“Hello,” he said.
“Um, hi,” Jaye managed.
“May I buy you a drink?”
Jaye tore her gaze from his incredible eyes and glanced at the empty bottle of wine on her table. More alcohol wouldn’t be advisable. “I was just leaving.”
“Perhaps you’d consider a dance before you go?” If temptation had two legs, it would be this man. He held out his hand. “One dance,” he coaxed.
One dance? Like one piece of cake and the craving would dissipate, right? Without fully thinking it through, Jaye placed her hand in his. A zing of electricity buzzed up her arm then made its way to other parts of her that hadn’t been zinged in a while. Shit.
“Please, you’re wounding my ego.”
“Excuse me?”
“You look as if I’m escorting you to your execution.” On the dance floor, he took her in his arms, and they began to move.
“Sorry,” she managed as she began to absorb the effects of him holding her close.
“Do you salsa?” Without waiting for her response, he began moving to the driving tempo of the song. Jaye shook her head and stood motionless as she watched him swivel his hips. He put his big hands on her hips and with slight pressure, got her moving. “Soft knees. Yes. There. You’re a natural.” He took her hand, leaving the other in place, as they moved together. Jaye felt like something alien had taken over her body as they glided across the floor. “Beautiful,” he said. “I think you have danced the salsa before.”
“No,” she began, but losing concentration, stumbled and stepped on his foot. “Sorry.”
With a finger at her chin, he had her looking back into his stunning eyes. “Never look down.” They found their rhythm again. Her skirt swirled around her knees. The music, the heat, and the man stirred her blood. She felt alive and so feminine dancing with him. And have mercy, was dancing with him hot.
The band played a slow song next, and without asking, he pulled her closer. He pressed her hand to his chest—his hot, hard chest—then trailed his fingertips down her arm. In her heels, she could just press her cheek against his neck. She inhaled. He smelled like heaven. His woodsy and earthy musk scent, combined with the wine she’d drunk, had her more than a bit off-balance. She could be in deep shit here. Jaye Baxter never lost her head. She made a living around built, sexy athletes—built, sexy, and often half-naked-in-locker-room athletes. What was happening to her?
“What is your name?” he whispered against her ear.
“Jay—um,” she cleared her throat and lied. “Jade.” In something like super slow motion, Jade’s hand moved up his chest, across his shoulder, and around his neck, and then that vixen’s hand explored the skin exposed above the several buttons undone on his shirt.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”
Ah, the Latin charm. “How many women have you used that line on?” she asked.
“You doubt my sincerity?”
He seemed so taken aback that she found herself apologizing. “Sorry.”
“I’ve been watching you since you came in, trying to get up the nerve to approach you.” Jaye turned away, but he positioned himself so she had to look at him. “You don’t believe me?” He sounded genuinely surprised. Jaye lifted her shoulder in response. “You appeared so serene and beautiful sitting there alone.” He trailed the backs of his fingers down her cheek to her jaw. “And a bit sad, I think.” He traced a finger from her jaw to her chin. “When you poured the last of your wine and signed your bill, I knew I had to take courage and come to you, or I would lose my chance.”
“Your chance?”
“To talk with you . . . dance with you . . . hold you.”
“And?”
“And?” he repeated, a frown marring his handsome features.
“You only wanted to talk and dance?” She deliberately left out the “hold you” part.
His hand on her back moved restlessly. “I find I want much more than I should as I have not yet offered you my name.”
“So . . . give it to me,” her inner vixen, murmured. And look at that, her lips pressed right up against his neck.
“Dios.”
He held her closer. Getting more fully into the role of Jade, she tipped her head back, scraping her teeth against his jaw. “Well?” she said against the corner of his mouth, wondering at her boldness. The anonymity she’d created by not giving her real name had freed something inside her. Something she’d analyze at some point, but not now when his lips were so close.
“Matteo,” he said, his lips brushed hers as he spoke.
“Matteo,” she repeated, continuing the motion. She nipped his lower lip then touched the spot with her tongue. His arm tightened around her, and he growled deep in his throat.
“Temptress.”
She bumped noses with him. “Kiss or talk?” she said softly.
“Talk. When I kiss you the way you should be kissed, I do not want an audience,” he said.
“Oh,” she breathed, imagining a private, intimate encounter with him. Desire shimmered across her skin and settled in her core.
“Yes,” he said like he’d read her mind. They moved to the soft music a moment more, and then he asked, “How is it such a lovely woman eats alone by the ocean?”
“She’s on a business trip. I should be working in my room instead of dancing with a stranger.”
Matteo chuckled. “I remind you, we are no longer strangers. We have exchanged names, and I am holding you in my arms.” He paused, a rakish smile teasing his lips. “And you’ve tasted me.”
“True,” Jaye agreed, smiling as well.
“It is a beautiful night, too beautiful to be wasted on work.”
She tucked her head into his neck and closed her eyes. She couldn’t disagree.
“You often work long hours?”
“Work has consumed me for some time,” she admitted.
“A pity, but fortunate for me you chose tonight to forget about your work for a time,” he took her hand and led her to the edge of the patio. “Come, let’s feel the water and wet sand beneath our feet.”
Jaye hesitated. They stopped moving, and Jaye looked up at Matteo.
As if sensing her instinct to retreat, he said, “Don’t go. Not yet.” He tipped her head up and lowered his face to hers. She should have stepped back before he kissed her and completely rocked her world, but she didn’t. She didn’t because she needed his lips on hers like she needed her next breath.
“Walk down to the water with me.” He teased her lips with soft, butterfly kisses, eyes open and watching her carefully. She swayed towards him, and he took her hand, leading her off the patio and onto the beach. Jaye stopped. “My purse.” They detoured to her table, retrieved her bag, and then walked down to the beach. Jaye stumbled in her high heels and bent to slip them off. When they reached the water, Matteo gathered her close, anchoring her for a kiss. His lips caressed hers, but he didn’t take it deeper. His hands moving on her back seemed to have the intent to soothe. It felt like he wanted to give her time to get used to him kissing her. She got it, but she wanted more. Jaye hadn’t been kissed in a very, very long time, and she wanted it passionate and unrestrained.
“Tell me what you want,” he said, holding back, frustrating her.
“If you don’t know, I’m not doing something right.” And just like that, her insecurities kicked into overdrive.
“Tell me,” he insisted.
The hell she would. Staring into his mesmerizing eyes, Jaye cupped the back of his head and bit his lower lip. His eyes widened. When she touched her tongue to the spot then licked her lips, his gaze locked on her mouth.
She got bolder and kissed him. He had full, soft lips. She swept her tongue into his mouth and found his. Matteo didn’t stop her, but he wasn’t kissing her back. She tugged on his lower lip, then the upper, stroking the tip of her tongue up the center of it. He stared at her, heat in his gaze, but he didn’t move. Just stared at her.
Embarrassed now, she too
k a step back and turned to walk away, but he caught her arms and stepped into her. “Wait.”
“But—”
“I want to kiss you—need to kiss you, but I would like you to say what you want. What you need.”
“I showed you.”
“Tell me,” he said against her lips, teasing her with what he knew she wanted.
“Why?”
He touched her face almost reverently. “Because I need to know that you are sure of what you want.”
She framed his face with her hands. “I’m sure. Kiss me, Matteo.”
He bent then lifted her so that her toes barely touched the sand. She dropped her shoes and held on as he tasted her, moving his tongue in and out of her mouth, circling her tongue, making her moan. After several moments of kissing her breathless, he trailed his mouth to her neck. He pressed his tongue to the pounding pulse he found there then nipped at her skin and sucked on the spot. The feeling went straight to Jaye’s core. Everything inside her clinched tight. She arched her back, her hips seeking his. He moved his hands to her butt and squeezed.
“Matteo, please.”
“Not here,” he said against her ear.
“We’re alone.”
“For now.” He kissed her again, this kiss hard and fast.
“Come,” he said, and took her hand, leading her further down the beach, away from the hotel.
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About the Author
Deborah Grace Staley is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble best selling author and winner of the HOLT Medallion. Her novels have been published worldwide in a variety of formats. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and teaches college writing and literature. Originally from East Tennessee, she now lives in South Florida with her husband and two adorable rescued dachshunds. She loves to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit her website: www.deborahgracestaley.com
Contact information:
www.deborahgracestaley.com
[email protected]
Also by Deborah Grace Staley
NOVELS
Angel Ridge Series (Tame): Only You
Angel Ridge Series (Tame): A Home for Christmas
Angel Ridge Series (Tame): What the Heart Wants
Angel Ridge Series (Tame): I’ll Be There
Angel Ridge Series (Tame): Unforgettable
Wilde Dunes Series (Flame): Simmer
Wilde Dunes Series (Flame): Smolder
NOVELLAS
Scandalous Moves (Flame): Dared
Scandalous Moves (Flame): Played
COMING SOON
Scandalous Moves (Flame): Ridden
SHORT STORIES
Sweeter Than Tea
Aphrodite’s Garden (Tame)
The Trip (Tame)
The Wedding Quilt (Tame)
Dared: Scandalous Moves Series Page 11
