by SJ McCoy
“Just know that the offer stands. I will be happy to cook for you any time you want me to.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.” She watched his face as if she expected him to react in some way.
He smiled. “What can I say? You bring out my sweet side, Miss Isobel.”
~ ~ ~
Diego pulled the car into a spot and cut the engine. “Do you want to walk or drink or dance?”
“Maybe walk?” It was a beautiful evening, and Izzy remembered there being a path that followed the coastline.
“Beach or downtown? Do you want to see the stores or the ocean?”
“The ocean. We’re coming to see the stores tomorrow, right?”
He nodded. “Your wish is my command.”
He sure made her feel that that was the case. He’d made her a wonderful dinner and asked what she wanted to do next. Sitting out on his terrace with him, the way he looked in the last glow of evening sunlight, what she’d really wanted to do was take him to bed. But since he was making such a big effort to show her that this weekend was about more than that, she’d asked him to bring her into town. They’d be going to bed later anyway.
She watched the lights flash on the car as he locked it. She was fairly certain that the car was worth as much as her house. She’d known he was loaded, but the reality of just how much—his house, his car, the plane—was a lot to take in. She pulled herself together. She shouldn’t hold it against him.
He came around the car and took hold of her hand. “You look sad again.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Sad? What on earth would I be sad about?” She was slipping. Normally, when she went out with a guy, she made sure that she was bright and upbeat, keep them laughing, and they were happy. More importantly, it kept them at bay. When they were entertained, they didn’t have the time or the interest to ask questions, to find out who she really was, and that was for the best.
Diego was proving to be a different breed than the guys she usually dated. And not just because he was twenty years older.
“I wish you’d tell me.” His big brown eyes were concerned as he raised an eyebrow at her. “I have seen you as the bubbly, outgoing one, and yet, I feel there’s so much more going on with you. You don’t want to share it with me?”
She held his gaze for a moment. There was nothing to share, was there? She was doing a little reflecting; that was all. Though why this big beautiful man was making her think so much, she didn’t know.
She surprised him by reaching up and planting a kiss on his lips. “I am sharing with you. I shared my bed this afternoon. We’ll share yours later. I’m sharing the whole weekend with you.” She tugged his hand and started toward the crosswalk.
Once they were on the path that followed the beach and then led up the hill, he slung his arm around her shoulders. It just showed how little he knew about her. Rafa knew better than to try that. She didn’t like to be crowded. She glanced up at Diego. Strangely enough, she didn’t feel that way with him. Even though he was so much bigger than Rafa, she didn’t feel as though he was invading her space—more like he was sharing it.
“What are you going to do with yourself now you don’t have to go into the office every day?” she asked. She could imagine him being one of those guys who came down into town and hung out on the terraces outside the bars and cafes—watching the world and the women go by.
“I’ll probably still go in whenever I’m here. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself otherwise. But I don’t plan to be here very much. I’m hoping to close on the house at the lake soon.”
“Oh, of course.” The last time she’d seen him, he’d found a house that he wanted to buy in Summer Lake. “And what will you do up there?”
He smiled. “Spend time with my son and his fiancée.” He looked happy about that. And even happier when he added. “They’re getting married soon, and when they do, they want to start a family.” His smile grew even bigger. “I’m going to be a grandpa.”
Izzy forced herself to smile. She was happy for him, she really was. Of course, she envied him, but he didn’t need to know that.
“And what about you? How much will things change for you now Audrey’s gone?”
She made a face. “I’m happy for her, I really am.”
His arm tightened around her shoulders, and she got the feeling that he understood what she wasn’t saying; she was happy for Audrey but sad for herself.
“I need to figure out some new routines. I’m used to going into the office all week, hanging out with Audrey and her kids on the weekends. Other than that, I go to the gym …” She faltered when she saw his expression change.
“Just to be clear. You’re not seeing your trainer anymore?”
Part of her wanted to tell him it was none of his business. She saw who she wanted when she wanted, and it was up to her to decide what she wanted—not up to him to respect some other guy’s property rights. But that was just her own shit getting in the way. He was trying to be a decent guy, and she didn’t need to bite his head off for it. “I’m not.”
“Do you mind if I ask why?”
She looked up at him, wondering why he wanted to know.
He raised an eyebrow and waited.
She shrugged. “It was never anything serious.”
“And now it’s over?”
She nodded.
“Good.”
“Why?”
He stopped walking and slid his arms around her waist, forcing her to look up to see his face. “I thought that would be obvious by now.”
“Well, it isn’t.”
“I’m glad that you’re not seeing him anymore because I want to start seeing you.”
She held his gaze for a long moment. He’d kept hinting all afternoon that that was where he was going, but she found it hard to believe. Surely this weekend was just a time for them to hang out, have sex, and then each go on their way. Of course, they’d run into each other again, because of Audrey and Ted, but she doubted it would happen too often. “Why?”
“You want me to spell it out for you?”
She nodded. The way he asked made it seem as though his reasons should be perfectly obvious—but they weren’t to her.
“Because I find you irresistible, Miss Isobel. I can’t get you out of my mind. I’ve already told you that I have not seen another woman since the day we met.” He smiled. “You are fully aware that I like women. I like their company, and I like sex. And since you have put me off all other women, you are the only one left. I want to enjoy your company.” He winked and added, “And have sex.”
“Are you sure this isn’t some game you play with all your women?” She found it hard to accept that there was any possibility that he was serious.
His eyebrows came down and knit together. “Why won’t you believe me? What can I do?”
She shrugged. “Don’t get mad!”
“I’m not mad, Izzy. I’m frustrated. I’m bowled over by you. I want us to spend time together and have fun. But I can’t even get past the first hurdle of making you believe that I mean it.”
His hands came up to the cup the sides of her neck, and her eyelids drooped as he claimed her mouth in one of those amazing kisses.
When he lifted his head, he looked down into her eyes. “Does that not tell you anything?”
She smiled. “It tells me that you’re a good kisser.”
He pursed his lips.
“It tells me that you like me.”
The hint of a smile played on his lips. “What else?”
“It tells me that I probably don’t want to be out here, walking for hours.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I think I’d rather you take me home again and make good on what that kiss just promised.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. But she didn’t know how to go anywhere near the conversation that he wanted to have. It was easier to distract him with more sex—and besides, it was true. Every time he kissed her, it felt as though
he was promising her more good things to come.
He blew out a short sigh. “Do you want to at least walk a little way?”
She gave him a sassy smile. “Sure. Why don’t we walk as far as your car? Then we can take it home—to bed.”
Chapter Ten
Diego opened his eyes, surprised to see the sun shining brightly through the windows. It was late, at least much later than he usually woke up. He smiled when he remembered why. Izzy.
He turned his head, and there she was. Her face was relaxed in sleep. He wasn’t surprised that they’d slept late—they’d worn each other out last night. He reached out to draw her closer to him. He loved the feel of her in his arms. He didn’t want to question that too much. Waking up beside a woman wasn’t unusual. Though, it was more usual that he would be in her bed rather than his. And in the morning, he liked to keep his distance as best he could. Women seemed to believe that the morning after was for bonding, whereas he felt that it was for saying thank you … and goodbye.
Her eyes fluttered as he held her to his chest, but she didn’t open them. He pressed a kiss into her hair and smiled to himself as she mumbled something. If she wasn’t ready to wake up, he’d let her sleep on. He shifted his hips away from her. That part of him was fully awake, but it could wait. She seemed to have no problem getting close to him in that way, but holding her like this was a pleasure she denied him more often than not when she was awake.
He breathed in the scent of her. She smelled sweet and warm. He got the impression that she was much sweeter and warmer than she showed herself to be. He still couldn’t figure her out. She was fun and bubbly, straightforward, and much more honest than most women he’d known—at least when it came to sex. He frowned. Now that he thought about it, she was happier to talk to about sex—to have sex—than she was to talk about feelings. That was the opposite of most women he’d known.
Did she really only see him that way? Was she only interested in sharing physical pleasure? He hoped not. The way she affected him might have come as a surprise, but he wanted to explore it. He’d meant what he’d told her last night. She’d pushed all thoughts of other women out of his head. As far as he was concerned, that was a big deal. He didn’t intend to just let it go. She might think that he was only interested in spending a fun weekend with her, but he intended to win her over so that she, too, would be interested in more than that.
He wasn’t going to question whether he’d be able to win her over. He didn’t believe he was as egotistical as she liked to make out. He was simply realistic. He was a good guy, and he knew it. He could make her laugh; he was good company; he could make her moan. His interest stirred at the memory of how loudly she’d moaned last night.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him with a wry smile. Her fingers closed around him, and he closed his eyes.
“Good morning,” she breathed.
He smiled back at her. “It is now.”
She laughed. “Have you been waiting long?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“For me to wake up so that this guy,” she stroked him as she said it, “can get to work?”
He smiled through pursed lips. “Is that all you think about? I was lying here thinking about you and me about spending more time together.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, right. You say what you like, but this guy is giving away exactly what you were thinking we’d be doing in our time together.”
He wanted to disagree, to tell her that he’d been thinking that sex was only a small part of it. But her warm hand wrapped around him was so persuasive—and it wasn’t polite to disagree with a lady. Especially one who was rolling onto her back and edging her way underneath him.
He claimed her mouth in a kiss and slid his hand between her legs. Her hips moved in time with him as he stroked her. She was so responsive. She pumped her hand up and down the length of him. She knew how to work him. For a moment, he closed his eyes and relaxed into it. She could take him there in no time that way if she wanted to. If he let her. He didn’t want to.
He nuzzled his face into her neck and pushed his fingers inside her. It worked. Both her arms came up around his back. He loved knowing that she was already wet for him. And, apparently, eager for more than his fingers. She was spreading her legs wide. Who was he to disagree?
He positioned himself above her and guided himself to her entrance. He wanted to thrust deep and hard, but having let her take control yesterday, he’d learned what she liked. She liked to go slow. He bit the inside of his cheek as he entered her slowly. It took every ounce of his willpower to go inch by inch, resisting the urge to drive his way home. He lifted his head and looked down into her eyes. Her cheeks and neck were flushed. Her fingers dug into his ass.
“Please?” she breathed.
No way could he resist that. He thrust his hips and was rewarded with a moan as they began to move together. She ran her nails over his shoulders, sending shivers racing down his spine. She was good—she knew what she was doing. He quickly chased that thought away. He didn’t have room left for thoughts when she brought her legs up and wrapped them around his back, opening herself up for him to go deeper. Their bodies moved together frantically. The pressure was building at the base of his spine, ripples of pleasure radiated out from there with every thrust as she closed around him. He felt her start to tense and drove harder.
“Oh, oh, oh, God!”
Her orgasm took her, and she took him with her.
“Izzy!” He gasped as he let himself go in a whole-body orgasm that sent waves of pleasure crashing through him.
When they finally lay still, he cupped her cheek and looked deep into her eyes. Surely she must feel it, too?
“What are you doing to me?” he asked.
She chuckled. “I think it was you who did it to me, this time. But I’m not complaining.”
He wanted to believe that there was something in her eyes, something that gave away the fact that yes, she felt it, too. But perhaps that was only wishful thinking. If she felt the same way he did, why would she avoid it?
She put a hand to his shoulder, and he rolled off her. Either she didn’t feel it, or she was doing a good job of hiding it.
He couldn’t resist closing his arms around her and pressing a kiss into her hair. He should be the one trying to move away afterward—trying to avoid any closeness—but she made him want to lie beside her just as much as he’d wanted to be inside her.
~ ~ ~
Izzy set her fork down and smiled. “You weren’t kidding that you’re a good cook, were you?”
He grinned at her. “I don’t joke about important things. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’ll be happy to cook for you any time you like, either.”
“Thank you.” She knew what he was doing. He was taking every chance he got to let her know that he was serious. That he really was interested in the two of them starting to see each other. She let her gaze travel over him and tried to remember why she was so against the idea.
He smirked at her. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’m afraid I can’t oblige just yet. You wore me out this morning, and we did just eat breakfast.”
She laughed, realizing how brazen the look she’d given him must have appeared. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t making suggestions. Just appreciating what I see.”
He came to where she was still sitting at the island and put his hands on her hips. “So, you do understand that that look isn’t always an invitation—or a move as you claim it is when I do it?”
She gave him a reluctant smile. “Okay, you win.”
He shook his head. “I’m not trying to win points, Izzy. I’m hoping that I might break through and get you to understand where I’m coming from.”
She held his gaze. She opened her mouth to shut him down, but then closed it again. What the hell was her problem here? Why did she keep doing that? She didn’t even understand it herself. Okay, so he was a big macho guy, and she wasn’t into guys like that. But was he? Really? Would he be sta
nding in his kitchen after having made her breakfast if he were?
He looked concerned now. “I’m sorry. You want me to let it go?”
She searched his face. He would let it go if she told him to. He wasn’t the kind of domineering prick that she’d judged him to be. He would let it go, and she knew that she’d regret it if he did.
She reached her hands up to cup his face and pulled him down to kiss her. He turned her insides to mush with his kisses. Why the hell wouldn’t she just relax and enjoy it—enjoy him?
He looked puzzled when he lifted his head. “Are you resorting to kissing me to shut me up now?”
She laughed. “No! Though I can understand why you’d think that. I’m sorry, okay? I don’t want you to let it go. I would like …” Was she really going to say it? Yes, she was. “I’d like to see what we might have going on between us.”
His eyes twinkled when he smiled.
“I wish I could tell you why I’m so … so, whatever I’ve been toward you. I’ve told you before you’re not my type, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find you attractive. It doesn’t mean I don’t like you or anything about you. I just … I’m just wary of big, macho, gorgeous men. I feel as though I’m just a game, and I don’t want to be played.”
“But I would never—”
She held her hand up to stop him. “I know you wouldn’t. I prejudged you right from the get-go to be one of those guys. I accept that I was wrong … and I apologize.”
He smiled and closed his arms around her. She rested her cheek against his chest and was surprised to hear his heart beating rapidly. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m happy that you have revised your opinion of me.” He looked down at her. “Now, do you want to get to know who I really am?”
