanced around her cabana. “Friends?”
“Lauren and Abby. The
y have their own cabanas,” she added. “We’re here for a girls only vacation where all your deepest desires are fulfilled, just like the brochure promised.”
He made a noise low in his throat. “And I suppose you’ve heard about the magic elixir.”
She nodded. “Have you tried it?”
“No.”
She leaned forward. “Is it true? Does it work?”
Skepticism flashed in his expression. “Some would think so.”
“Don’t you want to know for sure?”
A storm brewed in his eyes and he gave a quick side-to-side shake of his head. Once again he turned the conversation away from himself and back to her. “So, tell me, what desires are you looking to have fulfilled?” He took a moment to peruse her, his dark gaze caressing her barely clad body with pleasure. “You look like a girl who has everything she’s ever wanted.”
She moistened her parched lips and shifted restlessly in her chair. If only she had the nerve to tell him the truth. “Not everything,” she murmured. When she glanced up at him, she noted that his gaze was locked on her mouth. His tongue snaked out and made a slow pass over his bottom lip. The hungry look in his eyes sent a plethora of sensations rippling through her.
She swallowed. Dayum…
Something in her gut told her this take-charge soldier, this skilled warrior, a man who would serve and protect to the bitter end, could give her everything she needed, everything she craved.
Probing for information, she asked, “I’m sure you must have secret desires you’d like to have fulfilled.”
Naturally, he redirected the conversation.
“Where are you from?”
“Chicago. You?”
She took in the tension in his posture. “All over. What do you do in Chicago, Danielle?”
“I’m an interior designer. My friends and I own our own shop.”
One brow rose. “Impressive.” He toyed with the bottle of after-burn lotion, tossing it between his hands. Wow, he had big, fabulous hands.
The better to spank her with.
Her body shivered with longing when she thought about how he could take matters into those large, capable hands. She wondered whether he worked with them. “What do you do in the military?”
His eyes darkened, and after a moment he said, “Commander, weapons expert.”
Danielle sensed a “but” at the end of that sentence. She paused, giving him a moment to elaborate. He didn’t.
In need of a cold drink, she climbed from the chair, but Ethan was standing so close she bumped into him. Her hard nipples scraped across his chest. Ethan’s body stiffened, his head lowered and she heard him draw a quick breath. When smoldering blue eyes latched onto hers, sexual energy arced between them. Lust started at her core and traveled onward and outward until coherent speech was nearly impossible.
She saw need, desire and turbulence in his eyes, but before either of them could act on it he stepped back and said, “My fault. I should be going. I have an appointment.”
Danielle reined in her lust. “I guess I should be getting ready anyway. I have to unpack and get showered before dinner. Mr. Malik invited my friends and me to eat with him this evening. Maybe I’ll catch up with you later.”
And maybe he could tie her up and fuck her silly, too.
Ethan’s mood changed so fast, it caught her off guard. His jaw clenched. Anger sparked in his blue eyes. “I was invited to join him as well, but I hadn’t planned on attending.” When she gave him a questioning glance, he continued. “You see, Malik and I don’t always see eye to eye.” He raised his hand above his head. “And believe me, I’ve had it up to here with all his cryptic words.” Danielle heard the edge of bitterness in his tone. “So help me, if he says one more thing…” His voice trailed off.
Geez, provoke the guy and you couldn’t shut him up. Who knew?
Ethan moved toward the door, and she could tell he was trying not to favor his right leg. “I know, but I truly believe he means well,” Danielle said. “And since you’re the first person I met since I arrived, I’d love it if you came.” The truth was, she liked being around him and wasn’t quite ready for him to walk away. She knew she’d only just met him, but never had a man aroused her so quickly, or had her mind spinning with such wild, erotic scenarios. There was an undeniable spark between them that she’d love to explore further.
When he gave her a noncommittal shrug, she tried to lighten the mood. “Plus I want to make it up to you for rescuing me. You’re my hero.” She suddenly had a lightbulb moment, a very seductive, very scandalous lightbulb moment. “Hey, I wonder what the island customs are. Maybe I owe you my life now that you saved mine. Maybe I’ll have to be your servant.”
That caught his attention. Standing in the doorway, he spun back around to face her, his blue eyes brimming with intrigue. Sculpted muscles bunched as he pushed his hair back. In a low, controlled voice he said, “Servant, huh?”
Excited at the prospect, she felt heat coil in her belly. “Yeah, and maybe I’d have to call you ‘master,’” she rushed out, shocking herself with her boldness.
His palms flattened on either side of the doorjamb, giving her an erotic view of his gorgeous, naked chest. His eyebrows shot up. “You think?”
She nodded and continued to play, knowing she’d never before had the courage to speak her fantasies to any man. There really was something magical about this island that brought out the vixen in her. “And if I was naughty you’d have to—”
“Discipline you.” He cocked his head, the challenging look in his eyes daring her to deny that she wanted him to do just that.
Danielle gulped. Her blood pressure soared. Primal need bombarded her body. Oh. Good. God. He was so very good at reading her.
Deep in her gut she just knew her man of action and few words would have no problem disciplining her. Her gaze moved to his large hands, hands that were more than capable of giving her a good spanking if she needed it.
And dammit, she was pretty sure she needed it.
About Cathryn Fox
About Cathryn Fox
New York Times and USA today Bestselling author, Cathryn is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.
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Also by Cathryn Fox
Hands On
Hands On
Body Contact
Full Exposure
Stone Cliff Series:
Crashing Down
Wasted Summer
Love Lessons
Wrapped Up
Eternal Pleasure Series
Instinctive
Impulsive
Indulgent
Sun Stroked Series
Seaside Seduction
Deep Desire
Private Pleasure
Captured and Claimed Series:
Yours to Take
Yours to Teach
Yours to Keep
Firefighter Heat Series
Fever
Siren
Flash Fire
Playing For Keeps Series
Slow Ride
Wild Ride
Sweet Ride
In the Line of Duty:
His Obsession Next Door
His Trouble in Tallulah
His Strings to Pull
His Taste of Temptation
His Moment to Steal
His Best Friend’s Girl
His Reason to Stay
Breaking the Rules:
Hold Me Down Hard
Pin Me Up Proper
Tie Me Down Tight
Take Me Down Tender
Stand Alone Title:
Hands on with the CEO
Torn Between Two Brothers
Holiday Spirit
Unleashed
Knocking on Demon’s Door
Web of Desire
