by Leslie Kelly
The realization sent a feeling he couldn’t quite define rushing through him. Relief? Gratitude?
Above all, happiness. Because while she was a thief, she wasn’t necessarily an immoral person. She was living by her own code of right and wrong. Which was, really, all that could be expected of anyone when you came right down to it.
He’d expect nothing more from the woman he believed he was falling in love with. The one he knew he cared for more than he’d ever cared for anyone in his life.
The realization cleared things in his mind. He didn’t have to feel guilty for caring for her. Jade was every bit the eccentric, dynamic, exotic, amazing woman he thought she was. And she stole stuff when she felt she had a good reason. Case closed.
So he now had only two problems to deal with. First, how to deal with his grandmother’s painting.
And second, how to extricate Jade from her life of crime.
10
“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU kidnapped me,” Jade said.
Ryan ignored the disgruntled tone in Jade’s voice as he drove toward Tybee Island the next afternoon. Because she wasn’t disgruntled. She was just pretending to be. “When’s the last time you took a vacation?”
She tapped her finger on her lips, thinking about it.
“I rest my case.”
“This isn’t exactly a typical vacation day. You practically carried me out of the office.”
She was right, and he smiled at the memory.
Jade had at first refused to take more time off work, since she’d been out the previous day. But because one of her least reliable tour guides had come up with an excuse, she’d had to work the night tour again. She deserved the afternoon off, and he was making sure she got it. So he’d grabbed her around the waist and nearly dragged her to the door, with the aid and assistance of Daisy. After a quick trip to her house to pick up some essentials, they’d headed for Tybee Island.
“You do realize tourists are the only people crazy enough to go to the beach on a day like this.”
“Why?”
She shot him a look and rolled her eyes. “It’s blazing hot. Ever clued in to the whole siesta concept? Sleeping in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day?”
He immediately leapt on the opening. “Are you saying you want to go back to the hotel and go to bed for the afternoon?”
She chuckled. “No, you lusty man, I’m saying you’re going to fry yourself like a pickle if you don’t go heavy on the sunscreen.”
The pickle comment probably would have elicited a reaction if he hadn’t already seen the fried pickles on the menus of several local restaurants. “I already lotioned up. High SPF.”
“My father used to say the same thing. And he’d fry as only an Irishman can under a Georgia summer sun.” She was smiling, but he heard a wistful sound she couldn’t quite hide. “I was thinking of him earlier,” she added, “when you picked me up and I smelled the suntan lotion you’d put on.”
“Why?”
“Coppertone. It has such a distinct smell. Makes my mind trip right back to my childhood and fills my head with warm and happy thoughts. One of those scent memory things, you know?”
He didn’t follow. Obviously seeing his inquisitive look, she explained. “There are some smells that trigger memories, emotions. Haven’t you ever experienced that?”
He couldn’t say he had, but knew Jade was very serious about it. She appeared both lost in thought but very much aware of every word they spoke, every breath she took.
Reaching over, he dropped a hand on her leg. “No, I don’t think I have.”
She covered his hand with one of her own. “Have you ever lost someone, Ryan? Someone you really loved?”
Again he shook his head. “I’ve been lucky. Product of a normal childhood, all my grandparents still living, no tragedies in the Stoddard family tree.”
“Ah.” She nodded as if completely understanding, even though he still wasn’t following her.
“Then you wouldn’t get it.” She reached into the back seat, retrieving a large beach bag, and pulled out a familiar brown bottle of suntan lotion. Flipping open the top with her thumb, she brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply.
He was shocked to see tears suddenly sparkling on her long lashes. She blinked rapidly. Then she held the bottle out so he could smell it.
“Smells like lotion to me.”
“And to me it smells like my father.” She reached up to touch the corners of her eyes and wiped away the moisture there. “You see, the innermost mind still mourns before the logical one has the chance to realize what we’re grieving.”
He suddenly understood and his heart broke a little for her. “I guess I do see,” he admitted, lacing his fingers through hers. “Maybe that’s why whenever I smell cinnamon I think of my grandmother’s Christmas tree. She always hung spiced pine cones inside the branches and her whole house smelled of cinnamon every December. Someday that smell is going to give me flashes of sadness, isn’t it?”
“Exactly,” she said with a nod. “But happiness, too.”
He pulled her fingertips to his lips and pressed a kiss to them. “I wish I’d met your dad.”
She was quiet for a moment. “So do I. I think he’s been on my mind so much because of you. Because of how much he would have liked you.” Then she chuckled. “I’ve also been thinking how happy he’d be that there’s apparently a little of my crazily romantic mother in me after all.”
He wondered at her comment, but before he could ask about it, she continued. “By the way, for the rest of my life when I smell night-blooming jasmine with a hint of magnolia, I’ll think of you. And the night we met.”
So would he. He already wanted to drench himself in the scent and never let it go.
In the passenger seat, Jade stretched in the sunlight blazing through the sunroof, like a cat taking in the heat. Her whole body seemed to savor the warmth. So much for her grumbling.
“You’re glad we’re going to the beach. Admit it.”
“Maybe,” she said with a chuckle. “Why’d you want to do it, anyway?”
“Because I’m hot.”
“That’s bright,” she said, a hint of dryness in her voice.
He took no offense. “At least this way I can get my whole body wet in the ocean, with very little on, instead of just getting my clothes wet because I’m dripping sweat in the heat and humidity.”
He wasn’t lying but it wasn’t the only reason Ryan had suggested an afternoon at the beach. He also wanted to see the wind whip her long dark hair off her face. To watch her lick saltwater off her lips. To drown in need as he saw her hands on her skin, rubbing lotion onto her body with the unconsciously seductive movements that were second nature to her.
To talk to her, delve into her emotions and her past. Get to know her better by understanding just how deeply her feelings ran, how much sadness she’d had to deal with in her young life and what might drive her to do the things she did.
Lots of reasons.
“Pretty empty,” he mumbled as he parked his rented car in a public lot near the dunes.
“Yes it is,” she replied. “Like I said, only tourists come out on a day as hot as this. And usually just the British ones whose summers last two minutes.”
When they got their stuff from the trunk of the car and walked down to the public beach, Ryan realized Jade was right. The place was nearly deserted. The long stretch of white sand meeting the frothy blue-green waves of the Atlantic was occupied by only a few groups of people, one with young children. It was a workday, but he’d expected at least a few more out-of-towners as crazy as himself.
“Hope they lotioned up,” Jade murmured.
Choosing a spot a few yards from the water, Ryan put the cooler down and opened their two chairs while Jade spread out the rest of their gear. Kicking off his shoes, he prepared to revel in the rough sensation of sandy beach against his feet.
It felt more like burning charcoal. “Sonofa….”
; “On the towel,” she said quickly, pointing to a safe place to step.
“Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. Should have gone closer to the water. Now we’re stuck here, on Towel Island, unless we swim with our shoes on.”
“It’ll make running into the surf that much more exciting.” She laughed softly, then pulled her sundress off, dropping it to the blanket she’d spread between their chairs.
When Ryan saw her in the hot pink bikini, he couldn’t contain a soft wolf whistle. “Okay, maybe we’ll stay awhile. If you run into the surf, I’ll definitely withstand the burning coals and run after you.”
“My hero.” She lifted a pair of sunglasses to her face, staring out at the water as she slid them on. “It’s beautiful.”
He still hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “Very.”
The surf didn’t pound, it merely washed up and back, and somehow it seemed Jade’s body moved to its rhythm. She lowered herself to the chair, stretched out her legs, leaned back and watched the ocean. Every movement was graceful, in sync with some inner beat, as if part of her was, as always, in tune to her sultry surroundings.
She was loving it. Loving this.
“You complained, and warned me, but you like this intense heat, don’t you?”
She nodded lazily. “I do like it hot.” Ditto.
“I love the sizzle on my skin,” she added. “The brightness of the sky over the ocean.”
Retrieving a bottle of water from the cooler, she flipped off the top and sipped it. The moisture brought a shine to her lips. Her pink tongue flicked out as she licked it away. Then she sipped again, moaned softly, and lowered the bottle.
Such a sensual woman. She nearly brought him to his knees.
He needed a cold drink. Pronto. Just watching Jade’s mouth around the tip of a bottle had him thinking of all kinds of wicked things her mouth could do.
After peeling off his shirt, he dropped it on the ground, grateful for the sunscreen. The heat baked right in, bringing instant sweat which was cooled only by the light breeze blowing off the ocean.
“How do you do it?” she asked.
Looking at Jade, he found her staring up at him. Her glasses were down on the tip of her nose and she watched his every move from above the rim.
He thought the sand was hot? Her eyes were on fire, roaming over his body as if she was seeing him bare-chested for the first time. Actually, considering their shadow-wrapped interludes of the past few nights, he supposed she was, at least in full light. “Do what?”
“How do you keep that body when you work behind a desk nine-to-five?”
He laughed softly, liking that appreciative look on her face. He understood. That pink bathing suit of hers had him thinking of nothing but getting her out of it. He’d love to take her by the hand and lead her into the water, neither of them wearing a thing. Unfortunately, with the pasty tourists a dozen yards away, he wasn’t going to get his wish.
“I work out some.”
“Some?”
He shrugged. “I run with my dog a few times a week.”
She cocked a brow. “You have a dog?”
He nodded. “A drooling Lab I affectionately call Mutt.”
“I have a cat.”
“Mutt likes cats.”
“For lunch?”
He shook his head and sat next to her. “He’s a big goofy drooler who loves to play with anyone. People. Cats. The mouse that got into my kitchen last year.”
She grinned. “Who’s taking care of him?”
“He’s staying with my grandparents.”
He immediately stiffened as the image of his grandmother came to mind. What on earth would she think about him sitting here, engaged in casual conversation with the woman who’d stolen from her?
What could she think? He couldn’t explain it to her, at least not until he figured out what to do about it. And he couldn’t do that until he got Jade to open up to him.
He couldn’t allow anything to upset this careful balance of friendship they had during the day while being passionate lovers at night.
“Can you hand me my bag?” she asked. “I need to put some lotion on before I fry.”
“You must be kidding.”
She tilted her head in confusion.
“This is straight date-at-the-beach stuff, Jade. You must know I’m not going to let you put on your own lotion. I’m going to insist you let me rub it on for you.”
“I don’t react well to orders,” she murmured.
“How about to requests?” He leaned close to her chair, until their faces were a few inches apart, and they stared at one another through their dark sunglasses. “Will you let me put lotion on you?”
She nibbled her lip, then slowly nodded.
He gave her a kiss, licking the tiny bit of water still clinging to the corner of her mouth. Salty, sweet, hot. Jade.
Smiling in anticipation, Ryan retrieved the bottle she’d dropped beside her sundress. He poured a healthy amount of it into his hands, then knelt beside her chair.
He started at her throat. After dribbling some of the white liquid on that hollow, he gently smoothed his fingers against the skin he’d kissed so many times in the dark of night. Then he worked his way across her collarbones, using both hands until he could cup each slim shoulder. “Your skin is already so hot.”
“So’s the lotion,” she replied.
She didn’t seem to mind. In fact, her eyes were closed, her head tipped back and her face turned toward the sun. She was savoring this. As was he.
He spread more lotion down her arms, gently turning them to protect the lighter, more vulnerable skin underneath. As he lifted one, he paused to press a hot kiss in the hollow of her elbow, then he draped her hand across his shoulder.
“Mmm,” she said on a sigh.
He moved down her body. Silently counting the few adorable, tiny freckles on her chest, he licked at one, tasting the salty sheen of sweat on her body.
“That doesn’t feel like lotion,” she murmured.
“How about this?”
He kissed again, sucking her skin slightly, then rubbing his tongue over the spot.
“You’re going to shock the British.”
“They won’t be the ones coming if I have my way.”
She snorted a laugh at his reference to the “The British are coming.” But she still didn’t open her eyes.
“Get on with it, or I’m going to burn to a crisp and you won’t be able to touch me without inflicting pain.”
“I only want to inflict pleasure,” he murmured, then returned to the task at hand.
He dispensed more lotion onto his hand, then rubbed it on her upper chest until it disappeared. He didn’t trust himself to go near those perfect breasts of hers, merely sliding his hand over the curves and moving down to cup her midriff. He thoroughly coated her flat belly, and below it to the hem of her pink bikini.
“God, I have to touch you,” he muttered. She didn’t react, not even when he smoothed more lotion onto his fingertips then slid them below the elastic waistband of her swimsuit.
She moaned, low in her throat, not protesting as he dropped his fingers down, lower and lower.
When he reached the soft curls between her legs, her eyes flew open. “Ryan!”
“Shh,” he whispered, turning slightly to shield her from view of the other people down the beach. No one was north of them. No one south would see anything except his back as he knelt beside her.
“What are you doing to me?” she asked.
“I’m giving you another scent memory. Coconut and citrus.”
“Yes, you definitely are,” she whispered. “I’ll never be able to use this lotion again unless you’re here to put it on me.”
“I’m doing a good job, aren’t I? Making sure you’re well covered so you don’t get a sunburn.”
He pressed a lethargic kiss to her neck. Then he couldn’t resist going further. Jade shivered when he moved his hand down, lower, seeking that hot, wet place w
here he so loved to lose himself.
She was drenched. Open, soft and moist against his fingers. This time he was the one to moan. “You’re wet.”
“You’re evil,” she choked out, staring straight up at the sky.
He knew why she wouldn’t look at him. One look and they’d both be lost to where they were and who was nearby. She’d want his mouth, he’d need her tongue, and his hand wouldn’t be contained for long by her swimsuit.
“Stop,” she protested.
He chuckled. “That sounded convincing.”
“Okay, don’t stop.” She punctuated the demand with a tilt of her hips, inviting his further exploration.
He gladly complied, sliding one finger deep into her wetness until she shuddered.
“Shh,” he whispered, licking at her earlobe, rubbing his face against her silky hair. Then he kissed her, his tongue mimicking the movement of his finger, setting a quick, heady rhythm that he knew was driving her mad.
“Ryan, please,” she whimpered.
He finally gave her what he knew she wanted and flicked his thumb onto that sensitive little nub of flesh that throbbed for attention.
“Yes!” Her cry wasn’t too loud, but he still hoped the tourists were hard of hearing. Or that they thought seagulls’ cries sounded like a woman having an orgasm.
Which, he realized when she shuddered, clenched her fists and arched her back, she was.
SOMEHOW, MAYBE BECAUSE of the heat of the sun, the sound of the surf, or the amazing afterglow of the things Ryan had made her feel with his incredible touch, Jade drifted off to sleep.
She dreamed. Short, choppy dreams full of laughter and heat, smiles and wet kisses. The warmth of someone’s hand holding hers. Just that clasp of hands made her feel more happy than she’d ever felt before.
When she opened her eyes to the brilliant blue sky and a few puffy white clouds, she instinctively flexed her right hand and found it clasped with Ryan’s.
He squeezed back. “I was about to wake you up to make sure you have enough sunscreen on.”
She turned to face him, still slow and lethargic from her little nap, and smiled. “And if I don’t, were you going to put more on for me?”
